It's a sensation like being oppressed by a senior cultivator's qi, but the resemblance is only skin deep. Shen Qingqiu feels the weight of eyes, an uncountable number, staring and measuring, and with the knowledge of experience he can now trace the feeling back to Sims, the connection and the distinction from his own small, biological eyes. That thread of uncertainty grows, becoming the first rows in a tapestry of fear. He doesn't even have time to regret before the first words pop out of his mouth:

"It was in Jin Lan City. It was a major merchant's town, and yet it had been cut off from the outside world for weeks. Even the aerial approach was blocked by a powerful barrier. Representatives of two great sects had already entered, but they had yet to report back. Suspecting a plague, my junior martial brother, Mu Qingfang, asked for permission to enter the city in order to develop a cure, and our brother Liu Qingge insisted on accompanying him for his protection." The words flow from his lips all too easily; it takes an effort of will *not* to break in and interrupt them. He listens to himself explain, "A plague capable of inconveniencing so many cultivators would almost certainly be demonic in origin. If those who spread it remained in the city, Liu-shidi's martial skills would surely be needed. And I volunteered to go with as well, in order to contribute my my knowledge of demonic species and their habits to the search. But in truth, I was probably only allowed to go in order to keep me busy, for I was much give to depressive episodes and fugue states ever since I was separated from Luo Binghe."

He blanches, pressing his fingertips to his lips. That was...he'd barely articulated that to himself! It was much too embarrassing a thought to dwell on, much less share with another person!