Chapter 70: Mastery of the Ice Needle

Because of the series of strange events that had unfolded recently, there was no peace or calm to be found in the Snow Bamboo Land. Every heartstring was taut, each disciple bracing themselves against the possibility that another bizarre incident might erupt at any moment.

As a Celestial Lord, Qian Gui had always been known for his leisurely and carefree manner, living with an air of unrestrained elegance. Yet after so many years, it was finally his turn to be beset by anxiety, sleepless and troubled. Still, he remained someone who believed in letting things take their natural course—what was meant to come would come. He felt little turmoil, except when his disciples’ safety was threatened.

Upon returning to Snow Bamboo Land, Qian Gui summoned his disciples for a meeting.

“Xue Ze!” His greatest concern was for her—she appeared the most well-behaved, yet also the most worrisome. “Tell me, how exactly did you open the Gate of Magical Artifacts? And how did you select the Frost Lotus Ice Needle?”

“I…” Xue Ze hesitated for a long time, unsure how to respond. She dreaded this question, for she herself could not recall the details.

“Speak freely!” Qian Gui encouraged.

“To be honest, I don’t really know. At the time, I approached the Artifact Gate and saw many disciples guarding it, so I used the art of invisibility to slip past them. When I reached the gate, I saw torrents of water pouring down; without thinking, I rushed in.”

“No one may enter without permission. The gate is guarded by a waterfall array—without immense spiritual power, one cannot pass. How did you force your way in? Did you use a particular spell? Even then, there is only a white door, which will not open on its own.”

“I… I don’t know. I used a spell shield, thinking to resist the water, but the water did me no harm. Once inside, curiosity led me to look for a mechanism. I found a protrusion, perhaps a lock. Before I could see clearly, the door opened on its own!”

Qian Gui was astonished, but quickly masked his complex emotions. He asked softly, “Was the lock shaped like a lotus flower, with each half on either side of the door? Did it appear solid but feel soft to the touch? Did it glow when you touched it, opening the door immediately?”

Xue Ze nodded, gazing at him with delight. “Master, you know everything. Surely you understand the reason—could you enlighten me? Why does such a strange phenomenon occur?”

“That… that is the wonder of the Artifact Gate!” Qian Gui feigned a smile, though his heart was roiling within him.

“Is that so?” Xue Ze hesitated, lost in thought. What should she do now?

Qian Gui let out a long breath. “Yes. The matter is past; there’s no need to dwell on it.”

“Then why did Master ask?”

Qian Gui was taken aback, his gaze evasive. “I feared you might break some taboo, nothing more… nothing more.”

Before Xue Ze could press further, Ji Lin sidled closer, his eyes brimming with curiosity.

“Junior Sister, how did you obtain your artifact? I still don’t have one of my own—I’d like to learn a thing or two, so I might one day find an artifact for myself!”

“What kind of artifact do you want, Senior Brother? When I entered the Artifact Gate, I barely had time to look around; I caught sight of the gleaming Ice Needle, remarked on its beauty, and suddenly it moved, propelling me out the door. It was all so quick I didn’t see any of the other artifacts…”

Ji Lin nodded as if he understood. “So that’s it—you must praise the artifact, win its favor, and then you can control it!”

Lan Shui gave a cold laugh and said to Ji Lin, “Everyone has a different artifact, and each artifact has its own temperament. Don’t just imitate others blindly, or you’ll offend your own artifact!”

“Hmph, imitate blindly?” Ji Lin frowned at Lan Shui. “Then tell me, how did you obtain your Blue Light Sword?”

“This sword drew my eye at once—I admired its indomitable spirit. I had to tame it before I could claim it as my own.”

“Tame it?”

Lan Shui nodded. “It’s not enough to wield it—you must also attune it to a spirit. I needed to find a sword spirit, so I ventured into Blue Lake and brought one back. Only then did I gain this powerful instrument, one that fits perfectly in my grasp.”

Ji Lin clicked his tongue, speaking slowly, “Well, you’re all so capable—it’s just me who’s lacking. But, Junior Sister, why didn’t you need to find a spirit? Does the Ice Needle come with one?”

“The Frost Lotus Ice Needle is a sacred item, already brimming with spiritual energy and as perceptive as a person. It needs no additional spirit to be so formidable.” Lan Shui glanced at Xue Ze, noticing her deepening furrow of worry, and shifted the conversation. “Moreover, all things related to the Celestial Maiden are connected to snow lotuses. Perhaps it’s because you consumed a Snow Lotus Ice Pearl and share a deep affinity with the snow lotus.”

Xue Ze and Ji Lin both gained insight from Lan Shui’s words. Qian Gui, too, found inspiration. Could it really be that Xue Ze’s repeated surprises and the Ice Needle’s favor were due to her affinity with the snow lotus? Perhaps she was not the predestined Celestial Maiden candidate, but rather an accidental beneficiary of fate and talent? That would be good—this news must be spread at once.

