Bai Qingshuang smiled. "Because I don't know how to face them, nor do I know how to choose what comes next. Life is truly filled with uncertainty!"

Wan Jing was unable to comprehend the sentiment in Bai Qingshuang's sigh. She just bowed her head slightly and asked, "Then, do you still need me to bring Qi Xinzhu over?"

"Yes, let her come. Being surrounded by a group of onlookers isn't a very pleasant feeling. I was once gawked at like that, and at that time, it felt like I was merely a commodity!"

Wan Jing didn't dare to pick up on Bai Qingshuang's words at this moment, so she knocked on the windowsill.

"Qi Gefei!"

"I'm here, Lady Wan Jing."

Upon hearing Wan Jing's call, Qi Gefei practically flew to the door. Just as he opened it, he saw a modest-looking Wan Jing, and Bai Qingshuang standing by the windowsill.

Qi Gefei had seen Bai Qingshuang in photographs before, but this was his first time seeing her in person.

Bai Qingshuang also turned her head to look at Qi Gefei, and their eye contact seemed to touch the very essence of their souls. Bai Qingshuang was like a giant bathed in radiance, while Qi Gefei was like a gray panther crouching beneath the giant.

"Uh, er..." Qi Gefei just stood there staring at Bai Qingshuang, completely unable to speak normally.

Bai Qingshuang didn't mind and simply watched Qi Gefei's reaction with keen interest. "Not a bad seedling, Wan Jing. This subordinate of yours is quite good."

Wan Jing hadn't expected Bai Qingshuang to suddenly praise Qi Gefei. Logically speaking, although Qi Gefei's strength was quite remarkable, being the former chief of the Knight of Justice, compared to members from several other Knights Groups, he was quite lacking. Wan Jing used Qi Gefei simply because he was straightforward and easy to employ. Compared to his strength, his efficiency and ability to handle affairs were what was truly praiseworthy. Thus, she was unclear why Bai Qingshuang would suddenly praise Qi Gefei at this time.

"Judgment Chief, Qi Gefei is but an ordinary member of the Knight of Justice. How has he earned such praise from you?"

Bai Qingshuang nodded. "He was indeed quite ordinary before, but you don't have to worry. He will soon become extraordinary. His growth will be rapid!"

Wan Jing did not know what Bai Qingshuang meant by 'rapid,' but she assumed the Judgment Chief wouldn't speak without reason. "Since the Judgment Chief holds Qi Gefei in such high regard, I will certainly cultivate him well."

Having said that, Wan Jing quickly tugged Qi Gefei's hand to snap him out of his daze. "Qi Gefei, this is the Judgment Chief."

Only then did Qi Gefei come to his senses. Under the watchful eyes of Wan Jing and Bai Qingshuang, he knelt with a slight tremble, prostrating himself on the ground before Bai Qingshuang. "Oh, my Holy Light! You are the Holy Light!"

Qi Gefei had once told Lu Luo that although he pursued power, immense power, his heart had never betrayed the Dawn Church. His faith was firm and steadfast, always prepared to dedicate himself to the Dawn Church. Seeing Bai Qingshuang at this moment, Qi Gefei felt as if he had encountered the beacon of his life. A devout panther had finally found the Holy Light that belonged to him. Bai Qingshuang was the true giant of light, the master of the Holy Light.

Wan Jing, who stood by, had no idea what was going on with Qi Gefei, but she was smart enough not to ask. It was just like the scene earlier when she had moved against Bai Qingshuang. To this day, she still didn't know the specifics of what had happened then, but whatever had transpired was no longer important. That brief interaction had made one thing clear to her: no one could contend with Bai Qingshuang. Her strength was not just a matter of pure power—the Adjudicator's Sequence could already influence reality itself. So, whatever exchange had occurred between Qi Gefei and Bai Qingshuang's eyes, only the two of them knew the details.

"Judgment Chief, I will have him call Qi Xinzhu over right now."

Bai Qingshuang looked at Qi Gefei and suddenly shook her head. "No need. I have found something—or rather, someone—more interesting."

"Someone more interesting?" Wan Jing didn't understand.

"Yes, Knight Qi Gefei is an even more suitable candidate than Qi Xinzhu. His condition is very unique; at least for now, he intrigues me more."

"Ah? What do you mean, Judgment Chief?"

"You go help Qi Xinzhu out of her predicament. Knight Qi Gefei, come with me," the Judgment Chief replied.

