An hour passed before Chen's rage finally cooled enough for rational thought to return.
He sat slumped against a boulder, the healing pill having done its work on his physical injuries while doing nothing for the wounds to his pride and dao heart.
The sound of shifting fabric made him look up. Yu Xiang's violet eyes were fluttering open, her consciousness returning as the effects of Tianlong's overwhelming presence finally faded.
"Yu Xiang!" Chen scrambled to his feet, rushing toward her with desperate concern. "Are you alright? Did you see what that bastard did? The way he-"
His words cut off abruptly as Yu Xiang's hand shot out, slapping his reaching fingers away with sharp precision.
"Don't touch me."
The words were spoken quietly, but they carried an edge that made Chen freeze mid-motion. Her violet eyes were open now, staring at him with an expression he couldn't quite read.
