Chapter Twenty: Penglai

When Liu Qingqing’s mother saw her daughter return home, she finally felt her worries ease. After all, Liu Qingqing had never, from childhood to adulthood, stayed away from home for several days at a time.

“You silly girl, where have you been these past days? Why didn’t you let us know?” her mother scolded gently.

Liu Qingqing pouted, “Mother, your daughter isn’t a child anymore. Can’t you and father give me a little freedom…?”

“Oh, right! Mother, these are my friends—Chu Yun, Feng Zi Mo, and Lin Wei Yan.”

Liu Qingqing’s mother glanced at us and exchanged a few polite words before leaving with the help of her maid.

At noon, Liu Qingqing had the servants prepare a sumptuous meal, including all sorts of wild delicacies. I ate and drank my fill, but Lin Wei Yan and Feng Zi Mo hardly touched their food.

After chatting for a while longer, we took our leave from the Liu family.

As we departed, Liu Qingqing confided that she longed to venture out with us, but couldn’t bear to leave her parents. At last, after my gentle persuasion, she decided to stay. This was, after all, her home. The outside world was far too dangerous for her.

Standing at the exit of Immortal Valley, I gazed at the bustling little town before me, pondering how wonderful it would be to spend my old age in such a place.

As the stone gate opened, we passed through a dark tunnel and left Immortal Valley.

The sight before us stunned us all. Everything had changed. It was nothing like when we first entered. We were surrounded by a vast, endless ocean, stranded on a small island.

The island wasn’t large; if not for the trees and underbrush, we could see straight across to its edge.

“What kind of strange place is this?” I asked in confusion.

Lin Wei Yan replied, “Old Master Jiang once said that the exit of Immortal Valley could appear anywhere in the world, not at a fixed location.”

Looking out at the boundless sea, I wondered how we could possibly leave. Were we to die here, trapped?

The more I thought, the more desperate I felt…

“What do you make of all this?” I asked.

Feng Zi Mo smiled slightly. “Brother Chu Yun, there’s no need to be so pessimistic.”

He pointed toward a large tree ahead.

I took a closer look—the tree was indeed enormous, it would take at least three of me to encircle it.

“You want me to look at that tree—what’s the meaning?” I asked.

Lin Wei Yan, more perceptive than I, quickly caught on to Feng Zi Mo’s intention.

She said, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”

Feng Zi Mo nodded. “Exactly!”

Listening to their conversation only deepened my confusion.

“What are you two talking about? Is there a way to return?” I asked, curious.

Lin Wei Yan asked, “Have you ever heard of Penglai?”

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Penglai? That’s familiar enough; it’s featured in many mythological dramas.

“You’re not telling me this is the legendary Penglai Immortal Island, are you?” I exclaimed.

Feng Zi Mo said, “It’s not the island itself, but Penglai is right here.”

?????

I was utterly bewildered by his words—was it here or not?

Feng Zi Mo saw my confusion and pointed to the large tree not far away. “Do you see that tree? That is Penglai.”

“What? You’re saying that tree is Penglai Immortal Island? Are you kidding?” I retorted.

Feng Zi Mo just smiled and strode over.

Lin Wei Yan urged me, “Let’s go!”

Trailing behind them, I still couldn’t believe that Penglai Immortal Island was a tree.

Feng Zi Mo stopped in front of the tree and slowly extended his hand toward its trunk.

To my astonishment, his hand passed right through.

Then, Feng Zi Mo himself was drawn inside.

Seeing this, I felt a shiver of fear—did this tree eat people?

“Go on in,” Lin Wei Yan said, looking at me.

“You first—”

Before I could finish, Lin Wei Yan pushed me inside.

The world before my eyes shocked me again and again.

An immortal island floated between heaven and earth, encircled by rainbows of seven colors.

Clouds gathered and wove together, forming a celestial stairway leading directly to the island.

Feng Zi Mo was already flying toward the island…

Lin Wei Yan grasped my hand, and together we followed him…

Moments later, we stood upon the mist-shrouded island.

Palaces imbued with ethereal aura lay scattered here and there.

Feng Zi Mo was visibly excited—and it was no wonder.

This was Penglai Immortal Island; without fortune, one could never find it.

Legend held that within Penglai were countless divine artifacts, mystical manuals, and ancient lost arts.

…

For reasons unknown, we found no immortals here—not even any guardians.

It felt like an empty island. Yet everything inside was immaculate, as if someone cleaned it daily.

Entering one of the palaces, Feng Zi Mo laughed, “Ha, this is the Treasure Pavilion.”

He looked toward a sword…

Just as he was about to reach for it, Lin Wei Yan interjected.

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“Don’t touch it…”

Feng Zi Mo froze, turning to Lin Wei Yan.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Lin Wei Yan replied, “These items cannot be handled carelessly, or the magical artifacts will devour you.”

“How do you know?” asked Feng Zi Mo.

“Try if you don’t believe me,” Lin Wei Yan said.

Feng Zi Mo hesitated…

He gazed at the ‘Sword of Xuanyuan,’ unwilling to let go, but in the end he gave up.

Then Lin Wei Yan said coolly, “These treasures will choose their own master. They cannot be taken by force.”

Though I didn’t know how Lin Wei Yan knew all this, since she said it, I chose to believe her.

Besides, I had little interest in such magical items.

There’s a saying to live by: what is meant for you will always be yours; what is not, you cannot force.

“Let’s look elsewhere,” I suggested.

I feared Feng Zi Mo might not be able to resist touching some artifact. If we triggered some mechanism, we could all suffer for it.

Just as we stepped out, I sensed something moving behind us.

Instinctively, I turned to look.

But…

There was nothing behind us.

Had I imagined it? I wondered.

I was about to turn back and leave the hall…

When suddenly, a sword shot straight toward us…

Startled, I quickly called out to Lin Wei Yan and Feng Zi Mo to be careful.

The sword was swift…

Before I could dodge, Lin Wei Yan pressed me to the ground.

“That was close!” I exclaimed.

The sword seemed to target me specifically, turning to stab at me again.

I scrambled up, dodging frantically.

Each time, it nearly struck me…

It felt as though the sword bore a deep grudge against me, seeking only me out.

Lin Wei Yan and Feng Zi Mo tried to help, but were powerless to stop it.

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