You could hear a pin drop in the Enforcement Hall, leaving only the sound of everyone’s suppressed breathing.
The Black-clad Guard named Shadow One stood before Song Xunzhen like a silent mountain. Without a single word or movement, the Divine Transformation Pressure emanating from him had already taken control of the entire room.
His icy gaze slowly swept over the three elders. Even without deliberately applying pressure, it made the three Nascent Soul Stage elders’ scalps tingle with dread.
Divine Transformation Stage, definitely a mighty expert of the Divine Transformation Stage!
Tumultuous waves surged in the three elders’ hearts.
Such a figure was a major personage who could shake a region with a stomp of their foot, not just in the Tianxuan Sect, but in the entire Cultivation World.
And now, he was addressing a disciple they had been about to punish severely as “Young Miss” with a respectful attitude!
What did this mean?
It meant that what Song Xunzhen had said before about “Hidden World Heritage” and “Clan Secret Technique” was likely not an empty boast!
It might even far exceed their imagination!
A clan that could have a Divine Transformation Stage expert as a guard—how terrifying must its foundation be?
Xiao Che’s face turned extremely ugly, shifting between shades of green and white.
He stared fixedly at Song Xunzhen, then glanced at Shadow One before her with extreme apprehension. His lips moved, but he couldn’t utter a single word.
In the face of such an absolute gap in cultivation, all his pride and questions seemed pale and powerless.
Only now did he truly realize that he might have made a colossal mistake. Not only had he misjudged Song Xunzhen’s motives, but he might have also provoked an unimaginable behemoth.
Chu Yao also covered her mouth, her eyes wide. She looked from Shadow One to Song Xunzhen, her heart filled with shock and bewilderment.
She never would have thought that this Junior Sister Song had such an astonishing background.
The leading Enforcement Elder’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he forcibly suppressed the roiling of his vital energy and blood.
The severity and coldness on his face had long since vanished, replaced by an extremely complicated emotion.
“This… this Senior.”
He cupped his hands in a salute toward Shadow One, his tone extremely deferential and his posture incredibly humble. He said politely:
“We were unaware of Senior’s arrival and failed to welcome you properly. We hope you can be magnanimous.”
Shadow One did not reply, merely continuing to stand there in silence, as if only Song Xunzhen in the entire world was worthy of his attention.
His disregard only increased the pressure on the three elders, and beads of sweat faintly appeared on their temples.
The gamble paid off! The system’s card is truly amazing!
A great weight lifted from Song Xunzhen’s heart, but she dared not show the slightest slack on her face.
She knew that the slightest hint of cowardice at this moment would render all her previous efforts useless.
She took a light breath and pushed against the ground with her hand, seemingly trying to stand up.
Shadow One, who was in front of her, immediately turned slightly to the side and extended a hand in a gesture of support. The movement was fluid and natural, a perfect picture of a well-trained and loyal guardian.
Using this support, Song Xunzhen slowly stood up, patting the non-existent dust from her clothes with an elegant and composed posture.
“There is no need for such courtesy, Elder.”
She spoke slowly, her voice steady, offering the Enforcement Elder a way to save face.
“Shadow One was just worried about me. He did not intend to offend the sect.”
Hearing this, the Enforcement Elder’s heart settled slightly. He quickly said, “Not at all, not at all. It’s just, Song… Martial Niece Song.”
He chose his words carefully, his tone becoming even more cautious. “It seems there is indeed a hidden story behind what just happened. Forgive my impertinence, but may I ask about your origins… Your esteemed clan is?”
He finally voiced the huge question on everyone’s mind.
Alarm bells rang in Song Xunzhen’s heart. She knew the most crucial moment had arrived.
She absolutely could not name any specific clan. The more she said, the more likely she was to slip up. She had to maintain the mystery.
A look of difficulty and hesitation appeared on her face. She shook her head gently, her voice a little lower as she said cautiously:
“Please forgive me, Elder. My clan has a rule that we are not to mention our name lightly outside. The elders at home only sent me down the mountain to gain experience and see the world, not wanting me to rely on the clan’s influence.”
