Chapter 18: Plum Blossom Paradise & A Mysterious Glimmer

As Shree wandered through the breathtaking scenery of the realm, he couldn't help but admire its beauty once again. He had already named this place Plum Blossom Paradise, much to Chat's amusement.

"Alright, Chat, after much thought and deep contemplation, I have officially decided to name this place Plum Blossom Paradise!" Shree declared proudly.

Chat snickered. "Deep contemplation? You just blurted it out because of the plum blossom tree, didn't you?"

Shree cleared his throat dramatically. "Ahem! A great name comes from great inspiration. Look around! The lake, the waterfall, the mist, and, of course, the majestic plum blossom tree standing with elegance. Doesn't this place deserve such a poetic name?"

"Sure, sure. Let's just hope the heavens don't send lightning to punish you for this 'deep contemplation,' O Great Nameless Scholar."

Shree rolled his eyes. "Fine! If you have a better name, let's hear it."

Chat hummed in mock seriousness. "Hmm… How about 'Shree's Backyard?' Or maybe 'Lost Dummy's Domain?'"

Shree scoffed. "Tch! You AI types have no appreciation for art."

"And you transmigrators have too much free time."

Laughing, they continued their exploration, searching every inch of the accessible area. Beyond the places they could freely move, there were invisible barriers—almost like a transparent air membrane blocking their way.

No matter how much Shree tried, he couldn't go further. He pressed his hands against the unseen barrier, feeling a strange resistance. "Chat, what do you think this is?"

"Beats me. Maybe it's some kind of space limitation? Or a boundary like those formation things you read about in novels?"

Shree frowned. "I wish I had a manual or something… We don't even know if there's an exit."

They continued searching for a way out, checking every tree, rock, and even under the waterfall, but it was as if this realm was a completely self-contained world. No doors, no pathways, nothing.

Eventually, frustration built up. The reality of being trapped with no known way out weighed on Shree's mind. He sighed heavily and made his way back to the lake, where he had sat before. He dropped onto the familiar rock and let out a long breath.

Seeing this, Chat chuckled. "What? Already tired? You're not even physically moving that much."

Shree groaned. "You don't understand, Chat. It's not the body, it's the mind! I've been thinking so hard about an exit that my brain is exhausted. Searching for a way out of a mysterious place with no clues? This is mental torture!"

"Ah yes, the mighty transmigrator is defeated by a puzzle."

Shree ignored the teasing and dipped his feet into the lake. As soon as his skin touched the water, a cool sensation spread through him, washing away his fatigue. But then, unexpectedly, he felt a sudden shift—the water wasn't just cool; it was also warm at times, as if it were alive.

His eyes widened. "Wait… why does the water feel like this? It's warm one moment and cold the next?"

Chat, curious, analyzed the situation. "Strange… Maybe the energy here is affecting it? Or it's part of the natural array?"

Shree wiggled his toes in the water, enjoying the refreshing sensation. "Whatever it is, it feels amazing. I feel like my entire body is relaxing."

"You're acting like you're at a spa."

Shree smirked. "Well, if I'm trapped here, I might as well enjoy the perks!"

They continued talking about their situation, discussing what to do next.

Shree leaned back slightly, watching the mist swirl over the water. "You know, Chat, I haven't practiced for two days now. I don't want to stagnate, but without an exit, I don't even know how to progress."

"Yeah, that's a problem. We don't even know if this realm follows normal cultivation rules."

Shree sighed again. "At this rate, I'll become the weakest transmigrator ever. If I don't find a way out soon, I'll be stuck here meditating under a tree for a thousand years like those old sages in novels."

"You? Meditating quietly for a thousand years? I'd like to see that!"

Shree snorted. "Okay, maybe a hundred years."

"Try one hour first."

They laughed, the conversation easing some of Shree's tension. He let himself relax completely, lying back on the rock. Just as his body was about to fully recline, his eyes caught something unusual—a faint glimmer in the lake, shining from beneath the water's surface.

His body tensed. "Chat… did you see that?"

"See what?"

Shree sat up straight, staring at the glowing light beneath the water. "There's something… something shining down there."

A strange feeling crept up his spine. Was this just a trick of the light, or had he stumbled upon something unexpected?

As the lake rippled gently, the mysterious glow remained… waiting.