She paused. Her voice softened, yet it became even clearer. "I only hope that she... can live well. As long as she's alive, that's enough for me."
The old man grinned, revealing a set of yellowed but neat teeth. "Good! You have courage and loyalty. I like that."
Before the words had even faded, he raised his hand, palm up.
A beam of golden light was suddenly and violently ripped from Qiu Ye's chest, like a glowing thread torn away by an invisible hand.
The light quivered in the air for a moment before the old man closed his fist around it, and it vanished.
Immediately after, Lan Jin stepped forward.
Her steps were slow but exceedingly firm, her sea-blue hair drifting gently in the wind.
She looked up at the old man, her voice soft yet unyielding. "I'll trade my Ice Element ability."
