The Ice and Snow Divine Art was Yan Xiangxue's exclusive, peerless art. Its prototype was merely an ordinary Houtian-realm technique known as the Flying Snow Art, which Yan Xiangxue had forcefully elevated all the way to the Grandmaster realm.
Naturally, during the process of deducing and refining it, Yan Xiangxue had referenced many other manuals. She had even consulted Ye Tianlin during that time, gaining fragmentary insights into the Jade Snow Art.
One could say this art was a pinnacle manual that brought together multiple schools while incorporating her own wisdom and comprehension. When unleashed, it emanated an extreme, biting cold—truly a spectacle where "snowflakes fill the sky and ice seals a thousand li"—hence its name, the Ice and Snow Divine Art!
Strictly speaking, although Flowing Fire Reflection was fire-attributed, it represented the desolate flowing fire of autumn and the setting sun's lingering afterglow at dusk—merely the waning remnants of heat after summer passed. In terms of true fiery potency, it was hardly abundant, and when compared to the extreme cold of Yan Xiangxue's Ice and Snow Divine Art, the gap became even wider.
Once Wang Yu mastered this divine art, the balance between ice and fire would still not be achieved. Only this time, ice would overpower fire. If he wished to balance the two, he would have to seek out another fire-attributed divine art, or expend medicinal pill energy to have the tortoise shell deduce and revise it.
"Isn't this just adding water when there's too much flour, and adding flour when there's too much water?"
Wang Yu curled his lip. Fortunately, he had a cheat. Otherwise, where could he ever find a fire-attributed martial art of such a caliber?
Wait a second—without his cheat, he couldn't have cultivated the Ice and Fire Dual Heavens in the first place.
Well, no problem then.
Yan Xiangxue began instructing Wang Yu in the internal art. Li Yunxiu and Qianqian tactfully took their leave. Ardai lingered in the courtyard for a bit before wandering outside, utterly bored.
Throughout the morning, Yan Xiangxue explained the underlying conception and general outline of the Ice and Snow Divine Art to Wang Yu, while also imparting the breathing technique for the first layer and having him memorize all the qi-circulation mnemonics for the second and third layers.
"The Ice and Snow Divine Art has only three layers: the first is Houtian, the second is Xiantian, and the third is Grandmaster," Yan Xiangxue said. "Do not be deceived by the few layers. As one's cultivation deepens, one's internal strength grows increasingly profound and frigid. Stepping into the first layer and reaching perfection in the first layer are two entirely different degrees of cold."
Wang Yu indicated that he understood. His progress had stalled for a long time at the fourth layer of Flowing Fire Reflection, so he was well acquainted with the concept.
At the same time, Wang Yu felt even greater respect for Yan Xiangxue. In truth, there was no need for her to impart the subsequent layers of the Ice and Snow Divine Art to him so quickly. Doing so was entirely to win his trust, showing tremendous goodwill.
The two remained in the courtyard until nearly noon. The moment they stepped out the gate, they saw Ardai chattering away with Li Yunxiu and Qianqian, describing how intelligent and human-like a little lamb she raised was.
Though Ardai had listened to Yan Xiangxue the day before and knew that neither Li Yunxiu nor Qianqian was someone to be trifled with, she had struck up a conversation out of boredom today. She quickly found that one was clever and the other lively, making their chat exceptionally delightful.
In truth, Li Yunxiu and Qianqian were delighted as well. It had been a long time since they encountered such an innocent, kindhearted, and pretty young girl. Listening to her cheerful chatter brightened their spirits.
And because there was now hope for Yan Xiangxue's recovery, Ardai's eyes sparkled with joy, which was all the more infectious.
"What are you chatting about that's making you all so happy?" Wang Yu asked casually.
"Talking about my little lamb!" Ardai's eyes curved into crescents. "Its name is Little White, and it's super smart! Last time my younger sister played hide-and-seek, she fell asleep in a haystack. Everyone was frantic with worry, but it tracked her down by scent!"
Li Yunxiu looked at Wang Yu and asked with concern, "Did everything go smoothly?"