Bai Qingshuang seemed to have suddenly lost interest in Qi Xinzhu, which surprised Wan Jing greatly. Hadn't Bai Qingshuang always favored Qi Xinzhu the most? Why Qi Gefei? Why now? Unable to comprehend, Wan Jing watched as Qi Gefei prostrated himself on the ground again.

"I will always follow by your side, Judgment Chief," he declared. By this time, Qi Gefei had regained his composure, his gaze more resolute than ever.

"Then let's be off. The rest is up to you, Wan Jing," Bai Qingshuang said.

"Uh, yes, I understand!" Wan Jing replied.

Wan Jing watched with a bewildered expression as Qi Gefei followed Bai Qingshuang away. The fact that Bai Qingshuang valued Qi Gefei was already surprising enough; now, asking Qi Gefei to leave with her was even more odd. Are they heading to the Dawn Disc?

Wan Jing shook her head slightly. As she had thought before, she simply couldn't grasp what Bai Qingshuang was up to or what she truly sought. All Wan Jing could do now was follow Bai Qingshuang's instructions and help Qi Xinzhu out of her bind. Oh well, I might as well go see.

「...」

"Lady Wan Jing!"

When Wan Jing appeared at the training ground, the crowd naturally dispersed. Though Wan Jing had not reached the Seventh Tier, her strength was still formidable. Because of her power, those around her had to give her proper respect. For instance, everyone now stepped aside to make way for Wan Jing.

Qi Xinzhu, who had been ignoring the surrounding crowd, also stopped what she was doing. She wasn't familiar with Wan Jing but recognized her. As a believer, she knew she needed to show appropriate courtesy in Wan Jing's presence.

"Lady Wan Jing, hello," Qi Xinzhu greeted.

"You are indeed young! Priest Qi Xinzhu, walk with me," Wan Jing invited kindly.

This goodwill from Wan Jing caught Qi Xinzhu off guard; she had assumed that after her situation spread throughout the Church, she would face ostracism from everyone. She hadn't expected someone of Wan Jing's high status to show her such friendly regard.

"Of course!" Qi Xinzhu said and hurried to Wan Jing's side. Though she didn't know the purpose of Wan Jing's visit, the fact that Wan Jing helped her escape the bothersome believers was enough to earn her gratitude.

With Wan Jing's protection, as the two of them walked through the Church district, there were far fewer onlookers. Even if there were some whispers, at least there were no aggressive behaviors like before.

The two of them, one walking ahead of the other, arrived at the auxiliary hall of the Knight of Justice, the same place Wan Jing and Bai Qingshuang had been earlier.

"Xinzhu, how old are you this year?"

"I'm 21."

"Already Fourth Tier at 21! Such talent surpasses many Seventh Tier masters, let alone me. It's truly incredible."

Qi Xinzhu wanted to say that Lu Luo, who was the same age, was already Fifth Tier, and Lu Luo's Fifth Tier seemed a bit different from a normal Fifth Tier. But saying this in front of Wan Jing seemed a bit much. After thinking about it, Qi Xinzhu decided not to mention it, concluding it would be too much like showing off.

"Uh, actually, Fourth Tier is alright."

Wan Jing shook her head. "This past year, you haven't received systematic training in the Inner Ring, and your mentor, the Pope, has fallen ill. So, you've been without dedicated guidance. To maintain a steady mindset and advance two Tiers in one year without such guidance is, in my opinion, simply unbelievable. What's even more unbelievable is that you actually defeated Guan Zhi head-on, and it was a complete victory. Qi Xinzhu, do you realize how great your potential is?"

Qi Xinzhu was a bit dazed after being praised by Wan Jing for no apparent reason. Am I really that good?

But upon careful consideration, what Wan Jing said seemed to be true. However, Qi Xinzhu always felt her progress was too slow, at least compared to Lu Luo; it was way too slow. According to Lu Luo, she had talent but hadn't made good use of it. Previously, she hadn't been developing her combat skills properly, and the development of her Sequences was terrible. Despite having both a Grade S Sequence and a Grade A Sequence, her use of them had always been less than satisfactory. Before meeting Lu Luo, Qi Xinzhu had always used Healer merely as a substitute for the healing effect of Holy Radiance. In Lu Luo's eyes, this was undoubtedly a huge waste.

