Chapter 445: Heavy Snow

In December, the City of Ten Thousand Demons welcomed its first snowfall of the winter.

Winds surging from all directions were instantly assimilated by the cold. Snowflakes gathered like swarms of insects, converging to form what looked like the flesh of an invisible giant beast, with the raging winds circulating within acting as the bones that sustained its undulating form.

As Ning Changjiu emerged from the Demon God Temple, dressed in fresh clothes, he saw the mountain peaks cloaked in white, a monochrome landscape stretching across the world.

Lu Jiajia had been standing by the window since early morning, gazing at the snowy landscape.

On snowy days in this foreign land, she couldn't help but reminisce about her years of ascetic cultivation on Tianku Peak. As memories flooded her mind, she suddenly realized that while just four years ago she was still painstakingly striving to enter the Purple Court Realm, last night she had taken part in the hunt for a God Lord.

Fine snow drifted from outside the window into the hall, making the woman's figure appear even more serene and aloof.

After her bath, Siming also slowly emerged from the depths of the hall, her pale, long hair damp and unbound. As she walked, she fastened her dark robes, which seemed to absorb the whiteness of the snow, leaving only her elegant collarbones subtly visible.

She walked to Lu Jiajia's side and gazed out the window with her.

Overnight, the City of Ten Thousand Demons was transformed into a realm of glistening trees and shimmering ice flowers.

"What's our little Jiajia thinking about now?" Siming asked, placing her hands on her shoulders with a smile.

"You're the little one!" Lu Jiajia retorted calmly. "Quickly pay your respects to your Senior Sister, or the sect's disciplinary rules will be enforced!"

Siming feigned fear, taking a small step back before bowing gently. Although Lu Jiajia knew she was merely pretending, Siming’s innocent demeanor was truly endearing. Lu Jiajia quickly supported her, saying, "Alright, stop teasing. We have a long journey ahead of us today."

Siming smiled faintly. "Indeed, we're off to the Western Kingdom. Unless you count dreams, it's been quite a while since you and Zhao Xiang'er last met, hasn't it, Jiajia?"

Lu Jiajia nodded softly, recalling the girl in the dark, gold-embroidered dragon robe whose smile remained hauntingly beautiful in her memories.

The last time she saw Zhao Xiang'er was outside the imperial city, when the Vermilion Bird attendant traveled thousands of miles to meet them. That, too, had been a snowy day...

Siming whispered, "Why don't we team up and concoct a plan? When we see Zhao Xiang'er, we can give her a little 'welcome' to assert ourselves."

Lu Jiajia frowned. "Xiang'er and I are very close. You shouldn't try to sow discord."

Siming replied coolly, "When we get to the Western Kingdom, you might not think that way when you're left alone in your room, Jiajia."

Lu Jiajia snorted. "And when you and Ning Changjiu were upstairs together, wasn't I downstairs cooking for you two?"

Siming chuckled. "No wonder the food that day tasted a bit sour."

Lu Jiajia could bear it no longer. "You... you're asking for a beating!"

By the window, the two symbolically exchanged a few moves. Naturally, Lu Jiajia, who had initiated the playful skirmish, was defeated.

She had been so fierce, yet she was still defeated... how embarrassing.

Feeling even more aggrieved, Lu Jiajia sat sullenly by the window.

Ning Changjiu emerged, fully dressed, and seeing Lu Jiajia by the window admiring the snow, he asked, "What's wrong, Jiajia? Did Xueci bully you again?"

Lu Jiajia glanced at Siming and complained, "Hmm, little sister Xueci is getting more and more impudent. You really need to rein her in."

Ning Changjiu looked at Siming, feigning anger. "Xue'er, what great skill you possess, to dare bully Jiajia!"

Siming was unfazed, instead remarking with a hint of pride, "What kind of skill is it to bully Lu Jiajia?"

Lu Jiajia grew even angrier and, emboldened by Ning Changjiu's support, pounced like a small tiger.

In the early morning, after stretching their limbs, the three finally set off into the wind and snow.

