Aric stood in the heart of the ancient chamber, the faint glow of the Seraphic Lotus now subdued as it nestled safely within his grasp. The chamber was dimly lit, its walls etched with the remnants of a forgotten civilization, and the air was thick with the weight of centuries-old secrets. With a satisfied smirk, Aric withdrew a small communication talisman from his robes, its surface shimmering with a soft, otherworldly light. Activating it with a thought, he connected to Zhen Wei.
"Zhen Wei," Aric's voice was calm, yet there was an underlying current of authority that could not be ignored. "Report your location. And where is your sister?"
Zhen Wei's voice crackled through the talisman, laced with a mix of respect and nervousness. "Master Aric, we are in the northern quadrant of the ruins, near the Valley of Sorrow. Zhen Yu is with us, but she has been uneasy since we arrived."
