All at once, Wen Ke'er began to doubt herself.
Fei Mi grew nervous as well. Instinctively, she stepped beside Wen Ke'er, shadow energy flowing across her body. Though she had no idea what was happening either, she still wanted to protect Wen Ke'er.
Xilos and Winnie had also finished regulating their breaths. They rose to their feet, warily watching their surroundings before looking at Wen Ke'er and Lilith with concern.
They trusted Wen Ke'er, but Lilith did not look like she was lying.
Just then, a calm yet unquestionable pressure descended silently, instantly dispersing the hostility and tension in the air.
Shen Yi appeared beside Wen Ke'er, while Alvin's slender humanoid incarnation quietly floated not far away.
Shen Yi's gaze swept over Lilith, then over the hostile Authority Holders, before finally settling on Wen Ke'er's pale face.
"What happened?" His voice was calm, yet it carried a power that made everyone settle down.
Lilith took a deep breath and pointed at Wen Ke'er. Her tone remained icy, though it held a little more respect for Shen Yi.
"There's an aura of Black Fog on her. It's faint, suppressed by your power, but I won't mistake it. Shen Yi, this must be explained."
Everyone's eyes, including Alvin's deep-blue data eyes, focused on Wen Ke'er.
Meeting Shen Yi's gaze, Wen Ke'er's emerald eyes were filled with grievance, confusion, and a trace of barely concealed panic.
She opened her mouth, only to realize that she did not know how to explain herself either.
Shen Yi looked at Wen Ke'er, then sensed the aura around her again. Isolated by the shield formed from his power, he had not paid particular attention to the subtle changes in Wen Ke'er's own aura before.
Now, reminded by Lilith, he focused and carefully examined it...
A moment later,