Something within the woman stirred, a faint yet undeniable shift in her understanding — a realization that pushed her past her previous boundaries. Wen Ran's sharp eyes caught the flicker of enlightenment in her gaze, and his heart sank.
Damn it... he cursed inwardly. Whoever she is... I just gave her a chance to step into another realm. If she ends up as my enemy, I'll be the one paying the price for my own stupidity.
As her figure began to blur and dissolve into the snow, blending seamlessly with the swirling frost, Wen Ran panicked. His tired limbs tensed, thinking she was taking the lotus with her. But to his surprise, the Ice Spirit Lotus glided gently through the air, drifting toward him like a feather caught in the wind. It landed softly in his palm — delicate yet powerful, its crystalline petals radiating an icy chill.
But something else was inside.
