The One-Slice-of-Heaven Forbidden Land was far more complex and sinister than Gu Qingfeng had imagined.
Before coming here, Gu Qingfeng had heard from Guntong that this was an ancient ruin. He had assumed it was called 'One-Slice-of-Heaven' because the space of the ruin had cracked open into a long, narrow fissure.
But when he arrived, he discovered it wasn't just a single crack that had split open. Instead, countless long, narrow fissures crisscrossed and intertwined densely. Each fissure was like an abyss, bottomless, with eerie black mist seeping and bubbling from within. They looked like hundreds of pale dragons weaving through a sea of sand, exuding a sinister aura.
"Great Old Master," Bai Yanyan said, "no one knows when this One-Slice-of-Heaven Forbidden Land appeared in the world, or from which era this ruin originates. No one in our Liúshā Small Secret Realm knows, not even my master, Shuiyue Nun. All we know is that this forbidden land is mysterious and terrifying. Throughout the ages, of those who have entered, few have ever emerged."
Both Guntong and Bai Yanyan had been active in the Liúshā Small Secret Realm for many years. They both knew the terror of the One-Slice-of-Heaven Forbidden Land. If not for that, with their cultivation as Great Wasteland Spirit Demons, they wouldn't be standing so far away, not even daring to approach.
Seeing Gu Qingfeng standing fearlessly at the edge of the forbidden land, craning his neck to peer into the depths, Bai Yanyan advised, "If Great Old Master's friends are truly trapped inside, their hope of survival is now extremely slim. Even if they are alive, if you go down, how can you guarantee you'll be able to rescue them? Therefore, I hope Great Old Master will think twice before acting."
To be honest, Bai Yanyan was no benevolent devotee. She was a demon. Though not some cruel, bloodthirsty old monster, she was certainly no kind-hearted little sprite either.
Moreover, she and Gu Qingfeng weren't friends; this was their first meeting. The reason she spoke up to advise him now held no ulterior motive—she simply wanted to offer a word of caution.
Because she was deeply interested in Gu Qingfeng's existence. A mortal who was neither immortal nor demon, ghost, or monster—mysterious, peculiar, and bizarrely powerful. Most importantly, Gu Qingfeng carried a feeling that made her very afraid. This filled Bai Yanyan with intense curiosity, and she very much didn't want such a sinister existence to rashly enter the One-Slice-of-Heaven Forbidden Land.
"G-Great Old Master!" Zijin stammered. "Since this One-Slice-of-Heaven Forbidden Land is so terrifying, please don't risk yourself! You've already helped us more than enough. If something unexpected were to happen to you today because you helped us... we... we... how could we ever face you?"
Both Zijin and Ziqing were people with strong self-respect who didn't want to burden others. Their earlier plea for Gu Qingfeng's help had been a moment of impulse. Now, knowing their master might be trapped in this One-Slice-of-Heaven Forbidden Land, they were even more unwilling for Gu Qingfeng to risk himself to save him. Such great kindness, they could not accept, nor dared they accept.
Gu Qingfeng slowly paced around the edge of the forbidden land, craning his neck to peer into the fissures. He chuckled, "Sisters, I'm afraid you've got it wrong. Even if your master wasn't in there today, I, your lord, was planning to go down and take a look anyway."
"W-why?"
"Why so many whys? Idle hands are the devil's workshop. Just finding some fun to pass the time."
Hearing Gu Qingfeng's words, the two immortals, Zijin and Ziqing, were at a loss for how to reply. The two Great Wasteland Spirit Demons, Guntong and Bai Yanyan, even doubted if they had heard correctly.
What did he mean, 'idle hands are the devil's workshop'?
This was the One-Slice-of-Heaven Forbidden Land! Even those reclusive senior experts hiding in the Liúshā Small Secret Realm wouldn't dare venture in recklessly.
And he called it 'finding some fun to pass the time'?
Was this how one looked for fun?
"If your master really is trapped inside, I'll just bring them out while I'm at it," Gu Qingfeng continued. "If not, then it's not my fault. But don't get your hopes up too high. What Sister Yanyan said earlier is right. Even if your master is inside, the hope of survival is probably very slim."
Gu Qingfeng pointed at the black mist inside the fissures. "The turbid qi inside is even denser than here. Never mind whether there are other demons, monsters, ghosts, or devils inside. Even without them, if your master has been trapped in there for nearly ten thousand years, they've either turned into a demon or become a ghost."
Then his tone shifted. "But, who knows? After all, your master sent a distress talisman twenty years ago. I reckon they're probably holed up in some corner, barely holding on with the help of an array formation."
With that, Gu Qingfeng tilted his head back and took a swig of wine. "Alright then, I'm going down to take a look now. As for when I'll come out, I can't say. So, don't wait around here. What if some old demon pops out later and gobbles you all up? That'd be a real joke. Better find a safe place and wait for my good news."
"Great Old Master, please rest assured. This humble woman is willing to take your friends to my residence to wait," Bai Yanyan offered.
"Oh, that's perfect."
"But... Great Old Master, are you really confident you can come out from inside?"
Bai Yanyan was very puzzled. From what she had just heard Gu Qingfeng say, he seemed only concerned about whether Zijin and Ziqing's master was alive or dead. He hadn't considered the question of whether he could get out at all. His tone made it sound as if he was certain he could emerge.
Not only was Bai Yanyan curious, but Guntong was too. He also wanted to know what gave Gu Qingfeng such fearless confidence.
Gu Qingfeng lifted his head, glanced at her, and smiled. "You guess?"
"I... I can't guess."
"If you can't guess, then just wait and see."
Gu Qingfeng waved his hand. "See you later."
As his words fell, he directly leaped in. His figure quickly vanished without a trace into that long, narrow fissure.
He just jumped in?
Yes.
He just jumped straight in like that.
If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, Guntong and Bai Yanyan wouldn't have believed it. The two of them stared in the direction where Gu Qingfeng had disappeared, standing dumbfounded for a long time before finally snapping out of their deep shock.
"This..." Bai Yanyan's cherry lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to speak but stopped, seemingly unable to believe it, truly at a loss for words.
"May I ask you two fairies," Guntong, also full of astonishment, turned and cupped his fists. "Just what kind of exalted figure is this Daoist Chixiao?"
Both Zijin and Ziqing shook their heads. If possible, they too would very much like to know what kind of exalted figure Gu Qingfeng was.
Bai Yanyan pressed, "Aren't you Great Old Master's friends?"
"We... we only just met Great Old Master. We know nothing about his identity either."
Bai Yanyan exclaimed in surprise, "You just met, and he... he's willing to risk himself, venturing into this One-Slice-of-Heaven Forbidden Land just to help you rescue your master?"
"That's why... we... are... very... grateful to Great Old Master. It's a kindness as vast as the heavens, and we have no way to repay it."