As I gripped the doorknob of the lounge, a faint smell of blood wafted over.

Nie Chenyuan's smile faltered; it seemed there was another kitten inside.

A few words came from the other side of the corridor, and Nie Chenyuan frowned and looked over. At that moment, the door to the lounge suddenly opened, and a pair of hands grabbed his throat and dragged him inside.

"Thud"

Blood dripped onto Nie Chenyuan's hand. He tilted his head back, following the force on his neck, but his eyes lowered slightly as he looked at the person holding him hostage.

The man was almost a head shorter than him, and from this angle, all that could be seen was the man's fair and pert nose, which appeared even more prominent against the backdrop of crimson blood.

In the corridor.

"Yuhao, why did you suddenly change your clothes?"

His female companion asked softly, her voice tinged with a hint of jealousy. At such a banquet, it wasn't a good sign if her male companion suddenly changed his clothes.

"What are you thinking about?" Lin Yuhao stopped adjusting his tie, lowered his head and kissed his female companion's forehead. "Don't you think my outfit goes better with your dress?"

As he spoke, he glanced at the little finger of his left hand out of the corner of his eye and secretly rubbed the bloodstains remaining between his fingers.

"Where did Brother Nie go? I need to say hello to him properly." Lin Yuhao asked casually, slowly walking towards the lounge where Nie Chenyuan was.

"I heard she went to the lounge with the waiter."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuhao's lips curled into a smile tinged with disdain. He had heard that Nie Chenyuan, the heir of the Nie family, was known for his womanizing ways, and he hadn't expected it to be true. However, he would only be able to tell the effects himself after seeing for himself.

"Oh? Are you feeling unwell? We need to go see him..."

Lin Yuhao's voice grew closer and closer.

Nie Chenyuan tightened his grip on his neck, but instead of panicking, he leaned down and whispered in the ear of the boy holding him hostage, "What? Afraid he'll find out?"

The man's fingers were clamped in a very unusual position, preventing him from shouting loudly; he could only make a few breathy sounds.

Qingyun looked up and gave him a cold look.

The one who held Nie Chenyuan hostage was Qingyun, who was both the Qingyun of this world and the Qingyun who was killed by the Heavenly Dao.

Heaven knows that Qingyun was furious at that moment. He had faked his death to escape the constraints of the Heavenly Dao and fled into this small world. His soul had just entered this dead body filled with resentment, and before he could even catch his breath, he sensed a fluctuation of the Heavenly Dao, which was coming from Lin Yuhao outside.

It's like escaping from a dragon's den only to fall into a tiger's lair.

Based on his experience of killing 99 "protagonists," the one who could exhibit such fluctuations must be the so-called "protagonist" of this world, and the Heavenly Dao must be closely investigating him through Lin Yuhao's eyes at this very moment.

If Heaven discovers he is still alive...

Qingyun gritted his teeth. He had already damaged most of his soul by withstanding the attack from the Heavenly Dao. If it happened again, he would surely die!

"Hmm?" Nie Chenyuan carefully observed Qingyun's expression, finding it increasingly interesting. "Are you afraid of Lin Yuhao?"

As he spoke, he deftly turned his neck twice, breaking free from Qingyun's grasp.

Qingyun narrowed her eyes and carefully examined Nie Chenyuan. She realized she had underestimated him.

Lin Yuhao's footsteps grew closer, and the oppressive feeling brought by the Heavenly Dao became increasingly heavy.