Sigrid and Lanqi Had a Great Time

Once upon a time. Deep within the Northern Border Province lay a city-state named Bandera City. Perched among mountains thousands of meters above sea level, it was surrounded by sheer cliffs and treacherous peaks that formed a natural barrier. In this vast world of ice and snow, eternal blizzards intertwined as biting frost howled. On the snowfields thousands of meters south of Bandera City, snowflakes drifted down from the sky like swarms of nimble spirits, dancing lightly as they settled over the boundless earth or plummeted into bottomless ravines. A sled drawn by a black Demon Realm Moonshadow Fox shattered the tranquility, leaving conspicuous tracks of golden flame across the pristine white snow. "We've arrived." The sled driven by Lanqi slowly came to a halt beside a frozen lake. The lake's surface was smooth as a mirror, flawlessly reflecting the pale sky. Several towering trees stood by the shore, their branches coiling like dragons beneath thick layers of white snow, draped in a cloak of translucent rime. As the sled settled, two figures leapt down from it. "Calculating by the timeline, the investigation team departed much earlier than we did. If our routes were similar, we should have picked up some trace of their return journey along the way." Lanqi instructed Boss Cat to put away the portable, high-durability sled as he gazed thoughtfully at the distant city, murmuring to himself. Amidst the vast wind and snow, Bandera City resembled a dark gray colossus carved into the ice plains, standing resolute. Swirling snowflakes fell upon its towering iron-forged walls, yet failed to stain them with even a speck of white. One would have thought catching sight of a major city-state would bring relief, but the grim aura radiating from Bandera City before them was a hundred times more oppressive than the imperial capital of Herrom. Even before drawing close, imperial military music could be clearly heard drifting from the city. The melody rang exceptionally loud against the howling blizzard, bearing a resemblance to the orchestral tunes at Herrom's magic-train station. Listening closely, however, revealed numerous shifts in tone—a grandiose movement incapable of returning to softness and peace, forever denied release, forever barred from heaven. "Meow damn it, stop acting out the cutscene!" Seeing Lanqi's deeply immersed demeanor, Boss Cat cursed as it stowed the sled. This guy was even reciting the lines from back then with total gravity. "Before we set out, I had already prepared to protect you. As long as I'm breathing, you won't die." Sigrid gave Lanqi her promise as well, deliberately keeping a slight distance from him. Because at this point in time, their relationship hadn't grown that familiar yet; they had merely had a lot of fun together along the way. Boss Cat: "..." "You Lanqi-clan people are all like this—marrying each other, taking each other. Outsiders can't stand you, and you can't stand outsiders." Boss Cat had nothing left to say; it only wanted to slap itself. It shouldn't have let these two Lanqi-clan members dupe it back to Saint Creti Monastery today. "At a time like this, we have to review the premise. Boss Cat, I'm sure you've forgotten most of this old dungeon," Lanqi picked up the little black cat with both hands and spoke to it. Although he had challenged many Shadow Worlds along the way that far exceeded his own level, this leap was on another scale. To describe it in terms of levels, Purgatory Corridors Academy was roughly a level 45 dungeon, the Sanctuary Scoundrels' Banquet was level 55, and the Northern Border Front ahead probably had a recommended level as high as 89. Even by the end of Lanqi's journey across the Northern and Southern Continents, it still counted as a pinnacle-difficulty, life-or-death gauntlet. Back then, Lanqi and Sigrid truly couldn't beat it and barely escaped with their lives. The investigation team led by Major General Fanleiku, who was over level 70, had already met with misfortune at that point according to their deductions. Now, the truth behind the greatest conspiracy on the Protos Empire's northern frontier was within reach. The only person capable of unraveling the fog of conflict between the empire and the northern nations was Rocky McCarthy. The enemy orchestrating this war would certainly never have anticipated that the Bishop of Domination would be dragged into the fray by a Governor-General. At this moment, Sigrid—an ally at level 88—was Lanqi's most reliable support. Now, in New Game Plus, it was a level 89 Sigrid plus a red-card, level 70 Lanqi. It was completely different from last time. "You don't need to spell it out, meow! I remember! The three of us really almost bit the dust back then!" Boss Cat covered its ears, unusually irritable today. "Still, back then, even though I hadn't seen you fight, I could feel you were brimming with confidence," Sigrid said with a smile. The mental state of someone with confidence versus someone without was night and day. Having traveled and played all the way across the snowfields with Lanqi for that month, careful reflection made her realize that his brilliance had long caused her to overlook some fundamental information. Even if she had viewed Lanqi merely as an artist, she would still have been thoroughly satisfied. "I told you I was a sealer, but you didn't believe me." Lanqi remembered that Sigrid had never dreamed her Holy Son of Domination would turn out to be a sealer, the