The Cold-Hearted Princess Who Transmigrated Here

The group quickly arrived at the lake.

The scene that came into view was a calm expanse of water, only three or four meters in diameter. Beyond that, the water was completely obscured by a thick white fog, making it impossible to see anything clearly.

The water is so deep that you can sense its unfathomable depth just by looking at its color, even without exploring it.

The lake was as blue as a mirror. Apart from a small patch of grassy flat ground beneath their feet, the lake was shrouded in mist on both sides and in front of them. They couldn't be sure what dangers lay in the lake, and it seemed that there was no other way to cross it except by boat.

Wang Xiyue gazed thoughtfully at the lake, finding the scene increasingly bizarre.

Although the air in the mountain forest was quite humid, it didn't feel cold or damp. It hadn't been raining recently, and the sun was shining brightly on the way here. Even if the scorching heat of the sun couldn't penetrate here, there shouldn't be such a thick layer of water vapor condensing on the water's surface.

This place feels like the end of a road, giving you a sense that it ends here.

Most people would choose to turn back after seeing this, since there's nothing to use in this lake, and it doesn't seem like a place with a way out.

But Xuan Yi has already confirmed that two people disappeared from here, which means there must be a way to get through this lake.

The lake was so still that there wasn't a ripple, and no fish were swimming in it; it was as if even the wind had stopped.

Wang Xiyue's heart skipped a beat. Could there be some kind of treasure here, also protected by formations or restrictions?

But this doesn't quite look like a formation.

It's more like a restriction.

This restriction usually involves utilizing a certain element in the surrounding environment in a specific way, relying on the natural rules of the space in which it is located.

They form a magic array of varying power, each with the sole purpose of prohibiting certain actions, such as preventing sound leakage, preventing flight, or preventing entry.

Unlike formations, restrictions are not static; they are constantly changing. Only by understanding the patterns of change can they be broken. This requires careful observation and figuring out the rules governing their operation.

This method of breaking the restrictions requires a high level of observation and reaction skills, as well as in-depth research into the restrictions themselves.

She had learned most of the formation techniques from her master, but she only had a superficial understanding of restriction techniques, since her master had not been exposed to many such techniques either.

Of course, there is another simple way to break through: figure out the content of the restriction, and you can enter it without being restricted. For example, if there is a restriction that prohibits flying, you can enter by walking.

The restrictions here clearly prohibit entry; more accurately, they prohibit a certain type of person from entering, rather than prohibiting everyone from entering.

After all, those two people had already gone in, which means they must have something that was restricted and allowed them to pass. Anyone could pass without hindrance as long as they had that specific item, but obviously this method is not feasible now.

She couldn't wait to see when the villagers would come out or go back in.

Mingzhe is in danger of dying inside alone, so there's no time to lose.

Since there's no way to enter silently, the only option is to completely crack the code.

"Miss, why don't I swim over there and see where it leads?"

Seeing his young mistress frowning and staring at the lake, Li Yang stepped forward and volunteered.

Fearing it wouldn't be convincing enough, he added, "I'm an amazing swimmer! I'm recognized as the best in the whole manor."

Before Wang Xiyue could answer, Wang Xijie rolled her eyes at Li Yang and pulled him to her side.

"Hey kid, what are you swimming for? This lake looks dangerous. Let's wait and figure it out first."

Even though he hadn't studied Qimen Dunjia, he found it illogical that a lake that seemed quite large would suddenly appear in the mountains.

Besides, who knows if there are man-eating monsters in the water? They decided to wait quietly for their sister to give the order before taking any action.

Li Yang was getting anxious as it was getting dark. "What should we do?"

Wang Xijie shook his head; he didn't know either.

Isn't he also waiting for his sister to come up with a solution?

Wang Yi pulled Li Yang aside and whispered a warning: "Don't talk. Can't you see that Miss is concentrating on her research? Just wait patiently. There will be a time when we need you."

As the team leader, he was naturally more composed than the others. Although he didn't know what secrets this place held, his intuition told him not to approach rashly.

Standing behind the young master, Wang Shi was always taciturn, and naturally he wouldn't step forward now. He always waited for his master's instructions before doing anything.

He actually had a strange confidence in his young lady, and he always felt that she would definitely make it, so he watched her strolling by the lake with a blank expression and quiet demeanor the whole time.

Sometimes it moves left, sometimes right, sometimes forward, sometimes backward, sometimes waving its left hand, sometimes its right.

Everyone else was completely bewildered, but Dongfang Yu was secretly alarmed.

He couldn't help but admire how much Xiyue had learned in the past few years. She had mastered medicine, formations, and martial arts, and now she had even dabbled in such obscure restrictions. The breadth and difficulty of her knowledge impressed him greatly.

