[Lightning Command] Shows Its Might, Another Nascent Soul Falls; Learning of the Past and Hengwan's Circumstances

In truth, Bai Hengwan was still quite uneasy. But governing a city and long occupying a position of authority had helped temper her mind. Coupled with her peak late Core Formation cultivation and exceptional self-control, this kept her from showing anything amiss.

Cui'er's unusual behavior, meanwhile, fell within acceptable bounds. After all, for a False Core Cultivator like her to remain calm and composed before a Nascent Soul True Lord would have seemed strange instead.

Such was the plan, but however hard they tried to avoid the unexpected, if something truly happened, there would be nothing for it. Man proposed; Heaven disposed.

Still, Lin Changheng was there to handle anything that went wrong.

That was their ultimate source of confidence.

Thinking of this, and of Brother Lin's steadiness, Bai Hengwan inexplicably felt reassured. By the end, she was composed both inside and out, looking as though nothing were happening.

"Crackle! Crackle-"

The candles crackled incessantly, their sounds echoing through the empty, silent hall.

Waiting always seemed interminable. After an unknown length of time, a whoosh tore through the air from outside the island, utterly unconcealed and carrying an astonishing presence, startling the birds and beasts in the woods.

"Hahahaha!"

At the same time, ringing laughter sounded through the night. At first it was far away in the sky; an instant later it drew near, then sounded right outside the hall.

"Tap! Tap! Tap-"

Footsteps sounded, briefly hurried at first before settling back into an unhurried rhythm. The subtle difference was hardly obvious, but it did not escape Bai Hengwan's notice.

Her expression remained unchanged, but she sneered inwardly, seeing through his little calculation.

"Wan'er, I was busy with something important, without a moment's rest. But when I received your message, I could no longer focus on anything. I put everything