Under the cover of night, before dawn, they secretly escorted Gu Liyan to the door.

He took out a transparent jade bottle from his pocket, which contained many small red pills.

Lei Dong thought for a moment, then placed the jade bottle into Gu Liyan's hand and said, "This is an antidote that can suppress the toxins in your body. If you have a relapse, you can take one to temporarily relieve the pain. If you still haven't figured out a way to eradicate the toxins in your body after a year, then I can't help you!"

After Lei Dong finished speaking, Gu Liyan picked up the jade bottle and examined it. The surging spiritual energy of heaven and earth enveloped these small red pills, so it couldn't possibly be fake.

Gu Liyan looked up at Lei Dong, who looked somewhat haggard and thin, and felt an indescribable gratitude in her heart.

Regardless of whether the medicine in the jade bottle could suppress his pain, his sincerity truly earned the respect of his rival, Gu Liyan.

Gu Liyan glanced around and, seeing no one else was there, whispered, "Lei Dong, if they find out, won't you be in a disadvantageous position? If so, perhaps..."

Lei Dong understood Gu Liyan's meaning and immediately waved his hand to interrupt him, saying, "Don't worry about me. I'm the master's right-hand man. I think even if I release you, they won't execute me because of my past service, even if I haven't done anything great! Besides, you're a dying man and pose no threat whatsoever..."

Hearing Lei Dong's words, Gu Liyan nodded in relief. "That's good... I may never see you again after this. I will never forget your kindness..."

Upon hearing this, Lei Dong hurriedly said, "Stop! Stop! We've settled all our scores now, and we owe each other nothing! If we ever meet again, we'll be enemies. Don't ever tell anyone that we're acquainted. I, Lei Dong, can no longer be associated with you!"

Gu Liyan smiled bitterly; it seemed Lei Dong really wanted to sever ties with him.

Seeing that Gu Liyan didn't move, Lei Dong waved his hand impatiently and urged, "Alright, alright, hurry up and get out of here before anyone notices! Otherwise, you won't even have time to leave!"

Gu Liyan smiled and nodded, tucking the antidote Lei Dong had given him into his pocket. He then smiled and bowed in return, saying, "Brother Lei Dong, take care!"

Lei Dong didn't even glance at him, just turned his head away, waved his hand, and said nothing more.

After Gu Liyan finished speaking, he turned around and headed towards the jungle behind him, without looking back and without being able to look back!

From this moment on, they became strangers to each other, with no further grudges or entanglements!

Not long after Gu Liyan left, Lei Dong turned around, looked at Gu Liyan's back, and sighed deeply, "Sigh, I still softened..."

At this point, footsteps suddenly came from behind him. Lei Dong abruptly changed the subject, turned around, and asked the figure walking towards him, "Why were you there, yet you didn't stop me?"

Gu Yan emerged from the moonlight and looked into the depths of the forest. Gu Liyan, who was walking further and further away, had already left. He couldn't help but smile wickedly. "What a touching friendship! Did you really want me to stop you just now?"

"I..." Lei Dong opened his mouth, but couldn't defend himself. He suddenly knelt down. "I took it upon myself to let him go. Please punish me, Grand Strategist!"

"Let him go, he's going to die anyway. Even if you give him a year, he'll still die. Sometimes living is more painful than dying!" Gu Yan said with a smile. "And I should thank you for giving me a reason to continue torturing him!"

Upon hearing Gu Yan's words, Lei Dong subconsciously swallowed and lowered his head without speaking.

Seeing that Lei Dong remained unmoved, Gu Yan coldly said, "The dungeon looks really uncomfortable with all this emptiness. Lei Dong, you will take Gu Liyan's place!"

Lei Dong lowered his head, gritted his teeth, and said, "Yes!"

——

Gu Liyan escaped Gu Yan's surveillance range and ran towards the cave. He could give up everything, but not Gu Yixian!

Upon arriving at the cave, the chill within softened. Gu Liyan stepped inside and saw the ice coffin still there, but upon closer inspection, she realized that her beloved was no longer inside…

"Yiyi...where did you go? Yiyi!" Gu Liyan ran forward and panicked when he couldn't find Gu Yixian. He searched around for Gu Yixian's presence, but the sound was intermittent.

"Yiyi...why...in the end I still lost you..." Gu Liyan collapsed to the ground, looking at the empty ice coffin, and spoke in despair.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the cave. Gu Liyan looked over and saw a beautiful woman carrying a bamboo basket walking in. The moment she saw Gu Liyan, her listless eyes suddenly lit up, and she excitedly called out, "Little Li!"

Upon seeing that the person who had come was none other than Gu Yixian, whom he had been longing for, Gu Liyan immediately stood up and ran towards Gu Yixian.

The moment Gu Yixian saw Gu Liyan, she dropped her bamboo basket, her eyes filled with tears, and ran straight to him.

When the two met, their hearts reunited.

Gu Liyan picked up Gu Yixian and spun her around, his face beaming with joy, "Yiyi!"

"Xiao Li!" Gu Yixian looked at the white-robed youth in front of her, and all the longing and emotions in her heart surged out. She immediately hugged Gu Liyan tightly in her arms.

"Xiao Li! Xiao Li! Is it really you? Am I dreaming?" Feeling Gu Liyan's body temperature, Gu Yixian burst into tears of joy, hugging Gu Liyan tightly and refusing to let go.

"It's me, it's me..." Sensing Gu Yixian's emotions, Gu Liyan raised his hand and gently stroked Gu Yixian's soft hair. "I'm sorry, Yiyi, it's all my fault for leaving you here alone and making you wait for me for so long!"

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