403: Chapter 43 Silver Silk

With a single glance, he saw through Qin Yan and Xiao Wangshu's true cultivation levels at the Fourth Rank Peak.

He could also sense the majestic potential and unique auras within their bodies that far exceeded those of the same rank.

“Cang Hai,” Black Whale’s gaze shifted to Cang Hai, who was still kneeling on the ground, his tone indifferent. “Is that little girl the granddaughter of that old fogey Xiao Shan?”

Hearing this, a fawning smile appeared on Cang Hai's face as he hurriedly pointed at Xiao Wangshu and said, “Lord Black Whale is wise!"

“This girl is indeed Xiao Shan's biological granddaughter, Xiao Wangshu!"

“Her talent is monstrous, and she is deeply loved by Xiao Shan, treated as the pearl of his palm!"

“If she can be captured alive, it will surely make Xiao Shan hesitate to act. At a critical moment, she might become an important pawn to balance or even severely wound Xiao Shan!”

Upon hearing this, Black Whale slowly raised his right hand, his fingers gently brushing over the hideous sword scar on his cheek.

This sword scar was precisely the ‘souvenir’ Xiao Shan had left him.

The sword intent within it was like a maggot in the bone, burning his flesh day and night; even now, he had not been able to completely dispel it.

“Cang Hai, you have done very well this time. This ‘line’ has been buried for so many years, and today it has finally caught a ‘fish’ of sufficient weight."

“When our clan’s army breaks through the human defensive line here, you shall have the primary merit!"

“The resources and status our clan promised you will not be lacking by a single bit.”

He paused, looking at the excitement and longing that instantly erupted in Cang Hai's eyes, and slowly added: “Furthermore, I personally promise you one more thing."

“As for that Princess ‘Jing Lin’ you’ve been pining for, once the matter is settled, I will personally step in to facilitate the union between you two.”

“Thank you, Lord Black Whale! Thank you for your grace, Lord Black Whale!”

Cang Hai trembled with excitement, kowtowing repeatedly, his voice cracking from extreme exhilaration. “This subordinate will certainly exert every effort for the great cause of the Dragon Whale Clan and for Lord Black Whale, even if it means being ground to dust!”

Listening to the unshielded conversation between the two, Qin Yan and Xiao Wangshu felt a chill rush from the soles of their feet straight to the crowns of their heads!

Betrayal!

Cang Hai, this human Sixth Rank military officer, a key figure responsible for supporting student deployment, was actually a traitor planted by the Dragon Whale Clan!

A mole!

And judging by his words, this ‘line’ had been buried for a long time!

And the two of them, especially Xiao Wangshu, had actually become “important prey” carefully planned to be used against Great Grandmaster Xiao Shan, and perhaps even influence the course of the war!

Qin Yan's heart felt cold.

He had thought it was just an ill-intentioned private summons, at most some sordid personal scheme of Cang Hai's.

He never expected to directly stumble upon such a shocking plot of betrayal, much less face a newly ascended Eighth-Rank Grandmaster from the enemy camp!

This could no longer be described as “bad luck”; it was practically being teleported directly to the final BOSS's lair right after leaving the starter village!

At this moment, he was firmly locked down by Black Whale’s aura, which was as vast as an abyss.

The pressure, originating from an absolute disparity in life levels, was like a physical shackle, pinning him firmly in place.

“Very well, I shall take these two human youngsters first.”

He knew the risks of venturing so close to the human coastline, even deep into the flanks of the defensive line.

The energy fluctuations of an Eighth-Rank Grandmaster were immense; even if he tried his best to restrain them, it would be difficult to completely hide from experts of the same rank.

Especially Xiao Shan, who was stationed in Zhenhai City.

At this moment, the human upper echelons might have already sensed his aura and were rushing over at top speed.

But he was not afraid.

With these two exceptionally talented youngsters in hand—especially the granddaughter that old fogey Xiao Shan valued more than his own life—

The humans would be hesitant to act. Who would dare to make a move against him?

This was his greatest reliance for daring to risk himself personally.

By seizing the opponent's weakness, he held the initiative.

Even if other human Great Grandmasters arrived, with Xiao Wangshu and Qin Yan's safety directly threatened,

They would bound to be constrained and might even be forced to make compromises.

As for why he came personally instead of sending other Seventh Rank or lower-ranked clansmen to perform this capture mission?

The reason was simple.

First, absolute crushing strength.

An Eighth-Rank Grandmaster had already begun to touch the rules of heaven and earth, able to channel the power of the world with a single thought.

They possessed absolute suppression over martial artists below the Eighth Rank.

If he sent others, even if they successfully captured the hostages, if they encountered an intercepting human expert, the hostages would provide no deterrent in the face of an absolute strength gap.

Instead, they might be easily taken back.

Only by acting personally could he ensure that nothing would go wrong.

Even if Xiao Shan himself arrived, he had enough means and confidence to contend and negotiate.

Second, and most crucially—personal grudge.

The scar on his cheek, which tortured him day and night and contained Xiao Shan's supreme sword intent, was the best reason and motivation.

Capturing Xiao Shan's granddaughter with his own hands would not only strike at Xiao Shan's state of mind to the greatest extent and satisfy his pleasure of revenge,

But it would also demonstrate his determination and ability to his clan.

At the same time, if he could force Xiao Shan to make certain compromises or concessions, his prestige within the clan would rise to another level.

For both public and private reasons, he was the best candidate to execute this mission.

As these thoughts flashed through his mind, Black Whale delayed no longer.

He raised his large hand, covered in fine black scales, and slowly closed his fingers.

“Whoosh—!”

The dense water vapor in the surrounding air was instantly extracted and condensed.

It transformed into a giant water palm, dozens of meters wide, deep blue and translucent yet incredibly solid!

It slowly closed in to grab Qin Yan and Xiao Wangshu, who were locked down by the pressure!

Before the palm even arrived, Qin Yan felt as if the space around him had turned into a viscous, heavy, deep-sea cold current.

Seeing this, just as Qin Yan was preparing to use his trump card—

At this critical juncture!

A sudden change occurred!

“Hum—”

A cold, soft, hazy moonlight fell from above!

The moonlight was not an attack, but rather like a layer of the thinnest yet toughest silk veil.

It instantly expanded, forming a circular light shield about ten meters in diameter.

It enveloped Xiao Wangshu and the nearby Qin Yan together!

“Boom!”

Almost at the same moment the light shield formed, the giant deep-blue water palm condensed by Black Whale slammed hard against the moonlight shield!

The expected scene of the shield shattering and the two being captured did not appear.

Instead, the seemingly fragile light shield vibrated violently, its surface rippling with silver waves.

The giant palm's fingers closed, making a crashing sound of compression, yet it remained unable to truly break through that thin barrier of moonlight!

The terrifying pressure on Qin Yan suddenly lightened. Although it hadn't completely vanished, he at least regained his ability to move.

He abruptly looked up, following the source of the moonlight.

He saw a Silver Silk Ribbon, about ten meters above Xiao Wangshu's head, fluttering on its own without any wind.