Chapter 26: Entering the Void Island

The man gave a soft click of his tongue and said, "Have you still not gotten used to it after all these years? If you call me low-grade, then you are bottom-grade."

Fang Zhiyi replied coldly, "Yes, I should have gotten used to it long ago."

"Now that the Tiger King's Heart has been found, what do you plan to do next?"

Fang Zhiyi said, "I am taking Wang Lin to the Void Islands."

The man’s hand, holding his fan, paused. "Zhiyi, that place is a death trap even for experts at the Soul Formation stage like you, let alone for someone at the Golden Core stage. Are you trying to get him killed?"

Fang Zhiyi shook her head firmly. "No. The Heavenly Dao will never let him die."

The man frowned, his phoenix eyes fixed on Fang Zhiyi in confusion. "How can you be so certain?"

"Just watch." She paused, then added coldly, "However, now that I know some people are born special, if he truly dies in the Void Islands, I will simply go looking for the next special person."

"The world is vast; I do not believe he is the only one."

The man heaved a long sigh. "Zhiyi, you are just too impatient. If he really is the only one, what will you do then?"

Fang Zhiyi fell silent, offering no further response.

"Fine. Your temperament is stubborn; once you’ve made up your mind, ten oxen couldn't pull you back. The Void Islands are not a place one can just enter and exit at will. Take this magical artifact."

"It can withstand a full-force strike from an early-stage Soul Formation cultivator."

The fan in the man's hand was painted with a peony, so vivid it seemed to sway in the breeze. The frame was crafted from white tiger bone, and the edges were embroidered with exquisite gold thread.

"No. You are only at the Nascent Soul stage; you need this fan more than I do."

The man waved his hand dismissively, not caring at all. "Zhiyi, you know my ambitions lie elsewhere. I have no interest in the dangerous places you frequent. Do you think Soul Formation cultivators are like cabbages in the street, to be encountered so casually?"

Fang Zhiyi frowned. "You are being ridiculous. Do not speak like that again. I will break through to the mid-Soul Formation stage as soon as possible during this time, so do not worry. Keep the fan and do not bring it out again in the future."

Seeing that Fang Zhiyi was insistent, the man could only nod helplessly and store the fan back into his Qiankun bag.

He looked at her seriously and said, "Zhiyi, return safely."

Fang Zhiyi gave a slight nod.

***

Three days later.

Outside the silent window, the first light of dawn appeared.

Fang Zhiyi lay on the couch with her eyes closed, covered by a thin blanket, her breathing light and steady in deep slumber.

Suddenly, she opened her eyes wide. She picked up a jade slip and channeled a trace of energy into it.

Elsewhere, Wang Lin, who had been practicing sword forms in the courtyard, sensed the signal and immediately rushed to the entrance of Fang Zhiyi’s main hall.

Fang Zhiyi opened the doors and stepped out slowly. Wang Lin’s eyes widened.

Perhaps because she had just woken, her robes fluttered as she moved. Her black hair was like a cloud, her features were delicate as a painting, her lips were red and her teeth pearly white, and a flush of color graced her cheeks.

Wang Lin had never seen Fang Zhiyi like this; she was always as cold as water.

Fang Zhiyi’s brows furrowed slightly as she looked up at him. The latter snapped back to reality and hurriedly lowered his head, though he could not hide the look of astonishment in his eyes.

"It is time to go."

Without waiting for his reaction, she grabbed him by the collar of his robes and took flight.

The speed was so great that even Wang Lin felt quite uncomfortable.

Fang Zhiyi tossed half a jade pendant to him and said coolly, "Put it on."

Wang Lin was stunned as he caught it. He had noticed earlier that when Fang Zhiyi emerged from the hall, she was wearing half a jade pendant; the piece in his hand was the other half.

Seeing that they were drawing closer to the rift leading to the Void Islands, Wang Lin stared at the pendant, lost in thought.

"Put it on quickly, and do not take it off once you do. This pendant will suppress our cultivation levels to the Foundation Establishment stage."

Wang Lin hurriedly put it on, though the confusion in his eyes remained evident.

Seeming to sense his curiosity, Fang Zhiyi explained, "The Void Islands are not a place one can enter or leave at will. Usually, those who go bring Foundation Establishment cultivators to guard the rear, ensuring they can leave the islands successfully."

Fang Zhiyi did not tell Wang Lin that regardless of whether one was at the Soul Formation or Qi Refining stage, anyone could enter, but those at the Soul Formation stage had to fight for their lives just to return.

So far, not a single person below the Soul Formation stage had ever emerged from the Void Islands.

Before the black rift, a continuous stream of cultivators leaped inside. Wang Lin keenly noticed that Fang Zhiyi was right; most of those people were indeed at the Foundation Establishment stage.

***

Taking care not to attract any attention, she put on a bamboo hat. After releasing Wang Lin, the two of them leaped into the rift along with the crowd.

Just as they were about to move away from the group, a man and a woman called out to them.

"Don't wander off. Stay with the Elder; it isn't safe in here."

Fang Zhiyi paused and asked, "Senior brother, where are we going?"

Wang Lin was taken aback. Fang Zhiyi’s voice was soft, with a hint of coldness, yet the title "Senior brother" made his heart tremble.

The man smiled and nodded upon hearing her. "You must be new to our Wuji Sect, right?"

Fang Zhiyi pondered for a moment. She knew of the Wuji Sect; it had three mid-stage Soul Formation experts, though she hadn't bothered to learn how many early-stage ones they had.

The man said, "I am Zhang Hu, and this is my sister, Zhang Fang. Since you called us 'senior brother and sister,' it is only right that we look after your safety."

Zhang Fang nodded. "Exactly. Just follow us. You are only at the Foundation Establishment stage; you must be sure to keep up."

Zhang Hu’s gaze remained fixed on Fang Zhiyi, making Wang Lin feel uncomfortable. He did not want to follow them.

Fang Zhiyi sensed Wang Lin’s gaze upon her, but she ignored it. She had her own plans. Her eyes were fixed on the elderly man with a refined, immortal aura at the very front.

The old man seemed to sense something. He turned back and cast a sharp glance in their direction, but Fang Zhiyi immediately looked away.

Only after a long while did the old man turn back.

Zhang Fang said excitedly, "Elder Li looked at us just now."

Zhang Hu nodded. "I saw it. Let us work hard and strive to make a contribution this time, so that when we return to the sect, we might become Elder Li’s direct disciples."

Fang Zhiyi’s fingers curled. They would not be leaving, nor would they be returning to their sect. How naively foolish.

Fang Zhiyi spoke up, "Many thanks, senior brother and sister."

There were at least a hundred people from the Wuji Sect this time. A quick glance revealed a few Nascent Soul experts; it seemed they had invested heavily and come with a specific goal in mind.

Just as Fang Zhiyi had expected, the Wuji Sect’s party headed straight toward the southeast.