Qin Han's eyelids trembled a few times before snapping open.
Deep within his pupils, a faint golden glint flashed and vanished.
As though he had broken free from drowning and suffocation, he abruptly sat up, his chest heaving violently while every muscle in his body remained taut.
"Qin Han?!"
Two concerned voices immediately rang out.
Han Yue and Zi Yan, who had been guarding him all along, hurriedly leaned closer.
"I..."
Qin Han shook his still somewhat groggy head as his memories came rushing back like a tide.
"What happened afterward? Where's Han Feng? Xuner and the others..."
His gaze swept across the surroundings. They were still in that valley, but all that remained around them was the wreckage of a great battle.
Han Yue steadied herself and recounted what had happened after Gu Nanhai's phantom descended.
"Gu Nanhai..."
At the mention of that name, Qin Han's heart shook violently.
He knew all too well what that name represented: a core elder of the Gu Clan, someone who truly stood at the apex of the Dou Qi Continent.
He had never expected such a towering figure to descend upon the Black Corner Region.
Amid his shock, he suddenly noticed that besides lingering fear, Han Yue and Zi Yan seemed to have faint joy written across their faces.
Zi Yan in particular was grinning from ear to ear.
"Hehe!"
As if she had seen Qin Han's confusion, Zi Yan gave a smug chuckle and puffed out her small chest, which had fully stabilized in its young maiden form, its curves just beginning to show.
"That old man in blue helped stabilize the condition inside my body. I never have to worry about changing back again!"
Han Yue nodded gently as well. "Senior Gu Nanhai also bestowed an opportunity upon me.
There