Her eyes widened in shock as the figure standing in the doorway came into view.
It was Qiao Jun.
The real Qiao Jun.
He leaned casually against the frame, his expression a mix of mockery and indifference.
His voice carried the same tone that once brought her joy but now filled her with dread.
"You went to all this trouble for me," he continued, stepping into the chamber with a slow, deliberate gait. "I'm touched, really."
Vivian gasped, her eyes darting between the figure in the doorway and the one lying on the ground.
"How—how is this possible?" she stammered, her voice rising in hysteria.
"You… you're here, but…" She pointed at the jelly-like body with trembling hands. "What is that?"
Celestial Master Huo's eyes narrowed, her sharp mind quickly assessing the situation.
"An illusion," she muttered, her voice dripping with venom. "A decoy designed to waste my time."