That declaration snuffed out the last trace of enthusiasm among those who had been eager to try.
Xilos watched without a word.
She knew the commander had dared to make that wager in public either because he was supremely arrogant or because he was certain no one there would accept. Judging by the scene before her, it was probably both.
Stepping forward at the risk of offending the Immortal Sacred Land hardly seemed worth it.
But beside her, Shen Yi still made no move.
He stood where he was, his expression calm, as if he were merely a passerby watching the spectacle.
Xilos had spent enough time with him, though, to catch the faintest hint of amusement deep in his chestnut eyes.
It was the unhurried look of a hunter watching his prey walk into a trap.
Her heart tightened slightly, then she relaxed.
Knowing Shen Yi, Xilos was certain he would never let this go. To her, his stillness looked more like he was waiting to see whether anyone else would step forward first. So far, no one seemed willing to provoke the Holy Land's commander.
Shen Yi gave a cold chuckle and looked toward the commander. "Commander, did you mean what you just said?"
The moment he spoke, more than a dozen distinct Authority auras converged on him. Many Authority Holders looked at him with curiosity and disdain, as though they could not believe this unremarkable Authority Holder dared challenge the Holy Land's commander.
The commander scrutinized Shen Yi, then laughed dismissively. "Yes. If you can make me take a single step, I'll let the other Authority Holders enter the Holy Land today."
Shen Yi answered calmly.
"Who can you speak for? The Hall Master? What gives you the right to make that decision?"
The commander froze, then