Fang Li lowered his head, looking at the cards arranged in a Star Array on the ground in front of him, and lightly smiled.
“Then, just do the Divination according to your own thoughts. Anything will do,” He said.
With that, Fang Li presented Hotogi Shirayuki with a difficult task. After all, there was nothing harder to satisfy than a request for “anything.”
However, Hotogi Shirayuki didn’t even furrow her brows. She fully embodied the role of a devout Miko and nodded in response.
Under Fang Li’s watchful gaze, Hotogi Shirayuki closed her eyes and extended her hand, gently gliding it over the cards before her. When she stopped, three cards had appeared in her hand.
Fang Li was slightly surprised. When did Hotogi Shirayuki draw three cards from the Star Array in front of her? He hadn’t seen her do it at all.
Ignoring the curiosity of the onlookers, Hotogi Shirayuki arranged the three cards in front of Fang Li in a row and then opened her eyes to look at him.
“These three cards represent your past, present, and future,” She explained.
With everyone watching, Hotogi Shirayuki slowly flipped over the three cards.
Fang Li’s gaze immediately focused on them. Not only Fang Li, but the surrounding students also curiously looked at the cards, whispering and discussing amongst themselves, finding it intriguing.
Soon, the depictions on the three cards were exposed for all to see.
The first card showed a forest, with a small tree in the center.
The second card depicted a river, with a small boat swaying as it moved forward.
The third card displayed a cave, formed by rocky walls.
Looking at these three cards, apart from the others’ reactions, Hotogi Shirayuki’s expression turned serious.
“What’s wrong?” Fang Li glanced at Hotogi Shirayuki’s serious demeanor and couldn’t help but find it amusing. “Could it be that my past, present, and future are all incredibly rare or strange?”
“No, it’s not like that,” Hotogi Shirayuki shook her head, hesitating. “Rather than rare or strange, it’s more like being extremely special.”
“Special?” Fang Li became curious and asked, “In what way?”
“In that case, let me explain the meanings behind these cards,” Hotogi Shirayuki pointed to the first card. “This one represents your past.”
“In an endless forest, there stands a solitary small tree among the tall ones. The appearance of this card generally signifies solitude,” Hotogi Shirayuki spoke softly. “In your past, you existed in a forest that could accommodate all the trees, but you realized your uniqueness compared to the others. Even if you managed to integrate into the forest, you could only look up at the surrounding trees, unable to stand at the same height as them.”
Fang Li raised his eyebrows slightly but didn’t say anything, merely responding indifferently, “What about the second card?”
“The second card represents your present,” Hotogi Shirayuki looked directly at Fang Li and said, “Since long ago, people have believed that a river is the boundary between life and death, and the other side of the river is the realm of the underworld, Sanzu River. Crossing it means entering the cycle of reincarnation.”
“The boat floating on the river represents you, always hovering between the boundary of life and death. Around your body, there’s either life or death.”
Upon hearing this, the surrounding students looked at each other in bewilderment. Some started sizing up Fang Li, while others used it as a topic of conversation and laughed casually.
Fang Li, on the other hand, showed no reaction at all. He didn’t even spare a glance at the river card, as if such an interpretation was entirely normal for him. He continued, “And what about the third card?”
“The third card represents your future,” Hotogi Shirayuki looked somewhat inexplicably at the card and then back at Fang Li, taking a deep breath before uttering her next line. “The card depicting the cave formed by rocks is thought to be Ama-no-Iwato (Heaven’s Rock Cave) in this country”
“Ama-no-Iwato (Heaven’s Rock Cave)?” Fang Li asked directly, “What is that?”
“In the ‘Records of Ancient Matters,’ it is recorded that Susanoo, also known as Susanoo-no-Mikoto, attempted to open the gates of the Underworld to bring back his deceased mother, but he failed. He then went on to cause havoc in Takama-ga-hara (Plane of High Heaven), which angered the God of Light, Amaterasu-ōmikami,” Hotogi Shirayuki said resolutely. “Amaterasu-ōmikami was so angry that she hid in a cave formed by rocks, plunging the world into darkness. That cave is Ama-no-Iwato (Heaven’s Rock Cave).”
“So, this card symbolizes light and darkness,” Hotogi Shirayuki stated firmly, looking directly at Fang Li.
“If you choose light, you will bring light to the world.”
“If you choose darkness, you will bring darkness to the world.”
“Your future decisions will determine the fate of the surface world.”
“This is the fate that only extraordinary individuals destined to save the world or cause its destruction possess.”
“Whether to save the world or bring about its destruction, it all depends on your decision.”
“This is your future.”
With Hotogi Shirayuki’s words, the atmosphere around them gradually became heavy.
The students all heard Hotogi Shirayuki’s words clearly, and they looked at each other before bursting into laughter.
There was no way around it; Hotogi Shirayuki’s Divination result was too mystical, with no credibility whatsoever. None of the people present believed that this casual new student, sitting at the school gate, could have any influence on the world’s direction based on a Divination.
Only Hotogi Shirayuki gazed directly at Fang Li, her eyes filled with an unprecedented seriousness.
Fang Li didn’t say anything. It was more accurate to say that he had nothing to say. He looked at the card representing light and darkness, sneered, and finally spoke.
“Thank you, Hotogi-San.”
After speaking, Fang Li stood up and was about to leave.
“Wait a moment.” Hotogi Shirayuki picked up the Ama-no-Iwato (Heaven’s Rock Cave) card and said sincerely, “I’m giving you this card as a gift. I hope you will remember what I said today and not choose the wrong path in the future.”
Hearing this, Fang Li chuckled and shook his head. He extended his hand and took the card from her.
“Then I’ll accept it.”
Leaving these words behind, Fang Li waved his hand in Hotogi Shirayuki’s direction, turned around, and left.
The surrounding students also started to disperse one by one.
Only Hotogi Shirayuki remained, watching Fang Li leave. She couldn’t help but speak softly to herself, “Is it really him?”
……
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