Chapter 111

Chapter 111: Entering the Great Snowfield

As he spoke, Lou Yun had already taken out the item from his ring; it was a small, square box. When opened, inside were thirteen palm-sized black flags, neatly arranged.

Golden threads embroidered patterns on each flag. Though they looked like decorations, Lou Yun didn’t believe they were just simple ornaments, not after seeing the Azure Cloud Cauldron and the Chaos Golden Cauldron. They surely possessed some special function.

Lou Yun casually picked up one flag, turning it over several times. Apart from the patterns on its surface, he found nothing else remarkable.

"Brother Chang, do you know what this thing is used for?"

"I’ve never heard of it. This is the first time I’ve seen it!"

"Just these thirteen small flags. Who knows what they’re really good for, yet so many people lost their lives over them. Truly not worth it!"

Lou Yun shook his head gently, feeling it wasn’t worth it for those who had died.

Since he couldn’t discern any secret, Lou Yun could only store the flags away carefully, planning to ask someone knowledgeable about their specific use later when he encountered them.

In the following days, Lou Yun resumed his journey. Just as he had said, he also began cultivating more diligently. He even decided to splurge temporarily like a nouveau riche, no longer stinting on the spiritual crystals. He started absorbing the spiritual energy from the spiritual crystals as his primary cultivation method.

Thus, a month passed. Lou Yun’s magical weapon level shot up two consecutive ranks again, rising to the intermediate five-star realm. He was only a step away from becoming a high-level magical weapons master.

However, this step seemed incredibly distant to Lou Yun. Because according to Chang Xiang’s requirement, to advance a major level in the magical weapon realm, his magical weapon had to devour a Divine Heavenly Weapon. The only known Divine Heavenly Weapon he knew of was hidden with the Huangfu Family located deep within the Ghost Sea. Going to the Ghost Sea was impossible for Lou Yun in the short term. Even if he went, obtaining the Divine Heavenly Weapon was uncertain and could take who knows how long. So, he had to temporarily halt further cultivation progress for his magical weapon.

"Brother Chang, really, can’t I devour other common weapons to complete the major-level advancement?"

"You can. But it wouldn’t do you much good. In my view, devouring a Divine Heavenly Weapon should be the best choice!"

"But, heaven knows when I’ll get a Divine Heavenly Weapon. Do I just keep waiting like this?"

"Who says to just keep waiting? In the meantime, you can learn several more weapon techniques, intensify your physical cultivation, even forge more common weapons. There are many ways to become stronger, not just by raising your magical weapon level!"

Chang Xiang’s words rendered Lou Yun momentarily speechless. So, he focused his cultivation on weapon techniques and physical training, especially weapon techniques. After witnessing the power of Chang Xiang’s weapon technique "Sword Moment" — the Six Swords Kill Formation — Lou Yun realized that powerful weapon techniques could unleash forces vastly different from weaker ones.

As for powerful weapon techniques, Lou Yun possessed far too many now, covering all kinds of weapons. However, the amount of spiritual energy within his body was limited. Currently, he could only train weapon techniques up to the Solar level at best. Even so, mastering every single weapon technique his master had taught him was impossible. He therefore concentrated specifically on weapon techniques that could be executed with a sword, a spear, or purely with the physical body.

Meanwhile, Lou Yun finally arrived at the northernmost tip of the Bei Xiong Nation… the Great Snowfield!

Along the way, he had deliberately noted passing a place called Yulu Mountain. However, he did not climb it to find its master as Granny Bai Cao had suggested. Firstly, he didn’t want to trouble others and owe favors; secondly, he believed that with his own strength, plus the help of Chang Xiang and Xiao Huo, even if he couldn’t defeat opponents, he could at least avoid the powerful masters cultivating in seclusion deep within the Great Snowfield. He felt no need to seek outside help.

Looking at the expanse of white before him, it seemed the entire world was completely covered in ice and snow, leaving only this single white color. Though Lou Yun’s body was long since impervious to cold, standing there, he could still seemingly feel threads of cold invading his being.

Though it was called the Great Snowfield, it wasn’t actually purely flat land. It contained both plains and towering mountains. Range upon range of snow-capped peaks of varying heights stretched endlessly, creating an extremely magnificent spectacle.

The plains themselves stretched as far as the eye could see; their vast area impossible to judge at a glance. Lou Yun couldn’t help but feel a bit dumbfounded. How was he supposed to find the Qi Cai Xue Lian in such an immense Great Snowfield?!

He mentally reviewed the alchemical knowledge his master had imparted, finding a description of the Qi Cai Xue Lian’s location: usually found mid-mountain on snowy peaks.

Though this description was still vague, it was better than nothing. At least he wouldn’t waste time searching the flat ground. He could focus his attention solely on the mountains.

Lou Yun took a deep breath, lifted his body, and sprinted towards the nearest small hill. He had resolved himself: even if it meant traversing every single snow-capped mountain in this Great Snowfield, he would find the Qi Cai Xue Lian.