Wang Yu nodded. "Thanks to Senior's trust, she has already imparted the complete Ice and Snow Divine Art."
A gleam flashed in Li Yunxiu's eyes. She had not expected Yan Xiangxue to impart the complete text right away, and could not help marveling at how discerning she was, and how decisively she acted—so much so that one could find no fault in her conduct.
"Is this the experience of an old hand in the Jianghu?"
"Master!" Ardai clung to Yan Xiangxue's arm, whining coaxingly. "You haven't even taught me the second layer of the Ice and Snow Divine Art yet!"
Yan Xiangxue looked at her with doting affection. "You don't practice diligently. It's hard to say whether you'll even reach Xiantian in this lifetime, so what good would learning the second layer do you?"
Ardai's eyes suddenly reddened slightly as she declared resolutely, "I can definitely reach Xiantian! I won't let anyone bully us again!"
Yan Xiangxue gently stroked Ardai's glossy black hair and said with a warm smile, "Since you have the resolve, then practice alongside Prince Zhao tomorrow."
Wang Yu clasped his hands. "You may simply call me Zhao Yu."
Whatever the case, Yan Xiangxue had shown him the kindness of imparting her martial art. Letting her continue to address him as "Prince" would create too much distance.
Yan Xiangxue nodded in agreement. Burdened with severe injuries and having talked all morning, she was already exhausted, so Ardai hurried to support her back to rest.
The two had just departed when Wang Yu saw Fang Shaobai and Leng Jiangzhu approaching side by side from not far away.
"Has Brother Sun not returned yet?" Leng Jiangzhu asked.
Fang Shaobai remarked with a face full of surprise, "I heard Brother Zhao and Brother Sun can do the Tianshan Sect a huge favor. What a coincidence."
As it turned out, no sooner had the seven arrived on Mount Tianshan yesterday than several disciples from the younger generation of the Tianshan Sect invited them out for hospitality. On the surface, it was to tour Mount Tianshan and view the scenery of the Western Regions, but it secretly involved subtle probing.
By yesterday evening, another young disciple had come by, saying that Sun Wenzhu and Wang Yu—whom they had invited up the mountain—happened to be able to do the Tianshan Sect a great favor by helping to treat their friend, Granny Snow Mountain. Yang Weiming was personally taking Sun Wenzhu to refine medicinal pills, and had instructed those under him to treat Sun, Wang Yu, and their companions with the utmost respect.
For the same reason, the Tianshan Sect had accepted a favor from the seven sects' disciples and entertained them lavishly last night. Fine wines from the Western Regions and the Central Plains flowed like water. At odds of nearly three against one, they had knocked out all six of them, with only Leng Jiangzhu remaining standing.
Fang Shaobai had slept until nearly noon and still had a lingering headache. As for the other five, they were still lying in bed.
"Brother Sun was taken away by Senior Yang yesterday. Refining pills shouldn't be that fast, right?"
Wang Yu did not know how long refining pills actually took in a wuxia world. While it certainly wasn't like modern decoctions of Chinese herbs that took an hour or two, it probably wouldn't be like xianxia novels where refinement lasted forty-nine days either.
If it really took forty-nine days, Yan Xiangxue would likely already be dead.
Speak of the devil.
No sooner had Wang Yu mentioned Sun Wenzhu being taken away by Yang Weiming than he saw the two walking over with brisk strides. Sun Wenzhu was holding a porcelain bottle in his hand. The pair nodded toward them and stepped into the adjacent courtyard.
A moment later, they strolled out. Looking at Sun Wenzhu's impassive face, one could see—absolutely nothing!
Having spent some time with him, Wang Yu had almost never seen his expression change. So, even though he knew the chances of anything going wrong were slim, he still asked, "Did everything go smoothly?"
Sun Wenzhu nodded. "Senior Yan has fallen asleep."
With that said, Sun Wenzhu turned to Yang Weiming. "May I take a stroll around Mount Tianshan?"
Yang Weiming knew Sun Wenzhu wanted to search for fresh snow lotuses, but he still advised, "Of course you may. But you didn't sleep all night—it would be better to get some rest first. There is no rush this very moment."