Fortunately, after spending more time with Lu Luo, he suggested she develop her Healer abilities towards Ultra Regeneration. This could greatly enhance Qi Xinzhu's combat endurance. Coupled with her extraordinary Constitution, it gave her exceptional capability for prolonged combat. Then, by using her ability to create illusory duplicates, the duplicates and the original could complement each other. Practicing combination techniques, healing each other, and compensating for offensive weaknesses created a synergy where one plus one was greater than two—this was the truly ideal way to use Sequences. Qi Xinzhu had been able to defeat Guan Zhi head-on because her Sequences were so powerful, and her application of them was also becoming stronger.

"Lady Wan Jing, your praises are too much. Compared to all of you, I still have many flaws and shortcomings."

Wan Jing looked at Qi Xinzhu. Girls like her are really hard not to like. Most of those Believers who target her are probably acting out of love turned to extreme hate, or jealousy!

"You should understand the emotions of the Believers."

"I understand. I've always understood. However, I won't back down when it's about Lu Luo." Qi Xinzhu's tone was very calm; regarding matters related to Lu Luo, she truly wouldn't back down.

Wan Jing nodded thoughtfully. "The Judgment Chief has also mentioned you to me before, and Lu Luo as well."

"The Judgment Chief? What did she say?"

Qi Xinzhu still had to be cautious about Bai Qingshuang's attitude. Because Bai Qingshuang is just too powerful. But even if it were the Judgment Chief, if she tried to interfere with my relationship with Lu Luo, I would decisively refuse. If it came down to it, I would leave the Dawn Church and return to the Fourth Ring with Lu Luo. After all, we already have a home of our own.

"The Judgment Chief said that Lu Luo, like you, is a very exceptional child."

"Did the Judgment Chief really say that?"

"Of course. There's absolutely no need for me to lie to you about this. But..."

"But what?" Qi Xinzhu asked eagerly.

"But the Judgment Chief isn't quite sure how to deal with your issue now. After all, the situation doesn't just involve you and Lu Luo, but also the Judgment Chief's daughter, Bai Yuetong."

Qi Xinzhu already knew everything Wan Jing was saying. But what was the point? It changed nothing.

"I understand, Lady Wan Jing."

"Don't worry too much, the Judgment Chief is a very gentle person..."

Just as Wan Jing was about to continue comforting Qi Xinzhu, someone suddenly came to report. "Lady Wan Jing, Yu Luo has just reported that during a meeting at the Ji Family estate, members of the Council Alliance captured a member of the Tribunal, Mu Fei. Mu Fei is currently in the hands of the Luo Family, and the person who made the capture is named Lu Luo."

"Lu Luo?" Qi Xinzhu was stunned. Isn't the Luo Family Bai Yuetong's family? But what's going on with Lu Luo?

Wan Jing, standing beside her, obviously approached the problem from a different angle; she immediately realized the crux of the matter. "Why would a member of the Tribunal be at the Ji Family's estate? The assets of the Ji Family estate shouldn't require our Church's involvement, should they? Has our Church become so idle?"

"Uh, I'm not sure about that."

Wan Jing stopped looking at the reporter and turned to Qi Xinzhu. "Qi Xinzhu, what do you think about this matter?"

"Ah? My thoughts? Well, Lu Luo wouldn't randomly capture someone. He's quite timid. If he took action, there must be a reason."

Seeing Qi Xinzhu's complete support for Lu Luo, Wan Jing shook her head. A woman in love truly is impossible to communicate with. "Forget it, let's go see Yu Luo's report!"

"Yes."

「...」

While Qi Xinzhu and Wan Jing were heading to the Church's council hall to hear Yu Luo's report, Judgment Chief Bai Qingshuang and Qi Gefei instantly arrived in the Inner Ring.

When Qi Gefei stopped, he didn't even know how he had gotten there. The only thing he could be certain of was that he hadn't flown. A Seventh Tier expert possessed the ability to fly, but even flying involved a sense of time and distance. The feeling just now was like… instantaneous movement? Was this the power of a Sequence, or something else?

Qi Gefei shook his head; he didn't want to overthink it, especially not in front of the Judgment Chief. "Judgment Chief, what do you need me to do?"

Qi Gefei's expression was one of unquestioning loyalty, but Bai Qingshuang simply smiled faintly, saying nothing. She led Qi Gefei to the Dawn Disc at the very center of the First Ring. Intense Dark Energy permeated the surroundings, its almost tangible presence exerting an invisible pressure on Qi Gefei.

Bai Qingshuang placed her palm on the Dawn Disc.

HUM!

The disc began to rotate.

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