The crane gracefully landed on the outskirts of the island, spreading its wide wings for the passengers to dismount.

Shu Qianqian deftly skidded off the wing as though it was a slide. She strode several steps ahead, looking back every once in a while. When her eyes locked on Li Meirong's, she appeared to be extremely worried. She bit her lower lip, revealing a worrisome expression.

Li Meirong gave her a noncommittal, tight smile. She held onto the crane's side and awkwardly jumped off in an unsteady motion, tripping onto the sand beneath.

It was moist and warm. Tepid water splashed about her feet, soaking right through her worn-out leather boots.

She turned around and beheld a scattering of a soft white sheen, highlighting the gentle waves of the cobalt sea behind her. It seemed to be the only light she saw, since the night was overcast and shrouding the rest in darkness.

She untied her boots and removed her socks, quickly storing them within her dimension.

A pair of tiny vine-like tendrils slowly crept from Li Meirong's sleeve as a miniature pitcher plant peeked its head outside.

Previously, when Chou and Li Meirong were still at the Bestiary Division, they decided to follow along with whatever Ugly Lady suggested they do. Master suspected that the mastermind wasn't her baddie friend, but the other baddie who kept targeting Master since she had first joined the sect.

At that time, Chou hadn't returned to the dimension. Instead, he changed his shape and size, concealing his presence inside Master's robe.

'Is Master certain of her decision? Master is still unsteady on her feet.' Chou's childlike voice transmitted into her mind.

Li Meirong clasped the area in her sleeve where he had been hiding, gave it a gentle, reassuring squeeze and brought one finger to her lips, signalling him to keep quiet. "I told you to hide." She whispered irritably.

The Pitcher Plant dismissed his master's orders and kept telepathically transmitting his inquiries. 'Not that Chou is complaining, but Chou always thought Master was the type to avoid trouble. Why is Master walking straight into a trap? And why does Chou have to hide instead of attack? Chou doesn't understand.'

Li Meirong sighed helplessly. What was the point of hushing this Plant Spirit? He never bothered to listen, anyway.

"I think I know who's behind this, and I'd rather confront what it is she has planned than allow her to repeatedly keep scheming against me. This place taught me that in order to have some peace and quiet, one must show that they cannot be trifled with." Li Meirong replied in a hushed, agitated tone.

Chou huffed. 'Then let's kill the ugly lady now! Chou should have digested this baddie girl all those years ago and spared Master the trouble.'

Li Meirong grimaced. She always wondered from where Chou acquired his bloodthirsty attitude. Then again, he used to live in the jungle. Perhaps that was his only way to survive, or maybe, it was a part of his unique personality.

She was so used to treating him like an adorable pet that sometimes, she forgot his true nature.

"We can't act rashly. You told me that Shu Qianqian's words don't sound completely untrue, which means there's a chance that Mo Jing is somewhere here, injured."

'This Mo Jing used to bring pretty plants from time to time, but that boy isn't worth worrying over. Master should just let Chou handle the situation and gobble all the nasty people.'

"No. You stay put until I say otherwise." Li Meirong hissed and rose up.

She hadn't been training all this while for no reason. She was sick and tired of others stepping all over her. She remembered the way Zhu Qingyue had urged her to join the fighting tournament and wondered if he'd be proud of her actions.

At that moment, Shu Qianqian glanced back and asked, "Sister Meirong, did you say something?"

Li Meirong's frazzled nerves jumped all over and little goosebumps covered her arms. After a single calming breath, she smiled back, clasping her hands behind her back. "Not at all."

Shu Qianqian raised an inquisitive eyebrow, but said nothing else. Seeing as Li Meirong was following along, she kept marching forward ever deeper into the suffocating darkness.