As for Xiao, far away at Wangshu Inn, he was staring blankly at the Sky Screen.
A plate of Almond Tofu sat on the little table beside him. He had specifically asked the owner to make it, intending to eat while watching the Sky Screen.
Now, he felt that this plate of tofu was even harder to swallow than the anonymous comments on the Sky Screen.
"Adeptus Xiao!" An enthusiastic shout came from downstairs. "Is that 'one-and-a-half-meter Adeptus' on the Sky Screen you?"
Xiao: ...
Xiao: Such disrespect for an Adeptus!!
He silently picked up the Almond Tofu, pushed open the window, and leaped onto the roof.
The wind was especially boisterous tonight.
[Ranking complete. Distributing the Top 9 ranking reward.] [Xiao has received the reward: Karmic Debt Removal.]
Xiao froze as he looked at the reward. Those few simple words represented his lifelong wish.
Xiao slowly raised his hand. The black aura in his palm was dissipating at a speed visible to the naked eye.
The agony that had entwined him for two thousand years, clinging like a festering sore to the bone, silently faded like morning mist meeting sunlight.
The fire that had burned endlessly in his chest went out.
Suddenly, he thought of... Menogias, Bonanus, Indarias, and Bosacius.
If the Sky Screen had appeared sooner, would they not have had to...
Thinking of the resurrected Guizhong, Xiao felt hope ignite anew and bowed deeply to the Sky Screen.
Most people had little concept of karmic debt. Only Liyue's adepti and Zhongli knew how much Xiao had suffered.
Oh, and a certain drunkard.
The Sky Screen began playing the "Douluo Continent" ranking.
["Douluo Continent" iconic scenes, Top 8: Yu Xiaogang: I raised a god.]
This ranking was a compilation. It opened with the scene