The course of events likely leads to one of these two outcomes.

Seeing Lucian lost in thought, Jinhsi continued, "There's another noteworthy detail recorded in the archives."

"The Chronosorter is an inanimate object. It requires human control to resonate with the Sentinel."

"And the Sentinel also seems to follow someone's commands, acting upon orders."

"In that exception, at the moment when the Chronosorter was overloaded and on the verge of collapse, the extraordinary individual by the Sentinel's side appeared to issue a command to it."

"The Sentinel then seemed to successfully transfer some energy into the Chronosorter itself."

Given that Rover is an extraordinary individual capable of resisting temporal flows, and the Sentinel obeys this person's commands...

Does that mean the Sentinel is Rover's pet?!

At this thought, Lucian froze on the spot.

It seems Abby's standing in the family hierarchy has dropped yet again...

Wait, no—Lucian shook his head.

Abby is his and Rover's child, not a pet...

So, it should be that the Sentinel is no match for Abby?

...Something still feels off about that.

Before Lucian could sort out the family relations, Rover's voice came from behind.

"Lucian!? What are you doing here?"

Lucian turned to see Rover and Changli rushing over in a hurry.

Rover clung to Lucian, a flicker of joy in her eyes.

Lucian tapped her nose playfully. "I did say the exit point was unpredictable, but I didn't expect it to still be within Mt. Firmament."

Jinhsi, standing nearby, looked slightly worried. "Why did all of you come? The temporal turbulence in Mt. Firmament..."

Originally, Jinhsi had planned to solve the problem alone. If she failed, the temporal turbulence in Mt. Firmament would reduce everyone to bones.

Finally seeing Jinhsi and Lucian, Changli felt a weight lift from her heart and relaxed.

"Don't worry. Rover possesses unique abilities—the temporal turbulence of Mt. Firmament hasn't harmed her in the slightest."

Jinhsi frowned. "Then, Teacher, you..."

Changli: "I said I would be your chess piece. Whether as your teacher or your subject, I must keep my word."

Lucian grumbled, "Does no one care about me?"

Changli smiled, her eyes gleaming. "I thought Rover's concern would be enough. I didn't expect Mr. Lucian to be so greedy..."

Rover immediately shot Lucian an unamused look.

Lucian: "???"

Well played, Changli. With those dignified looks, who knew you could stir the pot?

Seeing Lucian busy coaxing Rover, Changli turned back to Jinhsi. "Besides, if I hadn't been the guide, how could I have brought these two heaven-sent reinforcements?"

"Moreover, Rover has deep ties to this place. If we want to break this deadlock, the two of you are indispensable."

"As for Mr. Lucian... well, he can serve as a lucky charm."

Lucian: "?"

I've been reduced to a mascot?

"But... they've already helped me and Jinzhou so much..."

From the plan to capture Scar to the battle at Norfall Barrens, Jinhsi felt that Rover and Lucian had already given much.

Rover detached herself from Lucian. "Helping once more isn't a problem. Besides, I'm also doing this to recover my past."

Jinhsi said gratefully, "Thank you, Rover. Thank you, both of you."

"I'll do everything I can to help the Sentinel break free as soon as possible."

"After that, we'll go see the Sentinel together. It will surely have the answers you seek."

At that moment, Changli suddenly asked, puzzled, "On the way here, we saw a lot of bloodstains and scales. We thought you were injured, but you seem unharmed."

Jinhsi smiled faintly. "Lucian healed me."

Rover glanced over. "You can do that?"

Lucian smirked arrogantly. "Of course! There's nothing in this world that Lucian can't do!"

Rover sneered. "Oh? Then why don't you dispel the temporal flows in Mt. Firmament?"

Lucian: "..."

To be fair, it's not that he can't—he just doesn't have enough points.

Changli asked, "What did you find after venturing deep into Truthseeker's Pass?"

Jinhsi recounted everything she had observed—the Sentinel's injuries, the effects of Mt. Firmament's temporal turbulence, and the method of secondary resonance to correct the temporal flows.

Changli's expression turned grave. "Even if you can correct the temporal flows and erase the cost, do you understand what you'll have to sacrifice?"

Jinhsi's gaze was firm. She had already made up her mind.

She was Jinzhou's Magistrate, but beneath that title, she was also one of its people.

Not to mention, she had been raised by the Sentinel and was the one it had chosen as Magistrate.

No matter the angle, she had to face this.

"I understand. Though the Sentinel and I are connected through resonance, it seems I've never truly understood it—I knew so little of its suffering."

Jinhsi sighed. "Looking back, since the founding of Jinzhou, every decision and suggestion the Sentinel has made has been thorough and far-sighted."

"Even the current temporal instability stems from its act of protecting Hongzhen."

"...Had the Sentinel not raised the temporal barrier to ward off the remnants back then, Jinzhou today might still be a wasteland."

Lucian: "So, if it's confirmed that the Sentinel has an incurable condition and the temporal sequence can't be corrected, you'll follow the prophecy—fight the Sentinel, inherit its temporal powers?"

Jinhsi nodded slightly. "This is the only way I can save Mt. Firmament and preserve Jinzhou. It's also the only way to help the Sentinel."

Lucian pondered for a moment. "No need to be so pessimistic. Maybe I really can heal it—but I'll need to see the Sentinel first."

Jinhsi shook her head slightly. Though Lucian repeated his claim, she still found it hard to believe.

Even if Lucian could heal the Sentinel, it would likely require immense time and effort. But the chaotic temporal flows within Mt. Firmament wouldn't wait...

Changli cautioned, "Jinhsi, I want you to carefully consider the consequences."

"If you seek to achieve secondary resonance through combat with the Sentinel, you'll have to face the constant risk of overclocking."

"Those who overclock may lose their spiritual awareness at best—or turn to dust at worst... Your fate may be no different from those Chronosorters torn apart under overload."

"However... your current condition does seem much better than a few days ago."

Jinhsi smiled faintly. "That's all thanks to Lucian."

During his earlier treatment, not only were the wounds on her arms healed, but her fatigue was also washed away, and her resonance abilities felt significantly restored.

Lucian grinned mischievously. "If it really comes down to you fighting the Sentinel, I'll give you a full-body massage—guaranteed to leave you in peak condition!"

Jinhsi's cheeks flushed slightly. "A massage... That won't be necessary."

Rover smirked coldly. "Oh? Even I haven't gotten a massage from a certain someone."

Lucian straightened his expression. "Rover, if I were to give you a massage, it probably wouldn't be... proper."

Rover's lips curled as she hooked a finger under his chin. "That's exactly what I want."

Jinhsi: "..."

Changli: "..."