Chapter 091: Master and Disciple Ascend the Snowy Realm

Dusk had fallen. In the realm of Snow Bamboo, some returned while others departed.

Each fulfilled their duties, busily occupied, and the usual laughter and idle chatter had grown scarce. The glow of the evening clouds faded, and Xueze prepared to head toward the Snow Domain, as she did each day to inspect conditions and check the checkpoints. Diligent and responsible in her tasks, she was even more vigilant when it came to the sacred heart of the Heavenly Mountain.

Just past the Bridge of Lost Souls, Xueze encountered Lord Jiucang and Lord Qiangui, who were walking together, chatting and laughing. In their conversation, they caught sight of Xueze.

“Xueze greets the Lords!”

“Rise, Xueze!” Jiucang and Qiangui approached her. “Are you off to the Snow Domain? Your master mentioned your diligence and hard work every day, which puts my mind at ease.”

Xueze smiled gently, “It is what I ought to do.”

“In truth, even the disciples of Heavenly Mountain cannot enter the sacred Snow Domain at will, and the summit is fraught with obstacles. You need not go twice daily; look at how often your master went when guarding it.”

“You old fellow, are you finding new ways to poke fun at me?” Qiangui laughed and looked at Xueze kindly. “Lately, I’ve seldom returned and have not kept up with your daily routines. Each visit you make to the Snow Domain lasts so long I hardly see you. Today, as Jiucang says, I advise you not to be overly conscientious.”

“What does that mean? Isn’t it better to go more often? Though I’ve been up many times, I’m still unfamiliar with the paths and have yet to see the snow lotus. Twice daily is already little enough. As the Immortal of the Snow Domain, if I neglect my post, how could I win respect?”

Qiangui smiled silently, a hint of sorrow flickering in his heart.

Jiucang laughed, casting a satisfied glance at Qiangui. “No wonder your disciples are so clever and quick-witted—every one outshining their teacher! If Xueze insists, and since the Snow Domain is yours to oversee, I leave it to you both. I must patrol elsewhere. Farewell!”

Watching Jiucang recede into the distance, Qiangui turned to Xueze. “Are you about to head to the Snow Domain? You say there are many things unclear—likely because I haven’t explained them well. Let me accompany you and clarify everything.”

Xueze considered this, asking in confusion, “Master, aren’t you busy? I wouldn’t dare waste your time.”

“These days I’ve truly been busy, rarely returning, always in Qiming Palace with Jiucang attending to affairs. But today is done, and I must fulfill a master’s duties. Let’s go.”

Though outwardly calm, Qiangui was deeply agitated within: Xueze, I hope you can understand the actions of the Lords! The traitor is known, but cannot yet be punished! May the High Priest emerge soon, and may this calamity not come too early, nor entangle you!

Xueze followed, thoughts swirling: Where has Master been lately? Why is he suddenly free? Still, his guidance will help—I won’t keep losing my way!

Qiangui led Xueze along a different path, not the usual route to the Snow Domain.

This road ascended from the northern corner of Snow Bamboo, reaching the Snow Domain in a quarter hour. With superior magic, it was even faster—twice as quick as the usual route.

“This path is swift indeed!”

“Yes, only those of Snow Bamboo know it, meant to guard against outsiders. It seems more necessary now.”

Xueze was puzzled, “Is Master worried about the traitor causing trouble?”

“Yes! Times have changed. From now on, be extra cautious in your duties. Don’t let the traitor exploit any gaps. If someone breaches the Snow Domain, you can use this path to intercept them.”

“Rest assured, Master—I will guard the Snow Domain strictly and leave no chance for troublemakers!”

Xueze glanced at Qiangui, lowering her head in thought: Ordinary people must pass through many checkpoints to enter the Snow Domain, and reaching its heart is far beyond common ability. Why does Master give me the sense someone could get in? If there truly were such a person, why would Master not want me to pay extra attention? Is he afraid I couldn’t withstand them?

At the outer edge of the Snow Domain, only a little snow could be seen. Green grass and flowers lay hidden beneath, bright and piercing.

The surrounding scenery was blurred, with only the faint contours of the central mountain visible, all else shrouded in white mist.

Crossing the boundary of green and white, they formally entered the Snow Domain. After walking a few hundred meters against the cold wind, the chill intensified—they had reached the heart of the Snow Domain. All around was a vast whiteness, with no color in sight, and no landmarks to guide direction.

“Xueze, is this where you lose your way?”

“Yes, there are no guides here. It’s hard to advance or retreat!”

“This is designed to protect the Snow Domain. Our path avoids all traps, but we must traverse here to reach the center and then climb the summit. The sacred treasures of the Snow Domain are on the summit. There’s an ice crystal house there—the Ice Palace.”

“I understand, but how do I discern direction?”

