The second heartbeat echoed through Situ's body.
Heavy.
Ancient.
It was not the heartbeat of flesh and blood.
It sounded like the pulse of a dying star.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
Each beat shook his organs violently.
Golden veins spread further up Situ's arm, crawling across his chest like molten cracks. The pain was unbearable, as though countless burning needles were drilling into his bones.
Yet at the same time—
strength surged through him.
The blood-red sky trembled violently as the nine golden suns behind the white-robed youth illuminated the ruined world.
The giant armored man lowered his head deeply.
The silver-veiled woman knelt completely.
Only the white-robed youth remained standing.
Calm.
Unreachable.
Like a ruler gazing upon an insignificant mortal.
Situ slowly climbed out from the shattered rubble.
Blood dripped continuously from the corner of his lips.
His chest was still partially collapsed from that single punch.
But his eyes had changed.