"It was only one sleepless night; it is no trouble," Sun Wenzhu said, shaking his head. "Tianshan snow lotuses bloom unpredictably, and their flowering period is extremely brief. It is best not to waste time."
Yang Weiming could only nod in agreement. "I have already instructed the sect that you are free to enter and leave any part of Mount Tianshan. On Lingxiao Peak, aside from the stone cottage where Grandmaster lives in seclusion and the cave behind it used for secluded cultivation, you may roam wherever you wish."
Sun Wenzhu cupped his hands. "I would not dare disturb Senior Ye's quiet cultivation."
Sun Wenzhu headed off to various parts of Mount Tianshan in search of snow lotuses, and Leng Jiangzhu departed with him.
Watching their retreating backs, Fang Shaobai chuckled. "Brother Liu is going to have his heart broken."
Wang Yu raised an eyebrow. "Liu Wuchen likes Leng Jiangzhu?"
"Young, formidable in martial arts, and barring any unforeseen events, likely to head the Meishan Sect in the future—isn't it completely natural for Liu Wuchen to like her?" Fang Shaobai laughed. "Pity that Leng Jiangzhu doesn't fancy him."
The Four Great Sword Sects of Shu were situated close to one another. Their young disciples frequently crossed paths when descending the mountain to perform chivalrous deeds, and many whose temperaments aligned ended up marrying. The major sword sects never stood in their way. In history, the most famous couple had even each taken over the leadership of their respective sects, becoming a celebrated tale.
Naturally, Liu Wuchen also wanted to leave behind such a romantic tale, but Leng Jiangzhu was unwilling.
Qianqian leaned in as well, her eyes brimming with gossip. "Liu Wuchen's martial arts are quite high too, and he carries quite the air of the Sword Saint. Why doesn't Leng Jiangzhu like him?"
Seeing that Wang Yu was rather curious as well, Fang Shaobai replied, "Leng Jiangzhu said Liu Wuchen is somewhat hypocritical."
Women were gossips by nature; Li Yunxiu drew closer as well. "How so?"
Although they all belonged to the Seven Great Sword Sects, some relationships were closer than others. What was more, after discussing wine with Wang Yu, Fang Shaobai already regarded him as an intimate friend—far closer to him than to Liu Wuchen.
Not to mention, Liu Wuchen prided himself on being the heir of the Sword Saint and had always resented that people in the Jianghu praised Fang Shaobai as the foremost of the younger generation among the Seven Great Sword Sects. Though he thought he had concealed it well, Fang Shaobai had seen through it long ago.
"Senior Sword Saint is free, untamed, and follows his heart—a true romantic gentleman of effortless elegance." Fang Shaobai held deep admiration for the Sword Saint, Liu Suifeng.
"Liu Wuchen is not that kind of person at all, yet he insists on putting on such an act," Fang Shaobai said with a laugh. "Ordinary people naturally wouldn't notice, but Leng Jiangzhu clearly saw through it."
Li Yunxiu nodded. "In truth, he is very conservative and cautious."
Calling him "conservative and cautious" was the polite phrasing; put bluntly, he was scheming and deeply suspicious.
Leng Jiangzhu had an aloof nature and was not a hypocrite herself, so naturally she would never like someone who was.
Yet evidently, no one had expected she would take a liking to another block of ice.
Qianqian gossiped, "If she could say such things to you, that means she trusts you a lot, and you're very authentic yourself. Why didn't the two of you end up together?"
Fang Shaobai nearly stumbled and waved his hands frantically. "I have no interest in her!"
Fang Shaobai had seen far too many unreasonable women. In his eyes, all he needed in this life were his sword and his wine; women would only slow down the speed at which he drew his blade. Naturally, he could not say such words in front of Li Yunxiu and Qianqian.
So Fang Shaobai merely raised the wineskin in his hand. "This is grape wine from the Western Regions that Xin Yilong gave me yesterday. I specially saved a skin to invite Brother Zhao to share a drink."
Chapter 79