But behind the miracle came a price.
Everyone looked at Han Yuchen and Leng Yuebai, then at Tang San. His father, Tang Hao, had yet to appear.
Just as everyone was still celebrating their good fortune—
Whoosh—
A heavy stench of blood suddenly drifted over on the wind through the forest.
It smelled fresh, carrying the warmth of rusted iron.
Then came an incomparably heavy pressure.
It was not killing intent; there was none of that needle-prick pain or icy chill.
Yet this pressure was even more terrifying, like an injured primordial beast drawing near. Every step made the earth tremble faintly, every breath stirred the currents of air.
It was pure strength and presence, a might forged through countless life-and-death battles.
Leng Yuebai's gaze sharpened.
Her body tilted slightly forward, the fingers of her right hand loosely curling. A silver-white streak of light had already slipped from her sleeve, gathering in her palm into the initial form of Star Radiance Heavenly Silk.
The silk ribbon moved without wind, delicate Star patterns emerging across its surface as it radiated an icy chill.
"Don't be nervous."
Han Yuchen pressed down on Leng Yuebai's hand.
His fingers were long and steady, his palm warm. That warmth passed through her skin, strangely soothing Leng Yuebai's instinctively taut nerves.
"It's an ally." A smile curled at the corner of his lips as he looked deep into the forest.
The moment he finished speaking—
A black shadow leaped down from a treetop dozens of meters high.
There were no flashy movements, no graceful footwork—just the simplest, most direct fall.
Bang—
A muffled boom rang out.
The ground visibly shook. Centered on the landing point, a wave of air spread outward, scattering the fallen leaves around them.
Tang Hao landed before the group.
His current appearance