Su Mu stepped on the water's surface, walking step by step towards the figure on the river.

As he got closer, he saw it was a man dressed in grey, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, his features were sharp, and his gaze was very calm, showing not a hint of panic.

Upon closer inspection, he saw a cicada resting on a bamboo leaf. The man in grey had his hands behind his back and was looking straight ahead.

....

The man in grey gazed at the Spring and Autumn Cicada, which had taken him upstream on the River of Time, and spoke softly, "I am still alive, the Spring and Autumn Cicada indeed worked."

He examined his surroundings, feeling ripples in his heart.

Who could have thought that this legendary River of Time would look so ordinary, yet it governs all laws of time.

Thanks to the Spring and Autumn Cicada, he was fortunate enough to take a journey on this River of Time.

He recalled being hunted by many, forced to self-destruct, and having no choice but to use the Spring and Autumn Cicada to return to the past and start over.

.....

Suddenly, he sensed something, slowly lifted his head, and looked ahead.

He saw a man walking on the water's surface of the River of Time, as if strolling leisurely, approaching him step by step.

His pupils contracted, and his brows furrowed slightly; he unconsciously clenched his fists, quickly entering a battle-ready state.

He thought, "I could only step onto this River of Time because of the Spring and Autumn Cicada; does this person also have a Spring and Autumn Cicada?"

As he pondered, the figure had already come within three meters, and as the figure stopped, the bamboo he was stepping on also became static.

This figure was wearing an Immortal Robe, with handsome features and sword-like eyes. Particularly, his eyes were deep as a pond, ancient and unperturbed.

He looked up and down at this figure; he didn't have a Spring and Autumn Cicada nor any medium, yet he walked upon the River of Time!

What kind of power is this?

Moreover, after this figure approached, he himself was fixed in place, and his Spring and Autumn Cicada emitted a faint hum, appearing somewhat afraid.

....

Su Mu gazed at this man, then his eyes settled on the cicada on the bamboo leaf.

Immediately, with a wave of his hand, the cicada fell into his palm.

....

Seeing this, the man's brows knit tightly, but he still maintained calmness as he said, "I bear no grudges with you."

He began to recall in his mind whether he had provoked any enemies who would chase him to the River of Time for the Spring and Autumn Cicada.

But none of his enemies could set foot on this River of Time!

....

Su Mu did not respond to the man's words, instead continuing to carefully inspect the cicada in his hand. Its head and abdomen were brownish-yellow, with large wings, and the surface of its shell was engraved with patterns like tree rings.

....

Seeing the man ignore his words, he felt some anger, but he couldn't act out on this River of Time.

Moreover, the strength of this man was likely beyond his own.

But since this man already had the ability to traverse the River of Time, why seize his Spring and Autumn Cicada?

"This cicada is rare. If you like it, I can give it to you, but on the condition that you take me away," he quickly decided in his mind.

He must maximize the benefit. Losing the Spring and Autumn Cicada was acceptable but ensuring he could return to the past was essential.

After a simple inspection, Su Mu waved his hand disinterestedly and returned the cicada to him.

"Not interested."

"Is this very rare?"

Su Mu looked at the man cherishing the cicada as a treasure.

Finishing speaking, he waved his hand, grabbing a larger cicada from a tree on the shore, also marked with tree ring patterns.

Seeing this more perfect and powerful Spring and Autumn Cicada, the man was stunned.

In that instant, he seemed to sense the world's disparity.

Many powerful beings, over countless years, for a single Spring and Autumn Cicada, fought bitter battles, causing numerous disasters.

But in this man's hand, it was casually procured.

Upon careful thought, it made sense; the Spring and Autumn Cicada naturally lived on the River of Time, but no one dared to come to the River of Time to catch it, nor had the ability.

...

"What's your name?"

Su Mu asked the man in grey.

"Fang Yuan"

Sharing one's name wasn't a matter worth hiding. Besides, on the River of Time, Fang Yuan shared his real name.

"Crossing the river, where are you planning to go?"

Su Mu continued to ask.

"Going home."

Fang Yuan replied.

"You can go home, but to cross the river, you need to pay a crossing fee," Su Mu said.

He was quite fair, regardless of whether you were going home, to a burial, or anything else; anyone crossing the river had to pay.

Upon hearing this, Fang Yuan was not surprised. Instead, he replied calmly, "May I ask, how is the crossing fee collected?"

"Bring out something valuable."

Su Mu didn't have a fixed standard. Each person crossing the river had different situations, so asking the other to bring out a treasure was the most prudent.

Hearing this, Fang Yuan let out a bitter laugh.

Now, he had nothing left, only the Spring and Autumn Cicada that had taken him back on the River of Time.

Since this man held no interest in the Spring and Autumn Cicada, he truly had nothing else to offer.

After a moment of contemplation, Fang Yuan said, "I have nothing else on me."

He said, cutting a lock of his hair, handing it to Su Mu, "If you trust me, I will personally repay the crossing fee when I return."

In Fang Yuan's world, many called him a demon, but he believed he acted with a clear conscience, following his heart.

He did not feel he had done any wrong.

Many considered him sinister and evil, but few knew he was a man of his word; any promise he made, he kept.

In his family, the body was given by parents; cutting hair was taboo. He cut his hair to prove sincerity and resolve.

Hearing this, Su Mu looked at the man with some surprise.

This was the calmest person he had ever met.

Su Mu judged people accurately; this man did not seem like someone who would deceive him, so he decided to trust him this time.

Besides, the man had nothing worth scavenging; he was penniless. Su Mu would have asked for an IOU anyway, and since he offered, it saved him from saying more.

...

"Is your home far? Need a lift?"

Su Mu asked.

"Not far, thank you for your kindness." Fang Yuan cupped his hands in gratitude.

Su Mu stepped aside, making way for him, and stopped halting the water path, letting him pass.

But Fang Yuan didn't leave immediately, seeming to be pondering something.

Finally, he raised his head, looking at Su Mu, asking, "Esteemed senior, I wish to make a transaction with you."

"A transaction?"

Su Mu crossed his arms over his chest, showing doubt.

It was the first time anyone had proposed a condition or transaction with him, sparking his interest at once.

...

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