Feng Youming had always been the carefree type, and life in the Secluded Land suited him perfectly. His mother's side of the family was the Qi Clan, one of the dominant powers here, standing on equal footing with the Feng Clan.
Besides them, there were also the Peng Clan, the Luo Clan, and the Sima Clan.
These great families had long been entrenched here, dividing the resources among themselves.
But due to the limitations of this place, many cultivators' artifacts were actually hand-me-downs from the previous generation, passed on after the former owner perished.
One generation to the next, the same treasures kept being used.
The biggest disputes in the Secluded Land were often nothing more than petty squabbles between these families.
Perhaps it was boredom, but whenever there was an excuse to argue, the families would inevitably come to blows, and their magic treasures would finally see some action.
There were also frequent frictions among lower-ranked cultivators, but since everyone ultimately belonged to one of the great clans, no one struck too heavily. Usually, it was just a token beating before letting the matter drop.
Far less bloody than the outside world, where lives were taken at the slightest provocation.
But since they couldn't ascend, many found other ways to amuse themselves. Affairs between cultivators ran rampant. Certain high-level cultivators abused their power to prey on others, stirring up trouble for entertainment…
Thus, the Secluded Land was a contradiction.
Beneath the calm surface, undercurrents surged.
After flying for nearly a day, Song Wanníng placed Bai Yang in a hidden mountain cave. This was Feng Youming's "private forbidden ground," where outsiders were never allowed. No one had ever come here.
Not at ease, she also set up several array disks to ensure Bai Yang's safety.
"You stay here and cultivate. When I need you, I'll call for you. Remember, danger is everywhere outside. Without my message, you must not go out. Understood?"
As she spoke, Song Wanníng quietly placed a Primordial Soul mark on Bai Yang, allowing her to sense his location at any time.
Bai Yang nodded solemnly. "If Master trusts me, that is enough."
His Master was worried about him. Warmth spread in Bai Yang's chest. Now, she was the only family he had left.
Satisfied that he understood, Song Wanníng turned and left the cave, vanishing quickly from Bai Yang's sight.
Bai Yang gazed at the entrance and sighed.
Of course, he wanted to go out and explore, but now wasn't the time. Once he had completed his Master's task, he would definitely take a good look around.
With spiritual energy this rich, there had to be treasures here.
…
After leaving the cave, Song Wanníng did not hurry back to the Feng Clan.
It was her first time pretending to be someone else, and she inevitably felt a bit uneasy. She decided to spend a few days living as Feng Youming first.
In the city, she followed Feng Youming's habits—ordering a few dishes, bantering easily with the shopkeepers.
"Hey, Elder Youming, have you heard? The Sima Clan and Peng Clan fought the other day!"
"Oh? Did they now?"
Song Wanníng raised a brow, tearing off a piece of beast meat and popping it into her mouth as she listened with interest.
"It's all because of that Peng Clan Elder Yu. This time she… well… forced herself on that young genius of the Sima Clan!"
The shopkeeper's eyes gleamed as he gestured animatedly, describing in vivid detail the scene when the two were discovered.
"Hiss… that's scandalous."
Song Wanníng clicked her tongue, rifling through Feng Youming's memories until she recalled Peng Clan's Elder Yu.
Her name was Peng Yu, a Divine Transformation stage elder, flirtatious and bold, a heroine among women. She adored handsome men, and those she set her sights on rarely escaped her grasp.
As for the Sima Clan's young genius…
He was a beauty—rosy lips, snow-white teeth, delicate features, and a pair of watery eyes that could make one's heart stir. Peng Yu had fallen for him at first sight, drugged him, and taken what she wanted. When the scandal broke, the Sima Clan clashed violently with the Peng Clan.
"So how did it end?"
Song Wanníng's curiosity grew.
"Guess," the shopkeeper teased, waggling his brows.
"Don't play coy with me."
She rapped him sharply on the head, shooting him a glare.
Chuckling, the shopkeeper continued, "In the end… that Sima genius is now demanding Peng Yu take responsibility. Says he wants to marry into the Peng Clan."
"Pfft—"
Song Wanníng burst out laughing.
"Well, Peng Yu finally met her match! But why would that Sima boy think this was a good idea?"
Peng Yu's reputation was infamous. Normally, her victims demanded she pay them in spirit stones or magic treasures. This was the first time anyone wanted to marry her.
"This ties into another juicy scandal," the shopkeeper said with a sly grin.
"That Sima genius… is actually the illegitimate child of Sima Clan's Ancient Elder and his grandson's wife. His position in the clan has always been awkward. I heard he was targeted recently and nearly died outside!"
"…."
Song Wanníng's lips twitched. The Sima Clan's Ancient Elder was over a thousand years old… while the grandson's wife was barely forty. And he still had the gall—unbelievable.
But sordid tales like this were everywhere. She just smirked and laughed along with the shopkeeper before letting the matter drop. After eating, she wandered the city. The dense spiritual energy made her feel clear-headed and utterly comfortable.
Then a shop by the street caught her eye.
"Xianting Residence?"
The name on the sign was refined, but the decorations were… peculiar.
Layers of flowers surrounded the entrance, with thriving thorns covering nearly the whole doorway, almost hiding the plaque entirely.
The odd design clashed sharply with the city's aesthetic.
Intrigued—since Feng Youming had never seen this shop before—Song Wanníng stepped inside, immediately engulfed in a heady floral fragrance.
"Is this a new shop? Which family does it belong to?"
Adopting Feng Youming's casual swagger, she strolled in and asked. In the Secluded Land, he had always lived as he pleased.
The shopkeeper, a white-haired old man, lifted his eyelids to reveal shrewd eyes. Recognizing her, he smiled warmly. "Ah, Elder Youming of the Feng Clan—what an honor. Forgive me for not greeting you sooner."
He made a welcoming gesture. "Please, come in. This shop belongs to the Peng Clan."
"The Peng Clan?"
Song Wanníng arched a brow and followed him inside.
Beyond the main hall lay an expansive inner chamber where all kinds of herbs were drying, their scent fresh and pleasant.
As an alchemist, Song Wanníng found even the pungent odors others hated to be rich and enticing. She inhaled deeply without thinking—until her gaze fell on a small bamboo tray to the side. Her expression shifted.
Five-Leaf Azure Vine…
A primary ingredient for brewing aphrodisiacs.
Noticing her look, the shopkeeper grinned slyly. "Come, Elder Youming. We have another name for this place—Dream Paradise."