Fan Jia's praise for Zhang Yuqiu left Hou Dayong feeling uneasy. After all, when they took Zhang Yuqiu away, Hou Dayong had been submerged in the tunnel, judging Zhang Yuqiu's condition by the massive fluctuations on the water's surface. Then, he had rescued Wang Jue, who was almost drowned, from the pool. If one were to call Hou Dayong slow-witted, it would certainly be seen as favoritism towards Zhang Yuqiu. But what could be done? A monkey and a beautiful woman were inherently unequal in terms of human rights, and one could hardly expect Zhang Yuqiu's fans to praise Hou Dayong. Opinions are subjective; a hundred people hold a hundred versions of Lin Daiyu in their hearts. Don't ever expect to unify everyone's thoughts. Even if such a thing were to happen, looking at thousands of years of human history, a nation or people with a highly unified ideology invariably carries the mark of autocracy and despotism.

"What now?" Wang Jue patted his legs. "You have an immortal body, and I am a living person. The only one who can fight you is the monkey on my shoulder. However, judging by his height and build, he's probably no match for you. You have reinforcements, while all we have are four legs and four hands. Perhaps you could send me off as a laborer. I quite like it here. If there really is such a job, I hope you can put in a good word for me and let me participate in the crystal excavation."

Wang Jue's words left Fan Jia completely bewildered. He had expected them to put up a final, desperate resistance, but instead, before he even drew his weapon, this person was already considering life after capture. Fan Jia chuckled lightly, finding the person before him full of humor, and subconsciously relaxed his guard, beginning to banter with him: "We don't have that particular job here; everyone here is a puppet, including myself. You can choose your own future because you have received the gift of the Spring of Immortality; in a way, you are already half our companion."

"Speaking of that gift, ever since entering this crystal cave, I can no longer hear distant sounds," Wang Jue said, resting his chin in his hand, concentrating deeply, secretly hoping to glean some intelligence from Fan Jia's words.

"That is precisely why the Puppet King resides in the crystal cave. Look at those uneven crystal pillars—every single one can scatter the sounds generated in the main hall. Here, you are just like an ordinary person; those far-seeing ears are of little use to you. The gifts bestowed by the Spring of Immortality will never be weapons used to attack its own possessor..." Fan Jia spoke with arrogance, as if he himself were that wise and mighty Puppet King.

"Ahem," Wang Jue interrupted Fan Jia's performance, raising his voice. "In that case, we are your prisoners. How do you intend to dispose of us?"

"Dispose of you?" Fan Jia retorted with a touch of humor. Then he added, "You don't think I'm going to take you where you want to go, do you? I, as one escort, will take a pair of captives to the hall. Along the way, no matter who we encounter, no one will harm you—in fact, I will become your best camouflage."

Wang Jue and Hou Dayong exchanged glances and truly felt that Fan Jia's earlier assessment of Zhang Yuqiu was accurate, inwardly admiring her.

"I won't be as foolish as my companion. You two will stay right here; you can't go anywhere. Once things are settled, someone will naturally deal with you." With that, Fan Jia strode off in the direction opposite to the two of them, then turned around and waved his hand. Instantly, a shimmering barrier of crystal pillars shot up from the ground. Each pillar was about half a meter thick and three meters high, with a gap of less than ten centimeters between them—too narrow for even a fist to pass through, let alone a monkey's head.

The two looked behind them; it was indeed a dead end, truly going nowhere. They could only hear Fan Jia laughing from behind the crystal pillars: "I was waiting for you right here. Naturally, I've prepared rooms for you. Since you've arrived, you are guests; enjoy yourselves in there."