A new duel had already begun, but the stand where Yu Xunge stood was quiet.
What Mistblade and Maple Sugar had done, and how far their Deity Talent words had evolved, were plain for everyone to see. There was no need to ask.
But right now, Yu Xunge really wished someone would ask.
Dawn Cicada, always eager to stir up more drama, had voluntarily given up their spot, leaving Maple Sugar standing on Yu Xunge's left and Mistblade on her right... From a distance, they formed a U.
What a familiar arrangement.
Yu Xunge watched the unfamiliar Players dueling on the Clock Dial with a blank expression.
As skills exploded on the Clock Dial, Maple Sugar suddenly asked, "Did your flower wither because you were worried Mistblade would take her anger out on you after I executed Moon Fox, or because you knew perfectly well... that if I executed Moon Fox in front of you, you would never be able to look me in the eye again?"
Hearing that someone had done something cruel and witnessing them do something cruel were completely different experiences.
Autumn Bear was far away, while Moon Fox lived right in Zai Jiu.
What Zai Jiu Xunge did not know was that Mistblade, Maple Sugar, Dawn Cicada, Queque, Rage Prayer... every leader looked at this Arbiter as though they were looking through her at a naive, unattainable dream.
On the War Cruise Ship that day, Zai Jiu Xunge had created a miracle, one that only she could create.
Every Player had accepted invading and being invaded. Only she had chosen to escape.
Her hands were not stained with sinful blood. Neither she nor Zai Jiu had invaded any world. They were innocent, so they could leave that sea of sin without any burden, with everyone's blessings.