Jiong Ye looked at Mu An Xiao's sudden reaction and became confused again. "No, you laughing like this... is really scary. Can you be more normal?"
"You really want to know my feelings for Ouyang Ye?" Mu An Xiao intended to whet Jiong Ye's appetite.
A hint of excitement appeared on Jiong Ye's face. "Yes, I do."
The wolf demon watched Jiong Ye's pathetic reaction and then looked at Mu An Xiao, who clearly only had an interest in Feng Qi Shi. He wondered why Mu An Xiao was bothering to build up his anticipation.
Just then, Mu An Xiao smiled again. "Then do you like it here?"
"No, I was waiting for your reply. Why are you asking me questions again?" A trace of disappointment flashed across Jiong Ye's face.
Mu An Xiao hadn't expected Jiong Ye to be such an innocent fellow. She curved her lips upward slightly and continued, "I truly have no feelings for him, but as for you, I am quite interested."
"What do you want?" Jiong Ye was genuinely startled by Mu An Xiao's sudden assertiveness.
From Mu An Xiao's understanding of Ouyang Ye, he wouldn't come a second time if he had only come once. Therefore, she dared to say some things to Jiong Ye now. "Now, tell me honestly, do you want to leave this place?" she asked, meeting Jiong Ye's eyes.
Jiong Ye's gaze flickered away. "I only wish to serve my master. I..."
"Tell the truth," Mu An Xiao interrupted softly.
Under Mu An Xiao's firm attitude, Jiong Ye's eyes no longer avoided hers. "I want to leave, but..." He was afraid Mu An Xiao was setting a trap for him and said euphemistically, "That is my deepest desire. If there's no way to leave, then I won't."
"'If there's no way to leave, then I won't,'" Mu An Xiao intentionally repeated Jiong Ye's words.
Hearing Mu An Xiao's words, Jiong Ye responded with conviction, "Yes, if there's no way to leave, then I won't. Actually, being here..." He worried that Mu An Xiao might use this against him, and his eyes became exceptionally serious. "It's quite good."
"'Quite good...'" Mu An Xiao repeated again, a smirk playing on her lips. "It seems this isn't what you truly feel."
"This is what I truly feel. Don't try to brainwash me and make me make a mistake." Jiong Ye suddenly became defensive towards Mu An Xiao.
However, Jiong Ye's series of reactions were all within Mu An Xiao's expectations. Therefore, his cautious attitude did not affect her continuation. "You really are such a hypocrite. Fine," she said, sighing softly, "Since you don't want to seize this opportunity, I won't waste any more words."
"What do you mean by that?" Jiong Ye's heart was moved.
"It means that if you help me understand this place, I might be able to put in a good word for you with Ouyang Ye and have him let you return to the mortal realm. However..." Mu An Xiao said, scanning Jiong Ye's face, "It looks like you don't want to leave here. If that's the case, then just pretend I said nothing."
The wolf demon listened to their conversation, cleared its throat, and continued to be an observer.
As expected, Jiong Ye was still tempted. "You're not lying to me."
"What's the point of me lying to you about something like this?" Mu An Xiao retorted.
Jiong Ye felt that Mu An Xiao had a point. After a few seconds of hesitation, he agreed, "Alright, it's a deal. But..." He still had concerns. "If he asks you, you..."
"I'll say that I was the one who let you leave," Mu An Xiao interrupted Jiong Ye.
Upon hearing this, Jiong Ye was completely reassured. "Ask whatever you want."
"Still the same question, how big is this place?" Mu An Xiao said calmly.
Subsequently, guided by Mu An Xiao's question, Jiong Ye counted on his fingers and said, "If I remember correctly, it should be about the size of five Jincheng cities in the mortal realm."
In Mu An Xiao's memory, one Jincheng city was already vast. For this place to be the size of five Jincheng cities seemed truly incredible to her. "These five Jincheng cities... are all within Ouyang Ye's jurisdiction."
"This is only what I investigated a year ago. As for how big it is now," Jiong Ye said honestly, shaking his head slightly, "I really don't know."
"Then that means it's even bigger." Mu An Xiao's jaw nearly dropped.
Jiong Ye looked at Mu An Xiao's surprised expression and smiled faintly. "Why are you so astonished? We've long been accustomed to these facts. That's just how it is," he sighed, "No one here dares to offend Ouyang Ye."
"I see you acting quite presumptuously in front of him," Mu An Xiao exposed him.
Jiong Ye gave an awkward laugh. "That was just a test. If I had to speak to him like you do," he shivered, "I wouldn't dare."
"If you don't dare, then don't dare. Why are you shivering?" Mu An Xiao laughed, pointing at Jiong Ye's slightly hunched shoulders.
Jiong Ye laughed. "It's not fear."
"Truly cowardly. But speaking of which," Mu An Xiao said, suddenly remembering Zhao Mei'er, who had been protected by Mo Juan not long ago, "Are you really willing to let that Zhao Mei'er step all over you?" She knew Ouyang Ye wouldn't agree to Jiong Ye leaving immediately. Her earlier reassurances were just to make Jiong Ye feel more at ease. Now, by saying this, she wanted to make him temporarily abandon the idea of leaving. Of course, she knew she was being very contradictory, but to successfully carry out the task of understanding this place, she had to do so.
Following Mu An Xiao's reminder, Jiong Ye's dislike for Zhao Mei'er deepened. "I am not willing."
"Then..."
"When I ask you to speak to Ouyang Ye for me, you can speak then. I can't leave now," Jiong Ye said softly.
Mu An Xiao replied, "If that's the case, then I'll help you get revenge on Zhao Mei'er first."
"No need, I..."
"This is extra help. If you want to leave in the future, I will still help you," Mu An Xiao said, not wanting to break Jiong Ye's trust in her.
Jiong Ye was touched. "Thank you."
"Then can I continue asking?" Mu An Xiao showed respect to Jiong Ye.
Jiong Ye nodded.
Then, Mu An Xiao cleared her throat and was about to continue when Jiong Ye said, "Oh, right."
Hearing this, Mu An Xiao's expression stiffened. She became curious about Jiong Ye's sudden reaction. "What, have you thought of something else...?" she asked uncertainly, her tone cautious.
Jiong Ye looked around and whispered, "I've seen immortals here." He leaned in slightly, as if afraid that anyone other than the wolf demon and Mu An Xiao would overhear...
"Many?" Mu An Xiao knew that what Jiong Ye was saying now was no trivial matter, so she also became cautious.
"This..." Jiong Ye said, thinking for a few seconds based on Mu An Xiao's words. He said faintly, "I heard about this incidentally. As for how many immortals there are, I really don't know."