Ta Lo exists in no corner of Earth, nor even in the same universal dimension. To its natives, Earth is simply "your Universe."
Yet Ta Lo's expanse pales in comparison to the vastness of Earth's Universe. At most, it resembles a pocket dimension—a self-contained realm tethered to the main Universe Earth inhabits.
In essence, Ta Lo is a Universe intimately connected to Earth's yet maintaining its independence. Similar realms include K'un-Lun and certain hell dimensions. What better base could there be? Even Mephisto, the busiest hell lord, resides in such a space. That's why Hong Fei wants Ta Lo.
But where is its entrance? That remains a mystery. Still, Hong Fei gave his old friend fair warning before arriving.
"Mr. Hong, the entrance to Ta Lo lies just ahead," Yingli said softly, standing beside Xu Wenwu. In her arms, the four-winged, six-legged Dijiang chirped playfully, almost as if it were teasing.
Hong Fei nodded. Behind him trailed his entire team, each clad in Black-Gold Armor—similar in style but distinct in appearance. Xu Wenwu, newly joined, wore one too. Even a certain exchange student had his own, pieced together by Ivan from retired armors.
"Does Ta Lo open only once a year?" Hong Fei asked. Yingli nodded.
"Correct."
"Do its people ever leave?"
"Hardly ever. To us, Ta Lo is paradise. It provides everything we need—spiritual and material fulfillment. No place compares."
Hong Fei raised an eyebrow.
"You still believe that, even now?"
Yingli inclined her head.
"Yes."
"By your account, Ta Lo has achieved a society without hierarchy—a true Great Unity?"
Yingli, having lived outside for years, understood his implication. She answered without hesitation.
"You could say that."
"How many people live there?"
She paused.
Hong Fei pressed on.
"I'd guess no more than a thousand."
Yingli nodded.
"Such a small population in a closed environment holds little relevance for the outside world," Hong Fei remarked, shaking his head.
"And I'm curious—how has Ta Lo developed over the years? Why hasn't its population surpassed five digits? With ample resources, reproduction should be a priority, yet you seem to have transcended that entirely."
Yingli frowned, remaining silent. Perhaps she had no answer. Population size was Ta Lo's greatest limitation. Despite occupying an entire dimension, it barely warranted the title of "Ta Lo Village."
Few villages of that scale existed even outside.
Just then, Big Head looked ahead and called out, "Boss."
Hong Fei glanced up. The dense bamboo forest ahead, seemingly boundless, began to sway without wind. The rustling of bamboo leaves grew from a whisper to a roar. Yingli spoke softly.
"It's open."
At Hong Fei's nod, Big Head shouted, "Prepare!"
Instantly, everyone's armor extended upward, covering their heads. The black crystal lenses at their eyes glowed faintly blue. This new Black-Gold Armor wasn't designed for combat.
Its main roles focused on flight, HUD scene auxiliary display, and the assistance of the artificial intelligence Arthur. It resembled a "nano-uniform," emphasizing uniformity over function. As the armors took to the air, Xu Wenwu reached out, his hand settling gently on Yingli's waist.
The bamboo forest suddenly yawned open, revealing an endless passage. Ten armored figures surged forward without hesitation. Hong Fei, unarmored, took point—his physical form cutting through the air like a blade. The living bamboo seemed to sense their intrusion, the passage snapping shut behind them like jaws.
No orders needed. Hong Fei banked hard, maintaining blistering speed as he threaded the preordained path. They could've flown over the canopy, of course—but stray beyond the bamboo's height, and Ta Lo's true entrance would remain forever out of reach.
Hong Fei broke through first, emerging beneath a thunderous waterfall. The others followed in quick succession as the labyrinthine passage sealed itself behind them. Arthur's voice crackled through static: "Sir... signal fading... interference—" Then silence.
Hong Fei tilted his head skyward. The canopy here pulsed with alien energy, nothing like the world they'd left behind.
"Through the falls," Yingli said, gesturing toward the cascading water. Her gaze darkened.
"They know we're here."
"Good."
Hong Fei flashed a wolfish grin.
"Saves us the trouble of knocking."
He plunged through the curtain first.
Darkness shattered into light.
Emerald wilderness unfurled before them—trees heavy with life, grasses thick enough to swallow a man whole. Mountains carved the horizon into jagged poetry, nature's architecture at its most sublime. But it was the creatures that stole focus.
Dijiang squirmed free of Yingli's arms. Its four wings buzzed as it wobbled toward larger kin, dissolving into play within seconds. Then—
A cry like shattering crystal split the air.
Firebirds. Dozens of them. Wings wide as sails, trailing feathers like comet tails. Their bodies burned gold without consuming themselves, flames licking at nothing—Phoenixes in all but truth. Hong Fei's arm shot up. Dragon-Capturing Hand lashed out, snaring the largest bird mid-flight.
The dragon's roar eclipsed the phoenix's song.
