Chapter 796 – "A Night by the Icefire"
By the time evening settled over the cavern, the decision had been made to rest before setting out to gather resources. The thousand-strong group set up camp in orderly clusters, fires flickering against the walls of ice and stone. The warmth of the flames mingled strangely with the lingering chill of the air, casting a shifting glow over the faces of cultivators who had only recently been freed.
In one of the more secluded corners of the camp, Alex sat with Yu Mei and Shi Lian. The three of them had been quiet for a while, simply sharing the warmth of a single fire, when Yu Mei finally broke the silence.
Her tone was calm, as though she were discussing the weather. "I'm going to turn all of them into your sex slaves."
Shi Lian's head turned sharply, her eyes widening for just a heartbeat before narrowing in thought. Alex didn't even look surprised — he'd long since learned that Yu Mei rarely bothered to hide her intentions.
Yu Mei's lips curved into a faint smile. "Every last one of them owes you their life now. The gratitude is there. The awe is there. All they need is a little… guidance." Her gaze swept the camp, lingering on groups of women laughing together, still flush from the miraculous recovery his potion had given them. "And once they understand that being yours will make them stronger, just like me, they won't resist."
Shi Lian's expression shifted, the flicker of hesitation fading into something more thoughtful. "You mean to… train them. Like the others."
Yu Mei's smirk deepened. "Exactly. You've seen it, Auntie — the way they look at him now. Some of them are already imagining it, even if they don't admit it yet. All we have to do is make the idea feel natural."
Her eyes found Alex again, glinting with that mix of devotion and possessive pride that was uniquely hers. "It's not about stealing them from anyone. It's about giving them a place, giving them a master they can rely on… and making sure they never want to leave."
Alex let out a slow sigh, leaning back slightly, his gaze drifting over the camp. The flickering firelight caught on the silver of his eyes, making them seem distant for a moment.
"Even if I didn't lift a finger," he said quietly, "you'd find a way to make it happen, Yu Mei. I know you."
Yu Mei's smirk didn't fade — if anything, it deepened at the truth in his words.
"And maybe without my help," he continued, "you'd still turn most of these women into my sex slaves anyway."
That earned a small, knowing laugh from her. "You're not wrong."
But Alex's tone shifted, becoming firmer. "However… there are two I won't touch."
Yu Mei tilted her head, curious. "Oh?"
"The Frost Moon Palace Sect Master," Alex said without hesitation. "I've looked into her eyes. She's carrying something… a pain in her heart that still hasn't healed. I won't add to it, not like this."
Shi Lian's eyes softened slightly at his words. She knew exactly what kind of pain he was referring to — and why he would respect it.
"The next," Alex went on, "is Lan Xueya." His gaze flicked briefly toward the young disciple sitting across the camp, surrounded by her peers. "She may be arrogant, but I can feel it — her heart is pure. I won't twist that."
Yu Mei regarded him for a long moment, her eyes narrowing slightly — not in anger, but in calculation. "So… you'll leave them out of my plans?"
"For now," Alex said simply. "They're not the kind you take by force of circumstance. If something happens, it will be because they choose it freely."
Yu Mei leaned back, letting the firelight play across her face. "Hmm. Very well… I can work around that."
Shi Lian glanced between them, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "I suppose that means I'll just have to help her with the others, then."
Alex shook his head with a quiet, resigned exhale, but didn't argue.
Alex's gaze stayed steady on the fire as he spoke again, his tone quieter but resolute.
"These two… should have a choice."
Yu Mei arched a brow. "Choice?"
"Yes." He looked first toward the Frost Moon Palace Sect Master, who sat with a small group of former sect leaders, her posture regal but her eyes distant. "She's had enough taken from her without consent. If she ever stands by my side, it will be because she decided to… not because we backed her into a corner."
Then his eyes shifted to Lan Xueya, who was laughing softly at something one of her fellow disciples had said, the warmth in her expression unguarded. "And Lan Xueya… she still has a clean heart. If I take that from her without her choosing it herself, I'm no different from the kind of men I despise."
Yu Mei was silent for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she smiled — not mocking, but faintly approving. "You're far too soft sometimes… but I suppose that's one of the reasons they'll fall for you eventually."
Shi Lian's lips curved. "And it's one of the reasons we love you already."
Alex gave a small shrug. "Maybe. But choice matters. Especially for them."