class she hated most. She had never even conceived of taking a sealer as her Holy Son one day. "On second thought, though, if such a rare, sinister species belongs to my side, it becomes exceptionally adorable," Sigrid patted Lanqi's shoulder in praise. "You're such a hypocrite with double standards. Other sealers are disgusting bugs, but I'm an adorable rare species." Lanqi shook his head with a sigh. "So what if it's a double standard? So what if it's favoritism? What are you gonna do about it?" Sigrid asserted with absolute justification. "Strictly speaking, it's not a double standard. I'm not like those gloomy sealers from the Silence branch. My sealing arts are warm and fiery—they were born for love and peace," Lanqi said with conviction. "If I hadn't seen your wolf, I might've actually believed that." Sigrid crossed her arms and nodded, signaling she was ready. "Shall we head out?" she asked. "Yeah." Lanqi stepped forward toward the fortress city on the border front, his expression rich with contemplation. "I couldn't kill Askesan. No one could. Only later did I realize that perhaps it was the only way. He had no choice, and neither did I." ... When Lanqi and Side crossed through layers of barriers and stepped into Bandera City, the battle hymn woven of drums and orchestral music echoed ever more distinctly in their ears. The city gates were heavily guarded. The taciturn imperial officers only released them reluctantly after meticulously verifying their identities. Stepping out onto the suspended corridor beyond the gate and entering the city-state's upper tier, Lanqi and Side could feel the sharp gazes of the guards and officers still fixed on their every move. They weren't surprised by this. "Estimated three minutes and twenty seconds until we see him," Lanqi whispered to Side beside him, gazing toward the towering spires piercing the clouds in the distance. Bandera City's architectural style was heavily influenced by ancient Herrom, replete with soaring spires, exquisite stained glass, and intricate stone carvings. Along the thick, sturdy fortress walls, towers and arrow bastions stood at regular intervals, radiating grim authority. Though wide, the streets twisted and turned, with buildings on both sides competing upward as if vying for scarce sunlight. "Don't make a move at first. I didn't win last time; this time, I'm taking it back," Side replied in an even tone. "If that black-robed person appears, I'll step in to help you." Based on his post-battle analysis, Lanqi deduced that Askesan was level 88 in this fight. While the black-robed figure was level 88 or 89, their actual combat strength might not necessarily surpass Askesan's. Now, a level 89 Sigrid was certainly much stronger than the level 88 Sigrid of back then, but facing both Askesan and Duke Morotian simultaneously would still bring considerable pressure. Just as it wouldn't be easy for a level 89 Sigrid to achieve a swift victory over her level 88 self, facing a level 88 Askesan, who matched her level 88 strength, meant winning easily remained difficult. The two walked along the thoroughfare for a long time without seeing any ordinary residents. They were currently in the tiered upper level of the city-state. The street beneath their feet was actually a broad suspended bridge, offering a clear view overlooking the lower level from its sides. Snowflakes falling from the sky drifted through the bridge on the wind, dancing in the air for a long time before finally settling into the alleys of Bandera City's lower tier. Looking down from the upper level revealed a height difference of sixty to seventy meters, like looking down upon the world from amidst the clouds. Below, small markets and shops finally came into view, with the occasional resident hurrying past. From food to magic devices, everything necessary for daily life could be found down there. "This should be about the place—the upper pillar-tier suspended bridge where the Askesan encounter triggers," Lanqi said, looking at Sigrid. Along this street paved with dark gray stone, he could see only heavy-armored imperial troops patrolling and robed clergy of the Silence branch wandering about. On the surface, everything appeared normal; at least, nothing seemed amiss about these individuals. If disaster had truly struck this city-state, the clearest evidence would likely be hidden among the residents. The stairs leading to the lower level required walking further into the city. Leaping straight down was impossible without supreme physical conditioning or flight magic. "Next, it's my turn to take you airborne." Before Lanqi's senses caught the subtle change beside him, a slender yet powerful arm wrapped around his waist. "Wait—" Lanqi remembered that back then, Sigrid was supposed to grab his arm to lift him into the air. Just as he opened his mouth, he was instantly enveloped by a powerful, frigid draft. The oppressive air rushing from above confirmed that Sigrid had once again carried him up into the sky. "Here it comes." High in the air, Sigrid's amethyst eyes pierced the mist to view the full panorama of Bandera City. Only the entrance they had just passed still staged a facade of tranquility; the depths of the city-state had long been swallowed by an ominous darkness. The city's center, locked behind illusions, was a murky blur. Yet even without looking with one's eyes, one could feel countless undead and corpses congregating there, like a demonic realm of frost and snow. Amidst the