"Sixteen days... sixteen whole days have passed," Qin Nan muttered in a daze.

"Are you sure you didn’t make a mistake?" Yi Feng asked, equally stunned. "Weren’t you supposed to die by the seventh day? How has it been sixteen days?"

"That’s exactly what I’m wondering! I didn’t die—I actually didn’t die!" Qin Nan shouted excitedly. "But I checked with the Four-Directional Array Box, and it’s confirmed—sixteen days have indeed passed!"

Overjoyed, he quickly checked his cultivation level, something he hadn’t paid attention to in a while.

Another shriek escaped his lips.

"Hahaha! Brother Yi, my cultivation and life force stopped draining at some point—it even seems like they’re recovering!"

"Hahahaha! That means I won’t be dying for now!"

"I’m not dying, Brother Yi!"

After such emotional highs and lows, Qin Nan was overwhelmed with joy. He wrapped Yi Feng in a tight bear hug, tears streaming down his face.

However, when Yi Feng heard that their life force was no longer draining, his expression darkened instantly.

So that’s why I didn’t feel even a hint of death’s approach.

Turns out my life force wasn’t even being drained.

Damn it, heavens.

Are you messing with me?

If you weren’t going to let me die, why give me hope in the first place?

"Brother Yi, why don’t you look happy?" Qin Nan exclaimed, still buzzing with excitement. "We’re not going to die! We don’t have to die anymore! We can go back to living our lives! Shouldn’t you be happy? Shouldn’t you be thrilled?"

"Yeah, thrilled. Absolutely thrilled," Yi Feng replied half-heartedly, cursing inwardly.

"By the way, Brother Yi, since that terrifying force draining our life force and cultivation is gone, maybe the spatial prison has been lifted too!" Qin Nan continued excitedly. "Let’s try sailing the boat!"

"Sure," Yi Feng responded flatly.

He was still grumbling about the heavens’ unfairness, unable to accept the outcome.

Not dying was one thing, but wasting all this time?

How the hell did sixteen days just slip by?

He wanted to slap himself silly for falling for Qin Nan’s nonsense, actually believing death was imminent. Because of that, he’d spent the past days floating around, eating and sleeping without a care, completely losing track of time.

Qin Nan, still ecstatic, channeled spiritual energy into the boat. Moments later, the vessel, which had been anchored motionless for days, finally cut through the waves and sailed toward the distant sea.

Before long, they spotted a ship flying a blue flag approaching from another faction.

Seeing their red-flagged vessel, the other ship quickly altered its course to give way.

"A ship! Look, it’s a ship!" Qin Nan jumped up and down, pointing. "Brother Yi, we’re out! We’re really out! Hahahaha!"

"We’re not dying! We’re not dying anymore! Hahahaha!"

The euphoria of surviving against all odds made Qin Nan scream until his voice turned hoarse.

"Blah blah blah, can you shut the hell up?" Yi Feng finally snapped, unable to take it anymore. "What’s the big deal? So we’re out—does that mean you have to keep yapping about it?"

Right now, Yi Feng couldn’t stand the sight of Qin Nan.

Damn it, the guy wouldn’t stop shouting. As if Yi Feng didn’t already know they’d escaped.

It was like rubbing salt in his wounds.

Yi Feng’s outburst made Qin Nan shrink back, but he didn’t take offense. Instead, he chuckled sheepishly. "Brother Yi, I’m just too excited, that’s all."

"Fine, fine. Now that we’re safe, let’s go our separate ways," Yi Feng said, sounding utterly defeated.

"Oh?"

"Brother Yi, you’re not coming with me? Won’t you visit the Qin family?" Qin Nan asked.

"No time," Yi Feng replied coldly.

He was too depressed to even think about socializing.

"I see..."

Qin Nan’s excitement dimmed, replaced by a tinge of sadness.

"To be honest, I’ll really miss you, Brother Yi," Qin Nan said sincerely. "Even though we haven’t known each other long, we’ve faced life and death together."

"Though we nearly met our end here, I’ve learned so much. And the way you treated life and death with such indifference—it’s something I deeply admire."

"In short, if you ever need anything from me in the future, just say the word."

Qin Nan thumped his chest in earnest.

"Appreciate it."

Yi Feng could sense Qin Nan’s sincerity and gave his shoulder a pat, his frustration easing slightly.

All in all, the kid wasn’t so bad.

But then, Qin Nan pulled out a scroll.

"Brother Yi, since we’re parting ways, I don’t have much to give you," Qin Nan said solemnly, handing it over. "This scroll is a life-saving treasure bestowed by my family. In a critical moment, activating it can block a strike from a Saint. Please, take it."

Yi Feng’s face darkened.

You little—

Just when I thought you were decent, you try to screw me over.

Can’t judge a book by its cover, huh?

"If it’s a life-saving treasure from your family, you should keep it. I don’t need it," Yi Feng refused outright.

"How can I do that?" Qin Nan protested.

"Why not?" Yi Feng rolled his eyes. This guy clearly thought he didn’t have enough defensive measures already.

Then, his gaze landed on the nearby table. He picked up the half-empty wine jug.

"If you insist on giving me something, how about this unfinished wine?"

"This..."

Qin Nan was deeply moved, his admiration for Yi Feng soaring.

This scroll would spark a bloody frenzy if it ever got out. Even trading it could fetch something of immense value.

Yet, this man wouldn’t even accept it as a gift.

Such disregard for worldly treasures—it was awe-inspiring.

"Then, Brother Yi, if you ever need my help in the future, please don’t hesitate to call on me," Qin Nan said, clasping his hands respectfully.

Yi Feng smiled faintly and patted his shoulder again.

"Alright, I’m off."

With that, Yi Feng turned and walked away, waving over his shoulder.

"No need for help. But if you really mean it, next time we meet, cook me a few more good dishes."

"Oh, and I left a spatula in the kitchen for you. You’ll probably find it more comfortable—your old one was practically anti-human..."

By then, Yi Feng had already mounted his slow-moving steed and was ambling into the distance.

"Brother Yi, take care!"

Qin Nan watched Yi Feng’s retreating figure, hands clasped in farewell.

"After surviving this ordeal, I should head back to the Qin family and let them know I’m safe."

With a light chuckle, Qin Nan waved his hand, and the massive ship surged forward, its red flag fluttering in the wind.

Remembering Yi Feng’s words, he smiled and stepped into the cabin.

This was the kitchen he and his sister used for cooking, stocked with all kinds of utensils and ingredients.

Inside the large pot sat a brand-new spatula.

"Brother Yi’s spatula... though honestly, I don’t really need it."

"After all, my spatula is forged from the finest materials by the best artifact-smith in the Heavenly Domain. It feels even more natural in my hand than my sword—it’s long since become one of my bonded treasures."

"But no matter what, this is Yi Feng’s thoughtful gift. The gesture means more than the object itself, and I’ll cherish it dearly."