From the sidelines, the remaining disciples began to stir, their fear now intermingled with confusion and growing resistance.
"Big Brother, what are you saying?" Yin Shan blurted out, disbelief thick in his voice. "If we don't report this, how will we ever get our revenge?"
"Yeah, Big Brother!" another disciple chimed in, his tone filled with indignation. "Don't agree to this! We can't let him walk away after everything he's done to us!"
The leader whirled on them, his voice thunderous. "Shut up! This is my decision! I'll do what Brother Xue says, and that's final!"
The leader's words silenced the group, but inwardly, he seethed at their lack of subtlety. He shot them a sharp glare, his thoughts simmering. "Idiots! Can't they see I'm only pretending to agree? If they keep running their mouths, that bastard will see through me!"
Catching the look in their leader's eyes, the disciples quickly exchanged understanding glances, silently reassuring him. Their expressions said it all: "Don't worry, Big Brother. We're only making it seem like we're against it to keep things convincing."
Reon watched the exchange from a distance, his demeanor calm yet sharp. His calculating gaze remained fixed on the leader for a moment longer. His mind churned.
"Strange. He agreed far too easily. If he truly intended to comply, the task completion notification would've triggered by now. This can only mean one thing—he's lying."
Reon's expression hardened as realization struck. He took a slow, deliberate step forward, his voice cutting through the tense silence. "I see now. You're trying to play tricks on me," he said, his tone as cold as the mist still lingering around them.
The leader froze, his confidence faltering for a split second. "W-what are you talking about? I already agreed!"
Reon's lips curved into a faint, humorless smile. "Oh, I know. That's why I'm going to give you the opportunity to prove your sincerity." He paused, his next words sending a chill through the air. "You'll all make a Dao Heart Oath."
The leader's eyes widened in shock. "W-what?! A Dao Heart Oath?!"
Behind him, Yin Shan gasped audibly. "No way! A Dao Heart Oath?!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling. "That's not just an ordinary promise—it's an unbreakable vow bound by the Heavenly Dao! If anyone violates it, their Dao Heart will shatter, crippling them for life. Their soul will be obliterated upon death, erasing them from existence entirely!"
Another disciple muttered in disbelief, his hands shaking. "This bastard isn't just trying to make sure we keep quiet—he's ensuring we can never betray him, no matter what!"
The leader swallowed hard, his mind racing. He tried to keep his voice steady as he stammered, "B-Brother Xue, do you really not trust me?"
Reon's gaze bore into him, unwavering. "Oh, I trust you," he said, his voice laced with icy sarcasm. "That's precisely why I'm doing this. Otherwise, I'd have killed you already."
The leader clenched his fists, his thoughts a chaotic mess. "Damn it! This bastard clearly doesn't trust me! If I swear a Dao Heart Oath, all my plans for revenge will go up in smoke. But if I refuse, he'll kill us all here and now. I've got no choice—I have to play along for now and survive."
Gritting his teeth, the leader finally spoke. "Fine. We'll do it."
He turned to his subordinates, barking out the order. "All of you, prepare to swear the Dao Heart Oath!"
Yin Shan looked as though the wind had been knocked out of him. "Damn it, we're completely screwed!" he muttered under his breath.
The leader stepped forward, his voice trembling as he began the oath. "I, Gao Jin, swear upon the Heavenly Dao to keep everything that happened here today a secret. I will not reveal the existence of the White Tiger or speak a word about Brother Xue Taiyang's presence in the Mystic Evergreen Forest to Young Master Ni..."
Reon's sharp voice interrupted. "From everyone—not just Niu Ling. And make it clear that all the injuries you suffered were caused by a powerful beast."
The leader's jaw tightened, but he obeyed. "To Young Master Niu or anyone else..." he repeated. "I will also claim that we never found Xue Taiyang and that he was likely killed by a beast. Furthermore, all the injuries we sustained were caused by a strong demonic beast."
He paused before finishing, his voice heavy with resignation. "If I ever break this vow, may the Heavens strike me down. May my Dao Heart shatter, and my soul be erased from existence, never to reincarnate."
As the final words left his lips, a faint Golden Glow surrounded him momentarily before fading into the ether—the mark of a successfully sworn Dao Heart Oath.
Reon's cold gaze flicked to the remaining disciples. "Your turn."
One by one, the disciples repeated the oath, their voices laced with fear and bitterness. Each time the golden glow appeared, Reon's suspicions eased.
When the last disciple completed the oath, a familiar notification finally echoed in Reon's mind, signaling the task's completion.
[Ding! The Host has successfully completed the selected option. Host has received Phantom Mirage Steps (Rare Grade).]
[Ding! The reward has been stored in the System Inventory. Check your Inventory for further details.]
"So, the little one is safe now," Reon thought, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.