Arriving at the Northernmost Point of the World – Uttarakuru

“Senior Brother Qiancha,” a voice called from behind. Lu Qiancha turned to see Shangguan Yunzhu’s face, as cold and picturesque as ever, but now tinged with… an intense curiosity!

Right now, Lu Qiancha really wanted to say: [Please maintain the pride and reserve befitting an ice beauty], but in the end, he only offered a slight smile and a wave of his hand, signaling for her to say no more.

The gesture was distant and polite, clearly conveying the message: “Please do not disturb.”

“…I’m sorry. I was rude.”

Shangguan Yunzhu was rebuffed by this silent but clear rejection, and the curiosity on her face faltered slightly.

A small ripple seemed to cross her icy features, and a fleeting, almost imperceptible look of… grievance flashed through her phoenix eyes.

At that moment, Lu Qiancha’s spiritual sense keenly caught the sight of Qingfeng, who was meditating behind them, frowning slightly.

Two days later, the vast and sparsely populated Eastern Purvavideha Continent, with its many immortal sects, was gradually left behind.

The small boat flew ceaselessly through the clouds and mist, day and night, finally reaching the northwestern border of the continent.

Lu Qiancha had been regulating her breathing the entire way, her attention focused on the small space around her.

In the periphery of her vision, she could often catch the sight of figures flying through the sky.

Fortunately, they encountered no obstacles along the way.

Xuan Mo stretched languidly, and the small boat slowly decelerated, descending towards the towering mountains below.

The Xuan Immortal yawned and called out to the disciples behind her, “Everyone, liven up! We’re about to enter the border of Beiju Luzhou.”

“Listen up, you lot. This Beiju Luzhou is no paradise. You’re here for training, not to risk your lives fighting over some treasures or spirit herbs.”

The five disciples stood up in unison, bowed to Xuan Mo with clasped hands, and said, “We will heed Martial Aunt’s teachings.”

“Good.”

Xuan Mo nodded in satisfaction, then addressed them, “Beiju Luzhou is the territory of the demon clans. Later, you will go to the town below to buy some supplies. Don’t be surprised when you see demons.”

The five disciples bowed in acknowledgement, then followed Xuan Mo to a town governed by a demon clan.

The town was situated in a mountain valley.

Caves had been carved into the sides of the valley, connected by numerous wooden plank roads and buildings.

There were also some larger halls and pagodas, but most of the structures were earthen or wooden houses.

The place was bustling with people, both human and demon.

Many wooden houses had stalls set up next to them, with people hawking their wares—mostly herbs and precious materials produced in Beiju Luzhou.

Xuan Mo, familiar with the place, summoned a white cloud and took the six of them on a half-tour of the town.

She compared prices at several stalls, then had them take out their spirit stones to buy some high-quality, reasonably priced pills and talismans.

‘Hmm? Why isn’t this little one moving?’

Xuan Mo glanced at Lu Qiancha, who was standing behind her with his hands clasped behind his back. She sighed inwardly and casually tossed a pouch over her shoulder, which landed in Lu Qiancha’s arms.

“I knew your master didn’t leave you with much. I just don’t understand why she insists on guarding that tiny little peak… Take these spirit stones and go buy some supplies and food. You’ll be training for over a month. What kind of look is this, being so careless?”

Xuan Mo grumbled at Lu Qiancha with her arms crossed.

“Uh.”

Lu Qiancha was taken aback for a moment.

He looked up at his straightforward Martial Aunt and offered a gentle smile.

It was a smile that Lu Qiancha only ever showed to his master and junior sister.

However, just as she was about to explain that she had already prepared everything, a slender, jade-like hand from the side offered her a thick stack of yellow paper talismans and two fat-bellied porcelain vials.

It was the young woman with the broken sword and fiery clothes.

Shangguan Yunzhu turned her head away and said in as calm a voice as she could manage, “Consider this an apology to Senior Brother for my previous rudeness.”

Then she turned and walked towards a nearby stall as if nothing had happened.

Lu Qiancha found this rather amusing.

He cupped his hands at her back but didn’t say much.

‘This ice beauty isn’t quite living up to her name.’

‘She seems a bit silly.’

‘Hmm, even sillier than my junior sister.’

Four hundred li north of the town was the destination for their training—the Juezhang Treasure Forest.

As they drew closer to the forest’s edge, Xuan Mo’s lazy demeanor gradually faded, and she reverted to the great sun Lu Qiancha had seen in the cloud realm.

As the cloud they were riding on slowly descended, Xuan Mo’s expression grew solemn. She looked at the group and said, “According to the rules, the duration of this training is thirty-five days.”

“The countdown begins the moment you enter the Juezhang Treasure Forest. If you withdraw before the thirty-fifth day, the training will be considered a failure, and you will have to accept punishment upon returning to the sect.”

At this point, Xuan Mo winked, and her tone lightened again. “Actually, it’s just a deduction from your monthly allowance. Protecting your life is the top priority if you encounter danger. If you feel it’s too much, retreat immediately. Don’t try to be a hero.”

“This big fellow and I will stay here and wait for your return.”

Hearing this, Qiong Gong immediately cupped his hands and requested, “This humble general has come under orders. I ask the Immortal Elder…”

Before he could finish, Xuan Mo said coolly, “They are here for training. Why would you follow?”

“General Qiong, please wait outside. Everything will be arranged by Martial Aunt Xuan.” Shangguan Yunzhu spoke from the side, a faint air of authority emanating from her, clearly a result of giving orders since childhood.

“This humble general obeys!”

Qiong Gong said in a deep voice, then discreetly glanced at Qingfeng.

Qingfeng immediately declared in a loud voice, “General Qiong, do not worry. I will risk my life to protect Junior Sister Yunzhu.”

Shangguan Yunzhu gave no response, maintaining her usual icy expression.

Instead, it was Lu Qiancha, who had been following behind Xuan Mo, whose gaze flickered between Qiong Gong and Qingfeng for a moment.

Xuan Mo cleared her throat and continued, “I have two pieces of advice for you. First, you are fellow disciples. Avoid acting alone. Qingfeng, Yunzhu, your cultivation is higher. If you have the energy, look after the others.”

Qingfeng smiled. “Martial Aunt can rest assured.”

Shangguan Yunzhu also said, “Disciple obeys.”

Xuan Mo nodded, then continued, “Don’t force a fateful encounter. Such things cannot be rushed. Also, be careful of precious herbs. They are usually guarded by fierce beasts. Don’t fall into their traps.”

Speaking of which, Xuan Mo suddenly lashed out.

Her hands were a blur as she gently pinched Lu Qiancha’s and Shangguan Yunzhu’s cheeks. “Especially the two of you, with your tender, top-quality skin.”

“Martial Aunt, please conduct yourself with dignity!” Shangguan Yunzhu said with a frown.

The corner of Lu Qiancha’s mouth twitched violently as he took a step back, leaving Xuan Mo to laugh heartily by herself.

Amidst her laughter, Xuan Mo took out five thin jade pieces from her robes and tossed them to the five disciples.

“Here, these are communication jades for calling for help. If you’re in trouble, crush it, and this Martial Aunt will sense it and rush in to rescue you. Using it means the trial is a failure, but it’s just a deduction from your monthly allowance, no big deal.”

Then Xuan Mo waved her hand and said to them, “Go on, go on. Be careful, all of you! Don’t really die in there.”