Jiang Zuo appeared inside. He discovered that there was indeed only a single, simple passage, though it was a bit on the large side.

To put it in perspective, the passage was at least fifty meters wide.

However, Jiang Zuo didn’t give it much thought. After waiting a moment, Ximen Chuihuo and the others entered.

The moment he entered and saw Jiang Zuo, Ximen Chuihuo said with admiration, "Fellow Daoist, you are truly extraordinary."

Yongxi was also impressed. ’No matter how rotten that Jiang guy is, what a complete brute he is, that move just now was genuinely incredible.’

’It hadn’t understood what had happened at all.’ 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

’To walk through the Restriction set by its master as if strolling on flat ground—it was simply beyond belief.’

’In any case, it couldn’t have done it.’

Jiang Zuo, of course, paid their admiration no mind and instead looked ahead.

The passage ahead was empty, so Jiang Zuo couldn’t yet be sure of the situation here.

"Let’s go take a look." With that, Jiang Zuo strode forward.

Ximen Chuihuo didn’t feel awkward at all. He had interacted with Po Xiao a few times and knew the man was straightforward—he’d refuse if he wanted to refuse and agree if he wanted to agree, never beating around the bush.

’It wasn’t a matter of good or bad; you just had to understand him.’

’Besides, they all loved to eat, and people with big appetites usually have big hearts.’

Ximen Linglong made a face behind his back and whispered, "Serves him right for being single."

Zhong Yiyang chuckled. "Fellow Daoist Po Xiao is a legendary wife-protector. He can’t be single, right?"

Ximen Linglong retorted, "He could be protecting his future partner!"

Zhong Yiyang: "..."

’She wasn’t wrong, I guess.’

Soon, Jiang Zuo reached the end of the passage. Before him stood a great mountain, its base covered in countless flowers and plants, with white blossoms in full bloom.

"The master of this place was quite impressive. It’s been maintained very well," Jiang Zuo couldn’t help but remark.

The ecosystem here was perfectly preserved, comparable to the Immortal Spirit Cave Mansion.

This wasn’t a natural state of affairs. This was a Cave Mansion, and a place like this required an Array for its upkeep.

Left to the natural world alone, it would have been depleted long ago.

"Of course! My master’s talent was unrivaled, a rarity in all of history. My young mistress’s beauty could topple nations; she was second to none. And I am the world’s greatest delicacy, one of a kind! And... that other one, I forget who," Yongxi said proudly.

Jiang Zuo didn’t doubt it. ’It seems the master of this place was truly no simple character.’

And as far as he could see, there was truly no danger at all.

He even tested it with his coin. It was completely safe.

Jiang Zuo said suddenly, "I’d quite like to meet the master of this place."

’He had been lonely his entire life. People who had earned his admiration and respect were few and far between. Jian Shisan was one, but unfortunately, he had died young.’

’Of course, Jiu Xi was a constant presence. Three hundred sixty-five days a year, as long as he was awake, he’d probably see her for three hundred and thirty of them.’

’The rest of the time, she was probably on her way to annoy him.’

So, seeing that the master of this place was not only powerful but also had a frank and open-hearted air about him, Jiang Zuo truly felt the desire to meet him.

"No need to meet him. He hasn’t been back in many years. He’s probably fallen," said Yongxi.

It felt a pang of sadness. ’If its master were still around, it never would have run away. If it hadn’t run away, it wouldn’t have fallen into the hands of that brute, Jiang. And if it hadn’t fallen into his hands, its brother wouldn’t have died so tragically.’

’How cruel life is.’

’It made a decision. If it ever got its freedom, the first thing it would do was capture that Jiang guy and keep him in a pen.’

’It would make him wish he were dead.’

"Looks like a fight broke out," Li Ya said, pointing to a spot on the mountain. "That area is on fire."

Jiang Zuo looked over and saw that there was indeed a fire on the mountain.

Ximen Linglong asked curiously, "If the master of this place didn’t set up any defenses, wouldn’t that mean anyone who comes here can just do as they please? Isn’t that a bit arrogant?"

