Following Shang Jianyao's gaze, Jiang Baimian saw Du Heng, dressed in a black robe, sitting on the ground in an alley, leaning against a telephone pole supporting the "spider web" of wires, his head tilted slightly back as if he were sleeping, looking quite content.

At this time, the sun had long since fallen below the horizon, and darkness enveloped the world. If Shang Jianyao hadn't had sharp eyes, relying on the few lights inside the houses on both sides, Jiang Baimian would most likely have overlooked Du Heng, whose clothes were almost merged with the night.

Hearing the name of the big shot who could scare even Lian Xiaochong away, Bai Chen stepped on the brake, smoothly stopping the jeep by the side of the road.

Shang Jianyao opened the car door, walked over, and plopped down next to Du Heng.

Seeing this, Jiang Baimian hesitated for a moment, then followed, sitting down beside him like Shang Jianyao.

Bai Chen was responsible for guarding the jeep and taking care of Long Yuehong, who was getting an IV in the back seat.

Du Heng turned his head, opened his eyes, glanced at Shang Jianyao, and then returned to his previous posture.

"You?" His tone revealed a rare hint of weariness.

"Yes." Shang Jianyao answered according to the literal meaning of his words.

Du Heng remained in his original state:

"So, I came here because you entered the 'Mind Corridor'.

"It's destined to happen..."

*Teacher* Du Heng, why are you talking like a Taoist priest... Jiang Baimian resisted the urge to interrupt.

Shang Jianyao didn't hide his surprise:

"Am I that obvious?"

"It just so happens that I can tell." Du Heng replied simply.

Then, without even opening his eyes, he said:

"Don't rush to change the state of your mind room, and don't go out into the corridor too quickly. Wait a month or two, until your mental state is stable, before doing that. This can effectively reduce the worsening of your *price*."

"Okay." Shang Jianyao didn't refute the fact that the subject of the *price* should be plural.

Du Heng then said:

"You can leave now. Don't disturb my sleep."

"Okay." Shang Jianyao was always a polite young man.

Jiang Baimian looked suspiciously at Du Heng, stood up, dusted off her pants, and walked back to the jeep parked outside the alley.

...

The North Shore Wastelands, a massive convoy headed towards the mountains.

These were the people fleeing from Early Spring Town.

To escape the pursuit of "First City," they risked driving for nearly four hours in the night.

Of course, there was no moon tonight, and even the stars were sparse. They didn't dare drive all the time. After arriving at a small city ruin that had long been completely excavated, they chose to set up camp and rest to avoid risks.

Han Wanghuo, Zeng Duo, and Genaewa's dark-colored SUV were at the end of the line, responsible for clearing the corresponding traces. By the time they arrived, more than a dozen bonfires had already been lit between several buildings, out of sight of outsiders.

The residents of Early Spring Town were mostly unusual in some way. In the words of outsiders, they were all strangely shaped.

They gathered around different bonfires, either seizing the time to rest, patrolling the surroundings, or filling their stomachs, and didn't say much.

Combined with their appearance, they looked quite gloomy.

Zeng Duo looked around and explained to Han Wanghuo and Genaewa:

"Everyone is usually very kind and enthusiastic. It's probably because there are outsiders here, and they've been locked up for several months. They're not very relaxed."

"It's okay." Han Wanghuo replied simply.

For Genaewa, this was even less of a problem.

At this moment, the town elder, whose legs were atrophied, rode over on his son, who had an underdeveloped brain, and exchanged a detailed discussion with Zeng Duo about the previously discussed destination.

After understanding the specific situation, he returned to the bonfires and clapped his hands twice.

All the town residents who weren't asleep turned their attention to him.

The town elder cleared his throat and said loudly:

"I know everyone is very scared. Abandoning the town we've lived in for so many years, abandoning the farmland we've cultivated ourselves, isn't easy. But we have to do it. We've all seen the consequences of becoming experimental subjects, and we've all experienced the vastness of 'First City'. We can't compete with it. Maybe we can win once, but we can't win many times. And as long as we lose once, we won't have a chance to recover."

These were all heartfelt words, obvious facts, and received nods of agreement from the town residents.

The town elder continued:

"Wandering is actually the survival state of most humans in the Ashlands. Every few years, or even shorter, they migrate for various reasons. Compared to them, we're actually much better off. At least after we're caught by the people from 'First City,' we still have a chance to escape and survive!"

