No one moved at the mountain gate.
Not because they didn't dare.
Because they hadn't processed it.
What just happened—
Was too clean.
No impact.
No fluctuation.
But everyone knew—
Something was wrong.
—
The three stood where they were.
Not a step off.
Just now, they moved aside.
Not judgment.
Not concession.
But "must."
—
The one in the middle took a breath.
His expression changed.
"Again," he said quietly.
—
The other two nodded.
This time, they didn't speak.
They acted directly.
—
Not attack.
Construction.
—
The air was layered again.
Like an invisible net descending.
—
First layer.
"In this place, actions require permission."
—
Second layer.
"This person has no authority to interfere."
—
Third layer.
"All changes must be traceable."
—
Three rules.
Pressed down, layer by layer.
—
Liu Xia walked ahead.
Didn't stop.
He didn't feel it.
—
He only felt a bit stuffy.
"Why's there no wind today," he said.
—
He reached the middle of the steps.
Paused.
Not because of the rules.
Because—
Someone was ahead.
—
An old man.
Standing there.
Blocking the path.
—
Liu Xia glanced at him.
"You here to confirm too?" he said.
—
The old man didn't smile.
He looked at Liu Xia.
Very seriously.
"No," he said.
"I'm here to watch."
—
Liu Xia nodded.
"You done watching?" he said.
—
The old man didn't answer.
He just looked at him.
Like looking at something—
That didn't belong here.
—
Behind them—
Those three layers of rules had fully descended.
The entire mountain gate was locked.
—
Liu Xia was inside.
—
The old man spoke slowly:
"Say something now," he said.
—
Liu Xia frowned.
"Again?" he said.
—
The old man nodded.
"Anything."
—
Liu Xia was a little annoyed.
He glanced around.
"You people really have too much time," he said.
—
Nothing happened.
—
The old man nodded.
"Say another sentence," he said.
—
Liu Xia didn't want to cooperate.
But the man kept blocking the way.
He sighed.
"Move," he said.
—
No fluctuation.
—
The old man didn't move.
—
Behind them—
The three men all let out a breath.
"It's suppressed."
—
Jesse stood in the distance.
But her gaze tightened.
"Not over yet," she said quietly.
—
Liu Xia looked at the old man.
A little annoyed.
"You're blocking the way," he said.
His tone heavier.
—
—
In that instant—
—
First layer:
"Actions require permission."
—
Was rewritten.
—
Into:
"His actions require no permission."
—
Second layer:
"This person has no authority to interfere."
—
Was overwritten.
—
Into:
"His interference takes priority."
—
Third layer:
"All changes must be traceable."
—
Collapsed directly.
—
Because—
There was no source.
—
—
The old man's body shifted slightly.
—
He moved aside.
—
Not judgment.
Not concession.
But—
"The fact had already been established."
—
Liu Xia walked past.
"Would've been easier if you did that earlier," he said.
—
He kept walking down.
Didn't look back.
—
Behind him—
The three men all stepped back at once.
Their expressions completely changed.
—
Everything they had just constructed—
Wasn't broken.
—
It was—
Redefined.
—
The old man stood there.
Didn't move for a long time.
—
He looked at Liu Xia's back.
Then slowly spoke:
"Not a technique."
—
He paused.
—
"Not a command either."
—
Someone beside him asked quietly:
"Then what is it?"
—
The old man didn't answer immediately.
—
He watched that retreating figure.
For a long time.
—
Then said:
"What he says—"
—
"Is the result."
—
The air fell silent again.
—
Jesse stood in the distance.
Closed her eyes briefly.
—
She was certain now.
Not suspicion.
Not speculation.
—
Fact.
—
She said quietly:
"If one day he realizes—"
She paused.
—
"This world will change."
—
In the distance—
Liu Xia had already gone far.
—
He stretched.
"Finally no one bothering me today," he said.
—
No one answered.
—
But in a place unseen—
—
Six presences—
Fell silent together.