Encounter of the Messengers

Evelia, Raelin, and Ethan tried to settle into the bustling city. They quickly connected with a group of street children, totaling 30 kids aged 6 to 17. These runaways had developed survival strategies to endure the harsh streets. Evelia, Raelin, and Ethan admired their tenacity and felt drawn to them.

In the initial days, the trio helped the street children wherever possible. Evelia showed the younger ones how to better disguise themselves, while Raelin taught them basic self-defense techniques. Ethan identified potential talents for cultivation among the children and gave them some fundamental exercises. The children were impressed by the abilities of the three and looked up to them.

After spending some time with the street children, Evelia noticed an opportunity to offer them a better life. "Why don't we teach the other kids cultivation too?" she suggested.

Ethan shook his head thoughtfully. "That's a risky idea, Evelia. If suddenly 30 street children and thieves became cultivators, we'd attract even more attention. It could be dangerous."

Though disappointed, Evelia and Raelin understood Ethan's concerns. Instead of focusing solely on cultivation, they decided to help the street children in other ways. They taught them how to use their skills to survive in the city. Evelia showed them how to discreetly obtain leftover food from restaurants, and Raelin demonstrated how to skillfully snatch valuable items on the streets.

Meanwhile, Ethan made significant progress in his cultivation. His Qi had broken through to the Essential Flow, and his soul was on the path to becoming a Radiant Soul. Yet, despite these advancements, he still didn't feel secure. The threats in this world seemed to be growing, and he wondered if his abilities would ever be sufficient to protect himself and his friends.

One day, while wandering alone in the city, he encountered a peculiar old man standing before a church-like structure. The man seemed to know him and greeted him with the words, "Hi, Ethan. I am the Messenger of the Author. How are you?"

Ethan was taken aback. "Are you some kind of sect representative? How do you know my name?"

"The Author knows the names of everyone, for it is he who gave them to you," the man replied with a strange smile.

Now Ethan understood that the old man apparently revered the Author as some kind of god and attempted to gather followers with sleight-of-hand tricks. He probably possessed the ability to know any name he heard.

"I see your suspicion, young Ethan, but it's okay. It's wise not to believe everything you hear or see in this world," the man said, as if reading Ethan's thoughts.

Suddenly, another elderly man emerged from a neighboring building that also resembled a church. "Autorius, you shouldn't harass our young Ethan," he said in a serious tone.

"I am not harassing the young man, am I, Ethan? I was merely saying hello," the first man defended himself.

"By the way, I am Readley. I am the Messenger of the Reader," introduced the other man.

Ethan was still confused. Did everyone here know his name? What was happening? Perhaps the man had only heard his name and used it to appear important.

The two old men engaged in a heated debate, which apparently wasn't their first. The Messenger of the Author claimed that the Author had created everything in the world through writing and that there was only one version of reality. The Messenger of the Reader argued, however, that the words came to life only when read and that there were infinitely many versions of reality in the minds of readers.

While the two argued, Ethan felt like a spectator in a strange play. He didn't really understand the essence of their debate and eventually decided to distance himself from the two old men.

Later, when he told Evelia and Raelin about his peculiar encounter, they all laughed. It was a welcome distraction from their tough daily lives on the city streets.