Qing Yin Xianyun halted in astonishment, her delicate face flickering with shock.

A tiny toad had actually spoken in human words—its voice deep and resonant, as if echoing across the heavens and earth, or as though it had traversed countless millennia to reach her. The ancient weight in its tone carried an undeniable, oppressive authority!

How could such a small toad intimidate her?

This was impossible!

Qing Yin Xianyun wavered between disbelief and fear, forcing a strained smile onto her face.

It must be an illusion—lingering shadows from past horrors making her jump at every rustle.

Just as she inwardly mocked herself for being overly tense—

Suddenly.

The remaining adorable silhouette of the toad was instantly eclipsed by a colossal, sky-veiling shadow. Before her eyes, only the enormous back of a toad remained, its form so vast it blotted out even the surrounding black mist!

Even more terrifying—the slight turn of its profile was an exact match to the gargantuan toad she had glimpsed amidst a sea of corpses!

"Boom!"

In an instant, Qing Yin Xianyun's body stiffened, her mind ringing with deafening chaos!

A suffocating pressure radiated from the heavens and earth, locking down every inch of space around her!

Her heart pounded as she stared—only for everything to vanish.

Before her now was nothing but the hazy black mist and the tiny, inch-long toad.

The fleeting shadow left no trace behind, as if it had all been a hallucination. Yet, it had awakened a terror buried deep within Qing Yin Xianyun's soul.

That glimpse of its profile had nearly made her see death itself descend upon her.

In the span of a single breath, Qing Yin Xianyun's face had drained of color, her jade-like legs numb with fear, leaving her frozen on the black-misted ground.

"How could this be…?"

"That tiny toad—it’s actually—!"

Before she could even finish her horrified whisper, the toad had vanished.

Gazing blankly at the emptiness before her, Qing Yin Xianyun felt as though she had just awoken from a nightmare—her body rigid, her palms slick with cold sweat.

Yet, echoing in her mind was the toad’s earlier, gravelly warning:

"Be smart when you return. Think carefully about what to say and what not to say. If my master skins me alive with a blade, I’ll swallow you whole before I die!"

Thud!

Qing Yin Xianyun’s heart lurched violently, as if that terrifying shadow had enveloped her within this very realm. She had no courage left to resist—only boundless dread.

Even with no sign of the toad around, the domineering voice reverberating in her mind was so oppressive that she could barely stand, her legs trembling under its weight.

A few breaths later, she was drenched in sweat, as though facing the collapse of the heavens themselves.

No matter how much time passed, Qing Yin Xianyun couldn’t calm herself.

Even as her expression steadied slightly, the shock in her clear eyes surged like tidal waves—rising higher and higher without respite.

Master…

Yi Feng was the master of such a terrifying existence?

How? How could this be?

Muttering these world-shaking words, she had no recollection of how she returned to the airship.

Silently standing at the bow, she cautiously glanced over—Yi Feng was still fast asleep.

His delicate, refined face, once so familiar, now felt utterly alien.

Gone was Qing Yin Xianyun’s previous indifference. Her shimmering eyes now brimmed with wariness, her jade fingers tightening within her sleeves…

Her heart tangled in turmoil, she watched Yi Feng with fearful vigilance.

Nothing else on the airship held her attention. The world around her might as well not exist—her gaze was fixed solely on the slumbering Yi Feng.

Too anxious to approach, she could only observe from afar, searching for any clue.

Yet no matter how intently she scrutinized him, Yi Feng’s body showed no trace of spiritual energy. He seemed as ordinary as ever—a paradox that only deepened her caution.

She stared for what felt like an eternity, even her breaths growing measured and quiet.

Eventually, the airship came to another halt.

As usual, two subordinates approached. The younger man, exuding steadiness, clasped his hands and spoke respectfully.

"My Lady!"

"The airship requires maintenance again. I suggest we let this… young man continue standing guard while we—"

Before he could finish, a cold, sharp rebuke cut through the air.

"Silence."

The young man froze mid-sentence. Elder Xu’s eyes widened in surprise.

The reprimand was icy, laced with unmistakable anger.

