Chapter 30: A World Beyond

Yan the Crimson Hero first examined Song Tuar’s wounds with utmost care. Once he was certain of their severity, he sat down opposite Song Tuar, their four palms aligned, pressing closely together, and began channeling his energy to heal him.

Bai Xiaoyue and Rabbit Xiaomeng stood quietly by, watching. As Song Tuar’s palms met Yan’s, his arms suddenly quivered, and he let out a gasp of surprise. A look of profound comfort blossomed across his golden face.

Seeing this, Bai Xiaoyue knew it was a sign that Song Tuar was responding well to the infusion of true energy from Yan the Crimson Hero—a sensation she herself knew intimately.

As Yan steadily transferred his energy, the swelling and redness on Song Tuar’s back gradually faded. The golden elixir he had swallowed began to take effect as well; with both treatments working in tandem, after half an hour, the fiery, swollen lightning wound vanished completely, leaving his back as flawless as before, not a trace of injury remaining.

Bai Xiaoyue and Rabbit Xiaomeng could not contain their joy.

“Song Tuar, Brother Yan has healed your wounds. That’s wonderful!” Rabbit Xiaomeng exclaimed, laughing.

As Song Tuar donned his clothes, he responded happily, “Yes! I owe it all to Brother Yan, Sister Bai, and you, Xiaomeng!”

Rabbit Xiaomeng giggled, teasing, “Song Tuar, I never thought you—who always seem so tongue-tied—could say something so charming to win a girl’s favor! I wasn’t the one who healed your wounds, so why credit me?”

“Of course, you deserve thanks!” Song Tuar finished dressing and stood before her. “If you hadn’t slapped me just now, Sister Bai would never have noticed my serious injuries, and Brother Yan wouldn’t have known either… so he wouldn’t have healed me.”

“Oh, that makes sense!” Rabbit Xiaomeng beamed, gazing at him. “Song Tuar, I didn’t expect you to be so resilient! Suffering such a grave injury, yet remaining calm and silent… I really admire you!”

Song Tuar scratched his head, embarrassed. “Xiaomeng, I’m not as strong as you say. When I was first struck by the heavenly thunder, I actually cried… Well, enough about that.” He turned to Bai Xiaoyue, “Sister Bai, there’s only one stone bed in this cave. If I stay here, where will I sleep at night?”

Bai Xiaoyue smiled warmly and replied,

“Song Tuar, you needn’t worry about that.”

She turned and walked to the far side of the cave, where a barely noticeable raised mechanism was set in the wall. She pressed it with her right hand, and with a rumbling sound, two stone doors slid open to either side, revealing a mysterious passageway.

Yan the Crimson Hero, Rabbit Xiaomeng, and Song Tuar watched in astonishment as Bai Xiaoyue laughed, “There’s more here than meets the eye. Song Tuar, Xiaomeng, little brother, come, let’s go explore together.”

Together, they entered the passage. They walked along its deep, winding path for about fifteen minutes, until suddenly, their surroundings brightened, and a sunlit, open space unfolded before them.

There, groves of bamboo flourished, a stream murmured, and a wooden cottage sat upon a grassy meadow. Nearby, several peach trees bloomed in vibrant pink, the scenery utterly enchanting.

Song Tuar gaped in disbelief, speechless.

Rabbit Xiaomeng cried out joyfully, “So there really is a hidden paradise here! Sister Bai, why didn’t you show me this wonderful place before?”

Bai Xiaoyue chuckled, “Xiaomeng, before you were a little white rabbit, and sleeping beside me on the stone bed was fine. But now things are different—you’ve cultivated yourself into human form, and Song Tuar has arrived… From today onward, we’ll begin a new life together. That’s why I brought you to this new environment. Tell me, Xiaomeng, Song Tuar, do you like it here?”

“I love it! Of course I do!” Rabbit Xiaomeng exclaimed, brimming with excitement. “Sister Bai, that cottage is beautiful! Let’s live there from now on. Song Tuar, come, let’s go see our new home!”

She seized Song Tuar’s hand and hurried toward the cottage.

Bai Xiaoyue turned to Yan the Crimson Hero and said,

“Brother, shall we go inside and have a look?”

“Yes!” Yan replied with delight. “Sister, I never expected you to have a ‘paradise’ here! It’s the dead of winter outside—ice and snow everywhere, biting winds—but here, it’s as warm as spring, with peach blossoms blooming. How did you discover this secret place?”

“I found it by accident,” Bai Xiaoyue answered, walking arm-in-arm with Yan toward the cottage. “About half a year ago, while meditating in the stone cave, I noticed a hidden button on the wall. Curious, I pressed it, and two stone doors opened by themselves… That’s how I discovered this paradise.”

“Oh,” Yan the Crimson Hero said eagerly, “Sister, I think this place is so springlike because some immortal once dwelled here. To avoid disturbance, he must have set up a magical barrier…”

“Exactly!” Bai Xiaoyue nodded. “You’re right—there’s a huge barrier here. The first time I arrived, I was so intrigued I wanted to follow the stream and explore further, but soon I reached the boundary of the barrier. No matter what, I couldn’t go any farther. All I could do was circle its edge…”

“Yes!” Yan agreed, “You were safe inside the barrier; outside, if you touched such a powerful shield, you’d be thrown back instantly…”

As they spoke, Yan and Bai Xiaoyue entered the cottage.

The cottage was spacious, with five or six rooms of varying sizes. At that moment, Rabbit Xiaomeng and Song Tuar were exploring inside, each voicing their opinions.

“How odd—there’s a living room, bedroom, and study… but no kitchen or dining room?” Song Tuar wondered aloud.

Rabbit Xiaomeng scoffed, “You glutton! Do you think this is an ordinary person’s home? Do we need a kitchen and dining room? This is a celestial abode—a place where immortals once lived. Immortals don’t need to eat, so what would they do with a kitchen or dining room?” She noticed Yan the Crimson Hero and Bai Xiaoyue entering, and grinned, “Sister Bai, Brother Yan, am I right or not?”