Li Zhiyuan ignored Zhao Yi's eyes full of need and withdrew his hand.

He got up, walked aside, sat down again, placed the mountaineering bag in front of him as a desk, and began sketching with pen and paper.

Zhao Yi's hand hovered in the air, a self-deprecating smile appearing on his face.

How could he be so naive as to seek comfort from this young man?

No, from the other's perspective, did the way he just acted seem foolish?

Perhaps he even spared my dignity and restrained himself from showing any disgust.

Lowering his head, hands hanging down, Zhao Yi looked at the ground beneath his feet. His ears resounded with an unsettled heartbeat, while his eyes were filled with confusion and fear.

Lighting the Lamp and Walking on the River, putting life and death out of mind, is not just an empty phrase.

Those who can face life and death are already extraordinary people. Facing it numerous times, you naturally become gradually accustomed and slowly numb.

But Zhao Yi, he truly did die just now.

It wasn't just walking past Ghost Gate. If that were the case, he would not only be unafraid but would find it exhilarating.

The Book of Life and Death marked you lightly, and the peach blossom on your chest withered and fell. Though it lasted only a moment, what you experienced was an almost eternal solitude and sinking.

If you hadn't "come back to life," it would have ended there, but because you did "come back," you have to endure that damned aftertaste!

Run Sheng stood in the distance, leaning on his Yellow River Shovel. He had been diligently preparing defenses earlier yet hadn't expected the attack to unfold in such a manner.

The off-duty team captain was just joking; no one truly thought Zhao Yi lacked capability. Yet even he hadn't withstood this single incense stick.

Luckily, he took it on in advance; otherwise, no one else would have stood any chance of surviving.

In truth, everyone knew that Zhao Yi acted as a shield this time for everyone except Xiao Yuan and Meng Meng.

The Liang Sisters approached, not in a hurry to check Zhao Yi's condition, but rather intending to ask the young man if their leader could withstand the next two incense sticks.

They felt uneasy and hoped for a slightly clearer answer.

Feeling downcast, Zhao Yi showed a hint of anger and impatience.

He wanted to seize this time to be quiet, whether melancholic or discouraged, to indulge his emotions for once, yet these twins insisted on forcing him to lift his head at this very moment.

What's the point of asking Li?

He has no reason not to wholeheartedly shield himself from the next two incense sticks. If I can't hold on, the third stick might randomly choose one of his subordinates.

Inquiring at this point is of no help and is simply a meaningless emotional outburst.

As the Liang Sisters walked past him, Zhao Yi grabbed their hands.

Lifting his head, replacing prior negativity was a facade of dejection mixed with a hint of carefree attitude.

"I'm fine, don't disturb him, be good."

The Liang Sisters exchanged a look and gave up on asking, then turned to sit beside Zhao Yi, indicating their willingness to stay with him and offer support and encouragement.

A hint of redness appeared deep in Zhao Yi's eyes.

He knew that though the sisters sometimes behaved oddly and liked to show off, they understood priorities and where they stood.

Their actions were truly not wrong.

But at that moment, he genuinely didn't need this type of well-intentioned but practically useless concern; instead, it distracted him as he had to look after their emotions.

Sometimes, the well-meaning protection and care you think you receive only increase your irritation and torment.

Zhao Yi now felt like cursing, wanted to vent, wished to tell them to leave, wanting some peace and quiet, but what he showed was a forced "natural smile":

"Let me think and reflect on my own; there are still hurdles to cross."

Hearing this, the Liang Sisters didn't sit down but moved a bit farther away.

Zhao Yi finally had the chance to lower his head again, gritting his teeth, his eyes wild, expression twisted.

Whether it was the interruption of emotions halfway or the lingering fears of death that were still spreading, in any case, he felt worse now than before.

Tan Wenbin shifted his gaze from Zhao Yi, lit a cigarette, and looked out at the beautiful scenery.

With his left hand, he touched the side pocket of his mountaineering bag, where the incense sticks were.

He had already decided that if Zhao Yi couldn't hold on and met his end with the next incense stick, he would take the initiative in the third stick, just as Zhao Yi had done before.

If someone must die, then lives must be given.

Blowing out a smoke ring, Tan Wenbin glanced towards the Liang Sisters as if unintentionally.

He had considered using the Liang Sisters' lives, not being a Bodhisattva—well, Bodhisattvas might be even more ruthless.

Using outsiders' lives is always better than choosing from your own.

But it seemed one had to actively take it, not forcefully press it; without sincerity, unwillingness won't have the incense fall upon you.

Therefore, plotting against the Liang Sisters was meaningless.

Moreover, if Zhao Yi died, the Liang Sisters' journey of Jiang would be over. They would likely choose not to continue and seek revenge for Zhao Yi but rather directly withdraw.

As a result, the selection for the third incense stick would be limited to himself, Run Sheng, and Ah You—one out of three.

Among themselves, voting is impossible, ranking by seniority or team value is not an option, nor can Brother Xiao Yuan appoint someone, as it would destroy the team's atmosphere. It had to be put forward voluntarily, to voluntarily sacrifice.