In the eyes of oracles, the future always remained veiled, shrouded in mystery and unpredictability. Yet, according to a 'renowned' oracle, the future, shaped by countless choices, would branch into myriad possibilities. But none of these choices were accidental. For in this world, there were no accidents, only inevitabilities. Even seemingly chance encounters between two individuals were, in truth, predetermined. A cascade of inevitable events propelled the wheel of history forward, leading to inevitable futures!
After all that, there was only one conclusion: the oracle's predictions were never wrong. If a prophecy proved false, it simply meant the oracle had glimpsed a different inevitable future in a parallel world, and the individual had simply veered into a different inevitable path. Therefore, the oracle was never at fault; the world was!
The above was a justification from an oracle who, having made countless predictions, had yet to get a single one right. You've probably already guessed it: yes, this was none other than the esteemed Copper Oracle of the Conclave of Arcane Lore. Though notoriously unreliable, his words did contain a peculiar, twisted logic.
...
Liam had never anticipated encountering the dark-haired, long-legged beauty again. The world was vast; how could there be so many coincidences? Yet, after circling the district, he encountered her once more. He was emerging from the 'Glory Meats' shop, laden with a large bag of the Foodie's Paradise's specialties, intending to take them back for his roommates. Stepping out of the shop, he saw the dark-haired woman, pulling her massive suitcase, walking briskly towards him.
This time, Liam experienced firsthand the awe-inspiring reality of "long legs, moves so fast." Though he'd seen her from a considerable distance, in a blink, the dark-haired woman was just a few strides away, right before him. Liam slightly angled his body, yielding the path, allowing her to pass with her enormous suitcase.
"Thank you," the dark-haired beauty said softly, with a shy demeanor. She then stepped into the small shop behind him.
Liam nodded slightly, glanced at the time, and decided it was time to head back to the dorm. As he took two or three steps, the dark-haired beauty behind him swiftly completed her purchase, then inquired about something with the shopkeeper. Liam had no intention of eavesdropping on private conversations, but he couldn't help but overhear her question. And the question she asked made Liam's raised foot freeze in mid-air…
"Excuse me, shopkeeper, do you know if there's an abbey called 'Whispering Lantern Abbey' near Haven's End District?"
The shopkeeper pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "Whispering Lantern Abbey? Never heard of it. But I've only moved here two years ago, and I'm not familiar with many nearby places. Perhaps, young lady, you could inquire at some of the older establishments around here? They've been in Haven's End District longer and would know more." The shopkeeper was clearly a kind and helpful soul, offering a friendly explanation. Or perhaps, in this age of instant impressions, the dark-haired young woman possessed an inherent charm that boosted her favorability by a hundred points.
Whispering Lantern Abbey, Haven's End District? Liam immediately thought of Fae Willow of the Spirit Isles from the group. Did I mishear something? Thinking this, Liam pulled out his large phone from his pocket, swiped to unlock it, then deftly opened his messaging app and launched the Conclave of Arcane Lore. After he'd left, sure enough, several new messages had appeared.
First, two hours ago, Fae Willow of the Spirit Isles' message. She reported that she hadn't found any information about Whispering Lantern Abbey, but she had taken a taxi directly to Haven's End District and intended to inquire among the local residents. Then, twenty minutes ago.
Fae Willow of the Spirit Isles: "I've successfully arrived at Haven's End District! It's so crowded and lively here, completely different from what I imagined. It's a food paradise! I've seen so many delicious things along the way!"
It was clear her mood was excellent. Firstly, she'd 'successfully' found Haven's End District, and secondly, there was so much good food! "Departed from Aethelburg Airport, approximately a two-hour drive; then, a lively Haven's End District with abundant delicious food." Liam rubbed his face. Even if he drove like a madman, it would be impossible to reach Port City in two hours from Aethelburg Airport! If he went by the taxi travel time and Fae Willow's description of her destination, she had, in all likelihood, gone to the wrong place—she hadn't reached Port City's Haven's End District, but rather the Foodie's Paradise near Aethelburg University.
