Andrew was stunned.

Had he and Shiloh really stayed underwater from one night until the next?

…

An entire day had passed. Andrew stepped out of the lake and oriented himself, planning to head back immediately. He had been gone too long, and Sheena and the others were probably worried sick by now.

But just then, faint voices drifted to his ears.

"Search everywhere. Leave no corner unchecked."

"Mr. Topsfield Senior, we've already combed the entire area. There's no sign of her."

"The only place left is down below, but with how dangerous the Sword Pool is, we didn't dare go in."

"Then she either drowned in the pool or escaped somewhere else."

A colder voice cut through the others. "Enough. Everyone, fall back. I don't want any more chaos here. I'll handle the rest myself."

Andrew froze just as he was about to slip into the trees. He noticed that the voices came from the other side of the hill.

Ever since the Blood Pith's energy had fused with his own, his senses had