Damon remained standing before the open gate.
Xue Lian was there.
After months of carrying memories that were not his, facing ruins built around her name, dealing with disciples who had turned teachings into obsessions, and nearly dying more times than he cared to count, there was finally a real person in front of him.
And the guardian had just told him he could simply walk away.
Damon looked at the man.
"If I decide not to enter?"
"The gate closes."
"And then?"
"You return to Heshan."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
Damon narrowed his eyes.
"No curse?"
"No."
"No hidden test saying retreat means failure?"
"No."
"No giant corpse showing up because I demonstrated cowardice?"
Aria stepped a little closer.
"He's trying to confirm previous experiences."
The guardian looked at her.
"I noticed."
Damon pointed at him.
"You're annoying too."
"I heard that recently."
Mei.
Damon almost smiled.
Then he looked back at Xue Lian.
She remained seated.
