The two men's footsteps echoed softly through the great hall, while the soaring dome cast solemn shadows. As they crossed the final threshold, a towering Six-winged Angel Statue came into view, its sacred radiance shimmering in the candlelight. Before it stood a tall, slender figure in silence.
Qian Daoliu had his back to the hall doors. Qian Renxue unconsciously slowed her steps, and Feng Yao could feel the tension in her fingertips.
"You're here?" His voice suddenly rang out, so calm that no emotion could be heard within it. He slowly turned around, his golden gaze pausing for a moment on their clasped hands. The hall suddenly fell utterly silent, and even the crackling of the candles could be heard clearly.
Qian Renxue took a deep breath and led Feng Yao forward by the hand. Her heels struck the floor with crisp clicks, every step seeming to land upon taut strings. Feng Yao felt the fine beads of sweat forming in her palm and quietly tightened his fingers around hers.
The two stopped in tacit understanding when they were ten paces from the figure. This distance was respectful without seeming overly distant.
Qian Renxue took a deep breath, her fingertips gently slipping from Feng Yao's palm. Lifting her skirt, she slowly lowered her right knee to the ground and performed a standard Spirit Hall audience salute. Seeing this, Feng Yao immediately followed her lead and knelt on one knee. Though his movements lacked Qian Renxue's elegance and familiarity, they were still solemn and proper.
At the instant their knees were about to touch the ground, a flash of golden light suddenly appeared. Qian Daoliu's figure Teleported before them like a ghost, and with a light sweep of his broad sleeve, a gentle yet irresistible surge of Soul Power steadily supported