collapsed buildings shrouded in black fog lay withered, severed limbs. Corpses of the elderly, women, and children piled into mountains; the entire frontier metropolis had been reduced to a feast of death following a sacrificial rite. Beneath the pale sunlight, a suffocating sense of absurdity and delusion enveloped all of Bandera City. Suddenly, a distorted transparent barrier draped before their eyes! Sigrid's momentum abruptly slowed, halting in midair. She shifted her gaze, catching sight of a figure that had materialized out of thin air behind them at some unknown moment. "Well now, you two, what are your thoughts on this fine view?" A voice laced with smiles resonated above the city-state. Lanqi looked back toward the eerie cadence. Lead-gray dark clouds churned across the sky, while Bandera City lay submerged in dead silence. Lightning flashed occasionally among the winter cloud layers, casting a ghastly white glare over the towering architecture within the mist. There, upon the viewing platform atop Bandera City's cloud-piercing spire, a tall man dressed in a dark gray coat watched them. His skin was so pale it was almost translucent, devoid of the slightest trace of blood. Beyond the suffocating mana radiating effortlessly from his presence, the surrounding atmosphere froze the instant he sealed the space around them. Standing there, an invisible terror emanated from him, making all living things feel small and helpless. And once he moved, all sense of stability would crumble because of him. A profound radiance permeated the surroundings, countless pitch-black stars dancing within it, like a living body of magic energy that didn't belong to reality yet struck directly at the soul. "A Tier 7 sealer? Why haven't I seen you before?" As if sensing Lanqi's gaze, the man turned his eyes toward him. Those dark gray eyes were like a bottomless abyss, capable of causing a soul to slowly lose itself and sink. Askesan smiled as he watched the two of them. "..." Sigrid glanced sideways at the motionless Lanqi. Because she had deliberately concealed her presence, Askesan hadn't identified her true identity, just like last time. Lanqi, on the other hand, made no effort to hide anything. His sealer class imprint was quickly recognized by the higher-tier Askesan at a glance. [Sundial Specialization] [Category: Soul Imprint] [Grade: Orange Epic] [Attribute: Seal] [Tier: 0] [Passive Effect: Increases Mana attribute by 2%, Spirit attribute by 28%, reduces mana consumption of sealing-type magic by 25%] In Askesan's eyes, a specialized sealer following a pure support path couldn't possibly possess great strength. Even at Tier 7, he posed no real threat; any sealing art he produced could be undone. Yet Askesan noticed the young man's lips twitching slightly, as though he were pursing his mouth in a desperate effort to suppress an unspeakable joy. Thunder circled and rumbled above Bandera City. The sudden emergence of the Bishop of Extinction instantly cast the city into an eerie, desolate ruin. The imperial military tune within the city abruptly quickened, turning into a piercing, discordant, and ominous movement that reverberated through the lifeless streets. The illusions in the lower city cracked like shattered mirrors, distorting and collapsing to reveal the reality hidden beneath the facade. Countless corpses piled haphazardly into mounds, resembling myriad tiny black fingers desperately clawing upward, yearning to reach higher ground. The hollow, lifeless eyes of the dead became two bottomless black holes, their slightly parted mouths seemingly issuing a silent warning to all who passed: this place had become a dead end with no retreat. Before this unavoidable battle commenced, Askesan scrutinized the two trapped within his spatial binding with keen interest, in no rush to obliterate them. "To think that besides the investigation team sent by the imperial capital, other uninvited guests would arrive." Askesan sighed as if lamenting Major General Fanleiku's misfortune. "Were you sent by the Grand Sage of the Empire, Isis? Or are you from the House of Duke Bernhard?" Askesan raised his eyes, his voice calm and low. "..." The bound Lanqi remained silent, merely watching every move of Sigrid beside him. Thanks to the [Polymorph: Human] he had prepared for Sigrid, even Askesan failed to see through her disguise immediately. More importantly, the Bishop of Extinction would never have imagined in his wildest dreams that at this critical juncture, the Bishop of Domination, whose base lay far to the south, would personally venture deep into the heart of the northern frontier. Askesan locked his gaze onto Lanqi. Evidently, only this mysterious Tier 7 sealer was capable of answering his questions. The youth seemed to recognize him, his emerald eyes brimming with inexplicable emotion, so complex that even Askesan couldn't name what it was. "If you won't answer, I'll just have to deal with you two first..." Askesan's hand slowly pointed toward Lanqi and Sigrid. Following his gesture, the air he pointed at began to warp, forming dark gray fissures. Gray threads interlaced through space, sealing off their room to survive. Anything touching these vibrating strings of shattered space would be crushed to dust in an instant. The very next second, a black curse mark crept onto the right cheek of the youth. Reaching out, he seized the gray fissure and detonated it himself, shielding the girl entirely behind him. "..." Askesan had never seen