Reon, all too aware of the shift imosphere, felt his Instinctual Awareness fre. It was a subtle twi first, an eerie sensation prig the back of his neck, but it quickly sharpened into something far more sinister. Killing i... he realized, his body tensing involuntarily.

  It was the same as when he had entered the Ironcw Direwolf—though the beast emitted a different kind of pressure, one colder and more chilling, the sensation was unmistakably familiar.

  Up until now, he had sensed malice from the group, but it had never reached the level of true threat. Now, however, the i was unmistakable—a cold, murderous resolve aimed squarely at him.

  His mind raced. They've firmed something from the Mystic Vision Stone just now. And they want to take a.

  Though he couldn't pinpoily what it was, ohing was clear—they wanted him dead, either for the white cat or something else entirely. Reon's heart raced, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his sword.

  Without hesitation, he uhed Moonlit Fang, the Dark Blue Swleaming even in the bright day light. It was a beautiful sword, its elegant design marred by tless scratches and nicks—marks of its frequent use and battles.

  Despite its worn ahered appearahe sword exuded an undeniable elegas craftsmanship evident iricate silver filigree etched along its hilt and the faint glow that seemed to ripple along its edge when drawn.

  At first g appeared more oral than practical, a bde that had seen far better days. The visible nicks and a slight fissure along its ade it seem fragile, as though it could shatter with a single powerful strike.

  To the untrained eye, it might seem like nothing more than a stylish, worn on. But to those with a dising eye, it was clear that the sword, despite its scars, held an unyielding spirit, much like its wielder.

  The leader's eyes narrowed as he watched Reon uhe his sword, the faint hum of the bde cutting through the tense silence.

  The aura surrounding the young man shifted, no longer just guarded but no and resolute, like a drawn b ready to snap.

  The leader's suspi deepened. His own killing i had clearly beeed. He smirked faintly, though his eyes glinted with a dangerous edge. "Well, well," he said, his voice dripping with mock surprise. "You noticed, didn't you?"

  He took a slow step forward, his posture anding and uing. "Tell me, boy," he tinued, his voice low and deliberate, "are you... Xue Taiyang?"

  Though phrased as a question, the weight of his tone carried an accusation. The leader's gaze bore into Reon, searg for a cra his posure, any flicker of firmation.

  His men shifted uneasily behind him, their hands ing toward their ons, ready to act at a moment's notice.

  Reon's eyes flickered over the group, his expression posed, but there was a subtle tension in his posture.

  He gripped the hilt of his Moonlit Fang a little tighter, ready to act if necessary. Outwardly, he seemed calm—collected even—but inside, his thoughts ed like a storm.

  "They know Xue Taiyang? How? Are they after him too? No... it 't be a ce. If they're looking for him, and I make a wrong move, I'll expose myself. I 't afford that. Not now."

  He measured his words carefully, but just as he was about to speak, a faint, melodious chime echoed in his mind—a sound as familiar to him as his owbeat.

  .

  .

  [Ding! The Host has been given four options to choose from. Please selee option carefully.]

  .

  [Option 1: Run away from them silently without engaging.

  Reward: Cultivation Stage+1.]

  .

  [Option 2: Admit you are Xue Taiyang and surrehe White Tiger to them.

  Reward: Qi Enha Pill (Unon Grade).]

  .

  [Option 3: Reveal your identity as Xue Taiyang and elimihe group entirely.

  Reward: A Healing Pill (Unon Grade).]

  .

  [Option 4: Aowledge you are Xue Taiyang, defeat the group without killing them, and safeguard the White Tiger.

  Reward: A Footwork Teique (Rare Grade).]

  .

  .

  Reon's eyes flickered as he sed the translut system panel h in the air before him—visible only to him. Four options glowed faintly, each paired with entig rewards, but his focus sharpened on the first one.

  His mind raced as he sidered it. Run? Against Inner Sect disciples? These cultivators were at least in the Low Stage of the Foundatioablishment Realm.

  They have the ability to soar through the skies on their Spirit Swords. Even if he tried to flee, they would catch up to him in moments, and once he showed them his back, they would attack without hesitation.

  Running would only make me an easier target, Reon thought grimly. No, that's not an option he could choose.

  He dismissed the thought, his gaze shifting to the other choices, weighing eae carefully.