Lu Shangshang took a deep breath and told the truth.
"To obtain this item, you must kill everyone here, otherwise..."
"Kill all of you?"
Nangong Mo's expression was unusual. From the moment he refused their kindness, he had known this would be the outcome.
This might be their final trial.
To kill these kind-hearted people?
Yet, they had never harmed them, merely because possessing the treasure was a crime, they had to die.
Nangong Mo's heart was conflicted, and his actions faltered repeatedly.
He asked himself if he was willing, but his heart was torn between two thoughts, yielding no answer.
Did no one expect this outcome?
Gu Qianying was moved by compassion. These people were truly pitiful; why must they be hurt again and again?
As Nangong Mo was struggling, he felt someone carefully tugging at his sleeve.
"Husband, should we reconsider this matter? Perhaps there are other ways."
"There are other ways!"
Lu Shangshang's voice was exceptionally loud. She smiled and pointed at herself, her eyes exceptionally bright. "This item is in my hands! To obtain this item, you people..."
Lu Shangshang looked around, her eyes filled with amusement.
"You must pick out a little brother to marry me? If not, then kill me, because only with these two conditions will I be content!"
Nangong Mo's eyes glinted with coldness, killing intent surging.
"Don't force us. You women are weak and frail, without a trace of resentment on your bodies, existing like puppets. You cannot stop us."
"Ridiculous."
Lu Shangshang spun around swiftly and then pointed at the person before her. "You say you can do it, then show me by acting now! If you dare to act, I'll admit you're capable."
This person seemed to have grasped everyone's thoughts.
When Lu Shangshang finished speaking, no one dared to refute.
They were not wicked people. How could they bear to kill those who had shown them kindness and done no wrong?
"As expected!" Lu Shangshang sneered again. "I knew you couldn't accomplish this!"
The gazes of the crowd towards Lu Shangshang were ill-intentioned.
But only Ouyang Qinglin in the corner.
Finally, a light appeared in his eyes, his former turbidity swept away.
From the moment he saw this woman, he felt a sense of familiarity.
It was as if they had met and known each other in the mortal world.
He even wanted to approach her.
To speak more, to converse under the moon, and to be together from then on.
But such a thought had only occurred to him with Gu Qianying?
He had never felt this way about any other woman.
This was truly an accident.
Lu Shangshang also found it strange that the little brother in the corner was constantly staring at her.
She liked it very much.
"Little brother, why do you keep staring at me? Do you think I'm beautiful?" she asked, her smile as radiant as cherry blossoms blooming in spring.
Ouyang Qinglin felt his heart begin to tremble.
The thumping sound made it impossible for him to return to reality.
He involuntarily reached out and touched Lu Shangshang's cheek. "What is your name?"
Lu Shangshang felt the warmth on her face, and a hint of joy finally appeared on her face.
She had been a ghost for many years.
Her entire body was cold, and the wind here was bone-chilling.
Lu Shangshang had never felt warmth.
Her eyes flickered, and a few silver tears flowed. "My name is Lu Shangshang. What is yours? My brother is truly handsome."
Ouyang Qinglin, uncharacteristically shy, coughed awkwardly and quickly stated his name.
"My name is Ouyang Qinglin. I arrived in the Nine Layers of Hell by chance and have caused much disturbance. I am very sorry."
He spoke, but his gaze never wavered, only fixated on the person before him.
He was nervous.
He was afraid that the person before him was an illusion.
That was clearly his Gu Qianying!
No, it was Lu Shangshang; he had truly mistaken her.
Everyone thought Ouyang Qinglin had gone mad. This arrogant little girl was so charming, how could he be lost in a gentle embrace?
Gu Qianying quickly pulled him away. "What are you doing? That young lady is clearly not simple. Don't be impulsive."
"I'm not impulsive!" Ouyang Qinglin smiled, his eyes filled with contentment.
He hadn't felt this way in a long time, this feeling of his spirit being satisfied.
Nangong Mo frowned. "What spell did she cast on you? Why are you like this? Do you know the consequences of your actions?"
For humans and ghosts to develop feelings, the end result would always be annihilation.
Humans could only live under the sun, while ghosts could only live under the moon. They were destined to be incompatible.
Developing feelings could only bring them torment.
Ouyang Qinglin did not rush to retort, his expression still peaceful. "How long do you plan to stay here?"
The crowd fell silent.
They were determined to obtain the Original Body Pill.
But now, there were only two solutions: first, kill them; second, leave one person behind to exchange for the Original Body Pill.
Both options were absurd. They could never sacrifice one person to harm another.
This was an unnecessary act.
"Very well, since you are seeking an answer, you need not obstruct me. I will make my own decision!" Ouyang Qinglin appeared exceptionally resolute, speaking calmly without any outbursts.
The others could not stop him and felt utterly helpless.
Since their discussion yielded no results, Gu Qianying and the others decided to sit down and brainstorm.
Hearing that he intended to stay, the children here were overjoyed. They were particularly fond of clinging to Gu Qianying, calling her "sister" repeatedly, which made Gu Qianying very happy.
They removed the blood from their eyelashes and returned to their idyllic sanctuary.
Amidst such joy, they momentarily forgot the cruelty of the outside world.
"Big sister, can you please not leave? We really, really like you, very, very much."
"Yes! Big sister, you are the most beautiful person we have ever seen. If you could stay, we would be extremely happy."
These children, innocent and pure, praised Gu Qianying while stretching their bodies on the ground like kittens, rolling around in circles.
Gu Qianying held them in her arms, one in each.
Facing the expectant gazes of the two children, she found it difficult to respond.
The two children, not understanding, looked at Gu Qianying expectantly. "Big sister, you don't want to stay with us?"
Gu Qianying suddenly choked back a sob.
These children knew nothing. They were the executioners about to be put to death, yet these children treated them as family. How terrifying this was.
Seeing Gu Qianying cry, the two children quickly and frantically took out handkerchiefs.
"Big sister, don't cry. If you cry, we won't look. Big sister, can you smile? Big sister is the prettiest, smile, okay?"