“Auntie, don’t worry—I can get you out of here.”
As Yan Qi stepped forward from behind Yan Yu, Zhao Zimo couldn’t help but stare in awe, despite being a woman herself.
But after hearing Yan Qi’s words, she quickly snapped out of it and asked uncertainly:
“You’re sure you can take me out of here?”
“Of course. After all, I was the one who brought Yan Yu and Zige in.”
“If that’s the case, then that’s wonderful! Let’s hurry and leave this place.”
Seeing no hint of deception in Yan Qi’s expression, Zhao Zimo quickly nodded in agreement.
Understanding her urgency, Yan Qi extended her hand and said:
“If you’re ready to leave, then please hold my hand tightly and don’t let go.”
Without hesitation, Zhao Zimo grasped Yan Qi’s hand firmly.
Seeing this, Yan Yu also moved to take Yan Qi’s other hand—but just as she was about to, Ji Zige suddenly grabbed her sleeve.
“Little Ge, what are you doing?”
Confused by the sudden gesture, Yan Yu looked at Ji ZiGe questioningly.
Controlled by Yan Qi, Ji ZiGe replied:
“The matter here isn’t resolved yet. We can’t leave.”
“It’s not resolved? But we’ve already found Aunt Zhao Zimo and are about to take her away.”
Ji Zige pointed at the black barrier in the distance and explained:
“True, our main mission of rescuing someone is complete. But this black barrier still needs to be dealt with.”
“Is this barrier really that dangerous?”
Still unaware of what the Flesh Bloom was or the significance of the black barrier, Yan Yu blinked in confusion.
Ji Zige’s expression remained serious as she answered:
“Not just dangerous—it’s extremely dangerous. Understand?”
Seeing how grave Ji Zige looked, Yan Yu realized the severity of the situation and quietly stayed put, waiting for further instructions.
Meanwhile, after confirming that Zhao Zimo had a firm grip on her hand, Yan Qi—now in her Daoyan Empress form—activated her ability, Truth-Seeking Eye.
In an instant, she and Zhao Zimo broke through the black barrier’s constraints and returned to the real world.
“Are… we back?”
Zhao Zimo, who had only felt a brief darkness flash before her eyes, looked around. The surroundings seemed unchanged—except for the absence of the black barrier in the sky.
Yan Qi nodded.
“Yes, Auntie, we’re back. If you don’t believe me, try calling someone on your phone.”
Remembering how her calls had failed inside the barrier, Zhao Zimo’s eyes lit up with realization.
She immediately pulled out her phone and dialed her daughter’s number.
…
Zhou Jiamin had been pacing anxiously on the first floor of the girls’ dormitory ever since Yan Qi and Yan Yu left, waiting for any news.
When her phone rang, she hurriedly pulled it out, expecting a call from Yan Yu.
But when she saw “Mom” flashing on the screen, her face lit up with overwhelming joy.
Afraid this might be a dream, she answered immediately, her voice trembling:
“Mom… is that really you?”
“Of course it’s me, Jiamin. I’m sorry for worrying you.”
Hearing her mother’s voice, Zhou Jiamin—who had feared she might never see her again, just like her former classmates—felt tears of relief welling up.
But she quickly composed herself and reassured her mother:
“It’s okay, Mom. As long as you’re safe, nothing else matters.”
After exchanging a few more words, Zhao Zimo—now certain she was back in the real world—remembered Yan Qi standing beside her.
She quickly ended the call, wiped away her unshed tears, and turned to Yan Qi with deep gratitude.
“Thank you so much—both you and Yan Yu. If it weren’t for you, I’d never have made it out of that black barrier.”
“You don’t need to thank me. If anyone deserves your gratitude, it’s Yan Yu. If not for her connection with Zige, I wouldn’t have come here to save you.”
“You’re right. I should thank Yan Yu properly.”
Having already heard the gist of what happened from her daughter, Zhao Zimo nodded in agreement.
A faint smile tugged at Yan Qi’s lips.
“Well, now that you’re safely back, I should return to the black barrier. Yan Yu and Zige are still waiting for me there.”
“Oh, I see… Um, young lady, is it really safe for me to stay here alone?”
A flicker of fear crossed Zhao Zimo’s face at the thought of being left behind.
Yan Qi reassured her:
“Don’t worry, Auntie. You’ll be perfectly safe here.”