Xiao Shu sighed, looking at Xiao Yu with eyes full of sorrow. Counting on his fingers, two full days and one night had passed since they left Peach Blossom Tan Water, meaning Xiao Yu had less than thirty-six hours left to live.

“I…” Xiao Shu wanted to say a few words of farewell to Xiao Yu, but the words caught in his throat. Deep down, he never wanted Xiao Yu to leave. Such a good friend—saving him in danger, giving up a chance at life for someone else in the face of death. Who today could achieve what he had done? If he must die, Xiao Shu hoped he could ascend to heaven and leave this world full of strife forever.

Just as everyone gathered around Xiao Yu, distressed for him, a meow sounded from outside the door.

“Xiao Hei!” Xiao Shu cried out involuntarily, then turned to look outside. Not just him, but everyone present shifted their gaze toward the entrance. There, Xiao Hei walked in with a steady gait, looking noticeably larger than when they last parted.

“Meow…” Xiao Hei called out long and lingeringly to Xiao Yu, then bounded two or three times onto his lap.

“You’re here!” Seeing Xiao Hei, an involuntary smile touched Xiao Yu's lips, as if the torrential downpour of moments ago had cleared into bright sunshine. Xiao Hei settled onto Xiao Yu’s lap, gently licking his fingers with a tiny pink tongue, cleaning away the bloodstains.

Li Tai Ming, having observed enough of this painful parting, walked in again from outside. He pushed past the guards and Xiao Shu surrounding Xiao Yu and stated with grave seriousness, “Have you decided? Life is a one-time event. The Spring of Immortality won't offer you a chance at rebirth without reason. If you waste this opportunity, you will say goodbye to everyone forever.”

“Can you just shut up!” Hearing Li Tai Ming try to tempt Xiao Yu again, Xiao Shu became enraged. He stood up, punched him in the chest, and shoved him outside the circle.

“I… I’m doing this for his own good! Things aren't as terrible as you imagine, and an immortal body isn't that evil. Haven't you encountered Ming Mei in Miao Village? Ming Mei killed her entire family, yet do you think she’s evil?” Li Tai Ming grew anxious, inadvertently revealing the old woman’s secret.

Xiao Shu had no idea who Ming Mei was and was struck dumb by the revelation.

After hearing this counsel, Xiao Yu struggled to fish a bottle from his pocket, holding it up before Li Tai Ming, his voice heavy with sorrow. “Sir, though I don't know who you are, since you know Ming Mei's story, I will tell you her true wish. When leaving Miao Village, she entrusted this bottle to me, hoping I could find the Man-Eating Netherworm to grant her release from the immortal body and bring everything to an end.”

At these words, Li Tai Ming fell instantly silent. After a long pause, he stammered, “Did she really say that?”

“Absolutely true. From the first moment I met her, she expressed this wish to me, but because I was preoccupied with my own survival, I never fulfilled it. If I die here…” Xiao Yu turned his head, looking deeply at Xiao Shu, “…can you pass the worm to her for me?” Xiao Shu nodded silently.

As Xiao Yu was giving his final instructions, Bing Yu suddenly walked in from the doorway. She had been standing behind Li Tai Ming; when he went out, she had followed him, and now she entered with an expression of utter disdain, saying to the two of them, “Give it up! Stop wasting your breath. Dying is one thing, but first, consider how we’re getting out of here—the prison is in revolt!”