The forest was unnaturally quiet, the air heavy with the lingering scent of blood.
Ningyan and Wuhen steadied themselves as the portal collapsed behind them, the dead serpent beast hitting the ground with a dull, heavy thud.
Then.... they saw him.
Lan Meishan stood beneath a crooked tree, his robes stained dark with blood, breath uneven. His emerald eyes burned too brightly... too sharp.
"I don't want to wait." His voice came out strained. "I… I am done waiting!"
Ningyan frowned, stepping forward. "What are you talking about..."
"Lan Yunlai." The name snapped out of him with rage. "I am going to kill him now and you're going to help me."
A burst of emerald energy burst around him, distorting the air.
Wuhen's ears twitched.
Ningyan's gaze sharpened. "No."
He walked toward Meishan anyway, steady, unhurried. "We already have a plan."
