Chapter 114: Busy

Chapter 114: Busy

Chance didnt want to risk moving, and it wasnt because of the Brackern sect cultivators searching for them. It had been a few hours since hed last heard them moving through the streets in the distance.

Bellas body was pressed up against his, and he could feel every breath she took. Shed fallen asleep at some point, but Chance hadnt quite been able to do the same. Hed settled for meditating instead, but he found that his focus was split enough that he wasnt getting all that much accomplished.

In the end, Chance just sat there, and he didnt mind it one bit. The hours ticked on as his mind drifted. There was so much piling up on their plates. The Shikari were still after them, Lin had a concerning obsession with him, Vex was almost certainly still after Bella, Chance had no idea how Yeo was doing, and now there was an entire sect hunting them as well.

Chances Essence swirled in his chest in response to his worries. Deep within his mind, the vision of the massive gold being pulled Chances attention. Chance resisted for a moment out of surprise, but then let his body relax and sank down within himself.

The world bled away, and Chance found himself sitting cross legged on a soft red mat that was far too large for his body. All around him, similar mats covered the floor, but not a single one of them was occupied.

It was the scene where hed had his vision. The beautiful walls of the incomprehensibly massive auditorium stretched out in every direction around him, barely visible in the distance. The murals seemed to shift, becoming harder to view the more Chance tried to study them.

Chance raised his eyes to the sky, expecting to find the enormous gold form staring down at him, but instead found nothing but clouds. Surprised, he lowered his gaze.

Sitting before him on a soft mat was the gold-skinned man, but he was nothing like what he had been before. Instead of a massive, eight armed giant, the man was just a little taller than Chance.

Even though his face was still featureless, Chance could feel the warmth of a smile washing over him. The man only had two arms, and they rested palm up in a position of relaxation in his lap. He radiated peace and relaxation, with just a hint of childish joy.

Chances worries crumbled like a sandcastle before a tsunami. They were washed away into the endless sea of the Karmic being before him, forgotten for the time being. Energy started to form in Chances hands.

He looked down as a large ball of unruly golden yarn the size of a large beach ball materialized in his lap. Chance glanced up at the being in confusion.

Hello? Chance asked, wincing as his words echoed through the silence like a gunshot.

The golden being didnt seem to mind. He just inclined his head in greeting.

Im interacting with it? How is this possible? I thought it was just a vision!

You house great worries, the man said. He had no mouth with which to speak, but his words echoed out all the same. They were so soft that the hall didnt seem to notice them, and they passed without echo.

Chance swallowed, then nodded. A lot is resting on us. People need my help.

There are always those in need of help. The universe is in an eternal cycle of good and evil. Yin and Yang must always exist.

The mans words sounded eerily similar to Yamish, and Chance immediately started to frown. Before he could even speak, a gentle laugh slipped out from the man before him.

That does not mean you must perpetrate it. We exist in spite of the universe, not at its whim, the being said. The air behind him rippled and the hazy images of six arms swam through the air behind the man, forming into a perfect circle before fading away once more. But in order to challenge the universe, you must understand it.

Then dont die. You are a cultivator of the supreme Essence of Karma. In the span of a few short months, you have become Rank 3. You stand in opposition to those which seek to corrupt and twist the universe and are mentored by one of the most powerful Karmic cultivators in history. And yet, you are you. Your achievements are not who you are. Your successes and failures are not who you are. You are who you are.

Wow, Chance said, a smile flickering across his lips. Thats kind of useless.

Both of them burst into laughter. The yarn continued to unravel at Chances hands, and his hands worked deeper into it the further he relaxed.

You begin to understand, the being said. The purpose of life is to live, is it not?

Chance nodded. Youre saying to just do what Ive always done and trust in my Karma.

You said that, not me. The being inclined its head slightly. There is one more thing that I will pass along to you. Do not let your faith in yourself and your allies waver. Your Essence guides you, which is a great and rare blessing. There will be those that seek to confuse you and ply your path to theirs. They may try to convince you that your actions were wrong, and that only in their image can you be made whole.

Chance continued to run his hands through the yarn, listening intently to the strange presence. He still had no idea what the man was, and even though just about everything he said was so philosophical that Chance could barely understand how to apply it, Chance could still tell just how powerful the golden mans words were.

Do not let them sway you. Follow your Essence. Only you know what it is. There is no proper path. There is only your path.

A gentle breeze blew through the auditorium. The walls shimmered, starting to fade away.

Our time has come to an end, the man said, bowing his head. We will speak again when the time comes, Chance.

When? I have so many questions. Who

Chances words trailed off and he shook his head. Never mind. Thank you.

He returned the mans bow, closing his eyes and smiling as he let the sense of peace fill his body. The auditorium faded around Chance, and he felt himself return back to the stone room, his head still bowed in respect.

Chance opened his eyes. Bellas head was in his lap, and his hands were running through her hair as if it was yarn, and there was a soft smile on her lips. Chance froze, realizing that their faces were just a few inches apart.

Bellas eyes fluttered open. They stared at each other for a moment, and then Bella spoke.

Whyd you stop?

Chance couldnt stop himself from chuckling. He ran his hands through Bellas hair again, feeling a flicker of Karmic energy from deep within him as the golden mans laughter receded in his mind.

One way or another, hed figure out how to deal with the situation but that could wait.

Right now, he was busy.