Far away, in a newly discovered cave within the snow-covered mountains.
The flickering campfire drove away the biting cold inside the cave.
Shangguan Yunzhu was resting here, a Dao Book spread open on her lap, though her gaze kept drifting toward the cave’s entrance, silently waiting for the Sect’s immortals to arrive.
Originally, she had planned to search the snowy plains further for any trace of Lu Qiancha, but with Qingfeng and his group potentially having other allies, heading south again risked falling into another trap.
So she took temporary refuge here, setting up concealment formations, and calming her mind as she waited.
By now, the Sect’s immortals should have come looking for them. They only needed to wait for rescue, and everything would be fine.
Hmm… It’s worth mentioning that all of the above analysis came from what she heard from Lu Qiancha when she was with the Snow Wolf Tribe.
At that time, Shangguan Yunzhu even praised her with a smile: “Xiao Qianqian is really clever and alert.”
“Buzz—”
A gust of wind swept through, swirling a flurry of snowflakes across the ground.
“Hm?”
Suddenly, Shangguan Yunzhu felt a surge of spiritual awareness scan over her. Then, at the cave entrance, she saw three figures standing there, their faces full of surprise.
“Yunzhu! Why are you in such a dangerous place?!”
Xuanya’s familiar voice came with the wind and snow into the cave, yet it was like a rock anchoring the sea, instantly calming all the anxiety in Shangguan Yunzhu’s heart.
“Shigu, Shibo, greetings…”
Shangguan Yunzhu quickly rose and stepped toward the cave entrance. Despite the biting cold wind, she couldn’t help but show a faint smile of relief, as if having just escaped disaster.
“Where are Qingfeng and Lu Qiancha? They’re not with you?”
Xuanya’s eyes quickly scanned the empty stone cave, her voice tightening with anxiety.
“Lu Shijie should still be near the snowy plains. As for Qingfeng…”
Shangguan Yunzhu’s smile vanished abruptly. She took a step back, knelt on one knee, bowed her head, and cupped her fists tightly, her voice heavy and resolute like iron and stone:
“Qingfeng is dead. He was killed by this disciple’s sword! The evidence of his crime is conclusive. I accept full punishment! Please, Shigu and Shibo, carry out the Sect Rules!”
“You killed him yourself?!” Xuanping’s brows furrowed sharply, a flicker of suspicion flashing in his eyes.
“Yes. Four Swords Pierce the Heart. I shattered his Yuan Soul.”
Shangguan Yunzhu’s voice was firm and unyielding, her head bowed lower still. “I accept all responsibility without complaint.”
Xuanping studied Shangguan Yunzhu’s expression carefully, sensing there was more to this story.
After a moment of contemplation, he said, “This matter is complicated. Let’s talk as we move! Our urgent task is to find Lu Shimei.”
“Yes, Shibo.”
The four set off once more on their search, moving swiftly.
Along the way, Shangguan Yunzhu recounted the deadly ambush, Qingfeng’s betrayal, Shigong’s poisonous scheme, and how she accidentally killed Qingfeng during the counterattack — everything to Chen Ming.
Not long after she finished, through the snow-blurred horizon, two figures suddenly appeared.
One wore a dignified blue robe — none other than Lu Qiancha herself.
Beside him stood a blue-haired wolf tribe woman, her hair flowing like a waterfall.
“Qiancha—!” Xuanya’s face first lit with joy at the familiar sight, then shifted, her expression hardening like frost.
She transformed into a streak of light and rushed to Lu Qiancha’s side, grabbing a dust whisk and raising it to strike.
“Hey, hey, hey! Shifu!”
Lu Qiancha panicked at the scene, but he didn’t dodge. He merely grimaced and closed his eyes, bracing himself.
Swish—!
The dust whisk brushed his shoulder lightly, as soft as a feather, merely flicking off a few clinging snowflakes.
Following that was Xuanya’s scolding, laced with suppressed fear and worry:
“You brat, how dare you barge into this dangerous Northern Province without so much as a word?! If Gantang hadn’t woken me up, I wouldn’t even know where to find your corpse if you died here!”
