Chapter 2708: Chapter 2703: Three Astonishing Revelations

To hear the truth in the morning, one could die satisfied in the evening.

As previously mentioned, Fu Qian does not often doubt Lady Nepheli’s heart in seeking the truth.

Burning oneself with a single Fire of Madness is something that ordinary people find hard to do.

Thus, in Fu Qian’s view, the bones on the lighthouse belong to the former dean of the Benevolence Institute without a doubt.

However, there is also a very practical question: what state is one in after "dying"?

At first glance, it almost sounds like a grammatical error; although it’s considered a genius move, it’s clear that it’s far from being able to easily kill a Superior Being, should death not mean complete demise?

Fu Qian does not oppose this point, but let’s not forget the initial intention of Lady Nepheli’s self-immolation with Mad Fire.

That is, to determine whether the world before us is real or fake, whether everyone has been trapped in lies all along.

And his subsequent explorations seem to indeed support her view—the world has long been in the Crystal Apocalypse, even the strongest like a warehouse cannot reverse it and can only carry out some euthanasia-like projects in this post-apocalypse era.

Then, if the real side of the world is the Crystal Apocalypse and Lady Nepheli truly discovered this point, would her final act of directly cremating herself hold another meaning?

Fake death to escape?

Such a notion is too low-level; in Fu Qian’s view, Nepheli doesn’t have much motive in this regard.

Attempting to touch the reality of the world in that manner?

It is undoubtedly a form of madness, but Nepheli’s previous actions were already mad enough. Moreover, at the end of exploring the Sea of Ashes, he did indeed encounter similar cases.

Li He.

The former dean of the Academy, it seems, also had the chance to touch the reality of the world, but in the end, he appeared to reject it.

By comparison, Nepheli is clearly not as wise in the philosophy of living; her approach being more extreme can be said to be very normal.

So, did Nepheli abandon her physical body, successfully smuggling her consciousness into the real world? Just like waking from the matrix in The Matrix?

It sounds somewhat reasonable, though Fu Qian still holds reservations.

The Crystal Apocalypse is not merely a matter of a few mechanical squids chasing you.

According to previous knowledge, even the Superior Beings struggle to maintain.

In such a situation, what degree can the remnant spirit of a Second Phase player struggle to?

And this is precisely what Fu Qian is curious about.

Dead is dead; he doesn’t believe Nepheli merely switched to a wraith species.

But at the same time, is the latter’s will truly without any trace remaining?

For example, transformed into the oscillations between crystals, resonating with echoes of truth?

Why not try to confirm everything through this "Observing Yin" method?

If there can be any gain at all, it would be of huge benefit to research work.

...

Unfortunately, there seems to be no response.

It was mentioned earlier why specifically seeking Kisaragi Chie to observe Yin.

And the most optimistic and vivid effect imagined, no doubt, was after stating the intention, she could immediately channel Nepheli like last time and begin recounting perspectives from an alternative angle.

Yet until now, this person seems very normal, seriously exhibiting her second-class level.

"So you want to ask about friends and the future..."

For instance, responding off-topic to customer inquiries, feigning profoundness.

Regarding Fu Qian’s earlier question about his own complex destiny, Kisaragi Chie evidently did not answer directly, merely lowering her head and slowly placing three cards into a triangle.

"Not necessarily friends, acquaintances might be more fitting."

Observing her actions, Fu Qian did not mind, simply correcting her wording casually.

"Understood, it seems your relationship is indeed not too good."

Such amiable clientele also gradually calms the diviner, and the next moment Kisaragi Chie pushes one card in front of Fu Qian.

"This one represents why you have drifted apart."

...

Oh?

Fu Qian actually doesn’t have much interest in divination, but the methods in this area do bear some resemblance.

Looking down, he can see that the content depicted on the card is indeed not very warm, shockingly a deer made of white paper.

"It seems you have some disagreements, and the more intersections you have, the more pronounced the disagreements become."

Seeing the customer not have too strong of a reaction, Kisaragi Chie appropriately provides an interpretation.

"That’s true, our interests overlap somewhat, but our concepts differ."

Recalling more than once technical exchange, Fu Qian nodded.

Perhaps Kisaragi Chie’s explanation was still somewhat evasive, but he didn’t mind.

"But this is what’s special; the basis of disagreement should be intersections. Such estrangement would reasonably lead to reunion someday, but it seems..."

Kisaragi Chie continued pushing the card closest to her, her brows slightly furrowed.

"This one represents the final outcome; such a situation seems unlikely to occur again."

...

The appearance seems even more ominous.

Unexpectedly not hiding but directly providing the final result, at that moment Fu Qian’s evaluation of the second-class divination master increased somewhat, and he responded to the other’s statement by looking down.

Compared to the previous card, this one actually looked like a living thing, though visibly dying—

It was a figure lying down, both hands outstretched, as if lifting something.

But there was actually nothing pressing on him; one could even see the sun above his head.

And the reason for saying it was dying, apart from the strange posture, was also because the head prominently bore distinct gill slits.

Faintly resembling an aquatic creature, making sunbathing suddenly look suffocating.

"Drowning light, this card has a very special meaning..."

At this moment, Kisaragi Chie indeed provided an exceedingly fitting card name, along with continued interpretation.

"Specifically, if you are looking for someone, it might imply not too good a result; you may never see that old friend again."

...

Such a pessimistic expectation?

Kisaragi Chie seemed utterly unconcerned about getting beaten up, momentarily making Fu Qian look at her differently.

It’s well-known in the divination trade that facing tricky issues, a roundabout hint is somewhat a fundamental skill. In this regard, personal safety can be said to be another required lesson.

Excessively straightforward interpretations of the cards without considering the querent’s feelings, can easily earn a quick fortune while successfully collecting bodily injuries in return.

The second-class divination master, usually adept at this, surprisingly was so candid this time; perhaps she realized the customer was Caring Valley and wouldn’t make things difficult over this?

"So does this mean she is dead?"

Naturally enhancing his image, Fu Qian asked directly.

"...No, your old friend is still alive."

And after Kisaragi Chie hesitated slightly, she genuinely gave a shocking answer and directly flipped over the third card.

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