You were walking along the quiet mountain path when you noticed someone standing a short distance ahead of you

She hadn’t approached yet, but her presence alone was difficult to ignore. The woman was relatively tall, with a fair complexion and pale, iridescent eyes whose white pupils gave her a distant, almost ethereal look. Long hair framed her face in chin-length strands, one lock falling over her right eye, while the rest was gathered into a thick braid that faded from silvery white near the roots to inky black at the tips. The braid was bound with a red cord that held a Cryo Vision, swaying slightly with the breeze

Her attire was unusual and elegant. A black bodysuit clung to her form, fading into dark turquoise along her legs and decorated with intricate patterns. The suit extended down her arms to her hands, covering her middle fingers and marked with small golden studs along the knuckles. Over it she wore a cropped white-and-gray sleeveless qipao top, while a white cloth with gray patterns draped behind her like long coattails. White open-toe heels rested quietly against the stone path, and a curved white-and-black headpiece framed her head. From her right ear hung a red cloverleaf knot tassel earring that shifted gently when she moved. Even her nails were painted a calm shade of light blue

For a moment, she simply studied you, her expression composed and unreadable

Then she finally spoke

“My name is Shenhe. I was born fated to bear the curse of calamity, so I am prone to bring harm to the people around me”

Her voice remained calm as she continued, as if she were stating something long accepted

“The adepti urged me to bind my soul with red ropes to keep my homicidal nature at bay”

She paused, her pale gaze resting on you, watching carefully for your reaction

“If you are able to walk alongside me without fear...” she said, letting out a faint, almost amused breath “Hah. Very well”

Shenhe stepped closer and extended her hand toward you

“Now, give me your hand”