As the light bullets came flying, the two did not merely dodge. Instead, they countered by manifesting their own light bullets using their Resonance abilities.

Lucian’s body had already reached its limit, especially after unleashing Chixiao: Shadowless, a skill with an immense energy cost. Jinhsi, standing beside him, was no better—overwhelming exhaustion washed over both of them.

From above, the Sentinel observed this and immediately dispelled the surrounding thunderclouds, returning to the Domain of Sound.

Then, Jué circled in the air, a black sun manifesting amidst her serpentine form.

The next moment, a violent shockwave erupted, dyeing the entire space in ink-wash hues. The water beneath their feet froze instantly, and even the birds soaring through the sky were immobilized.

A pair of dragon horns sprouted from Jinhsi’s head—a sign of overclocking.

Meanwhile, the Tacet Mark on Lucian’s back blazed with radiant light.

However, thanks to the protection of Laughing Half-Step to the Peak , they would not fall into the abyss.

Rover and Changli now appeared within this space.

The Sentinel glanced at the two, who, despite their exhaustion, still wore faint smiles.

…Well, it seems there’s still some effect.

She addressed Rover: “Lady Arbiter, do you grant permission to activate the authority and transfer the Time energy to Jinhsi and Lucian?”

Rover watched as the two approached with heavy steps.

The Tacet Mark on the back of her hand glowed as she unlocked the authority of Time’s power.

Jué gave a slight nod. “Your will is understood.”

The next moment, Jué sent forth a sphere of light representing the power of Time.

Lucian and Jinhsi reached out to touch the sphere. In an instant, an overwhelming surge of energy flooded their bodies.

The energy was too vast, too powerful—it threatened to tear them apart.

The hands they had placed on the sphere were already being consumed by the white light, creeping up their arms as if to devour them whole.

The Tacet Mark on Lucian’s back blazed with golden radiance. He extended his other hand, wrapping both of them in Healing Art to slightly alleviate the pain.

The next moment, they simultaneously felt the transfer of Time’s power complete. A tremendous energy erupted from within them, shooting straight into the sky and shattering the barrier enveloping Mt. Firmament.

Flecks of golden light scattered across Mt. Firmament, thawing the frozen state of all living beings within.

The once lifeless mountain was now brimming with vitality—nature itself had awakened.

Inside the Domain of Sound, Jinhsi collapsed to the ground, completely drained.

“Are you alright?”

She looked up at Lucian. Though he also appeared weary, his condition was still slightly better than hers.

Lucian used Healing Art once more to dispel her fatigue.

After a moment, she slowly stood. “Thank you… Lucian.”

Lucian gave a slight nod. “Go back to Jinzhou and rest properly.”

While Healing Art could alleviate physical exhaustion, it could do nothing for mental fatigue.

Jué drew closer to Jinhsi. “Jinhsi, I shall fulfill my promise—to return to you, and to the people of Jinzhou, that future which was never foretold in the prophecy.”

Jinhsi nodded weakly before collapsing into Lucian’s arms.

Clearly, her mental state had reached its limit.

Jué took her into her embrace, shielding her.

The Domain of Sound dissipated, returning them to the summit of Mt. Firmament.

Rover and Changli had been waiting for some time.

Jué spoke: “Jinhsi is unharmed. I shall return her to Jinzhou shortly for recuperation. You need not worry.”

Rover nodded slightly, then turned to Lucian. “How are you holding up?”

Lucian grinned. “Don’t be obsessed with me—I’m just a legend.”

Rover: “So cringe.”

Changli chuckled. “It seems Intelligence Officer Lucian truly is extraordinary, still full of energy even in such a state.”

[Ding! Reward obtained: Half-Life Crowbar!]

[Half-Life Crowbar: This crowbar can pry open any lock in the world.]

[Ding! Reward obtained: Legendary Fishing Rod!]

[Legendary Fishing Rod: Can be used to fish once per day. Capable of catching anything in the world—only those willing will take the bait.]

Rover nodded slightly. “As long as you’re alright.”

Jué approached them. “Now that all is settled, it is time, as agreed, for me to face you.”

“Whatever doubts lie in your heart, ask them all.”

The biggest reason Rover had decided to aid Jinzhou was to recover her lost identity.

Rover asked directly: “What kind of person was I in the past?”

Naturally, she was deeply curious about her own history—many fragmented memories suggested she had a profound connection with Jinzhou and the Sentinel.

“I am the Sentinel, ‘Jué’—the guide of Jinzhou’s civilization. All things pertaining to Jinzhou reside within my thoughts.”

“And you… you are my Arbiter. That is to say, my former master.”

Lucian grinned. “So she’s still your owner, huh?”

Rover rubbed her chin thoughtfully. “It does sound a bit like that.”

Jué: “…”

“Jinzhou was created by you in the past, with me at your side. You commanded me to stand guard here, to ensure this civilization’s prosperity—never to fade, never to be replaced.”

Upon hearing this, Lucian immediately clung to Rover’s arm.

“Rover, don’t forget we once shared a bed!”

“Promise me: If you rise in wealth, do not forget me!”

Rover patted Lucian’s head with a smile. “You… don’t worry. Even if I forget everyone else, I won’t forget you.”

Lucian let out a sigh of relief. “Good, good. Rover, I’ll warm your bed tonight!”

Changli: “…”

Had their relationship already progressed this far?

Jué let out a long sigh. She had never imagined her Arbiter would one day fall for someone.

Then, Rover asked in confusion: “But why did I lose my memories? Was it really as Lucian said—that I erased them myself?”

Jué could not answer this. “…Forgive me. I am not omniscient. All I know was bestowed upon me by you.”

Rover pressed further: “Then why did the Sonoro Sphere require me to open it?”

Jué: “The ‘key’ to opening the Sonoro Sphere was left behind by the you of the past.”

“You once said that you wished to participate in history—to intervene, to choose, to witness the development of civilization.”

“As for why I asked for your permission to transfer the mu Authority to those two… that was dictated by my mechanisms.”

“The transfer of my power, my life, my death—all require the Arbiter’s approval.”

Lucian waved his hand dismissively. “So all that fighting was just for Rover to say ‘yes’ in the end?”

Rover laughed. “If you hadn’t synchronized with Jué and tempered your bodies to the necessary level, you wouldn’t have been able to withstand the Time energy in the first place.”

Lucian sucked in a sharp breath. “Wait, does that mean Jué was going easy on us the whole time?”

Jué seemed puzzled. “Going easy?”

But she quickly grasped the meaning. “Indeed, I did not fight at full strength. Had I done so, you would have been reduced to dust long before reaching that point.”

“Thus, everything I did was guidance.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep