"Are you sure?" Xu Mo asked Su Wenqing, who was following behind him as he ran. She had told him earlier that the "Nameless Ruin" might contain something that could help him recover his lost vitality. Though Xu Mo knew in his heart that he was a coward, if there was even a chance to regain his youth—how could he miss out on it?

Originally, Xu Mo had planned to search for the ruin alone. But for some reason, Su Wenqing had insisted on guiding him.

"Don't worry, old man. I'm just returning the favor. I'll head back after dropping you off," Su Wenqing said with a resolute look that even left Xu Mo slightly impressed. Her ankle had recovered after she applied something from her storage ring, while Xu Mo had calmed his dry, parched throat by drinking water. He had wanted to ask her for a healing pill but didn't—because doing so would lower himself. Even if he had saved her, so what? It had been his decision. It wasn't like she had begged him to step in. And even now, if she said she wanted to repay him, it was her kind heart that made her say it.

Xu Mo and Su Wenqing didn't speak much along the way. Xu Mo had asked for directions, and she told him to head toward the direction the beast tide had previously come from.

"Haa... How far is it... haa..." Xu Mo had started to pant—not because he was weak, but because his vitality had been drained by something earlier, leaving him a hollow shell of the strength he once had before entering the Secret Realm.

"Just a little more."

One hour later.

"Just a little more."

Two hours later.

"Just a little more."

"Haaaa..." Xu Mo's breath came out labored. He couldn't even muster the strength to speak properly. "H-How... f-far?" he asked, his voice sounding like it was crawling out of a grave. His cheeks, already sunken, looked even more drawn now.

He stopped and collapsed on the ground, using his arm to cover his eyes from the blood-red light emanating from the moon above.

His heart was beating uncontrollably. His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths.

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"It was just a little distance away. Sorry, I didn't take your age into consideration," Su Wenqing said, pressing down the hem of her knee-length skirt as she bent down to talk to him.

She dared to do so only because Xu Mo had his eyes covered.

"..."

Xu Mo didn't even answer anymore.

"Old man, are you still alive?" Su Wenqing poked his stomach with her finger. Xu Mo didn't even react—he was that exhausted.

"..."

What have I gotten myself into? Should've left her there to die.

Xu Mo cursed the moment he had resolutely stepped in to save someone like her.

He wasn't in peak form. If he were, he would've shown this girl who was dead and who was alive.

Clang—Clang—

Before Xu Mo could tell Su Wenqing to keep her hands off him, the sounds of battle reached their ears.

Someone was fighting nearby. But because the area was filled with small and large hills, it was hard to tell where the sounds were coming from.

In their current condition, engaging in meaningless conflict would be reckless—and could very well cost them their lives.

"Shh..." Xu Mo put his index finger to his lips and looked at Su Wenqing, signaling her to stay quiet. Forcing his aching body to move, he retrieved his Threadspike Capsule from his waist belt, preparing to use it in case they needed to avoid direct confrontation.

"Tell me while I'm asking nicely," a familiar male voice rang out.

Wei Rong?!

Yes, it was Wei Rong's voice.

"Someone you know?" Su Wenqing asked after seeing the expression on Xu Mo's face, and he nodded.

"Let's move a little closer to where the fight is happening—to understand the situation first," Xu Mo said. He didn't immediately admit that it was Wei Rong's voice. If Wei Rong didn't recognize him, it would be embarrassing.

They hid atop a small hill, lying low in the bushes. At the foot of the hill, a fight was taking place between two sect groups. Both sides had equal numbers, so the conflict seemed balanced for now. Status and reputation had begun to play a role, with both sides using them to pressure the other into backing off whatever they were fighting over.

"What do you mean? Wei Rong, can you explain why you're antagonizing our team?" the other side's leader—whose appearance fell far short of Wei Rong's—asked through gritted teeth.

"Bastard!" Wei Rong cursed, face flushed with fury. "I'm asking you—what did you do to Mei Xueyin?" Xu Mo narrowed his eyes as his sister-in-law's name escaped Wei Rong's lips.

"I don't know any Mei Xueyin."

"Li Fan! Repeat what you reported to me about what they did to Mei Xueyin!" Wei Rong barked. A shrewd and slim young man stepped forward, hands clasped, back bowed slightly in a sycophantic display.

"Young Master Wei, these eyes of mine saw it all. Tang Wu was immediately drawn to Miss Mei's appearance. Throughout the exploration of the Secret Realm, Tang Wu kept trying to stick close to her. I tried to keep watch over him, but then a beast tide suddenly struck and we had to scatter. Tang Wu took that chance to follow Miss Mei's direction. When I reunited with you later, I had hoped to see Miss Mei with Tang Wu's group—but seeing that they are the only ones here, it must mean something happened to Miss Mei."

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