Within the gap, all he could see was darkness, as if it were an endless abyss.
Yet Chen Xing's eyes blazed with incomparably fervent light.
It was the longing for freedom—freedom within reach.
Since it was late at night, the massive gate had not been fully opened, leaving only a gap wide enough for people to pass through.
But the gap was spacious enough for Chen Xing and Qian Renxue to walk through side by side.
Qian Renxue gripped Chen Xing's hand and took the first step forward, walking straight toward that dark gap.
The boy followed close behind. His entire body trembled uncontrollably, and only the warmth in his palm could soothe his panicked heart.
Finally...
They were finally going to make it!
The instant he stepped forward, Chen Xing's legs went weak, and he nearly stumbled to the ground. Qian Renxue caught him in time.
Just as their figures were about to disappear completely into the dark gap, a hoarse voice suddenly sounded from behind them.
"Who's over there?"
Qian Renxue abruptly stopped, her body instantly stiffening.
Chen Xing shuddered all over. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end again, and his already taut nerves tightened to the limit.
Then came the guards' respectful voices.
"Greetings, Ghost Elder!"
Gui Mei!
Chen Xing's heart sank, while Qian Renxue's brows quietly furrowed.
Hadn't he already gone back? Why had he appeared at this time?
After taking a deep breath, Qian Renxue slowly turned around. Her usual cold and distant expression had returned, and her voice was calm and flat.
"Ghost Elder, do you need something?"
She normally had little contact with Gui Mei.
Qian Renxue had spent years lurking in Heaven Dou City, and the two of them belonged to different factions: Pope Hall and