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Chapter 944: Chapter 69: Dare to Flirt with Fate!_2
How could this be?
Urd was utterly baffled, her face filled with confusion.
An elongated figure had unknowingly appeared behind Urd and spoke in a hushed tone:
"Because, there’s something faster than [Thought]."
"What?"
"[Instinct]."
Luo En glanced at Shuji at the starting point and added with a smile,
"[Thought] still requires time, but [Instinct] does not. Before starting, I preemptively shut down my five senses and seven kinds of Consciousness, preserving only the ultimate [Instinct]."
According to the classical texts of Eastern Buddhism, aside from the six consciousnesses of Eye Recognition, Ear Recognition, Nose Consciousness, Tongue Consciousness, Body Consciousness, and Mind, there is also the seventh Manas consciousness related to attachment and thinking, and related to the origin of [Instinct] — the Eighth Alaya Consciousness.
[Thought] can only react at the level of the seventh Manas consciousness, but he had preserved only the [Instinct] represented by the Eighth Alaya Consciousness.
With Brynhild stimulating at the finish line, in terms of speed, he was naturally one step ahead.
"So, your [Instinct] is to save people?" Urd was somewhat surprised, as if seeing this legendary Evil God anew.
"If unnecessary sacrifices can be avoided, of course, I would prefer to let more lives continue on their own."
Luo En candidly responded, his eyes deep and clear, gently adding,
"Because this is precisely the meaning of the existence of Deities in my heart — to create impossible Miracles for the World and Life."
The meaning of the existence of Deities?
A trace of distraction flickered in Urd’s eyes, her expression complex and confused as she stared blankly at Luo En.
After a moment, seemingly a little creeped out by that odd gaze, Luo En couldn’t help but cough and said:
"Don’t look at me like that, I neither sealed the arena nor interfered with my opponents, I simply restricted myself, which surely isn’t against the rules."
"I know, you win!"
Snapping back to reality, Urd let out a cold snort, then vigorously rubbed her cheeks, forcing herself back to her true self.
Don’t waver, stay calm!
For Belldandy, I must win the third round!
Meanwhile, the continuously victorious Luo En was in high spirits, his gaze soft as he looked towards the approaching Brynhild:
"You’ve worked hard just now."
With only [Instinct], and without external stimuli, he’d be nothing but a puppet devoid of awareness or self, incapable of responding to the outside world, similarly unable to defeat Shuji transformed by [Thought].
Therefore, before the competition, he had requested Brynhild to stand at the finish line and use self-harm to awaken his [Instinct].
Brynhild surprisingly agreed without hesitation.
And for the best stimulation effect, she even changed self-harm to the more direct method of suicide, firmly believing that her superior would save her before anything happened to her.
If not for Luo En’s timely response, not disappointing that trust, Brynhild would now probably be either severely injured or dead.
Yet Brynhild made no mention of the recent peril, merely bowing respectfully towards Luo En:
"It’s an honor to serve you."
While speaking, Brynhild cast a provocative glance at the defeated Urd beside her, proud of being able to help.
In terms of service and loyalty, how could a mere outsider compete with the well-trained Valkyries?
Though touched by Brynhild’s valiant sacrifice, Luo En felt more helplessness:
"That’s well said, but let’s not be so reckless next time."
Having long heard that the mythic original Brynhild had a streak of yandere, seeing it firsthand today, the reputation seemed well-deserved. For her, even impaling herself with a spear would be without hesitation at just a word.
Indeed, in the future, careful consideration is needed when interacting with this Valkyrie.
"Have you finished the talk? It’s time for the third round."
With continuous defeats, Urd’s mood was visibly sour, her tone somewhat harsh.
Luo En waved Brynhild away and stepped forward, saying:
"Present your question, Miss Ulu."
Urd nodded, her eyes flashed, and she suddenly grasped a pale-blue Ice Butterfly from the whirling snow, clenching it in her palm, smilingly asking:
"Tell me, is it dead or alive?"
Is that even a question?
Everyone, confused by Urd’s words, turned their gaze towards her.
"Do you even need to ask? Of course, it’s alive!" 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝔭𝖚𝖇.𝔠𝔬𝖒
Thor, unable to hold back, blurted out, embodying what it meant to have "a simple mind and well-developed limbs."
"Not necessarily!" Brynhild shook her head, raising an objection, "What if she crushed the Ice Butterfly beforehand? The question can’t be that simple!"
"That makes sense!" Luo En agreed, stepping forward to scrutinize Urd’s tightly clenched hand, "Let me have a closer look first."
Urd allowed Luo En’s actions, her face, however, wore a confident expression.
Of course, she wouldn’t do as Brynhild said and pre-emptively kill the Ice Butterfly in her hand.
Because she was waiting for Luo En to give his answer, to then decide the fate of the Ice Butterfly.
If he wished for the Ice Butterfly to live, she would make it die;
If he wished for the Ice Butterfly to die, she would make it live;
No matter his choice, both the answer and Fate would be in her hands.
Thus, there was no way for her to lose this third round.
It was a bit shameless, but this was for the freedom of her sister, Belldandy.
Just as Urd was comforting herself, a hand unexpectedly grabbed her clenched right fist, abruptly exerting force.
"It’s dead!"
Before Urd could react, Luo En had already preemptively pried open her delicate fingers, revealing the crushed Ice Butterfly in her palm.
"See, I wasn’t wrong!"
