Chapter 1154: Snow Emperor Bloodline

"Since we've shifted the blame to the Ruthless Sect, why not simply eliminate them to ensure there's no counter-evidence?" Huo Huashen mused. He wondered who would have guessed that members of the Ruthless Sect actually existed in the far north.

"How powerful is the Ruthless Sect in the far north? Are any high-ranking members present, and what is the cultivation level of their strongest cultivator?"

Huo Huashen asked, recognizing the crucial nature of the question. After several punitive campaigns by Great Xia, both of the Ruthless Sect's deputy leaders had been apprehended, and roughly ninety percent of their high-ranking members had been captured, if not all.

Therefore, the Ruthless Sect in the far north must either be a minor faction, or... their Sect Master is located there!

The Nascent Soul stage subordinate shook his head. "It's unclear if any high-ranking members are present, but we can confirm they have disciples at the Transformation Stage above them."

"Alright, I understand," Huo Huashen said, having decided to report the matter to his superior, Shi Huagu, and let him determine the next course of action.

"There's one more thing," the Nascent Soul stage subordinate added, producing a scripture.

"This is a cultivation technique called the 'Xuantian Sutra,' which we found at the couple's residence. According to them, it's a Body Integration stage technique."

The Xuantian Sutra had an ancient style, not resembling a cultivation technique from the Great Xia era.

"A Body Integration stage technique? Let me see." Huo Huashen examined it word by word, calculating with his fingers and pondering the profound meaning of each sentence. Every character held a special significance.

"So, it's a unique cultivation technique with stringent requirements, and only one person can practice it? The design is truly ingenious."

"However, why does it only offer a slight possibility of breaking through to the Body Integration stage after reaching the highest realm? The cultivation technique I practice is stronger than this one."

"The Ruthless Sect is in the far north?" Mu Baiyi murmured, rubbing his chin in contemplation after hearing the news from Shi Huagu.

How could the Ruthless Sect be so careless? I merely suggested they were in the far north, and they actually *are* there?

If Young Sect Master Lu were to encounter the Ruthless Sect, and they then claimed to know nothing about the Nine Ghost Alliance, wouldn't his next meeting with Young Sect Master Lu be incredibly awkward?

"Perhaps I should personally make a trip to the far north?" Shi Huagu volunteered.

Mu Baiyi cast a sidelong glance at Shi Huagu. If he truly intended to go to the far north alone, would he even bother reporting this intelligence to him?

He merely feared that the far north contained not only Ruthless Sect members but also their enigmatic leader, and thus wanted to enlist Mu Baiyi's help for the expedition.

Although Mu Baiyi was a Tribulation Transcending stage cultivator, he was only in the early phase of that stage. The Ruthless Sect's two deputy leaders were an early and a mid-stage Tribulation Transcending cultivator, respectively, meaning their Sect Master would undoubtedly be in the late Tribulation Transcending stage. Mu Baiyi was certain he couldn't defeat such an experienced opponent.

With this in mind, Mu Baiyi stood up and ordered Shi Huagu, "Contact the Blazing Sun Sect and tell them to join us in the far north."

Sect Master Chi of the Blazing Sun Sect had also recently ascended to the Tribulation Transcending stage, and the sect already possessed an experienced mid-stage Tribulation Transcending cultivator.

On a rare day off, the three teachers went on an outing, setting up a barbecue grill outside Muxue City, with Lu Yang taking charge of the cooking.

"Come, try my roasted rabbit."

"I personally hunted this rabbit. It took me a long time and a lot of effort to catch it; they nearly got away."

Xue Shilou held an ice sword, which was an icicle he had fortuitously found on the eaves of the martial arts hall. It bore a striking resemblance to a sword, and ever since acquiring it, Xue Shilou had cherished it.

Although he could conjure a real ice sword using magic, he preferred the one crafted by nature's marvel.

Not only Xue Shilou, but even Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, who weren't swordsmen, admired it. Xue Shilou wouldn't even let them have it when they expressed interest.

"Then I'll trouble Fellow Daoist Lu," Xue Shilou said, taking out an ice case to store his ice sword before returning the case to his storage ring. He then began to sample the roasted rabbit.

Meng Jingzhou, however, didn't stand on ceremony with Lu Yang. He immediately took a piece and started eating, remarking, "This tastes great! None of the roasted rabbits I've had before were this delicious."

