Chapter 526
The mysterious girl before her had clearly succeeded in merging with the "uniqueness." By the definition of the higher echelons of joy, she had integrated a part of the "uniqueness," making her an ascendant.
But... had Xia Er really reached the fourth tier?
Could it be that one could merge with "uniqueness" without reaching the fourth tier?
"Uniqueness" and ascendants were undoubtedly related, yet what was happening with Xia Er contradicted their theoretical research.
Was their theory wrong?
Imogen felt a chill at the thought; she realized that some matters required her to seek the girl’s guidance without reservation.
Directly probing her memories would be futile; even that red-haired girl could "revive" herself—she wouldn’t die even if her head exploded. Under such circumstances, Imogen certainly couldn’t think of forcibly delving into her memories.
But she needed to confirm whether that esteemed figure’s theory had any flaws.
Taking a deep breath, Imogen stood up, looked solemnly at the red-haired girl, slightly bowed her head, and said, "Your Excellency Xia Er, could you... share your experience of merging with 'uniqueness' with me?"
Perhaps worried that Xia Er might refuse, she quickly added, "That esteemed figure and you are not on the same path; she is a 'Harbinger of Calamity,' and the 'uniqueness' she obtained is from the 'Toxic Master' path. There’s no conflict of interest between you two."
Experience of merging with "uniqueness"?
Why not ask the system?
But soon, Xia Er realized.
This was an opportunity.
Every extraordinary being in the world harbored desires.
Whether to grow stronger, seek revenge... or simply to survive.
Whispers would gnaw at the sanity of extraordinary beings; those without the desire to live had long been consumed by the madness of potions.
Thus, the extraordinary beings still alive, deep down, harbored a desire to resist madness and continue living.
Even for a strong voice, it was merely a means to combat the whispers and chaotic memories in their minds, seeking to utilize the artificial divine plan taught by the God of Order.
These desires had often become bargaining chips in Xia Er's negotiations, and at this moment, she realized the desires and obsessions of that extraordinary being in Bei An Su.
It lay in merging with "uniqueness."
She might have already completed the replication ritual, and she was preparing the potions, but it seemed she wasn’t ready to merge with "uniqueness," allowing the ritual to continue.
The purpose of sending Imogen here was to silence the opposition to the Grain Act, to keep Bei An Su out of the public eye, but the core aim was to ensure the "ritual" continued until the merging of "uniqueness" was complete.
Xia Er couldn’t provide any specific plans or methods for merging with "uniqueness," but she didn’t need to know.
She only needed to make the other party believe she did.
This was Xia Er’s forte.
"You should know, this is a sensitive issue," Xia Er said, looking at Imogen, her voice slow and deliberate. "I have no reason to tell you."
Xia Er was ready to steer the conversation into a realm where others were utterly inept, but where she had some knowledge.
The Otherworld.
Xia Er slowly raised her right hand, silver light flickering, and a silver pocket watch appeared before her. The slender silver chain dangled between her fingers, the silver serpent head swaying gently.
"As for 'uniqueness'..." Xia Er opened the watch’s cover, revealing the golden gears turning beneath the hands, slowly rotating. "I have indeed merged quite a bit..."
The pocket watch began to fade from Xia Er's hand, while the silver dial in her right eye and the golden gears rotating in her left eye seemed to emit a mesmerizing glow.
【Exceeding Limits】
【Nemesis】
Cracks appeared on the silver dial, and an ancient watch face emerged behind Xia Er, its moving hands seemingly propelling the very fabric of time forward, as if the world would freeze the moment they stopped...
This was a breathtaking pressure that any extraordinary being could feel, as if being directly gazed upon by some nameless, ancient entity.
Xia Er had "emptied out."
Because Imogen had never accumulated the 【Nemesis】.
But the effect Xia Er desired was achieved directly.
"'Uniqueness'..." Imogen gazed in rapture at the scene before her, murmuring to herself.
Any extraordinary being should be awed by this magnificent sight; it was the goal every ambitious extraordinary being aspired to reach, an endless pressure reminiscent of the ancient dominators...
The girl’s eyes, shimmering in gold and silver, seemed to radiate divine brilliance, while the illusory massive watch face behind her appeared to encompass the entire universe, every gesture transcending the ordinary... an ascendance.
Imogen was utterly captivated.
This was not an effect achievable by any sealed object or extraordinary path... even a "Subverter" could not create such an impressively profound illusion, let alone the average "Subverter," who would struggle to make a ripple in the face of "Nightmares."
"We are willing to pay any price for this knowledge," Imogen slowly lowered her head, speaking earnestly. "I swear to you, Your Excellency."
Knowledge is power.
Especially when it comes to secrets unknown to anyone, the power exhibited by such knowledge is limitless.
For ordinary second and third-tier extraordinary beings, the impact might not be as profound.
But for Imogen and that esteemed figure, their feelings were the deepest when faced with knowledge of this magnitude... because they were just a step away from the final breakthrough.
In fact, they had spent over a hundred years searching for that final step...
This knowledge was worth everything in their eyes.
Even organizations, interests, and beliefs no longer mattered.
"Let’s set aside the matter of 'uniqueness' for now," Xia Er said with a faint smile, her voice calm. "Quickly, before I leave, let me play with that modulator."
Imogen: "?"
Here we go again... that stark contrast.
But now, Imogen dared not voice any complaints. She quickly grabbed the sand table, hurried to Xia Er’s side, and placed it before her, saying, "What would you like to change? I can do it for you."
But... before leaving?
Where was she going?
As Imogen pondered, she suddenly felt a flicker beside her.
The original silver glow had vanished, and even the girl’s red hair was gone.
In its place stood a girl with long black-blue hair and dark purple eyes, her hands entwined with thorny vines resembling white bones, adorned with fleshy worms like creeping tendrils.
The girl lifted her gaze slightly, looking at Imogen with a hint of despondency.
"You..." Imogen stared at Xia Er, who had suddenly changed her eye and hair color, even her path, and was once again filled with confusion.
She realized that surprises always accompanied this girl... you could never predict what Xia Er would do next.
"Let it go..." Xia Er waved her hand, reclining in her chair. "I suddenly don’t feel like playing anymore."
"No, please play! It’s really interesting. The world was all women before; wasn’t that fun? I could even ask that esteemed figure for a few batches of potions to turn them all into women for real..."
Hearing Xia Er say she didn’t want to play anymore, Imogen quickly interjected, fearing that she might actually stop.
The fact that Xia Er had allowed her to use the modulator was already an apology for the previous incident. Now, she hadn’t even expressed her gratitude or sincerity, and if she wanted to ask for something later, the price might be beyond what Imogen could afford.
However, Imogen no longer held the initial belief that she could handle everything. She knew this was something she had to report to that esteemed figure...
In the end, it was likely that she and that esteemed figure would negotiate with Xia Er together.
"Not interesting..." Xia Er waved her hand, stood up, and prepared to leave the conference room. "I’m going to sleep... see you in half an hour..."
Xia Er appeared to have lost all patience and was ready to leave, and at that moment, Imogen could no longer hold back.
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