Chapter 61: The Ultimate Contrarian

Chapter 61: Chapter 61: The Ultimate Contrarian

She had long black hair, bright and piercing eyes, and was dressed in a gray linen robe. In her hand, she held a walnut Magic Staff with a blue gemstone embedded in the tip.

This was Li Ye’s first impression of Song Jiani.

Li Ye also had some of Song Jiani’s other information on hand: 24 years old, an orphan, a philosophy graduate from Tsinghua University. The first world she traveled to was an apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, and the Demon she had chosen was a key.

In that world, she established a shelter and brought back some zombie Crystal Cores. She hadn’t awakened any Derived Skills, nor had she eliminated the Demon Qi from that world...

For her second crossing, the Demon she chose was a loudspeaker...

...

The next time Li Ye saw Song Jiani was on the third day after her return.

By then, Li Ye had already finished copying the Secret Manual and was preparing for his second crossing.

But he insisted on meeting Song Jiani.

After all, a Time Traveler’s experience could be valuable, and what if Song Jiani had brought back some resources that would be useful to him?

...

Looking at Song Jiani opposite him, Li Ye extended his hand. "Hello, I’m Li Ye."

"I know who you are. The psychologists’ evaluation of you was ’uncertain,’ a very special case." Song Jiani shook Li Ye’s hand and gave a polite nod. "Uncertainty means infinite possibilities."

The memory of that baffling psychological test made Li Ye scoff internally.

’Uncertain?’

’After the test, the way those psychologists looked at me was almost as if they were looking at a Demon. If I hadn’t kept my cool, they might have tried to suppress me on the spot.’

Song Jiani looked at Li Ye and shook her head. "Li Ye, you really didn’t have to wait for me. The worlds we’ve experienced, including my experience using Demons, have no real meaning for you. Only what you experience and think for yourself is truly yours, just as I cannot replicate the path you’ve walked."

Li Ye wasn’t surprised that Song Jiani had cut right to the chase and stated his purpose.

After all, they didn’t know each other, and meeting in this environment was hardly going to be a blind date.

Li Ye actually appreciated her direct personality. At least she didn’t beat around the bush for every little thing like Yang Feng did. He smiled. "It does have meaning. It’s like the philosophy you study—how can you reach greater heights without studying the works of your predecessors?"

"It’s not the same," Song Jiani said. "Crossing worlds, Demons—it’s all new to both of us. The worlds we enter are full of uncertainty. In that situation, my experience would only interfere with you, not provide any effective help.

Besides, the example you just gave is wrong. The works of philosophical predecessors are indeed useful, but not entirely so. The world is changing every moment. To become a true philosopher, you must discard their influence and walk your own path.

What’s more, philosophy is fundamentally the study of the world. Now, the appearance of Demon Qi and the Demon Suppression Tower is proof enough that our predecessors never even saw through to the true nature of the world..."

Seeing Song Jiani suddenly pivot the conversation to philosophy, Li Ye awkwardly interrupted her. "Song, referencing is still meaningful. Like the key and the loudspeaker you used—if I chose the same things..."

"Would you choose a Demon I’ve used before?" Song Jiani asked with a smile.

"..." Li Ye paused for a moment, then shook his head. "No."

"When you asked me, you had actually already chosen a Demon in your heart," Song Jiani said. "So follow your heart and don’t be swayed by outside interference. Once you’ve made a choice, seeking others’ advice will only create unnecessary trouble and ultimately have a negative impact on you."

"..." Li Ye suddenly asked, "Song, what do you think the Demon Suppression Tower is?"

"I don’t know." Song Jiani looked at Li Ye and suddenly smiled. "I can only tell you that what exists is rational. What we need to do is verify why it exists. If we find the reasons behind their appearance, we can part the mists and see the world’s true face."

Li Ye suddenly understood why Yang Feng had called her an "interesting little thing."

’This woman’s studied philosophy to the point of obsession, almost to the point of heresy.’

