As Jian stood there, utterly confused and tense, the circular platform in front of him began to glow. Light spilled outward from the center, the hum growing louder. He instinctively took a half-step back, watching warily.
Then—small particles of light began to rise from the floor like fireflies. They floated gently, swirling upward, slowly gathering, clustering, shaping.
Jian's breath caught in his throat as the light began to take form—first a silhouette, then limbs, then features. It was like watching a 3D figure being printed in real time from glowing dust.
Long blond hair.
Pale, elegant face.
Sharp, symmetrical features.
And then—a blue gem. Not round, not perfect, but jagged and deep in hue, embedded in the man's forehead like a glowing irregular blueberry-sized crystal. It shimmered with depth and seemed almost alive.
Before Jian fully realized it, a man now stood in front of him. he was completely formed of light—but unmistakably detailed.
