"Shenyi…"
The name left Yan Zijin's lips in a breath, as if she couldn't believe it herself.
Xia Shenyi trembled and her lips parted, but no words came out.
Yan Zijin Master took a step forward. Then another.
And before Xia Shenyi could react, Yan Zijin closed the distance between them and pulled her into an embrace.
The world blurred.
Xia Shenyi felt her arms tighten around her as if afraid she would vanish again.
"You've returned," she whispered in relief.
"My foolish disciple… you've finally come home."
A choked sob escaped Xia Shenyi's lips as she buried her face into her Master's shoulder. "Master…"
Her voice cracked, and before she knew it, tears spilled down her cheeks "I—I'm back… I'm really back…"
Yan Zijin exhaled softly and her hand gently stroked Xia Shenyi's hair as she held her close. "I always knew you weren't dead," she murmured.