Chapter 1684: Chapter 319: Oath of Allegiance
When Kerraithâs Split Soul coalesced before the Dark Gold Colossus Dragon, the latter was not surprised in the least.
âIanâ simply lifted his head, meeting the gaze of the Chief Scholar, lightly flapping his wings, waiting for the other to speak.
The otherâs true body was still engaged in battle with the Guardian of The Grand Library and seemed at a disadvantageâyet Kerraith still divided a part of his own strength to communicate with him.
An invisible Subspace barrier erected itself around the Silver Sky Gateway, isolating them from prying eyes, creating a vast but enclosed space.
They stared at each other, yet remained silent for a long time.
[My Path of the Dao is correct]
After a while, Kerraith slowly spoke: [But I still do not understand why you donât transfer information regarding the âself-personalityâ to parallel space-time]
The Grand Scholar looked at âIanâ with a look of near-pitying confusion: [What is the connection between your current self and your past self? You are almost entirely two different people, only sharing the Heart Light Body known as the âGuiding Starâ]
[âThe original Ianâ has long since died; you cannot even be considered a remnant of him, merely a tool shaped by him, a... a Phantasm]
"Regarding âmyselfâ and âIan,â I have a somewhat different perspective."
âIanâ calmly replied: "You regard the self as too insignificant, and the essence of life as too minuscule. If complete identical memory is your definition, then the moment you forget what you had for dinner last night, you are no longer yesterdayâs you..."
"As long as throughout Endless Space-Time, those who are willing to acknowledge themselves as âIanâ and share consensus with me, then I am âus,â and âweâ is me."
"As for you."
Saying so, âIanâ squinted his eyes, seriously observing Kerraith before him, and couldnât help but laugh: "This Split Soul of yours... is it not also a Phantasm?"
The Kerraith Split Soul before him appeared quite young, possibly a younger version of Kerraith, with neatly managed gray scattered hair, and blue eyes slightly different from Kerraithâs true body.
[This is the result of my failed experiment]
Kerraith admitted frankly: [I cut my soul and sent it into parallel space-time through the Silver Sky GatewayâI gained no information from parallel space-time, yet I obtained a model of another self... a younger yet more perceptive model]
[Because I perceived the differences between the parallel self and my current self, I must complete âEternal Onesâ]
"I see, witnessing the difference, thus feeling dread. Knowing that the parallel self might make different choices than the current self, thus unable to recognize it."
âIanâ found clarity in this, fell silent for a moment, then said, "But these are not truly the reasons you want to converse with me, and I do not care... in exchange for gaining the answers you sought from me, now tell me, what collaboration do you have with Axel?"
"Moreover, your reason for inviting me has become very clear, but why invite Yisen Gard?"
Having observed âIanâs retrospection, Kerraith naturally knew the upcoming future was likely Michaelâs great battle with Axel. Time seemed planned for after achieving a comprehensive advantage in the War against the Fiery Flame Land, with Michael achieving the Fifth Energy Level, then inciting a rebellion.
The reason for this rebellion, to this day, âIanâ was unclear. Different parallel space-times unfolded differently; in some Michael did not rebel, in others Axel fell into silence early, The Empire split...
Yet from Kerraithâs side, one could infer a fragment of Axelâs mysterious plan.
âIanâ considered this crucial.
But Kerraith laughed.
[Do you wish to know?]
He said: [Then defeat me?]
[Defeat me, and my Split Soul shall be your trophy, my Wisdom and all memories can be yoursâand I shall point you a path, one where you can safely leave the City of Knowledge without being noticed by anyone]
At this moment, âIanâ had an inkling, lifting his head.
He sensed, due to his stirring of the Aether Sea, the Mystical Phenomena in the City of Knowledge also alerted everyone, and now many powerful beings, along with corresponding âSpecial Action Personnelâ from various countries, were approaching the City of Knowledge.
Speaking of which, all the Emissaries present called for reinforcementsâwith the reason to combat the Demonic Armyâs invasion, various forces aim to secure a share in the City of Knowledge.
If that truly happened, âIanâs predicament would be somewhat dangerous. If before âIanâ only the Unyielding Fortress and Domain of Extremes were particularly attractive to others, now, the existence of the Arcane Pathway would suffice to drive other powers mad.
"...Using only a Split Soul, huh? Then Iâll take it as your acceptance."
Regarding Kerraithâs choice, âIanâ was not surprised.
Knowing he might be defeated and sealed by a Guardian, Kerraith apparently began contemplating a retreat... this Split Soul battling âIanâ was one such measure; regardless, if âIanâ truly defeated him, securing his Split Soul, at least Kerraith would gain âIanâs perspective, not wholly disconnected from Terra even if sealed.
Thus spoken, the Dark Gold Colossus Dragon slowly spread its crystal-like wings, the vast Aether spreading to all directions with this action: "Grand Scholar, I shall grant you an opportunity."