The face that emerged from the bark disrupted Xu Yang's plans, and he stepped back to look at the ancient visage.
"No offense intended," Xu Yang explained, "I'm not quite familiar with the rules here."
"You might be familiar, you had some dealings with me after a thousand years."
"Forest Master. But how... how can you travel through the world of memories?" Xu Yang realized.
"Memories are like rivers, thoughts like threads; those who master the power of memory can experience it, with lengthy silken threads connecting all nodes of past and future. When one end vibrates, it resonates continually, causing a corresponding tremble at the other end."
Recalling that the Forest Master had once been romantically involved with the Great River Goddess, Xu Yang understood how the Forest Master came to know about this power.
"I'm here to help; Farosa will become friendlier in the future," Xu Yang said, turning his head to watch Little Farosa fishing by the river.