The path was flanked by towering cliffs, nestled against the mountains and beside the water. Though the area was vast, there were no other roads through.
The village was situated in just such a landscape. The only way to get past it was to go straight through the entire village.
But just before entering the village, Pan Shi halted, choosing not to proceed.
Yang An was exhausted. They had traveled all day, barely stopping aside from two short breaks. Still, he had to maintain a calm and carefree facade, which was no easy feat.
Seeing Pan Shi suddenly stop, Yang An caught his breath and shot him a confused look.
"Senior Brother, what's wrong?"
Pan Yu asked, also looking puzzled.
"We need to be careful from here on out."
Pan Shi said with a grave expression, pointing toward the village ahead.
"In past years, many of our fellow disciples from Sansong Mountain have traveled to the Xiyue River to attend the Great Feast. Occasionally, some would go and never return. The problem is this place."
"This is an unnamed village, a necessary stop on the way to the Xiyue River. If we try to go around it, we'll have to take a long detour to get back on the main path. Because of this, it's become a gathering place for most Cultivators coming from the north. They usually stop here to rest and recuperate."
"That's why we left a bit early this year and need to rush to the Xiyue River. If we can get ahead of those other people and avoid them, all the better."
The village, shrouded in darkness, showed no signs of light. It was eerily silent and seemed utterly deserted.
As Pan Shi explained the situation, Yang An and Pan Yu finally understood the dangers lurking within.
But other than going through the village, there was no other way forward.
"In that case, there probably aren't any ordinary people left in the village, are there?"
Yang An said.
Even though night had fallen, they could still make out the contours of the surrounding terrain. It was a classic gorge, a narrow pass between high cliffs.
Since it was the only path to the Xiyue River, it meant that it wasn't just Cultivators who passed through, but possibly Demon Fiends, too.
And if it was dangerous even for Cultivators, ordinary people wouldn't stand a chance of survival.
Hearing Yang An's words, Pan Shi nodded.
"You see it too, Fellow Daoist. As the only path to the Xiyue River, this place is actually very complicated. Anyone heading south has to pass through here, which effectively makes it a killing field."
"Then what should we do?"
Pan Yu asked, her voice laced with worry.
Even though they had arrived early, a confrontation would be inevitable if other Cultivators or Demon Fiends were still hiding in the village.
"It's alright. We can skirt along the edge of the village. As long as we're careful, there shouldn't be a problem."
Pan Shi said after a moment of thought. It was the only option he could think of.
Both Yang An and Pan Yu agreed with this plan.
"However... Fellow Daoist Yang, I have a favor to ask. I'm not sure if you would be willing to grant it."
Pan Shi hesitated, turning to look at Yang An.
"Please, speak freely."
Yang An appeared calm on the surface, but inwardly, he was a nervous wreck.
'He's not going to ask me to lead the way, is he?'
'On a night this pitch-black, I can't see the path ahead at all. Just walking is a challenge, let alone leading the way.'
'If there's a big rock in front of me, I'd probably walk right into it without even seeing it.'
'The mere thought of that possibility made Yang An feel he was done for.'
After receiving Yang An's assent, Pan Shi looked to his junior sister, Pan Yu.
"As you know, Fellow Daoist, my junior sister is only in the Resonance Stage. With her mortal body, she's unable to see at night like you and I can. I will lead the way, but I hope you can assist my junior sister."
Pan Shi stated his request.
After hearing this, Yang An breathed an inward sigh of relief.
'So he just wants me to look after Pan Yu. I thought it was going to be a huge problem.'
'Thank goodness. If that's all it is, then it's just a minor issue.'
"Alright."
Yang An replied coolly, accepting Pan Shi's request.
'This was actually the perfect opportunity for him. After all, he was also just a mortal who was as good as blind at night. Why wouldn't he jump at the chance?'
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist!"
Pan Shi said gratefully.
Having a Primordial Feeding Realm Cultivator like Yang An by their side truly bolstered his confidence. This was exactly why Pan Shi had wanted to proactively befriend Yang An, and now his efforts were paying off.
Pan Shi was curious, though. How exactly would Yang An help them?
He knew Yang An's body hadn't fully recovered; he'd been traveling on foot the whole time, unable even to use the Flying Technique available to Cultivators of the Primordial Feeding Realm. This made him all the more curious what sort of method this disciple of a great Hidden Sect would use.
As soon as Pan Shi's voice fell, a faint white light appeared before his eyes, instantly illuminating a two-meter radius and revealing the figures of the three of them.
Staring at the Light Wheel that had suddenly materialized behind Yang An's head and was now emitting a white glow, Pan Shi froze for a second.
He had originally thought Yang An would use a simpler method, like temporarily transferring a bit of Mana to Pan Yu to help her open her True Eye, which would allow her to see at night just like them.
But he never imagined that Yang An would just straight up summon his Buddha's Radiance.
'Was... he always this extravagant?'
'This was Buddha's Radiance, for crying out loud! The kind that only those with profound Buddhist Techniques could condense, and the Mana consumption was absolutely terrifying.'
Even accomplished High Monks wouldn't use it unless absolutely necessary, and they seldom used it as an offensive measure.
Besides its offensive capabilities, the most important aspect of this power was the enhancement it gave the Cultivator. Bathed in the light of their own Buddha's Radiance, the user could comprehend Buddhist Techniques on a deeper level and accelerate their cultivation.
And this was different from when they had first met Yang An. The Buddha's Radiance emanating from the Light Wheel was much softer, its illumination contained to just the area around the three of them, and it betrayed no hint of aggression.
As a result, basking in the Buddha's Radiance, Pan Shi and Pan Yu felt no discomfort. On the contrary, they were overcome with a profound sense of peace, and even a feeling of mental clarity.
'What did this mean?'
'It meant that Yang An's control over the Buddha's Radiance had reached a level of effortless mastery. He could command it as easily as his own arm, and could even use it to influence others.'
'As expected of Fellow Daoist Yang!'
Pan Shi could only sigh inwardly, full of envy.
'So this was the power of a disciple from a great sect!'
At that moment, Yang An naturally had no idea what Pan Shi was thinking. He had simply thought the ability was suitable for the task and used it.
'If I can't see at night, I'll just make a light source. Simple as that.'
'Anyway, the source of this Buddha's Radiance was the Sacrificial Bone he had already fused with, so it didn't drain him at all. It would be a waste not to use it.'
'This thing is actually pretty handy, though. Not only does it have some offensive power, but it can also be used as a searchlight at night.'
'It perfectly solved the problem he was facing.'
'Absolutely brilliant!'
At this thought, Yang An willed it, and the Light Wheel that had been floating behind his head instantly drifted down, tracing an arc through the air before landing precisely in his hand.
'Mm, now this feels more like a searchlight.'
A smile couldn't help but grace Yang An's face.
Seeing this, the corner of Pan Shi's mouth twitched.
'That was another use for it he'd never even heard of.'
'You can just take that thing off and hold it in your hand?!'