When Ningyan opened his eyes again, he found himself back within the crystal space.
The enormous purple crystal hovered before him, pulsing softly with radiant light. Gentle streams of blue essence flowed around it, absorbed slowly into its surface.
Ningyan sat cross-legged before it, his violet eyes reflecting the shifting glow as he tilted his head.
He felt calmer now. Because he knew Jun Haoxuan was stabilizing the crystal from outside.
Then suddenly, a hand rested against his shoulder.
Ningyan's heart skipped violently.
He turned sharply only for his eyes to widen at the sight of Jun Haoxuan standing beside him.
"You…"
Before he could even finish speaking, Haoxuan pulled him into an embrace.
Ningyan melted into it instantly.
"Are you feeling better?" Jun Haoxuan asked quietly, one hand caressing Ningyan's back.
Ningyan lowered his gaze, fingers curling around Haoxuan's sleeve.
"The pain is less," he admitted softly.