"Oh, by the way, where's Miss Liu Xihuan? Why isn't she with us?" Lu Jiajia asked, looking around the hall.

Ning Changjiu replied, "There's still at least half a month until the next divine kingdom opens. I told Xihuan to return to the Sword Pavilion to continue her cultivation. I'll call for her the next time we encounter an enemy."

Siming remarked coolly, "So convenient, to summon her and have her appear, then dismiss her at will."

Ning Changjiu, noticing Siming's slightly playful gaze, innocently asked, "What wild thoughts are you concocting now, Xueci?"

Siming chuckled softly. "Oh, nothing in particular. Just remarking on how convenient it is."

Lu Jiajia looked a little confused. "What's convenient?"

Ning Changjiu interjected, "Slaying demons and devils is very convenient."

Lu Jiajia found his explanation reasonable, and with a simple "oh," didn't think much more about it.

The Golden Crow flew forth, and Siming and Lu Jiajia entered its magnificent, sun-drenched world. The Golden Crow's realm was growing increasingly vast; it wouldn't be long, they thought, before it matched the size of the entire Central Kingdom.

Naturally, a divine kingdom is an independently created world; no matter how vast it becomes internally, it does not affect the real world.

Siming sat on the divine kingdom's throne, gazing for a moment at the statue of the goddess Xihe in the center of the realm before casting her eyes towards the distant horizons.

"It's a shame the Six-Eared Macaque ultimately chose to reflect the Dark Lord," Siming said with a touch of regret. "The Mirror Authority disintegrated as a result, making it useless to us."

"Yes," Lu Jiajia agreed. "It's truly a pity such a powerful authority vanished into thin air."

Ning Changjiu looked perplexed. "What was so powerful about that authority? I am already the strongest here; no matter who I replicate, I can't become any stronger. Perhaps the Six-Eared Macaque only gained that authority because he was too weak and needed the 'mirror' to grant him the qualification to become a kingdom lord."

"Even so..." Siming mused, "I can't shake the feeling that the Mirror Authority could have been used for many things."

Lu Jiajia also nodded, then turned to Ning Changjiu and said, "For example, you could have transformed yourself into Xueci and let me beat you to vent my frustration."

Siming's graceful brows furrowed, and she instantly retorted, "Or you could have turned yourself into Xiaoling and bullied Jiajia, making her experience the humiliation of being bullied by her own female disciple!"

Lu Jiajia's cherry lips tightened, her eyes glinting mischievously as she pondered, "Then, you could continue to transform into Xueci and provoke Master, Senior Sister, and Zhao Xiang'er. Once you've riled them up, you could leave and pin the blame on Siming, leaving little sister Xueci with no way to explain herself and letting her experience what it feels like to have the whole world against her."

"You..." Siming fumed, but then made a concession. "Forget it, why are we arguing? How about we just have our husband transform into Master or Xiang'er, and then we can thoroughly 'discipline' him!"

"Master..." Lu Jiajia's lips parted slightly. "Oh, little sister Xueci, how dare you be disrespectful to Master!"

Siming's icy eyes held a cool smile. "Hmm? Don't you want to, Jiajia? There's no one else here in the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom; why not be a little more honest?"

Lu Jiajia looked at Siming, her earlobes quickly turning red, and finally whispered, "Well... if it were possible, of course I'd want to."

"Fortunately, the Six-Eared Macaque destroyed the Mirror Authority; otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable..." Ning Changjiu, unable to listen further, sighed, then indignantly declared, "Ahem, your husband faces life and death for you! How can you bear to treat me this way?"

Siming and Lu Jiajia exchanged glances, then, after a brief hesitation, both nodded.

"You two..." Ning Changjiu suppressed the strong urge to fly into the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom and administer a domestic punishment. He continued to fly on his sword, silently and unobtrusively.

Lu Jiajia and Siming were still eagerly discussing the ingenious applications of the Mirror Authority.

Ning Changjiu continued to fly on his sword, hands tucked into his sleeves, gazing at the snowy peaks and paying no heed to their conversation.

