By a stroke of unexpected good luck for everyone who knew about the number of incidents that could occur while sailing on a rune-ship, the travel went peacefully and the Ship reached the southern coast exactly on the 13th day of their journey.

From the bits of information he had about the island, he knew that the island had no ports or cities on the outer coastline as it was considered unnavigable, so the only actual inhabited coastline would be the one around the inner gulf. Such a natural defense was one of the reasons why even before the Empire, the so-called Claw Island was considered a natural fortress.

Accessing the inner gulf was possible only by sailing through a narrow strait between the south and north appendages, and the Empire had made sure to build several forts to avoid letting any unallowed ship enter or leave.

Regretfully for him, he had no chance to see this, as the night before Xian Zhenya had visited and instructed him to stay inside the cabin. She did not explain much, but he felt that it was because of security concerns. With him being someone from outside and having no real ties to the Empire, this seemed something normal to Wu Guang.

When he sensed that the ship had dropped its anchor, Xian Zhenya appeared to fetch him up. He did not ask anything, deciding to simply follow. As for Deng Zian, Wu Guang's previous thoughts of his condition were correct, and so he would be staying on the ship for a few days more. A fact that he informed Wu Guang via qi transmission while asking him to follow Xian Zhenya's instructions and arrangements.

Speaking of which, they should be better considered as means to completely cut any observations of, as well all interactions with the Empire and its citizens.

Wu Guang was practically instantly ushered into a closed carriage directly from the pier and did not have a chance to throw more than a passing glance at the port the ship had moored in.

"I am sorry for such treatment, but my instructions are to take you to a secluded cultivation spot of the War Ministry and guarantee that you don't have any interactions for now" Preempting Wu Guang's question about why such means were enforced, Xian Zhenya explained.

"I see... But why then go through the motions of teaching me customs and such?" Still, Wu Guang decided to ask. The more he could find out, the easier it would be for him to adapt in case that something unexpected occurred.

"All this is temporal. After you make your breakthrough and finish the task for which you have come, all restrictions will be lifted. You will also get a few days to explore the island if you so wish"

"So... As soon as I bind the key to myself and become the 'temporal' successor of the 'Three Hills Sect' my status here will change?" Wu Guang probed to see if she was informed of everything. Something that was confirmed by her answer.

"Indeed, even though everyone involved knows your position will be temporal, that does not changes the fact that you will be someone akin a servant of the Empire"

"Mmm"

Inwardly Wu Guang considered that this was a bit overboard and even actually felt that he was deceived. After all, being explained all the truth? A lot was still hidden from him, even though Deng Zian could be said to have spoken honestly and openly.

And what about the current situation? Wasn't he supposed to arrive here as a guest and complete his part of the deal, to call it somehow, in a normal way? Why then he was practically a prisoner now?

Still, there was not much to do. The fact that Wu Guang had accepted meant that he had to see the matter through. Plus, as soon as he finished he would get everything he could from the Sect and its backer before rushing everything and leaving the plane.

The matter about formations not working would be the only problem, but from the memories and explanations, he knew that all this was man-made. In such a case, it should be reversible somehow.

Wu Guang remained silent for the rest of the time the carriage traveled. "I am a visitor and so should follow the arrangements made for me. Still, this means that either I am not really trusted, or there is some kind of issue. Deng Zian's sudden issues that led him to continue in seclusion are also suspicious. Granted, it may be the truth, but on the other hand... Why he did not prepare for such a case beforehand? Especially now that he had arrived at what could be considered his homeland? And with an important mission as well" As Wu Guang was analyzing the situation, he concluded that there was something else going on. He could not change anything, but at least he should be prepared.

This meant that he should take far more precautions while making his breakthrough, after all, he did not know where he will be making it and who will be around.

The answer to the first unknown would be revealed soon. The carriage had stopped after two hours of constant movement, and Xian Zhenya motioned for him to follow before exiting it.

