Exploring the empty void in search of an entrance to the realm proved fruitless. They needed to find an alternative way to gain access.
They decided to seek assistance from Xuan Yi's Xuan clan, hoping that someone there might possess the knowledge they sought.
Once they gain access to the realm and the hidden city in it, they believed that Wan Dao's intentions would become clear. They will be able to know what it is that she wanted them to retrieve.
Without any sense of location or direction, they chose a direction that felt like the one they had come from. They noticed a few birds flying in that direction, indicating it was likely the right way. Furthermore, the birds appeared energetic, suggesting that the destination was not too far from land.
They soared through the ocean currents, leaving behind reverberating shockwaves in their wake.
As they ventured beyond the island, traversing vast seas, they stumbled upon scattered villages. Through their interactions with the locals, they gleaned valuable insights that served as their compass, guiding them towards the right path.
For Xuan Yu, the sight that unfolded before his eyes, even from a distance, evoked a profound sense of awe and indescribable relief. Having journeyed far from his homeland, enduring countless perils, he now beheld a semblance of sanctuary, a fleeting respite.
While he had never been a beloved figure in his homeland, enduring the pain inflicted upon him, at least there, he faced only the threat of being crippled. However, the Yangs and the ominous Wailing Mountain tribe harbored an unyielding desire to extinguish his very existence.
Tian Wei observed the glimmer in Xuan Yi's eyes, a peculiar blend of relief tinged with a subtle hint of dislike for his home.
Similarly, he experienced a blend of emotions. Perhaps, he thought, this could be the point where he would find solace and make home. He could nestle himself within the embrace of the mountain, and maybe even forsake his pursuit of vengeance against the gods.
He could simply live out his day here and never need to worry or seek out the gods. He would take time to cultivate, growing formidable enough to protect himself within this mortal realm even if they came knocking.
They soared through the expanse, gracefully descending upon the sprawling villages nestled at the mountain's base.
Life bustled within this enclave, tucked between the towering mountain and the vast sea of trees. The rivers, like veins, meandered through the mountain's crevices and intertwined with the lush green forest.
A sense of simplicity and purity permeated the air, brimming with a vitality that was a stark departure from the plains, seas, and mountains they had left behind in their journey.
Though it did not rival the ambiance of the island realm, Mount Fungwan and its environ possessed a divinity far surpassing the rest of the mundane world.
Xuan Yi wanted to recline in the embrace of his own bed and savor the flavors of his native cuisine.
And he knew precisely where to indulge Tian Wei in the exquisite delicacies that the Xuan Clan had to offer, a culinary haven that would delight their senses. He was home.
"Come," he beckoned, his hands swaying with an air of authority, guiding Tian Wei through the bustling streets.
The moment he appeared, a ripple of recognition spread through the town, igniting a frenzy of hushed conversations and whispered speculations.
The populace held strong opinions about him, for he was a figure known to many. A select few regarded him as friends, while the majority remained indifferent or, more aptly, his sworn adversaries.
They stepped into a restaurant. It was a place that exuded wealth and opulence. Well adorned with rare exceptional paintings, poems and well dressed figures. Under ordinary circumstances, he would not have ventured into such a place.
However, in this moment, fear had no place in his heart. Brooded beneath the protective wings of the immortal Tian Wei, coupled by his own newfound strength, he felt invincible.
The terrors that once haunted him now seemed nothing but scary stories meant to frighten the innocent.
Tian Wei couldn't help but be taken aback by Xuan Yi's unexpected choice of dining establishment.
Given Xuan Yi's reputation for being extremely frugal, it was a puzzling choice, which made Tian Wei suspect that there might be hidden motives behind it. Could it be that Xuan Yi's family owned this extravagant place? Or maybe there was some unusual situation happening that Tian Wei was unaware of.
Nevertheless, he decided to play along, gracefully settling into the plush pillows adorning their table on the upper floor.
As they made themselves comfortable, a waiter hurriedly approached, bearing a selection of wines that were nothing short of exquisite.
The very first sip of the wine roused Tian Wei's taste buds, sending a delightful shiver down his body, as if a warm flush of pleasure coursed through his veins.
However, the pleasant ambiance took an unexpected turn when Tian Wei's gaze fell upon two women and two men approaching their secluded cubicle, their faces adorned with smug expressions.
"Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged home..." one of the women couldn't help but smirk, her voice dripping with disdain.