The Truth?

Just as Qin Ran wavered in uncertainty and prepared to strike first, the shadow abruptly stepped back twice, then turned and stood with its back against a withered tree.

Its gaze swept across the darkness ahead.

"Come out!"

That was what it said.

As its words fell, a figure in the distant darkness flickered into view.

"There's someone else?"

Qin Ran, standing in the shadows, frowned.

Although he had focused all his attention on the shadow before him, that did not mean Qin Ran had ignored his surroundings. He had always kept part of his attention on the area around him.

Yet before that figure took the initiative to reveal itself, he had not detected it at all.

"Such high-level Stealth!"

"No, that isn't right. It is no longer pure Stealth—other techniques have been mixed into it!"

Qin Ran watched the figure pace out of the darkness. Its technique seemed to stir the very darkness around it, and his eyes widened.

As someone with Peerless-level Stealth, Qin Ran could easily tell that the other party's Stealth had surpassed the Peerless tier.

Moreover, it appeared to incorporate other techniques.

However, Qin Ran did not marvel at the technique for long.

Because another question completely occupied his mind.

"When did he arrive?"

Qin Ran's heart tightened.

Had he arrived before Qin Ran, or after him?

If it was the latter, there was still room to salvage things. But if it was the former, then a brutal battle was inevitable.

That was something Qin Ran did not wish to see.

After all, he was currently on the run.

Once exposed, he would face endless pursuit.

And among those pursuing him, there would inevitably be experts on Stegerna's level.

At the thought of Stegerna, sweat formed in Qin Ran's palms.

Tension spread through his