Chapter 642: Sheep and Cattle in the Frontier

Jiang Fan nodded. "Stay by my side until this group of monks leaves."

"However, I haven't decided where to go yet."

Return to the Land of Nine Sects? Could anyone stop that monk who achieved the Vajra Fruit status? The Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion could, but Jiang Fan wasn't a disciple of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion yet. Would the Pavilion Master make an enemy of White Horse Temple for his sake? That was an unknown. He couldn't place his hopes on that. He could only rely on himself and Hai Mei.

"Brother, why don't you come with me to a secret realm to hide?" Ling Shu suggested. "There's an ancient formation there that blocks all perception. Even with his immense power, that Vajra Fruit monk won't be able to find you, Brother."

That powerful? It can block the perception of a Vajra Fruit practitioner? He couldn't help but look at Hai Mei.

She nodded and said, "That's an ancient site my tribe discovered by accident. It was likely left over from the ancient war. Indeed, a relatively complete formation remains there, capable of masking external perceptions."

The mention of an ancient battlefield brought a psychological shadow over Jiang Fan. Surely, there wasn't another remnant of an ancient giant hidden there, was there? However, if Ling Shu was telling the truth, this Northern Secret Realm was indeed a unique hiding place. After a brief thought, since he had already escaped the Demon Emperor's Court, leaving sooner or later made no difference. There was no need to rush.

"Alright, we'll go to the Northern Secret Realm."

Ling Shu's face lit up with joy, and she smiled sweetly.

Jiang Fan wondered, "Why are you smiling? Aren't you afraid of me at all? Even if I don't kill you, I'll take you back to the human race. Then, you'll be tied up like me, a prisoner."

Ling Shu shook her head and chuckled, "No, you won't. Brother won't let anyone treat me like that."

Jiang Fan scoffed, "Then I'll find someone and marry you off to him! Just like I was forced to marry Liuli!"

Ling Shu's face flushed, and she quickly said, "I don't want to!" After a moment, she quietly mumbled, "Unless it's Brother..."

Jiang Fan's mouth twitched. This girl, when she sweet-talks people, it's really deadly.

Days later, the group safely arrived at the edge of the Northern Land. The further north they went, the more humid and warm the air became. After crossing a towering snow-capped mountain that reached into the clouds, what greeted their eyes was no longer ice and snow, but an endless expanse of vast grasslands. A warm breeze swept through, making the fragrant grass ripple like waves, revealing the backs of small animals leisurely foraging within it.

Jiang Fan couldn't help but recall a childhood nursery rhyme: "The sky is vast, the wilds boundless; where the wind bends the grass, cattle and sheep are seen." "I always thought that was just the imagination of ancient people," he murmured involuntarily.

Ling Shu was mesmerized by the sight. "Such a place exists in the world? It's so beautiful. Look, there are cows and sheep!" Accustomed to endless ice and snow, the verdant land before her filled her eyes with novelty. She immediately fell in love with the place. There were no worldly worries, no interpersonal scheming. Only freedom, like the wind.

Hai Mei was also momentarily stunned, then said, "A paradise on earth. It's a pity it has no connection to cultivators like us who defy the heavens."

Romantic hues flowed in Ling Shu's eyes. "Why not? Once my cultivation is sufficient, I'll come and live here. I'll build a wooden house, chop wood, brew tea, and read books every day. I'll herd horses on the prairie and sheep under the sky. During the day, I'll watch the clouds drift and the sun rise and set. At night, I'll count shooting stars and listen to the whispers of the constellations. The bright moon will be my companion in dreams, and the morning light will greet me when I wake. How wonderful that would be, don't you wish for it too?"

Hai Mei shook her head slightly. Having entered the path of cultivation, how could one truly have such great freedom and ease? Many things, many people, would leave one with no choice. They would compel one to keep moving forward. Even when exhausted, they had to press on. Occasionally stealing a moment of leisure to admire the scenery along the way was precious. To withdraw completely was incredibly difficult. She was about to remind Ling Shu that she had a family to care for and elders' expectations to fulfill, but then Jiang Fan's voice echoed in her mind.

"Let her keep her dream." Hai Mei paused, looked at Jiang Fan, and smiled inwardly: "Master is truly a gentle person."

Jiang Fan chuckled softly, remaining silent. Looking at the girl with eyes full of dreams, a soft spot in his heart was touched. Although she often acted insincerely towards others, and frequently played cunning tricks, deep down, she still possessed a unique innocence and romanticism.

"Then cultivate diligently," Jiang Fan said softly. "I hope you can live such a life soon."

Ling Shu smiled brightly, "Then Brother, you'll come too! I'll build a house for you too, right next to mine."

Jiang Fan smiled. How could he ever have such leisure? But he still nodded. "Alright! We'll herd horses together, and tend sheep together. We'll leave the hustle and bustle of the mundane world behind."

Ling Shu brushed her hair back and said, "Even though Brother is just humoring me, Ling Shu is still very happy with your answer. Let's go! The secret realm isn't far from here."

She jumped off the flying beast, holding up her light green skirt, and ran across the grassland. She looked like a sprite returning to nature. Jiang Fan smiled as he watched her retreating figure, then quietly followed.

Half a day later, at the edge of the grassland, a long mountain range stretched across the horizon. Ling Shu's bare, snow-white feet were covered in grass stains and dirt, and her face was beaming with enjoyment.

"Please forgive my childishness, Brother." She pointed towards the mountain range ahead and said, "That's where our secret realm is located."

Jiang Fan followed her gaze, his expression thoughtful. "The secret realm is so far from the Demon Emperor's Court. The Demon Emperor must have assigned someone to guard this place, right? Why don't we see anyone?"

Only then did Ling Shu realize something was amiss. Frowning, she said, "This mountain range is called Green Mountain. It's the territory of the Silver Fox tribe. Naturally, the Silver Fox tribe is responsible for guarding it. But we've already reached the foot of the mountain, and no one from the Silver Fox lineage has discovered us? That's quite a dereliction of duty."

Jiang Fan was a little speechless. The Silver Fox lineage? Isn't that Concubine Yunxia's tribe? He had been traveling for days, only to end up on her territory? What the hell!

"It's better if they haven't discovered us," Jiang Fan said. "Let's quickly go to the secret realm." Jiang Fan's mouth twitched. That woman was extremely difficult to deal with. It was better if she didn't know Jiang Fan was here.

Ling Shu nodded, and under her guidance, everyone arrived at the foot of the mountain. She stopped in front of an inconspicuous pile of scattered rocks. As she took out the token from the Demon Emperor's Court, a miraculous scene unfolded. The pile of rocks completely floated upwards, revealing a deep, dark cave leading underground. Wisps of pure spiritual energy and demonic energy wafted out from the cave.

"This is the secret realm," Ling Shu said, her eyes full of anticipation. "Brother Milong and the other two made astonishing progress in here. If I'm lucky, I might even break through to the eighth layer of Core Formation!"

Jiang Fan was also greatly surprised. Although the spiritual energy here wasn't as abundant as that beneath the temple in the Ancient Capital of the Nine Dynasties, it was still quite dense. Cultivating here, he might even advance another layer in his cultivation.

The group immediately descended. However, just as they stepped inside, Venerable Six Paths warned, "Boy, think carefully before you go further. I detect a trace of Yin Corpse aura."