Chapter 105 (Continued): Shadows in the Sanctuary – The Spy Among Us

The great doors creaked open, golden light spilling into the chamber as Ye Yue stepped in first, her presence like moonlight against the tension. Lanmei followed, her divine aura sharp and alert, one hand already resting near the hidden blade on her waist.

Both women froze the moment they saw the stranger standing near Chen.

"Who is she?" Lanmei's voice was a whipcrack.

Ye Yue's eyes glowed faintly as divine sense scanned the woman's soul. Her voice dropped into a dangerous calm. "She bears divine essence. But not one of ours."

"She's a spy," Chen said plainly. "From the Court of Chains. But she says she wants to help us."

Lanmei immediately stepped forward, defensive aura flaring. "So she gets to walk freely in here? In our sanctuary?"

Sarina didn't flinch under the scrutiny, though her fingers twitched at her sides. "If I wanted you dead, I'd have passed that message on to my masters days ago—when he first awakened the Soulflame Unison. But I didn't."

Ye Yue moved closer to Chen, eyes never leaving Sarina. "You don't betray a court like that without consequence. What are you risking just standing here?"

"My soul," Sarina replied quietly. "And maybe what's left of it."

There was a beat of silence. Then Lanmei turned to Chen, her voice taut with restrained emotion. "You're not seriously considering trusting her, are you?"

"I'm considering options," Chen replied. "Because the gods have spies everywhere. And she knows how they operate. That's worth listening to."

Ye Yue finally turned to Chen, her tone gentler. "If she lies, I'll know. Let me search her thoughts. Not with violence—just truth."

Sarina nodded. "Do it."

Ye Yue closed the distance and pressed two fingers to the spy's temple, silver light flowing from her fingertips. Sarina inhaled sharply, then stilled.

Moments passed.

Then Ye Yue exhaled slowly and stepped back.

"She's telling the truth," she said softly. "She hates what her court has become. She wants to help you, Chen. Even if it kills her."

Chen lowered his hand at last.

Lanmei still looked furious, but something in her shoulders relaxed. "Then we use her. And the moment she steps out of line—"

"She won't," Ye Yue interrupted. "Because something's changed in her. Just like it did in us."

Sarina finally looked at Chen again. "You asked me why I want to help you. The truth is… I think the old gods have failed us. You—" she hesitated, "—you might be something new. Something better."

Chen said nothing at first. Then he turned to Ye Yue and Lanmei.

"Keep her close. Don't trust her completely… but don't push her away."

He glanced toward the Soulflame still dancing above his palm.

"The divine war is shifting. If we want to win, we'll need more than just strength. We'll need every thread of rebellion we can gather."