Shen Che sheathed his blade, and the phenomenon of ice and fire entwining across his body faded with it.
He felt a wave of exhaustion.
It was not merely the enormous depletion of true essence, but more importantly, the drain on his mind.
Resisting the will of a Golden Core Demonic Beast, even if it had only been a Puppet Clone, had placed no small burden on him.
He needed rest.
Just then, several figures hurried toward him.
At their head was none other than Xue Binghe, the sect master of the Heavenly Snow Sect.
He looked somewhat bedraggled at the moment. His elegant robe was stained with blood and dust, yet his face bore a complicated expression that words could scarcely describe.
There was shock, gratitude, relief, and a deep thread of guilt.
He walked up to Shen Che without saying a word, lifted his robe, and was about to drop to both knees.
"Sect Master Xue, there is no need for this."
Shen Che reacted swiftly and reached out to support him.
A gentle yet irresistible force held Xue Binghe up, making it impossible for him to kneel no matter what he did.
Xue Binghe froze, then gave a bitter smile and straightened up.
Facing Shen Che, he gave him a deep bow, nearly bending himself to ninety degrees.
"Young Friend Shen Che... no, Benefactor Shen!"
His voice trembled slightly.
"If not for your efforts to turn the tide today, the thousands of lives in my Heavenly Snow Sect, along with our centuries-old foundation, would all have been destroyed in a single day, consigned to Eternal Damnation!"
"For such life-saving, rebirth-granting grace, please allow Xue... to bow to you!"
As he spoke, he tried to bow again.
"Sect Master, you flatter me." Shen Che supported him once more.