He did not immediately head west. Instead, he made a temporary detour to the Luo River to check on Shao Xiaoli's recent well-being. The image of her crying, hidden in the cabinet in the Red Chamber, had always lingered in his mind, refusing to fade.

Many lakes in the northern kingdom were already covered with thick ice. However, the Luo River, with its swift current, not only remained unfrozen but also swept along the ice and snow from its banks, flowing even more ferociously as it surged towards Beiming.

As Lu Jiajia and Siming continued to chat, their conversation inevitably turned its focus back to Ning Changjiu.

"Oh, by the way, the night before last, when we were peeling fruit in front of the Heart-Illuminating Mirror," Siming began, "if it hadn't been to counter the Six-Eared Macaque, who do you think would have appeared in that mirror?"

Lu Jiajia's heart stirred. She recalled the scene that night: as the fruit peel dropped, she and Siming had instantly drawn their swords, destroying the mirror before any image could fully manifest.

She must have been a little scared at the time, mustn't she?

Afraid to see what the mirror would reveal, regardless of whether that person turned out to be herself or not.

Lu Jiajia whispered, "What's there to be concerned about?"

Siming asked, "Do you truly not want to know who it would have been?"

Lu Jiajia softly replied, "Hmm... I imagine it would be Sister Xueci. In the City of Ten Thousand Demons, you two faced life and death together, climbing through endless moonlight. Even just hearing about it touches me deeply."

Siming, uncharacteristically, blushed. "I actually think it would be Jiajia. If we trace back from her sixteen years in this world, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say you two are childhood sweethearts. All this time, you've relied on each other through thick and thin. While other women around this villain have come and gone, only Jiajia has remained unwavering."

Lu Jiajia's earlobes flushed even deeper, and she quickly changed the subject. "Actually, it could also be Xiang'er. In the past, when he came to see me on his sword, he was never this fast. But now, look how eager he is to head to the Western Kingdom; his impatience is practically spilling over."

Ning Changjiu said weakly, "That's because my cultivation was rather low before..."

Siming, however, gently shook her head. "I think he and Zhao Xiang'er are more like fated rivals. Master is a much more likely candidate."

"Master?!" Lu Jiajia exclaimed. "Master... that can't be, can it?"

Siming said confidently, "Why not? Master is so divinely beautiful, and they shared a bond in their previous lives. Some truly evil people are beastly in human form; who knows what wicked thoughts they might secretly harbor!"

"Hmm... that actually makes sense," Lu Jiajia mused.

Siming suggested, "Why don't we go back to the City of Ten Thousand Demons now and peel some more fruit?"

Lu Jiajia raised her eyes, looking through the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom at Ning Changjiu, who was piloting his sword.

Ning Changjiu, of course, had no intention of peeling fruit. He looked at Siming and smiled faintly. "'Beastly in human form,' you say? Then today, I shall let Xue'er see what 'beastly in human form' truly entails."

The sword light vanished into the wind and snow as Ning Changjiu abruptly appeared in the Golden Crow Divine Kingdom. With a faint smile, he looked at the exquisite woman on the throne, who sat with crossed legs and an elbow propped, exuding the elegant demeanor of a goddess.

Soon, Siming's bravado vanished, replaced by her soft pleas for mercy and admission of fault echoing through the hall.

White snow swirled, and the sword light moved again. Soon, the Luo River came into Ning Changjiu's view.

Inside the Golden Crow Divine Hall, Xueci was noticeably more compliant. She tidied her slightly disheveled clothes and hair, then, gazing at her slender, jade-like fingers, she smiled faintly at Lu Jiajia. "See? This is what happens when you're dependent on others. Later, when my cultivation is complete, I'll take Jiajia and we'll establish our own independent household."

Lu Jiajia said thoughtfully, "So... being dependent on others means having to behave submissively?"

The soft lines of Xueci's brows suddenly hardened. Her red lips parted as she demanded, "Jiajia, whose side are you on, anyway?!"

The sword light descended onto the winding Luo River.

Ning Changjiu reined in his aura and walked forward.

