Zhang Jizu's departure was perfectly tid. Not long after he vanished, the prayer hour that Cheng Shi and Big Cat had agreed upon arrived.
In the final minute before the prayer, Cheng Shi called Big Cat again. The two synchronized their timing with precision, speaking identical incantations in perfect unison.
This ti...
[Prayer Trial (No Prosperity Judgnt Required) has been initiated]
[Matching teammates (1/6)]
[Trial Objective: In a city proclaiming Order, make order flourish (Ti limit: 1 day)]
No complications. Seeing the Prosperity trial notification appear in his vision, Cheng Shi exhaled with imnse relief. 'Finally, sothing normal.'
[Match successful (6/6). Entering trial]
His vision went dark as he entered the trial. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself sitting in the gallery of a grand tribunal — and beside him sat the very Hong Lin who'd prayed with him.
She still wore that fiery beast-skin outfit, her sleek black hair cascading over the seat, nearly touching the floor.
'Matched!'
'They actually matched!'
Cheng Shi's pupils contracted slightly, but he quickly broke into a smile.
Rather than focusing on Big Cat's status, he rapidly scanned his surroundings. His gaze swept across the stern-faced inquisitors at the tribunal bench, the banners bearing the Grand Tribunal's heraldic engravings hanging high above, and he nodded thoughtfully with raised eyebrows.
Beside him, Hong Lin was clearly just as startled. She first lit up with delight and was about to say hello — but then her expression shifted subtly, and her gaze toward Cheng Shi sharpened.
"Who are you?"
She'd gotten more cautious. Identity verification first.
'Good — she's learning.'
Cheng Shi had also ant to confirm her identity first, but seeing Big Cat so on guard, an uncontrollable dirty thought popped into his brain.
'Hmm? If I hit her with a "hee~" right now, would she die of fright?'
The thought made him grin — then shudder. He abandoned the idea imdiately.
His "hee~" probably wouldn't scare her to death. But it might get him punched to death by her instead.
'Too terrifying. A druid plus a Hero of Today — nobody in this entire ga can withstand Big Cat's fists anymore...'
'Better not court death.'
So Cheng Shi skipped the banter. He casually surveyed the area, quickly scanning the faces of their teammates. Finding no acquaintances or enemies, he pointed to himself, then to Big Cat, and murmured:
"Relax. It's . Let's go."
With that, he unhesitatingly activated Sinner Redemption, yanking both himself and Big Cat into the resentnt of Go Lis.
'Aph Ros — sorry to bother you again!'
The instant both were swallowed by the inky void, furious warning shouts erupted from knights across the courtroom.
The inquisitors' faces turned severe. Knights sward into the hall. Citizens in the gallery went pale with fright, scrambling to flee. Only four bewildered players remained, looking at each other — every face plastered with shock and incomprehension.
One of them was literally trembling.
'Wait — I prayed for the easiest trial possible! How did I end up with two big shots who ripped open the void and bolted within seconds of starting?'
'How is anyone supposed to play this?!'
All four were shell-shocked. Before they could even react, fully ard Iron Law Knights had surround them, indiscriminately sweeping up everyone in the gallery.
"Screen them one by one. In the sacred halls of Order, no lawbreakers shall be tolerated!"
...
anwhile, on the other side.
Cheng Shi awoke once more in the assembly hall of Dolgod's church. The mont he opened his eyes, he saw the black-robed Aph Ros standing at the hall's entrance, watching him with blazing intensity — though His gaze kept drifting toward Big Cat beside him.
Yes — both he and Big Cat had already been released.
Aph Ros could sense Cheng Shi's emotions and naturally knew his relationship with this new female visitor was solid. So the mont the two were pulled into Go Lis's resentnt, He'd let them out.
Of course, sensing emotions was only one reason. The bigger factor was the unusual aura He detected from this woman — sothing different from a mortal.
Normally, beings carrying this kind of aura arrived here freely. They ca and went as they pleased — no need for such... "indignified" thods. But this ti...
'My brother, you've brought
another enormous surprise.'
Aph Ros was profoundly shaken. He wanted to examine Hong Lin more closely, but feared His scrutiny might blasphe this "Her." So He could only fix His gaze on Cheng Shi and wait quietly for an answer.
Cheng Shi was thoroughly immunized to those kinds of looks from Aph Ros. After opening his eyes, he gave the Herald a smile and turned to check on Big Cat.
Hong Lin was completely dazed.
She'd never imagined Cheng Shi would pull her into a place like this, much less that the "friend" he'd ntioned would be... a rather handso old-era nobleman.
The aura did bother her, though. Way too much Corruption.
'Who is he?'
'Why is he a Corruption follower?'
Hong Lin frowned, suppressing her distaste. She surveyed the surroundings and asked:
"Cheng Shi, where is this?"
"The Life Era's Land of Hope. A city-state watched over by Birth — Dolgod." Cheng Shi answered with a smile.
"Birth?
You're saying this is Birth's territory?"
Hong Lin was taken aback. She shook her head with a wry smile: "Then why does your friend look like a Corruption follower?
What — are you two staging a blasphemous performance against Birth here?"
"Not exactly..."
Cheng Shi gave an awkward chuckle. 'Lady, please stop automatically associating
with blasphemy. I'm not desecrating Them every waking mont.'
"Ahem — correction: I ant 'forrly.' Currently, this place has beco... a cage.
As for who it's holding..."
Cheng Shi turned to Aph Ros and grinned without reservation:
"This illustrious blaspher right here.
Allow
to introduce — this is Aph Ros..."
"The dual Herald of Birth and Corruption!?" Hong Lin's eyes darkened as she cut Cheng Shi off.
Cheng Shi blinked: "Guess no introduction needed. So you've heard of Him."
Hong Lin's expression grew slightly grave. She nodded, looking at Aph Ros. That serious gaze suggested she not only knew of Him, but had so degree of understanding.
Aph Ros had been standing at the doorway watching Cheng Shi's performance. After waiting a good while for an introduction of the lady that never ca, He sighed and took the initiative:
"It is my honor to have my na known by such a distinguished lady. Might Aph Ros also have the honor of learning Your na, beautiful madam?"
Aph Ros faced Hong Lin with a gentle smile and a slight bow — elegant manners, impeccable etiquette. Completely different from how He behaved around those "Miss Moons" or even Miss Sun.
Cheng Shi glanced at Him with interest, his smile laden with aning.
Hong Lin, however, showed no warmth in return. Instead, she slowly dropped her smile and spoke with asured gravity:
"Your only honor is being Cheng Shi's friend. Otherwise, we would have nothing in common.
Frazor. You may call
Frazor."
"!!!"
Now Aph Ros was truly shaken. He snapped His head up, swept a quick look over Hong Lin — disbelief unmistakable in His eyes.
"That can't be right. How could you possibly be the Mother of Prosperity's eldest daughter? She's already..."
"Dead?" Hong Lin snorted. "Apologies — I don't know how long you've been locked up in here, but your information seems rather outdated.
Cheng Shi, you didn't tell Him? The great Frazor has been brought back to life?
I am the Mother of Prosperity's eldest daughter, Frazor — a lucky soul saved by Death.
Of course, if you still don't believe it — if you refuse to acknowledge my identity as Frazor — you may also address
by my other na.
Prosperity..."
...
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