"WE HAVE not yet found the source of the anomaly in Spring Village. We already dispatched some of our people to investigate the area, but no one has found anything unusual."
Elder Lu Wenyuan gave his report.
"We suspected that someone had set up a formation around the village that suppresses cultivation. That is why we requested the Bai Clan's assistance," Lu Jingxuan said.
"Are there any side effects after leaving the village?" Elder Yanshu asked.
Lu Jingxuan shook his head.
"So far, none. I also entered the village myself, and I am still fine. As we reported back to the clans, one's cultivation returns the moment they leave the affected vicinity."
"But we can't be complacent," Elder Lu Wenyuan added. "Who knows what could happen if someone remained there for several years?"
"We have already evacuated the villagers," King Jung said. "One of the priests from the temple examined them, and nothing seemed amiss."
"Did none of you notice that the people in the village couldn't cultivate?" Elder Yanshu asked.
"The village was only established five years ago," King Jung answered. "The anomaly was only discovered when several cultivators stopped there to rest. We reported the matter to the Lu Clan immediately after receiving the report."
The Kingdom of Liang was under the Lu Clan's jurisdiction.
Whenever the kingdom encountered a problem beyond its ability to resolve, it would immediately report it to the Lu Clan.
"Let me inspect the village first," Elder Zhentian said. "I'll see whether a formation is involved."
"Hopefully there is," Lu Jingxuan replied. "Otherwise, we'll have another mystery to uncover."
Bai Yichen had been listening at first, but the moment the meeting began, he started getting sleepy.
Tianrui, on the other hand, was trying his best to understand everything they were discussing.
As for Lily...
She listened quietly but was too lazy to interject.
Not that she had anything to add.
They had already discussed both the inside and outside of the anomaly thoroughly.
Instead...
She was curious about what the village actually looked like.
And what awaited them inside.
—-
Lily watched as Jingxuan and the elders left the palace.
King Jung followed behind them and, as the host, proposed, "Young Heirs, is there anything you would like to do while you're staying in the kingdom? We have plenty of entertainment in the capital."
Bai Yichen and Tianrui were about to answer, but Lily shook her head.
"I want to have a rest."
"Very well, then," King Jung said. "My son will escort you to your rooms."
Crown Prince Herald smiled.
As they walked along the corridors, Lily asked, "Your Highness, do you have a map of your kingdom?"
"Is there somewhere Young Heir Pei wishes to visit?" Crown Prince Herald asked kindly.
He was fifteen this year.
After this case, he would undergo the Soul Core Trial. If he passed, he would enter the academy and would rarely have the opportunity to return home.
So before then, he wanted to support his parents as much as he could.
"I want to tour the capital tomorrow, but I'd like to know the places beforehand so we won't waste time wandering around," Lily said with a smile.
"I do have one," Crown Prince Herald replied. "It's in my residence. I'll have a servant bring it to you later, Young Heir Pei."
"Thank you, Your Highness. You're such a kind person," Lily said sweetly.
Bai Yichen and Tianrui found her behavior unusual.
Lily was the type to say, I want it, so I'll get it.
They had never seen her act like such a sweet young lady.
"What are you planning?" Bai Yichen whispered.
Lily pushed his head aside and didn't answer.
When they finally reached their rooms and settled in, Crown Prince Herald took his leave.
Not long after, a servant delivered the map.
The moment Lily spread it across the table...
The two mongrels barged into her room.
"This is a private room," Lily said as she flattened the map. "Please leave."
"Hey, what are you planning?" Bai Yichen asked for the second time. "You can't go have fun while we're stuck here."
Lily tried to study the map.
Unfortunately...
She was having a difficult time.
Where was west?
Where was northeast?
It said Spring Village was south of the kingdom's capital.
But...
Where was south based on where she was standing?
"Oh, Spring Village is to the south," Tianrui said. "It's this way."
He pointed in a certain direction.
Lily looked at him.
Then she patted him on the shoulder.
"You're now part of the team."
"Oi! What about me?!"
"What can you do?"
Bai Yichen flexed his muscles.
"I'll shield you from danger!"
Good.
Lily nodded.
She would take his words literally.
——
"Is this the place?" Bai Yichen asked. He couldn't tell whether they were already in Spring Village or had arrived at another village.
"It is what the map says," Tianrui insisted.
"How are you so sure we're in the right village? I don't see Jingxuan and the elders."
"Tianli told me to take a different route," Tianrui reasoned. "We can't let them see us and find out we're sneaking around."
What's with this Bai Heir?
Did he want them to get caught that easily?
"It is this place," Lily said.
For some reason, she could feel something immense within.
The pressure was overwhelming, yet not enough to make people suffocate.
And...
She could see a barrier enveloping the village.
Raising her hand, she touched it.
Oh.
She could actually feel it.
She didn't know a formation could be felt.
Without waiting for the other two, she stepped through the barrier.
The moment she entered, everything became cool and refreshing.
The heavy feeling of the Spirit Essence surrounding her body instantly disappeared.
Normally, one could feel the abundant Spirit Essence filling the world.
It was this very essence that cultivators absorbed to nurture their Soul Core and strengthen themselves along their chosen Path.
Lily remembered this clearly because her father had once demonstrated it to her.
She had watched the Spirit Essence flow into his body.
It had been an incredible sight.
"There's nothing here except a forest," Bai Yichen said.
"What are we supposed to do here?" Tianrui asked.
Although he understood why the clans had come, he had no idea where to begin.
"Let's look around first," Lily suggested.
The village was vast.
Who knew?
Maybe they would stumble upon something unexpected.
And unexpectedly...
They did.
The three of them stood rooted to the spot.
Before them rose a colossal volcano.
Resting atop its summit was a gigantic bird, peacefully asleep.
"..."
How had no one outside the village ever noticed something this enormous?
No…
How come the villagers did not report something like this?