anyone voluntarily touch the strings of shattered space. Anyone with an ounce of common sense knew the consequence of making contact. When the dust cleared. The youth bearing the black centipede curse mark stood entirely unharmed. There wasn't even a scratch on his hand. Only the mocking eyelid atop the black centipede and the emerald pupil radiating a crisp, chilling gleam remained distinctly visible. Watching from the alternate dimension, Boss Cat's eyelid twitched violently. Popping [Black Sun Tyrant's Decree of Eternal Damnation] right off the bat is a bit excessive, isn't it? Askesan was practically left wondering what absurd game version this was. "...?!" Askesan was certain the opponent had used a sealing spell—one that completely withstood the defense-ignoring explosion of the spatial strings. Even more incomprehensible was that he saw the radiance of the Original Slate: Seal upon the youth. How could there be two Seal Slates in this world? "Don't mind the details, Askesan." Lanqi casually had Boss Cat cast Storm Dragon's Roar, clearing the battlefield while sweeping them aside. Once again, the radiance of the Primordial Slate of Wind left Askesan baffled. "See? I can mimic the Wind Slate too. Just treat all my special effects as fake," Lanqi said offhandedly. "Wait, aren't you playing a bit too sloppy?" Sigrid turned her head, looking at Lanqi. It was as if he were misfiring his skills. "Just showcasing my margin for error," Lanqi answered. He was delighted to see Old Sang again and didn't want to hit him too hard. "Are you two... looking down on me?" The muscles in Askesan's face twitched noticeably, a flicker of startled rage flashing across his cold, merciless eyes. As the foremost sealing master of the contemporary era, he had never seen sealing magic of this school. What baffled him even more was how such an extraordinarily gifted sealer could appear out of nowhere. Before Askesan could finish speaking, the look in Sigrid's eyes underwent an earth-shattering shift. Those casual violet eyes were instantly overtaken by a frost-cold killing intent, condensing unwavering resolve and ferocity. One moment pinned motionless in midair, Sigrid transformed the next into a tempest, driving her fist savagely into Askesan's body. Her tempestuous power instantly toppled the high tower Askesan stood upon, sending it crashing down like surging ocean tides. The clash between the two Cardinal Bishops after so long was faster than thunder, shaking the entirety of Bandera City! The earth trembled violently as wide fissures tore across the stone-paved streets as if to swallow them whole. Ancient Herrom-style buildings shattered in their collision; intricately carved sculptures and stained glass blew apart in an instant, their shards scattering on the wind. "Sigrid!!" Blown back into the ruins, Askesan's stunned eyes reflected Sigrid's figure. He clearly hadn't realized that this seemingly delicate girl possessed such terrifying strength. Now that Askesan had recovered his wits, however, he wouldn't give Sigrid another chance at a surprise attack. Though enraged and having taken a lethal blow at close range, he was naturally equipped with abundant damage-reduction and life-preserving gear. Quickly steadying himself between ground and air, the square magic sigils on his dark gray coat began crackling with dark purple lightning, matching the fury blazing in his eyes. An invisible mana barrier unfolded before him, halting Sigrid's fist as metallic droning and shockwaves rippled outward once more. "You really are a lingering ghost, Sigrid." Behind the mana barrier, Askesan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, every word heavy and chilled like a curse. Dense, dark gray mana sliced across the gloomy ground like blades, sealing off every inch of space between him and Sigrid. "This time, I'm definitely beating you with my own two hands," Sigrid declared with resolute battle intent as she hammered her fists toward Askesan. "Very well. Today we settle both old scores and new debts. Thank you for walking straight into the trap." Askesan gradually regained his composure, parrying while slightly shifting his gaze toward the other figure in the distance. Sigrid had even brought along a sealer as a companion. For Sigrid to be this close to him, perhaps this wolf girl had truly given her heart away. The Tier 7 sealer was also shrouded in the same appearance-altering magic as Sigrid. Even the most profound dispelling arts couldn't pierce his true face, let alone guess his real identity in the Protos Empire. Regardless, who Sigrid's boyfriend was didn't matter. "Sigrid, to think the day would come when even you would fall for someone. Allow me to grant you your wish today." Askesan glanced at the sky; nightfall was still a long way off. As long as the Bishop of Domination and her little boyfriend perished here today, this minor ripple wouldn't amount to any true variable. A bolt of lightning split the sky, illuminating the snow-swept battlefield. Behind his mana barrier, Askesan opened his palm. A pitch-black vortex condensed in his hand as godlike, terrifying mana surged toward him, continually compressed until it formed a sphere of energy crackling with black lightning. It swallowed all ambient light. If caught in this Tier 8 damaging sealing spell, even the grandest imperial army would be reduced to ash in an instant. "You really are playing matchmaker, aren't you, Askesan?" Sigrid could turn a deaf ear to Askesan's