"Do you like it here?"

"Are you serious with this question?"

"Of course." Black Crow said calmly, "I've never heard of other kingdoms, nor have I visited them. I'm not a Mage, and I can't enter the Void Realm... Since I was born, I've lived on this Wasteland. My life is already bound to this land."

Ash also felt he was a bit rude, so he gathered his emotions and said slowly, "Compared to the kingdoms I've visited before, Senluo is too chaotic and disordered, with constant religious conflicts and no unified government... All forces are recklessly exploiting Gray Fox's legacy in mutual wars; I really don't like it here."

"However," he continued, "Senluoians are the most vibrant people I've ever seen. Despite factors like environmental pressure, religious guidance, and lifespan limitations, almost every Senluoian has once clung to those elusive grand ideals, and even now, Believers who have turned to the Four Pillars God Sect are no exception—they, too, were only tempted by the Gods of Four Pillars after their ideals crumbled."

"Isn't that quite normal?" Black Crow asked puzzled.

"If you had been to Blood Moon and Gospel, you'd understand how unique you are." Ash said, "Blood Moon, Gospel, Senluo... I actually find it hard to judge the merits among your three kingdoms. In Blood Moon, it's entertainment to death, and the civilians live quietly, but most face the harshest elimination in infancy; Gospel is perfect in everything, but the moment a person is born, their future is already predetermined, and everything is arranged clearly; Senluo has nothing good, yet each of you strives to bloom, unless the Great Skill collapses, it's hard for me to see anxiety, hesitation, or confusion in you; everyone is striving towards their ideal faith. If the Blood Moonians become numb in entertainment, and the Evangelists cannot step out of their comfort zone in happiness, then the Senluoians shine brightly in suffering."

"Even if the Great Skill collapses, some people's brilliance will not be hidden by the night." Ash paused, "I'm talking about you, Tamasi."

Black Crow responded with a nasal sound, "Hmm."

"Transcend Sect, Twin Sect, Bronze Law Sect, and even the Tribulation Fire Temple... Though I don't agree with these sects' practices, I respect their ideals. If everyone just ran around for money, women, or power, this world would be too dull."

Ash looked up at the night sky and said softly, "Though there are no stars in the night sky, you are all looking up at distant ideals. By the way, do you know which sect's ideal I like best?"

Black Crow immediately said, "Ya Sha Jin?"

"It's the Tribulation Fire Temple."

Black Crow: "(°ー°〃)?"

"Because I really like the ideal of the Fire Cat Technique: enabling ordinary people to drive the Technique Spirit." Ash smiled, "It challenges the foundation of the entire mage system, threatens the interests of the mage hierarchy; in most kingdoms, such an ideal would be laughed at. Yet in the Kingdom of Senluo, it can become a goal for all mages to pursue together. The Tribulation Fire Temple aims to chase the glory of the Fire Cat Era, which is indeed very appealing to me."

"If I hadn't lost to Silver Lamp, if I could continue to pretend as the First Gospel, ruling over the Tribulation Fire Temple, maybe..." Ash shrugged, "But there's no such 'if'."

"So, I don't like this land of Senluo," he concluded, "But I like a certain era, certain ideal, or maybe... a certain person."

"You actually don't have to consider my feelings." Black Crow said, "I was just looking for a random topic to chat with you."

"You can ask Igula, when have I ever considered others' feelings?" Ash snorted, curiously asked, "But why do you suddenly have the interest tonight? Before, not only did you rarely initiate a topic, but you also seldom participated in discussions. I always felt you were staring at Igula's neck, trying to find the best angle to behead..."

Black Crow said, "Because you still haven't mentioned when you're planning to leave."

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