Although Beiyou’s words were plain and straightforward, without much grandiloquence, combined with his casual appearance and slightly eccentric demeanor, they appeared even more sincere.

Even with a deeply vengeful enemy like the Blood Phase, if Beiyou and Prajna were truly sincere, collaborating to explore the secrets wouldn’t be impossible...

Yeah, right.

From the moment they entered, Yan Qing vaguely sensed that they were putting on an act.

The Blood Phase’s cold words, Prajna’s frankness, Beiyou’s casual eccentricity — an ordinary person might really be deceived by their seemingly warm attitude.

Yes, he felt the Blood Phase was just pretending too.

The grand Guardian trio, who once slaughtered cities and armies, causing rivers of blood to flow and families to mourn, how could a demonic fiend like the Blood Phase display hostility so superficially? It was just like a little dog barking on purpose, not frightening but somewhat childishly cute.

Beiyou and Prajna were different from the Blood Phase. They didn’t have direct conflict with Pharmacist’s Wish and Rabbit Heroine, just exhibited the arrogance and malice characteristic of the Guardian trio at the gates, so their methods were more sophisticated: first helping the Rabbit Heroine counter the Blood Phase, and then each showing their personality traits, without directly expressing goodwill, just treating Pharmacist’s Wish and Rabbit Heroine as equals.

The perfect amount of respect, subtle expectations, unintentional flattery, all so skilfully done that one could subconsciously ignore their danger, truly believing one was an equal ally with them. If Yan Qing were in their shoes, he’d probably really think the Blood Phase was foolish and ruthless, Prajna was calm, and Beiyou was easygoing.

Yan Qing could see through their act not because his insight improved after becoming a Second-Turn Messenger, nor because he learned some social skills from spending time with Shang Xinlei, but because—

Their names in the game were the reddest of red.

In all of Shu Dao Mountain, their names were the deepest red, and Yan Qing just needed to nudge the joystick, and the Rabbit Heroine would automatically lock them as enemy units, ready to draw her sword and slay demons at any moment.

No matter how foolish an online player is, they wouldn’t trust the sweet words of three deep red names in the wild.

"Sorry, we’re not interested in Si Wuxie’s Foundation Establishment heritage."

Pharmacist’s Wish reached out to stroke Rabbit Heroine’s head, his voice uninterested: "For a century, no one has managed to conquer it, how could my sister and I possibly think we could seize this opportunity? It’s just that my sister was passing by and wanted to see the Third-Turn Secret Realm Wolf’s Den of Shu Dao Mountain. Whenever she gets bored, we’ll leave too."

While speaking, Pharmacist’s Wish kept petting the back of Rabbit Heroine’s head, fearing she’d speak out and ruin his plan. However, her reaction surprised him: "Actually, I have no interest in the Third-Turn Secret Realm either. I just heard there are many bad people here to cut down at will. I don’t care about the Demonic Foundation Establishment inheritance; it’s not suitable for me anyway."

With that, she extended her hands, proudly showing off her Legendary Gloves, the soft orange glow dazzling in the meeting room.

Well done, Pharmacist’s Wish didn’t expect Rabbit Heroine to cooperate so well. Whether Beiyou and the others were telling the truth or not, declining and waiting for a better offer was the best choice, and the best decline was ’I don’t care for it’.

"It’s actually Legendary Gloves!" Prajna was shocked and sighed: "It seems both of you have deep roots; surely, given time, you will reach Foundation Establishment Fourth Transition. Yes, with your talent and background, your sects and families must have already prepared your inheritance; you really don’t need something like the demonic Foundation Establishment heritage of Si Wuxie."

First, he generously gave face to Pharmacist’s Wish and Rabbit Heroine, then changed his tone: "But how precious is Foundation Establishment heritage? If you could join us in conquering Corpse Bone Forest and share the heritage, you could exchange it for the resources you need. Isn’t it too much of a waste to stumble upon a treasure mountain and not enter?"

Suddenly, Beiyou spoke up: "My views suggest, Star Rain Heroine, you aren’t far from the third turn, right? It’s well known that the higher the challenge of the Secret Realm, the more it can improve one’s skills in battle. What place in Shu Dao Mountain is better for training than Corpse Bone Forest? Join us in unlocking the heritage; not only can you acquire Foundation Establishment Level resources earlier, but you can also complete the third transition faster. Isn’t it more exciting than taking on the Wolf’s Den? Additionally, inheriting heritage that hasn’t been opened in a century, we’ll definitely become renowned worldwide."

"In the end, they’re just long-haired, short-sighted women," the Blood Phase sneered coldly. "I told you two, it’s a useless effort. Is the Fourth-Turn Secret Realm so easy? People like these with such backgrounds won’t covet opportunities like us. They have plenty of retreats, and can live comfortably if they return home and have children. Counting on these people is a waste of effort."

The three had different attitudes; most would waver after Prajna and Beiyou’s persuasive invitation, and hearing the Blood Phase’s disdainful attitude might impulsively decide to explore the Secret Realm with them.

"The Blood Phase is right." Rabbit Heroine nodded emphatically: "Then I’ll stay here for a few days and then take big sister home to get married; I’m hungry, let’s eat!"

With that, she turned to leave the meeting room, with Pharmacist’s Wish following without hesitation.

In truth, their act here was a bit fake; how could Rabbit Heroine be so amiable to the Blood Phase? How could a beast like Pharmacist’s Wish, clad in armor wherever she went, be willing to wash her hands of warfare? But everyone was playing a part, just seeing who would lose their composure first.

"Please wait." As expected, Prajna called out to them: "Since neither of you want to explore Corpse Bone Forest with us, can we hire you to help us break through the front hall of Corpse Bone Forest? But since this would be a hiring, any Foundation Establishment heritage or treasure chests in the front hall would not concern you."

They finally showed their hand.

The reason Prajna and the others kept talking about equally sharing the heritage was to use empty promises to keep Pharmacist’s Wish and Rabbit Heroine content. Once they agreed, the subsequent assistance would naturally be unpaid, or their reward would be the final unlocked Foundation Establishment heritage, with prior contributions counting as investment.

As for whether it could truly be shared, who knows? Anyway, Yan Qing didn’t think three deep red names would honestly split the loot.

They weren’t even sure if there would be a reward for breaking through the front hall, which is why they kept tempting with the choice to ’invest’ instead of ’hire’.

Because hiring required their funding, and they weren’t even sure if they could obtain the Foundation Establishment heritage themselves—after all, heritage untouched for a hundred years, who could be sure?

If in the end, they still couldn’t clear Corpse Bone Forest, and find no heritage, then all investment could be lost, being the riskiest option.

But the Rabbit Heroine and Pharmacist’s Wish wouldn’t take the bait, even considering leaving as the Blood Phase suggested, forcing Prajna into this desperate measure.