Chapter 679: 157. Seeing the Future
Fisher hadn’t faced many life-and-death moments in the past; most of the time, he could say he was safe and sound. Only twice could it be considered very dangerous.
Once was in the Ideal Nation, when he confronted Margaret, who was attempting to awaken the authority of death with her mind clouded by chaos; the other time was in the Elf Royal Capital on the Tree Continent, where they encountered Tang Zeming, one of the elf triplets. The huge gap of the Nineteen Rank almost led to Fisher being instantly defeated. Thanks to Renee’s mark and Remiel’s arrival, he narrowly escaped.
Thus, Fisher had an impression of that elf with black hair dressed in a traditional outfit. Moreover, he later learned about some things related to her after the Mythical War and obtained the chaos manual she left behind.
But now, Fisher was astonished to hear that Tang Zeming’s voice coming from Valentina.
“Tang Zeming?”
Fisher frowned and suddenly released Valentina, who sat up with a flushed face, looking rather shy.
“Tang Zeming, why did you suddenly start talking?!”
“Didn’t I just speak to you in your head while you were holding him? What’s the difference now that it’s out loud?”
“Of course it’s different!”
Talking in one’s mind felt more like speaking to another little person within oneself, giving it a psychological activity vibe. Now that Tang Zeming was speaking out loud, didn’t it mean Fisher realized that someone was watching him during those intimate moments? Wasn’t that…
So embarrassing!
Valentina flapped her wings, stirring up some ice fragments, causing the pink peach blossom branches extending from the back of her head to sway.
But Tang Zeming was not interested in Valentina’s girlish affections at that moment. She merely extended part of the peach blossom branch upwards, directing a pink blossom toward Fisher.
“Kid, it’s me. Long time no see.”
“… You’re actually not dead?”
“Elves can preserve their souls and reincarnate through ‘tree planting,’ but that process also washes the soul clean, restoring it to a pure form. So every time they are reborn, they become another person. However, to provide long-term protection to my entire clan, I used the chaos of Chaotic Beings to alter this process so that I can renew my body without losing my memories.”
The peach blossom branch swayed slightly as she spoke, making Valentina a bit itchy. She raised her hand to tuck a peach blossom back, looking as though she were adjusting a hairpin.
“I didn’t expect that after my death, a part of me ended up staying in Mother’s roots and remained when this little phoenix was reborn.”
“…”
Fisher stared at the peach blossom before him, his scrutinizing gaze making Valentina realize he was doubting Tang Zeming’s motives. After all, Tang Zeming had said that they had been enemies a thousand years ago, and now she was a vessel of chaos. So she hastily spoke up to explain.
“Fisher, Tang Zeming isn’t a bad person or a bad elf. At least she has helped me a lot during this time. Without her, I probably wouldn’t even have had the courage to sit on the Parasol Tree throne.”
“I’m indeed the vessel of chaos you want to eliminate. I realized this as soon as I awakened. My current consciousness is resting upon the chaos of Chaotic Beings. But don’t worry, I’m not here to take revenge for what you did to me a thousand years ago, nor am I here to do anything for the elves that have perished. At this moment, our goals align; we both aim to stop the impending destruction.”
“…” Fisher fell silent for a moment, still feeling somewhat incredulous. “I didn’t expect you to have such awareness.”
When Tang Zeming spoke, Fisher’s heart sank a little. He had just escaped from the Nineteen Rank Elizabeth and was supposed to face her next, and now he found out that the Chaos Race was going to get involved as well. If another Tang Zeming joined the mix, he would genuinely feel hopeless.
But now, Tang Zeming’s attitude was the same as Fate Lord’s, which calmed his racing heart.
“Ha, small fry, there are many things in this world that lack right or wrong; only positions exist. A thousand years ago, I thought it was right to eliminate you Trans beings from the perspective of this world and the elves; and a millennium later, my position hasn’t changed. Even though the elves have perished as a whole, as a Mythical Being created by Mother, I still bear responsibility for this world and have the duty to prevent its destruction.”
Hearing Fisher’s words, Tang Zeming snorted coldly, her juvenile voice still sarcastically condescending.
“So there’s no need to hold animosity toward me. I’ve decided to part ways with Valentina, leaving it to you to solve the current dilemma.”
Valentina opened her mouth but eventually lowered her gaze. After struggling internally several times, she couldn’t say anything.
Fisher keenly observed Valentina’s expression and sensed her reluctance regarding Tang Zeming’s departure.
After a moment of contemplation, he adjusted his words to comfort Valentina, trying to make her accept this matter. But Tang Zeming seemed to have seen through both their thoughts, stepping into the role of the “villain.”
“Valentina, take me outside now, to the highest point of the Parasol Tree. I want to see the whole world, and then I will separate from you. This process may require the help of this small fry.”
Valentina had evolved from ‘small fry’ into an independent existence with her own name, while Fisher remained a small fry.
