Qingshuang

"This..." Silence blanketed the battlefield. From the moment the two Nascent Soul powerhouses clashed to the constant shifts in momentum, everything had still fallen within normal expectations. Yet the sudden appearance of four other Nascent Soul masters, each unleashing ultimate arts to ambush and slaughter Wolf Emperor Ao Xiao, had caught everyone completely off guard. What had seemed a long, convoluted clash had unfolded in truth in mere breaths, like a falcon diving upon a startled hare. The Wolf Emperor—so overbearing moments ago as he pursued and battered Han Zhan—had met such a wretched defeat. His physical body destroyed, his Nascent Soul captured. The curtain had fallen on an era’s Demon Emperor in the blink of an eye. Yet Master Han Zhan's voice gave the allied cultivators no time for idle reflection or gossip. Once tasks were delegated, clear, ringing voices began to call out true names. "Haoranzi, Wei Wuya, Slovenly Daoist..." Every Golden Core powerhouse called upon quickly handed off their affairs to disciples before hurrying onto the Wind-Thunder Abbey, which loomed high in the sky. From the edge of the battlefield, Luo Chen watched the chosen cultivators step forward. They hailed from diverse sects, varying in strength, but they shared one single trait: their combat effectiveness was intact, completely unmarred by injury. Figures like Linghu Jie and Fairy Jueqing, severely wounded by Wolf Emperor Ao Xiao's casual swats earlier, were passed over entirely. The sole exception was perhaps Master Cheng Yan of the Falling Cloud Sect. Leaving him behind was likely meant to anchor the overall situation and oversee the subsequent mop-up operations across the battlefield. When even Yu Jiaolong, an early Golden Core cultivator, was summoned, Luo Chen murmured inwardly, *It seems I won't be an exception either.* Sure enough. A moment later, Master Han Zhan called out coolly, "Danchenzi." As the elder's gaze swept over him, Luo Chen pursed his lips and gave a slight nod. Han Zhan glanced at him, then resumed calling out other names. "Martial Uncle, you..." Without the slightest hesitation, Luo Chen gave swift instructions: "This expedition to the Great Snow Mountain is practically a certainty. With the Ao Xiao Wolf Court broken, the Howling Moon Mountain Range is secured and will soon be renamed the Falling Cloud Domain. Xiaolong, there is no need for you to linger on the battlefield. Return to the Luotian Sect at once and inform the Sect Master of this news. Once she knows, she will understand what must be done." Receiving his orders, Zeng Yilong nodded repeatedly. "Understood." "Then I shall be off." Luo Chen moved to ascend the Wind-Thunder Abbey. Yet Zeng Yilong called out to stop him. "Is there something else?" Luo Chen asked with a slight frown. Zeng Yilong hesitated before saying, "Martial Uncle, stay safe. You must return in one piece." His brow smoothed, and Luo Chen waved with a smile before departing. Accompanied by five Nascent Soul masters along with top experts from every sect, sweeping aside the Great Snow Mountain would be as easy as turning over a hand. Even if a few more powerhouses like Wolf Emperor Ao Xiao emerged from the Million Wild Mountains, so what? Fleeing would always remain an option. As he boarded the Wind-Thunder Abbey, Luo Chen glanced back over his shoulder. Master Han Zhan's roll call had already concluded. He had not rushed into motion, instead summoning back his puppet avatar that had been struck down earlier, while also collecting the immense skeletal remains of Wolf Emperor Ao Xiao's true body. The other masters were similarly occupied. The Yunhe Daoist couple had flown to the rear of the Tiangu Plain, each striking once to thoroughly shatter the Ao Xiao Wolf Court's last vestiges of resistance. Perfected Jade Cauldron paced across the battlefield, gathering the four puppet corpses that had once been disciples of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect. He then slotted the four recovered sword pills back into them. *Could they really be brought back to life?* Luo Chen wondered with curiosity. Without lingering, he stepped inside the Wind-Thunder Abbey. The moment he entered, numerous gazes swept across him. Acting as if he noticed nothing, he found a chair and seated himself. Only now did fervent discussion erupt regarding the sudden Nascent Soul clash from earlier. *** Ordinary low-tier cultivators could not perceive the reality of Nascent Soul battles at all. Even among Golden Core cultivators, only top mid Golden Core powerhouses and late Golden Core grand cultivators could catch true glimpses of what transpired. Because of this, many Golden Core cultivators within the grand hall clustered around those grand cultivators to ask questions. Though Luo Chen did not join the crowd, his ears were trained on every word. "Once one reaches the Nascent Soul realm, victory or defeat depends purely on skill, which is ordinary in battle. But to completely capture or slay