The pale aquamarine light gate at first was merely an outline, formed by thousands of rays of light.
As time passed, the lines gradually thickened into a halo, and the lines intertwined into a light gate.
However, what puzzled Liang Yi was that the light gate was not standing vertically in front of them, but laid flat in the canyon, looking as if it opened a door to the whole world.
Just as the three were pondering whether to jump down directly, a figure slowly emerged from the opened gate and arrived in front of them.
Around the figure, a breeze and bamboo leaves surrounded them, a fragrance natural to nature spread throughout the void as the figure approached.
Smelling this scent, Liang Yi felt his body relaxed a bit, the murky air inside his body was swept clean.
The newcomer was a young female cultivator in the prime of her youth, delicate and beautiful in appearance, with her ponytail standing high, filled with a spiritual energy specific to the Little Bamboo House cultivation technique, her age seemingly around the same as Su Youyi.
Although she looked young, her expression was somewhat cold and seemed difficult to approach.
What surprised Liang Yi most was that the garments of the Little Bamboo House she wore were different from those he usually saw, indicating she might have a special status.
"I am Feng Yuyou from Little Bamboo House, I have seen two from the Taoist Sect and the Young Master of the Demon Clan!" The girl extended her hand in greeting, her expression light as she slightly nodded to the three of them.
Just as Liang Yi was about to return the gesture, he saw the young girl gently wave her hand to stop him.
"Your identities are already known to my master and myself, please follow me."
Watching the girl turning away and leaving, Liang Yi raised an eyebrow, wondering whether this person had an opinion about them or if it was just her natural disposition.
"Feng Yuyou, the direct disciple of the Tower Master of Little Bamboo House, also the current Chief." Su Youyi shook her head slowly, revealing the information she knew.
"But that's all the Cultivation World knows since she has never traveled outside, so nobody knows more, and Little Bamboo House never sells information about their own people."
From a brief glance, Su Youyi sensed that Feng Yuyou must have considerable cultivation, also around the Sixth Realm, almost on the same level as the chiefs of the Super Forces.
Although not certain of her exact strength, her realm was at least up to standard.
"Further talk is useless, let's go and see."
Liang Yi shook his head, already here he didn't want to overthink, it was time to see what comes next and understand the situation.
Holding his junior sister by the hand and with Uncle Orange standing on his shoulder, Liang Yi followed Feng Yuyou, leaping down directly into the huge light gate that opened up in mid-air.
Liang Yi did not feel any resistance, as if brushed by a gentle breeze, immediately covered by endless light, sensing the power of spatial transportation.
After the group completely disappeared from the canyon, the massive light gate formed by thousands of rays of light slowly dissipated within the canyon, and the previously still clouds resumed their motion.
If Liang Yi were to observe the white clouds again at this moment, he would find that their movement pattern had completely changed from the one they had deciphered before.
The slight distortion felt in his body was familiar to Liang Yi as he silently estimated the teleportation time.
After roughly the time it takes half an incense stick to burn, the Spiritual Power glow that enveloped everyone slowly dissipated, and they found themselves in a sea of bamboo.
The lush bamboo leaves were countless, each bamboo stick straight and sturdy, brimming with a Spiritual Energy absent in the outside world. The endless bamboo swayed with the wind, dazzling Liang Yi.
And to his astonishment, he found that this bamboo sea somewhat resembled the peculiar space he had entered before at the Little Bamboo House in the herbal city.
"I wonder if there are any Eight Desolate Spirit Realm Bamboo shoots here; I'd love to roast one for a taste, meow." Uncle Orange wasn't a cat that only ate fish; he wanted to eat anything containing high Spiritual Power.
"This is the main branch of Little Bamboo House; usually, even the disciples of this branch are not summoned back," Feng Yuyou explained with an even tone, briefing Liang Yi on their current location as if it were routine.
While walking and talking, Liang Yi also gathered a general understanding of this Secret Realm.
There weren't many people in the main branch of Little Bamboo House, but it consisted either of the high ranks of Little Bamboo House, elders responsible for various regions, or young Cultivators gifted enough to potentially become the next leaders of various aspects of Little Bamboo House.
As for collecting or selling intelligence, mostly it was managed by the various branches of Little Bamboo House scattered across the Mystical Mechanism Continent, with the main branch responsible for the overarching direction.
If the scattered branches of Little Bamboo House around the world were likened to its limbs and organs, then this main branch here was tantamount to the most crucial part of the brain, hence nothing could go awry.
"So, is that why you essentially seal off the main branch, barely making contact with the outside world or allowing it to contact you?"
Liang Yi pondered thoughtfully, though he found the reason somewhat far-fetched. Avoiding contact with the outside world and hindering the experience of young Cultivators, those nurtured safely within Secret Realms could never match Cultivators who grew and learned from the hardships of the outside world.
Feng Yuyou did not respond, only continuing to dutifully lead the way.
As they traveled for about a quarter hour, the scenery around them suddenly changed.
Buildings made entirely of various types of bamboo appeared one after another around Liang Yi, primarily residences it seemed. Liang Yi gradually noticed that these buildings appeared to be built in a circular shape, as if enclosing something.
"Hey, look up, meow."
Just then, Uncle Orange suddenly patted Liang Yi's cheek with his paw, signaling him to look up.
Instinctively looking up, Liang Yi saw a towering Heavenly Purple Bamboo stretching towards the clouds, radiating endless divine lights while the sounds of the Great Dao echoed through the surrounding void. Looking carefully, each cloud surrounding the bamboo had a young Cultivator diligently listening and cultivating, Updates are released by novel~fire~net
This sound of the Great Dao was familiar to Liang Yi because when Endless Dao made his breakthrough, he could faintly hear a similar resounding sound of the Great Dao.
This sound could greatly accelerate his understanding of various Cultivation Techniques and Daoist Skills, known as "Daoist Enlightenment."
Now, the presence of similar sounds around the Heavenly Purple Bamboo surprised Liang Yi greatly.
As for the bamboo itself, Liang Yi had already guessed its origin—it must be the Innate item, the Eight Desolate Spirit Realm Bamboo, the very reason the Tower Master of Little Bamboo House had invited them here.