I am a full-level celestial master, you let me enter the strange talk of rules?

In Zhang Yangqing's view, the boy's single white eye seemed immature, and the activation of his spatial ability was highly random and passive. The boy himself was more like an imperfect "crippled" inheritor of the ability.

Since such a quality exists in the Undying Mountain, why not use the boy and have him lead us to his people?
Perhaps there, we can find a more mature, powerful, and perfect "eye" or other organs that contain spatial rules?

Fortunately, Zhang Yangqing only pondered these "terrifying thoughts" in his mind and did not say them out loud. Otherwise, if others knew, they would definitely feel a chill run from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads!
On the surface, this guy appears calm and collected, and occasionally even "reasonable," but his inner scheming and "appetite" are terrifying.

His previous actions, whether it was cooperation, dissuasion, or guidance, were all based on the optimal solution calculated from the perspectives of interests and risks, and had nothing to do with kindness.

The two tacitly returned to where the children were.

After spending this short time together, and given the fragile friendship they had built with "Fenbao," the four children seemed to have gotten along much better, and they were huddled together whispering to each other.

While Zhang Yangqing and the chairman seemed to have given them time to spend together, the two were actually plotting a "choice" between themselves.

As dusk fell, night seemed to come exceptionally quickly on the Immortal Mountain. The surrounding fog thickened, and the temperature began to drop.

It's time to replenish our energy.

After arriving at this godforsaken place, the color of the sky remained unchanged, as if time had stopped flowing and there was no sense of time at all.

This world has always been this gray color, and in the eyes of the people in this world, this is normal; everyone has gotten used to it.

Zhang Yangqing and the chairman naturally couldn't appear unfamiliar with each other, lest they be discovered to be disguised outsiders.

The food sources here are simple: mainly the meat of strangely shaped monsters hunted nearby that emit faint energy fluctuations, as well as some strangely colored fruits growing on twisted trees.

In order to make a good impression and further enhance his favorability among these four "future potential stocks", the chairman took the initiative to prepare the food.

He personally processed the monster meat, skillfully started a campfire, and then roasted the skewered pieces of meat over the fire.

As he grilled, he took out some unusual spices and seasonings from his equipment and carefully sprinkled them on the pieces of meat.

Soon, a rich aroma, a blend of meaty and exotic spices, filled the air, whetting the appetite.

The four children, including the boy with one white eye who had just woken up and was still somewhat weak, all involuntarily gathered around.

His eyes were fixed on the sizzling, golden-brown roasting meat over the fire, his mouth watering constantly, his eyes practically sparkling with excitement.

Even the well-traveled Zhang Yangqing felt his mouth water at the smell of the aroma.

Looking at the children's hungry expressions and noticing Zhang Yangqing nodding in approval, the chairman couldn't help but feel a surge of pride.

He gave Zhang Yangqing a provocative look, his eyes seeming to say: So? Do you want to compete with me this time? Cooking is one of my strongest areas.

He simply didn't believe that Zhang Yangqing could be so versatile, even in this aspect!

Zhang Yangqing received his gaze, and very tactfully clasped his hands in a fist salute, revealing an expression of "I am completely convinced" on his face. He was convinced, utterly convinced!

This really pleased the chairman!
Having always been outmatched by Zhang Yangqing in terms of strength and strategy, he finally managed to regain his footing in his specialty, cooking. This feeling of finally winning made him very happy, and he couldn't help but smile. He grilled the meat even more diligently.

Zhang Yangqing chuckled inwardly. He wouldn't be so idle as to take on such a "job." There was ready-made food to enjoy, and he didn't have to lift a finger. All he had to do was express his "admiration" and "approval" at the right time, which would keep this powerful "tool" and temporary ally in a good mood and full of energy. Why not?

Isn't this the most skillful way to manage people, making them willingly work for you while feeling like they've gotten the better deal?

He was happy to have some peace and quiet, so he sat aside and began to quietly plan his next course of action, as well as how to further uncover more secrets about the Undying Mountain and spatial abilities from these four children, especially the boy with the single white eye.

In truth, Zhang Yangqing and the chairman both harbored countless questions, such as: Why do you only have four fingers? Why was your little finger cut off? Where is the River of Reversal? Where is the Lake of Oblivion? What is the Mountain Patrol Envoy?
These problems scratched at their hearts like cat claws.

But they knew that none of these questions could be asked directly.

Once asked, even the most naive child would immediately realize that the two were not natives of the Undying Mountain, and all their previous pretense would be in vain.

Therefore, they could only patiently look for opportunities to subtly probe and cautiously gather information from the sidelines.

Just as Zhang Yangqing had organized his thoughts and was preparing to take advantage of the harmonious atmosphere after the barbecue to begin his carefully crafted conversation, an unexpected change occurred!
Not far from the river, in the depths of the thick, impenetrable fog, the outline of a "ship" faintly appeared.

It appeared to be a cargo ship, with an old and rustic design. The hull had a dark hue, as if it had been eroded by time and some kind of force, and it looked as if it had been made from the skeleton of some long-dead giant tree.

It glided silently and quietly on the inky black water, without sails, oars, or any other source of power.

A thicker layer of gray fog shrouded the ship, obscuring its details and revealing only a vague, ghostly silhouette.

An indescribable aura wafted out as the ship approached.

It was neither pure stillness nor vitality, but a heavy feeling that lay between life and death, cold, empty, as if it carried too much oblivion and end.

It seemed like there was no one on that ship.

At least, with Zhang Yangqing and the chairman's eyesight, they could not see any activity through that eerie gray fog, only a deathly silence.

However, it is precisely this state of sailing alone that brings a chilling and intimidating power, making people hesitant to approach.

Zhang Yangqing and the chairman immediately concealed their presence, silently watching the ghostly cargo ship slowly pass by in the middle of the river not far away, just like real indigenous laborers, without making any unusual moves.

The four children beside them reacted much more violently.

The moment they saw the ship, the ease and craving on their faces vanished, replaced by an instinctive fear.

The three tall children almost simultaneously shrank their necks, instinctively hiding behind Zhang Yangqing and the chairman, not daring to even breathe loudly.

The boy with the single white eye, whose condition had just improved somewhat, was even paler than before. He tightly gripped the hem of Zhang Yangqing's clothes, who was closest to him, and his body trembled slightly.

Only when the eerie cargo ship completely disappeared into the thick fog downstream and could no longer be seen, and the oppressive atmosphere gradually dissipated, did the children seem to breathe a sigh of relief.

Zhang Yangqing then asked in a gentle tone, tinged with a hint of confusion, as if asking casually, "What are you afraid of? Aren't we right here?" (End of Chapter)