“Shifu, this disciple was just restless and moved without permission. I ask for your forgiveness.”
Lu Qiancha stood aside, head bowed and eyes lowered respectfully, but his gaze couldn’t help flicking toward the other figure beside him…
At that moment, Shangguan Yunzhu met Lu Qiancha’s eyes. When their gazes locked, her heart suddenly skipped a beat. Almost inexplicably, she quickly looked away.
A faint emptiness stirred inside her, as if a small kitten’s paw were gently tickling the strings of her heart.
Shangguan Yunzhu didn’t understand this feeling. She had always been straightforward and upright, never burdened by guilt…
It must be gratitude for Lu Shijie’s life-saving kindness, she thought silently, pushing down the strange sensation.
“Hmph! We’ll settle this properly back at the mountain!”
Xuanya glanced sharply at Lu Qiancha’s repentant posture, but in the end, her heart softened.
She sheathed the dust whisk, then turned her gaze respectfully toward Xun Xue, who wore a faint smile, and spoke in a courteous tone, “May I ask who this Supreme is?”
“Shigu, this is Supreme Xun Xue. If not for her daughter, Qianqian’s timely aid and the formation from her tribe, this disciple would have met a terrible fate.”
Before Xun Xue could reply, Shangguan Yunzhu stepped forward to respectfully introduce her.
Her eyes flickered briefly over Xun Xue standing alone, a trace of doubt crossing her mind: Where is that lively little wolf cub?
But this question quickly slipped from Shangguan Yunzhu’s thoughts. Perhaps Qianqian had wandered off playing again.
It was quite fortunate — if the girl hadn’t enjoyed exploring the mountains and rivers, Shangguan Yunzhu might have already perished, never meeting Lu Shijie and later turning the tables.
“Ah, Supreme Xun Xue! Apologies for the oversight. The entire Tianyuan Sect is immensely grateful for this great kindness!”
Xuanping beamed, his words full of sincerity, “Whatever our Sect’s treasury holds — Ling Stones, Magical Artifacts, Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures — just say the word!”
Xun Xue was still pondering how to respond when Xuanping had already offered the opportunity, prompting her to speak candidly, blue eyes shining with a subtle triumph:
“The treasures are unnecessary. I have long heard of your Sect’s beautiful mountains and waters, full of spiritual energy. I only wish to borrow a quiet sanctuary atop Tianquanfeng for secluded cultivation. May I ask if this is acceptable to you?”
Even a seasoned veteran like Xuanping couldn’t help but glance instinctively toward his nephew, Lu Qiancha.
“Ahem!”
Lu Qiancha gave a forced cough, his gaze drifting toward the distant snowy mountains, as if captivated by the silver-white landscape.
“Well…” Xuanping hesitated, then smiled and passed this hot potato along: “As for Tianquanfeng, it’s best left to Xuanya Sister to decide, as Peak Lord.”
In an instant, all eyes turned sharply to Xuanya.
Xuanya’s breath caught slightly. She shot a fierce glance at her apprentice pretending to admire the scenery, then met Xun Xue’s calm, clear gaze and had no choice but to nod resignedly.
“Since you saved my little disciple and Yunzhu, Tianquanfeng… will of course welcome you with open arms.”
But in her heart, she silently muttered, “Lu Qiancha, you brat, what trouble have you brought again?!”
“Very well, then, thank you all.”
Xun Xue smiled gently, a gleam of success flashing in her blue eyes. “Hmph, Qianqian, don’t think you can escape your mother’s grasp!”
“Ah, it was nothing! There’s no need to mention it! Our Sect should be the ones thanking Supreme Xun Xue for this great kindness!”
Xuanping laughed heartily, quickly suppressing the subtle feelings stirring in his heart. He immediately concentrated and formed hand seals, sending messages to the other groups of immortals:
“The people have been found! Return quickly to the Juezhuang Baolin entrance. Prepare to depart!”