No one relaxed.
Not after that clash.
The fracture was gone.
But its presence—
Remained.
Closer.
Sharper.
Watching.
I stood where the distortion collapsed.
Still.
Unharmed.
That alone—
Was enough to tilt everything.
Han Wei broke the silence.
His voice low, controlled, but edged with hostility. You are drawing it toward us.
I glanced at him.
Chen Xu answered calmly. It was already here.
Han Wei did not accept it.
He stepped forward.
Han Wei spoke again. Then why does it focus on you?
Silence.
Su Yan did not intervene this time.
Lin Yue did not speak either.
They were waiting.
Good.
Chen Xu looked at Han Wei.
Chen Xu replied simply. Because I respond.
A pause.
Chen Xu added. And you do not.
Han Wei's expression hardened.
His aura rose slightly.
But he stopped himself.
Control.
Barely.
System observed quietly. Internal conflict increasing.
Chen Xu ignored it.
Su Yan stepped forward.
Her voice softer, but sharper than before. You understand its behavior better than any of us.
Chen Xu did not deny it.
Su Yan continued. Which means…
She paused.
Then finished. You decide how dangerous this becomes.
Silence.
That was the first true accusation.
Lin Yue finally spoke.
His tone steady. That is not entirely wrong.
Han Wei turned toward him.
Han Wei frowned. You agree with her?
Lin Yue did not hesitate.
Lin Yue answered. I agree that he is the variable.
All eyes returned to me.
System spoke. Strategic classification updated. You are now the central factor.
Chen Xu gave a faint smile. Finally.
I took a step forward.
The reaction was immediate.
All three shifted subtly.
Prepared.
Not for the unseen thing—
For me.
Good.
Chen Xu spoke calmly. If I were the problem, you would already be gone.
Silence.
No one argued.
Because they could not.
Su Yan exhaled slowly.
Su Yan spoke. Then prove it.
Chen Xu tilted his head slightly.
Chen Xu asked. How?
Su Yan's gaze sharpened.
Su Yan answered. Stop interfering.
A pause.
Su Yan continued. Let it act without you.
The meaning was clear.
Test the difference.
Han Wei nodded slightly.
Lin Yue did not object.
System spoke. Risk level extremely high.
Chen Xu considered briefly.
Then—
Chen Xu nodded once. Fine.
Silence deepened.
The decision was made.
I stepped back.
Not far.
But enough.
Void Eyes—
Inactive.
Completely.
For the first time since arriving—
I did nothing.
The air shifted.
Subtle at first.
Then—
The pressure returned.
Stronger.
Colder.
More decisive.
System spoke immediately. Targeting behavior resumed.
Chen Xu watched quietly.
Chen Xu spoke inwardly. Let it show.
The fracture formed.
Faster than before.
No hesitation.
It chose—
Han Wei.
Again.
His expression darkened.
Han Wei reacted instantly.
His aura surged.
But this time—
There was no interference.
No disruption.
The fracture connected.
Immediately.
His body trembled.
More violently than before.
Faster.
Less stable.
Han Wei clenched his teeth.
Han Wei forced his voice out. This… is different…
Su Yan stepped forward instinctively.
Lin Yue raised his sword.
But neither moved closer.
Because they understood—
They could not help.
Han Wei's arm vanished.
Then his shoulder.
Faster than before.
System spoke. No resistance effect detected.
Chen Xu narrowed his eyes slightly.
Chen Xu observed. It refines efficiency when unopposed.
Han Wei's breathing became chaotic.
His body flickered.
Unstable.
Su Yan's voice lowered. This will not end well.
Lin Yue remained silent.
Watching.
Learning.
Good.
Han Wei was half gone.
Barely holding on.
Then—
The fracture paused.
For a fraction of a moment.
Chen Xu's eyes sharpened.
Chen Xu spoke quietly. It hesitates again.
System confirmed. External variable detected.
Su Yan noticed it.
Her gaze shifted—
Toward me.
Lin Yue followed.
Silence.
They understood.
Even without acting—
My presence alone—
Was affecting it.
Han Wei struggled to breathe.
His remaining form unstable.
Chen Xu stepped forward.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Su Yan did not stop me.
Lin Yue did not speak.
They were waiting.
For the answer.
Chen Xu stopped.
Close enough.
Void Eyes—
Activated.
Instantly.
The fracture reacted.
Violently.
Destabilizing.
Han Wei's fading stopped.
His form froze.
Between existence and absence.
Then—
The fracture collapsed.
Gone.
Han Wei dropped to the ground.
Alive.
Again.
But this time—
Everyone saw it clearly.
Without me—
He would have disappeared.
Completely.
Silence filled the village.
Heavy.
Undeniable.
Su Yan spoke first.
Her voice calm, but firm. That is your answer.
Lin Yue nodded slowly.
Han Wei lay on the ground, breathing heavily.
His eyes—
No longer hostile.
But wary.
Chen Xu looked at them.
Calm.
Unchanged.
Chen Xu spoke quietly. Now you understand.
No one argued.
Because there was nothing to argue.
System spoke softly. Position stabilized.
Chen Xu gave a faint smile.
Chen Xu replied inwardly. For now.
In the distance—
More Qi signatures approached.
Stronger.
Heavier.
Not observers.
Authorities.
Chen Xu lifted his gaze slightly.
Chen Xu spoke calmly. It seems we are out of time.
Su Yan frowned. What do you mean?
Chen Xu did not look at her.
Chen Xu answered. This is no longer a minor matter.
Lin Yue understood immediately.
Lin Yue spoke in a low voice. The higher sects…
Chen Xu smiled faintly.
Chen Xu confirmed. Yes.
The wind shifted.
And far beyond—
Something else stirred.
Not the unseen presence.
Something… human.
More dangerous.
Chen Xu's eyes deepened.
Chen Xu spoke softly. Now the real game begins.