And if it truly wasn't a coincidence, then the extremely long-legged, dark-haired beauty behind him might just be Fae Willow? The thought of the sophisticated, fashion-forward beauty possibly being a self-serious fantasy enthusiast filled Liam with an indescribable sense of cognitive dissonance. However… this wasn't enough to confirm that the dark-haired beauty was Fae Willow. It was possible that Whispering Lantern Abbey in Port City's Haven's End District was holding a special event, attracting many people. And perhaps, by coincidence, many of them, like Fae Willow in the group, had gone to the wrong location. This possibility was small, but not impossible.
Liam's fingers continued to scroll on his phone screen, but there were no new messages in the group chat. River North Wanderer wasn't online; perhaps he was busy inquiring about Whispering Lantern Abbey? As Liam scrolled, a voice message from Fae Willow of the Spirit Isles suddenly appeared in the group chat. Liam instinctively tapped it.
...
Fae Willow, dragging her large suitcase, emerged from the shop, somewhat disheartened. This was already the twelfth shop she'd inquired at. The previous shopkeeper's suggestion had been helpful, but she'd asked many establishments, old and new, and no one knew anything about Whispering Lantern Abbey. Sighing, she pulled out her phone, her thumb nimbly navigating to her messaging app, and clicked on the Conclave of Arcane Lore chat window.
Elder River North, whom she'd hoped for, still hadn't replied. As one hand was occupied, she tapped the voice message function, and in her soft voice, said, "Elder River North, do you have any news of Whispering Lantern Abbey? I've inquired at many shops in Haven's End District, but no one seems to know of it. Please reply when you receive this."
She released her thumb, and the voice message successfully sent. She put her phone away. Until she received a reply from Elder River North, she would continue to ask shopkeepers in Haven's End District about Whispering Lantern Abbey; she wouldn't give up! By the roadside outside the shop, Fae Willow noticed the young man who had previously yielded the path for her. He stood there, engrossed in his phone, scrolling through something. Fae Willow paid him no mind, continuing forward.
Just then… a voice, incredibly familiar to Fae Willow, emanated from the young man's phone. "Elder River North, do you have any news of Whispering Lantern Abbey? I've inquired at many shops in Haven's End District, but no one seems to know of it. Please reply when you receive this."
Wasn't that… her own voice? And wasn't that the voice message she'd just sent?! Fae Willow froze for a moment, then an indescribable joy surged through her heart—this young man, this person who looked like a student, was actually an Elder from the Conclave! Fae Willow, lost and disheartened, suddenly felt as if she'd found a life raft in a raging sea. She took two swift steps, closing the distance to the young 'Elder'!
...
Liam had just tapped on Fae Willow's voice message in the group chat. The soft voice was indeed very pleasant to listen to. Suddenly, he felt someone behind him. A faint, floral scent, mixed with a subtle, feminine perfume, wafted into his nose. Liam turned his head and saw the long-legged, dark-haired young woman standing behind him, her face beaming with delight. Her gaze was fixed on his phone.
Fae Willow: "Conclave of Arcane Lore?" The dark-haired woman's gentle voice was filled with the joy of 'meeting a fellow countryman in a foreign land.'
Liam, at that moment, was utterly unsure what expression to adopt. No self-introduction was needed; if Liam still failed to guess her identity, he might as well bash his head against a brick wall.
"Fae Willow of the Spirit Isles?" Liam heard his own voice, strained and awkward.
Fae Willow: "That is I! May I inquire about Elder's mystical appellation?" Fae Willow finally regained some composure, cautiously scrutinizing the 'Elder.' In her memory, every member of the Conclave, save for young Sixteen who had just undergone her trial yesterday, was an Elder. This Elder appeared to be eighteen or nineteen years old, though surely that wasn't his true age? He stood around five feet nine, with a kind face that suggested an approachable demeanor. A kind face… in essence, a face that radiated good-naturedness, the kind that often received "good deed" badges. Moreover, she couldn't sense his cultivation realm at all—it seemed his aura was completely reclusive, making him seem like an ordinary mortal. He must have achieved the pinnacle of seclusion, like her own father! So Fae Willow thought.
Elder?! The address sent a faint ache through Liam's liver.