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“Say that again?” Sami’s voice turned icy as he tightly clenched his fists.

Recognizing the intensity of her anger, Loya fell silent. The two of them had become interdependent for survival in this unforgiving place. Moreover, Sami’s promised treasure had yet to materialize.

As for Liao Ning and Zhou Ling, they meticulously focused on their tasks, keeping their heads down while working on the ingredients.

Recalling Sami’s earlier words, Loya couldn’t help but feel a twinge of annoyance. She addressed Liao Ning in a cold tone, “Once the soup is ready, head to the sixth floor for cleaning duty.”

Liao Ning appeared troubled, responding, “But the castle’s rules prohibit us from roaming freely, and aren’t the Sea Demons the only ones allowed on the upper floors?”

Her expression was a mixture of fear and uncertainty, but a glimmer of hope flickered within her. The castle was vast, with guards stationed on every floor, but water from higher levels flowed down and encircled the castle on its way to the sea. If the heart crystal was purifying seawater, it was likely on the sixth floor.

“Enough chatter,” Loya impatiently retorted. “What’s the problem with two commoners doing the cleaning? I’m a princess, and she’s a patient. I’ll delegate this task to you. Just wear our brooches and carry them in. The guards won’t pay you any mind.”

With those words, Loya dismissively pushed a fire lychee aside and gracefully sampled its taste.

Liao Ning and Zhou Ling exchanged glances, hastening their work. However, Liao Ning lacked finesse and the soup was only ready an hour later.

“Your Highness, we can proceed to the sixth floor for cleaning now,” Liao Ning said, still keeping her head lowered, unsure if Loya could recognize her.

“Wear these brooches. You two will be responsible for cleaning from now on.”

Liao Ning and Zhou Ling swiftly accepted the brooches and left the kitchen. Yet, as they passed by Sami, he suddenly sniffed the air, his eyes widening in surprise.

Sami felt a hint of uncertainty creeping in. She turned towards Loya and inquired, “Don’t you find her scent oddly familiar?”

“Have you lost so much blood that it’s affecting your senses? What does she smell like to you? Fishy, perhaps? I’ve had enough of this place. It’s best if you never return,” Loya retorted dismissively.

Sami made her way to the door, her gaze fixed on Liao Ning as she departed. There was something about her that struck a chord, but the memory remained elusive.

Meanwhile, Liao Ning and Zhou Ling used their fellow prisoners’ brooches to descend the stairs until they reached the sixth floor.

While the Sea Demons had the advantage of swimming and navigating quickly through the waterways, Liao Ning and Zhou Ling had to rely on their legs to climb to the sixth floor. Thankfully, their sturdy physiques prevented fatigue from setting in.

Upon reaching the sixth floor, they encountered a noticeable increase in guards. Despite presenting their brooches, the guards meticulously documented their identities.

“You two are responsible for cleaning this floor. Your main task is to clear away the various shellfish and algae that the seawater washes in, but under no circumstances should you touch the crystal. Remember that,” the guard impatiently instructed.

In truth, they had little fear of anyone attempting to steal the heart crystal.

Without the Patriarch or the elders, no one possessed the capability to do so. However, outsiders remained unaware of this fact.

Upon learning that the heart crystal was located here, Liao Ning surveyed the area and spotted a substantial amount of seawater surging in the center, with the crystal nestled within.

The sixth floor was expansive, devoid of rooms, and resembled a hall flooded with seawater and assorted debris. Their task was to clear away the debris.

It was now evident why Loya had been reluctant to visit this floor. Despite the crystal-clear seawater, a considerable amount of litter had accumulated on this level.

Even Liao Ning and Zhou Ling required over two hours of diligent work before the floor was finally cleared. Liao Ning also took note of the guards’ shift-changing routine during their cleaning duties.

Hardly anyone paid the heart crystal much attention. It seemed that most were aware that daring to pilfer it from Quidy’s headquarters was a futile endeavor. Furthermore, not just anyone possessed the ability to abscond with the crystal. Additionally, like clockwork, a group of three to four individuals descended the stairs every hour, only to retrace their steps an hour later.

With the heart crystal’s location pinpointed and the guard shift schedules decoded, Liao Ning began to formulate a plan..