Leng Hantian, who had seen countless treasures in his lifetime, froze when his gaze fell on the spirit stone. His eyes sharpened, fixed on the pale green glow in Lin Xiao’s palm, staring for a long while without blinking.
Though Lin Xiao had boasted earlier that he possessed an “unprecedented” spirit stone, seeing it in person still forced Leng Hantian to gasp in awe. This was truly something never before seen.
“You… where did you obtain this?”
As he spoke, Leng Hantian descended the steps, stopping right before Lin Xiao. Even the way he looked at him had changed.
Lin Xiao smiled faintly, curling his hand shut around the stone before quickly slipping it back into his pouch. “What’s wrong, Lord Leng? Interested?”
Leng Hantian, naturally unwilling to admit his eagerness, gave a small nod. “Your terms—I may consider them. But remember, though this stone is rare, I’ve already said it’s only a spirit stone. If I miss it today, I can still acquire others in time. Don’t imagine that you alone hold all the leverage.”
As much as he wanted it, he would never abase himself for it.
Lin Xiao’s smile turned colder. “‘Consider’… Lord Leng seems to keep that word on his lips. In that case, perhaps there’s no need for this trade. Business demands sincerity. If you truly feel a deal with me isn’t worth it and keep hesitating, then let it be. My visit today was presumptuous. Since I’ve disturbed you, I’ll take my leave.”
With that, he turned to walk away. But the attendants encircling him made no move to part. After all, Leng Hantian had given no order.
Lin Xiao’s lips curved as he raised his hand again, the spirit stone flaring into view. A pulse of pale green light spread outward, bathing the entire hall in an emerald radiance.
In that instant, the sheer pressure of its power nearly crushed the room into stillness. None could move. Their eyes burned, unable to bear the brilliance; those who forced them open wept with pain.
And this was only the energy that leaked when Lin Xiao held the stone uncovered. Its true power was unimaginable.
So long as this spirit stone remained in his hand, if Lin Xiao wished to leave—no one could stop him.
At length, he closed his fingers and tucked the stone away once more. Lifting his gaze, he asked: “Well, Lord Leng? May I leave now?”
He gave his hand a casual shake, as though to imply: refuse me, and next time I may raze this city to the ground.
Seeing this, Leng Hantian’s mind shifted. Forcing the stone away would be dangerous—Lin Xiao might destroy it out of spite. No, it was better to calculate, to bide his time. After all… another of Lin Xiao’s companions was still imprisoned within the city.
“In that case, I won’t detain you further.”
Leng Hantian settled back into his chair, sipping tea as though nothing had transpired, not sparing Lin Xiao even a glance.
But Lin Xiao did not move.
“What, not leaving?” Leng Hantian’s lips curled faintly. He had expected this. For all his bold words, Lin Xiao couldn’t walk away. If he wanted to save his companion, the stone would have to be the price. Oppose Leng Hantian? The boy was still too green.
“Where is my companion?” Lin Xiao asked flatly.
“Oh? Didn’t you say you came here alone? And now you suddenly have a companion?” Leng Hantian stretched languidly in his chair, amused. Lin Xiao’s words entertained him.
“Where is he?” Lin Xiao pressed, ignoring the mockery.
Leng Hantian chuckled. “Want to know? Simple. Strike a deal with me.”
Lin Xiao’s reply came sharp as ice. “A deal? Lord Leng, your sincerity is questionable. When I first proposed a trade, you dismissed it with disdain. As for my companion—we’re all just drifters of the land. It’s not as if I couldn’t abandon him if I had to. If you insist on keeping silent and refuse to release him, then I’ll simply leave. As for the deal you now offer—well… that will remain indefinitely out of reach.”
Indefinitely out of reach. The words rang clear—a warning to Leng Hantian. The chance was before him now. Miss it, and who knew when, or if, it would ever come again.
A bold tone.