"Enemies? You jest," Tang Sui's deep blue pupils flickered with a hint of mockery.
"Where there are people, there will be conflict. When they no longer have a common enemy, they will turn on each other. Even if I don't intervene and just watch, in this trial of 'humanity,' people will eventually fall into disarray as threats gradually emerge, and the few truly good will perish."
Tang Sui opened the car door and leaped lightly from the passenger seat, landing on the dusty, solid ground.
"Everything in the world is in balance. And this world is a real existence. The world people live in is not an inner world, but the normal outer world, merely one you haven't granted me access to. All the異種 (yì zhǒng - alien species) from 'another world' are also real."
"But both actually coexist within one world. One, the surface; one, the depths. Like where light shines, besides the beautiful exterior, there are also the mottled interiors. The place where the 異種 survive is the inner world."
She looked at the people whose faces were etched with the joy of survival, her gaze drifting towards the misty expanse behind them.
"Humanity already has a direction and goal for progress; my intervention is unnecessary. But for these 異種, born of chaos, all they have to rely on is the instinct of survival through competition."
[...So, you still intend to stand against humanity?]
Tang Sui paced to the bus stop advertisement and stopped, looking at the crisscrossing bus routes sandwiched between layers of glass. Her eyes were clear and cold: "Those not of our kind do not necessarily need to be annihilated. Whether this world's order can be restored depends on a transaction between you and me."
"You can unseal my powers, and in return, I will help you re-establish order and guide both worlds onto the path of proper development."
"The inner and outer worlds are both demarcated by a 'gate.' After persuading the 異種, I will lead them back to the inner world, returning the outer world to its original inhabitants, and the 'gate' will be permanently sealed. Unless someone is foolish enough to attempt to reopen the 'gate,' corresponding protective measures will be triggered."
"If both worlds are self-aware and live peacefully in their own domains without crossing boundaries, then your world can also head towards a glorious future. What do you think?"
Tang Sui extended an olive branch.
That voice, the consciousness of this world's Heavenly Dao, was silent for a few seconds before slowly saying:
[Even if you gain no faith power in return, it's alright?] Sultan Novel Network
It remembered that she had discovered the 異種 could not provide her with faith power.
Tang Sui was certainly prepared for a harvest of nothing. Since these seeds were picked up, she considered it an experiment; at least she wouldn't lose anything.
"I am in a hurry to collect faith power to complete my great undertaking. However, that does not mean I will abandon the path I have chosen. Even if I haven't truly attained enlightenment, I will not choose to become humanity's savior."
She slightly raised her chin, her delicate, porcelain-white face revealing a stern expression.
"I will not choose an absolute stance. My actions are enough to justify myself."
The Heavenly Dao consciousness fell silent, seemingly evaluating the conditions Tang Sui had proposed.
A few seconds later, a sound like shattering glass emanated from within her, silently indicating the Heavenly Dao's choice.
"Boom—"
Tang Sui's entire body trembled. She closed her eyes, feeling the torrent of power, breaking free from its confines, surge into her limbs and bones. The familiar crackling sound of bones echoed with the impact of the power.
The familiar strength filled her. Tang Sui closed her eyes and adapted for a few seconds before opening them, letting out a long sigh, and curving her lips, "Thank you."
As soon as she spoke, time, which had been halted, resumed its flow.
Tang Sui suddenly darted out from among a group of soldiers, startling them.
Some soldiers scratched their heads, unable to recall when Tang Sui had approached.
But...
The soldiers, who had been cheering a moment ago, stopped abruptly. They instinctively took a few steps back, everyone on alert, creating a circle around Tang Sui.
Even Lieutenant General Modi's muscles tensed as he stared at Tang Sui, his gaze filled with disbelief. He subconsciously reached for the backup pistol at his waist.
'You forgot to restrain your aura.'
The Ape Mask kindly reminded her.
Tang Sui blinked. The terrifying and profound aura, like an abyss, that had surrounded her immediately receded, and she returned to being a harmless, gentle young girl.
However...
Tang Sui looked at Lieutenant General Modi and smiled slightly, "Lieutenant General, I have good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?"
Lieutenant General Modi: "..."
He looked at the somewhat peculiar Tang Sui and cautiously said, "The bad."
"The bad news is that I have some matters to attend to and may not be accompanying you to W City."
At this, everyone's expression changed drastically.
This expedition was planned with Tang Sui as the central figure.
A hot-tempered soldier's face darkened on the spot, but the magical power Tang Sui had displayed kept his curses at bay.
Fortunately, Lieutenant General Modi had seen his fair share of storms. He simply asked in a deep voice, "Where do you plan to go? Without you, this trip would have been in vain."
"I know. So, the good news is, my... agent will be accompanying you to W City." Tang Sui raised her hand, and the Old Woman Mask, carved with the visage of a benevolent elder, materialized out of thin air. The narrow slit eyes gleamed with a faint light. Amidst the wary and fearful gazes, Tang Sui smiled:
"It is one of my abilities. You can call her Old Woman Mask. I can see everything she sees through her vision, and even if I'm not here, I can convey my words through her."
Tang Sui paused, then offered an additional condition they couldn't refuse:
"Furthermore, as long as she is with you, I guarantee your journey ahead will be incredibly smooth, with no ill-intentioned creatures obstructing your path."
Everyone was stunned.
Lieutenant General Modi stared intently at Tang Sui, his voice slightly hoarse, "But just now, those bugs still attacked."
Tang Sui: "That was before, not now. Besides, my mind is made up; I am merely informing you."
With that, a strong gust of wind suddenly swept out from under Tang Sui's feet. While everyone raised their hands to shield themselves from the swirling mist, Tang Sui's figure abruptly vanished from the spot, leaving only the Old Woman Mask, unaffected by the strong wind, hovering in place. It slowly met Lieutenant General Modi's gaze:
"Let's get along."
Lieutenant General Modi: "..."
He stared at the bizarre mask, his scalp tingling.
The dense white fog served as the perfect cover. Tang Sui hovered high above, her expanded mental power allowing her to clearly perceive the one person and one object within the mist, even in its obscurity.
The Ape Mask, Da Fei Chu, and Fu Shen floated around Tang Sui. Among them, the Ape Mask asked with some surprise, "I thought you'd have me follow them."
After all, its specialty was mind control.
Following them all the way to the base would have been a guaranteed success.
"You're overthinking it; I'm not a devil." Tang Sui smiled, no longer looking at the troubled Lieutenant General Modi below. She flew towards the fork in the road where the colossal beast resided.