At the front stood a middle-aged man in a white robe, a golden lotus embroidered across his chest.

His features were refined, a mild smile resting on his face—but beneath it, something dark and concealed seeped through.

It was Cedric, Vice Preceptor of the Hallowmere Order.

Behind him stood four or five Hallowmere disciples, each one powerful—every one of them at or above High Immortal Realm Level Seven.

Cedric looked at Jared and Evelyn inside the cave with an easy, welcoming smile, as if greeting old friends.

“Young Master Chance, Miss Evelyn—you really made me work to find you.”

His voice was warm and smooth, but an undercurrent of cold crept through it, chilling to the bone.