Present time. Astral Palace, Current Location Unknown.
"And indeed, there was no way to be prepared for what followed after Bai Qi left the tower..." The figure on the throne's voice trailed off.
For the last few scrolls, it was not the first time. The figure's aura constantly wavered as if the owner was exhausted, and not one time it had required him to take a long pause before continuing.
The pauses and notable exhaustion weren't the only change since the last visit to this enormous hall, as Noa's figure now floated in the air, near the throne and not hiding in the void until the figure left, as it did before. And as opposed to her mostly silent presence earlier, Noa had interjected several times lately, although most of them asked the figure to rest.
"Lord, it may be better to take a rest. The bell may sound at any moment, and for some reason, the [Memory Fueled Throne] is failing to work." She did so again, now that the figure had reached what seemed a significant point, considering the last words.
"It is not *Cough* *Cough* failing. It is me preventing its qi from entering my body." As the figure started talking, a coughing fit assaulted him again.
After a brief pause, as if gathering strength, the figure's voice sounded slightly more secure as it spoke up, "Noa, I am aware that your kin does not use qi as cultivators do, but you should be able to guess the reasons for avoiding any Astral related qi now."
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"...Chaos qi overabundance, the Lord's circulation has been corrupted, and Astral qi is now dangerous." Noa replied without any emotion, but it was easy to feel the anger she tried to conceal.
*Clang* *Clang* *Clang*
A bell's toll filled the room, and the figure slowly raised.
"Indeed, but do not be angry at anyone. I allowed such an amount to enter my dantian. I wasn't prepared to relinquish my claim over the Astral Palace, so it was my only choice." But this time, before disappearing, he briefly spoke up. And then, his aura flared as it vanished from the hall.
As he disappeared, he would not see the shocked expression on Noa's face and how quickly it turned to outrage. He also missed how her aura flared, showing her emotions.
Usually, the Lord was shrouded in its aura, so it was impossible to see anything. But this time, the sudden flare, one meant to show that the Lord's strength had not diminished at all, actually revealed part of his face.
***
The figure's presence filled up the hall almost a day later, and he heavily landed on the throne.
"Haa... Only you remain, Luedao!" His voice was strangely vivid, a complete opposite of the previous tired and exhausted one.
It was only after a few breaths that he noticed that there was no one in the hall except him. As he did, his aura flared, revealing anger, but a few moments later, he calmed himself and muttered in a low and distorted voice, "It seems I continue to be blessed with idiots that care too much for others. Let's hope I am in time to save her from the judgment."
It was hard to say if the figure sitting on the throne said, felt, or thought anything else. As just a few moments later, it continued the story from the moment that he had left before.
Except that this time, there would be no living being to record his words, only the cold and unfeeling red jade of the [Memory Fueled Throne]...
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BOOK THREE, 'Bai Qi', END.