one is extraordinarily difficult." "Who knows what price Master Han paid to invite four peers to act together? Only then could they barely inflict heavy damage upon Wolf Emperor Ao Xiao. Even so, that demon wolf's Nascent Soul nearly escaped." "The Demon Locking Tower! Truly worthy of being Ghost-God Valley's foundational treasure. Beneath that seemingly ordinary suppressive force, its greatest distinction lies in binding and capturing a cultivator's Nascent Soul." "Without that treasure, the five masters might have slain Wolf Emperor Ao Xiao, but capturing his Nascent Soul alive would have been utterly impossible." "From the looks of it, Master Han seems to have replaced his Natal Dharma Treasure, refining the Demon Locking Tower into his lifebound artifact." "Not so. The Falling Cloud Sect possesses a secret technique that allows one to refine two Natal Dharma Treasures at once. Master Han never replaced his original lifebound artifact; that Nascent Soul puppet avatar was his Natal Dharma Treasure all along. He simply refined an additional lifebound treasure upon that foundation." "A puppet avatar capable of offense and defense, the Demon Locking Tower for capture and confinement, and a sword formation of astonishing lethality... Tsk tsk, those capable of ascending to the Nascent Soul realm truly are all monsters!" "Yet from what I saw, that sword formation was nearly ruined, and the four puppets forming it were taken back by Perfected Jade Cauldron. Master Han has lost a major technique out of thin air, which is rather a pity." "What is there to pity? He obtained Wolf Emperor Ao Xiao's physical body and Nascent Soul! Once the battle ends, he can nurture it into a puppet with secret arts. Good heavens, when that time comes, his strength will be..." Listening to the discussions of these veteran sect experts, Luo Chen gleaned considerable insight. Nascent Soul beings could win or lose, but killing or capturing one alive was simply too difficult. In the preceding battle, five Nascent Soul masters had joined forces just to capture Wolf Emperor Ao Xiao alive, which showed just how steep the challenge was. As for Master Han Zhan, Luo Chen felt only admiration. The man was not advanced in age either—not even five hundred years old to this day! Under such circumstances, not only had he broken through to the Nascent Soul realm, but he had also conquered an entire domain for his sect, without allowing his personal strength to fall behind in the slightest. If given a bit more time, he would possess two Nascent Soul puppets—one human, one demon. Who among his peers could stand against him? Coupled with the Demon Locking Tower in hand, an enemy who lost would not even have a chance to flee! *Cultivators of our generation ought to strive for this!* Luo Chen murmured inwardly. As for whether their tactics were dishonorable by ganging up on a single foe? Such a thing was not worth mentioning in the least! The demon race was nothing more than cultivation resources for immortals; when one couldn't win alone, swarming together was the true sovereign way. While the crowd conversed fervently, three more figures stepped through the grand palace doors, where no one had entered for quite some time. Everyone looked over as the trio smiled and adjusted their sleeves in greeting. "Next, opening the Great Snow Mountain will rely on the efforts of our fellow Daoists." They were none other than the three masters of the Hundred Blossoms Palace: Baihua Fairy, Patriarch Peach Blossom, and the Food Aroma Master. With their appearance, one matter became clear to everyone. This expedition to the Great Snow Mountain was likewise part of the opening war! Only, it was no longer being waged for the Falling Cloud Sect, but to carve out a new domain for Master Yunhe and his Dao companion, representing a branch of the Hehuan Sect. Furthermore, the format of this campaign differed radically from the large-scale army clashes and steady advances of before. If one had to describe it, it could perhaps be likened to Wolf Emperor Ao Xiao's previous strategy: striking straight at the heart! A gathering of thirty Golden Core cultivators drawn from every sect! None of these thirty could be considered weaklings. In the late Golden Core stage alone, there were six of them: Haoranzi, Wei Wuya, Baihua Fairy, the Slovenly Daoist, the Moon God Emissary, and the Supreme Elder of Mengquan Cave! Those in the mid Golden Core stage were either sect masters like those of the Fierce Sun Sect and Lotus Sect, founding patriarchs like Chu Baihong, or elders from superior sects such as Ye Xiang and Jin Buque. Even among the early Golden Core cultivators were prodigies who had unlocked a portion of their natural talents and demonstrated extraordinary combat prowess, such as Luo Chen, Yu Jiaolong, and the Food Aroma Master. Such a lineup was something most veteran Nascent Soul superior sects could not muster. Unleashed upon the world, it was enough to sweep through an entire domain! Moreover, towering