"Arrogant?" Jiang Zuo looked up toward the mountain peak. "While I live, I am peerless in this world. After I die, all is but an illusion."

When Jiang Zuo said this, it took the others by surprise. They all sensed a sort of lonely invincibility about him.

After that, Jiang Zuo paid them no more mind, taking out his phone to contact the Black-robed Demon Cultivator. "What’s the situation?"

"They seem to be just wandering around. No problems for now," the Black-robed Demon Cultivator replied immediately.

After telling the Black-robed Demon Cultivator to notify him if anything happened, Jiang Zuo hung up and said, "Let’s find a place to eat. Then we’ll head to the inner area. There’s nothing interesting out here."

Jiang Zuo said it all so nonchalantly. They knew, of course, what he meant by "the inner area," but wasn’t he being a little too casual about it?

’Wasn’t this showing a complete lack of respect for the Cave Mansion’s Restrictions?’

"You, Po, aren’t you afraid you’ll fail and humiliate yourself? Do you even know where the entrance to my master’s residence is?" Yongxi was still skeptical.

"This place is merely space folded by an Array," Jiang Zuo stated calmly. "An entrance? As long as you’re inside, everywhere is an entrance."

"I don’t believe you! Jiang, you’re just stalling for time, you—"

Before Yongxi could finish, it instinctively gulped. It had seen Jiang Zuo wave his hand, and in that single gesture, they had appeared in a new location.

There was no mountain here, only a vast lake. A pavilion stood by its shore, with houses just beyond it.

This was its master’s residence. ’But... how is this possible?’

But before Yongxi could snap out of its shock, it felt something on its body disappear again, followed by a pain that chilled it to the core spreading through its entire being.

"Agh! Jiang, you son of a—! Lord Po, I swear I didn’t do anything this time!" the short-legged Yongxi cried out as it collapsed and twitched on the ground.

Jiang Zuo had no intention of explaining anything to it.

He simply said to Zhong Yiyang, "You can prepare the meal here. The rest of you are free to look around. There shouldn’t be any danger here either."

With that, Jiang Zuo walked off alone toward one of the nearby residences.

Only after Jiang Zuo’s figure had vanished did the others manage to react.

Zhong Yiyang said blankly, "Did we just latch onto a real powerhouse?"

Ximen Chuihuo nodded. "I have a feeling that if I were even one-tenth as skilled as Fellow Daoist Po Xiao, I could run rampant through the Spiritual Control Sect without any opposition."

’The Spiritual Control Sect had numerous Array Restrictions, and he often felt completely helpless against them.’

’He wasn’t skilled enough, so there were still so many Spirit Beasts he hadn’t had a chance to taste.’

But Ximen Linglong said, "He’s a Demon. Just look at Yongxi."

Li Ya then asked, "Are all you Tier Two Cultivators this powerful? No, that can’t be right. You’re Tier Two as well, and you’re good, but... why does it feel like he’s on a completely different level from you?"

"..."

******

Meanwhile, with Su Qi’s group, Jingyue was leading the way. She hadn’t gone up the mountain—or rather, she had gone halfway up before coming back down.

The others followed behind her.

After walking for a long time, Jingyue stopped by a small creek.

She looked ahead, where it seemed a figure was smiling at her.

Just then, the mark between her eyebrows flashed, and a voice echoed in her mind. "You’ve come?

There are many things you must see with your own eyes to remember.

But if you are not *her*, I hope you can pass this on to her.

Knowing more might help you remember as well.

Please keep this a secret from outsiders."

As the voice faded, the figure vanished. At that moment, Jingyue received authority over this place.

Being a Saintess certainly had its privileges.

Then, she smiled at Su Qi and the others. "Let’s head to the inner area. There’s nothing of value out here."

Finally, the secrets of the Holy Land Saintess were about to be unveiled by her own hand.

＊＊＊＊＊＊

*Ahem, I forgot what I was going to say. Thanks for waiting, and please subscribe!*