Shui Linglong said, "I am not the first person to be curious about the exiled lands, nor am I the first to be left here."

"This place is a forbidden area for ghosts and gods, and it is also like a breeding ground for Gu (a type of poisonous insect)."

"Those who die here, their souls can forget about leaving."

"Regardless of rank, regardless of strength, they are imprisoned together. Only the fiercest and most cunning can survive."

"Our purpose in life is to build势力 (shili, power) in this limited space, seize territory, and make ourselves live better."

"I seized the river below the Blackwater Fortress and became the water god here."

"However, having said that, this place is indeed very suitable for ghosts to cultivate. As long as you are not an idiot, staying here for a hundred or eighty years can make you a ghost god."

I asked back, "Where have you been?"

"Only a town away from Laocheng Camp." Shui Linglong said, "That town is the most terrifying place. I don't even know how I died there."

"I just felt like I fell asleep, and then I became a ghost. You can't imagine what it's like to wake up and see your own body."

I asked again, "What about Zhao丫头 (Zhao Yatou, Zhao girl)? Did she enter Laocheng Camp?"

"No!" Shui Linglong shook her head and said, "She didn't even go inside. After meeting me here, she asked some questions and went back."

"At that time, she muttered to herself: 'Not here.'"

"When I asked her again what place she was looking for, she wouldn't say."

"Finally, she told me that if you came, I must do my best to help you."

"She said that she couldn't take me away, and probably only Liang Jie Tang (Two Realms Hall) could take me out."

Shui Linglong tilted her head and looked at me and said, "But to be honest, I really don't see that you have the strength to break into Laocheng Camp."

"You must know that after I died, many outstanding术士 (shushi, Taoist priests/exorcists) came to explore the exiled road. None of them ever returned."

"Compared with them, your strength can only be regarded as medium to high, not top-notch."

I laughed and said, "Sometimes, victory or defeat does not completely depend on strength. Luck is also a part of it."

"I think those术士 (shushi, Taoist priests/exorcists) were not as lucky as me, because they didn't meet you."

"Haha..." Shui Linglong laughed and said, "I thought you wouldn't say nice things! I suddenly know why Yue Ying likes you."

"I'll take you to that town. There are two conditions: one is to avenge me, and the other is to take me out."

"This is not a necessary exchange. If you can't do it, it doesn't matter. After all, I haven't figured out what's in that town myself."

"Then thank you, I owe you a favor!" After I cupped my hands, I said, "Do you know Bei Yan Jing Yun? The one who went back and forth to the Blackwater Fortress with Zhang Ruixue on the boat several times."

"Him!" Shui Linglong said disdainfully, "That's just scum."

"He can cross the river alive entirely by using his mouth. He made that fool Zhang Ruixue's heart flutter. She wholeheartedly believed that he could take her away and even stay together forever."

"This person! He really dares to think!"

"A boatman ghost spirit who is not of much value actually dreams of having children with someone."

Shui Linglong changed the subject and said, "However, having said that, Bei Yan Jing Yun's skills in coaxing people are indeed quite extraordinary."

"When he passed by my territory and negotiated with me, he also made me dizzy. I almost agreed to escort him."

I pondered for a moment and said, "How many times has Bei Yan Jing Yun traveled back and forth to the Blackwater Fortress in total?"

"Four or five times!" Shui Linglong said, "Sometimes I'm sleeping and rarely care about what's going on outside!"

"In fact, most of the ghost gods here are sleeping. Our territories are almost fixed. There will be no more disputes between each other. Except for those cultivation maniacs, everyone else is sleeping."

"We only wake up when we meet someone coming."

"Entering the exiled land may be the greatest misfortune for术士 (shushi, Taoist priests/exorcists)."

"The ghost gods here can't find any entertainment for decades or hundreds of years, so they can only rely on outsiders to find some fun."

"Do you think those people will have a good ending?"

I rubbed my chin and said, "As far as I know, Bei Yan Jing Yun seems to be able to escape unscathed every time!"

Shui Linglong sneered and said, "Guess, did those people he brought in die in battle? Or were they sacrificed by him?"

"Bei Yan Jing Yun does have a good appearance. Few women can resist him. However,术士 (shushi, Taoist priests/exorcists) see him differently. That person's appearance is obviously cold-blooded."

"Being with this kind of person, as long as the benefits are sufficient, anyone can be sold out."

Shui Linglong was right about this.

Luan Jingfan and Jing Henyun are the best examples.

Shui Linglong said, "I suspect that the last time Bei Yan Jing Yun entered the exiled land was also because he couldn't get out after entering that town."

While I was nodding slightly, I suddenly heard Shui Linglong say, "Since you're here, come out and meet me! What's with all the sneakiness?"