Nothing grew on the snow; the accumulated layers were extremely thick. As he climbed the snowy mountains, Lou Yun simultaneously used his spiritual sense along with Chang Xiang to monitor their surroundings vigilantly. If they detected anyone living secluded nearby, it was best to avoid them and steer clear unnecessary trouble.

Although his master said the Qi Cai Xue Lian grew on the mid-mountain of snow peaks, Lou Yun, preferring caution, climbed entire mountains to avoid missing it.

Thus, Lou Yun meticulously searched mountains one by one, according to an order he mentally assigned them, venturing steadily deeper into the Great Snowfield’s interior.

"Ninth mountain already. Where in the world is this Qi Cai Xue Lian?!"

Lou Yun sighed, a touch frustrated. Now, he genuinely wished he could run into someone. At least he could ask them where the Qi Cai Xue Lian might be, which would surely be faster than relying on luck like this.

But it seemed as if Lou Yun were utterly alone in this Great Snowfield. Not only had he seen no people so far, he hadn’t even encountered any animals.

Lou Yun bolstered his spirits and once again began his mountain-climbing journey. However, just as he had climbed to about one-third of the mountain’s height, he suddenly noticed something standing in the snow ahead like a black flagpole.

Having scaled nine mountains, this was the first time Lou Yun had seen any color other than white!

What was this thing?

Lou Yun stopped in his tracks and walked towards this "flagpole." Upon getting closer, he discovered it was unmistakably a common weapon — a long black knife, whose blade was as thin as a cicada’s wing, with its handle buried in the snow. He estimated it was over two meters long. Though its grade wasn’t high, only High-Level Five Stars.

Why would a common weapon be stuck in such a place? Could there be people buried under the snow? But when he extended his spiritual sense, he detected no energy fluctuation at all.

Lou Yun couldn’t help but ask Chang Xiang for help, "Brother Chang, is there anyone nearby?"

"Yes, with a cultivation level higher than yours, mystery rank one star. About half a kilometer from your position, probably in a cave!"

Lou Yun nodded and said, "I’ve finally encountered someone. I should ask him where exactly the Qi Cai Xue Lian is!"

So Lou Yun lifted his foot and stepped over the common weapon sticking out from the ground, heading toward where that person was located.

With Chang Xiang’s guidance, Lou Yun quickly found the exact spot, which was indeed a cave. Before he could speak, a sharp "whoosh" sound rang, and a figure appeared before him.

This person wore a white robe and white shoes; even their hair was entirely white. Standing in the pure white world, they seemed a natural part of it.

Long, disheveled white hair fell loosely behind them, covering much of their face, but a relatively youthful countenance could dimly be glimpsed. Their sharp, gleaming eyes were fixed on Lou Yun.

Though startled by the stranger’s sudden appearance and looks, Lou Yun reacted swiftly. He took two hasty steps back and clasped his hands in salute, saying, "Apologies for disturbing your meditation!"

The White-haired person stayed silent for a moment before replying. His voice was as cold as the surrounding ice, saying, "You don’t belong here?"

Lou Yun nodded and said, "I’m Lou Yun. It’s my first time visiting the Great Snowfield."

But the White-haired person completely ignored Lou Yun’s words. He turned away lightly and said with his back to Lou Yun, "In light of your ignorance and it being a first offense, I spare your life. Leave promptly, or accept the consequences!"

After speaking, he made to move off. Though unsure of the meaning, Lou Yun, reluctant to lose this only encounter after such effort, snapped out of his daze and called out, "Hold on!"

The White-haired person halted his footsteps but didn’t speak or turn back.

Lou Yun said urgently, "I’m new to the Great Snowfield and don’t know the rules here. Forgive any unintended offense. But I’ve come seeking the Qi Cai Xue Lian to save my sister—can you tell me where it’s found?"

After another pause, the White-haired person said slowly, "To save your sister?"

"Yes!" Lou Yun nodded and explained, "She got her face burned in a fire while trying to rescue someone. Only by collecting the Qi Cai Xue Lian and refining it into a pill can her face be healed."

The White-haired person said nothing. Standing motionless with his back to Lou Yun, he seemed deep in thought. Lou Yun dared not interrupt and waited patiently.

After a long while, the White-haired person seemed to snap out of a daze abruptly. He turned back to face Lou Yun and declared, "Since it’s for your sister, I’ll aid you once. Now, accompany me!"

With no visible movement, he suddenly lifted into the air, levitating as if supported by something invisible, and drifted slowly in one direction.

Witnessing this, Lou Yun was stunned. Flying without using a magical weapon was possible only for those who’d cultivated their body skills to mastery. Among magical weapons masters, few even trained in body skills, let alone reached such extremes!

Just then, Lou Yun overheard Chang Xiang’s astonished murmur, "Could I have misjudged his magical weapon realm?"