On the heavily snow-covered banks, the indistinct figures of two young girls moved with the swiftness of rabbits and falcons.

When Sili assisted Shao Xiaoli in her cultivation, she didn't immediately resort to the whip. Instead, they would first spar with fists and feet for an hour each day, a practice called 'loosening the muscles and bones.'

Many cultivators spend their lives absorbing the essence of the sun and moon, sitting atop cloud-shrouded mountains. While their spiritual realms may be high, their physical bodies, never having been tempered, remain quite weak. If one could breach their protective spiritual energy, defeating them would be as easy as slaughtering a chicken.

Many instances of cross-realm assassinations stem from this very vulnerability.

Although Shao Xiaoli had accumulated considerable combat experience in this life, her physique was still significantly inferior to that of a true martial arts master like Fourth Senior Sister.

By the Luo River, the two used almost no spiritual energy, relying instead on pure martial arts techniques. Amidst the thudding sounds, white snow swirled around them.

Shao Xiaoli and Sili had sparred for many days, becoming intimately familiar with each other's moves. With practice making perfect, their movements were broad, fluid, and imbued with powerful momentum.

On the scattered snow, Sili maintained a consistently precise, rhythmically beautiful footwork. She used her fists and arms to intercept Shao Xiaoli's fierce attacks, dismantling them one by one, then launching precise counterattacks the moment an opening appeared.

Even though Shao Xiaoli had suffered numerous setbacks, she still couldn't grasp the unfathomable techniques of Sili.

Mid-maneuver, Ning Changjiu watched as Shao Xiaoli suddenly halted, feigned a fast-slow punch to trick Sili, then leaped, springing powerfully from the snow. With a twist of her waist, she delivered a whip kick aimed at Sili's neck and shoulder.

Shao Xiaoli landed a solid hit on Fourth Senior Sister.

Fourth Senior Sister's head tilted slightly, her face devoid of expression. Her body suddenly vibrated like a rooster shaking its feathers, and the force rebounded, sending a tingling numbness through Shao Xiaoli from head to toe, as if she had been electrocuted. Shao Xiaoli grunted, wanting to retreat, but her ankle was caught firmly in Sili's hand.

Sili, as if wielding a long whip, pulled Shao Xiaoli towards her, swung her in a circle, and then slammed her onto the snowy ground.

Shao Xiaoli quickly adjusted her balance, touching her toes to the snow and sliding backward as if rooted to the ground.

But before she could steady herself, Sili's figure reappeared, her face expressionless, and she delivered a punch aimed at Shao Xiaoli's forehead.

Shao Xiaoli crossed her arms in front of her, attempting to block, but her movements were rushed and her breathing unsteady. Her defense crumbled instantly, and her entire body was sent flying like a sandbag, falling heavily into the snow, where she was buried. The excruciating pain coursing through her made her convulse uncontrollably.

Sili looked at her and sighed, "Let's stop for today."

Shao Xiaoli gripped her trembling hands, pulled herself out of the snow, and wobbled to a stable stand, a red mark from the impact still visible on her forehead.

"I'm fine, I can still fight," Shao Xiaoli said through gritted teeth.

Sili replied, "If you keep fighting, your muscles and bones might not hold up. Let's resume when you become the true Luo River Water God."

Shao Xiaoli's mind couldn't help but conjure the image of Ning Changjiu falling from the sky after his battle with the Sinful Monarch—a scene of true destruction of both body and spirit. Her own minor injuries and pains were utterly insignificant in comparison.

She gritted her teeth, recalling her past life and striving to evoke that sense of loneliness. She clenched her fists and said, "Senior Sister, bring out the whip."

Sili looked into her eyes, and finally drew her long whip.

In the snow, Shao Xiaoli's movements were as swift as a leopard's.

With the boundless snowfield beside the Luo River as their arena, their shadows appeared as black lines, interwoven with the whistle of Shao Xiaoli's punches and the crack of the long whip cutting through the air.

