She wasn't making any threats, nor was it a difficult question to answer, but her attitude gradually irked the group from Shudao Mountain. In the Artifact Refining World, it was rare for disciples of any sect to act so high and mighty before them—especially when alone.

Wu Jinliang, having been tipped off by Shi Chun, also observed the lone woman's abnormal behavior.

Gu Lianni, who had waited patiently for a while, couldn't help but express her dissatisfaction, "What, is it so hard to answer this question?"

The lone woman finally spoke up, asking in return, "Do I have to answer?"

Her intonation, slightly stilted and dull, was soft and slow. It was hard to describe the way she spoke. It was as though the words didn't come easily to her, but she wasn't stuttering either. She seemed to be searching for each word, one by one, giving listeners the sensation of trying to guess what her next word might be.

The person speaking seemed tired, and it was quite taxing for the listeners too.

Despite that, her voice had an underlying pleasantness to it, like the drips of an underground stalactite in the hidden darkness, plink, plonk.

Gu Lianni was left somewhat speechless by her question, saying 'must' or 'have to' seemed somewhat bullying, but since they had come here, they clearly wanted answers. She replied, "Does your sect shun the sight of others?"

The lone woman thought for a moment and replied, "All the people in our sect are dead." Then, as if she remembered something, she added calmly, "Except for me."

The group from Shudao Mountain showed a hint of surprise and skepticism, instinctively casting their gazes toward the dark depths of the Forbidden Land.

Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang exchanged glances.

Yuan Yao asked, "Did the people from your sect die in the Forbidden Land?"

The lone woman thought for a moment before replying with a single word, "Yes."

Yuan Yao asked, "May I know the lady's distinguished name?"

The lone woman tilted her head slightly as if pondering the question and then asked, "Why?"

Everyone paused.

Yuan Yao frowned slightly, "No other reason, just asking for the lady's name."

This time, the lone woman's response was swift, "Zhener."

Her directness made everyone look at each other oddly, wondering if she truly couldn't comprehend before. Could she not even understand such a simple question? Was there something wrong with her mind?

Logically, that shouldn't be the case. Those selected to enter the Divine Fire Domain by the sects were not supposed to be so dull.

Their gaze shifted back to her robe's hem, revealing her stark white legs. Now, looking at her indecent outfit, they wondered if the woman had suffered some harm or shock, causing her mind to be disturbed. That might explain her faltering speech.

Gu Lianni's look at her carried a hint of sympathy.

Even Wu Jinliang couldn't help but harbor the same thought. If this woman were pretending, then her acting skills were too convincing. He even started to doubt whether Shi Chun had made a mistake.

Shi Chun observed her carefully. The more realistic her act appeared, the more vigilant he became.

His eyes darted around as he pondered a safe way to extricate himself and his brothers without harm.

He had come to the conclusion that this strange woman could likely be a fearsome entity from the Forbidden Land.

"Zhener?" Yuan Yao asked for confirmation, "The truth as in 'real'?"

The lone woman replied, "Yes."

Yuan Yao asked, "What's your surname?"

The lone woman tilted her head slightly, looking at him in a puzzled manner.

Alright, perhaps this woman really did have a problem with her mind. Yuan Yao turned and gave Pang Hou a meaningful look.

Pang Hou immediately took out the Divine Fire Covenant's attendee register from his Qiankun Bag and started flipping through it page by page, looking for any names that could be linked to 'Zhener.'

Gu Lianni asked again, "Zhener, if it's so dangerous, why are you here all alone? Why not leave?"

The self-proclaimed 'Zhener' answered, "I can't leave. Do you know someone named Situ Gu?"

"..." Everyone was either perplexed or astonished. Anyone in the Artifact Refining World who didn't know the name 'Situ Gu' was an outsider. As the top individual in the Artifact Refining World and the one whose contributions had elevated the Refining Heaven Sect to the number one position, who wouldn't know of him?

He was an individual looked up to by everyone in the Artifact Refining World.

If someone else had asked, the question would seem intentional, but coming from this woman, it further confirmed for everyone that she had mental issues.

Gu Lianni tentatively said, "Are you referring to the senior of Refining Heaven Sect, Situ?"

A rare hint of joy appeared on Zhener's face as she nodded, "Yes, he said he was a disciple of Refining Heaven Sect. Has he arrived?"

Her happiness could be felt by all, yet it was oddly subdued, like a small ripple in a calm lake. That was all.

The expressions of the group varied. Yuan Yao couldn't help but scratch his forehead, exchanging a look with Gu Lianni. Without speaking, they acknowledged that they had indeed encountered a fool.

Pang Hou glanced up before continuing his search through the attendee register for names.

According to the rules of the Divine Fire Covenant, it was impossible for Senior Situ Gu to enter, and he didn't enter. All the artifact refiners present should be aware of this, so most people were convinced that Zhener's mind was really troubled.

"Alas," Gu Lianni sighed, asking, "Zhener, do you know Senior Situ Gu?"

Zhener replied, "I know him, he said the outside world is fascinating, he said he would find a way to take me out of here, and I've been waiting for him. Has he come?"

Those listening intently to her lengthy reply found it rather taxing.

