Ning Meng was just about to open her mouth to say something to break the stalemate—perhaps even some official, polite platitudes to handle the bizarre "either-or" situation before her—when she suddenly felt her scalp tingle and her temples begin to throb.
She had just parted her lips, but before she could utter a single syllable, the entire world plunged into darkness.
It was not the gradual dimming of lights being extinguished, nor was it the darkness of simply closing one's eyes. It was a pure, absolute, all-consuming void. Every color before her vanished in an instant; the rich fragrance of flowers in the conservatory, the sound of everyone's breathing, the faint whir of the cameras—everything was stripped away in a heartbeat. It felt as though someone had pressed the mute and power buttons on the universe.
Chapter 157