Meng Ruji wanted to hurry their journey. With two days of travel remaining, they arrived in no time…

Because Meng Ruji used money.

With magic spells activated, riding the wind for thousands of miles, they started flying in the morning, and before noon had passed, the group had already landed at the tail end of the Nai River.

However, throughout this journey, compared to yesterday, Meng Ruji had been unusually quiet. She didn’t even ride the same wind current as Mu Sui—the two of them took their own money and flew separately, with no communication along the way.

Ye Chuan was given some money to fly with the wind, following behind the two. Tuzi had transformed into rabbit form and was held in Ye Chuan’s arms, while Mo Li had become a stone held in the rabbit’s embrace.

The rabbit looked at the two people ahead, his red eyes filled with great confusion: “This evil woman spoke so confidently yesterday, clinging so inseparably—how is it that when I woke up today, everything changed?”

Normally, stone Mo Li wouldn’t make a sound, but he couldn’t help but speak:

“She went too far.”

“What went too far?”

“She reached her limit. She needs to recover.”

The rabbit’s lips twitched, muttering curses: “This evil woman has no perseverance.”

Ye Chuan raised his eyebrows, remaining silent without joining the conversation. His gaze swept past the backs of the two people ahead and looked toward the reverse-flowing Nai River.

At the tail end of the Nai River, under the shade of Ruwei grass, the surrounding moisture grew increasingly heavy.

The Nai River flowing upward toward the sky appeared to be dozens of miles wide from this angle. The river water had transformed into mist, surging upward layer by layer, like a massive upside-down waterfall.

The mist carried tiny points of light, flying from the ground toward the sky, ultimately disappearing into the air.

The scene was magnificent yet silent, like the torrent of time quietly passing by one’s ears, leaving no trace, yet traces were everywhere.

Meng Ruji looked up at the Nai River and found herself somewhat mesmerized.

Until she caught sight of a figure suddenly appearing at her side from the corner of her eye.

Only then did Meng Ruji come to her senses and look beside her. This was a strange man standing quietly in the distance, head lowered, gazing at his hands, contemplating something unknown. His expression held a peculiar tranquility.

Meng Ruji looked around, and this glance made her somewhat alarmed…

Without her noticing, many figures had appeared on the vast grassland—men, women, the elderly, and the young. They all stood motionless, some suddenly appearing, others suddenly disappearing. The appearing people had various expressions but shared the same quietness, making no sound, or rather… emitting no aura whatsoever.

“What is this?” Meng Ruji was shocked by the scene before her. For a moment, she forgot the awkwardness of the journey and asked Mu Sui beside her, “Have you been to this place before? Do you know?”

Mu Sui looked up at the sunlight overhead:

“Those are the light points from the Nai River.”

“Light points?”

“Only during daylight can you see such scenery on this grassland.” Mu Sui looked at the people before them, his voice calm as he quietly narrated.

“They are all people from the No Refuge Land who have already passed away. They enter the Nai River, becoming light points that flow toward the sky. When passing through this section of upward-flowing path, the deviation of sunlight projects all those tiny points of light onto this grassland.”

As Mu Sui spoke, Meng Ruji couldn’t help but reach out, wanting to gently touch the man beside her, but her hand passed through his arm like passing through dappled afternoon sunlight.

Immediately after, following a wave of mist, the man’s light and shadow disappeared.

“The light points in Nai River… are of this appearance…” Meng Ruji looked up, and when she saw those light points again, she had a different feeling.

“This is the last afterglow they leave in this world.” Mu Sui looked at her, “You are the last person to see these people.”

“Originally, when many people meet, each encounter is the final meeting. But when you put it this way, it has a different feeling.” Meng Ruji watched the figures appearing and disappearing among the grass and shadows, saying, “They haven’t seen me, yet I’ve seen them. This, too, is a wonderful fate.”

Meng Ruji continued forward, focusing on watching the figures before her, so she didn’t notice that behind her, Mu Sui’s gaze also fell on her.

He watched her pass through mist and walk into gaps of sunlight.

Suddenly, Meng Ruji turned around. Her black pupils, reflecting light filtered through the mist, gazed into his eyes with a hazy look.

