After shattering their final resistance, the sea race powerhouses' spiritual souls were continuously corroded beneath the black flames before finally collapsing and perishing.
"You've done well! You've eliminated a great many Eye of Judgment ritualists — I shall reward you!"
The power of the chaotic Foul Bird was reflected directly into Lei Lin's consciousness through some unknown channel, and a massive amount of chaotic power descended upon him.
【Ding! A large quantity of chaotic rule power has been detected. Absorb?】
"No! Store all of it!" Following Lei Lin's command, the vast amounts of chaotic power condensed into gray crystals, which he secretly collected and stowed away.
The black flames gradually subsided, revealing an island now utterly devoid of any trace of life.
"Hehehe… they all died just like that? I had rather expected them to provide me with more entertainment…" Belinda cackled wildly.
Lei Lin appeared behind her in an instant, a flash of light flickering across his hand.
"What are you—?" Belinda cried out sharply, then her eyes rolled back and she collapsed unconscious.
"Hmm! Her bloodline is severely depleted — even her Spiritual Power has reached a state of exhaustion." Lei Lin shook his head. In this condition, the woman was essentially half-mad. Otherwise, even though his collection of the chaotic power had been extremely covert, she would certainly have noticed something amiss.
……
"Mm…" With a soft groan, Belinda slowly opened her eyes.
What greeted her sight was a sky filled with brilliant stars, and the flickering campfire nearby.
The faint crackling of the fire echoed continuously, and several fish on skewers were propped in the ground beside it, their skin glistening as droplets of oil mingled with the savory aroma of cooking meat.
"You're awake? Care for some?"
Lei Lin, seated on the other side, offered her a freshly grilled fish with a faint smile.
Belinda accepted it instinctively, her gaze still somewhat dazed. Then, one by one, the memories surged back — the sea race's betrayal, the headquarters' verdict, even the severing of the Supreme Judge's ritual. All of it came flooding to the surface.
"Ahh—" The half-serpent woman gasped, and the fish slipped from her fingers, dropping to the ground.
"Was it… was all of that real?" Belinda rolled up her sleeve, revealing a small ritual sigil branded into her skin. The Eye of Judgment symbol upon it had gone completely dim, cracks already spreading across its surface. She fell silent.
The weakness wracking her body told her only too well of the frenzied slaughter she had carried out, and a bitter smile crept across her lips.
"I had thought my resolve was strong enough, but I never imagined it could be shattered so easily."
"Actually, I think you did quite well." Lei Lin chuckled and handed her another skewer of roasted meat.
"In any case, you're still alive — and that's the luckiest thing of all."
"……" Belinda sank into a long silence before finally accepting the skewer from Lei Lin's hand. "Thank you."
A voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz drifted over — had it not been for Lei Lin's extraordinary physique, he wouldn't have heard it at all.
"Why did you save me? Were you hoping I'd become your 'mate'?"
After finishing the food, Belinda — who had been rather quiet — asked bluntly, leaving Lei Lin momentarily stunned.
"Mate? Hmm, I suppose as a different race — and a snake-type at that — their views on such matters might be somewhat different!"
Thoughts instantly flooded his mind, but Lei Lin maintained his composure and nodded. "That's only the smallest part of it. More importantly, you're one of my own kind. The mixed-bloods of the White Devils are growing fewer and fewer — I couldn't just stand by and watch you perish like this…"
"My background is extremely complicated, and I'm now a traitor to the Supreme Arbiter. If we were to be together, it would bring you a great deal of danger!"
Belinda seemed to have recovered from the blow, transforming back into the strong woman she had been before.
Snap! She broke the branch in her hand, as if having made some decision, and let out a long breath. Her entire being seemed to lighten considerably.
"Since we've already offended the Lord of Order, I'm afraid our only option is to head deep into the Hel continent and hide…"
Belinda analyzed calmly. "Although the Mother of Dominators and the Eye of Judgment are allies, they wouldn't issue a wanted notice or anything like that over something this minor. And with our bloodlines, going to any other continent would only invite even more discrimination — my previous experience is a perfect example of that!"
"I don't have any objections. I've been wandering the Ocean Archipelago anyway, and I've been meaning to check out the Hel continent recently…"
Lei Lin seemed to be very much in favor of Belinda's decision.
In fact, this was his primary goal all along — otherwise, why would he have gone to such great lengths to save Belinda?
"We'll first make landfall at the nearest point on the continent's edge, then cross the Myriad Snake Plains and reach the Holy City. I have some connections there who should be able to help us…"
Belinda stood up. "And in return for your help, I'll find you a mate whose bloodline concentration is no less than my own. Of course, if you still want to stick with your choice by then, that's perfectly fine too!"