Mo Lin's calm words fell like a stone cast into stagnant water, sending ripples through the silent cave.
"Y-You... you're really willing to help us?!" The little white rabbit that called itself a member of the Moon Spirit Royal Family abruptly raised its head. Disbelief burst from its sapphire-like eyes, mingled with wild joy, doubt, and deep unease.
Though it was young, its inherited memories told it that no help came without reason, especially in this desperate place.
The Purple Star Remnants kneeling around them also erupted into commotion. A faint spark of hope lit their numb eyes, but even more than that, they were frightened and uneasy.
They looked at Mo Lin, this man who had appeared out of nowhere, whose aura was unfathomable and whose gaze was calm to the point of coldness. They could not imagine that he would offer help without asking for anything in return.
Ling Qingzhu also glanced sideways at Mo Lin. Her cool eyes held a trace of understanding, along with deeper scrutiny. More than anyone else, she knew that this man was no kind soul, nor would he ever act without profit. If he was intervening, he had to have an agenda.
"That's right." Mo Lin nodded slightly and looked directly at the little white rabbit. Chaos Light flowed deep within his Immortal Eye, as though it could see through the essence of all things. "But not for free. I, Mo Lin, believe in transactions. I'll help you and your people survive this disaster and preserve this final shelter. In return, what can you offer me?"
His voice was calm and even, yet it carried an unquestionable, icy sense of reality. In this dead end, warmth and compassion were far too extravagant. Only benefit and value were reliable bonds.
The light in