There are very few people in this world whom he can truly admire. Xiyue is his lover, and he values ​​her kindness and her as a person. But now he has discovered that her various extraordinary abilities have also captivated him.

This restriction is different from any other formation. Although the method to break it is not as complex as the Nine-Bend Killing Formation, it is still more difficult than most other formations.

He was fortunate enough to receive guidance from a master of forbidden techniques, which helped him understand some of the secrets.

Although Xiyue's movements looked a bit clumsy, he could tell that she had already grasped some of the tricks of the trade. As long as someone gave her some pointers, she would definitely be able to solve it.

After spending the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Wang Xiyue gradually lost heart. She was certain that she couldn't break the restriction on her own.

Only then did she suddenly remember someone. He was so familiar with the Nine-Bend Killing Formation, he should be fine. "Shadow, you can undo it, right?"

Meeting Xi Yue's trusting and expectant gaze, Dongfang Yu excitedly boasted, "I can do it."

At first, he did focus more on Xiyue than on studying the method of using the restriction, since the restriction was not difficult and was considered relatively simple, belonging to the intermediate level. He understood it completely after just a few glances.

"Then hurry up and come over here to untie it!" Wang Xiyue glared at An Ying; she really wanted to bite him.

This guy knew the solution but didn't say so sooner. He had to wait until she asked him for help, making her waste a lot of time researching blindly.

Looking at Xiyue grinding her teeth, Dongfang Yu suddenly felt like laughing. He suppressed the upward curve of his lips and lowered his head to defend himself.

"Please forgive me, Miss. I have been working hard to figure out the solution and only just now did I understand it. That's why I didn't explain the situation to you earlier."

He wouldn't admit that he disliked Mingzhe. As things stand, Mingzhe is unlikely to be in any danger, so he's even less inclined to go and save him so soon.

He wished that brat would stay far away so that Xiyue wouldn't have to worry about him all the time.

Seeing An Ying's earnest explanation, Wang Xiyue wondered if this restriction was as difficult as the Nine-Bend Killing Formation, so she stopped complaining. "It's alright. Are you sure you're okay now?"

"If you're unsure, think about it some more."

Although she was anxious to go inside, she couldn't risk everyone's lives just to save Mingzhe.

Dongfang Yu replied solemnly, "Yes, no problem."

"Miss, come here and stand behind me."

"All of you come closer, I'll break the barrier right now."

Although Mo Yun had worked and partnered with An Ying for more than ten years, An Ying usually remained hidden in the shadows, and strictly speaking, the two of them would not have any interaction when there was nothing to do.

Therefore, he wasn't sure if Shadow had the ability to break the restriction; he had never seen him so sharp and shrewd before.

The Shadow's recent behavior is completely different from what he remembered. He feels that he should no longer be called Shadow, but Bright Shadow.

Once Dongfang Yu saw that everyone was within a safe range, he began to take action.

Wang Xiyue watched the entire process of Shadow's cracking intently in order to learn. She found that his first few steps were the same as hers, but as his methods became more and more complicated, she gradually found it difficult to watch.

At first she could make out the general idea, but as he got faster and faster, she couldn't keep up with his technique at all and eventually had to give up trying to figure it out.

It seems this restriction cannot be mastered quickly, because she discovered that the strength, speed, and angle of his hands are ever-changing, requiring repeated practice to succeed.

If you want to fully understand it, you have to find an opportunity to ask him for advice in private.

Wang Xiyue only had a vague understanding, while the others found the shadow's movements dazzling and completely baffling.

In the blink of an eye, while everyone was still in a daze, Dongfang Yu had already completely broken the restriction.

The actual environment was a small pool about three or four zhang wide and six or seven zhang long. The water in the pool was crystal clear, and occasionally a few small fish would swim around leisurely.

The pool was surrounded by dense vegetation, with large trees and sharp rocks, offering no footholds. It was clearly impractical to bypass the pool and cross it directly.

The mist on the water had disappeared, and the eerie and unsettling feeling from before was gone.

Wang Xiyue murmured to herself, "I didn't expect the actual scenery here to be so quiet and cool."

Wang Xijie also felt that such scenery was rare in the deep mountains and forests. After running for so long, he was covered in sweat and even wanted to jump in and take a bath. "Brother Mo, is there something wrong with the water?"

Mo Yun stepped forward to observe carefully. The presence of fish proved that the water was relatively clean, and the edges of the pool were neat, showing signs of artificial excavation and repair.

He then tested it with a special drug testing tool, and it was normal.

"Young master, no problem."

"This water is not rainwater, but living water that gushes from the ground. It has formed such a pool over many years and it should be the only drinking water for the villagers."

