"That reference is ancient." Pan Long said, "Looks like we really did cross over a long time apart."
Wen Chao froze for a moment. "What year did you cross over?"
"Federation Year XX."
"Federation Year? Not the Common Era?" Wen Chao was stunned. "We weren't from the same world?"
"We should be." Pan Long explained.
As he listened, Wen Chao's eyes grew wider and wider until they looked like two eggs. They took up more than half his face, making him look downright bizarre.
"You mean the world changed completely not long after Zhao Sheng and I crossed over?"
"That's right."
"And then... a new era began?"
"That's right."
"And then production boomed?"
"That's right."
Wen Chao stood speechless for a long while. Then he paused, and realization dawned on his face.
"I get it! That bunch must have been behind it!"
Now it was Pan Long's turn to be curious. Who were "that bunch," and how could they influence the course of the entire world?
Wen Chao explained.
"...I should've latched on to them when I was young," Pan Long said gloomily.
"I think things worked out about the same. Look at Zhao Sheng and me—we only ended up like this. Do you think you're any worse off than us?" Wen Chao shook his head. "You even got to enjoy several more years of peace and prosperity."
Pan Long thought it over and had to admit Wen Chao had a point.
As they spoke, the tablet floating in the air suddenly chimed.
[All sacrifices have awakened. The ritual may begin.]
"All right, let's take care of the important business first," Wen Chao said lightly. "Once the ritual's over, we'll have plenty of time to talk."
He placed the sacrifices in their proper positions one by one, then