The sage was determined to die.

"Just say what you have to say."

Ji Bai turned his head to look at Gongsun Yang, who had been hesitant to speak.

Gongsun Yang remained silent. He had watched Ji Bai take a stroll in the State of Chen and return without being chased or beaten, which was something he hadn't expected at all.

Ji Bai's eyes darted around as if he could read minds, and he said with a half-smile, "You're wondering why I'm not being chased and beaten up? I didn't expect you to care about me so much."

Gongsun Yang awkwardly nodded, his hands and feet moving in unison.

Ji Bai, acting as if they were old friends, retorted, "Having known me for so long, haven't you noticed any of my admirable qualities?"

Gongsun Yang: "..."

Before he could reply, Ji Bai answered his own question, "I'm friendly, so why can't I make friends with them?"

Gongsun Yang seemed to finally lose his composure, but due to the situation, he could only politely mutter, "They don't seem to know you."

"Yes," Ji Bai readily admitted, looking at him with some surprise. "But whether they know me or not, shouldn't that be their business?"

Gongsun Yang: "..."

He rubbed his face with both hands, looking quite helpless, and gave Ji Bai a forced smile: "So what did you talk to them about?"

Ji Bai looked as if he had seen right through him, and smiled somewhat arrogantly: "I had Chen Guo give me the first spot to enter Wulibi, and they were very sensible."

"..."

Gongsun Yang instinctively opened his mouth, and the words "incredible" slowly filled his face. He couldn't help but raise his voice: "You, you don't know, do you? There are many tests in Wuli Bi. Most of the first batch of people who enter are cannon fodder. Only scholars from small countries would take this risk. Even large countries wouldn't be among the first batch of people to enter."

Gongsun Yang spoke tactfully, confirming how ridiculous Ji Bai's decision was.

In this world, there are actually people who, instead of seeking any benefit, are willing to become cannon fodder through coercion and enticement.

Gongsun Yang couldn't help but regret following Ji Bai's lead, even though it wasn't his choice.

I thought that by following Ji Bai, I could at least escape the fate of being a Jinshi from a small country and at least postpone my entry a few times. I never expected that Ji Bai would not only be good at courting death, but also like to deliberately send himself to his death...

Gongsun Yang couldn't help but take a few steps back.

Ji Bai hummed twice, as if he knew everything and yet knew nothing, and slowly said, "I know, so I discussed it with Chen Ji and asked him to communicate with those people from the small country in a friendly manner, so that I could go in first."

"After all, if I were to communicate with them alone, they wouldn't believe me."

As if he could see right through them, Ji Bai patted Gongsun Yang on the shoulder and said in a relaxed tone, "Don't worry, I won't let you go in with me. I'm used to being selfish and like to eat alone."

Gongsun Yang paused for a moment, lowered his head, and slowly hummed in agreement.

……

Ji Ying was somewhat surprised that Ji Bai actually didn't speak to him.

The other party seemed to completely ignore him, not even bothering to say hello. After waiting for a long time, he decided to take the initiative.

When Ji Ying arrived, Ji Bai was making final arrangements. The Wuli Wall was about to open, and Ji Bai arrived just in time, as there wasn't much time left.

He was talking to Yan Ming when the latter's eyes slowly widened, and he realized that there was a not-so-unfamiliar shadow behind him.

Ji Bai looked at the man who liked to wear a mask. He hadn't expected Ji Ying to come to him first, so he could only awkwardly ask, "Who are you?"

Ji Ying raised an eyebrow and said, "Guess?"

Ji Bai didn't understand why the Second Prince wanted to see him. He was about to send him away when Yan Ming tugged at his sleeve and whispered in a voice everyone could hear, "He's the Second Prince. Don't you recognize him?"

Ji Bai had no choice but to greet Ji Ying: "So you are the Second Prince. I've heard so much about you."

Ji Ying bluntly exposed the truth: "We've met once."

He then asked, "Can the literary talent you've acquired heal your wounds?"

Ji Bai subconsciously stared at the other person's half-face covered by a mask, then removed the mask he was wearing for the performance and said sincerely, "I'm sorry, I haven't acquired that kind of literary talent yet."

"Neither do I," Yan Ming interjected at the opportune moment, as if to emphasize something, "My Wenxin can't heal the wound either."

Ji Ying was neither disappointed nor surprised, and calmly said "okay".

Ji Bai thought the other party would leave at this time, but Ji Ying unexpectedly did not leave and said, "I heard that you want to obtain a second Wenxin, and that's what I'm planning to do too."

"But all I want is to find a kindred spirit that can heal my wounds."

Ji Ying's behavior was nothing like the rumored madwoman; she was a rare normal person that Ji Bai had encountered. This normal person even discussed with him, "If you also have your eye on it, I hope we can negotiate."

Yan Ming stood aside, refusing to leave, listening to the Second Prince's words as if they were from a foreign language.

These two are actually quite familiar with each other?

Ji Bai sighed and said to Ji Ying, "You really have a lot of confidence in me. I just want to give it a try, after all, even Chen Ji couldn't get a second Wenxin."

"Chen Ji's talent was only average to begin with."

Ji Ying was calm, almost indifferent, which was very different from his previous demeanor. "You shouldn't consult him; he can't offer you any help."

Ji Bai hesitated, then heard the other person say, "I'll be in the first batch to enter Wuli Bi. You'll be in the first batch too, right?"

"You..." Ji Bai didn't say much, but only reminded him, "It will be very dangerous for the first batch to enter."

Ji Ying looked at him with an indifferent expression and said, "Yes, I know. But the first batch has the greatest chance, doesn't it?"

Ji Ying also wanted to go in, which was clearly beyond Ji Bai's plan.

However, he did not refuse, thinking that he could get rid of him after going inside.

Ji Ying had clearly only come to give an update, her gaze falling on Wang Zhixuan not far away, and she chuckled, "I don't understand."

Ji Bai followed his gaze to Wang Zhixuan, then calmly looked away and explained, "I know he's from Bai Yujing."

Ji Ying used her eyes to distract Yan Ming, who then tactfully left.

The empty space was occupied only by the two of them. Ji Ying tilted her head and said to him in a very low voice, "I don't understand why you're keeping him alive. Are you planning to take him away and kill him alone?"

"He's not that important, but he's still one of Bai Yujing's men. If you're going to kill him, it's best to be discreet."

Ji Bai found it strange; the tone of their conversation about murder was as if they were discussing how to cut a fish.

It's a little too calm.

Ji Bai remained silent, and Ji Ying did not stop.

"You seem to really want to make yourself the target of everyone's criticism."

Ji Ying's dark eyes, seemingly concealing two wisps of death, smiled slightly at him. "Why?"