Norfall Barrens.
From a high vantage point with an open view, a figure in magnificent red stood with arms crossed over her chest, quietly watching the western glow gradually swallowed by the night.
This land of warring flames had finally fallen into peace, but the victor was neither the Fractsidus nor the Threnodian—it was Jinzhou.
Phrolova slightly frowned, as if thinking of a certain guy with ghostly movement and terrifying strength.
She let out a faint sigh, her water-like eyes holding indescribable emotions:
"What a terrifying fellow. No wonder Scar died at his hands."
A Fractsidus member cautiously approached:
"Overseer Phrolova, where should we go next?"
Phrolova glanced at the Fractsidus member beside her. The sentiment in her eyes instantly turned to disdain. She turned around, her tone cold:
"Mt. Firmament."
"Yes!"
Jinzhou.
Night deepened, but Jinzhou remained lively as ever. Everyone was celebrating the victory of this war.
"Giant stones hang precariously, jagged rocks collapse—the Ovathrax's great momentum is gone."
"Mountains and rivers clear and bright, arms laid down and soldiers rested—a great war comes to an end."
"As the saying goes: What is there to fear in heaven's will? All worldly affairs are made by man."
On stage, the storyteller slapped the wood block, his voice clear:
"If you wish to know what happens next, please listen to the next chapter."
As his words fell, the hall erupted in enthusiastic cheers. Chixia poked Noah with her finger, grinning mischievously:
"How is it, great hero of Jinzhou? Isn't it especially interesting to hear your own story told?"
"Hmm..."
Noah scratched his cheek, somewhat amused:
"It feels way too exaggerated. I'm not that amazing."
"You're still so humble."
Yangyang lightly pursed her lips and smiled, her expression completely relaxed:
"Based on past experience, Jinzhou will enjoy a considerable period of recovery and peace. Noah, what are your plans after this?"
The feathered girl's gaze was bright, as if hoping the man would give the answer she desired.
If possible, she hoped Noah would stay in Jinzhou.
Hearing this question, Noah fell into thought for a moment.
Could he stay in Jinzhou?
No.
The Sentinel Jué could freeze Jinzhou's time at any moment. Unless Rover allowed the Sentinel to pass the power of chronology to Jinhsi, Jinzhou's only fate was for time to completely solidify.
But if he were to leave Jinzhou, he didn't yet know where to go.
To Rinascita? Or the other five states and one court of Huanglong? Or the New Federation?
"I don't have any plans yet. I'll stay in Jinzhou for a while first."
"Yay!"
Chixia excitedly clapped her hands and counted on her fingers:
"If you stay another month, it'll be Jinzhou's Moon-Chasing Festival!"
"During the Moon-Chasing Festival, we can release flower lanterns together, make wishes, and eat lots and lots of delicious food!"
"Then invite Baizhi and the others too—we can take a big group photo. That would be perfect."
Seeing Chixia's joyful appearance, Yangyang suppressed the fleeting resentment in her eyes.
As expected, he still has to leave.
She had known that a traveler like Noah, who came to tour, couldn't stay in Jinzhou long.
If Noah knew what Yangyang was thinking, he would definitely retort loudly.
Was it that he didn't want to stay in Jinzhou? It was clearly because Jinzhou was about to be doomed. If he didn't run, what else could he do?
"Alright, it's getting late. I'm heading back to City Hall to rest. You two should head home early too."
Noah took the initiative to stand up, said goodbye to the two women, and left the teahouse.
At night, Jinzhou's sky was filled with twinkling stars. The evening breeze was cool as water, carrying the fresh scent of earth and dew.
Noah walked silently alone toward City Hall, his mind constantly turning with thoughts.
He knew the current state of the Sentinel Jué and that Jinzhou was almost inevitably going to have its timeline frozen.
But should he tell Jinhsi, Yangyang, and the others about these things?
What would happen if they knew?
First, Yangyang and Chixia might not be willing to leave Jinzhou just like that. Second, Jinhsi would absolutely drag her heavily injured body to search for the Sentinel.
The chance of Jinhsi succeeding in a second resonance was less than one in ten thousand, but with her personality of disregarding everything for the people, she would persist until death.
If Jinhsi died, the Sentinel would have no remaining emotional anchor and might immediately freeze Jinzhou's time before her limit arrived.
Conversely, if he didn't inform Jinhsi and Yangyang, perhaps the people of Jinzhou could live happily in ignorance until the moment time completely stopped.
Although Jinzhou's time would freeze, it didn't mean there was no solution.
Perhaps he could go seek help from Sentinels in other parts of Huanglong to resolve Jinzhou's time-freeze crisis.
The two choices—one black, one white—left Noah unable to decide.
"Help! There's a Tacet Discord!"
A cry for help reached Noah's ears. He sharply turned his head, extended his perception, and indeed detected a Hoartoise ten meters away in an alley.
He didn't know where this Tacet Discord had broken in from. Fortunately, it hadn't had time to harm anyone before Noah discovered it.
With that thought, Noah unhesitatingly drew Commando of Conviction and rushed into the alley in a few steps.
With just one slash, the Hoartoise was completely killed.
"It's the hero of Jinzhou. Thank goodness you're here."
The souvenir shop clerk Ganxue lightly patted her chest and gratefully looked at Noah, dressed in his signature white casual outfit:
"Just now, I really thought I was going to die... Hero of Jinzhou, are you alright?"
Ganxue's words suddenly stopped.
In front of her, Noah was trembling all over, as if suppressing something extremely unbearable.
He heard the thirsty symphony of frequencies within his body, urging him to continue fighting—to the death. A trace of fanaticism climbed into his eyes.
Noah bit his tongue hard. Clarity returned to his eyes. The frequencies in his body wavered for a long time before reluctantly calming down.
He looked at the concerned Ganxue behind him and forced a smile:
"I'm fine. Sorry for worrying you."
"That's good. You really scared me just now."
Ganxue breathed a sigh of relief, briefly exchanged a few words with Noah, then left along the street corner with light steps—not like someone who had encountered danger, but rather like someone who had met with a fortunate encounter.
As Ganxue left, the expression on Noah's face grew grave once more.
He was one hundred percent certain that his behavior just now was absolutely abnormal.
It was merely killing an insignificant Common-class Tacet Discord, yet he had felt an irrepressible urge to fight.
The frequencies in his body thirstily urged him to constantly use Resonance energy to play Concerto, then constantly switch characters in Scroll—endlessly.
"I definitely have a problem. It started from when I traded lives with my replica."
Noah looked down at his hands. Commando of Conviction reflected a piercing chill in his eyes. With just one glance, he once again felt the desire to fight.
Clang.
Commando of Conviction fell to the ground. Noah tightly closed his eyes, forcing himself not to look at this weapon he had long wielded with ease.
He removed the Echoes equipped on the character 'Rover' and swapped out Jinhsi and Verina from the team.
When sick, one must see a doctor instead of toughing it out alone.
So, Noah changed direction and hurried toward the Huaxu Academy.
He needed to find Baizhi!