Gold light filtered through the crystal ceiling, illuminating the pool's steam. Lin Tian floated in Stasis, sensing the peak qi cycle approach.
Su Lan's warm fingers checked his pulse, while Xueya's cool touch rested on his wrist.
"The pool is ready," Su Lan said. "Let's try the Frostbloom Elixir."
"Do it," Xueya replied.
As liquid hit his tongue, a system notification flashed: Foreign substance rejected. Neutralizing.
A warmth flared in his dantian, dissolving the medicine like snow on a hot stove.
"It's not working," Xueya said, gripping his wrist. "His energy burns it away."
"His Ice Flame Qi is too stable," Su Lan muttered with professional annoyance. "It treats external ice as an intrusion. My fire would trigger a violent reaction."
Silence hung in the steamy air. Lin Tian heard their thoughts racing toward an inevitable conclusion. They were out of options, and the time for gentle restoration had passed.
