They claimed that this great tree, called Jianmu, was the road to the Spirit Realm, a bridge connecting the two worlds.
From the naked eye, it appeared exactly like the records described: leaves of green, stems tinged with purple, blossoms black as night, fruit yellow as gold. A hundred zhang tall without branches, with nine great knots upon its trunk and nine supporting roots below, dense as hemp, leaves sharp like blades of grass.
It truly looked exactly like the legendary Jianmu.
But Yao Ranran and Tang Xiangyin knew very clearly that this was not the true Jianmu.
When Yao Ranran drew closer to the tree, she faintly sensed something—an uncomfortable feeling of being watched.
She quietly asked Tang Xiangyin about it, but Tang Xiangyin only shook her head. She had felt nothing.
Yao Ranran frowned at the Jianmu, still uneasy. Just then, the sound of soft footsteps approached from behind.
"Fairy, do you still wish to leave?" Mu Jialing's voice came gently.
Yao Ranran kept her gaze fixed on the tree. "I want to ascend. They say this tree can carry someone to ascension."
The young monk lowered his voice. "I have also heard that within Yan Family Fortress, as long as one reaches Core Formation, one can borrow the Jianmu to ascend and reach the celestial palace that Master Mingzhi constructed in the Spirit Realm."
"Does the Fózǐ truly believe their words?"
Mu Jialing looked at her steadily. "Has Fairy already joined Yan Family Fortress?"
Yao Ranran produced her registration token. "I have."
"…Fairy is truly straightforward." Mu Jialing only managed to choke out the words after a pause.
"Then, Fózǐ, do you think this tree can carry me to the Spirit Realm palace?" Yao Ranran asked again.
He pressed his lips together, staring at her token. "The statue they worship is indeed Master Mingzhi. I believe in Master Mingzhi. But I do not believe that mere worship can grant one ascension."
"Even you don't believe, then should I still bother going to worship in two days?" Yao Ranran propped her chin in one hand, falling into thought.
"Amitabha. Fairy should not have joined Yan Family Fortress so hastily." Mu Jialing shook his head.
"If I hadn't joined yesterday, without registration within three days, I would have been thrown beyond the red walls and devoured alive by the evil things outside," Yao Ranran said gravely, her hands clasped behind her back.
Mu Jialing's expression did not change. He only looked deeply at her, palms pressed together. "Fairy Ranran, I know all this."
"…Fine then."
She fell silent for a while, before speaking again. "Then do you know that after joining, they assign you a house for free? You can even choose the location yourself."
Mu Jialing gazed at her with calm eyes. "So Fairy agreed to join Yan Family Fortress on the very first day, simply for a house?"
He turned slightly, his eyes falling upon a tall mansion five hundred meters ahead.
It covered nearly five hundred square meters, built of green brick and tiled walls, willows drooping in the courtyard. It was not ostentatious, but within Yan Family Fortress, it was easily among the most imposing.
"…Have you truly never asked what the rewards are for joining Yan Family Fortress?" Yao Ranran pressed.
Mu Jialing shook his head. "No."
Yao Ranran paced slowly, her expression growing serious. "If you had asked, you'd know the rewards are far greater than just a house."
"What else?"
Her eyes lit up with poorly concealed delight. The corners of her lips curved. "Fózǐ, the first cultivator to join Yan Family Fortress was rewarded with five hundred thousand spirit stones."
"…Fairy's speed is beyond my imagination."
The first place…
She had joined without even stopping to think.
Mu Jialing's eyelid twitched.
Yao Ranran sighed. "What could I do? The offer was simply too generous."
Mu Jialing: "…"
Creak—
The heavy, spiked gates of the fortress, as if unopened for centuries, slowly swung wide.
Disciples in Wuxiang Sect robes rushed inside, as though chased by a flood or wild beasts.
Mu Jialing's figure flashed toward the gate, attempting to force his way out. But a golden radiance of Buddhist light bounced him back.
"A disciple of Guan Fan Temple?" a surprised female voice rang out.
Mu Jialing turned, hiding the flicker of surprise in his eyes, and replied calmly, "Yu Daoyou, Pei Daoyou, may I ask how things stand outside?"
Yu Zhenyan, with dimples on her cheeks, answered, "Fózǐ, the disciples of Guan Fan Temple have already surrounded that statue. No one may approach it except for our people."
After she spoke, Pei Xianqiao fell quiet, though joy still shone in her eyes at seeing Mu Jialing.
Mu Jialing let his gaze drift over them, lips curving faintly. "If Master has acted, that is good. Yet why would Wuxiang Sect disciples enter this place?"
Yu Zhenyan answered coldly, not caring for the exchange of glances. "I came to take away my younger sister. Where is Yao Ranran?"
Before Mu Jialing could answer, Yan Family Fortress's lord, Yan Shanyi, hurried over with a wide smile.
"Honored guests from afar, forgive the Yan family's poor hospitality. Please, come within the fortress and allow our disciples to attend you properly!"
At his word, Yan family disciples beamed, seizing Wuxiang Sect disciples by the sleeves and dragging them toward the inner compound.
At this moment, Yao Ranran strolled lazily into view.
Yu Zhenyan spotted her at once, shaking free of the welcoming hands, trying to fly toward her. "Yao Ranran, you truly dared to come back?!"
Yao Ranran glanced at the smiling Yan family members and said lightly, "Yu Daoyou, those who refuse the invitation of Yan Family Fortress all turn to ashes."
Yu Zhenyan froze mid-flight, body stopping of its own accord. She grabbed the nearest Yan disciple's hand, then turned to Mu Jialing. "Fózǐ, monks do not speak lies. Is what she said true?"
Mu Jialing pressed his palms together, looking at her clinging hand. "Yu Daoyou, Yan Family Fortress forbids combat."
Yu Zhenyan's brows knitted tightly. She trusted Mu Jialing's words.
Pei Xianqiao caught the sly curve of Yao Ranran's lips, her playful smirk, and realized immediately that Yu Zhenyan had been tricked.
Yan Shanyi laughed. "So you are all acquainted! That makes things easier. Come, let us talk inside."
Yu Zhenyan's expression soured, but she did not refuse. "I am not her friend."
Pei Xianqiao lowered her gaze, hesitating, until a voice sounded within her sea of consciousness. She lifted her head at once and followed the Yan family disciples inside.
Yao Ranran leaned lazily against the red wall, showing no intention of following.
Yan Shanyi approached her with another smile. "Ranran Daoyou, every cultivator who helps Yan Family Fortress recruit a permanent resident receives a reward of one thousand spirit stones."
Yao Ranran straightened instantly. "Fortress Lord Yan, as a resident of Yan Family Fortress, it is my duty to help you find more settlers!"
Yan Shanyi beamed, nearly unable to close his mouth. "Ranran Daoyou, I knew I was right about you! Of all our guests, only you truly wish to join Yan Family Fortress and care for its growth."
"Fortress Lord Yan, rest assured! Since you hold me in such esteem, I will do everything I can to persuade them to join!" Yao Ranran clenched her fist, brimming with determination.
"Excellent, excellent!" Yan Shanyi's face bloomed with joy.
Yao Ranran immediately sidled up to Mu Jialing. "Fózǐ, are you interested in joining Yan Family Fortress? We can split the one thousand spirit stones evenly."