Chapter 247: Chapter 247: Entering the Secluded Land
Instead, his focus was instantly drawn to the three words: "Golden Jumping Pill."
The Golden Jumping Pill, as its name implied, was a legendary and incredibly precious elixir pill that could help a cultivator ascend directly from the Golden Core to the Nascent Soul realm.
’But Master has already reached the Divinity Transformation realm. Who could she be refining a Golden Jumping Pill for?’
Bai Yang’s heart began to pound.
’He knew it almost instantly. Master was doing this for me!’
’She was always like this in the past, silently taking care of everything for me.’
’Even though she seems so cold now, she’s still secretly looking out for me.’
Bai Yang was overcome with emotion, and his regret for his past actions deepened.
The guilt and adoration in his eyes threatened to spill over. He quickly lowered his head, not wanting his master to notice anything amiss, and decided not to press the issue.
To better conceal his identity, Song Wanning took out a mask and had Bai Yang put it on. His features instantly blurred, becoming as indistinct as if viewed through a layer of clouds.
The corners of Bai Yang’s lips curled upward as he silently savored his master’s care.
’You really don’t know what you have until it’s gone. Being cherished by Master... it’s such a blissful feeling.’
...
The flying carpet sped onward. Guided by Feng Youming’s memories, Song Wanning raced toward the location of the breach. They passed numerous cities before finally arriving just before the opening was due to appear.
The place was a desolate meadow, strewn with tangled weeds and fallen branches. Wildflowers of every kind swayed in the wind, lending the scene a sort of chaotic beauty.
Bai Yang frowned, leaping down from the flying carpet to survey the area.
He had a knack for formations and had achieved a fair degree of skill. He wanted to see for himself what this restrictive barrier his master mentioned was.
Song Wanning put away the flying carpet, her gaze sweeping across their surroundings. Without Feng Youming’s memories, she never would have known a restrictive barrier was even here.
Bai Yang studied the area for a long time but couldn’t discern anything out of the ordinary. He pressed his lips together in frustration.
’I wanted to help ease Master’s burden,’ he thought, ’but it seems my skills are still far too lacking.’
"Let’s wait and see for now."
The breach opened once every six months, but she wasn’t sure of the exact hour. All they could do was wait.
The master and disciple sat there in silence.
Finally, as night began to fall, something strange occurred.
The previously still air began to tremble.
Song Wanning and Bai Yang shot to their feet, their gazes sharp as they watched a small opening materialize in mid-air, slowly growing larger.
Song Wanning raised an eyebrow. ’It’s finally here!’
Once the opening stabilized, no longer changing shape, she suppressed the tremor of excitement in her chest. With a serious expression, she said, "Wait here for me."
With that, the hairpin—an Immortal Artifact—on her head began to emit a soft, pearlescent glow.
This was the source of her confidence, the reason she dared to bring Bai Yang along.
This Immortal Artifact was said to be capable of nullifying any barrier in the Lower World; the one here should be no exception.
However, she couldn’t be certain there wasn’t an ambush waiting on the other side. If the Feng Family Patriarch was standing right there, Bai Yang would be exposed the moment he stepped through.
That would blow her own plans as well, so she had to be the one to scout ahead.
Relying on the hairpin, she inched closer to the barrier, choosing a spot right beside the breach.
Song Wanning carefully extended a foot through the barrier. To her relief, it didn’t resist her at all.
A dark glint appeared in her eyes as she stepped completely through the barrier.
The moment she entered the Secluded Land, a wave of dense Spiritual Energy washed over her. In an instant, her every pore seemed to open, greedily absorbing it.
Song Wanning was inwardly startled. The Spiritual Energy here was several times denser than in the outside world. No wonder the cultivators here were so powerful.
Coupled with a lack of natural enemies, most of these people lived remarkably peaceful lives.
This was a good thing, however. Most of them had high Cultivation but lacked actual combat experience. Otherwise, Feng Youming wouldn’t have been so utterly defenseless.
She cautiously extended her Divine Sense. After confirming no one was nearby, she breathed a small sigh of relief and turned back, stepping out of the barrier.
Seeing his master emerge, Bai Yang hurriedly asked, "What’s it like inside?"
"There’s no ambush. You’ll go in with me in a moment. Once we’re inside, you will follow my orders. If you get into trouble, I can’t save you!"
Song Wanning warned, her expression cold.
’She had only brought Bai Yang here to piggyback on his good fortune. If he caused her any trouble, he couldn’t blame her for being merciless.’
"Don’t worry, Master. I know what’s at stake!"
Bai Yang nodded, his heart swelling at what he believed was his master’s concern for his safety.
’Master is completely devoted to me. Even if I face mortal danger, I will never betray her.’
"Good. Once you’re inside, wait for me right where you land."
Song Wanning’s expression softened slightly.
As she finished speaking, Bai Yang obediently moved to the breach and carefully slipped through.
Only when his entire figure had vanished did Song Wanning raise a hand to touch her hairpin.
’She hadn’t wanted to bring the Immortal Artifact inside. If this avatar of hers were to perish and the Feng Family Patriarch found the hairpin, he would be able to enter and exit the barrier at will.’
’But if she didn’t bring it, her avatar wouldn’t even have a chance to escape if danger arose. After all, the breach wouldn’t open again for another six months...’
After weighing her options, Song Wanning decided to take the hairpin with her.
’If she did run into trouble, it might provide her only chance to escape the barrier and survive.’
’Avatars like this, created from such a rare substance, were hard to come by. She didn’t want to lose this one.’
Her mind made up, Song Wanning strode toward the barrier without hesitation.
Arriving in the Secluded Land once more, she took a deep breath of Spiritual Energy and saw Bai Yang beside her, stunned by its sheer density.
"Master, how can the Spiritual Energy here be so dense?"
Bai Yang’s eyes were wide with disbelief.
’No wonder Master said this place was filled with experts. With Spiritual Energy this rich, I would have probably broken through to the Nascent Soul realm long ago!’
"Yes. For now, just follow me."
Song Wanning’s expression was grim. Even with Feng Youming’s memories, this was her first time here, and she couldn’t afford a single mistake.
Following the directions from her memory, she led Bai Yang north.
With a Concealing Breath Talisman on him, Bai Yang was difficult to detect. He remained extremely cautious the entire way, terrified of causing trouble for Song Wanning.
The journey felt as though they had stepped into a true paradise.
The mountains were lush and the waters clear. Everything pulsed with vibrant life, and the air was filled with the scent of fresh grass.
Small streams babbled everywhere, their gentle murmuring like a ceaseless, pleasant melody.
Song Wanning felt a little dazed. Only now, experiencing it firsthand, did she understand why it was called the "Secluded Land."
The clamor and slaughter of the outside world seemed to have no place here.
Just in the short time since they’d arrived, her restless heart had begun to calm.
Her pace slowed, her earlier agitation fading away.
’This mission is critical and highly dangerous. I can’t afford to be rash.’
’The more anxious I am, the more likely I’ll give something away.’
’What I need to do is fully immerse myself in Feng Youming’s life—to temporarily become the real Feng Youming.’
