He remembered that past event: the Nether Abyssal Vine had been found beneath the vast, tranquil lake. He never expected this creature to appear at such a desperate and hopeless moment. The memory remained vivid; piece by piece, he watched as the vine completely engulfed the serpent beast until not a single part of it remained visible. Then, in an instant, it vanished.
To ensure that the serpent beast was no longer struggling, the vine began to recoil. The result was clear: the enormous serpent beast had been reduced to a pile of ash on the ground.
Li Haoran didn't move, afraid that after the awful battle between the serpent beast and the Nether Abyssal Vine, he would be the next to disappear. He shut his mouth, not daring to make a single sound—not even the tiniest whimper.
The vine swept aside the pile of ash, revealing beneath it a glowing stone core—the heart of the dead serpent beast. The vine pushed the core toward him. Li Haoran stood in shock, unable to believe the Nether Abyssal Vine's behavior toward him.
Sensing his hesitation, the vine crawled over him and helped him to rise. He braced himself, fearing he would burn as the serpent beast had, but he felt no pain. The vine coiled gently around his arms, supported his back, and wrapped around his legs to guide him to his feet.
The vine's touch sent a faint, stinging chill across his skin, and he began to wonder why this creature was helping him.
He abruptly clenched his fists, confusion washing over his face. He looked down at his arms, searching for burns left by the vine, but found nothing—only his stitches and the brutal injuries he remembered. He held back his tears, unable to believe he had survived.
At his feet, the glowing stone was still being nudged toward him by the vine. He hesitated, glancing at the vine. Its color was a vivid green, with thick, smooth, heart-shaped leaves. Energy flowed along it—gold and black—emitting a faint, tingling sound.
The vine remained still, making no reckless moves. Yet there was something strange and mysterious in the way this creature pushed the serpent beast's heart toward him, urging him to take it. It was clear the vine possessed consciousness—a person's mind. It was as if it spoke to him in silence, showing sympathy for his condition.
He breathed hard, swallowing the lingering taste of iron in his mouth.
After a brief pause, he crouched down and picked up the serpent beast's heart. He examined it closely, then looked at the vine. The vine reached out to his hand and nudged him again, this time guiding his hold. Suddenly, he understood—this vine was urging him to do something important.
As soon as the serpent beast's heart touched his chest, a bright light flared in his hand. Spiraling radiance instantly coiled around his hand and then his entire body. His stitches and injuries vanished in an instant. Then, the heart stone began to tremble uncontrollably in his grasp, a luminous light bursting out and scattering across the ground. In a blink, the serpent beast's heart stone merged with his chest, as if his own hand had lost authority and something else had taken control.
An unbearable pain surged through his body—raw and unfiltered. At the same time, a powerful energy began to soothe every inch of him, both overwhelming and invigorating. Li Haoran grunted, pressing his hand to his chest. All around him, a mist of light engulfed his vision. When the energy reached his head, his eyes blazed with light, and the swirling mist seemed to shoot through him like a bolt.
He collapsed to the ground, bracing himself with trembling arms. A mouthful of blood spilled from his lips. It was a brief but excruciating ordeal, wracking his entire being.
Gasping helplessly, he closed his eyes for a moment as his vision spun into darkness, and he lost consciousness. His body lay motionless on the ground, exposed to the searing heat of the sun.
However, the vine did not leave him. It arched over his body, creating a shelter to protect him while he remained unconscious.
Hours passed before Li Haoran finally awoke. He was no longer in Zise De Village. Instead, he found himself in an unfamiliar place, with no idea how he had gotten there.
He slowly rose to his feet and looked around.
The area was secluded, surrounded by towering trees and shrouded in thick fog. The atmosphere felt suspicious—uneasy.
Li Haoran swallowed hard, trying to figure out where he was. He stayed alert, his eyes darting to every corner. Only then did he realize he felt completely different—his injuries and stitches had vanished, and the excruciating pain in his body was gone as well. How mysterious.
Now, after the long and brutal battle with the enormous serpent beast, Li Haoran could feel his cultivation overflowing throughout his body. Could it be because he had absorbed the serpent beast's stone core? That creature had been truly powerful. Though he had spent so much energy, he now felt it return to him a hundredfold.
Fascinating, indeed.
He ignored his surroundings for a moment. Then, his eyes caught sight of the bag where the Miracle Purple Orchid was kept—and, most surprising of all, the pristine map lay fully exposed beside it.
Puzzled, he quickly searched himself for the map he had tucked securely beneath the layers of his robe.
A wave of shock washed over him when he realized it was missing. His gaze snapped to the exposed map. Could this be the one he had hidden? How had it ended up out in the open?
