Separated by only a few steps, the four of them stopped almost at the same time.
Ao Ye had already returned to human form. His golden armor was badly damaged, and blood still stained his face, but his eyes shone astonishingly brightly as he looked Lin Yan up and down, his fists clenching and loosening.
Mo Xuan was still in his Kirin form. His beautiful multicolored fur was matted together with blood and mud, and one jade horn had even cracked. He stared at Lin Yan with crimson eyes.
Kunpeng stood silently to one side, his gaze never leaving Lin Yan.
Seeing their miserable state, then looking at the Ye Character Camp soldiers around them, nearly half of whom had become casualties, Lin Yan felt as if something were lodged in his chest. A thousand words ultimately became a single sentence. "Brothers, I'm back."
Ao Ye suddenly strode forward and slammed a fist into Lin Yan's shoulder. His voice was hoarse. "You bastard... where the hell have you been all these years? Do you know how much we..." He paused, drew a deep breath, and swallowed the rest of his words. He merely punched Lin Yan again, even harder. "It's good that you're back!"
Mo Xuan's voice was choked as well. "You brat... I thought you died in the spatial turbulence. You made us worry for nothing all this time."
Kunpeng's lips twitched slightly, as though he wanted to burst out laughing, but in the end, he only nodded and said quietly, "It's good that you're back. Everyone... was worried about you."
Lin Yan could feel their concern. Smiling, he firmly patted Ao Ye's shoulder, reached out to stroke Mo Xuan's lowered head, then gave Kunpeng a heavy nod.
"How did you end up here? And surrounded by fierce beasts?"