Pathway

"Temperance."

"This is my code name."

Lin Chuan introduced himself with a pleasant air, feeling quite good right now-just like a student who had finally obtained the long-awaited, out-of-print limited title.

This moniker had been decided ages ago, back when he had first bolted from Earth and indulged in idle, whimsical daydreams out of boredom. After all, among the twenty-two Major Arcana cards, none corresponded to the Outer Deity pathway; otherwise, he would have directly picked one from his own pathway.

Of course, according to the backup plan Lin Chuan had formulated earlier, this contingency left in Sefirah Castle should have found a way to pursue the two pathways of the Knowledge Moor after its deployment.

If Sefirah Castle had deployed him ahead of schedule, he would have walked the Paragon path, letting Stiano watch and learn well what a true civilizational enlightener looked like; if it had not been deployed, then he would be awakened by the inevitable commotion generated when Klein logged into Sefirah Castle-in which case, just like now, he intended to follow the Mystery Pryer path.

The Hidden Sage had been vivified due to the Knowledge Moor being accommodated and contaminated by the Brood Hive; through this direction, Lin Chuan might be able to better connect with the Knowledge Moor. Moreover, seizing the sage's position was much easier than snatching Stiano's. Being an evil god, at least no one would stand in the way.

What, might Stiano vie for the Uniqueness, competing for the Demon of Knowledge and the Arcana of Madness? Wasn't this overestimating the fellow a bit too much?

However, among the Tarot cards corresponding to the two families' pathways, the Hermit would be Cattleya in the future. Hearing Huang Jiajia call out other cards always made Lin Chuan feel rather awkward, while the High Priestess corresponding to Paragon was completely out of the consideration.

In summary, Lin Chuan ultimately chose the "Temperance" card as his code name. The self-control and balance symbolized by this Tarot card itself were precisely what Lin Chuan hoped to achieve. Most importantly, it sounded nice.

And... since he had already spoken up to give the code name "Temperance," Klein should naturally associate it with the Tarot cards and then put forward his own honorific name as the "Fool."

Otherwise, what if Klein failed to recognize him, or changed his name due to some other concerns? Who would make up for the "Someone who does not belong to this era," "Mystical master within the restroom," and "King of literal colors wielding iced sweet tea and expense accounts" that he would be missing then?

Sure enough, upon hearing Lin Chuan's self-introduction, the contents of the previous divination flashed abruptly across Klein's mind.

He leaned back, withdrew his right hand, clasped his ten fingers together against his chin, and looked at the two of them with a smile as he said:

"You may call me..."

At this point, he paused, speaking in a gentle and calm tone:

"The Fool."

The two brief answers soon faded into the magnificent temple and the pervading mist, but in Audrey's and Alger's hearts, those voices echoed for a long time, stirring up ripples one after another.

It was an unexpected form of address, yet one that felt as though it ought to be just this way-brief and noble, perfectly embodying the image of mystery, might, and eeriness!

Audrey and Alger simultaneously noticed that the code names of these two mystical entities both originated from the Tarot cards.

Furthermore, "Temperance" had reported a code name first, followed by "The Fool," and the latter had expressed no objection or any dissatisfaction. It seemed that the relationship between them might be even better than they had previously guessed.

Although he didn't know whether there was any distinction of superiority in these two excellencies' code names... Audrey pondered for a moment and cautiously probed:

"Mr. Fool, Mr. Temperance?"

The Fool nodded slightly, expressing approval of Audrey's initiative in summarizing. Afterward, she expectantly looked toward Lin Chuan and received the same response.

Alger knew it was time for him to speak up and make a request. In his view, since he had been pulled here defenselessly and without any resistance, it meant the initiative lay in the hands of the mysterious Mr. Fool. It wasn't as if he could successfully refuse or decide never to visit this place again, so he might as well dig deeper and better into the benefits of this encounter, using the gains to compensate for his passive and disadvantageous position.

What's more, the attitudes of "The Fool" and "Temperance" were sufficiently easygoing and friendly, or at least appeared rather tolerant. For a higher being to be willing to display such casualness was in itself a manifestation of goodwill.

Alger stood up, pressed his right hand to his chest, bowed, and said with utmost sincerity:

"Respected Mr. 'Fool,' you are able to pull us here and possess unimaginable mighty power. Neither I nor she would dare to disobey whatever you witness."

"Since this is your 'attempt' this time, I wonder if you would mind witnessing our transaction?"

Audrey also stood up, lifting the hem of her skirt slightly, bending her knees, and curtsying to Klein:

"Respected Mr. Fool, please allow me to make a presumptuous plea. Would you be willing to witness our transaction?"

"A small matter." Thoughts raced through Klein's mind as he replied in a manner befitting his status.

"This is our honor, Mr. Fool." Alger praised sincerely.

At the same time, Klein pressed his hand downward into the void, deciding to continue observing and listening in. Up until now, he didn't even know what Sequence 9 was.

"You may continue."

Alger nodded, and then the two of them sat back down. He looked at Audrey and introduced:

"The Sequence 9 formula in my hand is called 'Sailor.' It can grant you outstanding balance. Even on a storm-shrouded ship, you can walk as freely as on land. You will also gain extraordinary strength, as well as illusory scales hidden beneath your skin, which will make you as difficult to catch as a fish and as nimble in the water as a sea race, allowing you to easily dive for at least ten minutes without any equipment."

"Sounds wonderful... The Lord of Storms's 'Sea's Favorite'?" Audrey asked back, half in anticipation and half for verification.

"In ancient times, it was indeed called 'Sea's Favorite.'" Without pausing, Alger continued, "The second Sequence 9 formula is called 'Spectator.' As for what it was called in ancient times, I do not know. This potion can grant you outstanding spirit and acute observation. I believe you have watched operas and plays, and you can understand what 'Spectator' represents-like an onlooker, scrutinizing the 'actors' in secular society, catching a glimpse of their true thoughts from their expressions, their deportment, their verbal ticks, and their unknown movements."

At this point, Alger emphasized:

"You must remember, whether it is a lavish banquet or a bustling street, a spectator is always just a spectator."

When Alger finished speaking, Audrey was still silent and hadn't spoken, so Lin Chuan casually supplemented: "The ancient name for Spectator?"

"If you are referring to the Sequence 9 potion, it has no ancient name; if you are referring to the 'Spectator' pathway, then in the past, it was also called the 'Dragon' pathway."