These words slowly released the accumulated panic and anxiety in the hearts of many town residents, and they finally felt a bit of escape from death.

The town elder looked around and raised his voice slightly:

"Zeng Duo told me that she found a suitable place to settle down. There's enough water to drink, abandoned farmland to cultivate, and abandoned ruins to改造. And now it's summer, and we still have enough time to be busy.

"As long as we get our first harvest, a new Early Spring Town will be established!

"And..."

Speaking here, the town elder suddenly became a little excited:

"There's no pollution there, no pollution!

"Our descendants will slowly become normal, no longer suffering from the pain of mutation!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the town residents of Early Spring Town burst into an uproar. They looked around, talking to each other, wanting to confirm whether what the town elder said was true.

"It's true!" Zeng Duo put her hands together, forming a trumpet shape, and placed them in front of her mouth. "I guarantee it!"

She showed extraordinary ability today, had very powerful companions, and rescued everyone from the guards of "First City". Unknowingly, she had become an object of dependence and trust for the town residents, so her guarantee was effective and credible enough.

After a brief silence, those strangely shaped town residents made all kinds of sounds:

"Long live!"

"Hurrah!"

"God has opened his eyes!"

...

Their excitement was overflowing, waking up the sleeping town residents.

Seeing the changes in those familiar faces and hearing their unreserved calls, Zeng Duo was momentarily in a daze.

It seemed that she had already led everyone to that valley, clearing weeds together, reopening farmland, building ditches with her neighbors, drawing clean water, and harvesting wheat with relatives and friends. After being busy, they gathered around the table, using clear water as wine, and enjoying themselves to the fullest...

Those pictures were so beautiful that Zeng Duo couldn't help but reach out, wanting to touch them, but she didn't catch anything.

When the scene calmed down, Han Wanghuo, standing on the outermost perimeter, glanced at her sideways:

"Are you starting to miss this world and don't want to die?"

Zeng Duo answered honestly:

"A little.

"But don't worry, I will fulfill my promise. Anyway, I won't live much longer."

Han Wanghuo remained noncommittal, looking ahead and saying:

"Can't you learn to be a little selfish?

"Love yourself before you love others."

Zeng Duo scratched her short hair:

"I want to too, but..."

She looked at Han Wanghuo with doubt:

"Aren't you afraid that I'll go back on my word and desperately want to live?

"Don't you love yourself anymore? Aren't you selfish anymore?"

Han Wanghuo remained silent and didn't answer.

Genaewa was patrolling around, not participating in their conversation.

...

First City, Red Giant Wolf District, below a fairly upscale apartment.

Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao, who had procured the necessary medicines and equipment under cover of night, walked into the gate.

Looking at the mailbox rack in the lobby, Jiang Baimian walked over, found the door number of the room they had rented, and checked whether there was today's newspaper inside, wanting to learn more about the First City situation.

She remembered that when she rented the place, the landlord had specifically mentioned that he had subscribed to the "First City Daily" for the whole year.

Perhaps the unrest today prevented the newspaper from being printed or delivered. The mailbox was empty, with only an unsigned letter lying inside.

A letter? Jiang Baimian took out the letter in confusion, checked it, and opened it on the spot.

Inside the letter were two thin sheets of paper, corresponding to two medical reports.

The reports stated that unless the patient's heart and bone marrow were replaced, they wouldn't live much longer.

At the same time, they also mentioned some drug combinations, saying that following this treatment plan and taking good care, one patient could live at least another six months, and the other about three months.

"Old Han and Zeng Duo's medical reports? Master Zenanaiga sent them? He didn't blame us for escaping early?" Jiang Baimian and Shang Jianyao exchanged glances and muttered to themselves, "The 'prediction' ability is really amazing..."

Shang Jianyao nodded:

"Master Zenanaiga is really a good person."

Jiang Baimian deeply agreed with this.

Master Zenanaiga was truly compassionate.

...

First City, Sika Luo Temple, on the street outside.

Inspector Alexander looked at the brightly lit seven-story Buddhist temple, listening to the faint chanting sounds echoing, and sighed to his daughter, Garolan, beside him:

"Master Zenanaiga has passed away..."