Many people wore odd expressions again, feeling this woman must be suffering from hysteria, fancying that Senior Situ Gu would come for her, not unlike a young girl daydreaming about a prince coming to marry her.

Poor Gu Lianni turned her head to the side with a bitter smile.

Wu Jinliang, however, sensed a different kind of abnormality and turned his head to look at Shi Chun again.

Shi Chun's gaze flickered, seemingly calm on the surface, but inwardly he was engulfed by surging waves, realizing something.

Seeing Gu Lianni turning her head back to continue questioning, Shi Chun, with a flustered look and flickering eyes, feared being questioned about his own suspicions by Shudao Mountain's group. If things were as he suspected, he hoped he could filter out the relevant information.

He had fought for his life with countless individuals in the Land of Exile, well aware that having firsthand information others didn't know was the key to victory.

Now facing this opportunity, he couldn't afford to miss it and immediately intervened, "Why don't everyone step aside, and let me have a private chat with her."

Everyone turned their heads in unison, puzzled.

Worried was evident in Wu Jinliang's eyes—if this woman had any issues, might you be in danger by yourself?

Gu Lianni said doubtfully, "Brother Chun..."

She hadn't finished speaking when Shi Chun raised his hand to interrupt, pointing to his head, "I've learned some healing techniques in the Land of Exile. I sort of understand it. Your presence will influence her thoughts, and I might be able to clarify her situation. Please step aside."

The quietly behaving Zhener looked at him with a slight tilt of her head, somewhat puzzled.

Wu Jinliang laughed, his mouth stretching to his ears, revealing a set of big white teeth, thinking, when did you learn that skill? I had no idea.

Having just worried about Shi Chun's safety, Wu Jinliang immediately ceased to be concerned upon realizing Shi Chun was blatantly bluffing. After all, they had crawled out of the same pit and were well-acquainted with each other's ways.

Of course, he then cheerfully called out to the others, "I know about Brother Chun Tian's skills. It's true, others being around can interfere. Let's step back, everyone back off, and give them some space." He waved his hand and called everyone to follow.

He was the first to fly off.

Gu Lianni and the others exchanged glances, and reluctantly moved away, riding on Wind Scales and watching from a distance, occasionally surveying their surroundings.

The people from the surrounding sects, entwined in their own issues, also watched from a proper distance, wondering what was happening here.

With others gone, Shi Chun stepped forward two paces to stand near Zhener, still somewhat on guard. After all, he didn't know the temperament or strength of the other party. If she was truly a terrifying being, offending her could be very dangerous.

Nevertheless, when he saw that she allowed the others to leave, his heart felt somewhat more relieved.

Zhener stared at him, and when he returned his gaze from looking around, she asked again, "Has Situ Gu come?"

Shi Chun dared not give a definitive answer and ventured, "What is your relationship with Situ Gu?"

"Relationship..." Zhener pondered the term, and finally shook her head, "I don't know."

Shi Chun choked on his response, wondering whether she was genuinely naïve or pretending to be, or perhaps she just had poor comprehension. He probed again, "Is it a romantic relationship?"

"No," Zhener denied, and just as Shi Chun was about to ask more, she thought it over and slowly said, "If I had taken human form at that time, I might have tried to have a romantic relationship with him. I've heard it's quite beautiful."

Having said that, she fell into a state of peculiar rumination.

At her words, Shi Chun's eyes lit up, realizing his guess was correct and that this woman wasn't mentally unsound or foolish, she just genuinely lacked clarity on some matters. He then confirmed, "Which year did you meet Situ Gu?"

"Which year…" Zhener looked up at the night sky, her expression one of bewilderment, and eventually shook her head with a look of searching recollection, "I don't know, it's been a long time. He said he was a disciple of Refining Heaven Sect, coming to find Divine Fire."

Shi Chun's heart skipped a beat, thinking to himself that it was just as he suspected. He glanced at the night sky, then back at her refined features, realizing that she should have a concept of 'years', but in the Land of Eternal Night, it was hard to discern the passage of time.

He tried again, "Did you help Situ Gu find Divine Fire?"

Zhener nodded slightly, "I can't leave this place, he said he would come back with the strength to break the seal here and take me away. He needed Divine Fire to enhance his strength, so I helped him look for Divine Fire. He said he would return, but after waiting for a long time, I never saw him, so I thought to ask others, but I never saw anyone else. Did he lie to me and won't come back?"

Shi Chun hesitated, feeling the woman was actually not naïve, but unsure how to respond because he didn't know the specifics. In any case, he must be careful with his words to avoid being killed by Situ Gu if they got out.

Zhener queried, "If we have a romantic relationship, does that mean he would really help me?"

Continually faced with such difficult questions, Shi Chun couldn't help scratching his head, deliberating how to handle this oddity.

Zhener asked again, "Will you help me leave?"

He obviously had to make a statement. Even if he couldn't fulfill it, given the situation here, he had to verbally agree. Shi Chun immediately patted his chest and assured, "Naturally."

Then Zhener came closer to him, so close that their bodies were almost touching.

What are you doing? Shi Chun took a step back with caution but couldn't avoid her. As Zhener tiptoed, she pressed her lips against his in his astonished and bewildered gaze. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she began to kiss him directly, very suddenly.

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