He moved forward and knelt down, picking up the map—and, of course, the bag. Discovering that the Miracle Purple Orchid was still there, he let out a sigh of relief before turning his attention to the map.
Among all the locations marked, one spot immediately caught his eye. It was glowing, as if pointing out the exact place where he now stood.
The ordinary map he had taken before had become something mysterious. With it, finding the antidote ingredients would no longer be difficult. Even more astonishing, the map now responded to voice commands—once he stated his intention, it would automatically guide him to the desired location.
If he hadn't fainted earlier, he wouldn't have ended up searching so late; instead, he would have been restlessly pursuing his task all along.
After today, only two days remained. He needed to gather all the antidote ingredients before sunset on the third day.
Jiang-an Wild Woods—this was where he now stood.
As the records stated, Jiang-an Wild Woods was haunted by countless prying eyes. The fog itself could create hallucinations and lure you off your path—often by conjuring memories of your loved ones. These illusions were meant to control you, making it nearly impossible to find your way back once you'd strayed.
As for obtaining the Invasive Golden Vine, you had to be exceptionally vigilant. Otherwise, the very soil might swallow you whole. One wrong step could mean your end.
Yet, according to the villagers living near this place, the Jiang-an Wild Woods was extremely dangerous. A wild beast was said to lurk within, its body massive and its eyes glowing red. And the trees—though they appeared ordinary—not all of them were truly trees. Some only pretended, lying in wait to devour anyone who got too close.
That was truly terrifying.
Three hours remained before the sun would set. Li Haoran composed himself, slinging his bag over his shoulder while keeping the map in hand. It glowed faintly, guiding him toward the location of the Invasive Golden Vine. As he watched, a compass appeared above the map, pointing the way.
He needed to walk straight through the darkness and thick fog to reach his destination.
Before setting out, he made sure he would be able to return to this spot. He summoned his spiritual power and cast a mind protection spell, hoping it would shield him from any hallucinations.
Then he looked down at his waist and took out the black mask. He stared at it for a long moment, a faint smile touching his lips.
"Master, the second antidote ingredient is right here. Wish me luck!" he said, pressing the mask to his chest before beginning his journey.
Once he stepped into the fog, his form vanished from sight. When he finally emerged from the thick mist, his mind was left dazed and unsettled. The scene around him was eerily horrifying—darkness engulfed everything, with not a single source of light. The pathway twisted and arched, formed by dead trees whose bare trunks and gnarled branches resembled the claws of devils.
Li Haoran froze, holding his breath for a brief moment. He wasn't sure if he was going the right way, but when he checked the map, the compass was still working, pointing him north.
He continued along the terrifying path, his senses on high alert. All around him, he heard countless sharp, cackling laughs—like those of witches—along with the loud hoots of night owls and eerie whispers that sounded almost ghostly.
Unbothered and brave, he paid no attention to their intentions—he was used to this.
Halfway down the path, he sensed something unusual. A deep rumbling sounded behind him, followed by restless rustling nearby. He paused. The dead trees behind him were moving, their claw-like branches nearly reaching out to grab him.
Countless glowing eyes appeared in the darkness, and Li Haoran saw them all. Even in the pitch black, he could make out the unusual figures and creatures lurking around him. Dealing with these threats was nothing compared to facing the enormous serpent beast.
A smirk appeared on his lips, as if he found the whole situation amusing.
Suddenly, the atmosphere dropped; one of the dead trees was already looming behind him. Its horrifying red eyes and sharp teeth glinted in the darkness as it hovered above him, ready to swallow him whole. Li Haoran turned and looked up just as the tree was about to strike—but it suddenly froze.
Instead of him running, it was the dead tree that recoiled, scrambling away across the ground as if it had spotted its own predator. The other lurking creatures vanished, hiding themselves in the shadows.
What's going on?
Li Haoran's brows furrowed in confusion. How could the darkness suddenly be afraid of him when he hadn't even made a move? Admittedly, he had encountered countless demons before, but none had ever truly threatened him. They didn't even dare meet his eyes. Yet these devilish creatures, who moments ago seemed eager to kill him, suddenly recoiled in terror. It should have been their chance to strike—but instead, they ended up horrified.
This time, the surroundings fell into a dead silence.
All the rustling and unsettling noises vanished, leaving only an unmoving, impenetrable darkness.
Certain the threat had passed, Li Haoran turned on his heel and walked away, leaving the darkness behind. In the distance, a burst of brilliant light hovered in the air, shimmering like a portal to another dimension. He checked the map once more—it still pointed directly toward the portal.
