Having a single-character name was a rare occurrence in modern times, and almost non-existent among the newer generation.

Generally, those with single-character names were from an earlier time.

When there were fewer people, single-character names could still be differentiated. However, as the number of cultivators increased, the occurrence of identical names also rose, making it difficult to distinguish between individuals. Additionally, surnames gradually came into use to represent lineage and heritage.

Nowadays, the remaining single-character names are mostly from the older generation, like the prison master of the Land of Exile known to Shi Chun.

Among the older generation, single-character names had become even rarer and were no longer in line with the times.

Thus, Shi Chun was somewhat surprised and quickly asked, "Are there other people in this Forbidden Land?"

Zhener understood what he meant. Holding him in the same embrace, she explained, "'Su' has already died, long, long ago, along with those who were with her. They cannot return. When the Divine Fire Domain entered a purple star field, human flesh could not survive.

When 'Su' died, I was very sad, but as time passed, I stopped feeling sad. She taught me to read and speak, told me what the human world was like, and how to cultivate. When I was alone, I often thought of her."

Shi Chun was startled by this revelation. Piecing together various clues, he couldn't help but wonder if the 'Su' she mentioned was part of the group that first entered the Divine Fire Domain. He immediately asked, "Among those who were with 'Su', was there someone called the Fire God?"

Zhener replied, "Are you talking about 'Chen'? Some of them called him Fire God. Situ Gu also asked me about this."

Shi Chun paused briefly, then asked, "Did you also tell Situ Gu about 'Su'?"

Zhener said, "I did. He, just like you, asked me a lot of questions."

Shi Chun couldn't help feeling puzzled. If Situ Gu had learned so much from this woman, wasn't he afraid she would reveal secrets to others? For instance, they had now encountered this woman, and he himself was probing for information. He immediately asked, "Before Situ Gu left, did he give you any instructions, or did he just leave like that?"

Zhener thought for a moment, "He did give me instructions. He said that people who come here would harm me and told me to hide my form and avoid them if I encounter anyone."

Shi Chun appeared thoughtful and then curiously asked, "Then why didn't you listen to him? Do you think he deceived you?"

Zhener's answer was straightforward, "I have transformed into human form."

She meant that while she hadn't taken human form, what Situ Gu said was true, but now that she was human, things were different.

Shi Chun understood this logic immediately and was left speechless.

Yet, Zhener stood on her tiptoes and kissed his lips, then asked after lowering her heels, "You will help me leave, won't you?"

This was not the first time she had asked this question. She was persistent and indefatigable in seeking an answer, completely oblivious to the hints.

Shi Chun, however, avoided the question again, and instead asked, "What is your true form?"

Zhener pondered for a moment before responding, "'Su' told me to hide within her body, making me promise not to reveal my true form to those who come to the Divine Fire Domain, warning me that they would kill me."

Her hesitance betrayed the profound impact that 'Su' had had on her; clearly, she took 'Su''s words as a principle to live by.

However, this statement was as good as revealing her true form. Shi Chun's mouth twitched in a non-surprised manner. In this forsaken place, there weren't many options to guess what her true form could be, nor did he know which type of Divine Fire she might be.

He wanted to mention that 'Su' had referred to the others who had entered the Divine Fire Domain with her, and that perhaps Situ Gu had seen her true form and thus had nothing left to hide.

But he held back his words, nodding earnestly, "'Su' was right; you must never let anyone know what your true form is."

Zhener smiled happily at his response, stood on her tiptoes again, and kissed him, this kiss tinged with genuine joy. Yet, she repeated her old question afterward, "Shi Chun, will you help me leave?"

How to help? Shi Chun looked around at everyone watching and was at a loss for words.

He had a woman he admired and certainly didn't want to be entangled in a messy reputation involving romance.

It was true he had shamelessly pursued Miao Yilan, but he did so knowing full well he had no chance of success, aware she didn't think highly of someone as lowly as him. He maintained a balance that ensured failure, and now the boundaries between them were clearly defined: they were just friends.

It was also true he had been intimate with Bian Weiyin, but that was because he knew their relationship would remain private.

He was indeed pursuing Xiang Laner, but he also knew it would come to no good end. He could even foresee a day when she might be dealt with by his own hand. He hadn't killed Xiang Laner to absorb her Demon Essence yet because she still served a purpose as an intermediary.

As for the woman before him, he thought it over – not that he couldn't help or lacked the ability to take her away, but even if he could, he wouldn't. Once her usefulness ended, she would need to be killed and returned to her original form for cultivators like Tong Mingshan to absorb.

In other words, regardless of her situation, she couldn't leave, and thus an unattainable romantic involvement wouldn't change anything.

Regardless of whether she was the real Zhener or a fake, he knew he couldn't genuinely fall for some unknown creature.

With this resolution in his heart, he concealed his murderous intention quietly, his gaze returning to Zhener's face. He wrapped his arms around her waist and gazed at her affectionately, with a firm and assertive assurance, "I'm not Situ Gu, Zhener, don't worry, you are my woman, and I will definitely find every possible way to get you out."

