Silence fell in the room once again.

Tomorrow's meeting has become a formidable obstacle in their path.

If we push through, we might obtain crucial information.

If we can't get through... it might mean certain death.

Qiqi bit her lip, then suddenly looked up and grinned.

"Then let me calculate our fortune for tomorrow!"

After saying this, he took out a few copper coins from his bag, put them into the tortoise shell, and solemnly chanted a prayer before beginning to divine.

Qiqi held the tortoise shell in her little hands and shook it.

The copper coins made a tinkling sound inside the tortoise shell.

A moment later, she spilled it all over the table.

A delicate, fair finger reached out and fiddled with the scattered copper coins on the table.

A gleam lit up in her big eyes. "Brother Huo, it's Daji! It seems they're not that close, so they shouldn't realize we're pretending!"

“Qiqi…” Huo Yuwei was both amused and exasperated.

Is it really okay to make such a hasty decision about something that involves life and death?

"Big brother, we have no way out," Qiqi said earnestly, shrugging her shoulders. "Besides, those other kids can't wait any longer!"

Seeing the little guy's serious expression, Huo Yuwei couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

That's right, they had no other choice.

The children can't wait.

They couldn't think of any other way.

Finally, Huo Yuwei nodded, "Okay, let's take a gamble."

With the plan set, the three began preparing for tomorrow's meeting.

Bai Xuan carefully recalled the words and actions he had seen in the soul of the three-eyed masked man and tried his best to imitate and learn from them.

Qiqi then took out some special materials from her small bag, preparing to make a few "backup plans".

"If we get caught, Qiqi will use this!"

She took out a jade bottle about the size of a thumb, which contained a pale golden liquid.

"This is a 'stunning powder,' it'll confuse the bad guys for a while, then we can use that to escape!"

“And this too.” She pulled out a few more small balls. “Smoke bombs. When you throw them, they’ll produce lots and lots of smoke, making it impossible to see the road! Even if they want to chase us, they won’t be able to catch us.”

Huo Yuwei watched as she magically produced all sorts of strange and unusual things, feeling both amazed and distressed.

This three-and-a-half-year-old toddler, who should be nestled in the arms of his family, is instead preparing tools for a life-or-death struggle.

"Qiqi, once this is over, big brother will take you to the amusement park and you can have as much fun as you want," he said softly.

Qiqi's eyes lit up. "Really? Can we ride the carousel and the Ferris wheel?"

"Sure, you can sit here as many times as you like."

"I want ice cream too! A really big ice cream!"

"Okay, you can eat as much as you want."

"Pinky promise!"

Two fingers, one big and one small, hooked together, making a warm promise in this eerie and terrifying Black Mist Valley.

Outside the window, an eerie green light illuminated the valley.

A life-or-death test is about to begin.

Unbeknownst to them, deep within the cult leader's hall, a pair of blood-red eyes were slowly opening.

"Interesting...a mouse has sneaked in..."

A low laugh echoed in the empty hall, carrying a playful, cat-and-mouse tone.

"Let me see what tricks you guys have up your sleeve..."

***

The next morning, the green light in Black Mist Valley was even more bleak than at night, and the entire valley was shrouded in an ominous atmosphere.

When Qiqi was gently shaken awake by Huo Yuwei, her little face was still sleepy.

But she quickly came to her senses, rubbed her eyes, and asked, "Brother Huo, is it dawn?"

"Hmm, it's about time," Huo Yuwei said in a low voice, as he helped her put on the prepared black robe.

This is what Bai Xuan found in the room of the Three-Eyed Envoy last night. Even the smallest size is still too big. Qi Qi looks like a little ghost when she wears it.

Bai Xuan had already changed into the attire of the three-eyed masked man and put on that eerie three-eyed mask.

He adjusted his breathing, and his entire aura became cold and sinister, even making Huo Yuwei feel a little uncomfortable.

It is so similar to a real three-eyed masked person that it can be mistaken for the real thing.

"How is it? Does it look like it?" Bai Xuan's voice also became hoarse and deep.

"So alike, so incredibly alike!" Qiqi gave a thumbs up. "Xiaobai is amazing!"

After shrinking, the tiger eagle scurried into Qiqi's cloak pocket, with only its head sticking out, cautiously observing its surroundings.

"Remember the plan," Huo Yuwei instructed finally. "If things go wrong, immediately use smoke grenades and mind control powder. We'll evacuate through the secret passage on the east side. Lin Wei's team is already waiting outside the valley and will launch a strong attack to provide support upon receiving the signal."

"Understood." Qi Qi and Bai Xuan nodded at the same time.

Qiqi placed a shape-shifting talisman on herself and Huo Yuwei to change their appearance in the eyes of others.

The three then left the courtyard and headed towards the inner valley.

The further you go in, the more heavily guarded the place becomes, and the more eerie the buildings appear.

Some houses had dried human bones hanging on their exterior walls, and some windows emitted a ghastly green glow from the flames. The stench of blood and decay in the air was even stronger.

Qiqi gripped Huo Yuwei's hand tightly, her little face tense.

She could sense that the valley was filled with intense resentment and death, and that countless innocent lives had perished there.

"We've arrived." Bai Xuan stopped in his tracks.

Ahead stood a massive black palace, its gates wide open, guarded by two rows of men in blood-red robes.

Upon seeing the "Three-Eyed Envoy," they immediately bowed and greeted him, saying, "Seventh Envoy, please come in. The other envoys have already arrived."

Bai Xuan nodded slightly and led Huo Yuwei and Qi Qi into the main hall.

The interior of the hall was even more magnificent than the exterior, with dozens of thick stone pillars supporting the dome, and various strange patterns and runes carved on the pillars.

The ground was made of black stone slabs, polished smooth as a mirror, reflecting the green glowing minerals on the dome.

Deep inside the main hall, a tall figure stood with his back to the entrance in front of a huge altar.

The altar was covered with many black jars, similar to those seen in the breeding farm, but larger and more numerous.

That's the Lord of the Underworld?

Qiqi's heart raced; she wondered if she could beat this big guy.

"Seventh Brother, you've finally arrived." A soft, feminine voice came from the left.

Qiqi turned her head and saw a slender woman in a red robe wearing a fox mask leaning against a stone pillar, playing with a bone fan in her hand.

"I ran into a little trouble on the way and was delayed." Bai Xuan imitated the tone of the three-eyed masked man, his voice cold.

“A minor trouble?” Another gruff voice rang out, and a burly man wearing a bear mask stepped out from the right. “I heard your stronghold in Yunshan City was raided? Quite a loss.”

Bai Xuan was startled, but remained outwardly calm. "The news spread quickly. That's right, they were ambushed by a group of self-proclaimed righteous Xuanmen cultivators. However, they also paid a price."

"Oh?" A third voice joined in, a sharp-voiced person wearing a bird mask. "What's the price?"