Father and son froze mid-air as if struck by lightning. Their faces turned deathly pale, eyes bulging in shock.

Though Xiao Zhan and Fang Zaowu on the flying vessel didn’t glance their way, the duo’s expressions twisted in terror. Their recently mustered courage evaporated like smoke, leaving them trembling in mid-air.

Why did they have to run into these two experts again?

And to make matters worse, both of them appeared together—what cursed luck!

Too petrified to move, their minds buzzed with panic.

But their flashy entrance had already drawn attention. Even amid the ongoing battlefield clashes, several gazes from the ground locked onto them.

Within moments, over a dozen people had noticed their presence.

At this rate, it wouldn’t take long before the two experts spotted them.

Xiong Zhong’s face cycled between green and red, his voice quivering as he transmitted a message.

"Father! What do we do?!"

"If this keeps up, those experts will recognize us! We already crossed paths with them before—if we stumble into their sights now, we’re done for!!!"

Cold sweat beaded on Xiong Fen’s temples, his expression taut with tension.

"Stay calm, stay calm! Let me think!"

His trembling eyes darted across the battlefield. The flat terrain offered no cover—no boulders, no hiding spots—just an open plain swarming with demonic beasts and native warriors.

Fighting two experts head-on was suicide.

Fleeing? They’d never outrun them.

Trapped between a rock and a hard place, Xiong Fen’s face grew paler by the second.

More eyes and spiritual senses locked onto them from below, ratcheting up the pressure. Sweat slicked his palms.

Not even facing the Moon God Pavilion’s master had rattled him this badly.

As the scrutiny intensified, the two experts were moments away from noticing them.

Xiong Fen’s anxiety spiked to desperation.

In that critical moment, his frantic gaze swept the battlefield—until it landed on a massive demonic beast. A spark of inspiration lit his eyes.

"Got it!"

"These people are fighting the demonic horde. We’ll blend in and pretend we’re part of their forces!"

Xiong Zhong blinked, skepticism flashing in his eyes.

Seriously? That could work?

Before he could react, his father shot toward the ground, charging at a demonic beast while shouting familiarly to nearby warriors.

"Attack!"

"Brothers, leave this one to me!"

The warriors gave him a brief glance, nodded, and turned to engage other beasts.

No one paid them further attention.

The battlefield churned with blood mist and deafening clashes, the chaos blurring distinctions beyond human and demon.

It… actually worked?

Smooth beyond expectation, Xiong Zhong’s eyes gleamed.

Mimicking his father, he blended into the fray, swiftly cutting down a towering demon.

True enough.

No one spared him a second glance, as if his presence had never been questioned.

Heart pounding with relief, Xiong Zhong edged closer to his father.

"Father! You’re truly a master of strategy!"

His whispered praise carried genuine admiration, stars of reverence flickering in his eyes.

Though partly flattery, the sentiment was sincere.

From spotting the crisis to flawlessly defusing it in mere moments—conceiving such a plan and executing it without a hitch—the skill required was staggering.

His father’s seamless integration into the battle, so natural it bordered on artistry, showcased instincts and wit few could match.

That alone was a lesson Xiong Zhong could spend half a lifetime mastering.

Hearing his son’s message, Xiong Fen casually obliterated another demon with a palm strike, smirking as he replied.

"Heh, who do you think your old man is?"

"I’ve been renowned for millennia and served as a Moon God Pavilion elder for centuries. My cultivation might lag a hair, but when it comes to wits and perception, no one surpasses me!"

"Son, you’ve got much to learn. Watch and absorb."

"Our past misfortunes were merely trials. Once we seize that divine weapon, this journey will have been worth it!"

Xiong Zhong’s confidence surged, his reverence deepening.

"Yes, I’ll heed your teachings!"

After their exchange, father and son moved in perfect sync, displaying just enough prowess to blend in. Soon, they fought alongside three others as if they’d always belonged.

The demonic horde had already scattered, leaving only weaker stragglers.

Within an incense stick’s time, the remnants were eradicated.

The skirmish ended without incident—a one-sided slaughter. The squad regrouped, and Xiao Zhan tallied the spoils, directing laborers to haul demon corpses onto the flying vessel.

His crew consisted of Dark Shadow Island laborers, their cultivation far from formidable.

Despite the weakened foes, Xiao Zhan maintained a stern demeanor, scanning the group with concern.

"Brothers, is everyone accounted for? Any casualties?"

Voices rose in confirmation as heads turned, confirming no human losses.

"Reporting, sir—all present!"

"No casualties!"

"Decent haul this time, and no real danger. Another merit for Dark Shadow Island, haha!"

The laborers’ faces glowed with gratitude and excitement.

None noticed the two unfamiliar faces among them. Since the team was assembled from various departments, new faces weren’t unusual.

Coupled with Dark Shadow Island’s frequent dispatch of laborers for material gathering, the Xiong duo’s presence raised no alarms.

Relieved, Xiong Zhong exhaled silently, shooting his father an awed look.

"Phew…"

"Father, your blending tactic was brilliant!"

"From the looks of it, they’re heading to Dark Shadow Island. Should we slip away soon?"

Xiong Fen’s sidelong glance carried a knowing smirk.

"Son, you’re still too green."

Too green again?

Xiong Zhong’s eyes widened, but his father’s tone turned grave.

"Blending in was step one, forced by circumstance. Our luck’s improved—those experts didn’t spot us. But if we bolt now, we’ll alert them both!"

"Fleeing seems logical, but the risk is immense."

So that’s how it was…

His oversight was glaring. Thank the heavens for his father’s presence—otherwise, disaster loomed.

Xiong Zhong paled, shaken by the near-miss.

"Then… what’s your plan, Father?"

Hearing his son’s humbler, more reverent tone, Xiong Fen’s eyes warmed with approval.

"Good. You’re learning."

"Our best move is to play along. Return with them and find an opening later. Those experts’ abodes must be extraordinary—their Dark Shadow Island surely harbors rare treasures."

"This is our chance, son. Fortune favors us at last!"

Xiong Zhong’s head snapped up, eyes alight with awe.

While he’d only thought of escape, his father had plotted far ahead—not just an exit, but a scheme to exploit the experts’ resources.

The gap between their foresight was staggering.

Overwhelmed by admiration, Xiong Zhong’s heart swelled with anticipation.

"Father’s vision is peerless. This son is enlightened!"

Xiong Fen smiled faintly, his face radiating wisdom.

"Heh, this is what we call experience. With my guidance and the blessings of the celestial soldiers, your return to Lanxing will surely transform you into a new man!"

Father and son exchanged knowing glances, quickly regaining their composure.

Blending into the long line of laborers, they boarded the flying vessel and sped toward the so-called Dark Shadow Island!