The stone chamber was quiet. Glowing ore in the vaulted ceiling cast an even light over the dark gray walls and the ink-black little figure at the center of the stone platform. Shen Fei and Xiao Ning'er stood motionless before the platform, waiting for the figure to speak.
The little figure hovered above the stone platform, their body only as long as an adult's arm and entirely ink-black. Their facial features had clear outlines but no detail. They remained silent for a few breaths before continuing in that rustling voice:
"The villagers outside are simple, honest people. I hope you will take them back to Glory City."
Shen Fei did not answer immediately, and Xiao Ning'er said nothing either. Both watched the little figure, waiting for them to finish.
The little figure tilted their head slightly, as though studying their reactions, or perhaps arranging their own words. After a while, they continued:
"This place is far too dangerous. That was precisely why I chose to hide here. The Demon Beast that gravely wounded me would never have expected me to hide somewhere like this. Back then, it pursued me for a long time and only gave up after losing my presence. But for the villagers, this is no place to stay forever. I can no longer take action. If I do, that Demon Beast will pinpoint my location."
They paused there. The air in the stone chamber grew heavy. Shen Fei understood what they meant. A Spirit God who had slept for three hundred years after suffering grave injuries might expose themselves the moment they used their power again. They could not gamble with their own life.
The little figure spoke again. "Of course, I won't ask you to do this for nothing. I will teach you laws."
Shen Fei