“Alright, then I’ll keep looking for a way out with you.” Bai Ning firmly says this, her eyes determined and bright.
If Ling Yan wasn’t in danger then they wouldn’t be so urgent, but that’s not the case. They must locate the exit as soon as possible!
“Mother, we’re going further inside, there must be another passage to the outside world here somewhere.” Pulling her punch off the stone pillar, Bai Yan begins to walk towards the inner depths of this ancient structure.
As for the poor stone pillar that’s been left in their rear, the entire thing instantly crumbled into rubble once they were gone, leaving only a mass of dust in the air.
……
Despite their determination, Bai Ning believes the path up ahead leads only to a dead end. She’s already searched this part and most of the areas, there’s nothing ahead aside from a big wall. Similarly, the grandmother also understood that even if she had told Bai Yan this, this stubborn child of hers wouldn’t listen unless she sees it in person anyways.
As expected, it didn’t take long for a wall to block their way forward.
Crunching her fist in frustration, Bai Yan’s expression didn’t show any emotions as she spoke: “Since this is an ancient ruin, there must be other passageways we’re not aware of. The ones who built this wouldn’t have constructed the layout like that. Let’s search the place.”
“Okay.” Bai Ning silently began to touch the floor and walls with her ears pressed in against them for sounds of abnormality.
When Bai Yan disappeared in those months, she also searched for a long time in this manner since she didn’t believe there to be only one exit. The issue was, she couldn’t find the supposed passageways and fell into despair until her daughter suddenly returned….
“Hmm?” Suddenly, the demon queen’s sight fell upon a certain painting hanging on one of the walls in front.
The depicted female in this painting was not unfamiliar to Bai Yan, in fact, she’s seen this person countless times already. Specifically, it’s the same one from the ancient diary in her possession.
Of the most impressionable feature regarding this individual would be the countless demons prostrating themselves before the woman in the painting. Though that time they were sculptures only instead of a painting, but the air and temperament were identical where a single fox remains defiant by now bowing its head.
It’s just that……
The woman in this picture appeared a little different.
Of course, the temperament and details were the exact same, but the vibe from the background accompanying the woman was totally different. Instead of a throne and mighty air, there’s a peach blossom tree growing all over the mountain landscape. It’s as if this painting was done by a third party which depicted their own version of this person.
“Yan Yan, I’ve already examined this painting before, there’s nothing special about it.”
Bai Ning did not want to waste too much time so her examination was mainly restricted to a few minutes of physical assessment on her part.
Bai Yan did not respond to that comment though.
As if attracted by something inside that painting, she slowly strode towards the item.
Alarmed by this odd behavior, the grandmother naturally wanted to pull at the woman’s sleeve out of reflex. However, she suddenly realized something and held off her gesture.
“Mother, put it this way, the woman in this painting can be counted as half my shifu. I honestly didn’t expect her to be related to this ancient ruin though.” Bai Yan explains with a mild smile.
Without a doubt, the knowledge she gained from the ancient diary has propelled her alchemy and abilities by leaps and bounds. If she didn’t have that, getting to this point might’ve required a much longer period, perhaps even a lifetime.
“So, I want to put this portrait away… that way I can honor her at a later date.” Making a bow of her head, the demon queen immediately attempts to store the painting away by raising her hand.