“I’ll teach you two methods. First, take this seed of the snow lotus—a spiritual guide. It will sense the lotus’s location.” Qiangui placed a green seed in Xueze’s hand. “It requires a secret art of Heavenly Mountain. Try the Snow Domain’s mystical flower spell I taught you—it’s a sensing technique.”

Xueze nodded, tossing the seed upward and casting her spell. White light radiated from the seed, which began to spin, finally stopping before her.

“This spell is easy to control!”

Qiangui laughed, “It seems easy to you, but most Heavenly Mountain disciples can’t manage it!”

Xueze stared at the seed, lost in thought. “What information does it give?”

“See, one end is sharp, the other rounded—the sharp end points the way. You must maintain the spell constantly so it updates direction and avoids mistakes.”

“I see, I’ll remember! But the seed is rare—if I don’t have it, what else?”

Qiangui smiled, stepped ahead, and looked around. After a moment, he called Xueze over.

“Look, there’s a flower here!”

Xueze bent down to examine it—a beautiful red flower under the snow.

“Truly! Flowers even in this cold?”

“This is formed from the remains of a snow eagle. Snow eagles circle the Snow Domain, maintaining its peace; after death, their bodies align as a path, guiding Heavenly Mountain disciples. If outsiders see this, it only leads them down the mountain.”

“Oh? How marvelous!”

Xueze inspected it closely—the flower was striking, yet frail and slender, hard to spot. Five petals, uneven in length, arranged with special intent and meaning.

“This flower is hard to find, often hidden several feet beneath snow. Moreover, the snow eagle is a sacred creature—its transformed flowers carry extraordinary spiritual energy. Disciples can find the two most distinctive petals to discern up and down; outsiders see only one, leading them down.”

“This flower has five petals, two longer than the rest—the longest points to the summit, the second to the descent. Can’t outsiders recognize these two? Might someone with exceptional insight manage?”

“Certainly, but relying on the flowers requires seeing dozens. Searching is troublesome and time-consuming—who has that much patience? Even Heavenly Mountain disciples can only endure the cold for half an hour, let alone anyone else!”

Xueze nodded, following Qiangui, marveling inwardly: The Snow Domain is truly remarkable; being its guardian is indeed a worthy post!

Pushing aside the white mist, daylight returned. Yet before joy could settle, awe took its place.

Master and disciple traversed the wind and snow to the place where snow lotuses grew.

Here, many icy streams flowed from the summit, each veiled in mist but not obscuring vision.

Ahead rose a small mountain, like a modest peak standing in the snow. Three layers of white clouds interlaced, and atop the peak was a leafless tree.

Xueze stared for a long time, her expression shifting, finally exclaiming, “Master! Is this where the snow lotus grows?”

“Yes. The three layers of cloud divide the mountain into three regions, each nurturing a grade of snow lotus. The closer to the summit, the rarer and more precious the lotus. Do you see that tree atop the peak?”

“I see it!”

“That is the Ice Cassia. The entire tree is forged from cold ice—it neither rots nor withers. It is the source of the Snow Domain’s cold and the lifeblood of the Heavenly Mountain’s snow lotus. Atop the tree is the mountain’s most vital artifact: the Tricolor Ice Crystal, essential for the snow lotus’s growth and the origin of our magical power.”

“I’ve heard tales of its extraordinary nature, and even from afar it’s awe-inspiring! The Ice Cassia nurtures the Tricolor Ice Crystal; the crystal sustains the sacred snow lotus. These three are the indispensable treasures of the Snow Domain and the foundation of our cultivation! No wonder they are placed here!”

“Indeed! Ice Cassia, Ice Crystal, and Snow Lotus—our sacred relics—support each other, inseparable. Heavenly Mountain has other magical treasures, but these are our lifeblood. Why else would we appoint a Lord, a High Priest, and so many disciples to guard this place?”

“It makes sense. Though Master seems idle, he bears heavy responsibility. Above him, the High Priest Qinglian governs, and now Snow Domain is entrusted to me. It is a great honor—and a daunting pressure!”

“No need for pressure. This place has been secure for centuries; why should trouble arise after your appointment? The path is hard to find and full of obstacles—more than enough! If cold and snow cannot deter villains, the Ice Cassia will.”

Xueze looked toward the summit, asking in confusion, “Master, does the Ice Cassia possess great power?”

“Of course—it is a sacred relic! Even disciples cannot approach it, so we remain here. Though I am a Lord, I feel burdened each time I fetch snow lotus. The summit is not easily reached! Only those with fate may ascend.”

“So Master has only entered the mountain, never reached the summit?”

Qiangui nodded, sighing, “As far as I know, only the Holy One and the Celestial Maiden have reached the top. If you are curious about the summit’s view, ask High Priest Qinglian.”

“What if someone with ill intent somehow ascends?”

Qiangui smiled faintly, his expression darkening. “If so, it would be a calamity not seen in a thousand years.”

“Is there a way to prevent or resist?”

“If it is disaster, how could it be resisted?”