Two months later, deep within the Extreme North Icefield."Hooo~"Snow swirled heavily, the entire sky and earth a single hue of white.In the Extreme North Icefield of the Western Realms, there was only one season - winter.The downy snowflakes never ceased as the north winds howled. In such a place, humans were rarely seen. Occasionally, someone or a beast spirit would tread through the great snow mountain, leaving deep footprints in the snow. But in the blink of an eye, those prints would be completely buried by the falling flakes.The snowy vista was vast and boundless. Strictly speaking, this area was not yet the innermost depths of the Extreme North Icefield. Legend said the core was a world of ice crystals, perilous even for Meridian Training realm experts - one careless misstep could lead to freezing to death!Although not the furthest interior, this place was close.Ethan had left his Iron-Horned Horse in a nearby county town. A frigid environment like this was too harsh, bey
The snowy mountains stretched endlessly. The recess on the mountainside was like a harbor in the storm.A faint, intoxicating fragrance entered the heart. Soft jade and warmth in his arms, Ethan felt extremely thirsty, his breathing clearly heavier as he kept swallowing, eyes somewhat chaotic.Time seemed to stand still, the scene romantic like a painting.Snow mountain, wilderness, beauty.Time flowed by.At a certain moment, Jasmine, who had been resting quietly against Ethan's chest with lowered head, suddenly showed a hint of panic. After a while, as if recalling something, terror grew in her eyes as she exclaimed, "There's a snake!"Ethan made a soft sound of surprise and glanced around the cave - he could see everything clearly inside but was puzzled. "Where's the snake?"Jasmine's pretty face instantly paled. Her jade body shifted as her slender finger pointed at Ethan's lower body, stammering, "You...you have a snake in your pocket..."As Jasmine moved her delicate body slight
If Jasmine wasn't the blue blood person, then who exactly was she?Ethan pondered.Ethan had an instinctive feeling that Jasmine's strength was formidable, just a sense, an unfounded intuition. After all, Jasmine usually didn't reveal any aura around him, seeming ordinary.Yet Ethan had this feeling, he even felt...Jasmine was highly likely to have already broken through to the Bone Sacrifice Realm!However, it would be inappropriate to directly ask about this. Moreover, he hadn't seen Jasmine make many moves during their journey.A Bone Sacrifice expert! Unless Ethan utilized his final trump card, the Fountain of Time, he was not confident of winning."What's wrong?" Jasmine curiously pushed Ethan, asking."Nothing." Ethan smiled. "Let's go, search for that Grade Seven Water Spirit Flower.""Mm." Jasmine nodded gently, releasing the fish in her hands and following behind Ethan.Continuing forward, neither utilized any lightness techniques, just slowly walking at an unhurried pace.Af
Ethan and the White Ring Snake immediately engaged in a fierce battle.In terms of speed, the White Ring Snake was extremely quick, comparable to Ethan. It was difficult to determine who was faster. Ethan slashed his blade towards the snake, but it seemed to dodge his strikes before they landed, as if it could predict the future.Ethan was getting impatient. Their speed was evenly matched, but the White Ring Snake's defense was poor. Ethan believed that if he could land one strike, he could surely cut the snake in two.But he just couldn't hit it!Whoosh!The two Ethan clones rushed over in an instant, surrounding the White Ring Snake in the middle. The three Ethans simultaneously attacked with their blades...Whoosh!The flashing blades sliced through the air as the White Ring Snake nimbly darted between them like lightning. But after a moment, even the snake was struggling to withstand the onslaught.Facing three blades at once for a short period was taxing, even for the agile serpe
"Hmm?"Ethan sensed something and glanced sideways.Several hundred yards away, the White Ring Snake was coiled atop the icy surface, head raised warily as it stared in their direction—clearly reluctant to relinquish the Lake Heartfruit."Heh, this White Ring Snake is interesting," Ethan chuckled, then covertly observed the serpent while pretending nothing was amiss."It...it still hasn't left?" Jasmine also noticed the lurking snake. Apprehension filled her beautiful eyes as she stuttered."Better that it hasn't." Ethan smiled faintly. "Otherwise, with no guide in this vast Extreme North Icefield, who knows how long it would take us to find the Grade Seven Water Spirit Flower?"Ethan was unconcerned. The White Ring Snake's venom was irksome, but with precautions, it posed no threat. Most crucial was its guidance.The Western Realms' Extreme North Icefield spanned over ten thousand miles. Even a Meridian Training cultivator would struggle to fully explore such vastness in a decade, le
"So many Water Spirit Flowers!" Ethan stared wide-eyed, utterly shocked by the sight. The blossoms blanketing the lake were snowy white, about the size of a face. Their bases were supported by green spirit leaves. Some had white petals and stamen, others one white leaf or two, five... The more leaves, the larger the flower. With but a glance, Ethan could ascertain they were Water Spirit Flowers.Water Spirit Flowers were ranked from one to nine leaves. More leaves indicated a higher grade, and they had the effects of dispelling evil and nourishing the spirit. Eating just one six-leaf or higher could eliminate a commoner's illnesses and grant them lifelong robust health.Grade Seven, Eight, and Nine Water Spirit Flowers were extremely rare. Especially the Grade Nine—that was scarce even among Rares. Grades one to five were common, often used for brewing tea by cultivators.Yet this lake was filled with Water Spirit Flowers! Too many to count at a single look. Most were grade five or a
That night, Ethan and Jasmine fled for hours until daybreak.As the eastern horizon lightened to a fishbelly white, they walked side by side along an icy beach over a thousand miles from the lake.Clutching the Grade Seven Water Spirit Flower, Ethan's expression hinted of a smile. In any case, obtaining it marked a big step towards saving his brother."Jasmine, do dragons still exist in this world?" Ethan asked.Other than her orphan status, he knew next to nothing about her. Over the past half year, his questions were always evaded. To Ethan, Jasmine remained an enigma."Dragons? Are they real?" Confusion filled Jasmine's beautiful eyes.Ethan had no reply.While walking, his gaze suddenly focused ahead.Twenty yards off, the White Ring Snake was coiled atop an icy boulder, head raised proudly like a haughty swan surveying its domain, glancing left and right, even twisting backward occasionally.It seemed unafraid of Ethan and Jasmine's slow approach, making no move to flee."Heh." E
Half a month later, at the core of the Extreme North Icefield.A cool breeze blew as the midday sun shone warmly. Unlike the Great Snowy Mountains, though the Extreme North Icefield was perpetually shrouded in ice, its interior was not severely cold. Occasionally, treasure seekers could be spotted at the feet of glaciers or icy beaches.On one such beach, Ethan lounged leisurely against an icy boulder, his head tilted back as he drank vodka.Though strong, the liquor tasted excellent in the icy climes, the heat flowing down his throat banishing the last touches of chill.Meanwhile, Jasmine had set up a bonfire nearby and was busy with wild cooking, determined to roast her own masterpiece chicken after tasting Ethan’s culinary skills a few days prior.Soot smeared her lovely face, but she paid it no mind, anxiously watching the charred fowl roasting over the flames, wisps of burnt aroma emanating outward.“Oh dear, ruined again.” Jasmine’s slender brows knitted as she flustered about.