provocations, but hearing those words made it hard to keep her expression in check. A turbulent gale swept outward, felt even by Lanqi far above in the sky. "Is this the strongest sealer of the modern era?" By this point, Lanqi had been carried away from the center of the battlefield by Boss Cat's telekinesis magic, looking down from high in the sky far above Bandera City at the clash erupting below. Through billowing dust and smoke, Lanqi could vaguely make out Sigrid confronting Askesan, not retreating a single step before that lethal ultimate spell. Surrounded by a pure, holy light like the bright moon hung high in the night sky, she shattered every seal in her path with boundless fist force. Lanqi floated high above with his hands behind his back. Even though the rapid collapse of the city often obscured his line of sight, he remained as steady as a mountain. In the blink of an eye, the entire upper tier of Bandera City became an Asura battlefield. Powerful shockwaves rattled every inch of ground in rapid succession. Sturdy buildings and soaring towers were ravaged by storms turned into ash-gray behemoths, leaving behind only broken walls. The battle grew fiercer. Thick smoke engulfed the entire city as flames, explosions, and distant thunder intertwined. Storm clouds swirled and gathered in the sky; nature itself seemed shaken by this sudden eruption of violence, the atmospheric pressure aloft spiking drastically. Every clash illuminated the boundless clouds with blinding brilliance. At the center of the battlefield, Askesan soon noticed something amiss. "Sigrid, how did you become this strong?" Askesan was certain that Sigrid was vastly stronger than during their last encounter. Such a rate of growth defied all logic. For now, he couldn't spare attention for the sealer with the black orbital curse mark on his face; that fellow seemed content not to intervene for the time being. Having encountered him here, Sigrid hadn't even thought of fleeing; she genuinely intended to fight it out to the end. "You really are hard to kill." Sigrid fought barehanded, wielding no weapon at all. To her, magic gear of any tier was inferior to her own physical body. Every punch she threw struck like thunderous fury, dragging massive drafts of air with it to form terrifying wind pressure. Her eyes were cold, glowing with a faint purple light, focused entirely on driving Askesan into a corner. Yet no matter what, Askesan possessed an endless repertoire of sealing arts. "When did you grow arrogant enough to think you could defeat me alone?" With just a snap of his fingers, Askesan opened dark gray forbidden zones before him, intercepting Sigrid's onslaught. "Right here, today!" The distance between them shrank and expanded by turns. Yet at every moment, their clash resembled two world-destroying calamities vying for supremacy. "Sigrid, did you think your only opponent was me?" A smile appeared on Askesan's face. Even while temporarily pressed at a disadvantage in his clash with Sigrid, he responded with the composure of an adult humoring a child's game. His stalling hadn't significantly slowed Sigrid's pace, but his more complex spell formations were already complete. The entire space began to warp. Dark gray vines rising from the ground and gray eyes descending from the heavens sought to swallow Sigrid whole. "If you want to use your Grand Summoning Art, hurry up and do it. I'm hardly one to talk when it comes to that." At that very moment, Sigrid's form burst with near-translucent, dazzling radiance. Even her pupils turned pure silver, entering a brand-new state of selflessness and rebirth. She unleashed an unprecedented punch. In the void, silver brilliance collided with dark gray curses, creating a massive, sharply divided tempest of energy. After a long while, Askesan crashed backward, clearly bested in this exchange. He had never been suited for direct, head-on brawls against Sigrid in the first place. "You guessed it?" The smile lingered at the corner of Askesan's mouth, as if he were still merely playing along. Finally, as the battle between the Bishop of Domination and the Bishop of Extinction reached its climax, shadows suddenly blanketed the sky. A piercing, frigid wind howled past, smoothing the sand and stone across the ground. The sudden drop in temperature caused condensation to freeze at a visible rate. This unfamiliar sensation sent a shiver down Boss Cat's spine far off in the sky. A black-robed figure appeared without a sound, emerging from who knew where. He drifted slowly to the ground, lightning unable to illuminate his face. Pitch-black magic chains hauled Askesan out of Sigrid's attack range. Almost simultaneously, another black chain lashed toward Sigrid. Sigrid was seasoned in battle, but this mysterious black chain was no ordinary mana. Before it even made contact, it generated an irresistible repulsive force, slamming her heavily into the earth. As the city began to collapse, Sigrid, having prepared her defenses, guarded with her arms as she fell into Bandera City's lower tier. Sigrid steadied her breathing, maintaining her guard. She knew that against Askesan alone, her current self was guaranteed to win. Adding this mysterious black-robed figure, however, truly ramped up the pressure. "Come on, then. Let me see how strong I really am now." Sigrid stood up from the rubble of Bandera City's lower tier, her long hair streaming in the wind. Facing the two formidable enemies floating slowly down, the aura radiating