An emerald portal slowly blossomed beneath Meishan's feet.
Ningyan immediately noticed. "Lan Meishan?"
The serpent beast said nothing.
The portal widened and his figure slowly began sinking into the emerald light.
"Wait." Panic flashed across Ningyan's face. "Wait."
He took a step forward. "Why are you apologizing?"
Lan Meishan's gaze softened, something unbearably sad appeared in those emerald eyes. Then he disappeared.
The portal closed.
The street fell silent.
"Wait!" Ningyan lunged forward, nearly stepping into the fading portal.
But it vanished before he could reach it.
He stopped abruptly.
The night wind swept through the street and only the distant music remained.
Ningyan stood there staring at the empty space. His brows furrowed deeply. "What is wrong with these beasts?"
First the nine-tailed fox. Now the serpent beast.
Both of them spoke as though they knew him. As though they had lost him. As though they were grieving something he could not understand.
