"…Hm?"
Stepping out of the dark tunnel, Long Hua is treated to the sight of a lush green forest.
(I seem to have underestimated the other side's wealth.)
Is the first thought that appears in Long Hua's mind, as he crouches down, and gets a feel for the dirt beneath him.
(Aren't we underground? Why is there a sun and an entire forest there?)
Towards the scenery that is displayed on the projector screen, numerous questions appear in Nian Yao Yao's mind, whereas Nian Tao Tao remarks—
"I've heard that the Immortals are capable of creating miniature worlds, but I never would have thought that I'd have a chance to see it."
"No, no, this isn't anything that impressive."
Dismissing the sound containment barrier that surrounds him and the others, Bai Wen replies as such, and adds—
"What's truly impressive is the world that you are currently in."
"Hm?"
"Oh? Did your ancestors not record that bit of information, or was it lost over time?"
Blinking her eyes, Nian Tao Tao replies—
"I do know that there exists a world outside of this one."
"I see. But you probably didn't know that this world was created by the ancestor of my household."
Hearing this from Bai Wen, a light of hostility appears in Nian Tao Tao's eyes.
"Ancestor of the Ling Yuan family… Zhen-laoban, are you also-?"
Before Nian Tao Tao can finish her question, Zhen Huai shakes his head, and replies—
"Lao Bai is an acquaintance of mine. Business wise, I am associated with one branch of the Ling Yuan family. I suppose that doesn't make me appear more friendly… Lao Bai, you should explain yourself a bit better instead of dropping a ball of this nature so abruptly."
"Well, I'm not lying when I say—that the creator of this Leng Bing Realm is the ancestor of my household. In any case, I personally have no affection for this household of mine. Curse them, burn them, plunder from them, do as you like, just don't drag me into it without a good plan in mind."
Amidst these words, Bai Wen's smile gains a sinister flavor, while Zhen Huai sighs, and says—
"I'll explain everything later. As for whether or not you trust me to do business afterwards, up to you. It isn't any skin off my back—if you choose to back out."
"…"
Hearing this, Nian Tao Tao frowns.
She doesn't really have a choice in this matter; for there is a resource that Nian Tao Tao must acquire no matter what, and this resource can only be brought from this village.
(Ai, this is just… I hate this feeling…)
Despite having several questions that she wished to voice aloud, Nian Yao Yao finds it difficult to do so.
Throughout her stay in this city, Nian Yao Yao feels like she's been repeatedly told of just how ignorant she has been this entire time—making all her accomplishments in life thus far seem meaningless.
...…
"…"
Straightening his back, Long Hua constricts his eyes, as he brushes off the bit of dirt that is on his palms, and remarks—
"It's all rather realistic, but…"
"It's all artificial on closer examination."
"Right. And as far as I can tell, this environment wasn't made for the sake of imprisoning someone. Otherwise, we would already be interacting with a trap of some sort."
Drawing Bai Zhe out fully, Long Hua moves forth with caution, while Tian Cheng follows at arm's length.
(If the other side is able to create a miniature world of this scale, then they are probably very well off financially.)
Cupping a hand over his head, Long Hua looks up at the skies.
(This sun that floats in the skies is giving off genuine warmth. Something of this nature would cost a fortune, and it couldn't possibly be created through a magic array. They probably used this place as a greenhouse under normal circumstances. Maintaining everything here should cost a great deal of spirit Qi. The fact that the city above us isn't able to detect this village means they probably have some way to conceal it. Seems like Bai Wen wasn't lying when he said I can use my divine arts freely.)
...…
"Lao Zhen, this isn't the landscape you'd normally use for gardening. Where did you copy it from?"
"Xiao Rong, the array is yours."
Replying with a nod, Zhen Rong steps out of the room, while Zhen Huai turns to Bai Wen, and answers—
"I am as curious about his background as you are."
"Ah… I see."
...…
Continuing to move through the lush forest, Long Hua eventually finds—
"This is…?"
Halting his footsteps, Long Hua blinks his eyes at the sight that is both foreign and familiar to him at the same time.
"…"
In the distance, a 120-meter tree of colossal stature stands.
Surrounding this ancient tree—in the shape of a spacious square, is a wooden fence; and within this fence are six herb gardens.
(This place… How?)
Similarly, to Long Hua, Tian Cheng is just as surprised to see this tree here, but compared to the former, she is quicker to realize this place to be but a mere replica—forged by whatever magic array, that is installed in this space for this specific occasion.
(Their home is here, then what about the person…?)
Thinking of a very specific person, the Tian Cheng within the dreamscape turns pale.
"…"
Drawing in a deep breath of air, Long Hua approaches the colossal tree.
According to the memories that are etched into his soul, this place was the home of his shizun—during an earlier period in time.
Moving pass the fence, Long Hua arrives at the tree's base—where steps lead downwards to a wooden door.
Reaching for the doorknob, Long Hua attempts to twist it, however—
"Hm?"
"Master, it shouldn't be possible for this place to be here."
"...…Indeed…"
Towards his inability to turn the doorknob, along with Tian Cheng's words, Long Hua immediately snaps out of his trance, as he takes a few steps back.
"Living things… Regardless of race, they all wish to return to the time and place—where they were at their happiest."
Heaving a sigh, Long Hua attempts to regain his composure, prior to directing Bai Zhe towards the door before him, upon contact—
*…!* the shroud of sword Qi—that covers the blade, instantly splits the door in half.