Yu Mei's smile turned into something sharper, her mind already working around his boundaries. "Then I'll make sure they want to choose you."
Alex sighed again, already knowing she meant every word.
Yu Mei's gaze slid over the camp, her eyes narrowing slightly as she began to sort faces in her mind. Her voice was low, but the glint in her eyes betrayed her intent.
"Fine… if the Frost Moon Palace Sect Master and Lan Xueya are off-limits, I'll start with the ones who will be easiest to sway."
Shi Lian leaned forward slightly, curious. "Who?"
Yu Mei's lips curved as she listed them off.
"First… the former Sect Master of Snow Jade Hall. She's prideful, but she already looks at Alex with interest. She's the type who'd convince herself that being with him is simply 'testing his strength' — and then never want to leave once she's tasted it."
"Second, the former Sect Master of Glacial Spirit Pavilion. Her gratitude toward Alex is genuine, and she's still a little awed by him. She'll be the easiest to approach if I make her feel like it's her idea to please him in return."
"Third, the former Sect Master of Silver Winter Temple. She's calculating, but her loyalty shifts to whoever can protect her and give her power. Alex already proved he can do both."
"And finally… the former Sect Master of Crystal Lotus Hall. She's curious by nature, and she's already fascinated by the way Alex works. If I frame intimacy with him as a form of cultivation… she'll fall into it willingly."
Shi Lian gave a soft hum of approval. "You've been watching them closely."
"Of course," Yu Mei said smoothly. "We have two weeks in here. That's more than enough time to plant the seeds, nurture them, and watch them grow."
Alex glanced at her, a mix of resignation and faint amusement in his expression. "You make it sound like farming."
Yu Mei's smile was sharp. "In a way, it is. Only the harvest is far more… satisfying."
The camp had grown quiet as the fires burned lower, most of the rescued cultivators settling into meditation or light sleep. Frost-rimed stone walls reflected the faint glow of moonlight filtering through cracks in the cavern ceiling, casting silver patterns across the floor.
Yu Mei caught Shi Lian's eye and gave the faintest tilt of her head toward one of the smaller fires, where the former Sect Master of Snow Jade Hall sat alone, idly running her fingers over the rim of a jade cup. Her posture was relaxed, but her eyes followed Alex from across the camp whenever he moved.
Shi Lian didn't need more than that to understand. Together, the two women rose and crossed the camp with the easy grace of those who belonged anywhere they chose to be.
"Enjoying the warmth?" Yu Mei asked as they approached, her tone casual but edged with familiarity.
The Snow Jade Hall Sect Master looked up, blinking once before smiling faintly. "It's… pleasant. A change from the cold we've known for centuries."
Shi Lian lowered herself onto the flat stone beside her, close enough to share the fire's heat. "It must be strange, coming back to the world after so long. But some things are… worth adjusting to."
Yu Mei let the pause linger before adding, "Like Alex."
The Sect Master's eyes flickered, just for a heartbeat, before she gave a small, polite smile. "He's… not like other men."
"No," Yu Mei agreed softly, her voice almost a purr. "He's far better. And he's the reason you're alive right now."
Shi Lian leaned in slightly, her tone gentle. "Gratitude has many forms. Some… are more memorable than others."
The woman gave a quiet laugh, perhaps to cover the sudden flush in her cheeks. "You two are rather direct."
Yu Mei's smile was slow and knowing. "Only when we see someone who could benefit from being… closer to him." She let her words trail off just enough to leave their meaning open, a seed planted in fertile ground.
As they rose to leave, Shi Lian glanced back, noting the way the Snow Jade Hall Sect Master's gaze lingered on Alex again — this time, with something warmer, more curious than before.
Yu Mei's expression as they returned to their own fire was one of quiet satisfaction. "One seed planted," she murmured. "Now we just let it grow."
Chapter 797 – "Sowing the Seeds"
The second night passed under a clear, cold sky, the faint shimmer of distant stars visible through cracks in the cavern roof. The campfires burned lower, their glow mingling with the icy light, and most of the cultivators were deep in meditation after a day of resource gathering.
Yu Mei and Shi Lian sat together, speaking in low voices as they watched the flow of the camp. Their target tonight — the former Sect Master of Glacial Spirit Pavilion — sat near one of the outer fires, quietly sipping from a flask. Her long white hair caught the firelight like spun silver, and her pale eyes kept wandering in Alex's direction, though she quickly looked away each time.
