A shadow of unease flickered across the man’s face. He bowed his head in hurried compliance, then, with the two women, transformed into streaks of vibrant light, soaring towards the crimson peak.

Within the man, concealed as a wisp of smoke, Wang Lin had been poised to depart. But a sudden stirring within him caused him to remain, keeping his ethereal form intact, and follow the trio.

Perhaps due to the recent intrusion of divine sense, the three travelers encountered no further scrutiny as they advanced. They approached the fiery mountain with surprising ease.

“We must hasten our pace. Once we deliver to Ancestor Yan Luan, we still have other peaks to reach. There can be no delay, Song Ying. We will proceed ahead and await you. Join us once you have completed your task,” the woman who had spoken earlier called out. The other woman beside her nodded in agreement.

The group splintered. The one known as Song Ying flew directly towards the crimson mountain, while the other woman and the man harboring Wang Lin changed course, veering away from the fiery peak, towards the distant horizon.

Without hesitation, Wang Lin dissolved from the man’s body as a thread of smoke, instantly weaving itself onto Song Ying’s silken robes. Together, they sped towards the scarlet mountain.

The maiden called Song Ying appeared young, her features delicately sculpted with a pure, almost untouched beauty. A faint, virginal fragrance clung to her. She became a ribbon of light, swiftly arriving at the foot of the crimson peak.

Before the mountain, she halted in mid-air. A shimmering barrier, a veil of energy, warded the peak. The woman raised a jade-like hand, and a crimson talisman materialized. As she reached out to press the jade against the light-screen, the tendril of smoke that was Wang Lin, clinging to her garments, split apart. A portion plunged towards the talisman, desperately unraveling the intricate seals woven within, even as it was pressed forward.

Faint crackling sounds emanated from the jade talisman. Then, as it touched the barrier, Wang Lin’s divine sense abruptly recoiled.

The light-screen rippled, momentarily mimicking the flow of water. The woman, Song Ying, pocketed the talisman and stepped forward, passing through the light-screen. In that instant, the wisp of smoke, once Wang Lin, contorted violently, flawlessly mimicking the form of the jade talisman with his mastery of restrictions. Silently, imperceptibly, he followed her into the guarded domain.

As he entered, Wang Lin felt a thrill of anticipation. The air within the barrier thrummed with the raw power of fire essence. He sensed that each breath taken here could fortify his own origin, even if only by the slightest fraction.

Yet, within this sanctuary, lurked a cultivator of the Empty Tribulation Realm. This being commanded Wang Lin’s respect, even caution. He did not immediately abandon the woman’s robes. Instead, he remained concealed, a silent observer.

The maiden seemed ill at ease with the intense heat. Beads of perspiration dotted her brow as she quickly flew towards a collection of cave-dwellings carved into the mountain, her task to deliver a mystical fruit known as the Soul Solver.

Wang Lin observed nineteen such dwellings, but only visited eighteen, leaving the most peak untouched.
In each cave lay a disciple, sealed within the stone.

Soon, the woman stood before the last cave. The heat had drenched her body, her robes clinging to her form.

“Senior Sister, the Soul Solver fruit has arrived,” the woman called out, her voice slightly weak, but laced with respectful deference.

“Leave it,” a soft, melodious voice answered from within the sealed dwelling. The voice resonated within Wang Lin, sending a jolt through his senses.

“It is she!” Wang Lin mused. As the sweat-slicked woman, Song Ying, placed nine jade-white fruits radiating a chilling aura upon the ground, the wisp of smoke that was Wang Lin detached from her robe, clinging instead to a leaf of one of the fruits.

Song Ying bowed, then turned to leave, vanishing back through the shimmering light-screen.

Simultaneously, the cave door creaked open a fraction, a unseen force snatched the Soul Solver fruits from the ground, pulling them into the darkness. Then, the door slammed shut once more.

Within, an ethereal light bathed the chamber. The fruits floated through the opening, then rested upon a stone table.

Nearby, a woman clad in a gown of pale rose sat with her legs crossed. Her features were breathtaking, her presence suffused with an almost otherworldly grace.

Her brow was furrowed, her expression pensive. She did not seem to be cultivating, but instead stared into the distance, lost in thought.

Wang Lin, hidden on the leaf of the Soul Solver fruit, watched the woman in rose, and mirrored her pensive state.

After a long moment, the woman in rose sighed softly, and closed her eyes as if to meditate. But just then, a calm voice echoed within her mind.

“Fan Shanlu…”

At the sound of her name, the woman in rose abruptly snapped open her eyes. Her hand, previously resting in her lap, twitched, then shot forward in a sweeping gesture.

Instantly, a swirling mist materialized, enveloping the chamber, sealing it off from the outside world.

“Wang Lin!! Where are you!” Fan Shanlu gasped, looking around in wide eyes. Though she feigned composure, the tremor in her hand betrayed the turmoil within her heart.

Wang Lin did not reveal himself immediately. He took a moment to analyze the mist conjured by Fan Shanlu. It was a subtle weave of enchantments, its purpose to mask all traces of energy within, preventing detection from the outside.

