Ji Yan stared at the... future version of himself.
At that shattered body, at that battered, barely recognizable head ravaged by time.
The strange feeling made Ji Yan's expression turn peculiar, his eyes narrowing uncontrollably.
At that moment, [The Hanged Man] in his hand seemed to have completed its task and burned out. It completely shattered between his fingers, turning to dust.
"You are..."
"I am."
Ji Yan shook his head and could not help saying, "It's a little hard to believe that my future self would become this kind of... mess?"
Future Ji Yan said, "One different choice leads to a different timeline, and the fate deduced afterward changes completely."
"It is the existence of the Butterfly Effect that creates countless versions of Ji Yan."
"Compared to me, you are fortunate."
"Because I have lost almost everything, and I lost terribly in the [Time Dungeon]..."
Future Ji Yan's voice was nearly hoarse beyond sound. Though he was only Ji Yan from a few months in the future, whether in expression, manner of speech, or attire, he seemed more like Ji Yan decades later.
"Your clouded eyes have already told me..."
Ji Yan stood up and turned to stare at the doorway.
"Don't worry. Those Order violations punishing you cannot seep in here."
Future Ji Yan spoke.
"This cage has some kind of special protective mechanism?"
"It can keep the violating Order outside?" Ji Yan asked doubtfully.
Future Ji Yan gave a pallid, bitter laugh and shook his head. "Protective mechanism..."
"When you enter Cage '000,' it means you have violated an even more serious rule."
"Next, an even more severe Order will judge you. Naturally, there is no need for those outside the door."
"Once they withdraw, the new Order's judgment will be reviewed and finalized in ten minutes!"