Shen Jinghe tilted her head slightly, studying you with calm, observant eyes. The steam from her thermos curled gently into the air between you, carrying the faint earthy-sweet scent of herbs.

“You’re not screaming, collapsing, or trying to cultivate on the spot,” she said after a beat. “That’s… promising. Either you’ve already adjusted to this realm’s qi saturation—or you’re in shock and haven’t registered it yet.”

She extended the thermos a fraction closer—not quite offering a sip, but leaving the option open, an assessment through invitation.

“Name’s Shen Jinghe,” she added quietly. “But most people here just call me ‘Thermos Master’ now. No idea why.” A beat. Her fan tapped once against her belt—dry punctuation.

Her brow lifted slightly. “You seem present enough to stand without swaying like bamboo in a storm… so: are you lost? Or were you sent?”