Days after the battle, as Lin Tian recovered, a new presence arrived in Azure Valley—a woman dressed in flowing white robes with silver embroidery. Her long, silvery hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her eyes held an icy sharpness.
"I am Xia Ling, envoy of the White Lotus Sect," she announced, her voice calm yet commanding. "I've come to find the one who wields the Dragon's Heart."
Lin Tian stepped forward cautiously. "And what does the White Lotus Sect want with me?"
Xia Ling's gaze was piercing. "The power you possess is both a blessing and a curse. The Abyssal Order is not your only enemy. Forces beyond your understanding are watching, waiting for the right moment to strike."
"Then why are you here?" Su Lan asked, stepping protectively beside Lin Tian.
"To warn you," Xia Ling replied. "And to offer my help. The White Lotus Sect has no love for the Abyssal Order. If we join forces, we might stand a chance against what's coming."
Lin Tian studied her carefully. There was no deception in her aura, but her presence complicated things. He already felt the strain of balancing his relationships with Zhao Yue and Su Lan. Adding Xia Ling to the mix would only make things more difficult.
But the stakes were too high to ignore her offer. "Fine," Lin Tian said. "If you can help us, you're welcome to stay."
Xia Ling nodded, her expression unreadable. "You've made a wise choice. But be warned—the road ahead will test your resolve and your heart."