He was clearly lying--Zhou Zishu could guess who the opponent was based on sound alone, much less Wen Kexing, who had personally been exchanging blows with him. Clearly, Wen Kexing was dishonestly borrowing the cover of darkness to dish out a beating as he had truthfully wished to do so; it was evident that he still had some persistent preconceived notions against this old senior with a mysterious background.

Ye Baiyi swept an eye across Zhou Zishu, and frowned. “How have you ended up in this half-dead state…”

Zhou Zishu was saving any morsel of energy whenever he could; slumping on his shoulder against the rock wall, he gave in before Ye Baiyi could criticise him, "This junior is too incapable, and is a rice bin."

Ye Baiyi glanced at him in surprise, nodded, and said, “Consider it that you have some self-awareness." He surveyed the surroundings, then beckoned to the three of them. "Come this way."

Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing knew that this old man was very capable[25], and were happy for him to take the lead. The two of them provided support by bringing up the rear, trapping Zhang Chengling in the middle. As they walked, Wen Kexing plastered himself to Zhou Zishu out of the blue, hooked an arm around his waist and silently took an arm of his to prop it across his shoulders.

Zhou Zishu glanced at him and frowned. “Have I been crippled?”

Wen Kexing sighed, “That old freak is here, what are you overtaxing yourself for? Let’s keep walking.”

It was odd; on their own, the two of them ran into danger multiple times, and they felt that this place had as many paths as a haunted cave. However, as they trailed after Ye Baiyi, the journey was oddly smooth-sailing. The four of them walked around in innumerous circles, and safely reached an area that looked like a large hall. Everything was still and peaceful when they had entered, but yet, a moment later, countless round balls about a foot in diameter came rolling out at them from all directions.

Reflexively, Wen Kexing booted Zhang Chengling behind him, then picked up Zhou Zishu in a bridal carry and glided three to four zhang out. These things had made him suffer immensely; manufactured in some unknown way, they exploded once they came into contact with something. For a very long while, Wen Kexing had been scampering around in the underground passages as they pursued him, feeling like he had become a large rat.