On the riverbank, a pitch-black scene unfolds. As the surroundings fall into complete silence, Yan Yuchen's shadowy soul leaves his body, bringing Qingya to the river where they both submerge.
In the muddy riverbed, markings made during daylight remain. Yuchen easily locates the spot, his ethereal form penetrating the sediment, reaching the deepest layer.
A blood-red lotus pattern appears on the uneven riverbed, exuding a strong suction force upon approach. Yuchen saves Qingya from being drawn in.
"Master, indeed, this seems to be an entrance to the mysterious realm, just as the legends describe. It's invisible to mortal eyes, but entities like ghosts are pulled in," Qingya explains, still shaken.
Keeping a distance, Qingya hesitates, "Master, I can survive as I am now, free from the pain of death. But entering the mysterious realm means facing mortality, just like mortals. I fear the unknown."
Yuchen retorts, "Who pledged to accompany me through thick and thin moments ago without a hint of hesitation?"
Sheepishly, Qingya replies, "Next time... next time, perhaps..."
Yuchen shakes his head, saying, "Qingya, do you really want to exist like a walking corpse forever? You're already a malevolent spirit. Despite prolonged existence, you'll eventually be taken by hellish reapers or succumb to fate. Don't you want to explore the so-called paradise for spirits, where you can cultivate and potentially achieve immortality, shaping your destiny as you please?"
After a pause, he continues earnestly, "They say the mysterious realm is like the mortal realm for spirits. Wouldn't you want to experience that? Besides, you can cultivate there. Achieve mastery, and you can escape the cycle of life and death. Whether you stay in the mysterious realm or return to the mortal realm, you'll be free to come and go. Don't you have that aspiration?"
With a troubled expression, Qingya, holding his head, admits, "Master, I have fantasized about it, but I know the process is perilous with many uncertainties. I'm not ready to take such risks."
Yuchen nods understandingly, "Alright, I'll explore the mysterious realm first. If I can become powerful quickly, I'll bring you in later."
Touched, Qingya says, "Thank you, Master."
As Yuchen is about to step into the pattern, he frowns, pondering, "Qingya, do you think Xiaomei might be a cultivator too? She caught you with a mortal body and commanded a large ghost army. She's not ordinary. However, I've examined her closely, and there's no trace of magical fluctuations within her body. It's puzzling."
Qingya's legs tremble, asking, "Master, you don't intend to make me spy on her, do you?"
Yan Yuchen nods, saying, "That's exactly my intention."
Qingya wails, "I'd rather accompany you to the mysterious realm; I can't afford to provoke that queen."
"It's too late!"
Yan Yuchen coldly snorts and steps into the pattern. As his foot touches the pattern, the blood-red lotus suddenly emits a dazzling light. The petals violently shake, and the entire flower rapidly spins.
A tremendous force pulls Yuchen in, and his body swiftly dissolves into the flower, disappearing.
After a dizzying whirl, Yuchen opens his eyes to a bright scene. Sunlight, white clouds, and a clear sky greet him. Rolling green hills, soaring birds, and a gentle breeze carrying floral scents surround him.
The air, slightly cool as he breathes it in, refreshes his spirit. Everything before him resembles the mortal realm but surpasses it.
On a nearby hill, some grazing cattle and sheep scatter. A boy with a shepherd's flute sits atop a large water buffalo, curiously staring at Yuchen.
Admiring the surroundings, Yuchen approaches and greets, "Hello, little brother."
The shepherd boy stares strangely but remains silent.
Yuchen scratches his head, asking, "Do people here not understand what I'm saying?"
The boy coldly snorts, glaring, "You, uncivilized person, who greets a little brother upon first meeting? My little brother is fine, just peed right where you're standing. How about you? How's your little brother?"
"..."
Yuchen is speechless, realizing that people here speak similarly to those outside.
"Uh... well, I'm new here and don't know where this is. Can you tell me where I can practice cultivation?" he straightforwardly asks.
The shepherd boy pauses, puzzled, "Cultivation? What's cultivation? Sir, our education focuses on reading, and there's no mention of cultivation."
Yuchen, taken aback, is about to inquire further when the nearby cattle and sheep suddenly become restless.
The shepherd boy looks up, his face changing, and shouts, "Wolf! Run!"
With a whip crack on the cow's back, he runs backward.
Yan Yuchen waves and says, "Hey, don't run! I haven't finished talking yet. Just a wolf, what's there to be afraid of? Watch me punch it to bits!"
He clenches his fist, turns around, and then his eyes widen in shock.
This isn't just a wolf; it's a monstrous creature larger than a water buffalo!
Crimson eyes, chilling fangs, muscular body, and a fierce aura declare its strength and ferocity.
"Swoosh!"
Yan Yuchen doesn't dare to speak anymore; he turns and runs. His speed is astonishing, quickly catching up with the shepherd boy fleeing on the water buffalo.
The shepherd boy stares at him, as if witnessing another monster.
"Ugh..."
At this moment, a hefty, tall figure entirely black comes charging from the front, with a small girl with twin ponytails riding on it's back.
Yan Yuchen is startled, pointing at the dark figure, "Bear! A huge bear! And there's a bear cub on top!"
The shepherd boy glances disdainfully, restraining the galloping water buffalo, muttering, "Country bumpkin, that's our lion dog. My little sister is riding it."
The little girl on the lion dog rushes past them like the wind, fiercely attacking the giant wolf, waving her small fists and shouting, "You scoundrel, where do you think you're running!"
The giant wolf, clearly having learned a lesson from the lion dog before, turns and flees in a sorry state.
At this moment, a little lamb, originally frozen in place from fear, suddenly leaps up, wielding its hooves, and smashes down on the wolf's eyes!
"Bang!"
The robust giant wolf is sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground.
Before it can struggle to its feet, the little girl on the lion dog swiftly arrives. The lion dog opens its bloodthirsty mouth, biting down on the wolf's neck!
Blood splatters, and the wolf howls in agony!
In moments, the once formidable wolf convulses, its body twitching, and it succumbs to death.
Yan Yuchen stands there, utterly astonished, especially by the surprising actions of the docile little lamb.
When did the gentle sheep become so formidable? It just single-handedly took down the big bad wolf with a hoof!
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