After reading through the dossier, everyone turned their gaze to Jinhsi.

Jinhsi appeared somewhat melancholic: "Ever since I can remember, I've lived in Jinzhou. Yet, these events… I've heard of them from others."

"For me, the Sentinel is not just the Sentinel, nor merely a lofty deity. To me, She is both a nurturing presence and the one who granted me rebirth."

Lucian pondered: "So it seems that long ago, the Sentinel had already foreseen that Mt. Firmament would face this calamity again."

"That's why She spared no effort to save you—even if the prophecy also stated that you and Her were destined to clash."

Jinhsi nodded slightly: "Though I lack the power to overturn heaven and earth, I possess the fragment of temporal law that He once held but inadvertently shattered."

"If, in the future, Jinzhou were to fall into the same chaotic flow of time as Mt. Firmament… I may be the only one capable of reversing the situation."

"…However, in the Sentinel's vision, our destined battle was meant to take place in the distant future."

"She was waiting for the right moment, for everything to fall into place. That's why She hesitated to explain all this to me."

Whether it was the Sentinel or Jinhsi, neither was truly prepared.

But the Fractsidus accelerated the process, forcing what should not have happened at this time to unfold prematurely.

Since discovering that the Sentinel had lost contact, Jinhsi had been in a state of anxiety.

Yet, for Jinzhou's sake, she could not afford to retreat.

"Fortunately, Mr. Lucian has been treating me."

"I can feel that my current condition is remarkably stable. I believe that in the end, everything will turn out well."

Jinhsi smiled faintly, her complexion rosy, a clear sign of her good health.

"To have Rover and Lucian's assistance is a blessing for Jinzhou."

"I think the reason I've made it this far was never by my strength alone."

"It was because of Mentor Changli, Lady Xinyi, Lucian, Rover, and everyone in Jinzhou."

"Your kindness has given me courage."

"Even my rebirth… whether it stemmed from compassion for life or not, even now, I still believe it was a warm and powerful decision."

"Jinzhou is my homeland. Everything I cherish is here. Even if I were to cast aside my title as Magistrate, I could never abandon Jinzhou."

Jinhsi spoke at length, her face filled with sincerity and determination for all to see.

Changli stepped forward with a smile: "Though still young, Jinhsi has already grown into a Magistrate capable of standing on her own."

The little girl once chosen by Jinzhou's Sentinel to become the new Magistrate—through nights when the City Hall remained brightly lit, Changli had always stayed by Jinhsi's side, answering her questions as a mentor and offering counsel as an advisor.

Jinzhou had found its rightful ruler. Whether among the people or the Central Court, none would doubt Jinhsi's capabilities anymore.

Rover asked: "Are you truly going to fulfill your fated battle with the Sentinel?"

She felt there might still be room for negotiation.

But Lucian believed the clash was inevitable.

Jinhsi and the Sentinel shared the same origin of power. Saving the Sentinel meant saving herself—and in turn, saving all of Jinzhou. It was a victory on all fronts.

Even if Lucian could heal Jinhsi through his restorative arts, it would only address the symptoms, not the root cause.

The core of the problem still lay with the Sentinel.

Jinhsi responded: "If I do not fight, Jinzhou will surely perish."

"If I fight, I can protect both the Sentinel and Jinzhou. The price… is mine alone to bear."

"To exchange my life for everyone's safety—this sacrifice is not too great."

"Moreover, I do not seek death. On the contrary, I wish to seize even the slimmest chance of success."

"This is not an unwinnable battle, is it?"

Jinhsi finished with a soft smile, as if her radiance had brightened the dim space around them.

Lucian crossed his arms and declared outright: "With me here, you won't die."

Jinhsi chuckled lightly, as if teasing: "In that case, I'll leave it to you."

Rover added earnestly: "I'll help you too."

Jinhsi nodded slightly: "It's wonderful to be trusted by all of you like this."

"Looking back, ever since you arrived in Jinzhou, so many fortunate things have happened around me."

Lucian: "For Jinzhou to have a Magistrate as responsible as you is its greatest fortune."

Jinhsi's cheeks flushed slightly at his words: "As Magistrate, I still have much to learn."

Changli stepped forward: "As your Teacher, I've witnessed your growth all this time."

"Do not undervalue yourself, Jinhsi."

"Go and do what you must. I'll still be here."

Jinhsi, moved, whispered: "Teacher…"

"I am ready. I am not submitting to fate under duress—I am choosing to step into its currents willingly."

"To have you all walking this path with me… I am glad."

...

After extinguishing all the Tacetite, the four returned to the barrier before the hibernation pod.

Then, abruptly, the entire space began to tremble violently, as if struck by an earthquake.

Yet within seconds, the tremors ceased.

Lucian noticed the Tacet Mark on Jinhsi's back glowing intensely.

Immediately after, the scattered stones on the ground began floating midair, and Lucian and the others felt weightless, lifted off the ground.

Lucian waved his arms excitedly: "Hey~ Everyone, stand up—prepare for takeoff!"

Rover: "…Can't you be mature, like me?"

Lucian glanced over to see Rover flailing her limbs as if swimming breaststroke.

Changli: "…"

Jinhsi: "…"

The two of you really shouldn't be mocking each other.

Fortunately, like the tremors earlier, the weightlessness lasted only a few seconds before fading.

And luckily, all of them descended gently to the ground.

If the buoyancy had vanished suddenly, Lucian and Rover would've likely faceplanted…

In the blink of an eye, the barrier shattered like fragile glass.

Jué swam out from within, radiating an indomitable presence.

The water that had flowed within the chamber now spilled out, and under the influence of the temporal currents, it gradually solidified around Jué's form.

Between motion and stillness, it painted a peerless tableau—streams of water suspended in midair, crystalline and refracting prismatic light.

Jué's figure, framed by the water, appeared especially majestic.

Her scales gleamed with a cold brilliance, her gaze exuding an air of absolute authority.

Before anyone could react, Jué spoke first.

She looked at Jinhsi and gave a slight nod.

"Jinhsi… it has been a long time."

Then, she turned to Rover. Though subtle, Lucian detected a trace of reverence in her eyes.

"And you, Lady Arbiter… or should I address you as Rover?"

Before Rover could even process this, Lucian swiftly clung to her.

"Rover, forget about being some dragon-tamer's woman."

Jué: "?"

Jué was inwardly baffled—Who is this guy?