When we met Miao Xiaoxian earlier, the sun was already almost setting. She had settled us in for a short while when it got dark outside.

Ping'an Village has no electricity, and as night falls, the village is pitch black.

Our two-story wooden building has many rooms, so there's enough space for everyone.

I checked the building and found a staircase leading to the roof. I went up and took a look. In the distance, candlelight flickered in the windows, accompanied by the sound of dogs barking.

A short while later, Jiang Man appeared behind me: "What are you looking at?"

"terrain."

I looked away and said, "Ping'an Village is located in the locust and willow forest. It is obviously built according to feng shui principles. I thought there would be some mystery in the buildings inside the village, but so far, the buildings in the village are not special. They are just arranged randomly and have nothing to do with the five elements and eight trigrams."

Seeing my puzzled expression, Jiang Man voiced her thoughts: "Perhaps the people here don't believe in feng shui at all. They planted the trees outside just for aesthetics? After all, they've been isolated from the world for so long, they probably don't understand anything about feng shui."

"No! Feng shui belongs to metaphysics, which is the opposite of science! Science is knowledge that has been continuously improved and innovated by generations of people! On the other hand, the theories of feng shui were created by the ancients and rely on inheritance! Precisely because Ping'an Village has been isolated from the world for so long, they are more likely to have mastered some lost knowledge and secrets."

I looked at the terrain of Ping'an Village, my brows furrowed: "Surrounded by locust and willow trees on the outside, but lacking any protective formation on the inside, this is a feng shui suppression formation! But there is no dragon vein here, so this feng shui formation only suppresses this village! It's like turning this village into a prison, imprisoning all the villagers! The terrain of Ping'an Village gives me the feeling that they are punishing themselves! But what is their purpose in doing this?"

"Besides the feng shui issues, I also found the people here to be a bit strange. When Miao Xiaoxian first met us, she seemed very resistant, but when we arrived at the village, the people here seemed very welcoming. However, this enthusiasm always made me feel that it wasn't quite real."

Jiang Man seemed unable to think of a way to describe the situation: "In short, Ping'an Village gives me a very strange feeling."

"According to the information provided by Fengmen Village, it only says that clues to the Miao Jiang Immortal Palace can be found here, but it does not say that the Miao Jiang Immortal Palace is in Ping'an Village. So I think these are probably two unrelated pieces of information. Therefore, why Ping'an Village is like this has little to do with us."

I also find Ping'an Village a strange place, giving me a feeling that it's hard to fit in: "Our mission is to investigate clues about the Miao Jiang Immortal Palace through Ping'an Village. Tomorrow, let Miao Xiaoxian take us around the area to figure out the terrain. Once we find the whereabouts of the Miao Jiang Immortal Palace, we'll leave this place!"

After having a short-term plan, we, who had been working hard all day, began to rest.

The hospitality of Ping'an Village did not dispel my wariness. That night, we followed the old custom and arranged for us to keep watch.

Nothing happened that night, and early the next morning, we left the village under Miao Xiaoxian's guidance.

Unlike the day before when the villagers sang and danced to welcome us, Ping'an Village was unusually quiet today. As we walked down the street, the villagers went about their business as usual, completely ignoring us.

In one morning, we had already explored almost the entire locust grove where the village is located.

At noon, Miao Xiaoxian glanced at the sky and said, "It's almost time. We should go back to the village. If we delay any longer, we'll miss lunch."

I nodded and walked beside Miao Xiaoxian: "I'm very curious, since your Ping'an Village doesn't contact the outside world, how do you get supplies and what do you rely on for survival?"

"As you can see, Ping'an Village has a population of less than three hundred, while we are surrounded by vast forests and land. The resources we produce can easily support the people in the village."

Miao Xiaoxian paused for a moment: "Our ancestors have lived here for generations, and we have long been used to this peaceful life. People don't have too many pursuits, and we don't live a tiring life."

Upon hearing Miao Xiaoxian's answer, I tentatively asked, "It seems that we are not the first outsiders you have met, and you have some understanding of the outside world, right?"

Miao Xiaoxian didn't hide anything from us: "I have indeed met people from outside, but I have never been outside. I have heard people describe the prosperity of the outside world, but everyone has their own choice of lifestyle, and I really like my current life."

"Girl, you can't say that! You have to try it to know what kind of life suits you. The outside world is much better than your backyard. Besides, you're so pretty. With a little dressing up, you'll definitely charm a lot of innocent young men!"

The monkey grinned and said, "You say you live in a place like this, facing countless trees and ravines all day long, what's the point? Trust me, after we leave this time, you'll come with me, and we'll show you the world. I guarantee you'll be so happy in the outside world that you won't want to leave."

Miao Xiaoxian looked at the monkey and asked calmly, "If I go to the outside world, will it grant me immortality?"

I frowned slightly and turned my gaze to Miao Xiaoxian: "What do you mean by that? So you think you can live forever if you stay in Ping'an Village?"

"Of course not, but we people in our village believe in destiny and cause and effect! No matter how we live our lives, it's just an experience. No matter how much we see or how wide our contact is, when we leave this world, we can't take anything with us."

Miao Xiaoxian looked me in the eye with her clear eyes: "I know that you outsiders like to pursue so-called knowledge and experience, and you are greedy and pleasure-seeking, but I prefer to do one thing well in my life and protect what is worth protecting."

Upon hearing Miao Xiaoxian's words, I quickly pressed her for an answer: "What are you protecting?"

Miao Xiaoxian seemed to realize she had misspoke and changed the subject: "Let's go quickly, or we'll really miss lunch."

I knew Miao Xiaoxian was a thoughtful girl, so seeing that she didn't say anything, I didn't press her further: "After lunch, could you take us to see the willow grove this afternoon?"

"no!"

Miao Xiaoxian reflexively rejected my request, then looked at me very seriously: "I don't know what your purpose is in coming to Ping'an Village, but I solemnly warn you that Willow Grove is a forbidden area of ​​Ping'an Village. No one is allowed to enter except for the past clan leaders. You must not cross the line of Ping'an Village, otherwise the consequences will be very serious."