Yan Rouxi lifted her head sharply. "What do you mean?"
"Because the one who holds your friend," the elder continued, his voice turning grave, "is the same person who threatens our destruction."
A cold realization crawled up Yan Rouxi's spine. Her fingers slowly tightened. The images, the unease, the familiar malice she had felt since arriving in this world—all of it aligned into one clear shape.
She looked up at Yan Gantian, her eyes darkening.
"Yan Meilin," she said.
The elder's smile faded, replaced by solemn approval. "Yes," he confirmed. "Yan Meilin."
Yan Gantian's expression darkened, the warmth in his eyes fading into something heavy and resolute. "By supporting the emperor in his obsession," he said slowly, each word weighted with restrained fury, "and by performing forbidden spells that were sealed away by our ancestors, Yan Meilin has already betrayed the Lingzu Tribe."
