But his words only made the jealousy burn hotter.
The black-robed mage screamed, "Do you all not see? He wants to keep the seed for himself! They are trying to trick us. We were here before her. The seed should be ours! Everyone, attack together. She cannot fight us all!"
The crowd began to stir. Some looked uncertain, but others clenched their fists. The thought of the mystic seed was too tempting.
One young mage shouted, "He is right! If we let her walk away with it, we will regret it forever!"
Another agreed, his voice trembling. "We suffered so much just to reach this place. And she gets it without effort? That is unfair!"
Soon, dozens of voices rose in anger.
"Attack them!"
"Kill them both!"
"Snatch the seed!"
Long Yifan moved closer to Gu Jin. His voice was low but steady. "Stay behind me."
Gu Jin's eyes were calm, though her fingers still held the seed tightly. She whispered, "I will not give it up."
Long Yifan gave a small nod. "And I will not let them take it."
