Chapter 213: Thousand Snow
Chapter 213: Thousand Snow
“Was this small world left by the Xuan Star Saint?”
The white turtle nodded without further explanation.
“Does it hold his immortal legacy?”
The white turtle remained silent for prolonged moments. It first nodded, then shook its head, thoroughly confusing Cheng Lingyu.
“Why both nodding and shaking your head?”
The white turtle spoke hesitantly, “The Xuan Star Saint left items here… but they differ from expectations.”
“How so?”
“I cannot explain. If destined, you’ll understand naturally. If not, why insist?”
The turtle rose and melted into the darkness. Cheng Lingyu considered pursuing questions, but found none worth asking.
After the turtle’s departure, Cheng Lingyu erected a protective formation and reclined in the void, soon drifting into sleep. The night air rippled faintly around him as plant essences from the forest and invisible energies flowed into his body, forming a swirling vortex. Diverse energies merged and restructured within him, channeling into a mysterious space. Though unaware, Cheng Lingyu received profound benefits from this marvelous process.
At dawn, he awoke bursting with vitality. “My path of cultivation differs from others – but how exactly?” This perpetual question still eluded him.
Resuming his herbal search across mountains, Cheng Lingyu reflected on yesterday’s haul: sixteen low-grade and four mid-grade spiritual herbs, though no High-quality specimens. Reaching a canyon near midday, he encountered forty-odd cultivators from minor sects locked in combat over a carved stone tablet.
Observing the Soul Martial Sixth and Seventh Realm fighters, Cheng Lingyu – mere Soul Martial Fourth Realm – recognized himself as the weakest explorer in these ancient ruins. “Must accelerate opening all Ten Cave Heavens to reach Fifth Realm,” he resolved.
From overheard exchanges, he learned the tablet bore maps – either regional or of the entire small world. In these endless ruins, lacking maps meant wandering blindly. Hence the bloody competition.
Though Soul Martial clashes could normally Crumble Mountains and Rivers, this canyon endured their assaults, its faint scars already healing. Cheng Lingyu’s merged Nine Immortal Souls granted extraordinary perception – through them, his Glowing Star Seven-Colored Source pulsed excitedly, sensing treasures not in the tablet… but deeper within the canyon.
Cheng Lingyu took a detour to avoid the battle zone, soon reaching the depths of the canyon.
“Someone’s here.”
He slowed his steps. Ahead lay a ravine, where a dark green figure stood at the edge.
“A woman?”
Cheng Lingyu felt surprised, though curiosity outweighed it.
As if sensing his gaze, the dark green figure abruptly turned to stare at him from afar.
Hundreds of yards apart, their eyes met mid-air, stirring an indescribable sensation in Cheng Lingyu’s chest.
The dark green figure seemed blurred, shrouded by imperceptible ripples even his Dreamy Magic Eyes couldn’t pierce.
To her eyes, Cheng Lingyu too carried a strange haze, obscuring his essence.
After moments of silent staring, the dark green figure turned back toward the ravine.
Cheng Lingyu hesitated briefly before approaching cautiously, soon reaching the edge.
Leaning over, he saw black mist churning below, carrying a heavy, toxic stench.
Shifting his gaze, he glanced at the dark green figure now mere yards away, finally glimpsing her features clearly.
At that instant, she turned again, their eyes locking once more.
Their gazes clung like magnets, neither flinching—an odd intimacy, as if souls laid bare, imprinting lingering tremors in their minds.
The dark green figure stood tall and slender: proud peaks defying the sky, a willow-like waist curving gracefully, rounded hips radiating deadly temptation.
Her snowy neck and luminous skin framed flawless features—crystal chin, deep enigmatic eyes that drowned one’s senses.
Flowing hair framed a smooth forehead, delicate nose, and crimson lips, crafting a dreamlike beauty.
Radiant yet sacred, her faintly amused expression spoke of innate nobility and Arrogance.
Cheng Lingyu gaped. The most stunning women he’d known were Yu Wuchen and Chi Mei’er, twin unparalleled beauties. Yet this dark green woman rivaled them, each of the three possessing distinct allure.
Such peerless beauty—had she disguised herself to enter the ancient ruin unnoticed?
The dark green girl appeared around nineteen, flower-delicate, enveloped in an aura even his Dreamy Magic Eyes couldn’t penetrate.
After prolonged staring, Cheng Lingyu jolted awake, flushing at his rudeness.
Well-mannered and scholarly, he retained conservative sensibilities despite entering cultivation.
The girl remained composed. Noticing his averted eyes, she smiled faintly.
“Which Tianyang Empire sect claims you?”
Her voice chimed clear as a lark—poised, neither cold nor arrogant.
“I’m Cheng Lingyu, disciple of Lou Ri City. And you?”
He smiled, recovering swiftly, meeting the unparalleled beauty’s gaze warmly.
“Thousand Snow.”
A name simple yet melodic, humming with hidden resonance.
Cheng Lingyu paused. The name differed by one character from “Thousand Layers of Snow”—coincidence or connection?
“Thousand Snow, your purity lives up to your name, like snow itself. Are you merely passing through, or…?”
Cheng Lingyu shifted awkwardly, feeling strangely unsettled before this beautiful woman.
He drew a deep breath, expelling all his true essence. His restless emotions calmed in an instant.
Thousand Snow noticed his change, a flicker of surprise crossing her gaze.
“I came seeking something, finding this place unusual. Why aren’t you with your companions?”
Though smiling, her noble bearing still inspired reverence – an untouchable sacred aura radiating from her. This natural temperament formed an invisible barrier, keeping others at arm’s length.
“We got separated. That churning black mist below reeks terribly – probably toxic gas.”
Wind whipped Thousand Snow’s hair as she stood cliffside. Her snow-white grace left Cheng Lingyu staring dumbly.
“Why can’t men look away from beautiful women?” he muttered. This had happened with Yu Wuchen and Chi Mei’er too.
“Her cultivation surpasses yours – innate dominance and allure. This is the Dao’s breath, infinitely compelling.”
The mysterious grass’s voice echoed in his mind. Cheng Lingyu’s heart jolted – Thousand Snow’s power must be extraordinary.
In Lou Ri City, beauties like Lan Xiaozhu, Fang Ruohua, and Song Xuejiao never made him feel this helpless. Their similar cultivation levels meant limited allure compared to this overwhelming Dao essence.
“There’s a Primordial Stone below. Fine quality, but not my quarry.” Disappointment tinged Thousand Snow’s voice as she mentioned the Abyss treasures.
“What’s a Primordial Stone?”
“It contains the Primordial Realm ability – excellent for healing and defense. Try claiming it if you wish.”
“Healing? Defense?”
“The Primordial Realm restores one’s peak condition. A gravely injured peak Soul Martial cultivator reduced to Third Stage power could fully recover. Even dying folk could regain prime vitality.”
“That’s monstrously powerful!”
“True, but refining the Primordial Realm from the stone has less than 1% success rate.”
“You’re not tempted by such power?”
“Different paths suit different cultivators. The Primordial Realm only defends and heals, while the world bows to offense and destruction. Passive defense doesn’t suit my Dao.”
“Destruction is tyranny, not true kingship.”
He hesitated before countering. Thousand Snow glanced sideways, her half-smile holding hidden depths.