Gathering Together

In a snow-capped mountain a thousand li away, inside a recently carved cave.

A bonfire leaped, dispelling some of the cave’s biting cold. Shangguan Yunzhu was meditating here, a Daoist scripture spread open on her lap, but her gaze often drifted to the falling snow at the cave entrance as she quietly awaited the arrival of the sect’s immortals.

Originally, she had planned to search the snowy plains for a trace of Lu Qiancha, but Qingfeng’s group might have had other accomplices. Heading south again could lead her into another dangerous situation, so she decided to rest here, set up a concealment restriction, and wait patiently.

Calculating the time, the sect’s immortals should already be on their way to find them. All she needed to do was wait for the rescue, and everything would be fine.

Hmm… it’s worth mentioning that the above analysis was all obtained from Lu Qiancha’s mouth when she was at the snow wolf clan’s settlement. At that time, Shangguan Yunzhu had even praised, “Little Qianqian is so alert and clever.”

“Hum—”

A gust of wind swept past, swirling the snow on the ground.

“Hmm?”

Shangguan Yunzhu suddenly felt a spiritual sense sweep over her, and then she saw three figures with joyful expressions standing at the entrance of the cave.

“Yunzhu! How did you end up in such a dangerous place?!”

Xuan Mo’s familiar voice, wrapped in the wind and snow, poured into the cave, but it was like a stabilizing rock, instantly calming all the panic in Shangguan Yunzhu’s heart.

“Martial Aunt, Martial Uncle, hello…”

Shangguan Yunzhu hurriedly got up and went to the cave entrance. In the biting cold of the wind and frost, she finally couldn’t help but reveal a faint smile of a survivor.

“Where are Qingfeng and Lu Qiancha? Are they not with you?”

Xuan Mo’s gaze quickly swept over the empty stone cave, her voice instantly tensing, her anxiety rising again.

“Senior Brother Lu should still be near the snowy plains. As for Qingfeng…”

Shangguan Yunzhu’s smile suddenly vanished. She took a step back, knelt on one knee, lowered her head, and cupped her hands, her voice as heavy as iron and stone. “Qingfeng is dead, killed by this disciple’s sword! The evidence of the crime is conclusive. This disciple accepts the punishment! I ask the Martial Aunt and Martial Uncle to handle this according to the sect’s rules!”

“You killed him with your own hands?!” Xuan Ping’s brow suddenly furrowed, a hint of shock and suspicion in his eyes.

“Yes, four swords through the heart, shattering his nascent soul.”

Shangguan Yunzhu’s voice was firm and decisive, her head bowed even lower. “This disciple is willing to accept all punishments, without any complaint.”

Looking at Shangguan Yunzhu’s state, Xuan Ping thought there must be a hidden story. He pondered for a moment and said, “The details of this matter are complex. We’ll talk on the way! The top priority is to find Junior Nephew Lu!”

“Yes, Martial Uncle.”

The four of them set out once more to find him. As they hurried, Shangguan Yunzhu explained the whole story of the killing trap, Qingfeng’s betrayal, Qiong Gong’s venomous plot, and how she had accidentally killed Qingfeng during the counterattack.

And not long after she finished her account, two figures suddenly appeared at the end of their snow-swept vision—one, a man in a green robe, was Lu Qiancha. And accompanying him… was a wolf-clan woman with a waterfall of blue hair.

“Qiancha—!” Xuan Ya’s face lit up with joy upon seeing the familiar figure, then her expression changed, her face frosting over. Her body had already transformed into a streak of light, rushing to Lu Qiancha’s side. She raised a horsetail whisk and struck.

“Hey, hey, hey! Master!”

Seeing this, Lu Qiancha’s heart panicked, but she didn’t dodge. She could only grimace and close her eyes to endure it.

Swish—!

When the horsetail whisk touched her shoulder, it was as light as a goose feather, merely brushing off a few clinging snowflakes.

Following it was Xuan Ya’s reprimand, laced with suppressed fear and heartache. “You rotten brat! You dare to charge into this vicious northern continent without a word?! If Gan Tang hadn’t woken me up, even if you, you wicked disciple, had died here, I wouldn’t have known where to collect your corpse!”