above them were five Nascent Soul powerhouses presiding over the venture. What could a mere Great Snow Mountain possibly rely upon to resist? Though it had happened abruptly, everyone had been somewhat mentally prepared. Now that the three cultivators representing the Yunhe Daoist couple had arrived, restless minds stirred, and inquiries about the underlying details began to spread. The three female cultivators were already well prepared. "Though the Howling Moon Mountain Range is vast, it cannot accommodate too many sects, especially those among you who aspire toward the Nascent Soul realm." "Upon conquering the Great Snow Mountain, Master Yunhe is willing to share half the territory for the sects behind our fellow Daoists here to settle." "Should any among you advance to a Nascent Soul superior sect in the future, the Falling Cloud Sect and the Hundred Blossoms Palace are also willing to offer full support to open a new domain for you!" Baihua Fairy spoke eloquently, a confident radiance gracing her alluring cheeks. The rewards laid out moved countless hearts. Even the leaders of sects that had already claimed territory in the Howling Moon Mountain Range—such as the Star-Moon Divine Hall, Mengquan Cave, and the Luotian Alliance—felt quite thrilled. Though this opening war had seen twists and turns, it had proceeded very smoothly overall. Among the eighteen great Golden Core sects, only the Taihe Gate had been lost. Of the remaining seventeen, deducting the seven merchant factions like Liusen Hall, Mount Ailao, and Huanzhu Tower, a full ten remained! With so many factions crowding into a single Howling Moon Mountain Range, one could easily imagine how tight resource distribution would become. It was entirely possible that as soon as Howling Moon settled, a fresh storm of internal reshuffling and bloodshed among human sects would erupt. Now, siphoning a portion over to the Great Snow Mountain meant the conflicts over resource distribution would be vastly alleviated. Who wouldn't be tempted by such a prospect? Amid the excited anticipation of the crowd, the Wind-Thunder Abbey shuddered, then surged forward, flying toward the nearby Great Snow Mountain. *** Time slipped quietly by. The heated discussions within the Wind-Thunder Abbey had temporarily subsided. Everyone sat meditating to adjust their breathing, striving to bring their condition to its absolute peak. All knew another grand battle lay ahead. Even with five Nascent Soul masters holding the line, none wished for the slightest mishap to befall themselves. Tucked away in a quiet corner, Luo Chen did not meditate. In the decisive battle on the Tiangu Plain earlier, he had barely acted and had expended almost nothing. A few others were in the same position. Haoranzi was one of them. Meeting Luo Chen's gaze, the two shared a knowing smile, leaving everything unspoken. The Wind-Thunder Abbey suddenly shuddered to a halt in midair. Amid the surprised looks of the crowd, the doors parted, and three more female cultivators entered. Luo Chen looked over, a trace of surprise flickering across his face. The newcomers were familiar faces. They were three Golden Core female cultivators from the Ice Fort: Baoshuang, Yinyue, and an Ice Fort elder. After entering the hall, the three briefly surveyed the room. Catching sight of Luo Chen, they gave a slight nod, then found a quiet place to sit down. *Though Fairy Jueqing cannot go, the Ice Fort still had to send people.* *Because of Master Canglong's failed tribulation, they lost four Golden Core cultivators. Even with the later addition of Ice Soul Fairy, the Ice Fort only has six Golden Core cultivators in total.* *This mobilization sends out half of their remaining forces in one go. Of the remaining three, both Canglong and Jueqing are heavily injured, leaving only the newly ascended Golden Core Sect Master, Ice Soul Fairy, to oversee the grand situation alone.* *It seems the Ice Fort attaches great importance to opening the Great Snow Mountain as well!* While Luo Chen pondered, the Wind-Thunder Abbey paused only briefly before setting off once more. *** On the top floor of the Wind-Thunder Abbey. The five Nascent Soul masters engaged in intense conversation, occasionally retrieving items from their storage treasures to exchange. Han Zhan, for instance, had handed over a great deal after fulfilling his promises. He returned the sword pills, ruined puppet bodies, and the former Golden Cores of the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect's four Golden Core sword cultivators. "With these items, together with the lifebound soul lamps preserved within our sect, Ren Pingsheng and the others can finally regain their freedom." Perfected Jade Cauldron's expression relaxed slightly. Yet the look he directed toward Han Zhan remained cold and unfriendly. Tianyezi smoothed things over from the side. "Why hold such a grudge, Fellow Daoist? It was merely that the disciples under your banner were incompetent; you cannot blame Fellow Daoist