Moreover, in order to protect the water source, the roads were all built along one side of the pool, thus minimizing the risk of polluting the pool.

It's called a road, but it's more like a plum blossom stake used for martial arts practice. The pool isn't deep either, less than ten feet.

The so-called path consisted of thick wooden stakes buried directly into the bottom of the pool as support points, just wide enough for one person to pass through at a time, with a large step between two stakes.

This winding path was built using about twenty wooden stakes.

After confirming several times that there were no traps around, Wang Xiyue urged, "Brother, let's go."

Dongfang Yu reached out and grabbed Xiyue's arm. "Don't rush, let Moyun clear the way."

Among this group, Mo Yun is the most skilled and has a better grasp of how to handle unexpected situations.

Mo Yun listened without refuting and quickly walked forward.

He didn't necessarily have to follow Shadow's orders, but he felt that his mission was to protect the future princess, so it was more appropriate for him to take the lead.

Miss Xiyue is used to solving problems on her own and doesn't like asking for help, but a group of grown men would never let a young woman like her put herself in danger.

Especially since she is the apple of their prince's eye, the people of the Prince Xian's Mansion should be even more willing to fight for her.

Having rested and adjusted their condition, the group moved very quickly. After walking along the mountain path for about half a cup of tea's time, they came to the entrance of the village.

This place is like the back gate of a farmhouse, with low walls and a small wooden door that is half-open.

I wonder if the residents here are too confident, taking pride in the ban.

Or perhaps the chieftain was so confident in the terrain that he left no one to guard the place, didn't even lock the gate, and had no measures to defend against external enemies or wild beasts.

It seems they don't believe any outsiders can get in from here.

Seeing that it was getting dark and Mingzhe's fate was still unknown, Wang Xiyue couldn't help but feel anxious. She had to go inside quickly. "Brother, you and the others wait for me outside."

"Shadow and I will go in and investigate."

Wang Xijie was worried about his younger sister, "..."

He was about to speak when he was interrupted by Shadow's resolute command.

"The rest of you stay behind."

"Mo Yun, lead your men to be vigilant around the area, be ready to provide backup at any time, and protect the young master."

After speaking, Dongfang Yu took the lead and went through the small door, with Xiyue following closely behind.

Among this group, Mo Yun and himself are the most skilled. The two of them need to be separated to coordinate their attacks from the inside and outside. He doesn't feel comfortable leaving Xi Yue outside, so he can only keep her by his side at all times.

Upon entering the village, the two searched for a secret escape route while also taking in as much of the surrounding environment as possible.

I walked for fifteen minutes and didn't encounter a single person; it was unusually quiet.

Along the way, the two had figured out most of the village.

Due to limited space, the houses here are built quite densely, with two-story wooden houses standing close together on all sides, with only occasional narrow passageways. As a result, the whole area looks chaotic and disorganized, with the paths appearing intricate and complex, like a maze.

The houses were very simple and narrow, with doors and windows rarely closed, so the interior was completely exposed. Most homes only had the most basic and primitive living necessities, usually just a bed, a table, a cabinet, and a few small stools. Even with these simplest items, the house still felt cramped.

When Wang Xiyue saw this decoration, it reminded her of the scene when she first met Dongfang Yu in the palace.

Dongfang Yu glanced at Xiyue as if sensing something, and happened to meet her dazed gaze.

“Xiyue…”

Wang Xiyue snapped out of her daze: "I'm fine."

As she walked, she whispered, "They have no arable land; they simply rely on the mountains for their livelihood and on the weather for their food."

"They probably don't have any other fixed income, and the village is far from the secular world and isolated from the outside world, which is why the people here live in such harsh conditions."

This way of life is even worse than farming. She doesn't know about other places, but she has been to Wangjia Village, where the villagers are much richer than here.

Dongfang Yu chimed in, “Indeed, it seems they are not entirely heinous bandits.”

“Real bandits who burn, kill, and rob would never be this poor.”

"They must have been trapped here for some reason."

After exploring for a while, the two finally spotted a uniquely styled round wooden house. They could hear noisy voices coming from inside and faintly smell the aroma of food.

It's obvious that the two of them arrived at a very opportune time. These people must have something important to do, which is why they all gathered here. No wonder they didn't run into anyone else elsewhere.

Fortunately, there were hiding places everywhere, and Dongfang Yu led Xiyue with a few leaps to get closer.

The two landed on the roof of the round house and then silently sneaked up to the second floor, which was probably where the grain was stored. There were several bags of grain and some dried cured meat.

Fortunately, the floor partitions were quite rough, with large enough gaps to allow a clear view of the area downstairs and to hear all the sounds clearly.