"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.
"Hmm?" Ethan paused, gazing gravely at the black-clad youth blocking his path less than thirty feet ahead. What was with these Swords Sect disciples barring the exit?There were twenty Meridian Training experts here, all bearing the Swords Sect name. The Swords Sect was one of the nine supreme powers in the Primordial Chaos, boasting a heritage spanning hundreds of thousands of years. In the Western Realms, they were absolute overlords!This was evident from the twenty Meridian Training experts guarding the mountain gate here - ordinary Meridian Training masters able to establish a sect in a small county would be nothing but gatekeepers in the Swords Sect.A hint of strangeness flickered in the cold youth's eyes. His nose twitched slightly, yet his face remained impassive as he calmly stated, "Leave half your medicinal herbs behind, then you may leave."Leave half the herbs behind?Ethan frowned, his expression immediately darkening.The audacity of the Swords Sect truly knew no bound
"Be careful!" Over a dozen yards away, Jasmine cried out, worry flickering in her beautiful eyes. She bit her lip, stopping herself from intervening several times.Whoosh!Ethan's eyes flashed coldly. He decisively abandoned the burly tough opponent, rushing instead towards a lean, charcoal-skinned youth to the west.Spurt!All three blades pierced Ethan's body - one in his thigh, one chopping into his left shoulder nearly severing it, and the last from the dark youth stabbing straight into Ethan's lower abdomen."Heh..." Ethan licked his lips, blood gushing wildly, yet he completely ignored the three impaling blades. His body seemed unfazed by the pain as he flashed forward a step...Spurt!With Ethan's stride, the blade originally only two inches deep in his abdomen pierced right through! The bloody tip emerged from his back, intestines still speared on it.Yet Ethan didn't even frown. Moon-Slashing struck precisely, stabbing the dark youth's heart!The dark youth's expression chang
Ethan's expression was blank, but his hand imperceptibly grasped a small black bottle.It contained Fountain of Time diluted a hundredfold.He hadn't used it in the bloody battle with the Swords Sect disciples since it wasn't yet the final moment. Not because he was reluctant, but because Ethan wasn't confident he could wipe them all out in one go. If even one Swords Sect disciple escaped, it would bring endless trouble.But now?If Jasmine made a move, so would he!Ethan was very reluctant to see this happen. In truth, he still held Jasmine in high regard. After all, she had saved him at Ruoshui River. And through their time together, her personality had proven quite simple and guileless, their interactions smooth.However! If Jasmine attacked, Ethan would decisively hurl the black bottle at her. Even if it might not injure Jasmine given her Bone Sacrifice strength and their vast disparity, plus the many secrets of the blue bloods, Ethan had no absolute confidence of killing her!Yet
"Just as bold as always." Jasmine's mother laughed at Amelia's maturity, patting her head."Be careful gathering firewood tomorrow. I've heard there are big cats on the mountain lately. Don't wander far, you hear?"...In the blink of an eye, spring faded into autumn and Jasmine and Amelia turned ten.The thatched hut never collapsed. Another cycle of seasons passed and the moon was full again.Dusk, the setting sun like blood."Mother, I'm back!" Jasmine called ahead while walking the mountain path back from gathering firewood.But as she neared the hut, she heard the sounds of fierce arguing and scuffling."Let me go! Freckles! Bullying us orphans, are you?" Her mother's anxious voice, mingled with the crashing of pots and pans."Hehe, Charlotte, be good and come with me. A widow like you with two kids, haven't you been lonely all these years? Follow me and Old Freckles will give you company. Have someone to rely on in this big village, eh?" A lecherous voice followed, interspersed
The mountain village paths were rugged and overgrown. Amelia dragged her sister away at full speed, not daring to stop for a moment.Soon, some villagers below also noticed the disturbance up the mountain, gradually hurrying over."Sister, let's split up and run! Don't go back no matter what." Amelia gritted her teeth and said.Jasmine silently nodded.With many small paths in the deep mountains, they couldn't match the stamina or speed of pursuers. Running together made them too conspicuous a target. If caught together, it would truly be over.Amelia anxiously said, "Sister, if we get separated, let's meet here every year. No show means no go!"Seeing people surging up the mountain less than three hundred yards below, Amelia didn't dare hesitate. With a wave, she hurried away.Jasmine watched her sister leave, then shrank down and crawled into the roadside bushes.Heavy footsteps passed less than seven yards from Jasmine. She held her breath without a sound.For seven days, enduring