Zhener's eyes instantly burst forth with a brilliance that seemed to illuminate the entire starry sky, as if it was at this moment she truly understood what affection was. She flashed a smile, revealing her pearly teeth, and from her heart, suddenly pulled Shi Chun into a tight embrace, cheek to cheek, letting the wind blow as if wishing to stay inseparable forever.

There were still so many people watching, and even with Shi Chun's thick skin, he couldn't let the others wait indefinitely.

With no intention for prolonged affection, he quickly pushed Zhener away and asked the pressing question, "Is there some powerful entity within this Forbidden Land?"

After a moment's thought, Zhener nodded, "The Fire Spirits in the tower are very powerful."

"The tower?" puzzled, Shi Chun asked, "What tower?"

Before their death, 'Chen' and the others had crafted an 'Earth Heart Tower' and confined some powerful Fire Spirits to guard the tower, with 'Chen' and their remains inside the tower."

Shi Chun understood, it could be a burial place the Fire God and the others had crafted for themselves before their demise. He asked, "How powerful are these Fire Spirits?"

Zhener shook her head, "I don't know; they can easily kill me."

Shi Chun sized her up, "What is your cultivation level?"

Without hesitation, Zhener answered, "Upper Realm of the Human Immortal Realm."

"Hm?" Shi Chun was somewhat surprised, "You've cultivated for so long, yet you're only at the Human Immortal Realm in cultivation?"

Zhener explained, "Spiritual Bodies trapped in the Forbidden Land cannot increase their cultivation; the tower absorbs our cultivation. If we don't strive in cultivation, it even regresses."

It seemed what Gu Lianni's ancestors had said was correct. Shi Chun asked, "Is there an Array formation set up here?"

"The core of the Array is that tower," Zhener explained, "'Su' said, if the core of the Array inside the tower is broken, the restrictions of the Forbidden Land would be lifted, and all Spiritual Bodies not confined by the 'Earth Heart Tower' could freely leave the Forbidden Land."

Perhaps because they had more interaction, her speech gradually regained its fluency. It seemed that she did not usually falter in speech; it was just that she had been out of practice interacting with others and initially felt uneasy around these people.

And clearly, that was the key to helping her leave.

With keen insight, Shi Chun caught on to the critical point and asked, "Those who are not confined can leave, but what about those who are?"

Zhener candidly replied, "They have already become one with the Array. If the Array is broken, so are they."

Hearing this made Shi Chun's teeth ache. It seemed that these confined Spiritual Bodies wouldn't let anyone break the Array easily—not when getting near them meant death. No wonder Situ Gu had not returned; a being that could instill fear in the entire Artifact Refining World posed a significant challenge. How could Situ Gu possibly fulfill a promise to this woman?

Of course, since he had promised, he knew inwardly he couldn't do it, but he wouldn't say so. He asked, "Will our presence here alarm those powerful Spiritual Bodies?"

"The Earth Heart Tower is still far from here," Zhener replied. "They cannot leave the place where they are confined. As long as we don't approach the Earth Heart Tower, the danger is not significant."

Shi Chun looked at her, not quite knowing what to say, thinking to himself that with such a frank statement, who would dare to help her? It's not just Situ Gu – anyone would be scared away.

Right then, the sound of Gu Lianni casting spells and shouting came over, "Shi Chun, how much longer do you plan to cuddle and let us watch? Open your eyes and see for yourself, more and more people are coming to gawk."

Instantly surveying the area, Shi Chun realized she was right: in that short time, several more sect groups had joined the onlookers.

If they lingered any longer, something might indeed go wrong. If someone capable were to take charge, trouble would ensue.

He looked at Zhener with some disappointment, expecting her to be an adept of some stature—hoping she could be an ally in the Divine Fire Domain. It seemed she only had a bit of cultivation enough to bully him.

Although an Upper Realm Human Immortal's cultivation was indeed far beyond the other sect members at the gathering, powerful enough to crush most. Representing their sects, they all had artifacts that, he suspected, could take down several Human Immortals.

Not considering others, even the Magical Treasure he had acquired could take her down if things got physical.

Of course, meeting a 'local' in the Forbidden Land should be enough to shake off those entangling him.

Whatever needed to be said could wait until they found a place to talk; the immediate problem needed to be addressed first.

He immediately asked again, "Zhener, the onlookers she mentioned, did you see them? They are quite annoying; can you help us shake them off?"

Zhener surveyed the surrounding figures, pondering seriously.

Knowing she was slow to react and not clear on the situation, Shi Chun hinted directly, "I heard that besides those terrifying entities, there are other monsters around here."

Zhener affirmed, "What you're talking about, all are created by the Earth Heart Tower."

Shi Chun was surprised; he hadn't expected the Earth Heart Tower to have that function. Putting that aside for the moment, he instructed, "We could use those monsters to throw them off our trail."

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