“Master, this disciple was moved by a sudden impulse. I did not inform you in advance. I ask for your forgiveness.”

Lu Qiancha stood to the side, her head bowed and eyes lowered, answering obediently. But her gaze unconsciously flickered to the other figure beside her…

At this moment, Shangguan Yunzhu’s eyes met Lu Qiancha’s. The moment their eyes met, Shangguan Yunzhu’s heart suddenly leaped. As if possessed, she abruptly averted her gaze.

She felt a slight emptiness in her heart, as if a little kitten’s paw was gently scratching at her heartstrings with its soft fur.

Shangguan Yunzhu didn’t know what was wrong with her. She had always been upright and had never done anything to feel guilty about…

‘It must be because of my gratitude for Senior Brother Lu’s life-saving grace…’ she chanted to herself, forcefully suppressing this strange feeling.

“Hmph! I’ll settle this score with you when we get back to the mountain!”

Seeing Lu Qiancha’s attitude of admitting her mistake and accepting her punishment, Xuan Ya’s heart finally softened. She put away her horsetail whisk, and her gaze fell on Xun Xue, who was standing to the side with a faint smile, her tone turning respectful. “May I ask who this esteemed one is?”

“Martial Aunt, this is the esteemed Xun Xue. If it weren’t for her daughter Qianqian’s timely assistance and the use of her clan’s formation, this disciple would have already met with disaster.”

Before Xun Xue could answer, Shangguan Yunzhu stepped forward and respectfully introduced her. Her gaze shifted slightly, sweeping over the lone Xun Xue, and a question flashed in her mind: Where is that lively little wolf cub?

But this question was quickly pushed to the back of Shangguan Yunzhu’s mind. Perhaps Qianqian was off playing again. It was a coincidence, really. If the other hadn’t been fond of wandering, she might have already lost her life. There would have been no later encounter with Senior Brother Qiancha and the subsequent counterattack.

“So it is the esteemed Xun Xue! Forgive my disrespect! The entire Tianyuan Sect is endlessly grateful for this great kindness!”

Xuan Ping’s face was wreathed in smiles, his words magnanimous. “Whatever our sect’s treasury holds, spirit stones, magical treasures, heavenly materials, and earthly treasures, esteemed one, just say the word!”

Xun Xue was pondering how to begin when the other party had already laid the stepping stone at her feet. She decided to be direct, her blue eyes filled with a smile. “There is no need for treasures. I have long heard that your esteemed sect’s landscape is spiritually beautiful and overflowing with spiritual energy. I only ask to borrow a quiet and blessed spot on Tianquan Peak as a residence for my secluded cultivation. I wonder if this would be possible?”

“…” Even an old hand like Xuan Ping was taken aback by these words. His gaze subconsciously drifted to his Junior Nephew Qiancha.

“Ahem!” Lu Qiancha gave a pointed cough, her gaze drifting to the distant snow-capped mountains, as if completely captivated by the silver-clad scenery.

“This…” Xuan Ping pondered for a moment, then his face brightened, and he smoothly passed the hot potato. “The affairs of Tianquan Peak naturally require the decision of its Peak Master, Martial Sister Xuan Ya, to be proper!”

In an instant, several gazes focused on Xuan Ya.

Xuan Ya’s breath hitched. She shot a fierce glare at her disciple who was pretending to admire the scenery, then met Xun Xue’s frank and clear gaze. She could only nod helplessly. “…Since you are the saviors of my disciple and Yunzhu, Tianquan Peak… will naturally welcome you with open arms.” But in her heart, she had already grumbled several times, Lu Qiancha, you rotten brat, what trouble have you gotten into now!

“In that case, I thank you all.” Xun Xue’s lips curved slightly, a triumphant glint flashing in her blue eyes—Hmph, hmph, Little Qiancha, don’t think you can escape from your mother’s grasp!

“Hey, it was a small effort, not worth mentioning! It should be our sect that thanks the esteemed one for her great kindness!” Xuan Ping laughed heartily, quickly suppressing the subtle feeling in his heart. He immediately focused, formed a seal, and sent a message to the other groups of immortals, “We have found them! Return to the entrance of the Juezhang Treasure Forest immediately and prepare to head back!”