Lin Yi's gaze swept over him indifferently, calm yet carrying an invisible pressure.
Zhou Zhihao's heart tightened. He subconsciously swallowed, not daring to meet Lin Yi's eyes, filled with conflict and helplessness.
After hesitating several times, he had initially intended to conceal both the fact that he had met Lin Yi and the secret of how he had left the Dark Mist Realm. But upon careful thought, he realized there was no way to hide it.
He had returned alone from the perilous Dark Mist Realm while holding top-secret intelligence about the invasion of the seven Evil Venerables. If anyone traced the matter back to its source, he would have no way to explain where the information had come from.
Left with no choice, Zhou Zhihao could only set aside his concerns and truthfully reveal that he had encountered a secret disciple personally taught by Great Emperor Zi Wei in the Dark Mist Realm.
After speaking, he cautiously looked up at Lin Yi, his tone carrying sincerity and persuasion. "My lord, since you are one of the Ziwei Lineage, and Great Emperor Zinan's expedition has suffered severe losses while Taiyi City is in grave danger, why not reveal yourself and take charge of the situation?"
Lin Yi felt slightly annoyed.
Had he known Zhou Zhihao would become so troublesome, he would not have needed to soften his heart and let him go earlier.
Fortunately, neither Zhou Zhihao nor Tamo's group of spies he had encountered before knew anything beyond the fact that he possessed the Ziwei Lineage's inheritance. No one had uncovered his true background.
Just as Lin Yi pondered this inwardly, the communication Token in Zhou Zhihao's hand suddenly lit up. A clear, pleasant female voice, though tinged with weakness and exhaustion, slowly emerged and broke the silence. "Can