Su Baichen slowly emerged from the depths of the small island with Caidie. Under the flickering torchlight, their figures appeared especially solemn.
The outskirts of the island were packed with members of the Snake-People Tribe. Their faces were filled with anxiety and anticipation, and pairs of snake-like eyes glimmered uneasily in the night.
Caidie followed closely behind Su Baichen, her fingers unconsciously twisting the corner of her clothes.
She could feel the burning gazes cast her way. Those eyes held both curiosity about what had just happened and confusion over why she, the younger sister, had appeared together with Su Baichen.
She secretly glanced at Su Baichen's tall back, delighted that her sister's evolution had succeeded while also terribly nervous about the act she was about to put on.
Su Baichen calmly swept his gaze over the gathered snake-people, his deep eyes seeming capable of seeing through everyone's thoughts.
When he saw the anxious expressions of several elders amid the crowd, a faint ripple stirred in his heart.
These Snake-People Elders had devoted their entire lives to the tribe, yet for now, he had to conceal the truth to prevent word from getting out and inviting unnecessary trouble.
"Everyone, disperse. I was refining a seventh-grade pill just now, and it drew down a lightning tribulation."
Su Baichen's voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached every snake-person's ears.
His tone was calm, without the slightest ripple, as though that earth-shaking lightning tribulation had truly been nothing more than an ordinary phenomenon caused by a batch of pills.
Whispers broke out among the crowd. Some of the younger snake-person warriors visibly relaxed, relieved smiles appearing on their faces.
However, the Snake-People Elders exchanged looks. They knew about the evolution.
Su Baichen keenly caught those subtle reactions, but he did not care.