In these past two weeks of arduous training, Shao Xiaoli had made significant progress. When she punched, she could make the snow curtain recoil, and when she drew her sword, she could carve holes in the blizzard. Yet, she still couldn't shatter the long whip in Sili's hand. The ultimate outcome remained the same: Shao Xiaoli was repeatedly knocked to the ground, her acupoints numb, her muscles and bones searing with pain, as if flayed by a blade.

Ning Changjiu watched from a distance, momentarily unsure whether to approach.

"That... is that Xiaoli?" Siming was also a little surprised. In her memory, Shao Xiaoli was still the little girl who, relying on borrowed authority, would start begging for mercy with just a fright, without even needing a direct confrontation.

"Xiaoli has always been very diligent in her cultivation," Lu Jiajia said, recalling their days of training on Ring Waterfall Mountain.

"Diligent?" Siming thought back, but had no strong impression of it.

Lu Jiajia explained, "Because no matter how hard she cultivated, she could never catch up to us. So, she rarely flaunted her efforts, instead pretending to be relaxed. Perhaps... she intended to surprise everyone with her achievements."

"I see..." Siming murmured, watching the girl repeatedly thrown into the snow and rolling in pain. "She really doesn't need to put herself through this."

Finally, their training session came to an end.

Shao Xiaoli's hands and feet twitched as she gasped for breath. The cold winter wind felt like knives entering her nose and mouth. She had forgotten to filter it with spiritual energy, and one inhaled gulp immediately sent her into a fit of coughing.

A hand extended towards her.

Shao Xiaoli laboriously grasped the hand and pulled herself out of the snow.

"Thank you, Senior Sister..." Shao Xiaoli murmured her thanks, then realized the hand felt wrong; it wasn't nearly as soft and delicate as her Senior Sister's.

Kneeling in the snow, she looked up in surprise and saw a gently smiling face.

Inside the makeshift wooden cabin, Shao Xiaoli, wrapped in a thick blanket and cradling a hot tea, looked at Ning Changjiu, Siming, and Lu Jiajia. "Master... why are you here?" she asked.

Ning Changjiu touched her cold hand. "Why aren't you using spiritual energy to ward off the cold?" he asked.

Even at her weakest, Shao Xiaoli possessed cultivation at the initial Five Paths Realm. How could ordinary ice, snow, or pain truly harm her?

Shao Xiaoli shook her head firmly. "No, Senior Sister Sili is helping me temper my martial physique; I mustn't rely too much on spiritual energy."

Ning Changjiu looked towards Fourth Senior Sister.

This was the first time he had seen Fourth Senior Sister in this lifetime.

Sili stood leaning against the door, arms crossed, gazing at the vast expanse of snow outside. Her weapon case rested at her feet, its sharp gleam casting a formidable aura onto her petite frame.

"Greetings, Fourth Senior Sister," Ning Changjiu said, rising to bow.

Siming and Lu Jiajia also bowed.

Fourth Senior Sister looked at them and nodded gently. Accustomed to exorcising demons alone, she wasn't particularly good with social graces, so she merely offered a slightly stiff, "Hmm, hello."

Ning Changjiu said, "During our time in Nanzhou, thank you, Senior Sister, for defeating Ya Yu and severely wounding Jiu Ying. If not for your intervention, Jiajia and I might not have escaped the Southern Wilderness."

Although Ning Changjiu hadn't witnessed it personally, he had suspected at the time that Fourth Senior Sister was the one who had intervened.

Lu Jiajia's expression flickered, and she quickly added her thanks. "Thank you, Senior Sister, for your rescue back then."

Fourth Senior Sister waved her hand. "I wasn't aware of that," she said coolly. "I was merely following Master's orders. No need to thank me."

Ning Changjiu asked, "Is helping Xiaoli temper her physique also Master's idea?"

Fourth Senior Sister nodded in affirmation.

Ning Changjiu then asked, "Xiaoli is inherently the spirit of the Luo River; taking charge of it shouldn't require such arduous training, should it?"

Fourth Senior Sister replied, "Taking charge of the Luo River certainly doesn't. But what if she aims to become a true River and Sea Deity?"

