220: The Shadow Arrives

Ling Xi's cool and clear 'Alright' was like a gentle pluck on a taut bowstring, instantly making the atmosphere in the field eerie.

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

Xiao Ruobai's brows were tightly furrowed, and his lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to voice an objection. This Gray-Robed Old Man was clearly taking advantage of the situation, and his strength was so formidable; making a deal with him was no different from playing with fire!

However, when he saw Ling Xi's eyes, still as calm as a deep pool, the doubt that had reached his lips was forcibly swallowed back.

He took a deep breath, his hand gripping the Nine Heavens Dragon Soul Halberd relaxed slightly, and his boiling Battle God blood Qi slowly subsided.

Although he didn't understand his Junior Sister's intention, his trust in her led him to choose to observe for now.

However, his gaze towards the Gray-Robed Old Man did not slacken; instead, it became even sharper and more vigilant, like a hawk staring at its prey, his aura condensed, ready to erupt at any moment.

Fang Hanyu didn't speak, but his eyes clearly reflected a similar question to Xiao Ruobai's.

His fingertips still rested on the hilt of the Primordial Sword, and the Chaos Sword Intent, though not fully unleashed, was like an undercurrent hidden in the abyss, ready to strike.

Wang Xiaopang wasn't as composed as his two Senior Brothers; he shrank his neck in fright, hiding behind Ling Xi, and whispered, "This old man clearly isn't a good person. If we make a deal with him, what if he turns hostile?"

However, Ling Xi's expression remained calm in the Face of her Senior Brothers' doubts and Wang Xiaopang's worries. She merely gestured with her eyes for them to calm down, and deep within her gaze, a hint of undetectable calculation seemed to lurk.

The Gray-Robed Old Man opposite, after hearing Ling Xi's reply, first froze for a moment, then his Face instantly blossomed with unconcealed joy and a 'just as I expected' smugness.

He naturally noticed that Xiao Ruobai and Fang Hanyu had not relaxed their vigilance, but in his opinion, this was merely the stubbornness of young people trying to save Face, harmless in the grand scheme of things.

"Hahahaha!"

The Gray-Robed Old Man let out a hearty laugh, and the oppressive quasi-Saint King Realm pressure around him receded considerably. He looked at Ling Xi, his eyes full of admiration.

"Little girl, good! Very good! You truly are sensible and understand the situation! Much better than these two reckless youngsters who only know how to fight!"

He automatically ignored Xiao Ruobai and Fang Hanyu's almost murderous gazes and continued to speak to himself, "Don't worry, this Venerable One's word is his bond! As long as you hand over the sub-token, this old man will guarantee your safety before the Secret Realm opens!"

His words were full of confidence, already considering the Seven Star Sub-Token as good as his.

In his opinion, an Opportunity to enter the Seven Star Secret Realm in exchange for the personal protection of a Peak quasi-Saint King Realm expert was already a huge blessing and Opportunity for these Heavenly Human Realm juniors!

No matter how mysterious their Revered Master was, could he protect them at all times? In this current crisis, besides relying on this old man, did they have any other choice?

He was calculating 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 almost imperceptible greed flashed deep in his eyes.

After all, who knew if these juniors had other treasures on them? At that time, whether to protect or to seize, wouldn't it all be up to his will?

At the same time, several miles away, in a shadow completely merged with the night.

Youying stood with his hands behind his back, his Saint King Realm aura perfectly restrained. Even a strong expert of the same cultivation level would find it extremely difficult to detect his presence.

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

Originally, such a task could have been handled by his subordinates.

But this mission was personally given by Grand Hall Master Ling Canglan, and his tone seemed to indicate an unusual concern for these young Prodigies.

Youying knew the Grand Hall Master's methods well. He vaguely felt that these individuals probably had some unknown important connection to the Grand Hall Master.

"The Grand Hall Master's personal concern... This matter must not go wrong," Youying murmured to himself.

To ensure foolproof success and avoid any possible accidents, he decided to personally come and oversee the situation, acting as the final insurance.

His eyes, deep as an abyss, had already taken in everything in the distant valley, from the Gray-Robed Old Man's arrival, to Xiao Ruobai's refusal, and now Ling Xi's sudden agreement to the 'deal'.

He was like the most skilled chess player, calmly observing the movement of every piece on the board from behind the scenes.

When Ling Xi said 'Alright', Youying's brow under his mask twitched almost imperceptibly.

"What trick is this little girl trying to play?" he thought to himself.

With his eyesight, he could naturally tell that the Gray-Robed Old Man had ill intentions, and Ling Xi was by no means someone who would truly compromise.

"Could it be... she sensed something? Or is this just a delaying tactic?"

Before Ling Xi could reply, the Gray-Robed Old Man opposite was already completely immersed in the joy and conceit of the 'deal being struck'.

He laughed loudly, "Little girl, since you've agreed, then be straightforward and hand over the Seven Star Sub-Token to this old man! Don't worry, with this old man here, I will surely protect you!"

He stretched out his hand, looking as if it was his due, waiting for Ling Xi to present the token.

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

She first turned her head slightly, her gaze seemingly inadvertently, and for an extremely brief moment, swept across the distant, deep, seemingly empty night sky—precisely the direction where Youying and his subordinates were perfectly hidden!

Her gaze had no focus; it was more like a vague perception and test of potential danger based on powerful spiritual intuition. But it was this seemingly casual glance that made Youying, several miles away, suddenly feel a chill in his heart!

"Hmm?!"

Youying's brow under his mask furrowed sharply, and for the first time, a truly incredulous look appeared in his eyes!

Their concealment technique was a unique secret art of the Netherworld Hall, a Fusion of Shadow Law and spatial Divine Ability. At such a distance, it should be impossible to detect any trace!

But this girl... this seemingly casual glance, its landing point, surprisingly overlapped with his hiding place!

"She... sensed us?"

This thought flashed through Youying's mind like lightning, causing ripples to appear in his calm heart for the first time.

"How is this possible?! She is only at the Heavenly Human Realm cultivation level!"

Although he couldn't confirm whether Ling Xi had truly pinpointed their location, this extraordinary, almost instinctive sense of danger shocked Youying like never before.

The keenness of this girl's spiritual perception was simply terrifying! This was by no means ordinary talent; she must have experienced unimaginable tempering or had a Heaven-Defying Opportunity!

Just as Youying's mind was shaken, Ling Xi in the valley had already withdrawn her gaze, as if she had merely been casually looking around.