Yun Ling stood amidst the crumbling world, her white robes pristine against the golden decay of reality. The soft glow around her intensified as she turned her gaze toward Qi Gang, whose massive Golden Qilin form was now barely more than fading embers.
"Thank you, Senior Qi," she said softly, her voice carrying across the battlefield like a gentle breeze. "For protecting them."
Qi Gang's golden eyes, dimming with each passing second, managed to focus on her. His massive body trembled, scales dissolving into motes of light.
"Yun... Ling..." His voice was a ragged whisper, strained with pain. "Don't... do this... You're... his last line... of defense..."
His words were heavy with meaning.
If Yun Ling fell here, there would be no one left strong enough to shield Yun Qianxue and the others from Nian Shi's schemes.
But Yun Ling only smiled—a serene, sorrowful smile.
"If I don't do this now," she murmured, "I will never get another chance."
