Yu Xian's Thoughts

At his core, Fathe'aim was an opportunist. He lacked the heart of a true powerhouse; as long as something offered him benefits, he would do it. Providing intelligence to the Class Hunter Society and smothering other class users for them in the past had been for benefits; turning against Yu Xian later had likewise been for benefits. "Alright, I've got it. Good job." Yu Xian and Zhang Buyao were resting in a park in the city when Fathe'aim tracked Yu Xian down and quietly informed him of the schemes hatched by Pie Face and the others. After receiving Yu Xian's praise, Fathe'aim departed in high spirits. He didn't expect to win Yu Xian's favor in a single stroke, but this had been an excellent point of contact. He felt he was one step closer to leaving the darkness for the light. Watching Fathe'aim's departing back, Yu Xian couldn't help smiling. "Yaoyao, what do you think of that guy?" "Short-sighted, and acts like a traitor," Zhang Buyao replied after giving his receding figure some thought. Yu Xian gave her a thumbs-up and chuckled. "Sharp eye. He's just like the two-faced traitors in crime dramas—the most obnoxious kind of person." A man leaves a name and a wild goose leaves a call; if you do not want others to know, do not do it in the first place. The Heavenly Dao of the Zhen Realm recorded every joy, sorrow, parting, and reunion that had ever taken place here, along with every petty, despicable scheme. Fathe'aim's treachery in defecting to the Class Hunter Society as a traitor to humanity was something Yu Xian had learned the moment he acquired administrative authority. When Yu Xian recounted everything Fathe'aim had done in the past, Zhang Buyao's brows knitted together as expected. "Then why let him come back? You shouldn't have invited him in the first place." "Inviting him doesn't mean I agree to let him become a Mighty One. The world isn't black and white, nor is it always clear who is a friend and who is a foe. "Sometimes, the person you think is an enemy is actually a friend, and the person you think is a friend turns out to be an enemy. "Fathe'aim's purpose is to test and temper the others. Becoming a Mighty One isn't something achieved simply by grinding to Level 250. Before they become Mighty Ones, they should at least learn to see through the world and the hearts of men," Yu Xian explained with a smile. Zhang Buyao's strength was beyond question. Yet she was genuinely someone who had never suffered the world's harsh blows, which was why she possessed a face so breathtakingly innocent it made clear no one had ever dared bully her. The darkness across the myriad worlds did not even dare present itself before her. "So he won't become a Mighty One?" Zhang Buyao asked curiously after hearing his explanation. Yu Xian nodded. "Right. Entering the Zhen Realm doesn't guarantee you'll become a Mighty One. Some people were doomed from the start, serving only as cannon fodder for me to test the rest." "Tsk, tsk, aren't you a devious one?" Zhang Buyao couldn't help teasing. Yu Xian smiled. "You know, I've spent a lot of time pondering what the conditions for transcendence actually are, and how one can truly achieve it." "And what's the answer?" Zhang Buyao asked curiously. Yu Xian looked at the pedestrians in the distance. "Didn't I just answer you?" "You answered me?" A question mark practically sprouted above Zhang Buyao's head. She stared at him blankly before her gaze gradually turned dangerous. "Salty Fish, stop keeping me in suspense." Yu Xian chuckled. "Since I can prevent people I dislike from becoming Mighty Ones through the Zhen Realm, don't you think Transcenders could also prevent latecomers from becoming Mighty Ones?" Admin abusers had seniority, too. Before the latecomers could become admin abusers themselves, they were bound to be restricted by the earlier ones. "Makes sense. But how can you guarantee the Transcenders who have already achieved transcendence will like you?" Zhang Buyao asked, intrigued. Yu Xian shrugged nonchalantly. "No idea. My only option is to be myself." "Assuming none of the Transcenders hold you back, how do you plan to achieve transcendence then?" Zhang Buyao pressed. Yu Xian replied helplessly, "How would I know?" If he knew how to transcend, he would have done it already. "Then aren't you overthinking things just a bit?" Zhang Buyao remarked dryly. Yu Xian said proudly, "I call this fighting no battles unprepared. Besides, the fact that Transcenders exist without turning the Tree Universe entirely into absolute light or absolute darkness already proves that most Transcenders are neutral entities." "So you plan to remain neutral, too?" Zhang Buyao asked with interest. Yu Xian shook his head and replied with an easy air, "No. If I followed a trend just to cater to the Transcenders' stance, wouldn't that make me another Fathe'aim? Better to stay true to my original heart. A person's true heart cannot lie." "Who would've thought? You're actually pretty smart for a salty fish," Zhang Buyao said, looking at him in surprise. Yu Xian boasted smugly, "I was never stupid to begin with. Besides, I'm already a Mighty One after all; it's high time I started considering these questions." The might of a Mighty One lay in the immense energy harbored within. That energy did not come from nothing; it originated from the power of universal rules, the myriad shifts of existence, the creation and destruction of chaos, and the reincarnation of all living souls. Every single random evolution fed power into him. When power reached such a scale, a person's thoughts became paramount. After all, a mere stray thought could obliterate countless worlds, and even the slightest leak of energy could corrupt a fairy-tale realm into a grim, dark abyss. His personal likes and dislikes were no longer just his own business; they were momentous enough to sway countless worlds. "What does it feel like to become a Mighty One?" Zhang Buyao asked with genuine curiosity. Yu Xian looked at her in astonishment and asked in return, "Haven't you already become a Mighty One? You don't know?" "When did I ever become a Mighty One?" Zhang Buyao asked blankly. Yu Xian frowned. "The power on the Qingqiu Jade Gate was clearly the strength of a Mighty One. Did that have nothing to do with you?" "The Qingqiu Jade Gate? You mean the seal holding Little Daji? That was the effect of my sword," Zhang Buyao answered with absolute innocence. Yu Xian shook his head. "I'm not talking about the sword, but the power imbued in the jade gate itself." "I have no idea. I never tampered with the jade gate," Zhang Buyao said with certainty. Yu Xian believed her; there was no reason for Zhang Buyao to lie. In that case, had the power on the jade gate been left behind by another Mighty One? In an instant, his mind flashed to his future brother-in-law, Zhang Yao. A sudden thought occurred to him: Could Zhang Yao actually have a massive sister complex, which was why his face turned pitch-black every time he saw Yu Xian? *Hiss!* Wouldn't that make Yu Xian the bleached-blonde punk who rode in on a loud scooter to steal away the sheltered little sister? The more Yu Xian thought about it, the more convinced he became that Zhang Yao was a siscon. It seemed he would have to tread carefully from now on. Whenever he interacted with Zhang Yao, he must ensure Zhang Buyao was by his side to keep himself from getting beaten black and blue. "What are you thinking about?" Zhang Buyao asked curiously when Yu Xian suddenly fell silent. Yu Xian looked at her and smiled warmly. "Thinking about you, of course. Thinking about us." "Ew..." Zhang Buyao leaned away with feigned disgust, but the bright smile blooming across her face couldn't be contained. Whenever Yu Xian leaned in a little closer, she would slide away just a fraction. As the two nudged back and forth on the park bench, the single onlookers passing by felt stuffed to the brim with romantic mush, practically burping from the excess display of affection just by walking past.