Chapter 45: The Lotus Reveals Its Pointed Edges

"Sophia, is that you?" Emily shouted at the tree.

"It's me..." Sophia responded, but didn't reveal herself.

"Come out and meet me!" Emily's hand caressed the tree. Several eagles circled in the dark night sky, occasionally emitting low cries. The wind rustled through the forest, and the sound of leaves rustling resembled a melancholic song, adding a touch of sorrow and self-blame to Emily's heart.

"Sis, I might frighten you..." Sophia's voice sounded somewhat aggrieved and timid.

"It's okay. No matter how you look, you'll always be the most adorable Sophia." Emily smiled, tears silently falling. Her heart felt like it was being pricked, filled with countless pains. This Sophia, who was once cute, domineering, and had a quick temper, was now emitting such a heart-rending voice.

The big tree emitted a faint glow, and a small figure gradually appeared. Half of her face was destroyed, burnt beyond recognition. Her hair, like tree branches, remained only a third of its original length. Scars from burns covered her body, some grotesque. Sticky black residue clung to her, evidence of charred remains.

Sophia turned her intact half-face towards Emily and revealed a sweet smile. "Emily, sister, I thought you wouldn't come back."

Emily suppressed the surging tears and trembling hands as she touched Sophia's head. "How could I not come back when our gentle, adorable, and clever Sophia is still here?"

Sophia reached out and wiped away the tears on Emily's face. "Emily, sister, don't be sad. In a few more years, I'll be fully healed."

Sophia's optimism and maturity twisted Emily's heart like a knife. It was her who brought such disaster upon Sophia, and now she had to comfort her. The fact that she, the main culprit, dared to feel sorrow in this situation filled Emily with anger.

Anger swept through Emily's heart like a storm. The fire from that day seemed to be burning within her, its fiery tongues devouring her calmness and rationality. She now longed to tear Alexander into pieces.

"Sis, don't be angry..." Sophia saw the flames of anger rising in Emily's eyes, like deep pools of water, and quickly tried to console her. "You can't be angry."

"What are you saying?" Emily didn't understand Sophia's meaning.

"Sis, you are a devil, so you can't be angry. Anger will make you lose control, and you won't be able to control what you do. You'll regret it when you regain your senses."

Emily was taken aback. Whenever she felt anger, she would sense her blood boiling and churning within her body. The mysterious power from deep within often made her lose control, making her bloodthirsty, craving for violence, and even driving her to madness.

"Sophia, do you know something about me...?" A glimmer of light flickered and danced in Emily's ink-black eyes. She longed to know the answer more than anyone else. Every time Sophia referred to her as a devil, she brushed it off. But today, she suddenly felt that Sophia might hold the answer for her.

However, Sophia shook her head, looking puzzled. "I don't know either. I only know that you're different from others, and your blood..." Sophia pointed to Emily's chest. "I've never seen anything like it."

Emily's eyes dimmed again, as if a layer of gray had tainted the black gems. If Sophia, who had lived for so many years, had never seen it, then where could she find the answers she sought? A sense of desolation enveloped her heart, like a snowy landscape, with a blizzard raging and swirling. The strong wind carried the snowflakes, creating a frenzy, blurring the boundary between sky and earth. Everything was white. She walked through this icy world wearing a sheer veil-like gown, barefoot. Her delicate feet, as white as jade, stepped on the vast white expanse. She couldn't feel anything around her. She only knew that her heart was empty.

"Emily, what's wrong?" Sophia waved the burnt fingers of her hand in front of Emily's eyes. Emily suddenly turned around, not understanding why that image had surfaced in her mind.

As her gaze focused, Emily noticed Sophia's injured hand. She grabbed that hand tightly. "Does it hurt?"

Sophia pulled her hand back and hid it behind her, the other hand that had been hidden all along. Even the five fingers were barely discernible. Despite her attempts to conceal it, Emily saw everything. Sophia had forgotten that she was translucent, unable to hide anything.

Emily forced herself to smile naturally. "Sophia, sis has some things to take care of. I'll come back to see you later!"

"Huh? You're leaving so soon?" Sophia's face puffed up like a bun, full of reluctance and a hint of childish temper, with her mouth drooping at the corners.

Emily pinched her cheek. "Be good and take care of your injuries. I'll come back to see you after I'm done."

Sophia heard these words, hesitated for a moment, and wanted to ask Emily to stay a little longer. But thinking of her current appearance, she ultimately forced a big smile. "Then go quickly and come back soon to play with me!"

Emily nodded heavily, but in truth, both of them knew that once she left, it was uncertain when she would return.

Yuri and Benjamin waited below the mountain, a rare moment of peace between them. They weren't fighting or arguing but lost in their own thoughts. Yuri leaned against the car, standing outside. The moonlight cast a slender and tall silhouette. He lowered his head and looked at the ground, a hint of worry creasing his face. He didn't usually worry about anything, not even his own life. But now, he disliked this feeling of attachment.

Benjamin sat in the car. They had been chasing Alexander all the way, but they hadn't caught up to him yet. They had returned to Cyberville, which meant tonight would be another fierce battle. However, his wounds hadn't fully healed, and they were on his chest. He truly worried that he would become a burden again tonight.

Yuri saw Emily coming down the mountain from a distance, but there was something off in the air, a strong smell of gunpowder. When he saw the fire in Emily's eyes, he became even more certain of his thoughts.

Thirty-Six Strategies: To retreat is the best strategy!

Just as Emily was about to rush over, Yuri swiftly made his escape. He knew that she was angry at him for creating that illusion, making her believe that Sophia was fine. But Emily, I would rather see the whole world perish than see you harmed! One day, you will understand.

Emily slammed her fist fiercely into the spot where Yuri had just been standing. The car shook violently, and a section of the metal body dented inward.