However, the anticipated pain never came.

"What?" The guard froze, his iron whip suspended mid-swing as if halted by an unseen force.

The guard was taken aback, but upon catching Lilah's frosty glare, it felt as though his head might burst.

It was well known that Xavier was Lilah's trusted right-hand man; their connection was deep.

“Miss Phillips," the guard faltered, his whip clattering to the ground in fright.

“Lilah?" Xavier's eyes widened in astonishment at the sight of Lilah.

He could hardly believe what he was seeing.

"Lilah, is that really you? Are you a ghost or real?" he asked, wondering if he was seeing things.

“Leave,” Lilah commanded coldly, fixing the guard with a deadly gaze.

Despite his fear, the guard hesitated, saying, "Miss Phillips, Barth ordered me to oversee Xavier. Without his say-so, no one can release him."

“Not even me?" Lilah's eyebrows knitted together tightly.

Suddenly coming to his senses, Xavier shouted with enthusiasm, “Lilah, is it really you? You're back? When did you get here? Why didn't you tell me? Have you replaced me with new people? Don't you need me anymore?"

Lilah rolled her eyes and said, "Shut up."

"Miss Phillips, now that Barth leads the league on Luna Island, our hands are tied. If you insist on releasing Xavier, perhaps you should speak with Barth and seek his approval. It might be more effective," the guard proposed cautiously.

Lilah smirked and pulled a jade token from her pocket. “Is this enough?"

The guard's eyes widened.

The league leader's token!

“Enough, more than enough," the guard stuttered as he quickly unlocked Xavier's chains.

“Lilah, it's so wonderful to see you again. I've missed you terribly,"

Xavier said, beginning to cry as he clung fervently to Lilah.

“Let's go," Lilah said, her expression serious, offering her arm for support as they began to walk away together.

The guard quickly called Barth's number.

"Lilah, you're back at last. You wouldn't believe how hard it's been. Barth has become insufferable. We're supposed to be here honing our martial arts, but he's fixated on managing this Luna Company, partnering with high-profile families, and allowing a bunch of idiots to join the league, which has completely disrupted this place..."

Xavier, visibly agitated and on edge, gripped Lilah's shoulder tightly.