As the gazes of those around him grew increasingly peculiar, even the usually composed leader of Anti-Entropy found it hard to remain seated.
He knew that if he didn't say something soon, his reputation would truly be ruined by this Emanator of Causality.
With that in mind, Welt coughed lightly twice and spoke with a solemn expression, "Ahem, Mr. Yun Fan, you jest. Otto and I are enemies, not allies. Please do not confuse our relationship."
"Heh, there's no need for such formality, Mr. Welt. Everyone here is among friends. Rest assured, we won't judge you with prejudice." Yun Fan smiled faintly before adopting an equally serious demeanor, his tone dripping with sincerity.
"Yeah, Uncle Welt, don't worry. No matter what, you'll always be a member of the Astral Express. Right, Stelle?" March 7th chimed in, nudging the girl beside her with a meaningful glance.
"Mhm. Don't worry, Uncle Welt." Catching March 7th's hint, Stelle immediately nodded in earnest agreement.
"You all… Ah, fine, have it your way." Seeing this, Welt knew deep down that any further attempts to argue would likely be futile.
Sigh… This is the price for testing the Emanator of Causality earlier. As long as Himeko and Dan Heng don't—huh?
Welt's gaze landed on Himeko, and his brows furrowed as a sense of foreboding washed over him. Because at this very moment, the Astral Express's navigator—the most experienced and knowledgeable trailblazer among them—was staring at him with the same strange look March 7th and Stelle had given him. It was almost as if…
"Welt, could it really be…?" Himeko's words carried a subtle, complicated tone.
"I… sigh…" Welt was left speechless. After a long pause, he let out a heavy sigh. It seemed this misunderstanding wouldn't be resolved anytime soon.
...…
The Xianzhou Luofu…
"As expected, with my involvement, the original storyline has changed significantly. Stelle actually awakened to the Path of Preservation first. Tsk tsk."
Inside Qingque's home, Yun Fan's true self received the memories transmitted by his avatar. When he saw that Stelle had awakened to the Path of Preservation ahead of time, a peculiar glint flashed in his eyes.
"Mm… Haaah… Yun Fan, what are you muttering about?" Hearing his voice, Yun Fan snapped out of his thoughts and turned slightly toward the yawning girl.
"Nothing, just a sudden moment of reflection. But speaking of which…" At this point, Yun Fan glanced at the jade clock on the wall.
"My little Qingque sure loves to sleep. It's almost lunchtime, and you've only just woken up."
"Who's your little Qingque?!" Qingque puffed her cheeks, hands on her hips as she retorted. Since when had she become his? Sure, she might have some feelings for him, but she wasn't about to throw herself at him—at least not yet!
"You can say whatever you want, but I have principles! Even if you're a god, Yun Fan, I won't just cling to you!"
"Oh? How admirable. I was just thinking that if Qingque agreed to be mine, I'd grant you the power of an Emanator. But it seems my perspective was too narrow."
"Eek—!" Qingque let out a distressed whimper. T-this was coercion! Bribery!
To be honest, his offer was extremely tempting.
In terms of status, she was just a lowly diviner in the Divination Commission. If she continued down the path fate had laid out for her, she'd probably end up marrying an ordinary Xianzhou native, building an ordinary family, and living an ordinary life.
But this impossibly handsome young man before her was the Lord of Samsara—a being whose status rivaled even the Reignbow Arbiter's! A revered Aeon! If she became his, wouldn't she be making history? After all, as far as she knew, there had never been a case of someone marrying an Aeon in the entire universe.
And even if Yun Fan were to grow distant in the future, she'd still have the power of an Emissary of Causality. Wouldn't that mean she could strut around the Xianzhou—no, the entire cosmos—without a care?
By this point, Qingque's eyes were practically sparkling.
"W-wait! I changed my mind! I'll be your little Qingque!" She rushed forward, clinging tightly to Yun Fan's arm, unable to hide the excitement in her voice.
"Hm?" Yun Fan was momentarily taken aback by her sudden change of heart, but after seeing the look in her eyes, he understood.
Of course. His power, looks, and status were all top-tier in this world—no, to put it bluntly, no one could surpass him.
Qingque was a clever girl. That much was evident from how she'd deliberately underperformed to enter the Divination Commission.
On the long road of life, people face countless choices, and with every choice comes gain and loss. Not every choice, however, carries the power to alter one's destiny.
And now, Qingque stood before a choice that could change her fate forever.
The conditions he'd casually offered were enough to drive countless people mad. There was no way Qingque wouldn't be tempted. Now, she'd shed a bit of her maidenly reserve in exchange for power that would elevate her above all mortals.
"Decided?" Yun Fan pulled the petite girl clinging to his arm into his embrace, leaning down to whisper softly by her ear.
"…Mhm." Qingque's reply was barely audible—perhaps because she was too embarrassed at the moment.
"Good." Inhaling the sweet jasmine fragrance emanating from her, Yun Fan felt a surge of heat rush through him. The Yang God's nature already brimmed with excessive yang energy, and now, stimulated by yin energy, it was only natural he found it hard to resist.
'I'll leave Shenhe and Keqing's matters for my other self to deal with. Qingque… I'm claiming her first!'