"Flower and Leaf..."
Xu Yanwu listened to Otto's words and fell into thought. "So you... already knew so much?"
"Was this the answer you found in the Second Honkai War?"
"So... that was why you had kept pursuing the Second Herrscher's power... power capable of reaching into Imaginary Space."
"Otto Apocalypse... compared to me, you are even less human."
"I did not come here to hear your assessment of me."
Otto spoke without hesitation. "Now, it should be my turn to ask questions."
"As you wish."
Xu Yanwu nodded, and in the next moment, everything around them returned to calm.
There were no madly growing giant trees, no raging sea. There was only a tranquil expanse of water and an ordinary tree offering shade.
"Ask everything you wish to know. Since you answered my questions truthfully just now, I will answer this next question for you."
"I will tell you everything I know, without holding anything back!"
Xu Yanwu spoke earnestly. That gravity made Otto draw a deep breath.
This was exactly the outcome he wanted.
Otto needed an opportunity for Xu Yanwu to give him a definite answer.
Otto grabbed the chain linking him to Xu Yanwu, causing a slight pull on both their necks.
"Xu Yanwu, what method is there to kill you—or rather... drive you away?"
The instant Otto voiced that question, he felt as though something had gripped... his soul.
And the being gripping his soul seemed to hesitate, its hand trembling, as if it wanted to crush him to death in a single squeeze, yet something held it back.
Or perhaps it was simply restraining itself from destroying the insignificant human soul that was making a deal with it.
After dozens of seconds of oppressive pressure, Otto finally felt the burden on him suddenly ease.