It’s just the difference between a step forward and a step back.

Yet it seems like the gap between Heaven and Hell.

Gu Shengyin gazed at the scene in front of her, lost in thought.

The others had been keeping their eyes closed, but now felt Gu Shengyin suddenly stop moving and curiously opened their eyes.

Then, they couldn’t help but open their mouths.

Presented before everyone was warm, dazzling light, and a crystal staircase, translucent and shimmering, beneath their feet.

On each step was the same transparent pattern, refracting brilliant colors in the light.

On either side of the staircase were fresh flowers with dewdrops, blooming in the most beautiful moments of their lives.

The crystal staircase wound upward, still obscuring the scene behind it, yet instead of fear, it inspired longing—what kind of earthly paradise would be beneath this exquisite staircase?

Qin Chingching looked at the fragrant lilies in the vase not far ahead and suddenly felt an urge to cry.

Even though they’ve only been in this place for just over a day, she felt like she had distanced herself from her previous normal life by a lifetime. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

She involuntarily wanted to reach out to touch the petals before her, but Zhang Chao pulled her arm sharply.

Zhang Chao frowned at her: "Are you crazy? You really trust the things in this place?"

Qin Chingching recalled the scene in the hall earlier and shivered, snapping back to reality.

Everyone looked towards Gu Shengyin.

Gu Shengyin looked carefully for a long time and finally spoke slowly: "No, these are not hallucinations."

Amid the widened eyes of everyone, she confirmed: "These are all real."

Xue Juan couldn’t help but cover her mouth with her hand; it was really too astonishing!

Perhaps the scene before them was so impactful that no one knew what to do for a moment; they could only turn their gaze to Gu Shengyin.

Gu Shengyin turned her head.

She saw the old woman, stern and gloomy, staring maliciously in this direction.

She stood in the shadows not far from everyone, completely in a different world.

One step to Heaven, one step to Hell.

"That’s not where you ought to go, come out..." The old woman’s hoarse voice called to them.

But she was evidently wary of something, not daring to come close.

Gu Shengyin suddenly felt relieved.

She thought she might have found the reason Qin Chingching survived.

In the original story, Qin Chingching might have stumbled in and unknowingly entered this place.

She suddenly laughed.

This time, it wasn’t an attempt to appear calm but a genuine, relieved smile.

She said: "Let’s all let go, I think we’re probably safe now."

Everyone’s hearts lifted at her words.

Zhang Chao hesitantly asked: "Leng Shi, are you sure about this?"

Gu Shengyin said: "What I know is that those ghosts don’t dare come near here, but as for what’s up there..."

She pointed above the crystal staircase: "I can’t be certain what might be there."

As she spoke, she was the first to release her grip.

At first, everyone was very tense, fearing something might happen, gripping their weapons tightly.

After a while, they realized nothing was happening.

Seeing Gu Shengyin sitting naturally on the staircase, taking out a bottle of water to drink, everyone erupted into cheers.

They were saved!