Han." Such mediation was worse than saying nothing at all! Sword cultivators, renowned for the greatest combat prowess among their peers, had been bested one after another by the Falling Cloud Sect's expert; speaking of it was sheer humiliation. Perfected Jade Cauldron let out a cold snort, staring straight at Han Zhan. "I only hope Fellow Daoist will not forget the remainder of your promise." Han Zhan said nothing, merely dissolving the medicinal potency of pills within him, recovering his condition as much as possible. In his battle with Ao Xiao, though he had sustained no fatal wounds, his losses had been immense. His magic power was reduced to less than half, his divine soul exhausted to the point where he could no longer launch that caliber of soul attack, and his Two Instruments Five Elements Sword Formation lay destroyed. In particular, his Nascent Soul puppet avatar had suffered grievous trauma, capable of displaying Golden Core strength at best for now. It could not even transfer injuries anymore. Had it not been to honor his agreement to help the Yunhe couple open the Great Snow Mountain, he would never have been willing to make this journey. Sensing Tianyezi's burning gaze, Han Zhan let out a helpless sigh. "Fellow Daoist need not worry." "As agreed, once the grand situation is settled, I will lend the Demon Locking Tower to you for study. I will not breach our pact." Tianyezi nodded with a genial chuckle. It was good that he remembered! The grade of the Demon Locking Tower was not exceptionally high, having only recently recovered to the superior rank, falling far short of the few true artifacts held by Tianfan City. Yet this treasure encompassed the core array formations of Ghost-God Valley, even capable of locking enemies across the void and targeting the condensed Dao fruits of Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators. That alone made it extraordinary! If he could get his hands on it and glean some insights from its design, Tianfan City's artifact-refining arts would surely rise to a higher level! Thousands and tens of thousands of years in the future, he, Tianyezi, would leave a profound mark in the annals of Tianfan City. As the five sat in a circle, Master Yunhe, who had remained silent for a long time, suddenly spoke. "We caused such a massive commotion in the Howling Moon Mountain Range earlier. Even if we resolved Ao Xiao in an instant, the Great Snow Mountain must have caught wind of it. Han Zhan, are you certain the White Bone Mysterious Snake will not flee?" The White Bone Mysterious Snake, Lord of the Great Snow Mountain! Faced with this question, Han Zhan let out a cold snort. "First, opening wars typically target only a single domain. With convention in place, he will not expect us to breach the pact." "Second, when that friend of mine underwent tribulation earlier, though it failed, it ruined more than half of the Great Snow Mountain's Tier 4 spirit vein. The White Bone Mysterious Snake has spent years repairing that cultivation ground suited to him, never once leaving his lair." "Lastly, if he flees, wouldn't that be a blessing?" At these three answers, Master Yunhe let out a breath of relief. His Dao companion, Heqingzi, wore a sneer at the corners of her mouth. "Having breached the ancient opening pact set between the human and demon races, are you truly not afraid that the ancient demons of the primeval mountain ranges will strike in fury?" Ancient demons—beings above Demon Emperors, equivalent to human Soul Formation grand powerhouses! Faced with this mocking question, the four human Nascent Soul masters fell into silence. After a long pause, Tianyezi remarked softly, "There was no other choice. The holy land instructed us to test the demons' stance; we had to comply." With someone opening the door, speaking became easier. Perfected Jade Cauldron sneered, "Heqingzi, you are also part of the demon race. If an ancient demon powerhouse truly strikes, the first to die will be you, the traitor. You still have the mood to sneer?" Heqingzi's face stiffened, leaving her speechless. Or rather, her earlier mockery had merely been a bravado masking inner dread. Perfected Jade Cauldron truly lived up to his Lucid Sword Heart, piercing straight to the fear harbored in her heart in an instant. Seeing the atmosphere turn awkward again, Heqingzi's Dao companion, Yunhe, waved a hand. "There is no need to worry about such matters. If an ancient demon powerhouse truly acts, that would truly tear the pact apart. In doing so, it would instead grant those beings in the holy land an excuse to launch an offensive. Fellow Daoists, is that not the very meaning of our operation?" Words were one thing, but when life and death truly hung in the balance, no one could remain completely at ease. Or rather, how many in this world could genuinely face death with tranquility? Han Zhan had ascended to the Nascent Soul realm latest, and thus knew the least regarding the inner workings at humanity's apex. At this