Dan Heng looked at the floating World-Cleansing Golden Blood before him, his eyes full of wariness.
"How do you prove this isn't another one of your schemes?" he demanded outright.
"Bringing you together would bring me nothing but harm and no benefit," Laigushi replied calmly, his logic clear.
"But in this life, Khaslana has never answered my summons."
"Perhaps his mind has long since faded away; perhaps he remains lucid, still fighting the whispers of the Black Tide."
"Deep down, my only hope is that you and Lord Yan Huan can bring me an answer." A trace of anticipation entered his voice.
For a genius, curiosity and the urge to seek answers were instinctive.
After thinking for a moment, Dan Heng knew he had no other choice.
He slowly stepped forward, his gaze fixed firmly on that drop of World-Cleansing Golden Blood.
Its dazzling radiance reflected off his face, burning as fiercely as though Phainon's blazing will stood before him.
His gaze seemed to pierce through the golden light, seeing the friend who had once fought at his side.
"How long has it been for you?"
Dan Heng took a deep breath and called softly:
"...Phainon, I'm back."
He extended his hand, his fingertips reaching for the pulsing golden orb.
In an instant, the light flared brilliantly.
As though it had sensed Dan Heng's familiar presence, a majestic figure quietly emerged from within the golden radiance.
Phainon... or rather, Khaslana.
Brilliant wings, like those of a descending god, grew from his back. His once-white hair had been dyed the color of flowing gold. His features were resolute, yet his eyes were hollow as he floated silently before Dan Heng.
"Yan Huan... Dan Heng..." Khaslana called softly, his voice low and hoarse, as though it came from a distant horizon.
Looking