Guarding the Pure Land

In the early morning, Tianhua sat on his bed, gazing at the snow outside. After playing with friends like Luo Xin all day yesterday, he felt a bit tired. Thus, he decided to stay at home and take it easy for the day.

"Tianhua, come and have your meal!" Qin Lan called out.

"Sure, I'll be right there!" Tianhua responded, quickly getting up.

"Did Dad go to the hidden chamber?!" Tianhua, seeing only his mother at the table, asked with a hint of disappointment.

"What's the matter? He goes there every year, and usually, you weren't too happy when he was away," Qin Lan remarked.

Tianhua smiled and remained silent.

After finishing his meal, Tianhua found himself alone in the house with nothing to do. He stood by the window, gazing at the snow outside.

Qin Lan, after tidying up, entered Tianhua's room and noticed him staring out the window.

"Tianhua, not going out to play today?" Qin Lan inquired.

"I played all day yesterday and feel a bit tired. Just resting at home today," Tianhua replied.

"Did you have fun yesterday?" Qin Lan asked.

"Yeah," Tianhua nodded.

"Do you feel happy when you're with them?" Qin Lan questioned.

Tianhua looked at his mother strangely. He had already shared his experiences from yesterday when he returned last night. Why was she asking such questions now?

"Every flower and blade of grass here is vividly etched in my memory. Yilan, Luo Xin, and Qinhui, our friends who grew up together, will also be engraved in my heart. But..." Tianhua began.

"But what?" Qin Lan curiously asked.

"Nothing, I just feel that as we grow older and learn more about the world, we will inevitably be disturbed by other things. Each of us will have our own lives, and we may gradually drift apart," Tianhua said.

"In this quiet mountain village, all of you will grow up happily and live contentedly forever," Qin Lan said.

Tianhua remained silent, puzzled by Qin Lan's words.

"Tianhua, some things you will understand with time," Qin Lan said before leaving the room.

Watching Qin Lan leave, Tianhua fell into contemplation.

The snow continued to fall, but for some unknown reason, it didn't accumulate. Beneath the vast expanse of white snowflakes, the people in the village enjoyed their peaceful and happy lives.

Somewhere in the mountain village, seemingly beyond the village, there was a quiet place. The scenery here was peculiar, with a dozen large trees, lush grass on the ground, and many colorful flowers in full bloom. The trees were arranged in an orderly pattern when viewed from above, resembling a formation that had never been seen.

These dozen trees were thriving, and there was no sign of snow. The atmosphere here felt like spring. At the center of these trees was a small house. What part of the mountain village was this? Whose house was it?

"Tianlong, has there been anything unusual with the barrier this year?" A voice came from the small house. The voice was clear and pleasant, as if it came from heaven.

Inside the house, thirteen people sat around a large round table. Looking closely, the number thirteen coincided with the number of trees outside. One of them looked completely different from the others, with the head of an eagle on a human body. The other twelve appeared aged, with white hair and beards, yet their faces retained a youthful glow. In the center of the table stood a bright ring, and the voice emanated from there. All fifteen individuals were focused on the central point of the table.

"Based on the current situation, the barrier is holding up well," the voice called Tianlong said.

If Tianhua, Yilan, Luo Xin, or Qinhuo heard this voice, it would undoubtedly startle them. The voice belonged to Tianlong, Tianhua's father. How did they end up in such a state?

"Although that's the case, we can't be complacent. The barrier is crucial for our mountain village, and there should be no room for mistakes!" Tianlong stated.

"Yes, we will watch over it carefully. However, there's something I'd like to suggest: can we abolish the path leading to the outside world?" Tianlong asked.

"Abolish it?!" The voice questioned.

"Yes, abolish it. Since we left during those chaotic times and have lived for a century now, it has been proven that our decision back then was correct. We're living well here. At this point, we no longer need any connection with the outside world. The resources here are sufficient, and the people here don't need anything from the outside. Moreover, without the path to the outside, the people here won't have the desire to go out, preventing others from knowing the location of the Four Tribes!" Tianlong explained.

Upon hearing these words, the others exchanged glances and engaged in quiet conversation. The voice did not continue speaking, as if lost in thought.

"What do the rest of you think?" The voice inquired.

"I think Tianlong's idea can be implemented. Since we left during those times, our purpose was to isolate ourselves from the world. Leaving that path back then was only to ensure that if our life necessities couldn't be met here, the outside world could provide. But now, as Tianlong said, we're living well, and we haven't needed anything from the outside! So, that path is unnecessary! I agree with abolishing it!" one of them said.

"Although we don't need any supply from the outside world, we can't guarantee that the resources here will sustain us indefinitely. Perhaps one day, when the resources here are depleted, and we need to leave, we would have to lift the entire barrier. A mountain village suddenly appearing in the world would be too dangerous for us!" another countered.

Now, the debate began. Some were in favor, some opposed, and some remained silent, simply observing the others.

"Have any of you thought that if our children one day accidentally discover this secret, and they walk out, see the outside world, how would they feel? In that world, they might reveal everything here. Wouldn't that be more dangerous for us?" Tianlong asked as the debate continued.

Upon hearing these words, the debate ceased, and everyone fell into contemplation.

"Even though the path is well-hidden, they won't be able to discover it!" someone argued.

"You used the word 'won't.' They will grow up one day, and with time, their abilities will increase. When the time comes for them to maintain this barrier, curiosity might lead them outside!" Tianlong said.

Silence fell over the small house. Yes, the children would grow up, and they themselves would age. At that time, this secret would be passed on to them. Perhaps, by then, they would understand the importance of the matter. However, curiosity was a formidable thing. They hadn't experienced the age of wars and conflicts, didn't know the cruelty of war, and didn't understand the significance of the hard-won peace and tranquility in their lives. If one day, they sneak out, the temptations of the world would be overwhelming. Unable to resist the allure of the world, they might linger there, and the mountain village would suddenly appear in the world. For the tribes that had disappeared, this sudden appearance in the world would be a curiosity, but for them, it would be a disaster.

"We'll discuss this issue slowly in the future. For now, go outside and finish today's tasks!" the voice that hadn't spoken for a while finally said.

Upon hearing this, everyone stood up and left the small house.

Night slowly approached, and the outside of the mountain village was covered in a faint white. From a distance, it seemed like there was a sound coming from the valley. Tianhua, hearing the sound from inside the house, curiously looked toward the mountain.

Staring, Tianhua seemed to have realized something. He walked out of the door and shouted back into the house, "Mom, I'm going out for a bit!" After saying this, he quickly ran towards the distant mountain.

Behind him, Qin Lan called out, watching Tianhua's figure. Seeing Tianhua's back, Qin Lan furrowed her brows, sighed, and then walked back into the house.