Mr. Chen Yi, you win

"I'm here to save you!"

Chen Yi's expression was solemn, his calm gaze fixed on her face, instantly shattering all her doubts.

After all, only the weak relied on lies to mask their fragility—the strong always cut straight to the point.

Shen Lingxi's heart sank, her wariness tinged with confusion.

Save me?

Aren’t we enemies?

Instinctively, she lowered her head, peering at the River of Forgetfulness shrouded in mist below.

The frozen river stretched like a mirror, veiled in gray fog, resembling an abyss embedded in the earth.

Though she seemed freed from her predicament, she remained trapped in a prison of her own making.

"You can't save me. This illusion is born from my primordial spirit—damage to it is damage to me. Finding the other shore flower condensed from my true self can only preserve my spirit and consciousness, but it won’t purge the corrupting force tainting my soul!"

"I know you’re powerful, but this malevolent energy is no trifling matter. Even Cai Yu, our leader, fell victim to it unknowingly. Forcing your way in was already perilous—if you act recklessly now, you’ll face annihilation too..."

"Leave. Take Qianxue and go, as far as you can!"

This wasn’t a threat, just a cold, final warning—a last act of goodwill.

"Can’t save you? How about a wager then?"

"Let’s bet on you—what do you say?"

Chen Yi was unabashed, his voice low and steady, carrying an odd penetrating force.

Such were the awkward struggles of early-stage ventures.

Though confident in expanding the Purple Star Continent’s influence, until success was achieved, it was little more than empty promises.

Recruiting talent was tough; sometimes, unconventional methods were needed to retain people.

Shen Lingxi: "......"

I knew he wasn’t a good man!

He’s not even pretending anymore!

"You seem utterly confident. But coercing gratitude—aren’t you afraid I’ll turn against you?"

Shen Lingxi turned away, pointing at the eerie mirror of the River of Forgetfulness below. "Forced fruits are never sweet!"

Being rescued was one thing, but the tragedy of Han Qianxue was still fresh. Submitting to him would be like escaping a tiger’s den only to enter a wolf’s lair.

If freedom came at too high a price, she’d rather drown forever.

"I know." Chen Yi met her gaze calmly. "That’s why I only need to quench my thirst."

"Don’t worry—I won’t impose on you. You’ll remain free, just with a well-paying job. Take Old Xu, for example. After defecting, he thrived under me. You can exchange notes with him later."

"Besides... you don’t truly wish to remain trapped in this illusion forever, do you?"

Chen Yi was sharp.

He saw right through Shen Lingxi’s stubbornness.

She wanted to yield—she just needed a way to save face.

Fine. He’d give her that.

Recruiting talent was nothing to be ashamed of.

Especially someone as rare and skilled as her!

Shen Lingxi: "......"

Fine. Reluctant as she was to admit it, he had a point.

If she kept resisting, she’d die within this illusion of her own making, leaving behind a hollow shell of herself—a fate worse than death.

As the saying went: Some are dead while alive; others live on even in death.

Legacy mattered. Compared to servitude, preserving her name was the lesser evil.

"Alright, Chen Yi. You win."

"Or should I call you ‘Boss’ now? So, Boss—what’s next?"

Once resolved, Shen Lingxi wasted no time hesitating.

"Sign this."

Chen Yi grinned, producing a soul contract.

Words were fleeting, and trust was fickle. Unlike Xu Jinghong, who had ties to the Purple Star Continent, Shen Lingxi had no leverage. What if she ran?

"Understood, Boss." Shen Lingxi skimmed the contract—a literal soul-binding agreement—and signed without hesitation.

She had no choice left. Might as well commit fully.

Chen Yi smiled. "Welcome aboard. Now, shatter this prison yourself. The key lies within."

With that, he tossed her the other shore flower condensed from her primordial spirit.

"Shatter... this prison? Are you serious?"

Shen Lingxi was stunned.

She knew her new boss was unorthodox, but this was extreme.

The prison was her soul’s manifestation. Destroying it meant destroying herself!

Kill myself to be reborn?

Is this even safe?!

"Relax. You haven’t even started working for me yet—why would I sabotage my own investment?" Chen Yi reassured her.

Shen Lingxi: "......"

Logically sound, but did he have to be so blunt?

It stung a little...

"Fine, Boss!" She pushed aside her doubts. Things couldn’t get worse anyway.

Transforming into a streak of light, she shot toward the frozen abyss like a meteor piercing the gloom.

BOOM!!!

The impact sent fissures spiderwebbing across the mirror-like surface.

Ethereal radiance burst forth, melting the frozen river, revealing the churning primordial waters beneath.

Then came the pain—unimaginable pain.

Shen Lingxi felt as if ten thousand needles stabbed her, followed by scalding lava, then flash-freezing into ice.

"AGH—! It hurts!!!"

Her soul was being torn apart. Even as an unshakable Mystic Immortal, she screamed.

Her consciousness blurred, tossed in a maelstrom of agony—ripped, burned, frozen, shattered...

"Boss... save me... I can’t..."

Her mind flickered through memories, a final desperate scramble for survival.

But the only lifeline left was him—his image crystallizing in her fading thoughts.

At the brink of annihilation—

A warm, firm hand grasped hers, dispelling the abyss.

For the first time, Shen Lingxi felt safe.

"So warm... so comforting..."

With that last thought, she drifted into peaceful oblivion.