Madam Jinjiao gazed at Meng Duo’er with delight, then looked over at Baili Weisheng, joy overflowing on her face, her hands unconsciously clasped tight, a thousand words wanting to spill out, and yet unable to utter a single one!

Ziqing and Jue Mingzi watched from the side, both nervous and excited, not daring to ask anything at all, terrified of disturbing Meng Duo’er’s concentration!

At a moment like this, Baili Weisheng, for once in his life, fell into an unprecedented silence — so silent that even he himself felt something was off, not even noticing that his hands, clasped behind his back, had unconsciously tightened into fists!

Meng Duo’er studied the barrier with great seriousness, gently running her hands across it.

For a moment, the entire sea fell into complete silence, the atmosphere unbearably tense.

Whether this barrier could truly be opened was the question — after all, Meng Wanyue had insisted, over and over, that only she could open this prison barrier!

The silence stretched on, and on!

It went on so long that everyone began to grow anxious. Ziqing wanted to ask, but didn’t dare, and couldn’t help glancing back at Meng Wanyue instead — who by now sat utterly hollowed out, staring blankly, head bowed, murmuring something unconsciously to herself.

Baili Weisheng finally furrowed his brow as well, exchanging a look with Madam Jinjiao.

Madam Jinjiao said nothing, simply reaching out to press her hand against the barrier, offering Baili Weisheng what comfort she could.

After a long while more, Meng Duo’er still hadn’t said a word. Finally, Baili Weisheng couldn’t hold back any longer, saying in a low voice, “Well? Say something.”

“I… I…” Meng Duo’er looked deeply conflicted.

Baili Weisheng waited. Everyone waited.

Meng Duo’er looked at him, her fine brows knitted tight, her expression full of difficulty.

Who could have known, Baili Weisheng suddenly burst out furiously, “Just say it already, what is it!”

Meng Duo’er jumped, startled, then immediately got straight to the point. “This barrier can be opened. It’s a prison barrier with a time limit — once someone enters, they need thirty years before they can come out. The time limit has already passed, but Fourth Aunt added another layer of barrier on top to extend it. I can break through it! It’s just… it’s just that my stomach is so hungry, I have no strength left. I’ve been concentrating for so long, I really can’t focus anymore.”

The moment she said this, everyone let out a collective sigh of relief!

“You should have said so sooner!” Baili Weisheng couldn’t help rolling his eyes, while inside the barrier, Madam Jinjiao couldn’t hold back a laugh, watching Meng Duo’er’s simple, clumsy manner with utter delight!

“My suspended-breath technique isn’t very good, it keeps cutting in and out — I had to hold my breath for so long… and, um… the swimming too…”

Meng Duo’er’s face turned red. She liked this group of people, wanted to go out and see the world together with them — but she herself was clumsy in so many ways. Her barrier techniques were excellent, and yet it had taken her nearly half a month just to get down to the Innocent Ravine!

“Don’t you know instant sealing? Why didn’t you just seal yourself inside a barrier and float down?” Ziqing asked. After all, both the Golden Jiao Palace and the Silver Jiao Palace were themselves barriers.

Meng Duo’er really hadn’t needed to go through all that hardship!

Baili Weisheng had just been puzzling over this same question himself — if it weren’t for the fact that Meng Duo’er had saved them, he would have already called her an idiot to her face!

But at this, Meng Duo’er quickly glanced over at Meng Wanyue, and seeing no reaction from her, answered in a small, timid voice, “I lied to her. I haven’t fully mastered instant sealing yet! What happened just now was a lucky success! If it hadn’t worked, all I could have done was block her barrier technique — I couldn’t have actually trapped her!”

Meng Duo’er truly was honest at heart — but she certainly wasn’t as foolish as he’d imagined!

Baili Weisheng’s gaze froze for a moment, a faint flicker of interest surfacing in his eyes, one he himself hadn’t even noticed…