The ringing bells and chanting that had lasted from dusk until late into the night finally stopped.
Chongyun, who had been standing guard outside, breathed a sigh of relief, but his expression grew grave a moment later.
Over the past few days, he had seen true evil spirits.
Their power had surpassed anything he had imagined.
It made him respect the predecessors who had died protecting Liyue all the more, and deepened his admiration for Xiao.
Alongside that admiration, he also felt how insignificant and naive he was.
After traveling with Xiao for several days, he understood what evil spirits were. He had gained a profound understanding of their power, and of how difficult Xiao's life was.
But today, the sight of Xiao collapsing in agony when he could no longer suppress his Karmic Debt, and the boundless, ocean-like surge of Karmic Debt that erupted unchecked...
Had shaken his young heart to its core.
Originally, he had been nothing more than an earnest, hot-blooded boy. He had only wanted to find evil spirits and prove that he could become a capable Exorcist even without relying on his Pure Yang Body.
But now, he felt just how naive he had been.
When he sensed the endless Karmic Debt erupting as Xiao fell, its terrifying presence had even stirred an instinctive fear within him.
It was an overwhelming malevolent aura that could awaken instinctive terror in any living being.
Watching Xiao lying on the ground with his face contorted, he had only then understood how much Xiao had been carrying.
He remembered Xiao's words-"Exorcist Adepts possess little capacity and meager strength. They are not worth mentioning."
He had deeply resented those words before, but now, he accepted them.
In terms of strength, no exorcist could compare to the Conqueror of Demons.
And