As Tina had said, the very moment Roland clashed with the mercenaries, he sensed something different about himself. So this was the reason…

Faith Power wasn’t just a potent weapon amplifier—it could also elevate one’s cultivation realm.

"…"

Finally, under everyone’s watchful eyes, Roland gave a slight nod.

A subtle shift rippled through the group’s thoughts.

Seeing no one speak up immediately, Tina smiled. “Let’s talk as we walk. It’s getting late—the manor has prepared excellent rooms for everyone.”

…

No objections arose.

As they strolled, Tina asked again, “Now that the Faithhunter Goggles trial is officially over… any impressions?”

“About these goggles—any side effects? In my experience, weapons granting immense power usually demand sky-high skill thresholds… or carry heavy drawbacks. Clearly, these aren’t the former.”

Qiushui’s question was sincere.

So… he was actually tempted?

Roland felt a flicker of surprise. He’d thought he understood Qiushui well—someone like himself: preferring safety, staying detached, avoiding murky waters.

Tina answered patiently, “The main ‘drawback’? Building recognition. Step by step, we need more people to know us, accept us… only then does Faith Power grow. It’s inherently tedious.”

“No physical strain? Like what happened with Sasha earlier?”

Qiushui was the only one who hadn’t forced his Faith Power onto Sasha. He clearly disliked that act.

Yet he didn’t reject the plan outright—he sought clarity.

“The pain is intense, but leaves no lasting harm. And little Sasha… she’s different. I only agreed because *she* asked.”

Sasha froze for a moment…

Huh…?

Somehow, those words carried a hidden weight.

"…"

Qiushui fell silent again.

Night draped Black Sun City in neon glow. Streets bustled with traffic and pedestrians flowing like time itself. Laughter and chatter from all ages wove through the air—a vivid scroll of prosperity, humming with tranquil order.

They watched the lively scene in silence for a long while.

Then Qiushui spoke softly, “If… I choose to withdraw now that I know everything… what happens to me?”

"…"

Tina, as if she’d expected this all along, clasped her hands behind her back and gazed upward. “What do *you* think will happen?”

“Please answer directly.”

“Nothing. Even if you told others, who’d believe you? Rest assured—if no malicious rumors spread, we remain friends. We’ll stay in touch.”

Her tone was gentle, warm.

Roland didn’t know why he instinctively wanted to believe her.

But…

*Because* he trusted her…

He had to leave.

“After returning to Hemp City… I won’t go to the manor.”

“Me too…”

Sasha added quickly. Though sharing one mind, she made sure to voice her own stance.

“We’re withdrawing.”

Roland’s resolve held firm.

“I simply lack that kind of ambition.”

“I feel the same as Roland,” Sasha continued calmly. “We siblings are just ordinary people in this vast world. Chasing unreachable dreams? We’d rather wonder what to eat tomorrow.”

“We’re truly this level of people. If Miss Tina hoped for more… I’m afraid we’ve disappointed you.”

“No need to worry.”

Tina gently ruffled Sasha’s hair again. “Even if you leave… we’re still friends.”

"…"

…

Later, they boarded the Yixin Clan’s spaceship.

For the next three hours, silence settled thickly.

Roland actually preferred it. The only other who seemed at ease was Xue Die, quietly absorbed in her game.

…

Roland closed his eyes, replaying the past two days.

Somehow…

He felt watched.

That faint buzzing in his skull still hadn’t faded.

Maybe exhaustion. Maybe the cabin’s deep quiet.

Before he knew it, Roland and Sasha had drifted to sleep.

…

A dream…

A familiar one.

Gudao: “Yeer! Hey, Yeer! Can you hear me?”

I: “Hm? Master?”

Gudao: “The Lunar God Style is the most direct—and most unpredictable—sword art in the Celestial Cloud Manual. No technique’s radiance rivals the moon’s.”

I: “Yes, Master… but I feel I’ve only grasped half. Where lies its unpredictability?”

Gudao: “Don’t stare only at the surface. Seek its other side. The sword is clean, decisive… yet elusive as a venomous snake. To see its essence… you must see *her* other face.”

…

…

“I don’t understand… Master…”

Roland murmured, then jolted awake.

And fixed before his eyes—

A pair of beautiful, unwavering eyes.

Staring straight at him.

Inside the hushed ship, only the engine’s distant hum seeped through the walls.

Moonlight spilled in, illuminating those eyes—clear, deep, utterly shadowless.

*This* was it.

*This* was the feeling.

Roland—and by extension, Sasha—had been under watch all along.

And the watcher…

Was Tina.

"…"

A faint smile touched her lips.

She rose from the sofa.

Crooked a single finger toward him.

Then turned, leaving an enigmatic smile behind as she walked toward another room.

…

Not following would only bring trouble later.

And if she meant to kill them… she’d have done it while they slept.

Roland clenched his fists.

Steeling himself, he stepped through the crimson door.

…

Inside lay an almost identical lounge.

Same layout. Same sofa placement. Nearly identical decor.

Only the color differed.

The other room’s sofa was red.

This one—deep violet.

And the pressure… thick, silent.

He heard his own heartbeat.

Like a child awaiting judgment.

Roland felt a desperate urge to grab Sasha and leap from this height—right now.