The audience held their breath, their eyes fixed intently on the stage.

Without a doubt, they were all eagerly awaiting Yu Xie's legendary strike, but they were also just as curious about how Clorinde would counter it.

This was the climax of the duel.

But what no one expected was that in the next instant, an overwhelming sense of pressure suddenly enveloped the entire Opera Epiclese.

Neuvillette furrowed his brows, watching as Yu Xie gripped his sword once more.

Furina's heart was filled with surprise, and she even held her breath, cautious and alert.

Arlecchino and Clervie, sitting in the back of the audience, exchanged looks, their expressions mixed with confusion and unease.

Under the intense pressure, the audience almost forgot to breathe. They were too afraid to make a sound or move, as if they had turned into statues, frozen in place.

Clorinde looked at Yu Xie and naturally felt the terrifying pressure as well. The hand that gripped her sword seemed to no longer obey her will.

It wasn't just her hand; it felt as though she had lost control of her entire body.

"So this is what Yu Xie meant by 'Pure Soul Blessed Land'?" Clorinde thought to herself.

And then, in the blink of an eye, a flash of white light from Yu Xie's sword cut through the air.

Almost no one could see what had happened. By the time the light faded, Yu Xie had already appeared behind Clorinde, and her sword had fallen from her grip, spinning through the air before embedding itself into the stage floor.

The oppressive feeling that had filled the air disappeared.

The entire opera house was suddenly silent.

After a long pause, a few late-reacting audience members spoke up.

"Is it... over?"

"It should... be over, right?"

"Did Yu Xie win?"

"What was that feeling of oppression just now?"

The murmurs rose and fell, but quickly began to subside.

All eyes turned back to the stage, waiting for what would come next.

"I lost." Clorinde walked to the sword that was stuck in the stage. "My weapon was forced from my hand. The outcome is decided."

Then, Neuvillette stood up, slamming his cane onto the ground with a sharp, powerful sound.

"According to the result of the duel and the judgment of the advisory court, I declare Yu Xie... not guilty."

In a rare moment, the audience remained completely silent at the conclusion of the trial.

No one suspected that Yu Xie had won the duel through cheating or that Clorinde had thrown the match.

Stolen story; please report.

Because the overwhelming, almost divine presence that had filled the room earlier had made everyone certain in their hearts.

....

Later that afternoon, news of Yu Xie's trial made headlines in the major newspapers.

"Confirmed by the Hydro Archon: Former Champion Duelist Yu Xie did not accept the ten million Mora from the wealthy merchant Dalduf, but he still chose to engage in a duel..."

"What was the true intent behind the actions of former Champion Duelist Yu Xie..."

Various reports continued to emerge, with mixed opinions.

Yu Xie held a newspaper from the Steam Bird press, walking alongside Clorinde on the road back to Poisson Village.

Although the current situation wasn't exactly as he had imagined, it was still close to his expectations.

Yu Xie, as a "guilty" person, had won the duel, which was a first for the people of Fontaine.

It would, to some extent, make people think more deeply about the matter, and that was enough. Neuvillette had also mentioned that he would seriously consider the duel system.

With the limited time left, Yu Xie had done all he could.

He was a selfish person. He couldn't afford to spend the rest of his time solely on this issue.

"Yu Xie, what are you planning to do next?" Clorinde suddenly asked as they walked.

"What do you mean?" Yu Xie responded.

"I mean, you've resigned from your position as Champion Duelist. What do you plan to do for work now?" Clorinde hesitated for a moment, her voice lowering slightly. "If you don't want to work, then I..."

She didn't finish the sentence, but the implication was clear: "I'll support you."

"I haven't really thought about it yet," Yu Xie scratched his chin.

With just over sixty days left, who would be thinking about finding a new job?

But then again, Yu Xie was starting to feel that the remaining time might be... off.

His body felt completely normal, as if he were not someone about to pass away.

Could the system have made a mistake?

Or perhaps...

"Yu Xie, look over there." Clorinde pointed toward the seaside.

Yu Xie came back to his senses and followed Clorinde's gaze. He saw Uncle Callas and Navia sitting by the sea.

The afternoon sunlight shone on the father-daughter pair as they were fishing.

"Dad, didn't you say you were good at fishing? Why haven't you caught a single fish after all this time?"

"What's the rush? Fishing is about cultivating patience. You have to be patient."

"But I've already been patient for half the day..."

"Be a little more patient. The fish will bite soon."

"It looks like after all these years, Uncle, your fishing skills haven't improved." Yu Xie's voice rang out.

Callas and Navia both turned their heads.

"Yu Xie, Clorinde, you've come," Navia greeted them with a smile.

"You brat, what do you know? Fishing, you can't rush it." Callas turned his head back and continued to focus on the bobber on the water. "By the way, what you did today was truly a first."

Yu Xie caught a glimpse of the newspaper next to Callas' fishing chair. It seemed that Callas and Navia already knew about today's trial.

"It's all over. Nothing more to say. Let's talk about the future instead."

The future...

At the mention of that word, the previously light-hearted atmosphere seemed to shift, becoming slightly heavier.

After what happened last time, Callas had stopped hiding the fact that he was suffering from a rare disease.

Both Navia and Clorinde knew the truth.

"Uncle, don't give up. Just because the illness is rare doesn't mean there's no hope for a cure," Yu Xie said seriously.

"Yu Xie's right. You can't give up," Navia said as she put down her fishing rod and looked at Callas earnestly.

"Mr. Callas, I agree as well," Clorinde added.

"Alright, alright, don't worry about me. I know what I'm doing," Callas said. "I'll go see the doctor again. After all, there's no reason for me to give up on life now."

After saying that, Callas looked at Navia with a smile on his face.

"So today, you three are going to fish with me!" Callas added. "Let's set a small goal — catch a big fish weighing over twenty pounds!"

"But, Dad, we've been fishing for half the day and haven't even caught a fish that weighs two pounds..." Navia couldn't help but tease.

"It's coming, it's coming. It'll be time for the big fish soon. Just wait and see," Callas said confidently. "But everyone, be quiet later, don't scare the fish away."

Seeing Callas like this, Yu Xie and the others didn't continue to tease him.

After all, Callas was the elder. They had to give him some face.

Time passed slowly, and the sun dipped below the horizon.

The golden sunset seemed to dye the sea water golden, with shimmering ripples across the surface.

Callas still hadn't caught any fish, and his pride was starting to take a hit.

Looking at the colors in the sky, Yu Xie thought of a doctor in Liyue. Perhaps that doctor could cure Uncle Callas' condition.