Feng stood rigid at the entrance, her obsidian robes rippling as she channeled a barrier of ice qi to reinforce our seals.
But even her Mid-Nascent Soul power wavered, frost cracking and melting unnaturally.
"The whispers are precursors," she said, voice tight with rare strain. "Harbingers of the realm's guardians. We need to move—now."
[System Alert: Corrupting Whispers Detected]
[Effect: Gradual Qi Erosion - Vitality Drain Increased to -15 per minute]
[Countermeasure Available: Activate Essence Bonding Network - Share Vitality with Partners to Stabilize (Cost: 200 Vitality)]
I didn't hesitate. "Link up," I commanded, grabbing Mei's hand on one side and Lin's on the other.
Feng hesitated for a split second—her pride warring with necessity—before clasping my free wrist, her pale skin cool against mine.
