Li You dug a pit and built a stove, while Qin Nan tidied up the kitchen utensils and took them to the lake to scoop water for washing.

This area is uninhabited, and the lake water is clear and green, but it also looks very deep.

Bai Hao personally went into the lake to catch fish, and soon brought back more than a dozen lively fish.

After Qin Nan and Li You finished their work, they processed the fish together, leaving a few to skewer and grill. The largest one was used for soup, and the two smaller ones were steamed.

Qin Nan asked Bai Hao to bring over some more scallions, ginger, and garlic. The fish was fresh, but it wasn't completely without any fishy smell, so it still needed some seasoning.

Dan You looked at the food without any interest. He wasn't particular about food; as long as it was edible, he was fine with it. He only cared about the wine; only good wine could arouse his interest.

After a long while, Bai Hao, bored, counted how many buds a tree had sprouted before Qin Nan said it was okay.

The aroma of grilled fish is the strongest, and when paired with barbecue seasoning, it becomes incredibly fragrant. The fish soup also exudes a fresh and delicious aroma. Steamed fish, topped with a mixed sauce and sprinkled with shredded green onions, is a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate, making it incredibly tempting.

Qiong Ruiheng also finished his cultivation amidst the rich aroma. The candy had been mostly digested, and he felt hungry. He got up, washed his hands by the lake, and obediently sat down next to Qin Nan.

Qin Nan gave one grilled fish to Bai Hao and another to Qiong Ruiheng. Li You had already taken one herself and also gave one to Shan You.

Smelling the aroma, Dan You smacked his lips, but couldn't resist taking a big bite of the grilled fish.

It's crispy on the outside, and the fish is tender but not mushy, with a great chewy texture!

Dan Yoo's eyes sparkled as he ate.

Li You looked at Shan You with disdain, as if he thought the food was worthless, until he also took a bite.

I must say, it's delicious!

The cooking time was perfect; the meat inside was cooked through, while the outside was perfectly browned. Combined with the right amount of oil brushing, it was fragrant but not greasy, and the fishy smell was almost imperceptible.

Qiong Ruiheng ate the most satisfying meals; ever since he followed Li You, he could go hungry three times a day.

He didn't want to eat the Zhuyu grass, so he would find wild fruits and other things to eat in the mountains. Occasionally, Li You would go out and bring back some snacks.

So, Qiong Ruiheng had nothing to compare it to; he just thought it was delicious! Very fragrant!

Bai Hao was already used to it and ate happily. The fish was big enough for him.

Qin Nan ate the fish slowly and deliberately, glancing out of the corner of her eye at Jiang Jiang sitting on Li You's neck.

Qin Nan: "Isn't Jiang Jiang going to eat?"

Li You: "He doesn't eat. Chaos has no internal organs or stomach, only a rectum. What goes into his mouth can come out of his butt the next second, and he can't taste it."

Qin Nan remained silent for a moment.

Well, these mythical creatures are really peculiar!

Qin Nan: "Then, is it okay if Jiang Jiang doesn't eat anything?"

Li You: "It's alright, he doesn't rely on this to make a living. His body will absorb the nutrients he needs from the world and integrate them into his body."

Qin Nan nodded as if she understood, but was also relieved.

After eating the grilled fish, there was also fresh fish soup and delicious steamed fish. Qin Nan ate a grilled fish and drank a bowl of soup, while the rest was scraped clean by several beasts.

When Shan You lay on the ground after eating his fill, it seemed as if his mind finally realized why he had eaten.

It was quite delicious, though. I've remembered the place; I'll come back here to catch fish and eat sometime!

Qiong Ruiheng couldn't sit still any longer, so he wandered around aimlessly.

When Li You was making the stove, she also chopped wood and made a few wooden stools to sit on, while Bai Hao sat quietly to rest.

Li You carried Jiang Jiang and Qin Nan on her back to wash the utensils.

As the sun set, Qin Nan grilled another batch of fish.

After dinner, it was already dusk, and the sky was gradually darkening.

Li You dismantled the stove, Bai Hao packed up his things, and the group moved away from the lake to find a place to wait.

As night fell, dark clouds obscured the sun, and a gentle night breeze carried a slight chill.

Qin Nan pulled her clothes tighter and leaned against Bai Hao. Bai Hao reached out and hugged her, using his divine power to warm her up.

Feeling the continuous warmth enveloping his entire body, Qin Nan lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable.

Time passed slowly, and before anyone knew it, thick fog spread from the lake to the shore, until finally it was so thick that you could hardly see your hand in front of your face.

Around midnight, a bugle call suddenly sounded from afar, followed by the clamor of the bustling city. Different sounds seemed to come from different directions: laughter, crying, and the sounds of fighting, all mixed together and making people feel annoyed.

Qin Nan instinctively raised his hand to cover his ears. He didn't like these sounds; they reminded him of the feeling of loneliness and helplessness in that cold abyss.

Bai Hao's hands covered Qin Nan's hands that were covering her ears; the heat in his palms calmed Qin Nan.

Before long, the sound gradually faded until it disappeared.

The thick fog gradually thinned, and the view opened up. A gust of wind rose, and Qin Nan looked in shock at what had been a lake, where an impossibly high city wall now stood.

As the night fog completely dissipated, a vast, ancient city came into view, its ancient and profound atmosphere overwhelming.

"Thump—thump—thump—"

Three heavy drumbeats came from the city wall. "Squeak—" The tightly closed city gate slowly opened, and a squad of soldiers in iron armor stood guard on both sides.

Bai Hao: "Let's go into the city."

Bai Hao led Qin Nan toward the city gate, and Qiong Ruiheng jogged a few steps to catch up, taking Qin Nan's free hand.

Li You followed, carrying Jiang Jiang and Shan You.

Li You curiously surveyed the mirage-like ghost city, while Jiang Jiang slept peacefully in his arms.

The moment Shan You saw the person, he started cursing, but after opening his mouth to say a string of words, he realized that he couldn't make a sound at all, and could only curse in his heart with great frustration.

People are all sick! Even the dead are so fussy! Dragging their feet and dawdling as they come in! It's like nobody wants to come into this dump. A bunch of dead people are being so picky. It's like they're putting gold and jade on their coffins. What a waste!

Those useless underworld officials are blind! They don't even bother to catch so many ghosts! The Book of Life and Death is just for show, and the so-called Iron-Faced Judge is nothing but a bunch of rotten fish!

When Bai Hao and his group arrived at the city gate, they saw that the city was brightly lit, bustling with activity.

The soldiers guarding the city did not stop or check the people, but let them pass directly.

Looking at the bustling streets and the passersby, Qin Nan felt as if she had traveled through time.

Unlike the fake, cobbled-together villagers of Liucun, the people here seem to be genuine ancient people, from head to toe, without a doubt.

The streets were bustling with activity, shopkeepers were hawking their wares, and passersby were strolling and chatting – it all seemed like a dream.

Qin Nan: "Is this place real?"

Qin Nan leaned closer to Bai Hao's ear and asked.

Bai Hao turned his head: "It is true, and it is false. When the truth is false, the false is true; when the false is true, the truth is false."

Qin Nan: "...This place used to be real, but what we see now is fake?"

Bai Hao: "In the realm of mountains and seas, there is a strange beast called Shen. The breath it exhales is called Shen Qi. It gathers into silk, and weaves the silk into brocade. By weaving the brocade into a painting, one can depict a paradise beyond the world."

Qin Nan: "In other words, we are inside a painting."

Bai Hao: "You could say that the appearance of the city gate is the moment the scroll is opened, and only at this moment can one enter the painting."