Jué was utterly bewildered—who was this man?

As a Sentinel who had accompanied Rover for countless years in the past, she had never seen anyone dare to speak to the Lady Arbiter in such a manner.

And now, there was even this level of intimate physical contact.

Rover crossed her arms, looking immensely proud, and patted Lucian's head.

"You're the Lady Arbiter's man now."

Lucian's face lit up with excitement: "Rover, I want to ride the dragon!"

Jué: "?"

Jinhsi: "…"

Changli: "…"

Jué rebuked sharply: "Outrageous! What do you mean, 'ride the dragon'?!"

"The four seasons follow their order, all things abide by their nature. This body is that of 'Dragon of the Celestials,' the one who comprehends the flow of time."

Rover: "…"

Rover raised a fist to her lips and coughed lightly.

"Lucian is mine. He's a bit of a joker—don't take it to heart."

Jué snorted coldly. "A man with such poor manners… Lady Arbiter, you should keep your distance from him."

That said, Jué had been observing this reckless man the entire time.

He noticed something peculiar—this man named Lucian, whom the Lady Arbiter spoke of, was someone He couldn't see through.

It was as if some irresistible force was blocking her gaze.

Keep in mind, She was one who comprehended Jinzhou's past, present, and future.

Jué wielded the power of time's flow, with the river of ages ever at His side. The vast ocean of years was nothing more than a shallow puddle to Him.

Yet even an existence like her couldn't discern this man's true nature.

To think that after the Lady Arbiter awakened, she'd found someone so unusual… truly baffling.

Jué exhaled sharply. "I do not know by what fate you have appeared here, but your presence now undoubtedly signifies that Jinzhou's future has reached a turning point."

"Will the 'child' who has lost her memories take up the blade to fight for destiny, or will she retreat into the safety of slumber?"

"The seeds of the future are being sown at this very moment."

Rover frowned. "Can you explain more clearly?"

Jué: "When all is said and done, I will give you an answer. For now, all you must do is intervene, choose… and witness."

Lucian waved a hand dismissively. "It's simple, really—let me explain!"

Everyone turned to look at him.

Lucian, as if from nowhere, produced a folding fan and began lightly fanning himself. Paired with his white robes, he looked every bit the transcendent sage.

"The story… begins over ten thousand years ago…"

Before he could even finish setting the scene, Rover smacked the back of his head.

"Why don't you start from when Solaris was born?"

Lucian chuckled awkwardly, then cleared his throat. "In short, the Sentinel was Rover's pet, and together with Rover—before she lost her memories—they built the beautiful Jinzhou."

"Then, for various reasons, Rover decided to erase her own memories and start anew."

"And now, at this critical juncture, it's something pre-amnesia Rover had already foreseen."

"That's why the Sentinel was left here—to wait for Rover to arrive at this moment and resolve everything!"

Rover looked at the Sentinel in confusion. "Is that true?"

Jué didn't answer immediately. Instead, She stepped closer to Lucian, golden eyes scrutinizing him with undisguised intensity.

Yet still, She saw nothing.

After a moment, He nodded slightly. "That is… broadly correct."

"However… one is not a pet."

Jué added this last part defensively.

Since Rover had already claimed Lucian as hers, She didn't press the issue further.

Rover: "…"

"So I was that incredible before?"

"But… why would I choose to erase my own memories?"

Jué: "That, Lady Arbiter, is a question only you can answer."

Then, Jué turned to Jinhsi. "Jinhsi, you traveled far to reach the perilous heights of Mt. Firmament—surely you have other matters to inquire about beyond aiding my escape."

Jinhsi stepped forward respectfully. "I dare not ask for much, only that the Sentinel speak truthfully."

"Now, with the temporal currents ravaging Mt. Firmament, lives are being lost."

"The arrow is already nocked… regarding the temporal currents, regarding your injuries—there should be no more secrets between us."

Jué nodded slightly. "I understand your plea. This is hardly an ideal moment, but with danger looming, I too must act as circumstances demand."

"I… am nearing my end."

Silence fell over the group.

After a pause, Jué spoke again.

"My kind should have lived as long as heaven and earth, unbounded by mortality."

"Yet in ancient times, I suffered a wound that would not heal. My survival until now has relied entirely on the Mianloong Chamber."

"But this was never a true solution…"

"For ages, I have forced myself to endure by using the Mianloong Chamber to replenish my energy, delaying death as much as possible."

"Yet fate is inexorable. The Fractsidus schemed to worsen my injuries."

"Now, my condition has deteriorated. Even the Mianloong Chamber can no longer sustain me."

So the Sentinel's wounds ran this deep—even She herself called them incurable.

Still, Lucian wanted to try his Healing Art.

He spoke up: "Jinhsi, remember what I said earlier? Let me give it a shot?"

Jinhsi hesitated. "This…"

It wasn't that she didn't trust Lucian, but if even the Sentinel believed there was no cure, could Lucian really heal her?

Jué sounded curious. "What matter?"

Lucian: "I have a Healing Art that might treat your wounds."

Jué shook His head slightly. "Mortal, I appreciate your kindness."

"But the depth of this injury is something I have long accepted. Not even the Mianloong Chamber can heal me—let alone you."

Lucian grinned. "Just a try, won't hurt. If it doesn't work, there's always the other plan."

Rover spoke up then: "I believe in Lucian."

Jué sighed in resignation. "Since the Lady Arbiter vouches for you… very well. You may try."

Lucian stepped forward cheerfully, first running his hand over Jué's scales—hm, nice texture.

Jué: "…"

Then, a faint glow gathered in Lucian's palm as he activated his Healing Art.

In the blink of an eye, Lucian felt an overwhelming suction, as if it were trying to drain him completely.

He recoiled instantly, yanking his hand back, and realized most of his energy was already gone.

"Oof! Are you a vacuum cleaner or something? So greedy!"

Just that brief contact had siphoned a massive amount of energy. It seemed the Healing Art could work—but it required an astronomical amount of power.

The Sentinel's wounds were no joke. Without the Healing Art, calling them incurable would've been no exaggeration.

Jué opened His golden eyes. "Hm? Already over?"

She had expected it to take much longer, yet it ended in an instant.

Jué focused inward, assessing her injuries—and to her shock, She detected the faintest trace of healing where even the Mianloong Chamber had failed.

The energy was minuscule, so slight that only her intimate familiarity with her own body allowed her to notice.

"This…"