Seeing that they were merely asked to return to the island, Xu Anzhang and Youu Mu breathed a sigh of relief. Still, they looked toward Shi Chun, clearly waiting for his approval as they didn't dare act on their own. The current circumstances were unclear, and they needed to cooperate.

Since it was just a simple retreat, Shi Chun didn't make an issue of it and nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Thus, Xu Anzhang and Youu Mu obediently retraced their steps, showing not a hint of dissatisfaction.

Master Nine formally introduced the horned old man before Shi Chun, "Shi Chun, this is the elder you must pay your respects to."

Shi Chun quickly bowed and said, "Shi Chun pays his respects to the elder."

The elder scrutinized Shi Chun for a good moment before asking, "I hear you plan to marry Zhener?"

Shi Chun responded with a nod, "Yes."

People here weren't accustomed to beating around the bush, so the elder plainly asked, "Do you understand that Zhener is unable to leave this Forbidden Land?"

Shi Chun replied, "I understand."

The elder pressed further, "Are you certain you are willing to remain in the Divine Fire Domain forever for Zhener's sake?"

Shi Chun said solemnly, "I am willing."

The elder said, "Those who stay in the Divine Fire Domain have predecessors as examples. Your cultivation is far inferior to those people, who themselves couldn't endure past the gods' Annihilation Domain a century later. This means that once the exit is sealed, staying here will grant you no more than another hundred years of life at most. Do you understand this?"

"I know. Zhener has already explained it to me," Shi Chun said, casting a glance at Zhener. He took her hands tenderly and gazed at her with what he tried to make a look of deep affection, saying, "Meeting someone I truly love, even if it means spending just a hundred years together, isn't that enough? Those without love, even if they live forever, what would be the point? Zhener is all I need in this lifetime."

Zhener, secretly anxious and uneasy, couldn't help but smile sweetly at his words, even knowing he was likely feigning sincerity. Were it not for the elder's presence, she might have indulged her emotions and kissed him.

The elder's expression remained calm, but his eyes betrayed a subtle flicker of unsettledness.

Master Nine couldn't help but glance toward the sky in exasperation.

Had they not guessed Shi Chun's true purpose in coming, they would have been utterly incapable of imagining that outsiders could be this nauseating. They had never seen anything like this before but begrudgingly understood that Shi Chun's relentless barrage of words had even left the elder speechless and at a standstill.

Those eavesdropping from the shadows showed varied reactions, their expressions shifting unpredictably. Some even mouthed words silently to the air.

Shi Chun's audacious and seemingly genuine performance was so convincing because he believed the elders of the Earth Heart Tower had no clue that Zhener knew the method to decode the centerpiece of the Array.

At least, that's what Zhener had privately told him—that "Su" had secretly informed her and advised her to remember it without revealing anything to outsiders; otherwise, the elders in the tower wouldn't spare her.

The sight of this pair of shameless lovers locked in their prolonged display of affection made the elder momentarily at a loss for words. He was forced to find something else to talk about, "What about your family if you don't return?"

Shi Chun immediately turned his head and declared, "Shi Chun is alone in the world, without parents…"

With this, a back-and-forth ensued as he explained his lineage and background, inevitably delving into the matters of the Land of Exile. To their surprise, the elders seemed quite interested in the outside world, asking many questions with great curiosity.

Meanwhile, Xu Anzhang and Youu Mu had carefully climbed back to the seventh floor, holding the Sandalwood Gold to illuminate the darkness. Without Master Nine escorting them or the Divine Fire spontaneously lighting their way, they tread cautiously.

As they walked, they surreptitiously observed their surroundings. While circling the curved passageway, a childlike voice suddenly sighed from ahead.

"They won't kill us, will they?"

This single remark made both men instinctively clutch the glow of the Sandalwood Gold. They faintly caught glimpses of movement ahead and deliberately slowed their steps, listening intently.

Testing the path, they peeked toward the curve of the passage and then quickly pulled back, cautiously stretching their necks again moments later. They saw two children sitting on the stairs, playing with flickering flames.

"They're guests; they won't kill us."

"But I've heard that the artifact refiners from outside like to eat us. It's said that every couple hundred years, a group of them comes to hunt our kind."

"Those who reach the Earth Heart Tower should be different. The elders will protect us and won't let them succeed."

"But when they passed through the Annihilation Domain earlier, something went awry. The elders were subjected to the Tower's Array, leaving them too weak to even face us. If these guests turn greedy, and Zhener helps them, what then?"

"They don't know. It won't happen. Besides, Zhener has no reason to harm us for their sake…"

Overhearing these words, Xu Anzhang and Youu Mu were deeply shaken, their hearts racing uncontrollably.

Continuing to eavesdrop could lead to trouble. Xu Anzhang discreetly tapped Youu Mu's fingertips, signaling a retreat. Youu Mu quickly got the message and followed him backward, both moving cautiously and scanning their surroundings while retreating.

Only upon reaching the staircase where they had entered did they allow the light to shine openly, pretending to have just ascended the floor. They deliberately let their footsteps echo loudly.

"Huh, this structure—it's like a building but also like a tower," Xu Anzhang said, intentionally making idle chatter.

Youu Mu took the hint, replying, "Why would a building or tower be constructed underground? The central column here looks entirely enclosed."

