Arrival in Huangsha City

This was exactly what Bai Lan wanted.

For cultivators, an oath made to the heavens was extremely binding.

Once sworn, it had to be fulfilled.

If someone violated such an oath, the consequences would eventually manifest and strike them.

“Much better.”

“It was such a simple matter, yet you insisted on dragging it out.”

“If you had said this earlier, you wouldn’t have suffered so much.”

“Go ahead. Make the oath. I’m listening.”

Bai Lan stepped closer to Hunmei, her voice calm and indifferent.

Hunmei glared at Bai Lan’s cold expression.

Her teeth clenched with anger.

But she knew she had no choice.

Right now, escaping was the most important thing.

“Fine.”

“I, Hunmei of the Soul Clan, swear to the heavens.”

“If Bai Lan releases me, I will never seek revenge against her.”

“If I break this oath, may I never break through to a higher cultivation realm for the rest of my life.”

Hunmei spoke the oath with clear resentment.

After finishing, she looked directly at Bai Lan.

“There. Is that enough?”

For the Saintess of an ancient clan, making such an oath was extremely humiliating.

Of course, Hunmei already knew Bai Lan’s name.

She had heard Ye Ziyun call it earlier.

After following them for so long, it would have been ridiculous not to know.

Hearing the oath, Bai Lan nodded with satisfaction.

With a slight movement of her hand, the ribbons binding Hunmei returned to her.

“You’re free to go.”

Hunmei immediately stretched her arms and legs after being released.

But soon she realized something.

The seal on her power was still there.

“Hey!”

“My power is still sealed!”

Hunmei shouted angrily.

Bai Lan paused slightly.

She looked somewhat surprised.

She hadn’t even realized her power was still suppressing Hunmei.

But in truth, she had no intention of removing it.

Mainly because—

She had absolutely no idea how.

“I’m sorry.”

“I don’t know how to remove the seal inside your body.”

“You’re a member of the Soul Clan yourself.”

“Surely you have some method to deal with a power seal.”

“Figure it out yourself.”

“Goodbye.”

Bai Lan said casually before turning around and leaving.

“You…!”

Hunmei stood there stunned.

She watched Bai Lan and Ye Ziyun walk toward Yellow Sand City.

For a moment she was so angry that she stomped her foot.

After thinking for a while, she finally sighed and followed them.

She had no other option.

With her power sealed, she could only go to Yellow Sand City.

Or rather—

She intended to follow Bai Lan until the seal was removed.

Surely Bai Lan wasn’t seriously claiming she couldn’t undo it.

Was she trying to fool a ghost?

Unfortunately for Hunmei—

Bai Lan truly had not lied.

She genuinely didn’t know how.

Bai Lan and Ye Ziyun walked in front while Hunmei followed behind.

“Sister Bai…”

“That Hunmei is still following us.”

“Do you really have no way to remove the seal?”

Ye Ziyun asked after glancing back.

Bai Lan shook her head.

“I truly don’t know.”

“I didn’t lie to her.”

“As for why she insists on following us… that’s her choice.”

Bai Lan’s tone remained indifferent.

As they approached Yellow Sand City, the city looked even more magnificent.

It was less like a city and more like a massive fortress.

Along the road, many trial participants were coming and going.

Most of them looked like young men and women between twelve and eighteen.

However, appearances inside the Void Heaven Realm were deceptive.

Someone who looked twelve might actually only be a few years old.

And someone who looked like an adult might only be fourteen or fifteen.

Of course, there were exceptions.

“Sister Bai…”

“Judging by how familiar you look, it seems this isn’t your first time in Yellow Sand City.”

“But why don’t you have the Yellow Sand City mark?”

Ye Ziyun asked curiously.

Bai Lan paused slightly.

She wasn’t sure how to answer.

“I’ve been here before.”

“As for why I don’t have the mark… I’m not sure.”

“Alright, Ye Ziyun.”

“Let’s part ways here.”

“If fate allows, we’ll meet again.”

After saying that, Bai Lan waved casually.

Then she suddenly accelerated and disappeared.

Ye Ziyun stood there stunned.

After a moment, she sighed with a helpless smile.

“Ah… such a distant person.”

“Leaving just like that.”

She shook her head and continued walking.

As for Hunmei—

With her power sealed, she couldn’t catch up immediately.

But she wasn’t worried.

Once she regained her strength, tracking Bai Lan would not be difficult.

Meanwhile, Bai Lan had already arrived at the South Gate of Yellow Sand City.

The gate was enormous.

A shimmering barrier covered the entrance.

Bai Lan immediately recognized it and calmly walked forward.

When she passed through the barrier, her identity information and aura were recorded within the core of Yellow Sand City.

From now on, she could freely enter the city.

After passing through the barrier, Bai Lan discovered that the interior of Yellow Sand City felt like a completely different world.

It was almost like entering another dimension.

Birds were singing.

Flowers were blooming.

Beautiful classical Eastern-style buildings stood scattered throughout the area.

The temperature was comfortable.

It wasn’t hot at all.

Trial participants walked around everywhere.

Although there were many buildings, they were not crowded together.

Instead, they were arranged in an orderly way.

All institutional buildings inside the Human Void Realm were managed by artifact spirits.

These spirits would create artificial humans to manage operations.

They were basically like NPCs in a game.

Of course, shops inside the city could also be rented.

As long as a trial participant paid enough spirit stones, they could open their own store.

The city had complete facilities.

However, staying in Yellow Sand City had a cost.

One hundred spirit stones per day.

The cost would be automatically deducted according to the rules of the Void Heaven Realm.

If someone stayed for a second day without enough spirit stones, they would be forcibly teleported out of the city.

“Finally arrived.”

“It’s still as familiar as ever.”

“I should find a place to rest.”

Bai Lan murmured.

Then she began walking down the street.

However—

She had no idea what was about to happen.

In order to prevent fights between trial participants, Yellow Sand City restricted the use of power and divine sense in non-combat areas.

Because of this—

Bai Lan didn’t even notice the collision coming.

“Eh?”

A heavy impact struck her head.

She staggered backward several steps and almost fell.

She had just turned a corner when she collided with someone.

‘Damn it… who was the idiot that ran into me?’

Bai Lan silently cursed.

But just as she was about to fall—

A hand suddenly wrapped around her waist and steadied her.

At the same time, a gentle voice spoke.

“Miss, are you alright?”

“My apologies.”

“I was in a hurry and didn’t notice you.”

“I hope you weren’t hurt.”

Bai Lan looked up at the person who had caught her.

What she saw made her pause.

Standing before her was a young man dressed in white silk robes.

He had a refined aura and handsome features.

Even Bai Lan, who had once been a man herself, had to admit—

This man was quite handsome.

The young man looked at her with clear, gentle eyes.

For a brief moment, Bai Lan felt slightly distracted.

But the feeling lasted only an instant.

She immediately pushed him away.

“I’m fine.”

“But watch where you’re going next time.”

Bai Lan straightened her clothes, walked past him, and left without another word.

The young man remained standing where he was.

He quietly watched Bai Lan leave.

At first his expression was calm.

But as she disappeared into the distance—

A strange smile slowly appeared on his face.