Ningyan hated the way his body immediately tensed when the demonic energy appeared.
Wuhen instantly placed him back on his feet.
Meishan lifted his gaze toward the ceiling, as if he could already tell that someone was standing on the roof above them.
Ningyan's heart began racing. This presence felt… different.
It wasn't just power.
With powerful beast cultivators, one could sense the growl of their beast soul, feel the intensity of their beast qi.
But this aura was strange.
It was a perfect mixture of beast qi and demon qi, twisted together in a way that made Ningyan's skin crawl.
Then suddenly, the presence vanished.
Ningyan let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding.
Without thinking, he stepped closer to Meishan and wrapped his arms around his waist, pulling him into an embrace.
Meishan immediately returned it. His hand moved slowly across Ningyan's back, rubbing it in quiet reassurance.
Across the room, Wuhen watched them.
