"Whether it was or wasn't, the thousands of disciples in the sect could judge for themselves. They would remember your kindness, Junior Brother Zhu."
"But... this isn't the time to dwell on that. While I was unconscious, what happened to Muyun Prefecture and the sect? Why can't I see a single person inside or outside the sect now?"
Su Shi'er continued with a smile, but halfway through, he changed tack and quickly began asking questions.
Both men were shrewd, and trading compliments came naturally to them.
But more pressing matters lay before them. Su Shi'er had no intention of wasting time.
Zhu Hanwei's expression grew serious. Knowing how grave the matter was, he began to explain with a solemn look.
"This is what happened..."
As he listened to Zhu Hanwei, Su Shi'er soon grasped the broad outline.
Only then did he learn that nearly ten years had passed since he broke the Dark Evil Formation.
Just as he had suspected, ten years ago, Lin Wuyou had used himself as bait, prompting the Sacred Spirit Cult to suspend the Dark Evil Formation. He had then been struck by heavenly thunder and died on the spot.
Su Shi'er had prepared himself for the news, but hearing the details from Zhu Hanwei still filled him with regret and self-reproach.
He had always known that the threat of Lin Wuyou's Lightning Tribulation remained unresolved.
But knowing that was one thing. He had never imagined it was connected to the blazing sun overhead.
Still less had he expected that, with Lin Wuyou's cultivation and strength, he would have been utterly powerless against that Lightning Tribulation.
Perhaps... if I'd paid more attention along the way, I might have found a way to resolve the danger Lin Wuyou faced.
But there were no perhapses or ifs left