Yuxuan didn't flinch, though her eyes narrowed just slightly in thought. Shang Jiao lowered her gaze, and Lan Jing watched quietly, absorbing every word.
Mark continued in a steady tone. "Originally, my intention was simple. After completing the work I came here to do, I planned to return home with your daughter. She would have been my equal to the Empress, and we would've built a new sect together on my world." His voice shifted subtly as he spoke of the past plan, lighter and calmer, but then it hardened as he switched to the present reality. "But unexpected things happened. I became the Clan Head. Then the Sect Head. And now I am the ruler of the entire Azure Frost Dominion."
He let those words settle. Even Lan Jing inhaled sharply at the reminder.
"So the situation has changed," Mark said. "Now, they must come here instead."
Yuxuan placed her cup down slowly. "And her position?" she asked, voice unreadable.