For some reason, Mu Sui seemed unable to meet her gaze. He looked away slightly, but it was as if threads were pulling his eyes, drawing his attention back to Meng Ruji.

He could only control his eyes not to look at her directly, but couldn’t control his peripheral vision from watching her.

Meng Ruji was completely unaware of these thoughts.

“The person you seek lives in such a place—she must be a remarkable person too. Her requirements are probably not easy to meet.” She said.

Mu Sui looked into the distance and answered: “I’m determined to succeed.”

“Like how I am with you?” Meng Ruji said it naturally.

She constantly kept her purpose in mind, even rehearsing in dreams how to flirt with Mu Sui, so this response came very naturally.

But after she said this, Mu Sui didn’t respond.

The misty grassland fell into brief silence again.

Mu Sui looked into the distance, but for some reason, Meng Ruji felt he wasn’t looking at the distance. She became somewhat uncomfortable in the silence.

Meng Ruji didn’t know what Mu Sui was thinking at this moment, but she knew that her mind was now filled with that kiss from earlier…

The slightly warm body temperature, dry lips, the scent unique to him…

And in her mind, that word kept emerging uncontrollably—

“Take him!”

“Take him!”

“Take him!”

Meng Ruji closed her eyes and steadied her spirit.

Love was so terrifying!

Flirting was also terrifying!

She felt like she was now the one with an extreme personality, losing herself, and going to extremes.

“Hey!” From behind, Tuzi’s shout interrupted Meng Ruji’s emotions.

Mu Sui and Meng Ruji looked back. Tuzi jumped down from Ye Chuan while holding the stone: “The stone says he won’t go forward anymore. He says he doesn’t want to see the person inside.”

“You also have someone you fear?” Meng Ruji thought about Mo Li’s previous behavior, then glanced at Mu Sui beside her, “Fine, this is ultimately a contest between him and me. If you don’t go, so be it.”

“I won’t go either.” Tuzi said, somewhat bashfully, “When City Lord big brother came last time, although I hadn’t transformed into human form yet, I remember everything I should remember. The woman inside is terrifying…”

Meng Ruji raised her eyebrows, her gaze moving back and forth between Tuzi and Mu Sui: “You came last time—there’s a story?”

“Her first requirement for City Lord big brother was to eat me alive!”

Hearing this, Meng Ruji was momentarily speechless, her gaze continuing to move between them.

“Fortunately, City Lord big brother was kind-hearted! He didn’t listen and left!” Tuzi said this so movingly.

“Honestly…” Meng Ruji quietly asked Mu Sui, “If he hadn’t been your life-sustaining object at that time, would there now be a rabbit among those shadows illuminated by sunlight?”

Mu Sui glanced at Meng Ruji but didn’t respond to her, only saying to Tuzi: “This time you and I have no connection. It doesn’t matter if you don’t follow. You may also return to Zhuliu City.”

The implication was that coming and going was free.

After Mu Sui finished speaking, he turned and continued toward the depths of the grassland.

Tuzi felt somewhat sad hearing this, but not much. He immediately perked up his ears and shouted to Mu Sui: “City Lord big brother, I’ll wait here for you to come out! If you need any help, be sure to come find me! I’ll be right here!”

Mu Sui didn’t turn back, as if he hadn’t heard.

Meng Ruji followed Mu Sui for two steps, studying his profile. Seeing his emotions showed no fluctuation, she asked: “Does Tuzi count as a person? Is he within your annihilation plan?”

Mu Sui didn’t answer, but from behind came Ye Chuan’s calm voice: “Demons are like humans, already possessing human nature. Naturally, they’re included… I suppose.” Ye Chuan’s gaze swept toward Mu Sui.

Mu Sui’s steps paused as he met Ye Chuan’s eyes.

“Why did you follow?” Meng Ruji turned to look at Ye Chuan, “Do you want to go in with us?”

Ye Chuan looked away, calmly saying to Meng Ruji, “I was the one who brought you here. I will find ways to fulfill your wish and send you back.”

He had said this before. Meng Ruji had no suspicions.

