Scene Shift – The Other Side of the Portal
The scene cuts to the other side of the portal.
Hangfang steps into. only to stop short. Under his feet, there is no earth—only an endless, dark abyss. The vision unsettles him, a flash of fear passes across his face. Yan Xiao immediately notices and attempts to reassure him.
Hangfang turns to him and queries,
Listen, tell me something—aren't you like me, an alien from elsewhere?" Then why don't you fear?
Yan Xiao smiles calmly and replies,
"I am indeed from another world. But I arrived earlier than you. That's the reason why I'm accustomed to all of these."
Saying that, Hangfang inquires,
"Then tell me something… When you first arrived here, had you already learned all about this place? Or did you learn slowly? And how did you succeed in avoiding detection by others?"
Yan Xiao bursts into laughter.
"When I first arrived, I had a guide—just like I have a guide for you now."
Hangfang is astonished.
"A guide? Then what was your guide?"
Yan Xiao smiles and says,
"My guide… was someone named Hangfang. The same name as yours."
Hangfang is shocked.
"You mean me? That can't be. That guy—he never drops his calm face. He always knows how to talk, when to talk. You're telling me he was your guide?"
Yan Xiao replies with a smirk,
So you think that of him, huh? But you're not getting it. I said my guide's name was Hangfang, but not that he is you. You simply have the same name. Anyway… you're closer to him than you realize."
Hangfang purses his lips.
"Not like me? So what was he like, then?"
Yan Xiao's tone gentles.
"Back then, Hangfang was cheerful… full of life. He was the type of guy who could smile even in the worst cases. He spoke so much that if you had met that Hangfang first, you'd likely say—'Does this man ever stop talking?'"
Hangfang inquires,
"Then why did he become like that? What made him so quiet?"
Yan Xiao now becomes serious.
"To find out that, you'll need to talk to the very person you're interested in."
He gazes ahead once more and continues,
"Anyway, we're not there yet, but we're at a checkpoint."
Hangfang responds,
"Checkpoint? I thought we were going to a meeting. Then why did you bring me here?"
Yan Xiao nods.
"We are. But we need a little rest first."
He then increases his pace and asks Hangfang to follow. Hangfang speeds up too, but he quickly realizes he's slower than Yan Xiao. To catch up, he activates his Smoke Path and begins traveling faster. He soon reaches near Yan Xiao.
Yan Xiao looks back and says,
"Impressive… didn't think you'd catch up so soon."
Then he points toward Hangfang's left hand and says,
"Notice that black ring on your hand? Focus your cultivation energy in it. At the appropriate time, the ring will be activated."
Hangfang inquires about it,
"But why?"
Yan Xiao smiles.
"Man, you have too many questions. Just get it over with."
Both of them start to focus their cultivation energy on their rings. A huge wormhole appears around them in an instant, and they move at a very high speed. In no time, they approach a floating island in space with a strong energy barrier surrounding it.
Yan Xiao steps forward and speaks,
"This is the place."
He lifts his hand, and the ring on his finger emits light. The barrier reacts and opens, and the two of them enter. They descend softly inside.
Yan Xiao cautions,
"Stick together. If you lose each other here, you could get lost."
They move along and soon find themselves at a hotel. Inside, Yan Xiao promptly begins to flirt with the receptionist. Hangfang observes, visibly annoyed, then gently strikes him on the head and says,
"Are we really here for this?"
But as soon as the receptionist notices Hangfang, she stiffens… and then drops down on her knees immediately.
"Forgive me!" she exclaims. "I'll prepare your room right away."
She runs and comes back with a key.
"Elder Hangfang, this is your room—just the way you prefer it. Room 23."
Hangfang is perplexed.
"I didn't come alone."
Yan Xiao laughs behind him.
"My mistake…"
The receptionist responds hastily,
"I'll prepare a room for your companion too."
She gives Yan Xiao the key to Room 24, and the two move towards their rooms. The receptionist exhales in relief the moment they leave.
Scene Shift – Hotel Corridor
They move, and Hangfang asks Yan Xiao,
"Why was that receptionist so afraid when she saw me?"
Yan Xiao chuckles and answers,
"That's the way everyone responds when they see you. People around here star at you like you're a time bomb. They fear that if you lose your grip, you might blow everything around you up."
Then he gently pats Hangfang on the shoulder and continues,
"Anyway, rest. From now on we only speak when absolutely necessary. If you need something, just tell me. I'm in the room next to your own."
And with that, Yan Xiao departs. Hangfang remains behind and quietly starts cultivating.