Frank's simple desire was not to perish. Human life is constrained by time, and reaching old age is a rarity; in ancient times, those living into their seventies or eighties were indeed scarce due to harsh living conditions and insufficient nutrition. Initial spirit practitioners, upon capturing spiritual energy, experienced a boost in their physique but remained within the bounds of human lifespan, which left them unable to extend it beyond a century.

However, once a barrier is breached, they truly embark upon the path of spiritual cultivation, shedding mortal constraints and extending their lifespan to two hundred years.

Now at eighty, Frank still appeared youthful, but in ten years, he would age rapidly, resembling a regular mortal. Consequently, he scoured the spiritual realms, pursuing any chance to transcend. Chased by beasts one evening, he stumbled into a cave, naively hoping for the legacy of a great sage. Overcome with excitement, he lost consciousness before seeing anything.

Awakening, he found himself in an unfamiliar North American town. Disappointed yet intrigued, he met Sean returning from a trip. Displaying his spiritual abilities, Frank was welcomed as an esteemed guest in Sean's household. Hearing Sean's offers of alliance, Frank was struck with an idea—a method to amplify spiritual power through faith, one not widely pursued.

He recalled a stray spirit practitioner who'd served as a healer during turbulent times, saving countless lives. Overwhelmed villagers built a temple in his honor, venerating him as a divine healer. Mysteriously, he advanced rapidly in spiritual cultivation, prompting envy.

This inspired Frank to see his chance misstep into the countryside not as mere coincidence, but a fateful opportunity. He struck a deal with Sean: assist the family in achieving their goals, and in return, they would help him become a revered spiritual master, embraced by public belief.

Beth absorbed the butterfly's detailed narrative without missing a beat. She latched onto crucial themes of "mortal world" and "gateway," pondering them before inquiring, "Have you not encountered any other spiritual practitioners here?"

The butterfly, naive and newly awakened in intelligence, failed to notice her probing angles and replied, "No." After a pause, it added, "In the world of mortals, spiritual practitioners are rare, and perhaps not everyone has the fate to enter. The figure beside the fairy is surely paramount compared to Frank."

Recognizing the butterfly's motivation to curry favor, Beth whistled softly. The absence of spirit practitioners intrigued her, suggesting her own displacement to this world wasn't accidental but tied to some larger scheme.

If returning required locating this gateway, it was a quest she tucked away for later. For now, safety lay in this mortal realm, away from potential danger in a spiritual domain.

Thinking swiftly, she shifted topics. "Why can't Frank act against Sean directly?"

The butterfly replied earnestly, "He says humans receive divine protection. Intervening would bind him to fate."

Beth absorbed this, eyes widening at the butterfly. "One last query. If you're Frank's spirit pet, what allows this betrayal?"

Acknowledging that spiritual contracts typically forbade blatant betrayal, the butterfly became skittish. "It's a servant contract."

Beth furrowed her brows, sharply rebutting, "Lies!"

The creature, startled, protested its truthfulness. Under pressure, it explained: a servant contract bound a spirit pet, ensuring loyalty but preventing deeper control or insight into its thoughts.

Frank underestimated the butterfly, a lower spirit, which had grasped a loophole when it gained intelligence. Recognizing its cunning, Beth remained guarded, suspecting it lured her into a conflict with him, akin to Frank manipulating Sean.

Keeping the butterfly close for now, its deceit no longer took her by surprise. It had its utility, for the moment.

Regaining composure with a strategic smile, she challenged, "Awfully clever. However, letting you free means you'd expose me to Frank. Keeping you risks him discovering you missing. What'd you suggest I do?"

Sensing the stakes, the butterfly swore unwavering loyalty, invoking a fiery demise should it betray her secrets.

Witnessing the mystical affirmation of the oath, Beth opted to trust it temporarily. "Fly away," she commanded, releasing her hold.

Gratefully, the butterfly flitted off into the blizzard, vanishing into the swirling frost.

Beth, contemplating in the wagon, shook off the trance and disembarked. Sean brushed the snow from his brows, suggesting they find shelter in a nearby village.

Beth chuckled, "Aren’t you curious about that butterfly?"

Unperturbed, Sean responded, "You'll tell me when you're ready."

Beth nodded, breathing a stream of white into the crisp air. "Let’s find somewhere warm first," she agreed, trailing behind with her thoughts still tangled in the snowy breeze.