“You don’t seek the thousand gold pieces, so going would be useless.” Mu Sui stared at Ye Chuan, “The person inside won’t allow those seeking a thousand gold pieces to accept help from others.”

“Then I’ll also seek the thousand gold pieces. If I’m fortunate enough to obtain them, I’ll offer them with both hands.”

Hearing this, Meng Ruji’s eyebrows rose slightly: “Ye Daqing, you don’t have other intentions, do you?”

Ye Chuan looked at Meng Ruji, his dark pupils seemingly able to see through everything at a glance: “Miss Meng, if you’re worried, I simply won’t go.”

Meng Ruji pursed her lips: “Regardless of what intentions you have, the thousand gold pieces currently belong neither to me nor to him. I have no authority to prevent you from seeking them. Just don’t deceive me under the guise of doing good for me.”

Ye Chuan was stunned, then, after a moment, said: “I truly don’t want the thousand gold pieces.”

“Fine, you say it, I believe it.”

“This old woman is hearing for the first time that someone doesn’t want the thousand gold pieces.”

Behind the wisps of thin mist sweeping across the ground in the Ruwei grass shade, a figure suddenly appeared. The figure was somewhat hunched, and among all the people condensed from light and shadow, she was the only one who could walk.

As the mist dispersed and sunlight fell on the newcomer, Meng Ruji could finally see clearly that it was a thin, elderly woman. She leaned on a walking stick, and although her form was already hunched, her hair was combed neatly, her clothes clean and tidy, without even a speck of dirt or wrinkle.

Seeing the newcomer, Mu Sui nodded slightly: “Madam Lin.”

“We meet again, Qianshan Jun.” Madam Lin said, “I heard you had already bought your life with a thousand gold pieces and left the No Refuge Land. Why have you returned now, even coming to me again in desperation?”

Mu Sui was silent for a moment, then answered with two words:

“Fate.”

Madam Lin laughed coldly: “What fine fate. Don’t stand there—you and I can be considered old acquaintances. Come in and talk.”

Madam Lin turned toward the depths of the mist. Mu Sui followed, and Meng Ruji didn’t delay either. After taking two steps, she realized something was missing. She turned back and saw Ye Chuan still standing in place, staring motionlessly in the direction Madam Lin had left.

Sunlight filtered through the mist and fell on him, as if he too were one of those light and shadow figures.

“Ye Chuan?” Meng Ruji called to him, “What are you daydreaming about?”

“Oh.” Ye Chuan nodded and also followed.

“What’s wrong with you?” Meng Ruji looked at him strangely.

“Fate…” Ye Chuan’s voice was slightly hoarse as he repeated these two words, “I just feel that Young Master Mu Sui answered those two words too perfectly…”

Passing through the mist and reaching the depths of the Ruwei grass shade, walking through a patch of shrubs, they saw where Madam Lin lived.

A simple little courtyard with main house, side rooms, and kitchen—everything complete, just like the most ordinary household in the mortal realm. Only the courtyard was excessively neat, spotless, and lacking some of the living atmosphere of ordinary homes.

Madam Lin led the three people back into the courtyard. The stone table and chairs were just right for four people to sit.

She sat in the host’s position, skillfully pouring tea for the three, not a drop more or less, the tea in each cup at the same height.

“Besides Qianshan Jun, there are two new faces.” Only then did Madam Lin’s gaze sweep across Meng Ruji and Ye Chuan’s faces.

Meng Ruji politely nodded. Madam Lin passed over her, her gaze lingering on Ye Chuan’s face for a moment.

“Have I met this young master before?”

Ye Chuan was silent for a moment: “I’ve only recently arrived in the No Refuge Land. I haven’t met… Madam Lin, before.”

“How fated—when I see you, I feel somewhat familiar.”

Ye Chuan didn’t respond again, lowering his head to pick up the tea in his hands. Just as he was about to drink, Madam Lin smiled: “There’s cursed poison in the tea.”

The teacup at his lips paused. Ye Chuan looked up, his gaze coldly meeting Madam Lin’s.

“No need to be angry—all three of you are the same.”