Qian Gui cleared his throat. “Are you all finished with your business? Back to other topics already? Will you never let me rest easy?”

“Master, do you have any instructions? Though I am prepared to descend the mountain, I still hope for your guidance. After all, I am unsure how to wield the Ice Needle to its fullest.”

“Indeed!” Qian Gui smiled. “But since the Ice Needle has already merged with you so seamlessly, it will cooperate with you well. Mastery comes with practice. There is no secret to using an artifact—only concentrate your will and keep your heart pure, and you will be invincible.”

“Master is right!” Lan Shui said to Xue Ze, “Artifacts have many functions, most of which can only be discovered through use in various situations. This sacred artifact surpasses ordinary ones; its powers are not limited to combat, training, or escape—it can also heal and assist cultivation. You must study it diligently.”

“Thank you, Master and Senior Brother, for your guidance. I will earnestly learn and get along well with the Ice Needle. But, since it can heal, might I use it on Lian Zi?”

Qian Gui laughed heartily. “A good idea—by all means, try it!”

Overjoyed, Xue Ze hurried off to the secret chamber to seek the method.

Qian Gui looked at Lan Shui and Ji Lin, giving stern instructions. “Xue Ze’s rise will surely attract jealousy. None in Snow Bamboo Land will find peace. You must remain vigilant at all times—do not be careless! Take good care of your junior sisters.”

“Rest assured, Master, we understand.”

“Yes, the trouble with Lian Zi has proved as much. I believe our junior sisters will be all the more cautious.” Ji Lin paused, then smiled slyly, “Master, did you send Xue Ze away just to say all this?”

Qian Gui shook his head. “I want… to have you spread the word.”

“Spread the word?”

“Exactly. As Lan Shui said, let it be known that Xue Ze received the artifact’s favor due to her connection with the snow lotus.”

Ji Lin nodded with a smile. “That should lessen some of the jealousy. Not a bad plan!”

“We’re still on the defensive?” Lan Shui frowned, displeased. “The traitor is in the shadows—defense cannot last forever! When will we strike back?”

Qian Gui stroked his beard, replying meaningfully, “When the time is right.”

In the secret chamber, Xue Ze gazed at Lian Zi, her heart welling with boundless sorrow and pity. “Lian Zi, you suffered so much coming with me to Tianshan! Now that I have the artifact, let me try to save you!”

Following Qian Gui’s instructions, Xue Ze first gave Lian Zi a Snow Lotus Ice Pearl, then summoned the Frost Lotus Ice Needle.

Focus your thoughts, concentrate, let your heart sincerely commune with the sacred artifact—see if you can heal Lian Zi!

“Xue Ze, your artifact is the most spiritually attuned, able to sense your thoughts and body. There’s no need for incantations or spells—sincerity alone suffices. If you can unite with it, sharing perception, then it is truly yours! Healing is just the same—see if it will obey you completely!”

Recalling her master’s words, Xue Ze prayed devoutly to the Ice Needle…

Moments later, a wave of chilling cold swept through her. When Xue Ze opened her eyes, she saw waves of silvery light.

“What is this?” Xue Ze stepped aside. The Ice Needle circled above Lian Zi, its silver radiance enveloping her. Not only was Lian Zi’s body shrouded in this glow, but a faint light also emanated from within her—the very color her master had described.

Xue Ze was overjoyed, whispering, “The sacred artifact is truly wondrous—worthy of the Celestial Maiden, it brings the Snow Lotus Ice Pearl’s power to its fullest!”

Soon, the Ice Needle returned to Xue Ze’s hand, and Lian Zi opened her eyes.

“Senior Sister?”

“Lian Zi!” Xue Ze rushed over, taking Lian Zi’s hand. “You’re finally awake!”

Lian Zi smiled weakly, “If I’m like this, who will descend the mountain? I must recover quickly!”

“No, I will go! Just now I used the Frost Lotus Ice Needle to save you, amplifying the Ice Pearl’s effect—it will keep you safe. After this, you must rest and not move about carelessly!”

“Senior Sister!”

“Say no more!” Xue Ze stroked Lian Zi’s hair. “I recover faster than you and have obtained the sacred artifact—this journey must fall to me. I know you want to go not just for me—you wish to see Feng Xing, don’t you?”

“Senior Sister, you knew?”

“How could I not know? You slip out several times a week, even stealing my Nine Command Pearls so Master and the others won’t find out. But the mortal world is perilous—those people are not like us, their paths forever diverge! You must abide by the Tianshan rules, especially in such critical times—no mistakes!”

“Yes.” Tears slid down Lian Zi’s face. She whispered, “Senior Sister, be careful when you descend the mountain. If you see Feng Xing or Feng Nuan, please tell them I cannot come for now.”

“Who exactly should I tell?”

Lian Zi gave a bitter smile. “Feng Nuan, I suppose. Feng Xing doesn’t know I’ve met them—only Feng Nuan does.”

“So, you even used invisibility each time. You didn’t want him to know, yet you still risked meeting him—was it worth it?”