Lu Yang gloated, "This is roasted rabbit from the far north. Where would you have had such a thing before?"

"The far north experiences year-round severe cold, so the demon beasts there have thick layers of fat. When roasted with my Samadhi True Fire, the fat melts and renders. How can rabbits from other regions possibly compare?"

"That's a good point."

The three friends sat around the bonfire, chatting animatedly. Their conversations ranged from Xue Shilou's challenges in mastering swordsmanship, to the amusing cultivation experiences shared by Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, and even to the unique customs and traditions of the far north.

None of them felt cold; the bonfire primarily served to create a pleasant atmosphere.

"By the way, what exactly is this Snow Emperor Bloodline?" Lu Yang asked curiously.

Lu Yang recalled that during the Sword-Seeking Ceremony, Xue Shilou had been cured of his split personality and initially awakened his Snow Emperor Bloodline. Later, in the Moon Laurel Immortal Palace dungeon, he had fully awakened it.

Xue Shilou had a senior brother named Xuanyuan Tianhen, and judging by Xuanyuan Tianhen's reaction, the Snow Emperor Bloodline seemed to be something quite remarkable.

"What is the Snow Emperor Bloodline?" Meng Jingzhou asked, having never heard of it.

Xue Shilou smiled and explained, "The Snow Emperor is a legend in our far north, or rather, an ancient belief. It's said that all inhabitants of the far north are descendants of the Snow Emperor. This legend is not widely known, so it's perfectly normal for you two fellow Daoists to be unfamiliar with it."

Lu Yang recalled that Immortal Fairy had never mentioned a Snow Emperor, implying that no matter how ancient the Snow Emperor might be, he was not as ancient as the fairy.

"Legend in the far north holds that awakening the Snow Emperor Bloodline signifies gaining the Snow Emperor's approval and being recognized as the most gifted individual in the region."

"However, that statement isn't entirely accurate. This is something I discovered from my bloodline memories after awakening the Snow Emperor Bloodline myself."

"The accurate interpretation is that awakening the Snow Emperor Bloodline qualifies you to become the Snow Emperor's successor."

"The Snow Emperor isn't one specific individual but rather a title. In fact, there have been several generations of Snow Emperors."

"And if I wish to become the next Snow Emperor, I need to pass three trials," Xue Shilou explained, taking three thawed frozen pears from a basin beside the barbecue grill.

"Please, try them. These are specialties of our far north, and I doubt you've had them before."

Lu Yang took a bite of a frozen pear, surprised by its incredibly juicy nature, which almost overflowed from his mouth.

Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou, while nibbling on their frozen pears, asked, "Which three trials do you need to pass?"

"The first trial is a test of one's Dao Heart. If your Dao Heart remains unbroken after a severe setback, it proves your unwavering determination to seek the Dao."

"I passed this trial when I first arrived at the martial arts hall."

"Huh?" Lu Yang asked, confused.

"It was when I first arrived at the martial arts hall. Fellow Daoist Lu Yang, you told me you had broken through to the Void Refinement stage and could even fluctuate your cultivation to the Tribulation Transcending stage. Ever since the Sword-Seeking Ceremony, I had always aimed to emulate you in my cultivation. When I heard that news, my Dao Heart was severely impacted."

Lu Yang understood. "So, passing the first trial means you weren't discouraged and still continued to cultivate with me as your goal?"

Xue Shilou waved his hand. "Ah, no, I had an epiphany. I realized it's perfectly fine for me to be the most talented swordsman in the far north. There's no need for me to compete with you for the title of the world's most talented swordsman."

"Then what is your second trial?"

"The second requires me to become an invincible existence within my cultivation realm in the far north."

"I've observed that Fellow Daoist Xue has achieved considerable success in swordsmanship and can even fight opponents above his level. Are you truly not invincible among those of the same realm in the far north?" Lu Yang pressed.

Xue Shilou shook his head. "No. There's a fiend at the Transformation Stage named 'Wanderer.' Despite his name implying freedom, he is actually responsible for arson, murder, pillaging, rape, and theft—committing every evil imaginable. I once fought him and unfortunately lost. Only by defeating him can I pass the second trial, and that is one of the reasons I came to Muxue City to further my comprehension of swordsmanship."