"She's already halfway there," Yu Mei murmured. "She admires him, but she's holding herself back out of habit."
Shi Lian nodded. "She's not used to letting anyone see her wants. But she's not immune to curiosity… or gratitude."
The two women rose together, their approach casual and unhurried. Yu Mei lowered herself onto a smooth rock opposite the Sect Master, while Shi Lian took the seat beside her, both of them positioned so Alex was visible in the distance.
"You've been quiet since yesterday," Shi Lian said gently. "Still adjusting?"
The woman's lips curved in a small, polite smile. "It's been… a long time since I've seen so much change so quickly."
Yu Mei tilted her head slightly. "Change isn't always bad. Sometimes it's what brings the best things into your life." She glanced meaningfully toward Alex.
The Sect Master followed her gaze for a brief moment before catching herself, turning back with a faint frown. "He's… impressive. And not just in strength."
Shi Lian's smile softened. "He saved your life, restored your strength, and asked for nothing in return. That's rare."
"It makes one wonder," Yu Mei added, her voice quiet but edged with intrigue, "what it would be like to give something in return… something only you can offer."
The woman's breath caught almost imperceptibly, her eyes flicking to Alex again before she looked back at the fire. "You two are dangerous."
Yu Mei laughed softly, leaning back. "Only if you resist what you already want."
When they left her, she sat staring into the flames for a long time — but her eyes kept drifting toward Alex, and this time, she didn't look away quite so quickly.
On the third night, the rhythm of the camp had become familiar — the low murmur of cultivators trading stories, the steady crackle of fires against the cold, the occasional glint of Alex moving between groups.
Yu Mei and Shi Lian sat together again, their attention fixed on the former Sect Master of Silver Winter Temple. She was seated near one of the central fires, her posture graceful and composed, speaking with two elders while idly rolling a carved ice pendant between her fingers. Her eyes, though, betrayed her — they lingered on Alex far more often than her conversation required.
"She's already thinking about him," Yu Mei murmured. "Her type isn't hard to predict — loyalty shifts to the one who can offer the most power and protection."
Shi Lian's lips curved slightly. "And Alex has already proven both."
They approached with the same casual ease as the previous nights, slipping into the edge of her circle as though it were the most natural thing in the world. The two elders took the hint and excused themselves, leaving the three women alone by the fire.
"Settling in well?" Shi Lian asked, her tone light.
The Silver Winter Temple Sect Master gave a small nod. "It's… strange, feeling this strong again. I had resigned myself to weakness before he freed us."
Yu Mei's eyes glimmered. "And now, with that strength restored, you have choices again. But tell me… how many men could have done for you what Alex did?"
The woman hesitated. "…None that I know of."
"That's the point," Yu Mei said, leaning forward slightly. "Men like him don't come twice in a lifetime. He protects what's his… and he rewards loyalty."
Shi Lian's gaze softened, but her words were deliberate. "He would value someone like you, not just for your cultivation, but for the way you lead. And when he values someone, he gives more than you think possible."
The woman's fingers stilled on the pendant, her expression thoughtful. "You speak as though you've experienced it firsthand."
"We have," Yu Mei replied with a faint smile. "And it's worth everything."
They left her soon after, but her gaze followed Alex across the camp, sharper now — as though she were already weighing the advantages of stepping closer.
On the fourth night, the fires of the camp burned brighter than usual — the day's hunt for resources had been productive, and the mood was high. Yet Yu Mei and Shi Lian's focus was on a quieter figure sitting apart from the noise.
The former Sect Master of Crystal Lotus Hall sat cross-legged on a flat slab of stone, a small table in front of her covered with various herbs and spirit crystals she had gathered that day. Her delicate fingers moved with practiced precision as she sorted them, her attention sharp and unbroken.
"She's a curious one," Shi Lian murmured. "She's been watching Alex's every move when he works with magic or medicine."
Yu Mei's lips curved knowingly. "Curiosity is the easiest door to open. All we have to do is make her want to 'study' him more closely."
They approached without preamble, and Yu Mei crouched down, picking up a crystal from the table with casual familiarity. "You have a good eye for materials. This one's rare — most people wouldn't recognize its full potential."
The Crystal Lotus Hall Sect Master looked up, her pale eyes assessing them both. "I've been watching your husband work," she said frankly. "His methods… they aren't alchemy, nor are they any crafting technique I know."
