"Choice," Atlas said without hesitation, his eyes fixed on the ancient door. "Beyond that door lies neither immortality nor oblivion, but the freedom to choose between them."
Master Wang's weathered face remained impassive, though something flickered in his eyes—surprise, perhaps, or recognition.
"An interesting answer," he replied, his fingers tracing the worn carvings on the wooden surface. "Most speak of balance or harmony, concepts they believe will please us."
Sarah stepped forward, her scientific mind recognizing the philosophical trap in the question. "The question itself contains a false dichotomy. It assumes immortality and oblivion are opposite ends of a spectrum, when they might be neighboring states of the same condition."
The courtyard fell silent. Even the gentle burble o