Ning Changjiu still had reservations, but Shao Xiaoli pressed his hand. "It's alright," she said. "Even though the training hurts a lot, I'm happy. It feels like being back in Duanjie City during the days when Boss wasn't around."

Ning Changjiu paused, then asked with a laugh, "Are you really that happy when I'm not around?"

Shao Xiaoli quickly explained, "That's not what I meant at all! It's just... well, simply put, training allows me to focus without any distractions."

Ning Changjiu ruffled her hair. "Do you enjoy getting hit that much?"

Shao Xiaoli shook her head. "Besides Sister Siming, who likes getting hit? Xiaoli... Xiaoli just doesn't dare to stop."

Siming, who was sipping tea nearby, froze, her hand gripping the teacup. She took a deep breath, her eyes sharply fixed on Shao Xiaoli. But as Xiaoli spoke, she had already lowered her head, looking utterly pitiful, leaving Siming with no good way to react.

Shao Xiaoli sensed his unspoken concern. "Don't worry," she said. "Senior Sister is very measured in her actions. When we meet again, perhaps Xiaoli will have completely transformed."

Ning Changjiu looked at the sudden surge of spirit in Shao Xiaoli's eyes and finally nodded with a gentle smile.

Sili stood by the door, watching Shao Xiaoli, who was surrounded by everyone's warm inquiries inside the room, and fell into a momentary trance.

"Xiaoli," she suddenly spoke, her voice clear and cool.

Shao Xiaoli's expression stiffened. "Senior Sister," she replied.

"Come out and practice."

Sili kicked the weapon case with her toe, sending the large, heavy box flying directly upwards before she casually caught it. She tucked the weapon case at her slender lower back and stepped into the vast, white snow mist.

Shao Xiaoli quickly gulped down the warm water she had been holding, then shed the thick blanket, grabbed the sword at her side, and went out lightly equipped.

"Master, please forgive Xiaoli for not being able to keep you company longer today," Shao Xiaoli said, bowing. "You're going to the Western Kingdom to see Sister Xiang'er, aren't you? Please give her my regards as well."

Ning Changjiu said, "We just killed the Six-Eared Macaque, and besides the trip to the Western Kingdom, there's nothing else urgent to do these days. We could stay here for a few days."

Shao Xiaoli, however, quickly shook her head. "This house is too small to accommodate so many people. Master, you really should leave soon. If you're here, I won't dare to cry out when I get hurt, and that's not good for my training."

Ning Changjiu looked at Shao Xiaoli's resolute gaze and finally nodded. "Alright then, Xiaoli, get along well with your Senior Sister. And if you can't bear it, absolutely do not push yourself too hard."

Shao Xiaoli smiled sweetly. "Don't worry," she said, "I won't disgrace our Joyful Union Sect."

Siming, standing nearby, frowned. "Joyful Union Sect? What's that?"

Shao Xiaoli, unwilling to explain, quickly ran out the door.

Ning Changjiu met Siming's questioning gaze calmly. "That is one of the many earthly karmic ties that form my being," he replied.

By the Luo River, Ning Changjiu observed Shao Xiaoli's martial practice for a while longer before finally departing.

He ascended on his sword, embarking on his journey to the distant Western Kingdom.

The Western Kingdom, as its name suggests, lies to the west of the Central Kingdom. If one were to imagine the Central Kingdom as a square divided by horizontal and vertical lines into a '田' (field) character, the Western Kingdom would be situated at the intersection point in the middle of the left side.

For Ning Changjiu, in his current state, the Western Kingdom was no longer far.

The Three Thousand Worlds floated suspended above the Western Kingdom.

Qitian's authority was effective only against divine kingdoms and did not perceive the Three Thousand Worlds as enemies.

At that moment, anyone looking up from the Western Kingdom would still be unable to see the layered, hidden realms floating high above.

In a world that resembled a true immortal realm, Zhao Xiang'er sat on a cloud, casually dressed in a phoenix gown. Its long hem cascaded downwards, swaying gently with her slender, fair legs, like a swing.

She gazed into the distance, and after a long silence, softly remarked, "So, you've finally decided to come?"