Shi Lian smiled faintly. "That's because they aren't. He uses a mix of science from his world and magic from ours. It's unlike anything you've seen."
Yu Mei let her tone drop lower, almost conspiratorial. "And that's not the only thing he does unlike anyone else."
A faint crease formed between the woman's brows. "…What do you mean?"
"You'll understand," Yu Mei replied smoothly, "when you experience it for yourself. Think of it as… cultivation research. Hands-on."
The Sect Master's eyes narrowed slightly, but there was a spark of intrigue there now. "You're being deliberately vague."
Shi Lian chuckled softly. "That's because some things can't be explained. They have to be felt."
When they left her, the Crystal Lotus Hall Sect Master remained seated, her herbs untouched, her gaze fixed in Alex's direction with open curiosity now — the kind of curiosity that Yu Mei knew was the first step toward desire.
Yu Mei and Shi Lian returned to their fire, exchanging a glance of silent satisfaction.
"One round complete," Yu Mei murmured. "Now we wait… and watch them come closer on their own."
Chapter 798 – "The First Step Toward the Master"
The fifth night came quietly, the camp settling into the steady rhythm of their remaining days in the secret territory. Most cultivators were either meditating to stabilize their recovered strength or talking in small groups about the next day's resource search.
Alex was seated alone near one of the outer fires, cleaning and sorting some of the rare materials they had gathered earlier. The quiet was a welcome break, but it didn't last long.
From the shadows, the former Sect Master of Snow Jade Hall approached. She carried two cups of warm spirit tea, the faint steam curling in the cool air. Her steps were unhurried, but there was a deliberate grace to them — the kind of poise that said she was in control of herself… at least on the surface.
"I thought you might like something to warm you," she said, offering one cup.
Alex glanced up, his expression neutral but polite. "Thank you." He took the cup without hesitation, the faint heat seeping through his fingers.
She sat across from him, close enough to share the firelight but leaving a respectful distance. For a while, they simply drank in silence, the sound of the flames filling the gap. Then she spoke, her tone casual.
"I've been watching the way you work," she said. "With magic, with medicine. You make it look… effortless."
"It's just practice," Alex replied, though his eyes studied her carefully.
Her lips curved faintly. "No. It's more than that. You do things no one else here can. I think that's why…" She let the words trail off, her gaze lingering on him in a way that was just shy of bold.
Alex didn't press her to finish, but the weight of her stare made it clear enough — this was an opening, a test to see how close she could come.
Across the camp, Yu Mei and Shi Lian watched from their own fire. Shi Lian's lips curved slightly. "The first seed is sprouting."
Yu Mei's smile was sharper. "And she doesn't even realize she's growing exactly where I planted her."
The flames crackled softly between them, the warm glow flickering over the Snow Jade Hall Sect Master's pale features. She sipped her tea slowly, then tilted her head.
"You don't seem like the type to seek power for its own sake," she said quietly. "Yet… you carry more strength than anyone I've ever met. Why?"
Alex was silent for a moment, his gaze steady on the fire. "Because strength without purpose is just vanity. Mine exists for the people I choose to protect."
Her brow arched slightly. "And for those you don't choose to protect?"
His eyes lifted to meet hers, and something in his expression shifted — not threatening, but undeniably sharper. "If they harm the innocent… I end them."
There was no boast in his voice, no dramatic edge — just a calm certainty that made her shiver despite the fire's heat.
Alex leaned back slightly, his tone softening again. "To those I care for, I'm just a man who wants them safe and happy. I'll cook for them, listen to them, make their lives easier however I can. That's enough for me."
She studied him, as though weighing the contrast. "And the others?"
"The others…" His voice dropped to something colder, more final. "If they bring harm or suffering, I don't give them a second chance. I'm not a hero who saves everyone, and I'm not a tyrant who kills over petty things. I simply remove those who've proven they don't deserve to stay."
The Snow Jade Hall Sect Master felt her breath catch — not from fear, but from the strange magnetism of it. Two sides, both absolute in their own way. The tender warmth of a protector, and the unflinching resolve of an executioner.
She found herself leaning in slightly, not realizing it until she caught Yu Mei's faint smirk from across the camp.
"You're… not what I expected," she admitted.
Alex's lips curved just slightly. "Most people who meet me say the same."
