Since arriving in this world, Sikong Xuran had picked up a new habit: he loved reading the martial arts novels popular here.
Zhu Yanyi glared at her three senior brothers. "What are you talking about? When I said 'eliminate evil and promote good,' I meant I went to deal with a black-clad sorcerer." She recounted the incident with the sorcerer.
She especially mentioned the items found in her manor. Hearing this, Sikong Xuran, Yi Yunfei, and Ouyang Tianyun all frowned.
"What did you do with him in the end?" Ouyang Tianyun asked.
"She liked poison, so I used poison. I made her watch her own soul scatter into nothingness," Zhu Yanyi said calmly.
"Well done." Sikong Xuran, who hated evil, said, "Such people don't deserve to be called human."
Yi Yunfei nodded in agreement. "Why didn't you call us? We could have helped you."
Zhu Yanyi sighed. "My sister and brother-in-law discovered this first. I only went to understand the cause and effect. I didn't expect her to be so vicious. Besides, I had Aohan to help me, so I didn't need you."
To Ouyang Tianyun and the others, it was clear that the last sentence was her true feeling. She was clearly a junior sister who valued romance over friendship.
Yan Aohan watched them bicker and then asked, "What have you realized during these days?"
Given Yan Aohan’s status, his question carried weight. Although he didn't scold them, the three seniors straightened their chests seriously.
Sikong Xuran spoke first. "For the first time, I felt the warmth of human connection in this plane. People here may not live long, and they may just be mortals, but their emotions contain a 'Great Affection.' It is not comparable to mere personal feelings. It includes family love, friendship, and more warmth. 'When one side is in trouble, help comes from all directions.' These eight words touched me deeply. I think we cultivators should train more in secular planes like this. It helps improve our cultivation. I believe the reason our cultivation sometimes stalls is precisely because we lack this human warmth."
Yi Yunfei continued, "I also came from a secular plane. Although my family is striving to become a true cultivation clan because several members became cultivators, we are fundamentally a secular family. Yet, even so, our family lacks this 'Great Affection.' Senior Sikong used the term well. Because of this Great Affection, I realized the mystery of emotion. Emotion is actually not simple at all."
Ouyang Tianyun concluded, "To be honest, after a few days here, I don't want to leave. No wonder traditional novels have plots of immortals entering the mortal world. The ancients said, 'I envy the mandarin ducks, not the immortals.' Mandarin ducks are animals, but they are free and natural here, without constraints. Most importantly, they have friendship, love, and family bonds. This is much better than the cold, detached emotions of immortals. After staying in this secular plane, I worry that when I return to the cultivation plane and ascend, I won't be used to that single, emotionless life."
Hearing this, Zhu Yanyi said, "Then you should train in various planes, help people, and experience different lives. As long as you have a heart, you can go anywhere."
Zhu Yanyi remembered that although the Peerless Emperor and Empress could not enter the mortal dust, they had left a spirit puppet in the planes they wanted to visit. If she went, she could experience life through the puppet. As long as one had the intention, nothing was impossible.
Ouyang Tianyun nodded in agreement. "I think so too. Hiding in the academy to cultivate all the time is not good. Various experiences are very important."
Zhu Yanyi smiled. "Well said. Various experiences are indeed important, but we must also keep our minds calm. We cannot just go anywhere for training. Sometimes training is important, but cultivation is also important. They complement each other. We cannot neglect one for the other."
Hearing Zhu Yanyi’s reminder, Ouyang Tianyun gave her a thumbs-up. "Good point. But, Shiwu, remember to call us next time. We also want to eliminate evil and promote good."
Zhu Yanyi laughed. "Okay, I’ll call you if I encounter such things again."
She treated it as a joke, until she received a call from Zhu Zhibin that night.
"Doumiao, have you returned?" Zhu Yanyi thought Zhu Zhibin’s competition trip had been quite long.
"No, Sister. I’m trapped on Lonely Island. Fortunately, Jiacheng is with me. He modified his phone, so it can bypass the signal jamming here. That’s why I can call you. I only have three minutes. Otherwise, I’m afraid the signal will be detected," Zhu Zhibin answered urgently.
Zhu Yanyi sat up straight. "How did you get trapped on Lonely Island?"
"After the competition, I was kidnapped on the plane. It’s not just me. Many people were kidnapped. All are from our Huaxia. No one from other countries. I suspect this is targeted at us. I’m hiding in the forest of Lonely Island with the others. If you don’t come soon, I’m afraid you’ll have to collect my corpse." Zhu Zhibin’s attitude seemed surprisingly calm.
"Nonsense," Zhu Yanyi scolded with a smile. "Find a place to hide well. Your brother-in-law and I will come immediately."
"Okay, Sister. Remember to bring food when you come. We have nothing to eat. We’ve been eating tree bark every day," Zhu Zhibin said.
"Hide well. Save your phone battery. I’ll contact you when I arrive," Zhu Yanyi said directly.
"Okay." Zhu Zhibin hung up.
Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan looked at each other. Without saying a word, they quickly got up. Yan Aohan went to prepare people, and then they left directly, telling no one.
Zhu Yanyi did not tell Zhu Shun Yao about Zhu Zhibin’s accident because she feared they would worry. It was better to bring the people back first and then explain.
Yan Aohan had a plane ready. Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan boarded it directly. Accompanying them were Luo Gang and five others, as well as Sikong Xuran and the other two. It was their first time riding a plane. Looking at the aircraft, they examined it with curiosity.
"So this is a plane," Sikong Xuran said.
Zhu Yanyi nodded slightly. "Yes."
Yan Aohan was looking at the map with Luo Gang and the others. "How well do we know the situation on Lonely Island?"