Meng Ruji had already guessed this. Taking these thousand gold pieces wasn’t easy. This woman’s temperament was truly strange—speaking pleasantly while silently administering cursed poison.

“Madam Lin, please speak directly.” Meng Ruji looked at Madam Lin, “We seek the thousand gold pieces and will naturally follow your rules. Please instruct us.”

Only then did Madam Lin look at Meng Ruji more carefully: “A spirited young lady has come. With your temperament, taking the thousand gold pieces from me will probably be a thousand times more painful than earning them yourself.”

“Madam Lin, didn’t you say it before—desperate with no way out.”

Hearing this, Madam Lin smiled and turned to look at Mu Sui:

“Yes, you should all be the same.” Madam Lin tapped the teapot, “My rules here—Qianshan Jun has heard them. To take my thousand gold pieces, you must obey me completely for one month.”

“Obey completely.” Ye Chuan thoughtfully repeated these four words.

Meng Ruji also frowned and muttered: “One month?”

“Can’t do it?” Madam Lin began collecting the teacups in front of her, “I don’t force anyone. You’re free to leave on your own.”

Madam Lin’s hand reached for the teacup in front of Mu Sui. Mu Sui raised his hand to press down on it:

“Madam Lin, please state your requirements.”

Madam Lin withdrew the teacups from in front of Meng Ruji and Ye Chuan, leaving Mu Sui’s cup under his pressure.

“The first condition: drink this cup of tea with cursed poison. If anyone violates my commands during this month, the cursed poison will activate, causing immediate death. The manner of death… won’t be very pleasant.”

Upon hearing this, both Meng Ruji and Ye Chuan fell silent.

Mu Sui’s gaze also turned cold as he looked at Madam Lin.

For a moment, the atmosphere became tense.

Madam Lin only stared at Mu Sui:

“Qianshan Jun, don’t blame me. When you came last time, there was no such rule, but that was many years ago. Over these years, I’ve grown quite tired of it all, so I simply set up this threshold. People who want to buy their lives with a thousand gold pieces but haven’t thought about what they can sacrifice for that life needn’t waste my time anymore. Qianshan Jun, what do you think?”

In the courtyard, after a long silence, Mu Sui’s steady voice broke the tranquility.

“This rule is very good.” As he spoke, he gripped the cup and brought it to his lips. Just as he was about to drink it all, Meng Ruji suddenly stood up, covering the cup’s opening with her palm and using almost brute force to press both Mu Sui’s hand and the cup back onto the table.

With a “bang,” the cup didn’t break, and the tea inside, covered by Meng Ruji’s palm, didn’t spill.

Meng Ruji stared intently at Mu Sui: “Have you thought this through? One month, complete obedience, death by poison—do you know what she’ll make you do?!”

Madam Lin remained calm, unsurprised. She didn’t look at the two; she only casually used her fingertip to wipe away dust on the table.

Ye Chuan’s gaze wandered between several people without saying a word.

Mu Sui looked up at Meng Ruji: “I said I’m determined to succeed.” He brushed away Meng Ruji’s hand and, without allowing anyone to stop him, drank the cursed tea in one gulp.

Meng Ruji’s heart jumped. She was both anxious and angry, momentarily unable to tell if she was angry at Mu Sui’s stubbornness or worried he might die on the spot.

Just as Mu Sui set down his teacup, Meng Ruji also snatched a cup of tea from in front of Madam Lin.

Madam Lin didn’t stop her, and Mu Sui’s eyes widened, but he too was unable to stop her in time.

The hot tea went down her throat, rolling past her esophagus. The clear tea’s fragrance filled her nose, but it carried a scraping pain in her throat.

This wasn’t a bluff—there was cursed poison!

And Mu Sui hadn’t even changed his expression earlier…

Meng Ruji tilted her head back and finished the tea, gritting her teeth to endure the tearing pain extending from her throat through her chest to her stomach. She glanced at the stunned Mu Sui, whose expression was almost identical to hers just moments ago.

Meng Ruji laughed coldly, then looked at Madam Lin, casually returning the empty cup to her.

“Come, let’s play.”