Her presence carried both warmth and authority, a balance between familial affection and the quiet power of a cultivator in her prime.
Her fiery hair cascaded down her back like a blazing waterfall, and her eyes softened as they landed on Shen Yuan.
"You've been busy," she said, her tone a mix of fondness and mock reproach. "Running off outside the sect without a word? I had to hear about it from one of the disciples."
Shen Yuan chuckled as he turned to face her. "I didn't want to disturb your cultivation. Besides, I got back to the sect without any trouble. Isn't that what matters?"
Huo Rong crossed her arms, her expression slightly stern but with a hint of amusement. "It matters when you overwork yourself. Do you realize how much you've taken on recently? Tribulations, sect politics, preparing for the Aurora Zone Competition—you're pushing yourself too hard."
