On the Chessboard overhead.
A white stone fell.
It was the decisive move, and Perfected Mystic's final killing blow in this game.
Short Li...
She was Changli's past, or rather, she could only appear in this Mirage Realm through Changli's memories.
That was precisely why bringing this hidden piece into play now could have the greatest effect.
As her master, how could Perfected Mystic possibly leave nothing behind for Changli?
A hearty laugh suddenly rang out in the dark space.
It was utterly genuine, the simple laughter of an old man about to win a game of chess.
"So that's it." Ling An glanced at Changli, who stood in midair. As she reclaimed the memories that were Short Li, she seemed moved as well.
As though reminded of her master, or perhaps her childhood, a clear tear slipped unnoticed from the corner of her eye.
Crimson Severing Flame instantly enveloped her entire body, its glare fierce enough to tint everything in sight.
That tear passed through the blazing Severing Flame and fell toward the rapidly contracting space.
She shone in glorious splendor, like a goddess descending to earth.
In the blink of an eye, the Severing Flame was on the verge of burning through this space.
Beside her, Ling An watched in silence.
He sensed a familiar gaze.
Tide Sis was also somewhere within this space, watching him from an unknown location.
Ling An looked up and asked softly, "Want to win?"
Though the empowered Changli was unleashing her full strength, she was still a very long way from matching Ling An.
If Tide Sis wanted, Ling An could easily melt through the light overhead before Changli did and help her win this game.
In the sealed chamber, crimson firelight shone inside. Holding a chess stone in one hand, Tide