Buzz—
Pink energy washed over his body like a tide.
Xia Nan could sense that something invisible seemed to be hiding within the energy, trying to seep into his mind.
But before he could focus and defend himself, the Silver Ring, Dreamweaver Corridor, on the ring finger of his right hand gave a faint tremor. All the invisible energy that touched Xia Nan's body was absorbed by it, turning into 0.001% charge.
"Thud, thud."
Two muffled sounds rang out by Xia Nan's ears, one after the other.
The first was heavy and brief, like an iron block dropping to the ground; the second was relatively lighter, as if the person had struggled twice, accompanied by staggering footsteps before they fell.
He swept the corner of his eye over them.
Under the impact of the pink energy, Margaret and Solding had already lost their ability to fight. They had fainted and collapsed to the ground.
Fortunately, their life force was still stable. They had not died on the spot. Once the gemstone energy's influence passed, they should regain consciousness.
Thoughts flashed through his mind.
Ahead of him, on the altar in the innermost part of the church, the elderly priest in ceremonial silk robes edged with gold was the first to open his mouth.
"So it really is you."
Set against the dazzling pink glow in his eye sockets, his eyes had been reduced to blurred outlines that turned slightly. His gaze swept up and down Xia Nan's body, first pausing briefly on the exposed chain of the Tear of Spring Breath at his neck, then landing on the Straight Sword, Emberfall, in his hand, as if searching for something.
"When I received word from Hans before, I found it strange. So... that wealthy merchant from Newm, Horako—it was you who