Valentina hung her head, enduring her feelings, and still replied softly, “… Okay, Tang Zeming.”
She looked at Fisher before reluctantly standing up, her wings slightly expanding. She reached out to gently take Fisher’s hand, preparing to fly out together.
Fisher glanced at the peach blossom behind her head, grasped Valentina’s hand, and followed her out of the room, flying toward the Parasol Tree above. They soon passed through the grand heavenly gates designed specifically for phoenixes and emerged into a world blanketed in white snow.
At the top of Sema Snow Mountain was the most biting frost and snow in the entire Northern Region, seeming like the source of all cold. However, Valentina and Fisher felt none of it as they climbed higher until they reached the peak of the snow mountain behind the Parasol Tree—a vantage point overlooking the vast mountains below.
“Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!”
Valentina flapped her wings and landed, and only then did Tang Zeming speak again.
“Remove the peach blossom branch that’s extending from your head; I’ve gathered all of my parts into this peach blossom branch. Once I leave you, I won’t leave any remnants in your body. Afterward, plant me on this snow mountain; just wait a moment.”
“Mm.”
Valentina slowly raised her hand to touch the branch on her head and found that the branch, which had been tightly linked to the back of her head, had now fallen off, as easily removed as a hairpin.
But as she caressed the still-warm peach blossom branch, her movements slowed, and she remained still for a long time.
“Small fry?”
It wasn’t until she heard that familiar voice that Valentina shivered slightly. Her eyes reddened as she reluctantly glanced at Fisher, whispering,
“I have some… Fisher, can you help me take it down? Please?”
“… Alright.”
Fisher paused for a moment before walking to her back, reaching out to grip the peach blossom branch. He felt that the chaotic essence had entirely severed connections with Valentina, and he let out a small sigh of relief.
Tang Zeming was indeed the eldest daughter of the Tree Continent, who had supported the loss of half-gods a millennium ago; Fisher felt somewhat inferior compared to her control over the chaotic essence.
The difference likely stemmed from Fisher having thoroughly studied the Life Completion Manual, while Tang Zeming didn’t stop there; she applied that knowledge skillfully to reality.
Fisher removed the peach blossom branch, then squatted down and inserted it into the snow-covered soil.
At that moment, the snow was thick, and even though the peach blossom was stout, it could only reveal its head, appearing like a lone blossom in the snow, quite comical.
Adjusting her posture in the white snow, she gazed at the swirling snowstorm before her, and below that highest point lay countless space distortions formed from her mother’s roots’ power, looking far away as if it were the same as before.
Even Fisher remembered the tiered palaces he had seen in the Elf Royal Capital back then, along with the towering golden trees that reached into the clouds—she was the mother of all elves.
“The world’s wonders are nothing like this.”
The peach blossom branch swayed in the wind, and as she looked at the snow and wind under the sunset, it was a pity that the enormous crevice in the sky, which symbolized destruction, had completely spread over their heads. The vast illusory crimson rendered the scene in front of them impure, making Tang Zeming let out a sigh.
“Time passes, feelings remain the same. A thousand years ago, we, the Mythical Beings and half-gods meant to protect the inner world, indulged in internal conflicts, forgetting our duties like our ancestors. Back then, the will to protect my siblings surpassed the desire to guard this fractured world; now, to live again is to repay for past neglect.”
Valentina took a deep breath, kneeling down. The peach blossom in the snow trembled slightly, and more peach blossom branches started to spread from it.
Fisher could feel that Tang Zeming was activating her previously stored chaotic essence to restore her original form. This would not only consume the excess chaos within her but also enhance her will.
As this process unfolded, Tang Zeming’s voice grew increasingly fatigued.
“This is good. This process may take several hours; just wait until it’s completely finished before taking action.”
“Whoosh… Whoosh… Whoosh…”
Amidst the howling cold wind, Tang Zeming’s voice became fainter. Yet, the branches of the peach tree on the ground continued to grow, soon sprouting tender shoots that would likely mature in several hours.
Valentina sat beside the peach tree, watching the now-silent Tang Zeming with a pout but said nothing, merely remaining still.
Fisher half-squatted on the other side of the peach tree. Noticing Valentina hadn’t left, he also sat down, gazing at the increasingly ominous crimson spreading across the sky and gently spoke.
“Are you reluctant?”
“…”
Valentina glanced at Fisher beside her, lowered her head, and after a long time, nodded.
“I… I don’t know, I just feel empty inside.”
Fisher looked at her, his gaze falling upon her slightly furrowed brow. In front of the grandeur of the snow mountain formed by half-god power, a phoenix seemed so small, especially since this phoenix was so young.
“I’m already a phoenix and the leader of the Parasol Tree, but I’ve always been afraid and felt insecure. In such a vast place with so many races and so many matters requiring my judgment, I’ve only been a ‘phoenix’ for a few months and never received such education. Sitting on the throne of the Phoenix King, I even feel like it’s just a makeshift platform with a disabled little girl draped in phoenix feathers.”
