Lu Jun fell silent.
The cold glint at the tip of the Ice Abyss Sword swayed faintly, reflected in his unreadable eyes.
Time seemed to stretch on. Only the faint sizzling of lingering destructive energy in the distant Abyss could be heard, along with Xu Tiandi's gradually steadying breaths.
At last.
Clang—
The crisp sound of a sword returning to its sheath rang out.
The Ice Abyss Sword withdrew all its sharpness and slid peacefully into the scabbard at his waist.
The soaring sword intent vanished with it, as if it had never existed.
Xu Tiandi's eyelids trembled as he slowly opened his eyes.
He looked at Lu Jun, and a faint trace of doubt flickered in his gaze.
That doubt was quickly replaced by deeper confusion.
Looking down at him, Lu Jun spoke.
"You've got quite the wishful thinking, Xu Tiandi."
His tone was calm, yet it was like a fine needle gently puncturing the deliberately constructed air of tragedy and resignation.
"Apologize for you? I don't have that kind of spare time. Save those words and say them yourself."
Xu Tiandi's pupils contracted.
"...Why?"
"You wanted to die all along, didn't you?"
Lu Jun stepped forward twice, his boots making soft taps against the smooth rock.
"If you truly wanted to seize my Super Divine Artifact, why were you here alone? Where was your soul tool legion? Where were your deathsworn guards?"
He stopped beside Xu Tiandi, his shadow falling over the other man's face.
"If you had deployed all the Federation's legions here and coordinated with Eternal Heaven Kingdom... it might not have been impossible."
"But you didn't."
Xu Tiandi pressed his lips together. After a moment, his voice turned faintly cold.
"...You misunderstand. This battle was a personal grievance between you and me. It had nothing