The silence did not last long.
Tension spread faster than fear.
Everyone had seen it.
The unseen presence…
Had failed.
And I—
Stood untouched.
That fact alone—
Was enough to break the balance.
Su Yan moved first.
Slow.
Measured.
She stopped a few steps away from me.
Not too close.
Not too far.
Her eyes were calm.
But sharp.
Su Yan spoke softly. You can confront it.
Chen Xu looked at her.
Chen Xu answered. For now.
A brief pause.
Su Yan continued. Then you are the key.
The moment she said that—
Everything shifted.
Han Wei's gaze hardened.
Lin Yue's expression darkened.
Even the surrounding disciples—
Became tense.
System spoke calmly. Strategic value assigned to you has increased significantly.
Chen Xu remained still. As expected.
Han Wei stepped forward.
His aura slightly unstable, but his intent clear.
Han Wei spoke in a low voice. You will come with us.
Chen Xu glanced at him.
Chen Xu answered simply. No.
No hesitation.
No explanation.
Han Wei's expression turned cold.
Han Wei took another step. This is not a request.
Chen Xu looked at him calmly.
Chen Xu replied. I am aware.
Silence.
The air tightened.
Su Yan intervened.
She raised her hand slightly, stopping the escalation.
Su Yan spoke gently. Forcing him is not wise.
Han Wei frowned.
Han Wei glanced at her. And letting him roam freely is?
Su Yan did not answer immediately.
Her gaze shifted back to me.
Su Yan spoke softly. Then let him choose.
Chen Xu gave a faint smile.
Chen Xu responded. I already did.
Lin Yue stepped forward.
Lin Yue spoke firmly. Enough.
All attention turned to him.
Lin Yue looked between the two sides.
Lin Yue continued. Fighting here changes nothing.
A pause.
Lin Yue added. If that thing returns, none of us can deal with it alone.
Silence followed.
Even Han Wei did not argue.
Because it was true.
System spoke again. Temporary alliance probability increasing.
Chen Xu looked toward the distance. Temporary is enough.
Su Yan exhaled softly.
Su Yan spoke. Then we cooperate.
Han Wei remained silent for a moment.
Then—
He nodded once.
Lin Yue relaxed slightly.
But only slightly.
Because everyone knew—
This alliance was fragile.
And centered on one point.
Me.
Chen Xu shifted his gaze across all of them.
Chen Xu spoke calmly. If you want to cooperate, then listen.
No one interrupted.
Good.
Chen Xu continued. That thing is not simply removing targets.
A brief pause.
Chen Xu added. It is testing responses.
Su Yan narrowed her eyes.
Su Yan spoke quietly. Then it will adapt faster.
Chen Xu nodded.
Chen Xu replied. Yes.
Han Wei crossed his arms.
Han Wei spoke. Then we strike first.
Chen Xu shook his head.
Chen Xu answered. You cannot strike something you cannot define.
Silence.
Lin Yue spoke slowly. Then how do we proceed?
Chen Xu looked at him.
Chen Xu answered calmly. We force it to reveal more.
System responded. High risk.
Chen Xu ignored it.
Chen Xu continued. It reacts to uncertainty, fear, and focus.
Su Yan nodded slightly.
Su Yan spoke. Then we recreate the conditions.
Chen Xu gave a faint smile.
Chen Xu replied. Exactly.
Han Wei frowned.
Han Wei spoke coldly. Using villagers again is unacceptable.
Chen Xu looked at him.
Chen Xu answered. I did not say villagers.
Silence.
A realization.
Slow.
Then—
Heavy.
Lin Yue's grip tightened.
Lin Yue spoke in a low voice. You mean us.
Chen Xu met his gaze.
Chen Xu nodded once.
Chen Xu replied calmly. Yes.
The atmosphere turned sharp.
Even Su Yan went silent.
System noted increased resistance.
Chen Xu remained calm.
Chen Xu spoke again. It has already begun targeting stronger individuals.
A brief pause.
Chen Xu added. Avoiding it will not stop it.
Han Wei clenched his jaw.
Su Yan closed her eyes briefly.
Thinking.
Lin Yue did not look away.
Several breaths passed.
Then—
Su Yan spoke first.
Su Yan opened her eyes. If we do this, we control the variables.
Chen Xu nodded.
Chen Xu replied. That is the only advantage we have.
Han Wei remained silent.
Then—
He spoke.
Han Wei's voice was low. Fine.
Lin Yue followed.
Lin Yue nodded once. Agreed.
The decision was made.
Not because they trusted me.
But because—
They had no better option.
Chen Xu turned slightly.
Chen Xu spoke calmly. Then we begin.
The wind slowed.
The air grew heavy again.
System spoke softly. It is already watching.
Chen Xu smiled faintly.
Chen Xu replied. Good.
Because this time—
I was not waiting.
I was inviting.
Far beyond perception—
Something shifted.
Not hesitant.
Not distant.
Closer.
Interested.
Chen Xu narrowed his eyes slightly.
Chen Xu spoke quietly. Come.
And for the first time—
The unseen presence responded immediately.
A fracture—
Formed.
Right in front of all of us.
Closer than ever before.
And this time—
It did not hesitate.