’A one-track mind, blocked at both ends.’

’She’s so stubborn and opinionated, if a Demon tried to talk to her, she’d probably argue it into depression...’

"Li Ye, it’s not that I’m unwilling to help you," Song Jiani continued. "Demon Qi, Demons, even crossing worlds—this whole area is a blank slate for all of us.

I have indeed crossed one more time than you, but so what? We’re like two toddlers learning to walk. I’ve taken two steps, and you’ve taken one. Would you really want to learn from the experience of a toddler who’s only taken one more step than you?

It’s even possible that the two steps I took weren’t as good as the single step you took.

Li Ye, stick to your own path, keep walking, and go explore the truth of the world. I hope that one day, we can sit and discuss our findings, to jointly explore the essence of this new world..."

’She’s gone mad!’

Looking at the increasingly fanatical gleam in Song Jiani’s eyes, Li Ye sighed to himself. ’I really don’t know how such an abnormal person managed to cross twice and survive.’ Still, he nodded. "Yeah, I will."

"May we both find success." Song Jiani stood up and extended her hand again.

"May we both find success." Li Ye helplessly shook her hand, but he still wasn’t ready to give up. "Song, what does the key do?"

"In my hands, it can open or lock any door in the world." A flicker of disappointment crossed Song Jiani’s eyes when she saw Li Ye was still fixated on the key’s function, but she explained its use anyway. "The loudspeaker amplifies sound. I used it to spread my ideas in the Magic World."

’A key that can open any door would indeed be very useful in a world of Ruins.

As for using a loudspeaker to spread her ideas in the Magic World?

Considering Song Jiani’s endless philosophical theories, Li Ye found it hard to agree. The fact that she wasn’t burned at the stake and managed to come back alive was a stroke of luck.’

"I see. Thank you, Song." Li Ye smiled and nodded. "I saw you came back with a Magic Staff, so you must know a lot of Magic, right?"

"Magic also requires an understanding of the world’s essence," Song Jiani nodded. "I did indeed study a lot of Magic, but you’re already on the path of cultivation. You can’t learn Magic now. Trying to learn everything will only harm you."

"I’m not going to learn it, I just want to understand it," Li Ye said with a smile. "If I only understand the path of cultivation, my understanding of the world will be one-sided."

Soon, Li Ye had found the right way to communicate with Song Jiani.

"Mm," Song Jiani said in agreement. "I’ll compile my insights and methods for using Magic into a volume over the next couple of days. You can look it over before you cross..."

"Song, may I ask, have you awakened any Derived Skills?" Li Ye asked.

"I have not awakened any Derived Skills." Song Jiani glanced at Li Ye and said, "In the two worlds I traveled to, the Demons were merely tools for me. I relied more on myself. I need to maintain a clear mind and not be corrupted by Demon Qi."

’Seriously?!’

’What’s there to be so smug about?! And are you even sure you’re still clear-headed?’

The corner of Li Ye’s eye twitched violently. A wicked thought surfaced. "Song, I would think you, of all people, wouldn’t need to follow the Demon Hunting Bureau’s regulations. What if those regulations are wrong? If you don’t deeply understand Demons, how can you see through to their essence?"

"..." Song Jiani froze, lost in thought.

...

Song Jiani was right. Li Ye had indeed already chosen the Demon he would carry on his second trip: the wristwatch.

The first time he crossed, it was to survive.

But for his second crossing, he wanted greater strength and a better Derived Skill.

The watch was related to time. Throughout history, any superpower related to time was top-tier.

The previous Demon Hunters who used the watch had all failed to activate a Derived Skill. Their notes stated that the watch was extremely difficult to operate and wasn’t very useful in actual combat.

But Li Ye still intended to try. And it was better to do it sooner rather than later. If another Time Traveler chose the watch and failed, its Demon Qi would be absorbed, and he’d never get another chance to use it.

As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold. If he could awaken any Derived Skill related to time, his power would take a quantum leap.