from her remained unwavering. "The Bishop of Domination..." The black-robed figure's voice was filled with an illusory distortion, carrying a metallic edge. He seemed to be pondering something—perhaps why the Bishop of Domination had appeared here. "Don't waste time. If we let this woman stall until nightfall, it will be very troublesome for us," Askesan said coldly to the black-robed figure beside him. "Heh." The black-robed figure glanced toward the sky and gave a soft chuckle, as if finding Askesan's caution amusing. He flicked an orange epic card marked with crimson fractures from his sleeve. Instantly, within the warped space, a monster cloaked in darkness took shape. Its body resembled a disc-shaped larva, entirely covered in a hard carapace etched with bizarre patterns. The monster's eyes glowed with an icy blue light; looking at it made one feel the malice and virulent poison welling from deep within. In an instant, an overwhelming pressure bore down on Sigrid, so heavy it forced her to stumble forward two steps. She glared intently at the monster. This summoned beast was the most troublesome thing to deal with. [Abyssal Black Worm] [Category: Summon Card] [Grade: Orange Epic] [Attribute: Telekinesis / Poison] [Tier: 8] [Effect: Cannot move or attack. The closer an enemy target is to this summon, the stronger the gravitational suppression they suffer. Upon defeat, it attaches to the killer, continuously siphoning their life.] [Description: The power of universal extinction.] Previously unable to fully appraise the Abyssal Black Worm's effects, Sigrid found it even more disgusting now that she could see them clearly. As long as the summoner could continuously channel mana into this Tier 8 summon, it could perpetually suppress the entire field. Amidst this world-shattering battle, all of Bandera City was like a candle in the wind, precarious, on the verge of being swallowed whole at any moment. An energy vortex formed in the sky as a dark, blinding eclipse finally descended, poised to destroy and consume everything around it. With the battle escalating further, countless unfathomable fissures began spreading across what remained of the upper city. Turbid torrents surged from those abyssal rifts, as though the gates of hell had opened to pour terror and despair upon the mortal realm. The once-proud imperial spires and grand ancient structures of the Protos Empire were fragile as paper before this cataclysmic clash, crashing down into historical debris to be buried forever. "Why is the Bishop of Domination this strong?" The pitch-black chains summoned by the black-robed figure had already slowed Sigrid's movements far more than before. "I don't know why either!" Askesan composedly readied his sealing arts, aiming at the area where Sigrid had nowhere to run and unleashing a lethal strike. Confronting their coordination, Sigrid was plunged into unprecedented hardship. Whenever she attempted a counterattack or an evasion, one of them would disrupt her in time, preventing her from unleashing her true power. A two-on-one wasn't the worst part; what truly gave her a headache was the seamless teamwork between her opponents, while that Tier 8 epic summon caused her immense trouble. Yet both Askesan and the black-robed figure knew that even fighting two-on-one, Sigrid showed none of the disadvantage they had anticipated. A single clean hit from her could inflict a fatal wound. "Sigrid, what kind of power did you gain?" Askesan watched Sigrid tenaciously holding her ground, gathering mana at his fingertips. He knew this woman's nature well. Even at a disadvantage, if she dragged it out until nightfall beneath the bright moonlight, she would gain that absurd all-attribute boost and horrifying regeneration. Today, however, they held the advantages of timing, terrain, and harmony. Sigrid would never live to see the moon rise. Finally, while Askesan was focused on restricting her movements, Sigrid caught a fleeting opportunity. She surged forward without a sound, her body like silver lightning striking toward Askesan once more. At this hair-trigger moment, the black-robed figure noticed her movement as well. Black chains erupting from underground wove into a cage, shattering her offensive. Simultaneously, the gray lines Askesan had laid down swelled before crisscrossing and detonating. The immense shockwave threw Sigrid back, crashing heavily into the distant ground and rolling several times before coming to a stop. "You really are strong, Askesan." Sigrid exhaled, working her muscles as she climbed to her feet. The injuries across her body and the enemy's suppression drew genuine praise from her. "Bishop of Domination, your valor is admirable. To think that at a time like this, you still have the mood to compliment your opponent?" The black-robed figure's voice rang out, chilling as the biting wind. The two of them had sustained plenty of injuries. If they continued trading blows with this woman, even if they defeated Sigrid, they would likely end up crippled. "Do you need to call that fellow for help? He's your ace in the hole, isn't he?" Askesan pointed toward the sky, asking mockingly. Sigrid had no idea that he still held a sealing art tailored specifically against her in reserve. "No need." Sigrid steadied her breathing. The next moment, with the flow of mana, her wounds vanished in an instant, returning her to peak condition. She hadn't even used the [Tears of Pope Saint Polant II] once yet. These injuries were nothing