Chapter 92: To Living

Li Zhi stared at the small white pill in her palm.

It was hard to believe that something as severe as heart failure—deemed untreatable by modern medicine—could really be cured by such a tiny pill. And yet, this was an undeniable fact. In this world where even severed limbs could regenerate, why not heart disease too?

And just this alone demonstrated how powerful the [Specters] system truly was. Could they really… drive out something as colossal as this monstrous entity?

She glanced at Li Feng. He was also staring at the pill, his expression unusually solemn. Yet, his eyes held that same unwavering determination as always. Wasn’t this just like the tales of ancient fools trying to move mountains, or Jingwei filling the sea with stones—tiny mortals daring to stand against forces far greater than themselves?

If those before them could fight with nothing but grit, why should they fear now?

Taking advantage of the safe house still being active, Li Zhi pulled her brother aside. “Ge, what items did you get this time?”

There was no need for secrets between siblings. Li Feng immediately answered, “A broadcast jammer—unlimited use. A nightmare pillow—it works in both real life and in dungeons. And this—” He pulled out a porcelain doll dressed in a frilly tulle dress, “—it blocks one fatal injury, but only inside dungeons.”

Li Zhi chuckled softly at the sight of the doll.

With his tall, broad build, this delicate porcelain doll looked comically mismatched in his hands.

Knowing full well that he wouldn’t take any items from her voluntarily, Li Zhi pulled out a verdigris incense burner she had bought after clearing her last dungeon. “Ge, trade me your nightmare pillow. I’ll give you this for it.”

This incense burner could summon a friendly ghost—one of the stronger items available. Calling it a trade was just an excuse; in reality, she was simply giving it to him. After all, the nightmare pillow was practically useless in dungeons.

Li Feng wanted to refuse, but Li Zhi didn’t give him a choice, shoving the incense burner into his hands. “I’ve got a feeling that pillow might be useful to me. Come on—give it.”

Li Feng knew the rules. Forced trades without consent could trigger backlashes. To avoid putting his sister in danger, he reluctantly agreed. “Fine. Let’s trade.”

If he got something better in the next dungeon, he could trade again and pass it to her then.

An attacking item, a defensive item, and a way to avoid audience detection—that setup was solid enough to make Li Zhi feel slightly reassured.

Soon, the countdown for the safe house began. The siblings exchanged one last glance—and were then transported away separately.

When Li Zhi came back to her own world, she was once again seated at the dining table, exactly where she had been before she was pulled into the dungeon. Across from her, her mother and younger sister were both waiting, counting the minutes by the clock.

“Jie—!!” Li Shuang lunged at her, grinning wide. “You actually ran into Big Bro in the dungeon! Mom and I saw it too—we were shocked!”

They’d already suspected that, since Li Feng had been recalled by the military, it was only a matter of time before he showed up in a dungeon. But they never imagined the siblings would actually meet inside the same one. All that earlier anxiety had vanished the moment they saw the two reunite onscreen.

Shang Jinru poured her daughter a glass of water. “Did your brother mention when he might come back?”

“He said he’s not sure yet—it depends on the military’s arrangements.” Li Zhi took the glass and smiled reassuringly. “But after this dungeon, Ge’s got three items now: offense, defense, and concealment. With his skills and those tools, even solo runs shouldn’t be a problem.”

Shang Jinru sighed softly and nodded.

As the three chatted, a knock came at the door. Li Zhi knew immediately who it was. “It’s probably Hanh Hanh.”

Sure enough, Meng Yuhan appeared outside, holding her grandmother’s hand. Her eyes sparkled with nervous excitement, and after stepping inside, she shyly produced the small white pill. “Zhizhi-jie, it’s my first time using an item… I’m scared.”

It wasn’t surprising—giving medicine to your own grandmother would make anyone nervous. She couldn’t help but turn to the one she trusted most.

Li Zhi took the pill, examining it. “What did the usage instructions say when you got it?”

“It said it could cure heart failure—just swallow with water and it’ll work!” Meng Yuhan replied quickly.

Li Zhi poured a glass of water and handed it to Grandma Luo. “Then just take it with water.”

Grandma Luo’s eyes turned red. She looked at her expectant granddaughter, then at the gentle-faced Li Zhi, before finally lifting the glass and swallowing the pill.

Everyone watched her nervously. After a moment, Grandma Luo tentatively placed a hand over her chest. “…It feels… a bit better.”

“Go to the hospital tomorrow to confirm,” Li Zhi said calmly.

Grandma Luo nodded repeatedly, her gaze filled with gratitude. “Zhizhi, I don’t know how to thank you. If it weren’t for you… our Hanh Hanh…” Tears welled up. “Thank you, thank you—you saved our family.”

“Hanh Hanh’s smart. She’s helped me a lot too,” Li Zhi said with a smile. “You’ve seen it—she’s got real ability.”

Meng Yuhan lifted her chin proudly.

Li Zhi smiled at her. “Want to come with me next time?”

The girl blinked, surprised. Grandma Luo immediately brightened, about to answer for her—until Meng Yuhan said, “Next time, I want to go alone.”

