Ling Xiaodong wrapped his arms around Yue Yingying’s slender waist, lightly tapped the ground with his toes, and leapt up, disappearing into the branches above.
The moment Yue Yingying heard someone approaching, she quickly cast a concealment spell on both of them.
At her cultivation level, low-level spells like concealment no longer required vocal incantations. Their figures gradually faded, hidden deep among the thick leaves.
As the newcomers drew closer, Ling Xiaodong saw that they were two women, each wearing only animal skins around their chests and waists—one carrying a long spear, the other holding a large knife.
Their skin was a healthy wheat color, their bodies strong and fit. Although their movements were leisurely, their eyes scanned the surroundings like hawks.
They seemed to be chatting about something. Ling Xiaodong listened carefully and found that although their speech carried many accents, it was largely the official language of Great Zhou.
“Ugh~ patrolling every day, what’s the use? With the Divine Tree’s protection, those demons don’t dare come close. Why is the village chief so troublesome? I’d rather be in charge!”
The spear-wielding woman grumbled incessantly. The knife-bearing woman initially remained silent but soon grew tired of her companion’s nagging.
Frowning, she retorted, “You want to be in charge? Can you even read? Even if the chief steps down, it won’t be you.”
“I’m just saying. Hey, isn’t your twentieth birthday coming up in a few days?”
“Hm? Yeah, so what?”
The spear-woman exaggeratedly traced a semicircle over her flat belly with her hand.
“Oh! So you’re about to become a mother, huh?”
“So what? Aren’t you getting there soon too?”
“Not for a while. I still have a year. When you come out of the Divine Tree, remember to tell me what it feels like.”
The other woman responded impatiently, “Alright, alright, shut up. Once we finish patrolling here, we’ll head back to the village.”
Their voices faded as they walked farther away, and soon their conversation was no longer audible.
The leaves rustled again as Ling Xiaodong and Yue Yingying dropped down from the branches, their previously blurry forms gradually becoming solid.
Ling Xiaodong stared in disbelief toward the departing pair, surprised. “There’s still a village inside the Hundred Thousand Mountains? And they speak Great Zhou’s official language? Master, have you ever heard of it?”
Yue Yingying shook her head. “I’m not sure either.”
But she added, “The second gathering point of Yang Qi lies in the direction they came from. It’s probably in their village.”
They walked further into the forest and soon saw the village.
A fence enclosed the small settlement, and the wooden houses were simple but neatly arranged.
Around them were cultivated fields on the flat land, with ponds, hemp grass, and bamboo groves nearby. The people farming wore clothes made from sewn animal skins.
The narrow paths between the fields intertwined, and faint sounds of roosters crowing and dogs barking could be heard.
It was like a secluded paradise untouched by the outside world.
“Ling Xiaodong, look over there.”
Yue Yingying pointed toward the center of the village.
There stood a colossal ancient tree reaching up to the heavens, its branches intricately intertwined. Its leaves were green on top and yellow underneath.
The massive canopy covered the entire village, radiating a rich but gentle Yang Qi that spread warmly outward—not scorching like Zhu Guo fruit, but warm like the morning sun.
“This is… Xuan Yang Grass?”
“Doesn’t seem like it, but I can’t be sure. Xuan Yang Grass has been extinct for hundreds of years, and there are no detailed descriptions of its appearance. I’ll have to observe it up close to determine its nature.”
“What should we do next? Sneak around or just go straight to the village?”
Yue Yingying didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she closed her eyes, counted on her fingers, and murmured an incantation.
After a moment, she opened her eyes.
“Huo Di Jin, Tian Huo Tong Ren.”
She explained, “I can’t divine for myself, but I drew a hexagram for you. Going directly to the village is fine.”
Huo Di Jin signifies the rising morning sun and getting up at dawn, symbolizing the appearance of a noble benefactor.
Tian Huo Tong Ren represents mutual understanding and lighting a lamp in the dark night.
This hexagram has both a clear and a hidden interpretation. The clear one means a red sun in the sky, sincere and honest interaction, and encountering a savior.
The hidden one speaks of harmony and mutual support in marriage.
But Yue Yingying didn’t pay attention to the hidden meaning—what kind of romantic ties could exist in these mountains?
Since there was no problem, the two boldly strode toward the village.
Ling Xiaodong’s swagger caught the eyes of everyone in the village. Old and young alike stared at them in astonishment, as if witnessing something extraordinary.
“Hey, Ling Xiaodong.”
Yue Yingying whispered beside him.
“What’s wrong, Master?”
“Did you notice something strange?”
Ling Xiaodong glanced around at the villagers—all very simple and plain. Aside from their clothing differing from the outside world, nothing seemed out of place.
In fact, these women wore very little fabric, exposing smooth thighs, arms, and abdomens. But considering the year-round spring climate and the unique customs, this attire was understandable.
Wait—women?
Ling Xiaodong looked around and realized a shocking truth.
Everyone visible in the village was female. Not a single man had appeared.
“Stop right there! Who are you?”
A woman standing guard at the village entrance blocked their way, holding a sharp weapon.
Ling Xiaodong stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, “We came here searching for Xuan Yang Grass. Have you ever heard of it?”
The woman frowned. “We have lived here for generations and have never heard of Xuan Yang Grass.”
Then she asked, “Where are you from?”
“We came from outside the Hundred Thousand Mountains, the Cat Ear…”
“Wait, you said you’re from outside?”
Ling Xiaodong nodded.
The woman sized him up and exclaimed, “Could you be the legendary… man!?”
The word “man” echoed through the crowd, and the villagers froze in place.
After a brief silence, the entire village erupted. People ran around, spreading the news.
“Everyone come quick! There’s a man here!”
“Where? Where?”
“Men aren’t just stories made up to fool kids?”
“Really? Right at the village entrance! Everyone come see!”
A swarm of women, old and young, poured out of the village, surrounding Ling Xiaodong. Yue Yingying was pushed outside the crowd.
Everyone stared at Ling Xiaodong like he was some rare creature. Some braver women even reached out to touch him.
“Really! He’s a man! He’s different from us!”
“Oh, look at this chest—so flat! Even flatter than Xiao Ling!”
One bold woman reached out to feel Ling Xiaodong’s chest muscles.
Another young girl blushed with anger, shouting, “Chunlan, who are you calling flat? You think everyone has to work carrying water bags like you?”
Ling Xiaodong struggled to fend off the many women.
“Stop! Everyone, calm down!”
Suddenly, he felt a tug at his waist. A little girl pulled off the snakeskin cloth from his waist.
“Wow!”
The crowd erupted in awe.
“What is this? I’ve never seen anything like it!”
“Is this what a man is?”
Some even tried to grab him directly.
Ling Xiaodong dodged and weaved amidst the clamor, carefully avoiding hurting anyone.
Just as he was overwhelmed, a voice called from outside the crowd.
“Everyone, make way! The village chief is here!”
The crowd parted, clearing a path.
A young woman dressed in hemp clothes with a delicate face stood outside the crowd.