to her; she had multiple lives to burn against her foes. "???" Even though the concealment magic made it hard to discern the black-robed figure's true expression, his entire upper body stiffened. Those bottomless eyes now seemed to be desperately repressing surging emotions. Askesan rarely showed drastic emotional fluctuations either, but Sigrid's full recovery clearly breached the limit of what his mind could accept! The next second, lightning-sharp light burst from Sigrid's eyes as her body erupted with peak silver radiance. The power gathering in her hands was enough to obliterate any obstacle. Mustering all her strength, she unleashed the greatest strike of her life, her body turning into a comet as heaven-splitting fist intent slammed heavily into the two in the span of a spark! The entire process took place almost instantaneously. Moving so fast that even Askesan and the black-robed figure nearby struggled to track her, she tore through the clouds in the sky to reveal a brief flash of white light over the snowfields. Having never anticipated this sudden, violent assault, the two had virtually no time to react, able only to watch helplessly as Sigrid's full-power strike bore down upon them. All they could do was counterattack frantically, attempting to knock her back mid-strike. The collision of fist force and mana blasted both Askesan and the black-robed figure away, smashing through hundreds of meters of ruins behind them. Amidst the swirling dust, wisps of black smoke rose from their bodies. The indelible silver glow on their chests steadily corroded their black mana—the power of Sigrid's fist intent elevated to its ultimate limit. Yet after successfully landing the blow on Askesan and the black-robed figure, Sigrid's body was heavily battered once again. Her aggressive fighting style had forced both of them to use offense as defense, fighting just as desperately as she did. Sigrid's aura weakened significantly, swaying on the ground, yet those sapphire-violet eyes still burned with an unyielding, unbreakable resolve. "Askesan, don't hold back anymore!" Enduring agonizing pain, the black-robed figure struggled to his feet, shouting toward Askesan, who still had strength to spare. The ominous premonition in his heart was ringing true: Sigrid might cast another spell and return to full health again in a moment. "Sigrid, don't even think about recovering again!" Gritting his teeth, Askesan gathered all his remaining mana without hesitation and cast his most vicious sealing spell at Sigrid. Instantly, blood erupted uncontrollably from his seven orifices. If struck by this move, Sigrid would plunge into an irreversible abyss! The moment Sigrid caught her breath was also when her defenses were down and dodging was most difficult! As the dense, dark gray corrosive aura rushed toward Sigrid like a torrential tempest, she once again felt the greatest peril of her life. Every wisp of aura held bottomless malice, seeking to destroy her limbs and bones. It felt as if countless icicles were piercing into her heart, driving straight to the depths of her soul. In the distance, every drop of sweat on Askesan's brow spoke of his resolve and madness. His eyes were squeezed shut, tears mixing with blood. The harsh toll paid for this vicious art awakened long-dormant power, yet a savage smirk curled at the corner of his mouth. Just then, a layer of pitch-black tyrannical curse marks climbed onto Sigrid's cheek, locking her state before the spell could land. Askesan's spell—like chains forgotten by time, etched with distant eras and cold destiny—failed to pierce Sigrid's heart, walled off by the Tyrant's decree. Askesan: "..." He lifted his head stiffly, only to see the figure who had been spectating earlier finally arrive behind Sigrid, pressing a hand to her shoulder to steady her. Sigrid lost her combat sharpness like a flustered fawn, leaning against the man beside her and wrapping her arms around him. "No, that's impossible!!" Askesan had never imagined his sealing art could be neutralized like this. In this instant, he partially identified what the opponent's sealing spell was. Though unable to discern its full effect, Askesan was certain it belonged to the same category as his own, which was why it could lock Sigrid's state ahead of time—and the opponent's priority was higher! "Who on earth are you?!" Askesan demanded. "I am Rocky McCarthy," Lanqi confessed to Askesan, letting Sigrid hold him. He could never forget Askesan's terror, shock, and disbelief when he revealed his identity at the parliament building back then. If he had the chance to do it over, he would have opened his heart to Askesan sooner and told him that he was his fan. "Old Sang, I missed you." Lanqi's gaze carried reminiscence as he looked at the man who would forever be his teacher. Askesan's voice had unraveled the story's riddle. The legendary tale had begun with hearing the name Askesan during a single lecture. ... ... "Whew." On the bench at Saint Creti Monastery, Lanqi and Sigrid slowly awakened. The clear sound of waves lapping the lake shore drifted to their ears once more. Even after waking, Sigrid lazily rested her head against Lanqi's shoulder, leaning into him. "Once you stepped in, it was over in a flash," she murmured. When she opened her palm, she found that the Star of Oblivion had already turned into star sand, scattering entirely onto the ground. "Askesan really is strong," Lanqi said, still touched even after waking up. At any