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the damaged magical artifact on the ground, her expression growing more chagrined.
“It’s all my fault for being unskilled. I had good intentions but ended up making a mess. Not only did I disturb the sect, but I also caused Shadow One to reveal himself. When I return, I’m afraid a lecture will be unavoidable.”
These words were practically flawless.
They explained why she had been unknown before, why she had messed up despite possessing a secret technique, and finally, they subtly elevated her clan’s status.
Hearing this, the three elders felt an even deeper sense of awe.
The more powerful a Hidden Clan was, the stricter its rules often were. It was normal for them not to reveal their name easily.
And looking at this Divine Transformation guard, the terror of this woman’s clan probably far surpassed their imagination.
Xiao Che’s face grew even uglier. He clenched his fists but dared not voice any more doubts.
The Enforcement Elder’s attitude became even more respectful. “So that’s how it is. We were the ones who were abrupt. Since it was all a misunderstanding and Martial Niece was acting out of good intentions, just with an improper method. As for Martial Niece Chu Yao’s magical artifact…”
“I will compensate her.”
Song Xunzhen immediately interjected, her tone decisive. “I will compensate Senior Sister Chu Yao with a better magical artifact! I will not shirk my responsibility!”
At a time like this, her attitude had to be sincere and generous.
Chu Yao quickly waved her hands. “No, there’s no need, Junior Sister Song. You meant well, I…”
“Of course I must compensate you.”
Song Xunzhen looked at Chu Yao, her gaze sincere. “Senior Sister, I was indeed in the wrong first in this matter. I almost jeopardized your Grand Competition. Compensation is only right.”
Chu Yao looked at her sincere eyes, then glanced at the silent, terrifying guard behind her. For a moment, she didn’t know what to do and could only look toward the elder and Xiao Che.
The Enforcement Elder pondered for a moment before saying, “Since Martial Niece Song insists, then so be it. This matter appears to be a misunderstanding, so let it be concluded. Martial Niece Song, you have been alarmed.”
With one sentence, he set the tone for this trial.
It had gone from the grave crime of harming a fellow disciple to a misunderstanding born from good intentions.
A huge weight finally lifted from Song Xunzhen’s heart. She knew the most dangerous moment had passed for now.
She smiled faintly. “Thank you, Elder, for your discerning judgment.”
The Enforcement Elder looked at her and Shadow One behind her, hesitated for a moment, and then asked politely:
“May I ask what Martial Niece Song’s plans are next? Does the sect need to arrange accommodations for Senior?”
How could Song Xunzhen dare to let Shadow One stay for long? The time for one incense stick to burn was almost up!
She quickly said, “There’s no need to trouble the sect. Shadow One only sensed that I was in danger and rushed here temporarily. The Clan Rules are strict; he cannot remain in the outside world for long. He must return shortly.”
She turned to Shadow One and ordered in a natural tone:
“Shadow One, I am fine here. You may go back first. For now, do not alarm the Clan Head about today’s events.”
Upon hearing this, Shadow One bowed respectfully without the slightest hesitation. “Yes, Young Miss. This subordinate takes his leave.”
As his voice fell, the world seemed to blur before everyone’s eyes. The suffocating, terrifying pressure receded like a tide, and the figure in black had vanished without a trace, as if he had never been there at all.
He came like a sudden clap of thunder and left like a gentle, traceless breeze.
In the Enforcement Hall, the pressure was gone. Everyone felt a lightness in their bodies as if a thousand-pound weight had been lifted, but the shock and doubt in their hearts were far heavier than before.
Everyone looked at Song Xunzhen, who was still standing there, their gazes now completely different.
Feeling those gazes filled with probing, awe, and curiosity, Song Xunzhen inwardly lamented her plight.
The crisis was temporarily resolved, but it seemed a much bigger problem had just begun.
She was now completely propped up by this “Hidden Clan” identity.
What was she supposed to do next?