Chapter 89: Guardian
The spiritual pressure lifted as suddenly as it had appeared, leaving us all gasping for breath. My legs nearly gave out as I slumped against the wall. I could feel my heart pounding as if I'd just run up Azure Peak without using qi. Even breathing felt like an accomplishment.
"Everyone okay?" I managed to ask between breaths.
Wei Lin was already pushing himself up from where he'd been bracing against the table, his hands still shook slightly as he straightened his robes. "I'm fine. Lin Mei?"
She nodded from her position on the floor, her face pale as she gathered herself. "That was... intense."
Liu Chen hadn't moved from his spot against the wall, his eyes wide and unfocused. I made my way over to him on unsteady legs, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Hey buddy, you with us?"
He jumped at the contact but then seemed to come back to himself. "What... what was that?" His voice was barely a whisper.
"That," Wei Lin said, finally regaining some of his usual composure, "was the Way Station Guardian making their presence known."
"Guardian?" Liu Chen's brow furrowed in confusion. "Like Rocky?"
"Not exactly," Wei Lin smiled slightly. "Each major Way Station has a Stellar Realm cultivator assigned as its guardian. They usually stay hidden, only revealing themselves when something serious happens."