moment, he could not resist asking, "If those ancient demons deep within the Eastern Desolation make a move, can the holy land's Mingyuan Sect suppress them?" "Perhaps not in ancient times, but after several millennia of development, the Mingyuan Sect's strength is unfathomable. It is enough to suppress all!" Master Yunhe said decisively. Behind him stood the Hehuan Sect, whose information networks were most well-informed. He knew better than anyone how mighty the Mingyuan Sect was. Yet did he truly comprehend how terrifying those forbidden beings deep within the Eastern Desolation were? Tianyezi sighed softly. "Fellow Daoists, it would still be wise to exercise caution. Do not pin all your hopes on the holy land! Beware of the Turmoil of the Northern Sea repeating itself!" The Turmoil of the Northern Sea! The moment those words dropped, a chill gripped everyone present. Perfected Jade Cauldron gritted his teeth. "Who cares? As long as ancient demon powerhouses do not intervene, who in this world can detain me? If an ancient demon being truly casts aside all dignity to strike against us, then I shall accept my fate!" Tianyezi sighed, standing up calmly. "Fellow Daoists, we have arrived." *** *Boom!* The sound of wind and thunder abruptly faded. Amid brilliant radiance, figures stepped out of the palace, gazing down upon the immense mountain range stretching for tens of thousands of li below. The peaks rose and fell, towering into the sky. Upon a flat expanse of terrain, a Daoist palace constructed from pale, eerie bones stood conspicuously. Farther out across the mountain range, figures exuding powerful auras were converging continuously. They were numerous Tier 3 demon kings who had shadowed the Wind-Thunder Abbey along the way, gathering toward the White Bone Dao Palace of the Great Snow Mountain. Beholding the powerful Golden Core experts emerging one after another from the Wind-Thunder Abbey, every demon king felt their hearts tremble with terror. *Creak...* As if an ancient, long-neglected iron door were shoved open, flakes of rust falling away, an alluringly handsome young Daoist stepped forth. He looked up toward the Wind-Thunder Abbey, his pupils shrinking. Atop the nine-tiered Wind-Thunder Abbey, five figures emerged one by one. Master Yunhe cleared his throat. "Fellow Daoist White Bone, leave the Great Snow Mountain behind, and you may depart." Faced with five Nascent Soul masters, the White Bone Mysterious Snake smiled ferociously, showing not the slightest panic. "Depart?" "Today, none of you will leave!" Everyone froze. Then, they watched as the White Bone Mysterious Snake stepped aside, bowing with utmost deference. A delicate, slender foot stepped forth from the White Bone Dao Palace, which resembled a serpent's gaping maw. In that very instant! "Run!" A single word was shouted in unison by five voices. The five Nascent Soul masters showed not the slightest hesitation, fleeing backward together without pause. Perfected Jade Cauldron was fastest; sword light coalesced around him, transforming his entire body into a streak of rainbow radiance that shot away. Tianyezi clapped his hands together, wind and thunder surging across his body as he followed close behind. Heqingzi shuddered, her eyes filled with disbelief before she reverted directly to her true form. A massive white crane a hundred zhang in length revealed itself to the world, its wings flapping to churn endless demonic energy. Moreover, countless white crane feathers drifted downward as she activated an escape secret art, enshrouded in layers of white radiance. Only Han Zhan and Yunhe were slower, trailing in the rear. This shift occurred so abruptly. So sudden was it that the numerous Golden Core cultivators aboard the Wind-Thunder Abbey, who had felt victory was a certainty moments before, failed completely to react. Only then did the owner of that delicate lotus foot step from the White Bone Dao Palace, revealing her true appearance before all. Clad in water-green robes, she bore delicate brows, refined eyes, a slender nose, and thin lips. The snow of the Great Snow Mountain was not half as fair as her skin. The bleached bones of the palace held not a third of the chill emanating from her eyes. Her hair reached her waist, black as thick ink. As the gentle mountain wind blew, her slender waist looked fragile enough to snap. A willow swaying in the breeze could not have been more delicate. What caught the eye was the black three-legged crow perched upon her shoulder. "We beseech Lord Qingshuang to act!" the White Bone Mysterious Snake said with profound deference, not daring to carry the slightest disrespect in his tone. She gave a faint nod, then extended a slender palm as white as jade, slowly curling it into a small fist. Just a single punch! *Boom!* As if traversing space itself, the blow fell upon Master Yunhe, who trailed at the very rear. His physical body detonated, turning into a torrential shower of blood as he perished upon the boundless snowy ground.