Chapter 207: Main Quest?

Ning Ruo slightly shook her head.

"We agreed to explain everything tomorrow—Xu Dage can't ask anymore, okay?"

"Fine."

It doesn't matter if we wait one more day.

The two of them did not continue this topic, and simply kept walking along the path.

Because the snowfall was heavy, they hadn't gone far before seeing snowmen piled up on both sides of the road, lifelike and detailed.

But even the largest were no higher than the waist or abdomen, small and delicate.

In fact, for disciples of the Ling Yin Fang's inner sect, their realm and magical techniques were already sufficient to alter the weather at will.

But… this was the Ling Yin Fang's inner sect's celestial domain—who would dare do such a thing? Precisely because the celestial domain's four seasons turned in orderly sequence, with snow falling only briefly each year, the inner sect disciples would also build snowmen and have snowball fights during this rare snowfall, adding atmosphere to the occasion.

What is rare is always worth cherishing.

Except for cultivators who practiced extreme techniques or were naturally cold-hearted by temperament.

The vast majority of cultivators, beyond being better at controlling themselves, still experienced joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness, love, desire, hatred, and resentment.

Naturally, they wouldn't remain tense forever.

Boom!!! Suddenly, a tremendous sound came from nearby; Xu Xing and Ning Ruo stopped walking and turned toward the source of the noise.

It was an open clearing, surrounded by vast stands of snow mulberry trees.

Bright array patterns glowed, forming a pale golden, semi-circular transparent barrier, its surface swirling with runes—clearly of high rank.

Streams of light shot rapidly across within the barrier; upon closer inspection, one could see they were snowballs wrapped in magic power.

Several Ling Yin Fang inner sect disciples flew back and forth in midair—clearly, they were the ones behind those snowballs.

At the edge of the clearing, a massive snow mulberry tree with a trunk thick enough for several people to encircle let out a groaning "squeak," then finally crashed down with a thunderous boom.

It sent snow flying everywhere, scattering translucent snow mulberry leaves across the ground.

Yet the culprit behind all this was merely a seemingly loose snowball, wrapped in magic power.

After all, they were cultivators—and high-rank ones at that—so this was only natural…

Xu Xing and Ning Ruo watched for a while, until the felled snow mulberry tree was revived, then continued walking forward.

This time, the two entered a small teahouse by the roadside.

Although the Ling Yin Fang's inner sect celestial domain wasn't as bustling or lively as the outer sect's shopping streets, there were still places like this for travelers to rest.

The teahouse's interior was cozy, and already filled with many people.

Ning Ruo ordered two cups of hot tea and chose a corner seat by the window, sitting opposite Xu Xing.

The teahouse was warmer than outside; soon, the snow piled on her body melted, leaving her long hair slightly damp.

She gently wiped away the misty fog on the window.

At that moment, two Ling Yin Fang inner sect disciples passed by outside the window, discussing difficulties in their cultivation.

A scene of peace.

"Do you remember, Xu Dage? In the old days, snowy and stormy days were the hardest for humanity." Ning Ruo's voice was soft.

That was a time long, long ago—when humanity had just begun to shed its identity as mere "food" and "prey."

Snowy and stormy days were something every human dreaded.

Snow drifted for thousands of li; the wind howled bitterly.

Back then, most humans were still mortals; unable to stay long in one place due to pursuit by the Cang Clan and other great races, they were constantly forced into mass migrations.

During snowy storms, resources were scarce and the climate brutal, while cultivators had to conserve their strength constantly, ready for any sudden emergency.

Countless died of frostbite or starvation.

It was truly arduous.

"Of course I remember."

Xu Xing also looked out the window, slowly sipping the freshly served hot tea; amid the misty aroma, the scene outside grew hazy.

"The Snow Jade Fox, the Frostwind Leopard, and the Fimbulwinter Wolf—these three beast clans most loved to follow human migration caravans during snowy storms and launch attacks."

These beast clans were renowned great races from ancient times; each possessed collective strength far exceeding that of humanity.

Every time humans migrated during snowy storms, they would linger far behind the human columns, striking occasionally just to amuse themselves with the humans' terrified expressions.

Once bored, they would slaughter every last person. Compared to now, those snowy storms were like hell itself.

Yet for the weak humanity of that era, was it only snowy storms that were unbearable…?

"Thankfully, we won."

Ning Ruo did not reply further, quietly watching the window.

Yes, thankfully, we won.

…………

Several hours later, the heavy snowfall had lessened.

Inside a refined little courtyard, a towering snowman nearly five meters tall stood silently, its round body occupying most of the yard.

"Good, good! A little more to the left—perfect, that's enough!"

Chi Jiuyu, who had just returned from the outer sect, stood in the courtyard, directing her azure-gold sword to make final adjustments to the snowman.

Once the last excess snow was shaved away, Chi Jiuyu stepped back a few paces and nodded in satisfaction at her "masterpiece."

On a snowy day, how could one not build a snowman? And if you're going to build one, you might as well build the biggest.

She waved her hand to recall her primordial sword and praised: "You did very well this time!"

This time, she didn't trick her sword—she simply said she wanted to play with her.

"Auntie! Auntie, come quick and see! My snowman's done—it's huge!"

Chi Jiuyu shouted as she ran inside, her primordial sword following behind her.

One person, one sword, arrived at the parlor.

But he found Xu Xing seated beside a warming stove, covered with a blanket, and before him lay the souvenir he had bought at the outer gate of Ling Yin Fang today.

"Huh??" Chi Jiuyu paused, "Uncle, are you cold?"

"Not cold."

"Then why…?"

Knock knock!

A knock came at the door.

"Go open it," Xu Xing commanded.

"Oh."

Chi Jiuyu instinctively turned back, but after taking a few steps, he froze.

Wait, didn't I leave the door open just now?

Confused, he walked to the door.

Standing at the threshold was a slender figure, and…

'So beautiful.' Chi Jiuyu muttered to himself.

This person's beauty was almost on par with his own!

Chi Jiuyu noticed she was holding a transparent water tank, inside which swam two snow-white fish, flawless and free of any blemish.

Hmm…

"May I ask who you are…?"

"Ning Ruo," Ning Ruo smiled lightly. "You may also call me 'Elder Lingzu.'"

Elder Lingzu?! Wait!

Could it be… that's why Master sent Uncle with me?

He silently praised his own cleverness.

Having a disciple like me is truly Master's fortune!

Immediately, Chi Jiuyu grew solemn, filled with caution.

A voice seemed to ring in his mind—【Ding! Main quest triggered】

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(End of chapter)