Dragon Power coiled around the creature as it shrieked, plummeting. Hong Fei caught its throat bare-handed. Golden fire licked his skin harmlessly—no heat, no pain. Just hollow radiance.
He flipped the bird, inspecting every inch. Then snorted.
"Pretty special effects."
A flick of his wrist sent it scrambling skyward, wings beating frantic retreat.
Movement ahead. A fox—no, the fox—perched on a weathered stone. Nine tails fanned behind it like a snowdrift caught mid-fall. At its feet, a single-tailed kit mimicked its poise.
The real deal, yet... nothing. No demonic aura, no latent power. Just beauty.
Beyond them, something part-dragon, part-qilin picked its way through the grass, scales glinting.
It stood elegantly at the top of the rock, followed by a small white fox with only one tail. The Nine-Tailed Fox was real, but Hong Fei didn't feel any powerful demonic aura or other strength. Further ahead, a four-legged beast with a dragon's head and scales, similar to a Sibuxiang or a Qilin, was leisurely pacing about.
The lions were massive, their upper and lower tusks jutting out menacingly, their thick manes bristling around their necks. If one were being generous—or perhaps stretching the truth—they could be called "Suanni."
Hong Fei hesitated, his uncertainty palpable. The power radiating from these creatures didn't align with his understanding of what "Auspicious Beasts" or "Divine Beasts" should be. They were weak, their forms strange—resembling the legends, yet not quite matching them.
The group trailing behind Hong Fei, however, was utterly captivated. They gaped at the surreal landscape, their eyes darting from one marvel to another, itching to reach out and touch the creatures. It was as if they'd stumbled into a dream, a world far removed from their own.
They pressed forward, crossing the grassland teeming with peculiar lifeforms. The scenery shifted yet again. In the distance, terraced fields cascaded down the mountainside, and laborers moved along the winding paths. At the mountain's base, a lake shimmered with a silvery glow. Along its shores stood an eclectic mix of dwellings—thatched huts, earthen houses, and stone cottages—each radiating a rustic charm.
Amidst these humble structures, a set of white stone steps with railings stood out, leading to the only palace in the area. As Hong Fei and his group approached, a crowd emerged from the houses. Most carried long staves or bows and arrows, forming a human wall to block their path. Their expressions were stern, their eyes hostile.
Yingli stepped forward, her gaze locking onto a woman across from her—Ying Nan. The resemblance between the two was unmistakable; they were sisters. Yet, Ying Nan's demeanor betrayed no warmth or affection. Instead, her face bore a flicker of displeasure.
Before Yingli could speak, Ying Nan broke the silence.
"You shouldn't have come back," she said sharply, "especially with so many outsiders in tow."
Yingli's eyelids lowered, and Xu Wenwu's brow furrowed.
"I need to talk to you," Yingli said quietly.
An old man stepped forward, his tone firm and unyielding.
"There's nothing to discuss. Take your people and leave this place immediately. You know the rules—outsiders aren't welcome here."
Xu Wenwu took a step forward, but Yingli quickly pressed a hand to his arm.
"Uncle Guang," she said, her voice steady, "you can trust me."
Uncle Guang, a respected elder of Ta Lo Village, pursed his lips and shook his head.
"Yingli, you've already left Ta Lo. You've lost the power bestowed by the Guardian. Now, you're an outsider too."
Sadness flickered across Yingli's face.
Hong Fei smirked inwardly. This village elder's temper is something else. Just then, Xu Wenwu retracted his helmet and turned to Hong Fei, his eyes questioning. Without hesitation, Hong Fei nodded.
Forces born in isolation tend to be wary of outsiders, and Ta Lo Village, with its long history of seclusion, was no exception. Negotiation seemed futile; the villagers' hostility was clear. Sometimes, a fight was the quickest way to establish understanding. Once the dust settled, both sides could reassess, and perhaps then, meaningful dialogue could begin.
Xu Wenwu leading the charge was ideal. After all, Ta Lo was Yingli's hometown, and she and Xu Wenwu were husband and wife. Disputes between them would be resolved in private. Hong Fei had faith in Xu Wenwu's ability to handle the situation.
After the fight, both sides would have a clearer understanding of each other, paving the way for more productive negotiations.
Hong Fei wasn't concerned about whether this venture would succeed. Ta Lo Village existed in a different dimension entirely, its people holding no ties to him, Master Hong. The sole connections lay with Yingli and Xu Wenwu. Yingli's stance was uncertain, but Xu Wenwu? He was firmly in Hong Fei's corner.
Those peculiar Ta Lo rules—they were to blame for Yingli's downfall. Without them, she wouldn't have lost her powers, wouldn't have been struck down by mere mortals. If not for Xu Wenwu's ties to his wife's family, Hong Fei would've razed this place to the ground and claimed it for himself. With Hong Fei's blessing, Xu Wenwu shook off Yingli's restraints and stepped forward with purpose.
He had long had issues with these people, and coupled with their treatment of Yingli moments ago, his thoughts crystallized into a single, resolute command: Just do it.