The Arrival of Shadow

Ling Xi's cold and clear word, "Okay," was like a gentle pluck on a taut bowstring, instantly turning the atmosphere in the area bizarre.

Xiao Ruobai and Fang Hanyu whipped their heads around to look at Ling Xi almost simultaneously, their eyes filled with disbelief and urgency.

Xiao Ruobai furrowed his brows tightly, his lips moving slightly as if wanting to voice his objection. This gray-robed elder was clearly taking advantage of their peril, and with his overbearing strength, making a deal with him was no different from asking a tiger for its skin!

However, when he saw Ling Xi's eyes, which remained as calm as a deep pool, he forcefully swallowed the questions that had reached the tip of his tongue.

Taking a deep breath, he slightly relaxed his grip on the Nine Heavens Dragon Soul Halberd, and his boiling God of War blood qi gradually calmed down.

Although he did not understand his junior sister's intentions, his trust in her made him choose to observe for now.

However, his gaze toward the gray-robed elder did not relax in the slightest. Instead, it grew sharper and more vigilant. Like a falcon locking onto its prey, his aura condensed, ready to launch a sudden attack at any moment.

Fang Hanyu did not speak, but his eyes clearly reflected a doubt similar to Xiao Ruobai's.

His fingertips remained pressed against the hilt of the Absolute Beginning Sword. Although his primal chaos sword intent had not fully erupted, it was like a hidden undercurrent in the abyss, drawn but not yet released.

Fatty Wang was not as composed as his two senior brothers. Terrified, he shrank his neck and hid behind Ling Xi, whispering, "This old geezer doesn't look like a good person at all. If we make a deal with him, what if he turns hostile and refuses to acknowledge it?"

Yet, facing her senior brothers' doubts and Fatty Wang's worries, Ling Xi's expression remained calm. She merely used her gaze to signal them to stay patient. Deep within those eyes, there seemed to hide a trace of imperceptible calculation.

Upon hearing Ling Xi's answer, the gray-robed elder opposite them was stunned for a moment. Soon after, an undisguised look of joy and a smug expression of having expected it bloomed on his face.

He naturally noticed the unrelenting vigilance of Xiao Ruobai and Fang Hanyu, but in his eyes, it was nothing more than the stubborn pride of youngsters trying to save face. It was harmless.

"Hahaha!"

The gray-robed elder let out a hearty laugh. The oppressive Half-Saint coercion surrounding him retracted significantly. He looked at Ling Xi, his eyes full of admiration.

"Little girl, good! Very good! As expected, you are the one who understands reason and knows the times! You are much better than these two reckless boys who only know how to fight and kill!"

He automatically ignored the murderous glares of Xiao Ruobai and Fang Hanyu, saying to himself, "Rest assured, my word is my bond! As long as you hand over the secondary token, I will guarantee your safety before the secret realm opens!"

His words were full of confidence, already treating the Seven Stars secondary token as an item in his pocket.

In his view, trading an opportunity to enter the Seven Stars Secret Realm for the close protection of a peak Quasi-Saint was already a massive blessing and opportunity for these juniors in the Celestial Realm!

No matter how mysterious the master behind them was, could they protect them every single moment? In this current crisis, did they have any other choice but to rely on him?

He calculated wishfully in his heart. As for whether this "protection" was sincere, or if he would find an excuse to leave after getting the secret token, or even...

A trace of greed, extremely hard to detect, flashed deep in his eyes.

After all, who knew if these juniors had other treasures on them? When the time came, whether to protect or plunder would be entirely up to his whim.

Meanwhile, several miles away, in a patch of shadow that had completely merged with the night.

Phantom Shadow stood with his hands behind his back. The aura of his Saint King Realm was perfectly concealed; even if an expert of the same tier were present, it would be extremely difficult to discover his existence.

He had arrived in this area earlier than originally planned, and he had come in person.

Normally, handing this kind of task over to subordinates would have been sufficient.

But this mission was personally assigned by the Chief Hall Master, Ling Canglan, whose tone seemed to show special attention to these young geniuses.

Phantom Shadow knew the Chief Hall Master's methods well. He vaguely felt that these people might have some unknown and important connection to the Chief Hall Master.

"The Chief Hall Master is personally paying attention... This matter cannot fail," Phantom Shadow muttered in his heart.

To ensure absolute safety and avoid any possible accidents, he decided to come and oversee things personally, acting as the final insurance.

His deep, abyss-like eyes had long taken in everything in the distant valley, from the arrival of the gray-robed elder, to Xiao Ruobai's refusal, and to Ling Xi's sudden agreement to the trade at this moment.

Like the most brilliant chess player, he calmly observed the movement of every piece on the board from behind the scenes.

When Ling Xi said okay, the brows beneath Phantom Shadow's mask twitched almost imperceptibly.

"This little girl... what trick is she trying to play?" he thought to himself.

With his discernment, he could naturally see that the gray-robed elder harbored ill intentions, and Ling Xi was definitely not someone who would genuinely compromise.

"Could it be... she noticed something? Or is this just her delaying tactic?"

Before Ling Xi could reply, the gray-robed elder opposite her was entirely immersed in the joy and conceit of the deal being reached.

He laughed loudly, "Little girl, since you have agreed, then be straightforward and hand the Seven Stars secondary token to me! Don't worry, with me here, I will definitely keep you safe!"

He reached out his hand, looking as if it were only natural, waiting for Ling Xi to present the token.

However, Ling Xi did not take out the token immediately.

She first tilted her head slightly, her gaze seemingly casually and extremely briefly sweeping over the distant, deep, and seemingly empty night sky—exactly the direction where Phantom Shadow and his subordinates were perfectly hidden!

Her gaze lacked focus; it was more like a vague perception and probing of potential danger based on a powerful spiritual sense. But it was this seemingly casual glance that made Phantom Shadow, several miles away, feel a sudden jolt in his heart!

"Hmm?!"

Phantom Shadow's brows furrowed sharply beneath his mask, and for the first time, true disbelief and astonishment appeared in his eyes!

Their concealment technique was an exclusive secret art of the Netherworld Palace, fusing shadow laws and spatial divine abilities. Separated by such a distance, it should have been absolutely impossible to spot any clues!

But this girl... the landing point of this seemingly casual glance had an astonishing overlap with his hiding spot!

"Did she... sense us?"

This thought flashed through Phantom Shadow's mind like lightning, causing his previously tranquil heart to ripple violently for the first time.

"How is this possible?! She is merely at the Celestial Realm!"

Although he could not be certain if Ling Xi had truly pinpointed them accurately, this near-instinctive perception of danger, which far exceeded common sense, left Phantom Shadow feeling unprecedentedly shocked.

The sharpness of this woman's spiritual sense was simply appalling! This was definitely no ordinary talent; she must have experienced unimaginable tempering or encountered a heaven-defying opportunity!

Just as Phantom Shadow's mind was reeling, Ling Xi in the valley had already retracted her gaze, as if she had merely been looking around casually just a moment ago.