This, Wang Lin understood, was a reflex, a subconscious act. With his habit of discerning larger truths from minute details, he pondered this before finally letting loose the wisp of smoke from the leaf, gathering before Fan Shanlu and reforming into his familiar figure.

“Long time no see,” Wang Lin said, his lips curving in a warm smile. His gaze met Fan Shanlu’s, but his eyes flickered briefly to the mist around them.

Seeing Wang Lin, Fan Shanlu was at a loss. After some time, she smiled back.

“It has been a long time indeed… I never expected to find you here… This mist is a protection used by the core disciples of the Great Soul Sect when in seclusion. Once it appears, my master will not casually sweep the area with divine sense for some time, so this place will be safe.”
A radiant smile graced Fan Shanlu’s face. To encounter Wang Lin here, in this realm, was a joyous surprise. Yet, the gratitude she held for him remained, unyielding to the passage of time.

The memories of the Cave World were etched into the tapestry of her life. Were it not for Wang Lin, she would never have returned to her homeland. Furthermore, Fan Shanlu held Wang Lin in great esteem.

Wang Lin settled into a cross-legged posture, listening intently to Fan Shanlu’s explanations and carefully observing her demeanor. He felt a measure of relief, yet his caution remained ever present. Should Fan Shanlu harbor any ulterior motives, he would strike without hesitation.

“You remain as cautious as ever… but perhaps that is for the best. In the Immortal Astral Continent, one must tread with care to survive,” Fan Shanlu remarked with a gentle smile, her eyes fixed upon Wang Lin.

“Three years past, I encountered Yun Yifeng of the Guiyi Sect, and he spoke of you. By all accounts, you should have entered the Immortal Astral Continent long ago, yet no word of you ever reached my ears. I feared some ill fate had befallen you, or that you were dwelling far from these lands. Never did I imagine we would meet here, today.” Fan Shanlu blinked playfully, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.

“My journey was beset by unforeseen perils, hence my tardy arrival. To see you, also, brings me gladness,” Wang Lin replied with a faint smile. To encounter a familiar face in this alien Immortal Astral Continent was indeed a rare blessing, stirring within him a sense of kinship.

Indeed, Fan Shanlu felt likewise. The sight of Wang Lin had awakened a feeling of warmth and familiarity. Her heart still belonged to the Cave World, and she was a stranger to the Great Soul Sect in all but name.

“Speak, then. Your arrival at the Great Soul Sect, and moreover, at my very abode, must be for a reason. If there is aught I can do to assist you, I shall strive to do so,” Fan Shanlu said, the earlier somberness vanishing from her countenance, replaced by genuine delight.

Wang Lin could feel Fan Shanlu’s joy, and a flicker of warmth bloomed in his heart. He smiled gently, pondering for a moment before speaking in a low voice.

“I require access to the earth-fire vein of this place, to cultivate a certain arcane art… it may cause some disturbance to the vein itself.”

Fan Shanlu’s eyes narrowed in thought, and after a time, she nodded.

“Fear not. I can lead you to the secluded earth-fire chamber, which lies closest to the vein. My master will not object; she remains in perpetual seclusion, only occasionally casting her divine sense outwards, and avoids disturbing those in closed-door training for fear of disruption.

“The more concerning matter is my sister… she also resides upon Flame Vein Mountain… though she has garnered my master’s favor, and is unlikely to venture out without good cause.

“I shall accompany you to the earth-fire chamber and feign a period of seclusion. However, the time cannot be too long, lest it arouse suspicion,” Fan Shanlu said, her words swift and decisive.

“Such an action could bring you harm,” Wang Lin said, his brow furrowed with concern.

Fan Shanlu heard his words, and a gentle expression touched her features. She smiled and shook her head.

“It matters not. My master is ever protective of her own, and I know how to tread carefully.”

Wang Lin’s face was grim. He rose and clasped his fist in salute to Fan Shanlu, speaking in a deep voice, “I thank you!”

“There is no need for thanks. It is I who should thank you; without you, I would never have returned to the Immortal Astral Continent,” Fan Shanlu said with a smile, rising to her feet.

“Time is of the essence. We should depart at once, though it will require that you conceal yourself upon my person…” Fan Shanlu said, a faint blush rising upon her cheeks.

Wang Lin nodded. With a flicker of movement, his body transformed into a wisp of smoke, dissolving into the folds of Fan Shanlu’s sleeve, caressing her skin. In this way, should the woman betray him, he would sense it instantly.

His caution would not waver, neither for person, place, nor word.

Fan Shanlu straightened her garments, and once her expression had returned to normal, she raised a delicate hand and swept it outwards. The hazy mist dissipated, and with a graceful stride, she exited the abode.

She moved without pause, neither hasty nor slow, making her way towards the lower reaches of the crimson mountain, towards a vast cavernous opening. There lay the secluded chamber closest to the earth-fire vein, a place forged by her master specifically for her disciples to practice their craft.