Chapter 1041: The Terrifying Truth

Qing Yin Xianyun stopped in surprise, her delicate face showing a hint of shock.

The little toad could actually speak human words! Its voice was deep and resonant, as if it had spread across the heavens and earth, or as if it had traversed tens of thousands of years, carrying an ancient and unyielding authority!

How could a mere little toad intimidate her?

This was impossible!

Qing Yin Xianyun was filled with doubt and unease, forcing a faint smile onto her face.

It must be an illusion. The lingering shadows from before had made her overly sensitive.

Just as she was silently mocking herself for being too tense.

Suddenly.

The remaining cute figure of the toad was instantly overshadowed by a massive, sky-covering shadow. All she could see was the enormous back of the toad, and even the surrounding black mist was completely obscured!

What was even more terrifying was that the slightly turned profile of the toad perfectly matched the giant toad she had glimpsed in the sea of corpses!

"Boom!"

In an instant, Qing Yin Xianyun's entire body stiffened, and her mind buzzed with a deafening roar!

A suffocating pressure began to spread from the heavens and earth, tightly locking down every inch of space!

Her heart was taut as she stared intently, but everything vanished.

Before her eyes, there was only the hazy black mist and the toad, now back to its original size.

The fleeting shadow left no trace, as if it had been nothing more than an illusion. Yet, it had awakened a deep-seated fear within Qing Yin Xianyun!

Especially that profile, which had almost made her feel the approach of death.

In just a few breaths, Qing Yin Xianyun was so frightened that her beautiful face turned pale, and her legs went numb. She stood frozen on the black mist-covered ground.

"How could this be..."

"This little toad, it's actually...!"

Before she could finish her shocked murmur, the toad had already disappeared.

Coming back to her senses and looking at the empty space, Qing Yin Xianyun felt as if she had just woken from a terrifying dream, her body stiff and her palms sweating!

In her mind, the deep, warning voice from earlier echoed.

"When you return, be smart. Think carefully about what you should and shouldn't say. If my master skins me alive, I'll make sure to devour you first before I die!"

Thud!

Qing Yin Xianyun's heart clenched violently, as if she were enveloped by that terrifying shadow, leaving her with no courage to resist, only overwhelming fear.

Even though there was no sign of the toad anymore, the domineering voice that echoed in her mind was so intimidating that she could barely stand her ground.

In just a few breaths, she was drenched in sweat, as if facing the collapse of the heavens!

It felt like an eternity before Qing Yin Xianyun could calm down.

Even as her expression slightly softened, the shock in her clear eyes surged like waves, one after another, never ceasing!

Master...

Yi Feng was actually the master of such a terrifying being?

How could this be? How was it possible?

Muttering these significant words, she didn't even notice how she returned to the flying ship.

Quietly standing at the edge.

She cautiously glanced over, and Yi Feng was still asleep.

His delicate face, once so familiar, now seemed strangely unfamiliar.

Qing Yin Xianyun no longer had her previous indifference. Her flickering eyes showed deep seriousness, and her jade-like fingers clenched tightly in her sleeves...

Qing Yin Xianyun watched warily, her heart a tangled mess.

Everything else on the flying ship was no longer in her sight, and nothing around her could draw her attention. Her clear eyes were fixed solely on the sleeping Yi Feng.

Anxious and nervous, she didn't dare to approach.

She could only quietly observe, trying to find some clue.

Unfortunately, no matter how she looked, Yi Feng's body showed no trace of spiritual power, still appearing utterly ordinary. This strange situation made Qing Yin Xianyun even more cautious.

After a long, silent observation, even her breathing became cautious.

It felt like an eternity before the flying ship came to a halt again.

The two approached as usual, the young man's eyes steady as he clasped his hands and spoke respectfully.

"My lord!"

"The flying ship needs maintenance again. I think it's best to let this guy continue standing guard, so we can..."

Before he could finish his steady words, a cold, stern voice interrupted.

"Silence."

The young man was stunned, and the old man's eyes widened in surprise.

The rebuke was icy, with a hint of anger.

Puzzled, they looked up and saw Qing Yin Xianyun's cold, frosty expression, her eyes sharp with barely concealed anger.

