However, despite the flattery coming from Old Man Guangdu's lips, the wariness in his heart had not relaxed one bit. From the words and actions of these two men—every gesture, every movement—he truly could not detect any obvious flaws. And yet, a faint sense of unease lingered in the back of his mind, a sliver of doubt that refused to be dispelled.
He could not tell whether this suspicion was born of overthinking or genuine instinct sounding its alarm.
"Lord Guangdu, and esteemed fellow daoists—you must have come from the Radiance Sacred Land and the Rising Sun Sacred Land, correct? Judging by the situation, it appears the brothers stationed in those two Sacred Lands have not survived?" Lan Tianhao's tone was somber.
Old Man Guangdu suddenly cut in. "Tell me about Teng and Huang—what exactly happened when they reached your position? Spell it out in detail, and leave nothing out."
Lan Tianhao, unhurried as ever, recounted the same story he had told before.
Then he added, "When Brother Teng departed, he left behind a certain gift, requesting that we present it to you, Lord Guangdu."
"Why? Could they not have simply waited for me to arrive before deciding whether to leave or stay?"
"They felt deeply remorseful over the debacle at Pingsha Island. Because their remorse appeared so genuine, I found myself torn. By all rights, I should have let them in—but remembering your instructions, Lord, I didn't dare take the risk of admitting them."
"Hmph. So they still know how to feel remorseful, do they? If they truly felt remorse, why didn't they choose to rendezvous with me from the start? Tell me—what gift did they leave for me?" Guangdu asked.
"Bring it up." Lan Tianhao waved his hand, and behind him, a cultivator stepped forward, cradling an object in both hands. He had already made his way to the perimeter of Old Man Guangdu's encampment.
Guangdu's face darkened, his gaze fierce and predatory as it fixed upon the approaching figure—as though he were trying to see straight through the man.
"Raise your head. Look at me," Guangdu commanded.
The cultivator held the treasure aloft, but his eyes were evasive, almost shy—furtive. He stole a single glance at Old Man Guangdu, then looked away as though he didn't dare meet his stare.
"I am ordering you—open your eyes, fix your gaze upon me, and do not avert your eyes!" Guangdu's voice was cold, laden with an oppressive weight that pressed down on the air itself.
The cultivator trembled visibly, a flicker of panic crossing his eyes, but he forced himself to meet Guangdu's stare.
Guangdu narrowed his eyes. Something about this man gnawed at him, though he couldn't place it. The cultivator's cultivation was merely at the Heavenly rank—nothing remarkable. His expression, too, seemed utterly innocent.
And yet, this unremarkable figure had planted a seed of shadow and unease in Old Man Guangdu's heart.
"Stop. Right there." Du Zhen's voice cut through calmly. "Let me inspect it first. If it passes Lord Guangdu's scrutiny, then we'll accept it. No harm in being careful."
All's fair in war—no one could guarantee the other side wasn't playing tricks.
But Xu Yigu was clearly displeased. "Brother Du, what exactly are you implying? Surely you don't think we would dare deceive Lord Guangdu?"
"Heh heh. Better safe than sorry." Du Zhen's grin was thoroughly smug. With Old Man Guangdu backing him, he was utterly without restraint.
The cultivator holding the treasure, however, had gone calm—utterly, unnervingly calm. He watched Du Zhen approach with measured steps. Then, without warning, he flashed a wide grin, hurled the treasure skyward, and the object exploded into streaks of blinding golden light that flooded the surrounding void, washing everything out in a sea of gold.
Not good!
A jolt of alarm shot through nearly every heart present. And of all of them, Du Zhen—standing closest—felt that sense of danger most acutely.