"The spring of life? Could it be Verdant Dew?"Leander was taken aback by her words.A single sip of the spring water could cure all illnesses and grant a decade of life. Stronger than the Phoenix Essence Pill he had created, it bypassed allintermediaries, directly awakening the body's cells to unlock genuine longevity. Only the legendary Verdant Dew could do this.Leander had read of it endlessly in ancient texts but had never witnessed it firsthand. Yet from her description, it seemed the spring truly flowed somewhere within this barren desert.If he could locate it and immerse himself for seven days, his strength and cellular vitality would grow exponentially. He might even break through the Devourer Form and ascend to a far higher level.Surprise flickered within him, but his expression betrayed nothing."You mean you're completely cut off from your bodyguards?" he asked, turning just enough to see her. The veil had lifted, revealing her delicate, tear-streaked face. Yet he remained impassive, his voice calm. "Since your bodyguards are out of reach, do you want to find safety first, or press on in search of the oasis?"Leander studied her silently, weighing the possibility that the oasis she spoke of was the same secret site Celia had revealed to him.Hesitation flickered in the woman's eyes. Fear had gripped her after being trapped in this endless desert, with death looming close more than once. Yet being saved rekindled hope, and her mind turned to her bedridden grandfather far away.In Bladewick, the Snowbrooks were counted among the five most prestigious families, their reputation unrivaled and their wealth vast. Regrettably, the next generation—her parents—had proven unable to uphold the legacy.Meanwhile, rival families prowled like predators, waiting for any slip. When her grandfather became ill, the Snowbrooks were assailed from all sides. United, several rival families drove the family fortune down by twenty percent. Her parents tried their best, but they were overwhelmed and forced to retreat.That was why she had brought over twenty odyguards into the deadly Sahar Wastes. She wanted to find the miraculous spring, save her grandfather, and give him ten more years to remain in power. Only then would the younger generation have time to grow and compete, instead of watching the Snowbrook family get swallowed whole.What she had never foreseen was a sandstorm this rare. It separated the group, and she had nearly been buried alive.After a short silence, she raised her head. Her eyes glinted with resolve, and her words rang firm and unwavering."Please, help me find the oasis. I'll pay any price you ask."noveldramaHer grandfather's illness weighed on her like a shadow. She had ceased worrying about herself and focused solely on finding the miraculous spring."Oh? All by yourself, and you haven't given up on that spring?"Leander smirked slightly, his voice tinged with mockery. "You might want to think carefully. You're on your own-what if we're bad people? What if we do something to you and leave you here in the desert?"The woman was far from naive. Her gaze held firm, and she smiled with quiet composure."If you intended to hurt me, I'd be helpless out here. But if you choose to work forme, the reward will surpass your expectations-enough to buy freedom and desire alike. I assume you both know how to make the right choice." Leander showed no reaction, but his attention sharpened. Just moments ago, she had been desperate and drained; now, fed and restored, she, exuded the confidence, and controlof a masterful leader. After a beat, he shook his head and chuckled."You're interesting, and fortune seems to favor you. The oasis you spoke of is likely my destination too. Since this is for your grandfather, you may come with us.""Really?"Her eyes lit up in surprise and joy. She hadn't expected him to agree so quickly, after just a few sentences."Let me be clear. We'll take youthere-nothing more. What happensYou'reafter is none of our concernon your own. The price is one millionBladewick dollars, paid in fulto mydriver. Any objections?"A million was mere pocket change to the Snowbrooks. She was already thankful justto be allowed to go with them.She nodded briskly. "Just get me there, and once I can contact the outside world, I'll send the money immediately.""Deal." He nodded slightly and signaled the driver to speed up.Sand and dust exploded around the off-road vehicle as the driver slammed the pedal, propelling them forward.The road ahead held nothing-no buildings, no oasis, no signs of life. Just endless desert. It felt as though they alone traversed an infinite wasteland.Mile after mile, the scenery remained unchanged—an endless stretch of sand and gravel. Thirty minutes in, a wave of panic began to rise in the woman at the back."Where is it? Why can't we find it?"Disappointment filled her eyes. She had arrived in the Sahar Wastes full of hope, yet now she wasn't sure the miraculous spring even existed.The barren wasteland stretched endlessly before her, bringing with it a crushing sense of being lost. Not a trace of her former companions could be seen.In that instant, Leander raised a hand, and the vehicle ground to a stop.Rolling down the window, he squinted. A subtle glow sparked deep in his eyes. The swirling wind seemed alive, funneling toward his ears like whispered signals."Devourer's Ninefold Path: Hear the Wind Sing."After a year and a half, he was finally using this nearly impossible-to-defend detection technique again.