The young expert was confused.

Exchanging silent glances, the old man was equally bewildered.

They couldn't understand why the lady had suddenly reprimanded them. The suggestion wasn't wrong, was it? Was it not prudent enough?

For the sake of the greater good, the young expert had no choice but to brace himself and explain respectfully.

"My lady."

"Although this guy has low cultivation, his luck is extraordinary. He's been diligent in his duties during previous shifts. Why not let him continue guarding? We need to conserve our strength, lest..."

Before he could finish, the rebuke came again, even harsher this time.

"I told you to be silent! Didn't you hear me?"

This rare reprimand from the lady, filled with obvious anger, left both the young man and the old man dumbfounded.

Before they could react, Qing Yin Xianyun's cold gaze fell upon them.

"This time, you will stand guard. Follow my orders and do not ask questions!"

Her stern tone sent a chill down the young man's spine, and he quickly bowed in acknowledgment.

"Yes..."

Only then did Qing Yin Xianyun's anger subside. She turned away with a cold expression and added in a low voice.

"And from now on, do not refer to him as 'that guy'!"

The young man's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly bowed again.

"As you command!"

Only after her figure had disappeared into the distance did he dare to straighten up.

Frowning, his confusion was evident on his face. He quietly approached the old man and whispered respectfully.

"Elder Xu..."

"Why has the lady suddenly become so protective of... that person? Although I may be inexperienced, I am still a high-level saint. What's wrong with calling him 'that guy'?"

The old man also shook his head in confusion, not daring to speculate.

The question lingered in their minds, but under Qing Yin Xianyun's authority, they could only suppress their doubts.

A moment later, the young expert obediently took up his guard duties.

Qing Yin Xianyun and the old man entered a meditative state, conserving their energy. Everything seemed as usual, but in reality, it was a facade. Qing Yin Xianyun had only concealed her aura, her divine sense carefully monitoring every movement on the flying ship...

And her focus was on the sleeping Yi Feng.

Half an hour later, Yi Feng finally stretched and sat up!

"Ha..."

His eyes were still drowsy, and he looked utterly lazy, nothing like a powerful expert.

He glanced around with half-closed eyes, realizing it was time for his shift again.

Yi Feng perked up and walked toward the young man standing quietly at the edge.

"I'll take over the watch. You need to conserve your strength."

The young man's eyes lit up with relief, but then he hesitated.

"No, the lady ordered me to stand guard!"

Orders were orders, and this guy was a stickler for rules.

But Yi Feng wasn't about to let such a good opportunity to gain experience slip away. What if he encountered that giant toad again? He couldn't afford to miss out!

Yi Feng's temper flared, and he began to wheedle and coax.

The young man couldn't withstand the pressure, and after glancing at Qing Yin Xianyun, who showed no signs of awakening, he reluctantly agreed.

"Well... alright."

"Thank you, Brother Yi!"

The two shared a knowing look, engaging in a mutually beneficial exchange before going about their respective tasks.

The young man settled down to rest, while Yi Feng stood alert at the edge of the flying ship.

All of this was observed by Qing Yin Xianyun.

She didn't pay much attention to the young man's carelessness, her divine sense firmly locked onto Yi Feng's movements.

She wanted to confirm her suspicions and see how Yi Feng actually stood guard.

The journey had been far too peaceful.

Especially during Yi Feng's shifts—everything was always calm, with no signs of danger. It was so peaceful that it felt unnatural. Whenever it was their turn to guard, they always faced fierce battles.

Such a stark contrast couldn't just be a matter of luck.

No one in the world could be that lucky. Yi Feng couldn't possibly be the chosen one of fate, could he?

Previously, Qing Yin Xianyun might have been skeptical, but after discovering the true nature of the toad, she was certain there was more to this!

Even as Yi Feng stood quietly at the edge, Qing Yin Xianyun's divine sense remained vigilant.

After observing for a few moments, she finally saw Yi Feng take action.

A strange, long blade appeared in his hands, which he then slung over his shoulder!

This action instantly piqued her curiosity.

"What is he planning to do..."

Before she could even form a guess, Yi Feng leaped off the flying ship!