"Could even a genius of [Erudition] have their brain invaded?" Dan Heng's gaze sharpened as he stared directly at Laigushi.
He knew just how formidable Evernight was within the Memory Zone. Deleting and altering memories was effortless for her.
Laigushi tilted his head slightly, a note of warning in his voice:
"...Lord Dan Heng, I am merely stating the facts. That lady is also a threat you cannot afford to ignore."
His voice remained calm, yet every word was crystal clear.
"[Remembrance] was easily snuffed out in her hands, leaving no trace behind. Her methods were decisive, as though she bore an irreconcilable hatred for this Path."
"Contradictions are often the key to the truth. Miss March 7th's past... is an abyss of unfathomable darkness."
"And then?" Dan Heng's expression did not change at all.
"You expect me to join forces with you because of that?"
"So be it." Laigushi shook his head, seemingly unsurprised by Dan Heng's response and with no intention of pressing the matter.
"I merely offer you a direction for thought. The choice remains in your hands."
He continued up the shattered stairway, his voice drifting over on the wind from the cliffside, faint and distant.
"A burdensome past is like an endless night, with untold evils lurking within it. As a former Imbibitor Dragon Venerable, you should understand that better than I do."
Dan Heng merely replied calmly:
"I do indeed understand [facing the past] better than you do, First Genius."
"I have no intention of denying it. Let us continue, Lord Dan Heng." Laigushi said no more and focused only on the path ahead.
As they climbed higher, the air around them grew increasingly thin.
New monsters gradually appeared along the path—twisted forms radiating ominous golden light, completely unlike the Black Tide Creations they