He stepped into the portal, and for a moment, everything shifted. He found himself surrounded by lush greenery, thick bushes, and fresh air, with a thin, lingering fog scattered throughout the area.
The atmosphere was light, refreshing, and invigorating. Nearby, a clear brook babbled over smooth stones, and an ancient house stood nestled among the greenery, crafted from natural materials. It wasn't too big or too small—just the right size for a family. Tranquility filled the air, making the place feel perfectly serene.
Li Haoran walked in, crossing a tiny wooden bridge that spanned the brook leading toward the house. As he approached, he noticed a small hut beside the main house. A fire pit was neatly arranged in front, with several clay pots set atop it in a tidy row.
Each pot was boiling, and the aroma of brewing medicine lingered in the air. Beside them stood a table where various kinds of herbs were laid out—organized and precisely measured with meticulous care.
What is this place? he wondered, his brows knitting together as he scanned his surroundings.
Just as he expected, he soon heard unhurried footsteps approaching. He remained perfectly still, yet his senses stayed sharp and alert. Then, a gentle and sweet voice called out.
"Darling! You came back."
He froze, glancing around, and then he saw her.
She was breathtaking—a woman with goddess-like beauty, dressed in flowing white robes. Her long, curly hair was adorned with an intricate ornament shaped like a moon. Her skin was as soft and fair as winter snow. In her hand, she carried a woven basket filled with fragrant Chinese jasmine sambac flowers.
She smiled at him affectionately, waving her hand in the air.
Li Haoran couldn't believe what he was seeing—it was Yue Chan. And she had called him "darling"?
The woman rushed toward him, setting her basket aside before throwing herself into Li Haoran's arms. Their bodies pressed together, close and unreserved. She hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest.
Li Haoran was utterly surprised and confused. He wanted to speak, but the words caught in his throat. As he looked down at her, their eyes met.
She looked up at him, sadness shimmering in her eyes.
"Darling, I missed you so much. I think the valley is already settled. Stay with me."
Her gaze was intense, and her demeanor felt utterly different from before. Yet her face, figure, and scent were unmistakably the same.
Chan'er, am I really missing you that much? Or is this an illusion?
He wondered, uncertain and puzzled, though his affectionate gaze remained fixed on her. Summoning his courage, he managed to speak.
"D-darling?" It was all he could say, pointing hesitantly to himself.
The woman nodded at him without hesitation. "Hmm… what else?"
He stayed silent, studying her with suspicion.
Sensing his restraint, she released her embrace and gave Li Haoran a sharp slap to the chest. He stared at her, shocked and disoriented by her reaction.
"See? You've already forgotten what we call each other. You're the one who officially started it!" she scolded, her tone laced with mock disgust as she folded her arms and shot him a menacing look. "We just got married a month ago—how dare you forget me already! Did you find another darling out there?"
Li Haoran opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again. Had he heard her wrong? How could he suddenly be married—and to his master, no less?
It was absurd!
He steadied himself, gently taking her hand, deciding he needed to go along with the flow for now.
"I'm sorry. These past days have been overwhelming, and my mind is unsettled. Can you forgive me?" he pleaded softly.
She shot him a cold look but then melted, her expression softening into a reassuring smile as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Don't worry, I've got you," she whispered, then kissed him.
The kiss left him dazed and disoriented—he never expected things to go this far. She kissed him again, and then again. Li Haoran was completely stunned; everything was happening so quickly.
This must be an illusion, he thought, but why does it feel so real?
Unable to resist any longer, he kissed her back—passionately, as if the world revolved only around them. He didn't hold back, savoring the moment he had longed for.
Then, the moment shifted—Yue Chan gently stopped him and spoke a single word.
"A'yi."
Hearing that cherished name, Li Haoran froze.
"In case I am gone from this world, remember this: I, A'sheng, loved you so much. Please, just love me—no matter who I become, or what my name might be. Promise me, always love me, right?"
Li Haoran felt another wave of shock wash over him; he could barely speak after hearing her plea and, especially, the love names she mentioned.
A'yi? A'sheng? She isn't Yue Chan, but A'sheng?
The woman—A'sheng—hugged him tightly and whispered, "I love you," tears shining in her eyes.
He stood unmoving, letting her embrace him. Then, he hugged her back just as tightly, as if they might never see each other again. He closed his eyes, and suddenly the world spun and dissolved.
When he opened his eyes, Li Haoran found himself standing alone in a misty forest, surrounded by dense clusters of plants. The woman he had held was gone, and the beautiful, dreamlike paradise had vanished into the mist. The illusion hadn't controlled him, but it had given him a fleeting taste of the happiness he yearned for—a brief moment that left his heart aching.