Ningyan's breath caught. His hands instinctively grabbed at the wrist around his neck but it didn't move.
Lan Yunlai tilted his head slightly, studying him. "Though… I'm certain I've seen you before."
A faint smile curved his lips. "At the Celestial Beast Academy. During the Dance of Dragons Festival."
His grip tightened just enough to make Ningyan gasp. "Who would have thought… you would become family?"
Ningyan gritted his teeth. His gaze snapped away, searching desperately. And then he saw him.
Jun Yongrui.
The dragon beast king had broken away, a glowing steel grey sword materializing in his grasp, his target clear.
Jun Haoxuan.... Who was still locked in combat with Lan Tianheng. He was distracted.
Ningyan's eyes widened. "No—!"
The word never left his mouth.
Lan Yunlai's grip tightened sharply, cutting off his voice and his breath.
His vision flickered.
