The lamps lit up, and the crowd widened as customers flocked to the District. Zixin and Arbane dragged each other to the front of the Xiaoshop.
The rough wooden door swept open as Hope's figure exited through. Her gaze faltered as she rubbed her temples. After a passing moment, she cast her gaze at the front, noticing the two before her. She heaved a deep sigh of relief and walked forward, her gaze steady.
She whispered to Zixin, her voice a soft echo amidst the cold breeze, "The negotiations have now been settled… but we must provide materials for this. For now, it's best if you settle down and take a rest for the night."
"And how are we supposed to find such materials?" He muttered, biting his lips as he scratched his head.
Arbane withdrew his gaze from Hope, casting it towards the old door. Taking a step forward, he entered Xiaoshop.
Meanwhile, Zixin's body trembled, falling into Hope's embrace. She shifted her gaze, her eyes dull, "Are you tired too? Come on now, we still have lots to take care of."
Zixin's lips parted momentarily, closing by the next. So did his eyes, warming up upon her.
…
Atop his bed, Zixin shifted his posture, his legs leaning forward as he sat down. His breathing remained steady as the air felt still, his mind turning to silence.
His thoughts sank into a whirlpool that split a second later. Eventually, half his mind was pulled, stepping into the White Palace while the rest remained on his body.
Inside the White Palace, he turned, scanning his surroundings before settling down. With his shoulders slumped, he let both of his minds align.
And right then and there, he saw an illusory string that danced with his thoughts. His arms lunged forward, grabbing on but failing as his thoughts collapsed, the falling fragments merging as he fell back to the bed.
His lips curled upwards as he leaned back, his eyes closing in a heartbeat.
The shade of night dimmed, and the moonlight glowed, piercing the land. His eyes snapped open as he pushed his blanket, swinging his leg to the edge and taking a seat.
His thoughts clashed, forming a line–no, a circuit of thoughts. What was that string just now? Is it a sign that I'm perhaps closer to finally accomplishing the synchronization? I suppose that sounds nice… but I'm not quite sure yet, so I have to keep an eye out in case anything similar occurs.
He raised his arms, stretching before continuing his training. His mind shifted, the air remaining silent as he conjured chains, locking his thoughts, but snapping once the chains crumbled upon the sudden barrage of opposing thoughts.
His hand trembled as his breath grew heavy, lowering his gaze momentarily before returning to his mind.
On his second attempt, he conjured a whirlpool, pulling his thoughts into it, before splitting it with a tug. His mind stayed silent, resisting no further as he was pulled into the White Palace.
After pushing himself to gain footing, he scanned his surroundings, noticing his–Heart, the rusted key. Taking a step forward, his thoughts raced: My Heart, huh? The only ability it has provided me with so far is Snowdrop… something tells me to use it, but… I have no target in mind.
His footsteps drew closer, and his hand grabbed forward, taking the key into his hands. Upon which, his thoughts raced again: I need a target, but who should I target? Hmm? Using Snowdrop on myself sounds counterintuitive, and I also don't feel like experiencing those awful memories again… now that I look back, the ability never specified that I could only target living organisms…
His eyes darted across the room, searching for a target, before his gaze landed on a wooden table. Taking a gulp, his fingers trembled as they drew closer.
The instant his finger brushed past it, his mind collapsed into rubble as the fragments were drawn by the history of the table.
…
I was a tree, a great tree, standing tall–mighty as the heavens, and grand as the earth. My branches spread far from my body, each carrying the weight of my existence.
My roots sank deep beneath the earth, drawing nutrients while my leaves absorbed the gift of the sun. I was the guardian of my forest, towering over my colleagues with ease.
Storms tore my body, but I stood tall, letting my leaves grow back and continuing my watch over my domain.
My body grew taller as the sun swept me by. But as my body grew taller, and my branches overtopped the clouds, mankind's hands paid me a visit with axe in hand, and sinful eyes, they chopped down my divine body.
I let out a silent scream, my voice withering as I was torn to shreds.
As my body was torn, split into countless pieces, and reshaped into furniture. Fragments of my existence were scattered across, but this one was a table.
I was carried, dropped upon a store, a display waiting to be purchased. Night and day would intertwine, losing meaning under the shadow of both.
Until a young lady arrived, her long brown hair a mix of curls and straight, with her calculating eyes observing my body. Within a moment's rest, she purchased me, placing me inside a guest bedroom.
Although none had stayed in my quarters, the young lady often visited, dusting me off whenever she did.
Time blurred as a young man rested in my room, sleeping comfortably in his bed, a smile tugging at his lips. Whenever he steps into the room, his composure would falter momentarily before returning. He went and went as he pleased, returning only if needed.
…
Zixin's mind reassembled instantaneously, the broken fragments colliding together and devouring the memories.
His thoughts raced, his fingers hovering over the table: What did I just… see? That table is strangely fancy… Sigh, I suppose this little experiment of mine taught me a lot. One of them is the main difference between a tree and a person. His thoughts continued: The experience felt shorter compared to when I used Snowdrop on Elmer, and I believe I know the reason why. It's because humans naturally think all the time, but compared to an inanimate object that doesn't, it feels completely different. It was basically only two years…
He let out a sigh, his heart shaken whenever his gaze would drop to the table. Shaking his head, he shifted his gaze towards the door.