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Wu Guang followed suit and found himself in a small courtyard. It looked like a middle-class family place, and so he wondered why this place was considered a cultivation spot?

Granted, the qi in the air was a bit denser, but it was only a small increase when compared to what he had sensed in the port. Speaking of which, it seemed that the basic level of qi on the island was almost twice the one on the Sect's grounds. No wonder that their experts were far stronger and there were more cultivators.

"Follow me" Xian Zhenya instructed before proceeding towards the main building.

Strangely the entire courtyard seemed empty. It did not show signs of being abandoned, on the contrary, it was clean and maintained. But that did not change that there was absolutely not a living being in view. Not even birds could be seen or heard.

Inside the building, which contents and furnishing were alike to a normal house, Xian Zhenya suddenly punched one of the walls.

"Hmm, it still works" She had used her full strength, but not even a dent was left.

To say that Wu Guang was surprised would be not an exaggeration. Even though his senses were retracted, he was still far more sensitive than others to runes and similar... But he could not sense absolutely nothing from the walls. They were absolutely common, made of cheap wooden panels!

Maybe if he examined them in depth he may find something, but now he preferred to simply ask.

"It's a trade secret"

"..."

"Hahahaha, don't get upset. I will explain it in a moment. Stand still" Xian Zhenya joked and then instructed while laughing.

She then proceeded to take a jade from her pocket before crushing it. Afterward, a golden glow began illuminating the entire building. Rows upon rows of runes and drawings appeared on the walls, and the atmosphere changed. But Wu Guang did not pay attention to it. How could he? That jade was nothing else than an activation formation! How the hell it was possible? He had tested it himself and formations did not work... But right now in front of him, a formation was activated. And not only it was activated, it genuinely worked!

"So you now understand why you were not allowed to observe or interact with anything or anyone?"

"...yes" Wu Guang understood, he understood very well. It turned out that formations worked, at least in the Black Empire!

"Mmm, you could not have been told about it before, but now there is no need to hide it. There is indeed a disbalance in the qi of the plane that does not allows formations to work, but... there is a way around it"

"A way?" Wu Guang questioned right away

"Indeed, and you will learn of it when the time comes. For now, try and sense the qi and state inside this room"

"..." Wu Guang concentrated and found out that not only the qi had reached a level several times the one it was before, but there was also some kind of calming aura coming out of the formation. "Soul-Calming cultivation formation!" as Wu Guang recognized the formation he exclaimed inwardly. Such formation was something common on most planes and used to improve one's chances at breakthroughs. It not only gathered qi and circulated it gently to improve absorption for the cultivator, but also used a small amount of it to create a calming atmosphere. After all, one's mind and soul states were one of the, if not the most, important things for breakthroughs between realms.

"You should be able to sense that the qi is both abundant and gentler than before. A small calming effect is also activated, something that should help you during breakthrough"

"I see... How wondrous!" His Wu Guang persona could not have knowledge of such things, and so he played the role while making an amazed expression.

"It is indeed" Xian Zhenya responded with a slight smile before adding

"There is also a protective formation outside that I will activate after leaving. There should be no issues or dangers for you to calmly attempt your breakthrough. Still, I do not recommend you to do so right away"

"Does senior mean that I should first get used to it?"

"Right"

"Understood, but will it be active for a long time?"

"It will be working for a week starting from the moment of the activation. So there should be no problems for you to spend a day or two and make the attempt in peak condition. The rest of the house is free for you to use and should have all the commodities you may need. Nobody will come or disturb you during this time either"

"Understood. Thank you, senior"

"No need, I am simply following my orders"

Before leaving, Xian Zhenya took some time to explain all the things he should pay attention to before attempting to awaken his soul. Wu Guang acted like listening earnestly, albeit truly he was almost itching to kick her out. He was greatly surprised by the fact that formations worked, and intended to investigate how it was possible right away.

As for his breakthrough... if he managed to take control over the formation, he should be able to counteract any of the possible incidents he may meet.