"How did you survive?" Qingyin stuttered as she queried.
Shen Lian ingested the spiritual fruit and smiled, "Who says I'm still alive?"
Only then did Qingyin realize that despite his usual appearance, Shen Lian was emitting gentle starlight all over, and his body seemed to be slightly transparent. If one were to stare hard enough, one would be able to see the river behind him.
Shen Lian was hollow, and she failed to notice that earlier because the starlight blurred him out.
Huanzhen took a seat opposite of Shen Lian while Qingyin sat in seiza by the side. She brought out a pot of wine and filled both of their cups.
Huanzhen looked at Shen Lian and smiled. He spoke, "In the past, I have run through countless possibilities, but I did not think that one day both of us could sit in peace and have a drink."