In the nick of time, divine magic runes coiled around Divine Snow Sakura’s free left hand.

Soft, silky light wrapped her delicate fist. She didn’t dodge—facing Xing Luo’s punch head-on.

“Boom!”

Their colliding forces shattered the ground beneath them instantly. Xing Luo didn’t retreat a step after landing. Divine Snow Sakura stepped back to dissipate the tremendous impact.

Surprise deepened in Xing Luo’s eyes. Divine Snow Sakura’s lowered left hand trembled slightly. Clearly, she’d been completely outmatched in that direct clash.

She hadn’t used her full strength, yet the collision alone shocked her deeply.

Xing Luo’s body swayed slightly. Her golden pupils flashed coldly as she prepared to charge again. But a hand shot out, scooping her into an embrace.

“That’s enough. Stop fighting. Divine Snow Sakura isn’t our enemy.”

“Master!”

Scooped into Lyn’s arms, Xing Luo’s fierce, icy expression melted instantly. She stared at Lyn with a trace of grievance, while warily eyeing Divine Snow Sakura nearby.

This woman had shamelessly restrained her master. To Xing Luo, she was now an extremely dangerous threat.

“You… really summoned something incredible.”

Watching Xing Luo calmed by Lyn, Divine Snow Sakura murmured softly. As Lyn’s contingency, she knew part of his plans.

She dispersed the magic in her hand and sheathed her sword. Her jade-green pupils glowed strangely, fixed on Xing Luo—now harmless and clinging tightly to Lyn.

When that little girl charged earlier, Divine Snow Sakura had felt a hint of chilling killing intent. It was a considerable threat.

“By luck. Pure luck.”

Lyn modestly lifted his chin, looking down his nose at Divine Snow Sakura.

“I still have a long way to go. I need to keep improving.”

Arrogance +1!

If he had a tail, it would be wagging up to the sky right now.

Divine Snow Sakura shot him an annoyed look. But she knew—he deserved to be proud.

She couldn’t gauge Xing Luo’s exact strength. Yet from that clash, she guessed Xing Luo neared Fifth Tier, possibly stronger. Regardless, Xing Luo’s presence gave Lyn’s power a qualitative leap.

Nearby knights stared at the two large craters blasted into the street. Remembering the destruction from that brief clash, their bodies trembled. They’d underestimated Xing Luo’s combat power. This girl had matched Divine Snow Sakura without faltering. If that force had hit them, they’d be long dead.

Clearly, Xing Luo had shown them mercy.

“Divine Snow Sakura, please apprehend these two who dare challenge the Church’s authority.” Norton, whom Lyn had stepped on, finally stood with his comrades’ help.

A big black footprint stained his face. Eyes blazing with fury, he glared at Lyn.

The knights couldn’t hear Divine Snow Sakura and Lyn’s exchange. To them, it still seemed like a standoff.

But when Lyn’s gaze fell on him, Norton instinctively stepped back. Then he stiffened his neck, gritted his teeth, and puffed out his chest.