Chapter 85: Entering the Ancient Painting

Returning to the sea vessel docked at the pier.

Ye Mo sat alone in the ship's cabin, feeling frustrated, holding an ancient painting scroll in his hand, thinking of a solution. He had no one he could discuss this matter with; he could only rely on himself to figure out how to sell these refined iron ores.

"In this Donglai Immortal Village, all the artifact forges can only purchase ores from the Mining Valley. The five or six thousand catties of third-grade refined iron ore in my ancient painting will definitely not sell! Do I have to go to other spirit islands and immortal villages to sell these ores?" Ye Mo occasionally glanced at the painting in his hand, his brows tightly furrowed.

"No, even if I go to other spirit islands, there's no guarantee that I could sell them. Who knows if those places are just like Donglai, relying on their own supply of refined iron? Most likely, that's the case! Besides, my nautical chart only covers the waters around Donglai Spirit Island. I know nothing about the nearest islands. Once I sail away, I might never return to Donglai."

"I now possess a pile of refined iron ore, yet can't exchange it for even a single spirit stone!" The more Ye Mo thought about it, the more irritated he became.

"How hateful! If I had my own immortal village, I wouldn't be so constrained, always fearing one thing or another." Clutching the ancient scroll tightly, Ye Mo reflected.

When he was very young, just a humble martial artist, he had dreamed of becoming a general of the Martial Kingdom, living in a grand mansion, riding fine horses in splendid attire, and marrying a fair lady, living a life envied by all. No more poverty, no more humiliation, but respect and admiration from everyone.

For that rather mundane dream, he had risked his life boarding a merchant ship bound for the Eastern Sea, and now he had become a cultivator many times more powerful than any general. Yet here, in Donglai Immortal Village, he still felt the heavy weight of restraint.

He had to tread carefully in all matters—even the smallest misstep could bring disaster. It was as if he were wrapped in an invisible net, unable to break free. Ye Mo gradually realized how much he despised this feeling of constraint.

"This is ultimately the domain of Lord Zou Ruhai, not mine."

"I must become a city lord cultivator! Only by possessing my own immortal city, with unmatched strength and authority in the cultivation world, can I finally be free from these shackles—no more bowing or scraping, no more watching the faces of others!"

A fierce longing suddenly welled up within Ye Mo's heart. He was always calm, rarely allowing his emotions to waver so violently. Yet today, unable to sell even a few pieces of ore, he felt a crushing sense of constraint in Donglai—an unbearable suffocation.

Suddenly, the ancient painting in his hand began to glow.

"What—what's happening?!" Ye Mo froze, staring at the scroll in shock. The light from the scroll grew brighter, and then it flew from his hands, hovering in midair in the cabin.

The painting unfurled itself, revealing the complete scene of an immortal village, dazzling with radiant light.

Ye Mo stared wide-eyed at the scroll.

Everything depicted seemed to come alive, vivid and lifelike. The young green fox in front of the thatched hut stretched lazily as if just waking, its little mouth opening and closing as if speaking. The little earth chicken still strolled indifferently through the village, utterly dismissive of its surroundings, its expression haughty.

"What is this? What secret does this painting hold?" Ye Mo rubbed his eyes forcefully, murmuring in astonishment.

Reaching out in awe, he touched the scroll.

At once, an overwhelming force sucked him in, drawing him into the painting. The world spun around him—even his soul felt dizzy and disoriented.

When Ye Mo regained his senses, the scene before him had changed. No longer the cramped ship's cabin, but a small, vibrant village suffused with spiritual energy.

"Where am I?"

Though shocked, Ye Mo did not panic.

This painting had been with him since childhood, and he had never sensed the slightest danger from it—in fact, it had saved his life before, shielding him from a young demon crab’s spell on an uncharted island.

"The thatched hut, the spiritwood fence, the fields, the little green fox, the earth chicken... Have I entered the immortal village painting?!"

Standing in the center of this miniature village, Ye Mo looked around at the familiar sights, stunned and thrilled.

"Who are you?" The little green fox, surprised, flashed before Ye Mo, lifting its head to peer at him with curious eyes.

"Spirit fox, you can speak?" Ye Mo jumped, startled, and asked warily. Seeing the little green fox had no intention of attacking, he relaxed a little.

"Speak? I always could—why is that strange?" The little fox looked puzzled. "Even that earth chicken can talk, though it doesn’t like to. But Little Fire can't; it's a low-tier demon beast, too dumb."

The fox pointed at the earth chicken and the small fire crow perched in the tree.

"You are a high-tier demon beast?" Ye Mo was taken aback, not quite sure how spirit beasts were classified.

He decided not to pursue that question, instead asking, "Little fox, where did this painting come from? Why are you inside it?"

"My name isn't little fox; it's Ali," she replied unhappily.

"Uh... fine, Ali, where did this painting come from? How long have you been here?" Ye Mo, amused by the fox’s insistence, asked again.

"Where did it come from? I don't know—it’s always been here. Since I can remember, I’ve always been in this little village. That’s all I know!"

"Never mind, then. Tell me about this place," Ye Mo said, shaking his head, realizing the little fox was just as clueless.

"Sure!"

Ali cocked her head at Ye Mo. "I’m Ali, the most powerful one here, in charge of this village. That earth chicken with the gaudy feathers is called Azhi—arrogant and self-important, as if the world belongs to it. But now it can’t beat me!"

“Hmph, earth chicken? I am far nobler than you nine-tailed foxes!” The earth chicken, apparently hearing Ali's slander, turned sharply, having already noticed Ye Mo but simply ignoring him until now. Annoyed by Ali’s words, it corrected her.

“If you can’t beat me, so much for nobility!” Ali retorted, waving her paw disdainfully.

“It really is an earth chicken? Chickens can talk? Are they high-tier demon beasts too?” Watching the banter, Ye Mo was speechless. If chickens could be high-tier, then the land would be crawling with them.

Ali giggled behind her paw, offering no explanation.

“I’m not a chicken—I’m from the illustrious Luan clan! The pride of the Luan, what would you know?” Azhi turned away, ignoring Ye Mo and Ali, and strutted through the fields with its head held high.

“Luan... It’s a Luan?” Ye Mo was shocked.

“Don’t mind it—always putting on airs. And there’s Little Fire, the timid fire crow who hides in the tree and never comes out!” Ali pointed to the large tree behind the hut.

“Caw!” The little fire crow, startled on the thick branches, flapped its wings, then settled back down, clearly afraid of Ali.

Watching these three distinct personalities, Ye Mo could only nod in silent amusement. The fox could talk, the chicken could too, and though the fire crow was mute, it seemed to understand human speech.

This immortal village painting was truly wondrous.

From outside, the miniature village appeared enclosed by a spiritwood fence, with nothing drawn beyond. But now, inside the painting, the world beyond the fence was shrouded in gray mist.

“Master, you must have come in from outside. Ali has never left here. Master, will you take me out to see the world someday?” Ali clung to Ye Mo’s leg, eyes full of longing.

“I... I’ll take you when I’m able. This is my first time here!” Ye Mo replied, smiling wryly.

“Mhm, as long as you promise!” Ali let go, then added, “By the way, a while ago a lot of ore appeared in the village—did you put it there?” She pointed to the open space behind the hut.

“Yes. What is this hut for?” Ye Mo nodded, turning his gaze to the thatched dwelling.

“I don’t know! It’s the only place in the village I can’t enter. You should be able to—it must be your room,” Ali said, sounding frustrated.

“I’ll try!” Ye Mo, curious, pushed open the door and entered the hut.