The Snow Jade Hall Sect Master lowered her gaze to the tea in her hands, but her mind was far from the cup. The warmth of the fire felt distant now, replaced by the heat of curiosity stirring low in her chest.
She had met men who were gentle, and she had met men who were ruthless — but never one who carried both so naturally, without apology. Most men she knew wore masks, showing only what they thought others wanted to see. Alex didn't bother with masks. He simply was.
The tea was nearly gone before she realized she'd been staring at him again.
"I should… rest," she said finally, setting the empty cup aside. Her voice was calm, but her pulse was not. "Thank you for the company… and for the tea."
Alex inclined his head in quiet acknowledgment, offering no further invitation. He didn't need to — the weight of his presence lingered, a subtle pull she couldn't ignore.
She rose, smoothing her robes, and walked back toward her section of the camp. But her steps were slower than necessary, her eyes flicking back once — twice — to where he still sat by the fire.
From across the way, Yu Mei watched her retreat with the satisfaction of a hunter who knew the prey would return willingly.
"She'll come back tomorrow," Yu Mei murmured.
Shi Lian's smile was warm, but knowing. "You've hooked her. Now all she needs is an excuse."
Yu Mei's gaze lingered on Alex, the corner of her mouth lifting. "She'll find one. They always do."
And somewhere in the quiet of her own thoughts, the Snow Jade Hall Sect Master promised herself that the next night, she'd come with more than just tea.
Chapter 799 – "The Second Seed Stirs"
The sixth night came with a deep, bone-cool stillness. Snow dusted down through the narrow cracks above, dissolving before it touched the warmth of the campfires. Most of the cultivators had settled into quiet conversation or meditation, but Alex had chosen a seat along the far edge of the camp, away from the crowd.
He was methodically repairing a length of enchanted cord from one of their earlier expeditions, the faint glimmer of mana running along its threads. The work required steady hands — and it made him an easy target for anyone looking to approach without interrupting a larger group.
The former Sect Master of Glacial Spirit Pavilion took that opportunity. She approached from the side, carrying a small clay jar cradled in her palms.
"I thought you might like something to drink," she said, her voice measured but warmer than usual. "It's spirit-infused snow water — gathered from the highest peaks before I was sealed away."
Alex accepted it with a nod. "Thank you. It's rare to see something like this outside of your sect."
Her lips curved just slightly. "Rarer still for me to offer it to anyone. But… you've earned it."
They sat in silence for a moment, Alex sipping the crisp, pure water while she watched the faint movements of his hands as he worked. Finally, she spoke again, softer this time.
"I wanted to ask you… when you freed us, you said you didn't expect anything in return. Did you mean that?"
"Yes." Alex's answer was immediate, his tone steady. "I didn't save you because I wanted something from you. I did it because it was right."
She looked at him for a long moment, as if trying to see past his words into the man himself. "Most people I've met — even leaders — have conditions for their kindness. You don't?"
Alex glanced up briefly. "I protect the people I choose. That's the only condition."
Her fingers tightened slightly on the jar, not out of distrust but from the weight of that statement. "And if someone betrays that protection?"
His answer was simple, but it carried a quiet finality. "I remove them from my life… or this world, if necessary."
She shivered faintly, though not from fear. It was the same contrast Yu Mei had spoken of to her — warmth and steel in perfect balance.
From her place near another fire, Yu Mei watched the two of them closely, noting how the Glacial Spirit Pavilion Sect Master leaned in just a little too much when Alex spoke, and how her gaze lingered after each exchange.
"The second seed is taking root," Yu Mei murmured to Shi Lian, her eyes gleaming.
Shi Lian smiled knowingly. "At this rate, you'll have a garden by the end of the two weeks."
The flicker of the firelight softened the sharp lines of her face, making her expression seem more open than usual. She watched Alex's hands for a moment longer before speaking again, her voice quieter, almost as if she didn't want the words to carry beyond their small space.
"I've been wondering…" She hesitated, as though debating whether she should even ask. "A man with your strength… and your presence… you must have many people close to you."
Alex didn't look up from the cord he was repairing, but there was the faintest hint of amusement in his voice. "You could say that."
She tilted her head slightly, her tone just light enough to seem casual. "All women?"
His eyes flicked to hers briefly, meeting her gaze with calm certainty. "Yes."
