Elsewhere.
Inside the Fleeting Starlight's reception room.
"Everyone, I hope you've been well."
"Lady Yukong?" Seeing that Yukong had truly come in person, Tingyun was overjoyed.
Yukong looked at the living, breathing Tingyun before her and slowly nodded with a smile, her emotions conflicted.
"Actually, I imagined this moment over and over."
"I worried that I would lose my composure before everyone's eyes. I even thought through every word I would say."
"But now..."
Yukong's gaze lingered on Tingyun, a glimmer of moisture flashing in her eyes.
"I came to take you home, Tingyun."
Tingyun nodded with a bitter smile.
Seeing this, Himeko spoke to March 7th and Yan Huan, who had rushed over. "We should give them some privacy for now."
She politely said to Tingyun and Yukong:
"You two have been apart for so long. Have a proper talk first."
After the Nameless left, only the two Foxians remained in the reception room.
"I never expected Lady Yukong to come personally. What a wonderful surprise..."
"I asked to come myself. After all... the one who returned was you."
"Yes. It just had to be me..."
The atmosphere in the reception room became subtly strained.
"Your body..." Yukong's eyes revealed her concern. "The days ahead will be difficult, won't they?"
Tingyun gently shook her head.
"Thanks to my benefactors' superb skills, this body causes me no discomfort."
Then she revealed a gentle smile.
"If I arm-wrestled Lady Yukong now, perhaps I would be the one to win?"
"You're still as composed as ever," Yukong said with a smile.
"There is much I want to say, but let us save it for the journey."
"It is a long trip back to the Luofu. We have plenty of time."
"Very well." Tingyun smiled.
"Now that no one else is here, Tingyun