The Path to Another World

"It's nothing! I just noticed something unusual. Don't make a fuss. This place doesn't seem to be as simple as it appears. The entire village is surrounded by a large formation. I tried to probe it just now, but it bounced back. Luckily, I'm not seriously injured," Ye Fan replied, waving his hand.

“I didn’t realize that, Xiao Fanzi. You’re really something else. You figured this out! That’s right. Our family genealogy records that this is a protective formation set up by our ancestors, the legendary Nine-Bend Yellow River Formation. It’s ever-changing and can cover a whole area. The main purpose is to prevent outsiders from discovering this village. During the day, the paths into the village are constantly changing, and you’ll just be wandering around in circles in the woods. At night, it’s shrouded in thick fog, and you can’t see the path at all. Without someone to guide you, it’s impossible to enter the village. That’s why this village has survived the long river of history. No matter how chaotic the outside world is, our village remains isolated. This is probably a little compensation from our ancestors for imprisoning us for so many years.” Grandpa Li stroked his chin in surprise. Nowadays, fewer and fewer people study Taoism. Although he’s not a Taoist, he’s seen a lot, even if he hasn’t eaten pork. His ancestors left behind many books, so his knowledge is far beyond that of an ordinary old villager.

"Grandpa, you flatter me. I only know a little bit about this stuff, and I'm worlds apart from your ancestor. He's the real master. This trip was definitely worthwhile; I never expected to have this opportunity." Ye Fan suddenly remembered what his grandfather had told him before he left. Could this opportunity be related to this ancestor?

"Hehe, young man, don't be modest. You're sure to achieve great things in the future! Since you've only just arrived, why don't you help our village and find out what our ancestral teachings are all about? We've been trapped here for thousands of years. Several people went out and never returned, but news of their deaths came within a year. It's practically a curse! We've studied it for thousands of years and still can't figure it out. Considering our ancestors were cultivators, perhaps only cultivators could unravel its mysteries. Oh, finally home." Old Man Li stopped the oxcart and spoke earnestly to Ye Fan. This curse was a problem that generations had tried to solve, and now that he finally saw a glimmer of hope, he certainly didn't want to let it go.

"Since you have a request, sir, I will do my utmost. Please rest assured, sir, I will do my best to rescue everyone from this cage." Ye Fan said solemnly, clasping his hands in a fist salute. He saw deep sorrow in the old man's eyes and could imagine the grief of generations trapped in this small corner, facing the same sky every day. They probably knew every blade of grass in this village by heart, because they knew this place too well. Yet, the vibrant world outside, just a step away, seemed so far away, so unattainable.

As soon as they arrived home, a little boy of about six or seven years old rushed out the door and threw himself into Grandpa Li's arms like a swallow returning to its nest. He tugged at Grandpa Li's beard and cried, "Bad grandpa, you didn't take me to the market! If you don't buy me anything good to eat today, I'll pluck half of your beard!" He grabbed Grandpa Li's beard and pretended to pull hard. Ye Fan and Tian Jun stood quietly to the side, watching the child's spoiled antics, enjoying this heartwarming scene.

The pain made Grandpa Li quickly grab the child's hand and point to Tian Jun standing next to him, saying, "Little Yezi, be good! Grandpa bought you your favorite lollipop. Look who's here! You've been talking about him every day!"

The innocent little Yezi then noticed two strangers standing next to her grandfather. By the light of the oil lamp in the room, when she could see one of the faces clearly, her questioning look turned into surprise and joy. A bright smile instantly bloomed on her innocent face, adding a touch of warmth to the dark night. "Uncle Junzi! I missed you so much! Why haven't you come to see Yezi for so long? Don't you miss me?" The child released her grandfather's beard and rushed into Tian Jun's arms, hanging on his neck and asking questions rapidly, as if she had seen a long-lost relative.

Tian Jun looked at Xiao Yezi, who resembled a little cuddly bear, with doting eyes, and gently pinched his nose, laughing, "Uncle wasn't busy, was he? Now that I have time, I've come to see you! Have you been good lately?" His demeanor was incredibly gentle, a far cry from his usual fierce and roguish air. An uninformed person might mistake them for father and son! "Oh, by the way, let me introduce you to a new uncle. He's my best, best brother, Ye Fan. This is my godson, isn't he handsome!"

"Hello Uncle Ye Fan, I'm Xiao Yezi. Are you and Uncle Junzi best brothers?" The innocent Xiao Yezi asked Ye Fan.

"Yes, just like you and your younger brother. Here, this uncle will give you as a gift." Looking at the handsome little Ye Zi, with his clear eyes that seemed to see through people's hearts and his innocent face, Ye Fan was stunned. He was surprised to find that the little Ye Zi was actually a legendary innate spiritual body. Ye Fan also liked this little boy from the bottom of his heart. When he grew up, he would definitely be a stunningly beautiful genius like Tian Jun. He took out a jade Guanyin statue that he had treasured for a long time and gave it to Ye Zi. This was a treasure he had kept for a long time. The jade was carved with dozens of formations by a master of formations and had been consecrated and blessed by several Buddhist monks with unfathomable Zen skills. It was said that as long as the wearer wore this jade, the hearing and sight would be sharp, the spirit would be a hundred times stronger, the life would be long, all diseases would not be afflicted, and all evil spirits would not disturb. It was also a rare treasure for cultivators. It could calm the mind and focus the spirit, remove inner demons, increase the speed of spiritual power circulation, and even increase the chance of breakthrough. Originally, it was stolen from the tomb of an ancient great master by Old Master Ye with great difficulty and given to Ye Fan as a gift after he had just undergone spiritual cleansing. Now, it was no longer of much use to Ye Fan.

Gazing at the jade Guanyin statue that emitted a faint glow under the moonlight, Xiao Yezi was instantly captivated, his face showing affection. Although he was young, he was not ignorant. He gritted his teeth, looked away, shook his head, and simply said to Ye Fan, "I'm sorry, Uncle Ye Fan. Although I like it very much, it is too precious. I cannot accept it."

Tian Jun glanced at Ye Fan in surprise. He knew very well the value of this jade Guanyin. Although he liked Xiao Yezi, there was no need to give such a large gift. Seeing Tian Jun's puzzled expression, Ye Fan slightly moved his lips and transmitted his voice, "Xiao Yezi is a once-in-a-millennium innate spiritual body. Her cultivation speed is a hundred times that of you and me. In addition, there is the inheritance left by the ancestors of this village. Don't you think this is a worthwhile investment and a good deal?"

Hearing Ye Fan's telepathic message, she was stunned. She never expected that the child in her arms was a rare innate spiritual body. She had hit the jackpot! She quickly gestured for Little Ye to take the jade Guanyin: "Hurry up and take it. Your Uncle Ye Fan doesn't need these things." She was overjoyed.

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