Grandma Luo’s expression froze in shock. Her granddaughter squeezed her hand tightly and said seriously, “Grandma… I can’t rely on Zhizhi-jie forever. Right now, I’m weak, and if I stay by her side, nobody will ever notice me. She’ll always have to hold back, worrying about my safety. And if something happens to me, how can she face you afterward?”

Grandma Luo looked at her little granddaughter. Just one dungeon—and she’d grown up so much.

No longer that reckless, troublesome girl she used to be.

Meng Yuhan glanced between her grandmother and Li Zhi, gaze firm and resolute. “Besides—I have a tool now. I can handle it.”

Grandma Luo opened her mouth, wanting to object, but nothing came out.

She knew. If she kept letting Li Zhi take her granddaughter into dungeons, and if something did happen, could she really say she wouldn’t blame her?

No. She wasn’t a saint. She couldn’t promise that.

After a long silence, Li Zhi reached out and ruffled Meng Yuhan’s hair. “Alright. How about this—you come up here every day and train with me and Shuangshuang. Deal?”

Meng Yuhan’s face lit up. “Deal!”

After seeing them off, Li Zhi showered and took a nap.

When she woke, she checked her phone—three missed calls from Chi Yi.

There were also several unread voice messages. Groggy, she dialed back, and Chi Yi answered instantly, her voice as sweet as ever. “Zhizhi, you’re awake?”

Li Zhi put her on speaker and stretched lazily. “Just now. What’s up?”

“I saw your stream end, so I knew you made it out,” Chi Yi said. “Qinglin and I just got out too—we finished about half a day before you. And I saw your brother in that dungeon! Did you two team up?”

“No,” Li Zhi replied. “We just ran into each other.”

Chi Yi let out a stunned laugh. “Damn—that’s insane luck!” They chatted for a while before Chi Yi’s tone lowered. “Zhizhi… Did you hear that Mr. Zhu didn’t make it out of his last dungeon?”

Li Zhi froze mid-turn. “…Eliminated?”

“No,” Chi Yi whispered. “He triggered a death condition. Didn’t escape.”

Neither spoke for a long moment.

Finally, Chi Yi sighed. “There were seven of us in that newbie group… Now it’s just us three.”

Not wanting to dwell on the sadness, she quickly changed the subject. “Anyway—I was just talking with Qinglin. Let’s throw a hotpot party! Celebrate making it out alive.”

Li Zhi smiled faintly. “Yeah? Hotpot at home?”

“Of course—what restaurants are even still open now? How about your place? Your mom’s cooking is amazing—I’m still dreaming of that spicy chicken she made last time.”

Plans made, Li Zhi emerged from her room to tell her mom. Shang Jinru brightened immediately. “Perfect! It’s been so long since the house felt lively!”

The next morning, Lin Qinglin and Chi Yi showed up carrying bags of fresh ingredients. Meat, vegetables, sauces—they brought everything. And they even brought thoughtful gifts for Li Shuang and Shang Jinru.

Shang Jinru beamed. “Kids, really! Coming over just to eat, why bring so many gifts?”

Chi Yi smiled sweetly. “Auntie, we’re the ones imposing.”

“Not at all! I’ve been hoping you’d visit. Sit wherever you like—I put fruit and desserts out for you.”

Since Li Feng left, and with Li Zhi constantly vanishing into dungeons, the apartment often felt hollow and empty. Only now—with people bustling around the kitchen—did it feel like a home again.

Li Zhi also invited Meng Yuhan. When she saw Lin Qinglin lounging on the couch munching an apple, she nearly squealed out loud.

Turned out… she was a fan.

“Picture first, autograph second!” Chi Yi declared, whipping out a Polaroid, snapping away as Lin Qinglin threw peace signs and Meng Yuhan blushed furiously.

When the photos popped out, Lin Qinglin scribbled his signature across them before handing one dramatically to his tiny new fan. “So tell me—when Zhizhi-jie and I were in the same dungeon, who got your votes?”

Meng Yuhan: “…”

Her guilty expression said it all.

Lin Qinglin: “…”

Chi Yi couldn’t hold back her cackling. “AHAHAHAHA!”

“You little traitor!” Lin Qinglin yelled. “Claim to be a fan but didn’t even vote for me?!”

Meng Yuhan quickly hid the photo behind her back and peeked out from behind Li Zhi’s shoulder. “Zhizhi-jie was cooler…”

What a brutally honest little fan.

Lin Qinglin practically exploded with indignation.

With so many hands helping, the meal came together fast. The rich aroma of simmering broth filled the house, and they extended the dining table, something usually reserved for Chinese New Year or big family gatherings.

Not just hotpot—Aunt Shang also cooked everyone’s favorite individual dishes, completely covering the table.

As they ate, Chi Yi sighed happily. “It’s been so long since I ate with this much noise around.”

Yeah. Ever since the streams and the dungeons started, life felt like it had been stuck in shadows. True joy had become rare.

Lin Qinglin raised his cup. “Forget all that—cheers! To being alive!”

Everyone raised their drinks. “To living.”

As long as they were alive, the day would come when they could take back the world.