When they returned to the old air-raid shelter, the white light at the entrance had already faded.
It had not disappeared, merely clung to the inside of the iron door, waiting quietly. The door was reflected in the water pooled on the ground, and the words on it had changed.
[Return to Godhood.]
Another line had appeared beneath it.
[Please Return Your Name.]
Xu Zhihan stood before the door, the Silver Nameplate hidden beneath his collar, pressed against his skin. Song Zhixia had sealed the fourth Fragment's containment box as tightly as possible and temporarily entrusted it to the Deputy Captain. Lu Wenchuan stood beside Xu Zhihan. His shoulder and wrist had both been treated again, and a fresh Small Talisman was attached inside his cuff.
Song Zhixia looked at him. "Fifteen steps."
Lu Wenchuan nodded.
Xu Zhihan looked at him. "Ten steps."
Lu Wenchuan said, "It was fifteen just now."
"I changed it."
"Be reasonable."
Xu Zhihan said coldly, "You're asking me?"
Lu Wenchuan lowered his head and smiled.
"Ten steps."
Watching them, Song Zhixia felt her head starting to ache again.
The door opened.
White light surged out from within. It was no longer as blinding as before, but instead as cold as snow. As soon as the two entered, the sounds behind them faded, leaving only the soft crunch of snow grains beneath their feet.
There were no walls in the Return-to-God Layer.
Endless snowfields surrounded them. Ahead lay a long staircase, with an empty chair suspended at its end. There was no one behind the chair, only a shadow whose face they could not make out, looking down at them.
Xu Zhihan stopped at the foot of the stairs.
Lu Wenchuan walked up beside him.
"Doesn't this look like the judgment center