As he spoke, he reached out to touch a wall.

Xu Anzhang hurriedly pulled his hand back, scolding, "Don't touch randomly."

"I just want to see what it's made of…"

The two kept talking as they glanced ahead, noting another staircase leading upward. The two children sitting earlier had disappeared.

Thus, the duo continued their conversation as they approached the stairwell, ascending step by step.

After they left, flames appeared again near the curve of the passage. It was those same children who had been sitting on the stairs playing with fire.

The two children hopped and skipped down the stairs, glanced upward briefly, then revealed eerie, mature smiles. They turned and walked away, their steps suddenly alight with blazing red flames. The two merged into a single fiery entity, which rapidly condensed into the form of a crimson-footed woman.

The woman appeared draped in a flowing red gossamer dress, her graceful figure partially visible beneath the mist-like fabric. Her skin was pale as snow. Her legs stretched elegantly, and with each step, faint whispers of spring seemed to emerge. Bells jingled softly with every gesture, tied to black hairpins that adorned her high-coiled hair. Each hairpin carried a black bell, while a red scarf partially veiled her face.

Though her face showed only the eyes and part of her upper features, one glance revealed her as a breathtaking and alluring beauty.

Her ethereal, floating figure tapped lightly into the void, reminiscent of a swan-like dance. With a delicate motion, she covered her nose and giggled softly, saying, "It's ready over here."

Around her, no one could be seen, and it was unclear whom she spoke to.

When Xu Anzhang and Youu Mu finally emerged from the opening and once again saw the frozen surface of the Ice Sealed Lake beneath the starry night sky, they exchanged glances, their hearts silently racing with excitement. Both had realized they'd stumbled upon an earth-shaking secret.

Even for them, it suddenly made sense why Master Nine had treated the pursuing Li Hongjiu with such courtesy back there. Clearly, a shocking mystery lay hidden within.

Looking around cautiously, Youu Mu leaned closely to Xu Anzhang's ear and whispered, "What should we do? Should we let Shi Chun know?"

Xu Anzhang bit his lip hard, caught in contemplation. He understood exactly what the question implied.

According to ancient legends, the tower-like structure beneath them might have origins tied to those vanished mythical figures. Perhaps it contained artifacts. If they took control of this place, they could uncover the truth.

Those ancient gods or beings were no ordinary existence. In an era rich with natural treasures, any relics from those figures would be unfathomably priceless.

What kind of treasures might be here? The very thought was exhilarating, too tempting to resist.

But should they tell Shi Chun? Given the current situation, revealing it would mean losing control. How could they accept that?

After a deep deliberation, Xu Anzhang's face tightened with difficulty. Leaning toward Youu Mu's ear, he murmured, "I want to, but haven't you noticed something strange? Shi Chun's proposal—do you believe that nonsense? He seems unusually familiar with certain aspects of this Forbidden Land. Despite the dangers, he doesn't hesitate. Why propose such a bold move? Are you certain he doesn't already know the tower's secrets? Are you certain he's not after what we're hoping to find?"

This insight made Youu Mu pause, his head slightly nodding in agreement, followed by a faint sigh.

Xu Anzhang continued, "And then, why is he so well-informed about this place? You can't guarantee he's not here on someone's orders. We know nothing about the tower's situation or whether what we desire is truly here.

We've seen his strength; he carries a Magical Treasure. When it comes to the exit, how will we even leave? He clearly has contingencies—he seems entirely unconcerned about those matters. It's highly likely the higher-ups have arranged an escort for him.

Even if we manage to take a powerful treasure out of here, with just our abilities, relying on a single Magical Treasure to contend with the greater powers outside would be an impossible path.

Of course, all of this is secondary and solvable.

The real issue is, if the tower's residents are as weak as they seem, taking control here means dealing with Shi Chun first. A surprise attack could resolve him, but you must consider how many know we came with him. Leaving no survivors from the Mingshan Sect group is critical."

In other words, if they could eliminate all witnesses, the risk would be worth taking.

After some thought, Youu Mu whispered back, "That's actually not hard. If we approach Wu Jinliang under the guise of discussing a confidential matter and succeed in ambushing him to steal his Magical Treasure, taking out the Mingshan Sect group would be simple—an effortless task. With the treasure in hand, dealing with Shi Chun would be even easier."

Xu Anzhang immediately grabbed his wrist, glanced around cautiously, and leaned closer to whisper, "We're thinking alike—I had the same idea. But someone must stay behind to keep Shi Chun occupied and monitor the situation here. The question is, who stays and who goes?"

After brief consideration, Youu Mu whispered, "It would be better if you stayed. That big guy wouldn't suspect me. It should be manageable."

"Fine." Xu Anzhang gripped his wrist firmly. "Act now, and act fast! If we wait for Shi Chun to make his next move, we'll only be dragged into another mess. We might not be able to extricate ourselves then."

Making a swift and decisive decision, Youu Mu nodded, released his grip, and immediately took flight, rushing toward Wu Jinliang's hiding place.

To think these two had been so cautious and methodical while searching for the Divine Fire, yet now they rushed into such a reckless and risky plan—and they somehow reached complete agreement almost instantly. Compared to before, their current conduct was a stark departure from their usual selves.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.