The next morning, everyone gathered in the grand hall, their expressions marked by anticipation and unease.
The elderly eunuch arrived, his presence commanding as he gestured for them to follow. He led them through winding corridors, past looming pillars and faded murals—toward a place unfamiliar yet heavy with history.
The Cold Palace.
The air grew thick, colder the deeper they ventured. Shi Yao felt a strange weight settle in his chest. The surroundings felt too still, too quiet—as if something lingered within the walls.
The eunuch stopped before the entrance, his gaze sweeping across the fixers.
"This is where it began."
Someone in the group—the same six individuals with the timid girl—stepped forward.
"What began?"
The old eunuch's expression did not change.
"Once they fell asleep, they never woke."
The words settled like ice in the air. A cold, suffocating silence followed. Shock rippled through the group. Confusion. Fear. Doubt.
Before anyone could press him further, the eunuch turned and walked away, disappearing down the hall, offering no further explanation.
Shi Yao exhaled, watching as the group of six immediately spread out, their movements careful yet calculated—as if searching for something. Information. Clues.
He could tell they weren't merely wandering—they were working in an organized pattern, uncovering what history had buried.
Shi Yao observed in silence but couldn't shake his thoughts from the night before—after Li Yuan and he had shut the window, sealing the unnatural glow outside, Li Yuan had whispered something crucial:
"This is a subspace."
A fragmented world, born out of grudge, resentment, and unfinished pasts.
"To leave, we have to resolve its grudge. Find the cause of its existence. That will lead us to the golden ball—the key to escaping."
Shi Yao had barely begun processing the words when a patrol sound echoed beyond the halls. The moment it reached their ears, Li Yuan had stiffened—then, without warning, he had left, his movements swift and calculated.
"Be cautious of people more than the structures," he had murmured before vanishing into the night.
Now, in the daylight, Shi Yao's attention flickered toward Li Yuan approaching him.
His presence felt different—more intentional.
"I am Xi Nuo. Let's form a team."
Shi Yao caught the glances of others lingering on them. Their expressions carried unspoken expectations.
So, this was happening.
Shi Yao smirked, teasing as he began, "I am Li—"
Li Yuan's brow furrowed, clearly displeased at the attempt to mock him.
Shi Yao let out a small laugh before finishing properly, "…N Ruan. Lin Ruan."
A subtle smile played on his lips as he introduced himself.
Before Li Yuan could comment, another voice cut in enthusiastically—
"Mmm… Can I also join?"
The dreamer guy from yesterday—no longer delusional about his situation—stood beside them, hopeful yet uncertain.
Li Yuan glanced at Shi Yao, silently asking if he approved.
Shi Yao simply smiled in agreement.
Li Yuan sighed, "Whatever… Just keep quiet." He turned and started walking.
The dreamer guy sighed in relief, meeting Shi Yao's eyes.
Shi Yao gave him a polite nod.
"I… I am Tian Rui. Hello. Haha… you can call me Rui Ge, I—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Li Yuan shot him an unimpressed glare, urging him to stop talking.
Just then—a maid rushed in, her breath uneven, her face laced with worry.
"The fixers—quickly! You must go to Concubine Wen's palace. Something has happened!"