Puzzled, the young expert exchanged a glance with Elder Xu—both utterly lost.

They couldn’t fathom why their Lady had snapped so harshly. The suggestion was sound—was there some oversight?

For the sake of prudence, the young expert steeled himself and pressed on.

"My Lady…"

"Though his cultivation is weak, his luck is remarkable. He’s been diligent in his duties before. Let him guard again while we conserve our strength, lest—"

Halfway through his explanation, the rebuke came again, even harsher.

"I said silence—did you not hear me?!"

Such a stern tone was rare from their Lady, and the undisguised fury in her voice left both men stunned.

Before they could react, Qing Yin Xianyun’s willow-thin brows furrowed coldly.

"You will stand guard this time. Follow my orders—no questions!"

The commanding tone sent a chill down the young man’s spine. He hastily bowed.

"As you wish…"

Only then did Qing Yin Xianyun’s anger fade slightly. Turning away, she added in a low voice,

"And henceforth, you will not refer to him as ‘young man’!"

The young expert blinked in confusion but immediately complied.

"Understood!"

Only once her graceful figure had retreated did he dare straighten up.

Frowning, he leaned toward Elder Xu and whispered,

"Elder Xu…"

"Why has Her Ladyship suddenly become so protective of… him? Though I lack seniority, I am still a high-tier Saint. What’s improper about calling him that?"

Elder Xu could only shake his head, equally bewildered but unwilling to speculate.

The question lingered between them, but under Qing Yin Xianyun’s authority, they had no choice but to bury their doubts.

Soon after, the young expert obediently took up guard duty.

Qing Yin Xianyun and Elder Xu entered a meditative state, concealing their auras to preserve energy. Outwardly, everything appeared normal—but it was a facade. Qing Yin Xianyun had merely suppressed her presence, her divine senses keenly attuned to every movement aboard the airship…

Her focus? The sleeping Yi Feng.

Half an hour later, Yi Feng finally stirred, stretching lazily as he sat up.

"Haah…"

Yawning, his drowsy eyes and languid posture made him look anything but formidable.

Blearily glancing around, he realized it was time for his watch again.

With renewed vigor, he strode toward the young expert standing at the bow.

"I’ll take over guard duty. You all need to conserve your strength."

The young man’s eyes lit up—but then hesitation flickered across his face.

"I can’t. Her Ladyship ordered me to stand guard!"

Stubborn adherence to orders—this guy was hopeless.

Missing a chance to gain experience was unacceptable. What if that giant toad showed up this time?

Yi Feng’s patience wore thin. After some persistent wheedling—

The young expert, unable to resist, stole a glance at Qing Yin Xianyun’s motionless form and finally relented.

"Alright then…"

"Thank you, Brother Yi Feng!"

With a mutual understanding, the two exchanged pleasantries before parting ways.

The young expert settled down to rest, while Yi Feng, now wide awake, took his post at the airship’s bow.

All of this was noticed by Qing Yin Xianyun.

The young man's carelessness didn’t concern her much, but she secretly locked her divine sense onto Yi Feng’s movements.

She wanted to confirm her suspicions and, at the same time, see just how Yi Feng managed his watch shifts.

Their journey so far had been far too uneventful.

Especially whenever Yi Feng was on watch—everything remained eerily calm, with never a hint of danger. It was so peaceful it almost felt unnatural, while their own shifts were always met with fierce battles.

Such a stark contrast couldn’t just be a matter of luck every single time.

No one in this world could possibly be that fortunate—unless Yi Feng truly was the Child of Destiny?

Before, Qing Yin Xianyun might have been skeptical, but ever since she discovered the true form of the toad, she was certain there was something more to this.

Even as Yi Feng stood motionless at the forefront, her divine sense remained fixed on him without the slightest relaxation.

After observing for several breaths, she finally saw Yi Feng move.

A peculiar long blade was summoned and slung over his shoulder!

That single gesture instantly piqued her curiosity to the fullest.

"What exactly is he planning…?"

Before any guesses could form in her mind, Yi Feng leaped down from the flying vessel!