This is what it means to leave a line for someone to step back, so you can meet well in the future.

Faced with the tacit scene before him, Fu Qian, who’s been expressionless throughout, gave a nod of approval for the brief and efficient communication.

At this moment, the atmosphere is undoubtedly very subtle.

With his own speech before them, it’s impossible for the two young people’s minds not to change somewhat.

In fact, whether they were affected or not didn’t matter much, because Ice surely believed they would be.

Waiting with great expectation for a long time, operating earnestly as instructed, yet ultimately yielding nothing, appearing like a clown.

The explanation Ice finally gave not only subtly aligned with the tone of someone deeply obsessed with self-indulgence but was also self-contradictory.

It was earlier stated that the Vacuum Flower wouldn’t care about unreasonable offenses, yet later it was said the ineffectiveness was due to prior offense by another.

The persuasiveness is indeed weak.

Whether what is currently being done is truly a farce, what was thought to be obfuscation for the sake of confidentiality, might actually be the truth?

In such situations, although these kinds of questions were not asked by the two, anyone in Ice’s position would surely have to consider them.

The decision to let the two go home directly, without restricting their freedom and leaving a glimmer of hope to motivate them to maintain the highest level of confidentiality, seems like a win-win choice for everyone.

...

The return journey, though with a different spirit than when they arrived, was even faster than before.

And Ice escorted the two trainees with Fu Qian to the upper levels, where a stranger, looking stern, was already waiting.

Having already obtained a confidentiality promise on the road, Ice warmly bid them farewell and reminded the guy whose hair covered half of his eye to ensure their safety.

"Going now, Ring Lord?"

Watching the trio depart, she quickly turned around, her expression once again serious, and called out meaningfully to Fu Qian.

"Of course, I’ve had enough of your boring little games."

"But since you’re so persistent, let’s get to the end of the story quickly."

Without a moment’s hesitation, Fu Qian spoke with cool determination.

"I like your confidence."

With the audience gone, Ice seemed even more relaxed, approaching cheerfully, her breath almost touching his face as she observed him with amusement.

Of course, that also meant the face shield that once emitted dark red rays was now just ten centimeters from Fu Qian’s face.

"I hope you can keep it up."

After swaying that formidable device in front of Fu Qian a couple of times, Ice didn’t waste any time and signaled Fu Qian to follow her back down.

...

"Let me guess, that Blasphemer, after making a grave mistake, was locked behind one of these doors?"

Walking back, Fu Qian’s steps were still firmly steady as he casually asked Ice next to him.

"Clever, I thought you’d guess I’d send them away after taking you back with me."

Pausing mid-step, Ice turned with an expression difficult to distinguish between genuine and fake surprise, lavishly quite a bit of praise.

"Then enjoy the prize without competition? Sorry, that kind of cowardly thought never interests me."

Snorting, Fu Qian added to Ice the undertone of her words, simultaneously expressing disdain.

"What is mine is mine, regardless of what those two think, I never considered the so-called competition."

"Now I truly think... you are more qualified to wield the weapon than them."

With her smile retracting, Ice gazed at Fu Qian seemingly unfamiliar, and after a moment sighed with relief and admiration.

"No, you don’t think so."

This recognition after misunderstanding was undeniably quite pleasing.

But unfortunately, the truly self-indulgent youth would never take to this sort of thing.

Utterly believing that the other’s current act was no different from what came before, Fu Qian slowly shook his head.

"Otherwise, you wouldn’t waste my time on such meaningless things."

...

For a moment there, Ice seemed to want to execute an on-the-spot termination.

However, Fu Qian, immersed in self-importance, appeared composed like destiny incarnate.

With a posture full of fearless aplomb, he didn’t even glance back at her.

"It’s here."

The infectiousness of this overwhelming confidence later on, made Ice reluctantly unclench her fist, at one point signaling beside her.

Oh?

Fu Qian halted, finally gracing a bit of attention.

And as Ice noticed this, learning from past experience she refrained from wasting words, stepping forward to open the door.

Tropical warmth.

Almost instantaneously as the door opened, a stark contrast greeted them.

In this clearly meticulously designed, cool, and dry underground building, a damp warmth flowed out in an instant.

Judging by the bodily sensation, it probably met the standard of a steam bath.

"After you?"

This time, Ice didn’t lead the way, but instead smiled as she gazed at Fu Qian.

Wondering if he was concerned about being locked inside together?

The intention was extremely straightforward to grasp.

Fu Qian directly stepped inside, standing amidst the swirling mist.

"Why stop moving?"

Impressed by this decisiveness, Ice also looked puzzled as to why someone would show such pointless caution after entering.

"Should I remind you to adjust your attire if ladies are present?"

Fu Qian nodded internally toward the deeper parts, entirely unconcerned about his rapidly dampening robe.

Having entered to illustrate no worry of being trapped and then pausing here as an act of courtesy?

"As expected, did not disappoint."

Hard to find a confidant, yet for Ice, she quickly caught the connotation behind his action, momentarily moved by this adamant principle, applauding fluently.

"But no need to worry, the person inside is always neatly dressed..."

Towards the end, her smile grew more meaningful.

Yet, even noticing this, Fu Qian had no intent to inquire further and proceeded deeper.

...

Lady Ice really didn’t lie.

Compared to the previous abode of the Vacuum Flower, this place is evidently much more normal in arrangement.

Progressing towards where the mist was densest, Fu Qian soon reached a rectangular metal platform.

It was longer than a man, but not very high, recessed inward, bearing a resemblance to a bathtub.

Steam was emerging from it.

The reason for saying Lady Ice was honest is because, from his higher vantage point, besides the water, there’s a puddle of robes matching his floating inside.

And in the gaps of those robes, a face with features completely misaligned, seeming brutally stirred, was looking over with a blood-red eye.

Indeed, wearing clothes, and indeed a familiar scene.

Fu Qian naturally recalled the face he once disturbed during the exploration of the Underground Ruins.