When the judgment seal descended, the entire Twelfth Layer went dark for an instant.
Xu Zhihan looked up and saw his Divine Spark’s True Name engraved above the judgment seal, with Lu Wenchuan's name engraved below. A white line connected the two rows of text. One end led to the Divine Throne, the other to the Anchor.
Shen Yu stood behind the judgment seal, his sleeves torn, the last trace of serenity finally gone from his face.
"Refusing Heavenly Judgment, obstructing the Tower Core, showing partiality in protecting the Anchor."
The voice within the judgment seal spread in overlapping waves.
"Condemned."
Lu Wenchuan raised his eyes. "They've even passed sentence on us."
Xu Zhihan looked at the judgment seal. "It wants to count refusing judgment as a sin too."
"Can we appeal?"
Xu Zhihan said coldly, "Smashing it is our appeal."
Lu Wenchuan chuckled, then coughed halfway through, the taste of blood rising in his throat. He turned his head and forced it down.
Xu Zhihan saw it.
"Step back."
Lu Wenchuan raised a hand and wiped the corner of his mouth.
"We just said we'd do this together."
Xu Zhihan stared at him.
"Can you even stand right now?"
"For a while."
Xu Zhihan's gaze was cold, but his hand held Lu Wenchuan's arm without letting go.
The judgment seal kept pressing down.
The snow-covered ground split open, and black chains appeared beneath their feet. The chains did not bind their bodies; they bound their names directly. The name Xuanheng was held by the Divine Throne's white light, while Lu Wenchuan's name was held by the Anchor Line. The white line between them grew tauter and tauter.
Shen Yu said, "By acknowledging each other, you implicate each other. Implication is sin."
Lu Wenchuan looked at Xu Zhihan.
"He's saying