The snow on the Twelfth Layer did not reach the ground.
It hung in midair, each flake held still, as though pinned by invisible hands. The judgment ground was vast, with no walls around it. In the distance, there were only long white stairways, with the Divine Throne suspended at their ends. The faceless shadow on the Divine Throne lowered its head, its voice pressing down from every direction.
"The Sinful World shall be judged."
Xu Zhihan stood in the center of the judgment ground, the Silver Nameplate cracked in his palm, blood still on his fingers. Lu Wenchuan stood beside him, his wrist hanging at his side, the blood at his shoulder staining the gauze dark. His breathing was heavier than before, but he still did not retreat.
Shen Yu stood below the Divine Throne, holding the cracked black Clock Core. Two fissures ran across it, tiny sounds constantly seeping out, like countless people whispering through a wall.
Xu Zhihan looked at the Divine Throne.
"Judge whom?"
The Divine Throne Shadow did not answer.
The snowy ground beneath his feet suddenly lit up. Sin Lines emerged from beneath the snow, surging toward his feet like a tide. Names lay hidden within those lines: Xu Chengyuan, Zhou Man, Zhao Huaide, the Gu Family, the Green Gate Foundation, the Old Gods Society, Xie Wu. The old accounts already assigned on the Eighth Layer surfaced again, but white light pulled at the ends of the lines, trying to bypass their original destinations and crawl onto Xu Zhihan.
Lu Wenchuan raised his blade, pressing its edge against the foremost line.
Xu Zhihan held his wrist.
"Don't move."
Lu Wenchuan looked at him.
Xu Zhihan spoke very quietly. "It's asking me."
Lu Wenchuan's brow lowered. "Then answer."
Xu Zhihan raised his eyes, his tone