When Hong Lin saw Cheng Shi frown, she desperately wanted to throw Tao Yi under the bus — say it was all the little fox's doing and had nothing to do with her.
But her nature wouldn't let her make Tao Yi take the fall. So she played it cool, waved a greeting at Cheng Shi, then pulled Tao Yi inside to take their seats.
Watching Big Cat's awkward expression and Tao Yi's slightly upturned lips, Cheng Shi easily guessed the setup was probably the Wood Elf's handiwork. Setting aside whether her interpretation of [Fate] was correct, the all-wood construction of the door and table said enough on its own.
He had no complaints about the venue. The Destined Ones weren't like the Jokers — a group where everyone was scheming; where you needed the environnt to keep the liars' itch to deceive in check.
Here, the youngest mber, Cheng Shi, was more like the head of the family. He could critique the state of affairs without reservation, comnt on the gods and the universe, present his views and proposals. Everyone else, frankly, was an audience.
Big Cat could be more than that — but she lacked a broader perspective and a sharper mind.
The Blind One could be more than that — but only the original Blind One who belonged to this world.
The An Shenxuan who'd been transplanted here had endured her Benefactor's abandonnt and was now a broken soul stumbling along [Fate]'s path. Whether it was the Fate Weaver's redemption or the Clown's encouragent, both had beco her guiding light.
As for Li Wufang — this seemingly orderly "little brother" appeared capable of nothing beyond order. Let alone the Wood Elf that Big Cat had dragged in...
So the Destined Ones were essentially Cheng Shi's one-man show.
But since when did this one-man show have so many extras?
Deeply puzzled, Cheng Shi walked in, eyes sweeping the room, greeting no one — and no one greeted him.
Near the table, he stumbled on the carpet and nearly toppled onto one of the hooded companions. Fortunately, the figure was broad enough that by bracing against their sturdy shoulder, Cheng Shi steadied himself.
But that single touch was enough to flash sothing peculiar across his eyes.
The person was fake!
These companions seated around the table didn't exist. Every last one was an illusion.
But these illusions differed from true illusions — they were only projections without physical form. The instant Cheng Shi's hand touched the "shoulder," it was only his exceptional core strength that kept him upright. He quickly placed his hand loosely over the illusion's surface, barely avoiding a genuine fall.
This was very strange. Why would unidentified illusions appear at such a secretive small eting?
And who were the illusions ant to fool?
The answer was obvious: Big Cat.
Only three real people had arrived. Such a "clumsy" trick could never fool Cheng Shi. And the Wood Elf had arranged the venue, so she knew. That left only one uninford person — Big Cat.
As for why the Wood Elf had done this — Cheng Shi could guess most of it. As he steadied himself, he glanced sideways at Tao Yi, and found her looking right back. She blinked, her slightly nervous expression clearly asking: did it work?
Cheng Shi smiled. Everything the Wood Elf had done was probably for his sake.
Though everyone here was a Destined One, he'd never told Big Cat exactly how many mbers there were. And given Big Cat's assumptions, she probably figured quite a few people carried [Fate]'s blessing.
The truth? Including the Wood Elf, the Destined Ones numbered exactly five.
Tao Yi was clever. She must have picked up inconsistencies from Big Cat's description and built the setup accordingly. She hadn't generated an overwhelming crowd — just enough so the number was "small but not unacceptably so." She'd also left plenty of empty chairs, in case the actual headcount exceeded expectations.
Her thinking was ticulous. The purpose was simple: soften the psychological blow for Big Cat, leave room for the Fate Weaver to explain, and draw so fire away from him.
Because when the Destined Ones figured out the illusions were her doing, they'd inevitably wonder why a Wood Elf could create sothing typically used by [Deceit] followers.
Cheng Shi was curious too. But before he could ask, another guest arrived.
Sa familiar black gauze dress. Sa eye-catching blindfold. An Mingyu stood outside "Fate's" gate, gazing upward, hands clasped to her chest in devout prayer:
"Fate like stars — within sight, beyond reach."
Any other ti, Cheng Shi might have teased her for the piety. But today he stayed quiet, because he could read the worry all over the Blind One's face.
Sothing was on her mind?
An Mingyu gave a subtle nod to everyone present, her "gaze" lingering briefly on Tao Yi — a wordless greeting for the new companion she'd heard of but never t — then silently took the empty seat at Cheng Shi's right hand.
The headcount grew, but the atmosphere only grew stranger. Complete silence. Everyone's eyes crossed and tangled, yet no one spoke.
rcifully, the stillness was finally broken. Li Wufang appeared in fitted leather, and before anyone even saw him, his bright, cheerful voice rang out:
"Whoa, that is a tall door. So this is the Destined Ones' gate? Impressive!
Brother Cheng! Good to see you again. And Big Sis Hong Lin — when you called, I thought it was a joke. You're a Druid. Since when do you believe in fate?
And this is... huh, have I seen you before? You look just like an actress from a drama I used to follow.
Quite the crowd. Hm? The Blind One?
Brother Cheng, didn't you say the Blind One wasn't fit to... wasn't here?"
The Investigator's remark made the Blind One's frown deepen. She lifted her head, "looking" toward the door, her face heavy with worry:
"Has sothing gone wrong with [Order] too?"
"!!??"
Though it sounded like a retort to Li Wufang's rudeness, nobody took it that way. Don't forget who she was — the [Fate] Chosen, the preeminent Prophet in the entire ga. So was what she just said a new prophecy?
Li Wufang froze mid-step, one foot outside, one foot in, advance or retreat equally impossible. He scratched his head awkwardly:
"I an, sure, my heart belongs to [Fate], but I can't just forget my roots the mont I finish Faith Fusion, right?
[Order]... is fine. At least He sheltered
while I was tirelessly spreading [Fate]'s will. Blind One, please don't scare . What exactly did you an by that?
If getting close to [Fate] causes problems for [Order], then I..." He hesitated, wrestling with it: "...might need to consider a more roundabout approach."
"..."
Cheng Shi nearly burst out laughing.
Good news: the kid was still devout.
Bad news: all that devotion went to [Fate]. Right now, [Order] was basically the side chick.
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