Holding Xiao Bai in her arms, Yang Yang pushed open the door—and if this were a cartoon, her eyeballs would've shot out of their sockets like springs. Since it wasn't, she settled for widening her eyes as far as humanly possible.
Because what she saw was *insane.*
She stood on a treehouse perched high in the canopy, surrounded by towering trees that dwarfed skyscrapers. Other treehouses dotted the branches, each shaped differently.
*Holy—am I in some primitive jungle? A hidden utopia? Or straight-up Tarzan's backyard?*
Gulping, she backed into the room and sank onto the bed, clutching Xiao Bai until her racing heart calmed. The little pup glanced up at her, its blue eyes oddly knowing—and slightly amused.
**"Saintess, the Grand Elder asks if you'll attend meditation at the Sacred Hall today. If you're still unwell, she can treat you."**
Yang Yang nearly jumped out of her skin. The green-robed woman had appeared out of nowhere.
*Saintess? How does she know I'm single?* Only her annoying friends called her that. *Wait—"Saintess"? Like, holy maiden? And "Grand Elder"?* This was definitely some hidden paradise.
*Did the original owner of this body feel sick and die? Is that why I'm here?* She hadn't sensed another soul lingering. *But if they realize I'm not their real Saintess, will they burn me as a witch?*
Faking amnesia wouldn't work—she had no injuries to blame it on. *Play it cool. Go with the flow.*
"I'll go to the Sacred Hall. I'm feeling better."
Meditation? Easy. In her world, it just meant sitting and zoning out.
Led by the green-robed woman, Yang Yang arrived at a majestic hall nestled into the mountainside. Despite the forest outside, the interior was *luxurious*—walls embedded with glowing orbs that bathed the space in soft light.
*Are those… night pearls?* If she could smuggle a few back home, she'd be rich!
…If she ever found a way back. *My old body's probably ashes by now.*
At the center of the hall stood a crimson altar, five stories tall. The green-robed woman knelt below it, joining others in silent meditation.
*Oh, so we're supposed to sit here?* Yang Yang copied their posture.
**"Saintess, will you not ascend the altar?"**
Yang Yang's blood ran cold.
*Shit.*
"Oh! My shoes are… dirty." She brushed imaginary dust off them and stood, feigning calm as she climbed the steps.
*Thank god I reacted fast.*
Only the Saintess and elders were permitted atop the altar—something she'd *definitely* missed in the orientation manual.
By the time she reached the top, her legs were jelly. She sucked in a breath—then choked it back.
A stunning woman knelt at the altar's edge, eyes closed. *Meditating. Not dead. Good.*
The altar was small, about 10 square meters. At its center, a blood-red pillar held a floating, egg-sized crystal, pulsing with warmth. Inside it swirled a misty red thread—too far to examine closely.
Yang Yang mirrored the woman's pose, pretending to meditate while her mind raced.
**"Karena, it's time for lunch. Shall we rest?"**
The gentle voice startled Yang Yang awake. Her wide-eyed stare made the woman flinch.
**"Karena, are you alright?"**
"Uh—just lost in thought!" Yang Yang rose, smoothing her white robes.
*Karena. So that's my name now.*
She pasted on a smile. "I'm starving. Let's eat!"
The woman blinked. *Wrong move?*
But then she chuckled, fondness softening her features. "Of course. The Grand Elder mentioned you've been unwell, secluded in your treehouse. Are you better now?"
"Yep! All good."
"That's a relief. You used to spend hours with me as a child, pestering me to teach you everything. Now that you're grown—and the most gifted Saintess in centuries—you've drifted from us." She sighed. "Even Third Elder wasn't as skilled as you at your age."
*Three elders. So this one's the Second Elder.* Progress.
Yang Yang stayed quiet, absorbing intel as they walked.
The forest village was small—maybe 200 treehouses, fewer than 300 people. All young, no kids or elderly in sight.
*Do they hide the old and young up high? Or…*
She found her treehouse by the marked rope—a makeshift elevator. *Thank heavens. Climbing would've killed me.*
Back inside, she offered Xiao Bai the food she'd saved.
"Eat up! It's delicious."
The pup sniffed, took two bites, and walked off.
Yang Yang glared. "I risked my neck for this, and you're *picky*?"
Xiao Bai shot her a *you're hopeless* look and flopped onto the bed.
Will Karena's act hold? Or will the elders uncover her secret?