Several days later.
Deep in the Great Wilderness, fish with golden scales occasionally leaped from Azure Lake, glittering with precious radiance.
Along the shore, the grass formed a lush green carpet. Flocks of birds strolled about, their many varieties and brilliant colors shimmering with dreamlike light, extraordinarily beautiful.
Herds of unicorns also ran here, incomparably holy and unafraid of people.
Not far away stood a small village, wisps of cooking smoke curling above it. Peaceful and serene, it was like a paradise beyond the mortal world, free of all troubles.
The villagers were simple and rustic, dressed in beast hides, their faces bright with happy smiles.
"Oh, someone from outside is here!"
Beside the clear river, a group of children spotted a figure approaching in splendid clothes, his stride stirring the air, and began shouting excitedly.
"No, he's not an outsider! It's the big brother who came before!" As he neared the lake, a slightly older child recognized him.
"That's right! It really is Brother Lin Fan!" The children were delighted and quickly crowded around him.
Clearly, they still remembered Lin Fan. He had left a deep impression on them.
"Brother Xiao Fan, it's been three years! We missed you to death..."
"Ever since you left, there's been nobody to take us looking for vicious beast cubs."
"And, and, Grandpa Chief's explanations of bone text are so confusing! They're nowhere near as clear as yours..."
The young children chattered away, gathering affectionately around him as though they had endless things to say.
"The young fellow from three years ago is here? Where is he?"
Eventually, many of Stone Village's adults were alerted and hurried outside. Even Shi Yunfeng came to the village entrance to welcome him, deeply excited.
"Old Village Chief!" Lin Fan greeted him warmly and followed them into