Then, across the vast cosmic hall, glowing words shimmered into being, floating in midair like divine proclamations.
Calibrating performance…
Mission status: Failed.
Remark: Defeat teaches a lot. May the spirit of Cultivator be with you!!!
Exiting…
Yu Xuan and Lingluo both stared at the letters until they faded, their shoulders slumping at the same time.
The siblings exchanged a glance. Then, perfectly in sync, they let out a long sigh.
There was nothing more to do.
A column of light erupted beneath their feet, swallowing them whole. Their surroundings collapsed inward, stars folding, colors bleeding, the hall itself vanished.
In the blink of an eye, they were out.
They stood once more outside its looming structure, in the sprawling plaza at its base. Life carried on as if nothing had happened: disciples streamed in and out through the massive gates, some pale and shaken, others walked with quiet pride, smug satisfaction radiating off their bodies.
