Perfect: I am Shi An from Shicun, and I am Huang’s brother!

Chapter 220 Catching the Swan

The Sage Honghu stared intently at Shi An, his gaze as deep and unfathomable as if he wanted to see right through him.

No matter how much he tried to see clearly, he always felt that there was a fog shrouding him, making it impossible for him to see things clearly.

After a long while, the Sage Honghu slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air and sighed, "Then I wonder where my young friend wishes to take me?"

His voice carried a mixture of relief and helplessness.

"Please follow me, senior!"

Looking at the appearance of the Sage Honghu, Shi An didn't keep him in suspense. Instead, he whispered something and then drew a spatial passage with his hand.

Immediately afterwards, he stepped out and entered.

Seeing this, Sage Honghu hesitated for only a moment before following Shi An's steps.

Soon, the two found themselves in a secluded valley, a place rich in spiritual energy, with a tranquil landscape surrounded by mountains—a veritable paradise.

"Senior, how is this place?"

Looking at the lake not far ahead, Shi An spoke calmly.

Upon hearing this, Sage Honghu first looked around, and then a look of satisfaction flashed in his eyes: "This place is very good. I will go into seclusion here."

"I'm glad you're satisfied, senior."

Seeing that Sage Honghu was not being unreasonable, Shi An nodded secretly. Then he took out a bone book from his pocket and handed it to Sage Honghu: "Senior, this is a small token of my appreciation. Perhaps it can help you with your breakthrough."

Looking at the bone book floating in front of him, a hint of surprise flashed in the eyes of the Sage Honghu. He did not expect that Shi An would actually give him compensation.

"Thank you."

However, he did not hesitate. After a simple thank you, he accepted it and then scanned it with his divine sense.

"Ok?"

With just one glance, the Sage Honghu was shaken to his core; he actually…

Shocked, the Sage Honghu quickly looked up at Shi An and said, "Young friend, you..."

However, before Sage Honghu could say anything, Shi An spoke first: "Senior, there is no need to say more. This item is of little use to me, but it is just the right time for you. Please accept it with peace of mind."

Shi An's expression was calm, and his tone was gentle but carried an undeniable air of refusal.

Upon seeing Shi An say such a thing, the Sage Honghu was taken aback, and a complex emotion welled up in his heart.

He had lived since ancient times, through countless years and storms, yet few creatures had treated him with such sincerity, leaving him with mixed feelings.

After a long silence, the Sage Honghu took a deep breath, solemnly put away the bone book, and then bowed deeply to Shi An. "Young friend, your righteousness is truly admirable; I will remember it forever."

Shi An did not accept the offer directly. Instead, he slightly stepped aside and chuckled, "Senior, there's no need for that. It was just a small favor. I only hope that you will stay here and cultivate in peace from now on, and not wander around."

"Don't worry, young friend. I have already agreed and I will keep my promise."

The Sage Honghu's gaze was firm, and his tone was sincere.

Then he took another deep look at Shi An, and slowly closed his eyes, focusing his mind on the bone book that Shi An had just given him, and began to comprehend it.

Seeing this, Shi An didn't say anything more to disturb him. He just quietly watched the Sage Honghu until he was sure that the other party had completely entered a state of seclusion before he turned and left.

Hongyu, the place where the Sage Honghu originally secluded himself for cultivation, Shi An emerged from the void, holding a three-inch stone tablet.

"Then everything will be foolproof..."

Looking at the stone tablet in his hand, Shi An murmured twice, then put it away and turned to leave Hongyu.

That's right, the Sage Honghu's current seclusion location is not somewhere else, but the Purple Spirit Domain, which has been improved by Shi An over the years.

Of course, the place where the Sage Honghu was located was just a tiny spot in the Purple Spirit Domain, containing only things that could be found anywhere in the desolate region. As for the divine medicines and immortal gold, Shi An had stored them in another place—a place that even a Supreme Being could never reach without Shi An's permission.

As for why Shi An didn't move Shi Village to the Purple Spirit Domain to provide them with a better cultivation environment...

Actually, he had considered it, but when he shared his thoughts with Liu Shen, he was met with a harsh blow.

"By taking them in, you may seem to be doing them a favor by protecting them from harm, but in reality, you are confining them in a greenhouse, cutting off their opportunities to experience trials and tribulations and temper themselves."

"The path of cultivation is like rowing against the current. True strongmen are born in the baptism of blood and fire and rise from adversity and setbacks. The people of Stone Village have their own destiny and opportunities. Let them stay on the land that nurtured them, so that they can shine with their own light through trials."

Liu Shen's words were like a resounding bell, awakening Shi An instantly.

Therefore, although Shi An improved the environment of Shi Village, he did not move Shi Village into the Purple Spirit Domain.

Shicun is their root; only by taking root in this land can they thrive.

"Whoo~"

Thinking it over, Shi An couldn't help but let out a long breath, and then quickened his pace.

Another month passed in the blink of an eye, and Shi An finally returned to Shi Village.

"You're back."

Upon seeing Shi An appear at the village entrance, Yun Xi, who was originally focused on her cultivation, immediately broke out of her meditation and rushed to his side, checking on his condition with a worried expression.

Two months passed since he left. If Yunxi hadn't learned from Liu Shen that he was alright, she probably would have already left Shi Village and gone to Hongyu to find him.

Seeing Yunxi's concern, Shi An felt a warmth in his heart. He chuckled and pulled her close, patting her back to reassure her, "Don't worry, I'm fine. Everything went smoothly on this trip."

Hearing Shi An's words, Yun Xi breathed a sigh of relief, but the worry in her eyes did not completely disappear. Instead, she asked softly, "What happened that made you go for so long?"

Shi An didn't say much about it, but simply patted the other person on the back and said, "It's nothing, I just dealt with some potential threats along the way."

"That's it..."

Upon hearing this, Yunxi hesitated, for something that could take him so long to accomplish was no small matter, but in the end he nodded slightly and did not ask any further questions.

Then, the two of them held hands and entered the village together.

Along the way, Shi An looked at the familiar scenery and felt a surge of emotion.

This is the place he vowed to protect, his home!

"Xiao An, you're finally back."

"Brother Xiao An, why are you gone for two months at a time?"

“Uncle Xiao An, we haven’t had any new stories to hear while you were gone, so you have to make it up to us.”

As soon as Shi An entered the village, he was warmly welcomed by the villagers, who surrounded him and chattered excitedly.

"Well, I'm back."

"I was supposed to be back much earlier, but I remembered something on the way and had to take care of it."

"Alright, alright, Uncle Xiao An will tell you a new story later."

Shi An responded to each of these questions with a smile.

Of course, he didn't say much about the Heavenly Kingdom Blood Sacrifice or the Sage Honghu.

After all, knowing too much about some things can actually cause unnecessary panic.

(End of this chapter)