Rover activated the Sonoro Sphere, and the two of them stepped through the gate simultaneously.
A flash of white light later, they arrived in a space similar to Phrolova's domain.
However, instead of an eerie crimson moon in the distance, there was a golden, blazing sun.
Jué soared through the sky, glaring down at the two with an imposing aura.
Lucian, gripping the Yamato, pointed it upward at Jué.
"If you've got the guts, come down here! Hiding up there doesn't make you a hero!"
Jué snorted coldly. "Earlier, I witnessed your Healing Art. Now, let's see if your combat skills surpass your medical prowess."
"If you can't even overcome this height, how can I not look down on you?"
Lucian grinned defiantly. "Oh, so you're already looking down on me?"
"But you're right—I can actually fly, damn it!"
The next second, Lucian transformed into the form of Jué, gripping the Yamato between his teeth.
Though the Transformation Magic did not grant him the target's abilities, Lucian retained his own powers—though fighting in this form was less convenient than his human one.
Jué watched in surprise as another version of herself took to the skies.
"I didn't expect you to possess such an ability."
"But I can tell—your imitation has my form, not my essence!"
Lucian sneered. "Enough talk. Let's see how much of a gap there is between my strength and the Sentinel's!"
With a draconic roar, he lunged forward like a bolt of lightning.
The Sentinel responded, her massive tail glowing with a dazzling golden light before swinging violently toward Lucian.
Yet, Lucian—now in Jué's form—moved with astonishing agility, twisting and dodging the "Divine Dragon's Tail Swing."
Lucian's frequency vibrated intensely as the Havoc energy within him surged toward his horns.
In an instant, a wave of annihilation condensed and shot straight at the Sentinel.
In this golden-hued space, the violet energy wave tore through like a colossal blade, as if trying to rend the entire Sonoro Sphere apart.
Faced with Lucian's fierce assault, the Sentinel retaliated in kind, spewing a golden beam from her maw to meet the oncoming annihilation wave.
For a brief moment, time itself seemed to freeze—Lucian's attack was halted mid-air, unable to advance even an inch.
This was the Sentinel's Time-stopping authority!
The golden beam shattered the annihilation wave and surged toward Lucian.
Reacting swiftly, Lucian adjusted his trajectory, soaring high above before diving back down, the Yamato in his maw swinging toward Jué.
But Jué, too, conjured a massive azure sword from her mouth!
The heavens seemed to ripple with starlight, illuminating the entire Tacet Field.
Though the Yamato was not as large as this sword, its power was comparable.
The clash of blades sent deafening shockwaves through the air.
At that moment, Jinhsi leapt from Lucian's back. Her power shared the same origin as the Sentinel's.
Behind her, a colossal dragon resembling the Sentinel roared as it charged toward Jué.
Due to their shared origin, Jinhsi's Resonance ability also carried the Time-stopping authority, giving Lucian an opening.
Swinging the Yamato once more, the blade's power twisted the Sentinel's form—though it quickly reverted.
Then, Lucian canceled his Transformation Magic mid-air, pulling Jinhsi into his arms and drawing "Comrade's Hammer" to fire!
The bullet struck true, and the two landed safely.
Looking up, they saw that while Jué had been staggered, she seemed largely unharmed.
"Not bad. With your help, Jinhsi's path forward will be smoother."
"But if you think this is enough to 'shift the stars and reverse fate,' you're far from ready!"
With that, Jué let out a roar that seemed to pierce the heavens.
Dark clouds gathered instantly, and golden lightning—like divine serpents—descended upon Lucian and Jinhsi.
Faced with such overwhelming force, Lucian didn't hesitate. Pushing off the ground, he activated "Cloud-Dancing Butterfly Steps," holding Jinhsi close as he weaved through the storm of lightning.
Each dodge was precise—dangerously close, yet executed with practiced ease.
At the same time, a series of ding sounds echoed in Lucian's mind—his combat skills were leveling up rapidly under such intense pressure.
Jué, now flying low, swung her massive tail like a hammer striking water, sending towering waves crashing toward them.
But Lucian, now with Bloodshadow Evasion unlocked at Blood Saber Art Lv. 4, wasn't fazed.
Pulling Jinhsi with him, he melded into the water, dyeing it crimson as they darted toward Jué like fish.
Their frequencies spiked.
The next moment, they burst from the bloody waves!
"Chixiao: Shadowless!"
"Heaven ordains. Banish all vice!"
Their strongest attacks, unleashed in unison—a testament to their bond!
But the Sentinel was the Sentinel for a reason.
Beyond supreme authority, she possessed unmatched intellect and combat prowess.
With a flash, her massive form vanished into a streak of azure light, evading their assault entirely.
Then, reappearing, she struck the water with her tail, sending it surging upward to engulf them.
A flash—and they found themselves in another space. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novel⸺fire.net
This one resembled a temporal tunnel, surrounded by swirling gold-and-azure clouds.
Floating mid-air, they saw Jué darting ahead, bombarding them with golden energy spheres.
"Magistrate Jinhsi, your resilience is unexpected."
"Lucian's fearless resolve is commendable."
"But if you wish to correct the timeline and overturn fate, you're still far from ready."
"Turn back now, and there's still room for redemption."
Jinhsi's gaze was unwavering.
"My decision is made. I… will not turn back."
"You once said, 'In a world shrouded in darkness, lighting a candle is no easy task.'"
"Yet I insist on trying—to see if this feeble flame of mine can illuminate Jinzhou's sky!"