In the end, Asharaya said nothing. She obediently noted down Zhou Sining's card number and promised to transfer the money as soon as she got back.
During their earlier standoff, she had known she couldn't beat Zhou Sining, but she had still carried herself with pride and confidence. She had never tried to hide her defiance.
Now, though, she had no fight left in her. She wanted nothing more than to fly straight back to Athens and have the finest Healing Mages at the Parthenon Temple treat her.
Those few seconds trapped in the illusion had shown Asharaya the most terrifying sight she had ever seen.
It had even surpassed the moment Hai La took her adoptive father, Wen Tai, away more than twenty years ago.
Part of her felt that the scene hadn't been an illusion at all. It had been real!
With her promise secured, Zhou Sining gave her no more trouble. He even let her use the top-tier Magic Artifact, the Spirit-Nourishing Bracelet, to restore her Spiritual Power as quickly as possible.
Honestly, Zhou Sining had only meant to scare her a little. He hadn't expected a reaction so far beyond anything he'd imagined. Seeing her so dazed and forlorn, anyone might have thought Burning Heaven had seized her soul.
"That blade's getting creepier by the day. Nan Jue reacted the same way when I showed it to her... Oh, right. I should ask her how her investigation's going."
Zhou Sining tossed Crimson Blade: Burning Heaven back into his Spatial Ring and took his Magic Artifact from Asharaya.
"Don't go back on your word, or I'll come after you with the blade."
"I know!" Asharaya snapped.
Zhou Sining said no more, and the three of them headed for the nearest town together.
With Asharaya along, communication was