Wang Jian stepped back into the vast, steam-filled cavern, the faint, sweet scent of the consumed Verdant Eternal Spring Essence clinging subtly to him, a secret vitality now woven into his being. His fresh grey outer sect robes felt clean, a stark contrast to the tattered, blood-soaked ones he had discarded.
Yue Lingshan, her Verdant Willow Blade still held loosely, her veiled gaze sharp, offered a subtle nod of acknowledgement. "Junior Brother Wang, your 'exploration' seems to have been… thorough."
Liu Ruyan, her ethereal temperament now imbued with a distinct fiery spark from the absorbed Blood Spirit Flame, also turned. The last ember of the flame on the obsidian pedestal had winked out, its power now residing within her. "Senior Brother Wang, we were just discussing the potency of the residual energies here. Your return is timely."
