Han Yunyi stood frozen, visibly caught off guard by Ningyan's words.
He was… different now. Stronger. Not just in power, but in presence.
He was nothing like the beast she had known at the Celestial Beast Academy. And somehow, in trying to help him, she had turned herself into someone he no longer trusted.
Ningyan gave her a polite bow and stepped past her.
"Wait." Her voice came quickly.
He paused and turned back.
Yunyi exhaled, relief slipping through her composure as she walked toward him.
"I'm not your enemy, A-Yan," she said softly. "I promise you, I'm not."
She hesitated, then added, "We are family. By blood. Why would I ever..."
She stopped as an emerald glow tore open the air beside Ningyan.
A portal.
Lan Meishan stepped through. He blinked, clearly not expecting the scene.
"Oh," he said lightly. "Did I interrupt something?"
Yunyi recovered quickly, offering him a composed smile. "No. Not at all. I was just leaving."
