Fierce Eyes Manifest

"The Mystic Sound Sect rarely accepts male disciples, but if introduced by a senior at the Xiantian realm or above within the sect, it shouldn't be much of a problem." The girl blinked as she spoke.

"I'm not too clear on that. Perhaps that Mystic Sound Sect senior felt I was better suited for the Black Tortoise Sect. By the way, from your tone, it sounds like you know quite a bit about sect matters." Shi Mu's heart stirred slightly, but his expression remained unchanged as he asked casually.

"Our Han Family's ancestor was once an outer disciple of the Black Tortoise Sect. Later, due to unforeseen circumstances, he returned to the mortal world and established our family. Most people here have some connection, big or small, to the Black Tortoise Sect. Oh, you're called Shi Mu, right? I'm Han Xiangxiu."

The girl gave Shi Mu a radiant smile. Though still young, her chest was already full and her figure well-developed, and her every move carried a hint of alluring charm, drawing covert glances from several boys nearby.

Seeing Han Xiangxiu chatting so amiably with Shi Mu, a few hostile gazes immediately fell on him. If not for his unusually tall stature, with a saber at his waist and a bow on his back, making him look like trouble, someone might have come over to pick a fight right then.

Shi Mu exchanged a few more words with the girl, then closed his eyes to conserve his energy.

Time passed bit by bit.

The group of boys and girls in the cabin, having lost their initial novelty, began to feel bored and weary, gradually losing interest in talking.

Many followed Shi Mu's example, sitting cross-legged in the cabin to rest and gather their strength.

During this time, several gray-clad men brought in a table of steaming hot dishes that looked quite appetizing, letting everyone share a meal.

Shi Mu did not join them. Instead, he silently pulled two somewhat hard buns from his chest and slowly chewed and swallowed them.

This action naturally drew many surprised looks.

Shi Mu had no interest in explaining himself, but this only made Han Xiangxiu more curious about him, and she kept asking him questions.

Shi Mu could only respond with a word here and there.

After the time it takes an incense stick to burn, sounds of deep sleep came from every room on the lower deck. All the boys and girls lay in their original spots, fast asleep.

Then, the gray-clad men entered the rooms again, cleared away all the bowls and chopsticks, and silently withdrew, locking the doors behind them with iron locks.

In the room where Shi Mu was, someone who had been lying motionless on the floor suddenly sat up slowly. He looked up at the locked door, his face dark, and asked abruptly:

"I am Ma Feiyun. Anyone else still awake, get up now. No need to keep pretending."

"I didn't eat that food."

"I suspected something was off with these guides from the start. They're nothing like what my family elders described."

"Hmph, I did eat, but a little sleeping drug can't do anything to me."

Among those who had been lying all over the floor, two boys and one girl sat up one after another and responded.

The girl was none other than Han Xiangxiu.

As for Shi Mu, he had been leaning against the cabin wall the whole time and now simply opened his bright eyes again, the only one who didn't speak in response.

The first boy to get up had fair skin, sharp brows, and bright eyes. After casting a hostile glance at Shi Mu, he said in a low voice to the others:

"These people aren't the Black Tortoise Sect's reception envoys. If we keep following them, we're likely walking into danger. Now that they've drugged everyone, they're probably letting their guard down. This is our only chance to escape. I plan to leave this ship immediately. Are you all willing to join me?"

"Indeed. Since the people above aren't from the Black Tortoise Sect, they must be their enemies. Given our backgrounds, it's best to get away as soon as possible. I have no objections." Han Xiangxiu was the first to nod in agreement.

The other two boys—one with a wide mouth and curly hair, the other with long hair draped over his shoulders—both looked serious and nodded as well.

"Brother Shi, you should come with us too." Han Xiangxiu asked him directly.

"There's no need. I think it's fine staying here. Also, I'd advise you not to make any rash moves right now." Shi Mu's eyes flickered as he spoke expressionlessly.

"Brother Shi, have you noticed something?" Han Xiangxiu's face paled as she asked hurriedly.

The other two boys' expressions also shifted, hesitation creeping into their faces.

Shi Mu shook his head, unwilling to say anything more.

"Hmph, a coward. If you don't want to leave, then stay here. Sister Han, let's go together." Ma Feiyun dismissed Shi Mu with contempt but spoke gently to Han Xiangxiu.

"Brother Ma, maybe we should see how things play out first." Han Xiangxiu thought for a moment, then forced a smile in reply.

"Fine. Once I get out first, you can follow after." Ma Feiyun's face darkened slightly, anger flickering across it, but when he saw the other two staying silent, he could only stamp his foot in frustration.

Then he reached into his sleeve and pulled out a sharp dagger with a silver handle, stabbing it fiercely into the floorboard beneath him.

"Bang."

The dagger's sharp tip struck the ship's plank, producing a harsh metallic clang.

Ma Feiyun was startled and quickly scraped the spot with his dagger, revealing a faint black metallic sheen.

"This is ironwood—a century-old ironwood unique to the East Sea's Iron Thorn Island."

Ma Feiyun sucked in a sharp breath, his expression turning extremely complicated. He then swung his dagger wildly at other spots on the floor, but every strike produced the same metallic sound.

"No need to keep testing. This entire ship is made of century-old ironwood. Even if you stab every inch of this room, you won't find a single crack." Just then, a cold voice came from outside the room.

Everyone was startled and looked up to find the door already open. The blue-clad man stood there with his arms crossed, staring at Ma Feiyun as if he were already dead.

"Senior, I..." Ma Feiyun's face went pale as he hurriedly hid the dagger behind his back and tried to explain.

But the blue-clad man didn't give him a chance. He raised a hand and slapped the air toward Ma Feiyun.

"Bang."

Ma Feiyun let out a miserable scream as he flew backward, crashing heavily into the wall behind him. Blood sprayed from his mouth and nose, and his chest caved in deeply—clearly beyond saving.

"I told you before: anyone who disobeys orders will be punished! Men, drag the corpse out and throw it into the river to feed the fish." The blue-clad man lowered his arm and gave the order coldly.

Two gray-clad men immediately entered from outside, carrying the dying Ma Feiyun out by his arms and legs.

The blue-clad man swept a sinister gaze over Shi Mu and the other three still awake, then let out a sneer before turning and leaving.

The door was locked tightly from the outside once more.

Shi Mu and the other three all wore extremely grim expressions.