Valentina looked down at her perfectly functioning legs, and in frustration, she slapped them lightly.
“Clearly, being able to walk is something to be happy about, yet I feel as if only my body can walk; my heart is still stuck in a wheelchair. It was Tang Zeming who taught me how to do this, telling me that no one is born a king, even revered phoenixes escaped from servitude. When I wanted to see you, I was apprehensive, even afraid that my current appearance would frighten you. I even wondered whether to revert to the time when I was in a wheelchair.
“Tang Zeming scolded me awake, saying, ‘If he cannot accept you standing up or changing your appearance, wishing you would return to your previous weak and fragile form to satisfy his perverse protectiveness and possessiveness, then he sees you as either a lover or a slave kept for amusement.’”
Fisher looked at the peach tree sprouting before him, somewhat taken aback.
Yet, he originally only had a brief encounter with Tang Zeming in opposition, so he had no right to discuss her character and, of course, didn’t understand the eldest daughter of the elves.
Stereotypically, Fisher always thought of her as a foul-mouthed, ancient loli.
“And she also told me about that Tang Zeming and that angel who was willing to sacrifice her life to save you.”
But as she spoke, it seemed Valentina recalled something, her tone becoming melancholic, instantly making Fisher’s body go rigid.
Right, when he was with Tang Zeming and Hela, Tang Zeming had been there too, and he had caused quite a ruckus in her barrier. But seeing that Valentina hadn’t mentioned this matter now, either Tang Zeming didn’t know, or she hadn’t told Valentina.
Mentioning this, Valentina couldn’t help but simmer with anger, pouting and muttering.
“An angel, who, like Tang Zeming, is a Mythical Being, was willing to sacrifice her life for you. Even someone from another world can be so enchanted by you, Fisher!”
That cute, sarcastic tone made it impossible for Fisher not to reach out and rub her head, further messing up her white hair that was already disheveled by the wind, causing her to pout and turn her head away in annoyance. But the next second, Fisher, as if performing magic, produced a shiny ring from thin air.
Valentina’s expression froze for a moment, and she covered her mouth in surprise.
“You…”
“I promised you earlier that I owe you a ring. This is a pair—one for you and one for me.”
As Fisher flipped his fingers, another slightly larger ring, identical to the one in his palm, also appeared. It was a pair of wedding rings he had bought when leaving Nali to fulfill the promise made with her years ago.
Valentina’s breathing quickened. She covered her mouth, and Fisher held up the smaller one, saying,
“Although there’s no exchange of rings in a holy marriage, in Nali’s customs, rings are essential. This is also a promise I don’t want to break any further, Valentina.”
“Fisher…”
Valentina’s face flushed, and her fingers trembled as she slightly raised them, wanting him to put the ring on her. But as she moved, she couldn’t help but ask,
“Is this ring only for me? Or do you have other women you know?”
“…”
Fisher was momentarily stunned by the question, but in terms of action, he didn’t stop at all. He softly replied,
“Of course, this ring only belongs to you, Valentina.”
Only then did Valentina happily extend her finger, allowing him to put on the ring that he owed her since the holy marriage from a few years prior.
The ring was placed right in front of the tender sprouts of the peach tree that were still growing.
She couldn’t help but stretch her finger a bit, but the annoying voice of that “small fry” who criticized her flaunting didn’t ring out, leading Valentina to feel a sense of loss.
She looked regretfully at the peach blossom beside her and softly said to Fisher,
“I heard Tang Zeming say she possesses the strength of the past, so whether she talks or acts, she seems like a stubborn old antique. Yet I foolishly attempted to use my meager youthful strength to tell her about the wonders of the future. Yet, even if its effect is minimal, she can clearly see the future and speak words that align with the present rather than the past.
“She is clearly so close to reaching the future.”
Hearing this, Fisher’s heart couldn’t help but tremble.
The remnants of the past were now covered by the wind and snow. This enormous snow mountain, rooted in the World Tree’s roots, was now blanketed by thick snow, rendering everything from the past invisible.
Only the peach blossom planted in the snow still sprouted a bit of pink, swaying against the possible future, which symbolized destruction above.
Future—this word always carries uncertainty.
No one knows what tomorrow will bring, and no one can confirm what the future holds, so it naturally cannot guarantee that the future will be beautiful.
But the miracle is, when speaking of tomorrow, people will always be optimistic.
“Tomorrow will be better.”
“It’s okay, there’s always next time, there’s always tomorrow.”
So at this moment, looking at the growing peach blossom branches, Valentina finally couldn’t help but lower her head and, somewhat sadly, questioned both Fisher and herself,
“So, isn’t there really any other way? Can’t we really let Tang Zeming live and let her see the future?”
“…”
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(The end of this chapter)