rate, he had fought to his heart's content. He wondered if his feelings had reached Askesan. "I think Old Sang just wished your damn story would end sooner, meow," Boss Cat woke up as well, resting atop Sigrid's head. It was at a loss for words regarding these two Lanqi-clan members' date today. After obtaining the Star of Oblivion, this was how they chose to play with it. "Alright, time to get ready for dinner." Lanqi stood up and stretched, looking up at the silver moon and the lit stars, feeling it was already getting late. Rarely, even his stomach felt a hint of hunger. He couldn't wait to go food-hunting outside Saint Creti Monastery with Sigrid. Back in Herrom, he had always planned where to eat; this time, Sigrid had arranged everything in advance. "Yeah, I'm a bit hungry too." Sigrid didn't know how long they had slept on the stone bench, only certain that after a short nap, her spirits were remarkably refreshed. Lanqi's long-standing fatigue had been alleviated by the rest as well. Sigrid lifted the cat from her head, hugged it, and turned with Lanqi toward the path leading to the monastery. Moonlight filtered through the lush canopy by the lake, dancing with the distant clouds and coating the twilight of Saint Creti Monastery in soft silver. At the start of December, the brief day was coming to an end. Beside the clear lake surrounded by the woods of Saint Creti Monastery stood a magnificent temple. Talking as they walked, the two unknowingly crossed through the laurel grove and stepped onto the white jade stairs of the temple once more. The temple interior was brightly lit, flickering candlelight swaying amidst swirling incense. "The main hall is completely empty right now. We could go in and hang out." Sigrid held her breath, perking up her ears to listen. "Should we fish up another Star of Oblivion to play with next time?" "Where would we go in the dream?" "Another date in Herrom? One day wasn't nearly enough last time—I didn't even get to show you all my different outfits." "You look good in whatever you wear." Sigrid and Lanqi walked side by side along the path, lingering fondly over every bit of the dream from the Star of Oblivion. "Really? There's an outfit I really want to try, but would you come with me to try it on?" Sigrid bumped Lanqi gently with her shoulder, hands clasped behind her back as she asked. "What outfit?" Lanqi turned his head. "Not telling you." Sigrid stuck out her tongue and quickened her pace, gesturing for Lanqi to keep up and take a look inside the temple. Moonlight poured through the stained glass of the Moon Goddess Temple, casting mottled colors across the marble floor. The air was filled with intoxicating incense that cleansed the soul, where devout believers gathered to pray to the Moon Goddess Elsaya. "This is where we passed through on our way to the lake," Sigrid said to Lanqi, looking at the colonnade woven of pure white jade and dark gray pillars. "I remember it being quite bustling this afternoon. It really is late now—not a single priest in sight." The two strolled slowly along the corridor into the temple. Every few steps, one could look through the gaps in the stone colonnade toward the main hall. The winter moonlight bathed them. A gentle breeze brushed past their hair, and a fallen leaf drifted down, landing softly on Sigrid's skirt. She bent down to pick it up. Sunlight seemed to filter through its delicate veins, fresh and vivid. "Look, doesn't this look a lot like my hair color?" Sigrid handed the leaf to Lanqi. "It does. What tree is this leaf from?" Lanqi took the leaf, his fingertip tracing the winding veins. Beneath the silver moonlight, it truly carried a hint of Sigrid's color. "A leaf from the Moon God Tree. They say that giving a leaf or petal from the Moon God Tree to the most important person in your life grants them the blessing of the Goddess of the Silver Moon and Healing, protecting their health and peace for a lifetime." Sigrid looked toward the goddess statue in the temple, pressing her hands together in prayer. Her light-colored hair fell loose, shimmering in the hazy light. She was completely absorbed, piety written across her brows, her lips murmuring softly as she prayed for the goddess to guide the path ahead. Her closed eyelids trembled faintly, her thin pink lips moving silently with devoted focus. Her fair face looked like the finest mutton-fat jade, appearing all the more holy and gentle in the temple's flickering candlelight. Only after Sigrid finished her prayer did Lanqi snap back to his senses. The girl opened her eyes, clear as autumn waters. Her gaze met Lanqi's, a smile blossoming at the corners of her mouth. The warm light seemed to drape a veil over her, the starlight shining for her alone. The wind carried blessings to them, swirling past with scattered petals. In that fleeting instant, Lanqi seemed to hallucinate her wearing a wedding dress, blinking his recently awakened eyes. "What is it?" Sigrid asked curiously. She noticed that Lanqi had been staring blankly for quite a while. "I only just realized that Lord Bishop is actually this beautiful," Lanqi smiled with easy relief, shaking his head and murmuring to himself. "What are you saying all of a sudden?" "Just speaking from the heart." "You're terrible! Terrible!" Hazy moonlight blanketed the sleeping earth. Outside the temple, a bright moon hung in the sky as the galaxy sparkled. Sigrid and Lanqi stepped over the mottled moon shadows, chatting leisurely as they strolled.