Noon had passed, and now a starlit night illuminated the Purplecloud clan with its celestial glow. Lian was inside the main cavern of his faction, situated atop a hill, observing the scene through a window.
His gaze fixed on a point below nearby, where Shiho was kneeling before twelve small altars she had built with her own hands. The clothes she wore were soiled with dirt, showcasing the effort she dedicated to this task.
Lian's heart tightened as he witnessed the pain in Shiho's eyes; her tears fell silently as she bowed in respect to the altars, a sincere tribute to those who had lost their lives due to her incompetence. Her clenched fists demonstrated her determination not to repeat the same mistakes. Memories of the difficult moments passed through her mind, haunting her, but the willpower to learn and grow as a leader kept her steadfast.