Something unreadable passed through her expression — curiosity, a hint of something sharper, quickly smoothed away. "And they follow you… willingly?"
"They're not forced to be with me," Alex replied evenly. "Every one of them chose to stay, knowing who I am — both sides of me."
Her brow arched slightly. "Both sides?"
For a moment, Alex considered her, then spoke plainly. "The side that protects the people I love… and the side that destroys those who harm them."
There was a beat of silence, then she smiled faintly. "You speak of it so simply. Most men would try to hide one side or the other."
"I'm not most men."
She held his gaze for a moment longer, then looked away toward the fire, a subtle flush touching her cheeks though her voice remained composed. "No. You're not."
Across the camp, Yu Mei caught that flicker of color on the Glacial Spirit Pavilion Sect Master's face and leaned slightly toward Shi Lian.
"Curiosity has teeth," Yu Mei murmured. "She's already imagining the answers to questions she hasn't dared to ask yet."
Shi Lian's lips curved. "And when she finally asks them, she'll already be halfway his."
Chapter 800 – "The Third Seed Awakens"
The seventh night brought a quiet hum of contentment to the camp. The day's expedition had yielded a small trove of rare ice-attributed spirit stones, and the cultivators were in good spirits. Most gathered around the larger central fires, but Alex had chosen a quieter spot, sitting with a small piece of carved ice in his hands. His mana flowed through it in slow, steady pulses, shaping its inner channels like an artisan carving with light instead of tools.
It was then that the former Sect Master of Silver Winter Temple approached. Unlike the others, she did not bring a gift of food or drink. Instead, she came empty-handed, her presence alone deliberate.
"You work even when others rest," she observed, her voice smooth but tinged with curiosity.
Alex glanced up briefly before returning his focus to the ice in his hands. "It's easier to focus when the camp is quiet."
She stepped closer, her gaze fixed on the delicate streams of mana weaving through the crystal. "I've never seen anyone work with ice like that. It's… controlled, but not rigid."
"That's because I'm not shaping it to my will," Alex replied calmly. "I'm helping it become what it's meant to be."
Her lips curved faintly, though her eyes remained sharp. "That sounds almost… romantic, coming from a man."
Alex's brow lifted slightly. "You sound surprised."
"I am," she admitted, lowering herself to sit opposite him. The firelight played over her features, sharpening the elegance of her bearing. "Men I've met in power think in terms of taking, claiming, bending things until they fit their vision. You…" She let her eyes drift over the crystal again. "…you guide instead."
He didn't respond immediately, simply letting the mana hum through the ice until the inner structure resonated with a faint, bell-like tone. When he finally set it aside, his gaze met hers directly. "I only guide the things I want to see grow. The rest… I leave behind."
Her head tilted slightly. "And if something—or someone—threatens what you want to grow?"
"I remove the threat," Alex said without hesitation.
Her lips curved into a slow, considering smile. "I see."
From a distance, Yu Mei observed the exchange with a faint glimmer in her eyes. "She's testing his resolve," she murmured to Shi Lian. "And he's giving her exactly the answer she wants to hear — even if she doesn't realize it yet."
Shi Lian's gaze stayed on the two figures by the fire. "The third seed is already awake. Now it just needs the right warmth to bloom."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, as if she were carefully weighing the next question. "Then tell me… what would you do if it wasn't just one person, but the whole world that decided to harm the person you love?"
Alex didn't blink, didn't even pause to consider. His voice came low and certain, each word heavy with intent.
"I would kill the whole world that even thought of hurting the person I love."
The flames between them seemed to crackle louder in the silence that followed, the light casting sharp shadows over his face. There was no bravado in his tone, no hint that he was exaggerating for effect. It was simply the truth — and that truth sent an unexpected shiver down her spine.
The former Sect Master of Silver Winter Temple studied him for a long moment, her lips parting slightly before she caught herself. "…You would do that without hesitation?"
"I wouldn't need to hesitate," Alex replied, his gaze steady. "If the world decided to become my enemy because of the one I love, then it's the world that's wrong — not me."
Something in her expression softened, but her eyes held a spark of something new — a mix of admiration and something warmer, more dangerous.
From her place across the camp, Yu Mei leaned toward Shi Lian, her voice a low hum. "She's hooked. That answer alone just carved a permanent place for him in her mind."
Shi Lian gave a faint smile. "And I'm guessing she won't be the only one who reacts that way."