"So west? Right?" I looked at the setting sun and the moon just above it and briefly wondered what would happen here if an eclipse happens. But eclipse or not, it's not really that important because Xie Wen told me- well, us, about the different places that we can go to for secluded cultivation: The first and also the place that I think is the most interesting is a hidden island just beneath the surface of a lake, apparently, it was upside down but not only that, you can also see it as if it's straight when you swim pass the water and go to the island.
That's some Pirates of the Caribbean shit and I'm all in for it, which is why I'm looking west, where the island is supposedly located.
Xie Wen had other ideas though, "Yu Song... please remember the part where I said that it's just a myth." I retorted with something about myths being real, I couldn't remember the exact words because I'm too transfixed by the idea of a reverse island beneath a lake. Xie Wen though, heard it loud and clear and it made her look frustrated, "That's not how that works." She said simply, "Yu Song." she glared.
"Yeah but imagine if you go to a special island that's real?"
"Again, it's not how that works." She said, "You've been annoying today? You know that?" She added and then looked down while touching her lip, "I can't believe it's only been one day-"
"That's what happens when you're having fun! Right Foxy?" Foxy yelped in agreement. "Exactly. We are making memories like Winny the Pooh and Robin."
"What? Does the fox even know that?" Foxy tilted her head as if she was in agreement with Xie Wen, "Wait, that's not important- Yu Song, I know an actual place that exists-" I rolled my eyes, the second thing (which is to say, the first.) that Xie Wen told me about when I implied that she can lead us is a boring grotto southwest from here which supposedly has a Qi Hotspring on it that we can rest on while simultaneously cultivating in.
The place also has food, apparently, as well as being rich in Qi.
"You know that Foxy can't eat fruits." I replied, ignoring the Foxy's protest that said otherwise, "And besides! We both know that you only want to go there because you want to go to the Hotspring."
Xie Wen crossed her arms, "Really now?"
"Yep." I'm not backing down.
She narrowed her eyes, "And what if I say that, that's exactly the reason why I want to go there and be hypothetically honest with you?"
I smiled, "I'd reply with something about you just admitting it and immediately agree." She smiled at that, "So?" Xie Wen started walking down the cobblestone path, which lead south. "Right, so I guess we have no choice huh?" Foxy nodded while wagging both tails.
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'What's so wrong with being in a good mood and feeling light hearted?' I thought with a frown. 'Well, to Xie Wen, it's probably because you're making her think that you're not taking her and her experience seriously. She knows the dangers of this place and you don't, and you're making it like you're undermining that.' I immediately answered myself which, okay, sure, nerd.
Going back to the places that Xie Wen recommended we go to, there are three more areas that she told me about; the third, subsequently is supposed to be a territory of a Powerful Spirit Beast that's a realm higher than me, sitting comfortably at Foundation Establishment Stage 4 - 8. The spirit beast is also sitting inside a cave, taking in all the earth essence and incorporating it within itself to become stronger. Xie Wen did not elaborate on what kind of spirit beast it is but a few hints told me that it's most likely some sort of insect, presumably a beetle.
The fourth area is also another thing that took my interest because it's an honest to god wizard tower, abandoned, yes, but that just makes it better! Also, if the cave has a spirit beast, the island beneath the lake is a myth, and the hidden grotto has a riddle-based guardian system, then the wizard's tower needs to make one an expert on array formations so that they can pass.
As for what's inside, I asked her about it and Xie Wen said she doesn't know, but myths (the lake exists and I'm not taking no for an answer.) about the tower say that it's most likely techniques of all kind as well as array formations. Pretty neat, but nothing compared to the 5th area-
The Cesspit of the Dragon King is an interesting case to me I think because the place is the most dangerous out of everything that she mentioned in that there are a large number of semi-draconic animals living inside of it, most of them come from a cow, which is odd, but hey, let the Dragon do what a Dragon do. And it's not like those cows aren't dangerous either because they are capable of breathing fire and their vitality is that of a cow's mixed with a Dragon's.
And that's not taking into account the other hybrid animals like the wolf-dragon hybrid, the bird-dragon hybrid, and so much more.
I walked closer to Xie Wen, "So, about the Cesspit of the Dragon King-"
"It's real, Yu Song." She answered seriously.
"Right. Right. If it is, why isn't the lake real?" I asked suspiciously, "feels like you're just trying to throw off my trail so that I can't reach the lake Xie Wen." I made a show of huffing and crossing my arms, "I don't get it. What's up with the lake that's so dangerous?"
"Well, if you're so curious then here-" Her voice went low like she's about to tell me a campfire story, "-It is said that when one goes down the lake and into the island, they become dead and unable to leave it." She mimed an explosion with both her hands, "Fuuuuuu~~~" she teased back.
I was smiling fondly at her but my mind was somewhere else- 'It really is Pirates of the Caribbean bullshit.' There's no way right? I wanted to say no but my heart tells me to say so otherwise.
"Yu Song, while do you look excited?" Xie Wen asked in concern. "You do know what dying means right?"
Bah! I've already escaped it once. I think. And even if my original body is alive, then that's fine because this world has cultivation and that means I can eventually break out of that place- "Of course." I said as if it was obvious, "I know what dying means."
That doesn't mean I'm gonna let it stop me from going to that island.
She narrowed her eyes, "You better not be thinking about finding that lake." Foxy made a sound in agreement and I nodded at both of them to reassure them.
"Of course I won't," anytime soon. But I will at one point.