Xiao Jian looked completely baffled.

Yun Mengyao was stunned too, and it took her a while to regain her composure. "I asked you to help Xiaoyanzi, not undermine him. Could you rein in that opportunistic nature of yours for a while?"

Qin Yi glanced at her, "Are you dim-witted? The toll fee is a million gold coins and a thousand high-grade Earth Spirit Stones per person. We're both broke; if Xiao Jian can take us across, why not take advantage of it?"

"What about the creek? Aren't we going to save her?"

Qin Yi looked exasperated, "I don't even know her. Her life or death is none of my concern. Can you stop being so saintly?"

Yun Mengyao's face looked displeased as she glared at Qin Yi, "I always thought you were greedy, but at least you had integrity. But now, I see I've misjudged you. What if Bingbing was captured? Would you still be this cold-blooded?"

"That won't happen. Anyone who dares harm Bingbing would risk the annihilation of their clan."

Yun Mengyao retorted angrily, "Why are you so cold-hearted? In today's world, men like Xiaoyanzi who are true and righteous are rare. Moreover, you promised to help him; one must keep their word."

"What if I break my word? You want to help, go ahead. I'm not that altruistic." Qin Yi looked scornfully, thinking Yun Mengyao was too saintly, always wanting to fight evil without much ability—utterly brainless.

Qin Yi turned to Xiao Jian, "Uncle Jian, can you take me to the Northern Central State?"

Xiao Jian looked hesitant.

Qin Yi added, "If you can take me to the Northern Central State, I can persuade Xiaoyanzi for you."

Xiao Jian remained indecisive.

"You didn't bring enough money, did you?"

Xiao Jian replied awkwardly, "To be honest, it's not a small amount. The resources I have are only enough to take them back."

Upon hearing this, a sly gleam flashed in Qin Yi's eyes as he scrutinized Xiao Jian, curious, "With such a large amount of resources, how do you carry them on you?"

Xiao Jian smiled proudly, raising his hand to show a black ring on his finger, "This is a Storage Ring, containing a small space inside to hold quite a lot of things. All the resources I have are inside."

Qin Yi looked astonished, "So this is the Storage Ring. I've heard about it but never seen it until today."

Yun Mengyao instinctively glanced at Qin Yi's hand and noticed his Storage Ring was nowhere to be found.

Qin Yi turned to Jing Wuyan, "Xiaoyanzi, sorry, I can't help you anymore. The people inside the Sin Tower are too formidable; I'm no match."

Jing Wuyan smiled bitterly and nodded slightly, "I understand. But I still appreciate Qin Brother's help these past few days."

He truly understood, given his lack of kinship with Qin Yi, there was no reason for Qin Yi to risk his life.

Qin Yi turned to Xiao Jian, slowly extending his hand, "Uncle Jian, it's been a pleasure. We're leaving now, take care."

Xiao Jian instinctively reached out to shake Qin Yi's hand.

"Uncle Jian, farewell!"

"Take care, until we meet again."

"Qin Brother, take care."

"Qin Sir, take care."

Jing Wuyan and Mo Xiao waved goodbye to Qin Yi.

Qin Yi dragged the reluctant Yun Mengyao away, soon disappearing from sight.

Jing Wuyan's eyes turned gloomy.

Xiao Jian said, "Young Master, come back with me."

Jing Wuyan remained silent.

But suddenly, Xiao Jian leaped three feet high, exclaiming, startling Jing Wuyan and the others.

"Uncle Xiao, what's the matter?"

Xiao Jian's face turned dark as he said gravely, "My Storage Ring is gone."

This Storage Ring was granted by the Hall Master, and hardly anyone in the Netherworld Hall possessed one. He usually cherished it like a treasure, but now it's gone.

Jing Wuyan and the others looked at Xiao Jian's finger, slightly startled—the Storage Ring was indeed missing, leaving only a faint ring mark on his finger.

"It was just here," Mo Xiao said instinctively.

Xiao Jian's face turned stern, "It's Qin Yi."

"No, Qin Brother is not like that. Besides, the ring was on your finger; with your cultivation, Qin Brother couldn't possibly steal it," Jing Wuyan instinctively defended Qin Yi.

Xiao Jian chuckled coldly, "I'm certain it was him, definitely took it while shaking hands. That cunning thief."

Jing Wuyan and the others exchanged glances; Qin Yi indeed shook hands with Uncle Xiao before leaving.

Xiao Jian said, "Young Master, wait here. I'll chase that cunning thief."

"Uncle Xiao, if you catch him, speak calmly. Qin Brother did save our lives."

Xiao Jian sneered, daring enough to steal his Storage Ring—if he didn't kill him, that'd be lenient. With a sudden flash, he transformed into lightning, pursuing the direction Qin Yi left.

After Xiao Jian departed, Jing Wuyan and the others looked utterly perplexed.

"That Qin Sir actually managed to steal the ring from Uncle Xiao—never mind the act itself, but such skill is astonishing."

"Qin Sir's methods are truly impressive—so young yet possessing unfathomable cultivation, a rare prodigy indeed."

Even Jing Wuyan looked full of admiration, "I always considered myself talented, but compared to Qin Brother, it's worlds apart."

"Could you say such praises in front of me next time?"

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from behind them.

Jing Wuyan and the others turned sharply, their eyes widening as they saw Qin Yi and Yun Mengyao standing not far behind them.

"Qin Brother, you're back?" Jing Wuyan looked confused; how did these two return after leaving?

Yun Mengyao chuckled, "If we didn't do this, how else could we deceive that stubborn old man?"

Jing Wuyan still seemed puzzled.

Yun Mengyao laughed, "That old stubborn Xiao Jian wouldn't fight Qin Yi. So, we had to find a way to divert him."

"Why lure Uncle Xiao away?"

"Xiaoyanzi, you seem clever but prove to be an idiot. If that old man was around, he definitely wouldn't allow you to rescue the creek. But by diverting him, we can rescue her."

Jing Wuyan paused in disbelief before his eyes gradually became fervent, and his expression turned excited, "You mean you deliberately distracted Uncle Xiao to help me rescue the creek?"

"You finally got it."

Jing Wuyan felt overwhelmingly excited.

But shortly after, his expression turned despondent, "Qin Brother, Yun Fairy, you heard earlier—the people in the Sin Tower have profound cultivation; going in would be like hitting a stone with an egg."

Yun Mengyao said, "I'll ask just one thing—do you want to save the creek?"

"Of course I do, I dream about it. If I can save her, no price is too high, even my life."

"We definitely didn't misjudge you," Yun Mengyao nodded approvingly, "Alright, if you want to save the creek, follow Qin Yi's plan."