After the Storm

Li climbed out of Baisha Ship's bow turret and sprinted all the way to the Dragonborn docking point at the rear flank. After parting the crowd, she saw Xia Fan lying motionless on the ground, while Qian Yan rested one hand on his chest and slowly shook her head. Li's heart immediately sank to the bottom.

"Xia Fan... is he all right?" As she asked, she realized that even her voice was trembling slightly.

"He's fine." Qian Yan withdrew her hand.

"Huh?" Li staggered. "Fine?"

"His breathing is steady, his qi is normal, and he has no obvious internal or external injuries. Of course he's fine." Qian Yan turned to look at her. "What is it? Do you think he's in bad shape?"

Then why were you shaking your head like an idiot? Li was momentarily choked speechless. In the end, she could only roll her eyes. "Then why is he lying down?"

"The second Heavenly Thunder placed too great a burden on him and depleted all his qi, which eventually caused him to lose consciousness. He'll recover after some rest."

Only then did Li finally relax. She looked at the drenched girl crouching beside Xia Fan. "What about you? Are you hurt anywhere?"

But Taxisis turned a deaf ear, merely continuing to stare at Xia Fan.

There was unmistakable concern in her eyes.

"She can't hear you. The Thunderclap probably deafened her. Of course... for a Yao, this kind of injury will heal in about half a day." Qian Yan tugged at Taxisis's sleeve and made several gestures toward her.

Taxisis clearly looked surprised, but she swiftly responded with gestures as well.

"What was that?"

"Western Pole Sign Language. I picked it up from Miss Olina while we were at sea," Qian Yan replied. "I asked whether she needed