As the lonely night deepened and heavy snow filled the sky, Lu Mingyuan stood on the mountain behind the Cold Palace, his focus absolute. He was comprehending the final strike of the Fiery Fire Saber Technique. Red Strong Qi enveloped his body, melting the snowflakes in the distorted air before they could even touch his shoulders.
The sound of his saber cutting through the air was constant. His Saber Momentum rolled out, unleashing waves of Saber Qi that instantly split a snow-covered boulder, as tall as three men, in two. His Heart Spirit was completely immersed, oblivious to the world around him. He had spent the entire afternoon engrossed in his practice, hoping to use "Hidden Dragon" to cultivate his Saber Technique to the Perfection Realm.
He now possessed the "Martial Artist" Fate Grid, and "Red Heart" doubled his progress in Martial Arts. This naturally included his saber training, and his proficiency with the blade was becoming increasingly Skilled.
Just then, a line of text suddenly appeared before Lu Mingyuan.
[The Life Master has avoided the major event at Changle Palace, averting disaster.]
[Emperor Orange Fate Grid - Trapped Dragon in the Abyss, Refinement Level increased to 12%.]
[Refinement Level reached 12%. Acquired trait "Hidden Dragon" (Middle Level).]
["Hidden Dragon" (Middle Level): A hidden dragon lies low, its Yang Energy concealed. Aids Cultivation. Comprehension is tripled.]
"My Refinement Level actually increased by 4%?"
Lu Mingyuan was very surprised.
Now he understood. As long as he could keep avoiding disasters and absorbing the corresponding fortune, the Refinement Level of "Trapped Dragon in the Abyss" would continue to rise. Averting one disaster guaranteed an increase of at least 4%.
A cool, refreshing sensation spread through his mind. Everything before his eyes seemed much brighter, and even the withered, snow-covered bamboo forest beside him looked different than it normally did.
'To see a mountain is not to see a mountain; to see water is not to see water.'
This was a Realm within the Taoist Sect.
It was said that exceptionally talented Immortal Descendants and Daoist Sword Cultivators could achieve sudden enlightenment and gain profound insights just by observing the natural world or the lingering traces of techniques left behind by a Great Power Immortal.
The snow continued its heavy descent, but in Lu Mingyuan's eyes, it had taken on an entirely new appearance.
'In my past life, I never experienced a snowfall this heavy. I certainly wouldn't have been practicing my saber alone in the snow on New Year's Eve. Back then, it would have been getting a call from my parents on the winter solstice, eating an apple alone in my apartment on New Year's Eve, or rushing home for a few days to share a few holiday meals.'
'All of that feels like an ephemeral dream now. I can never go back.'
'Perhaps this is what it feels like to be a stranger in a strange land.'
The wind was bone-chilling, yet as it battered Lu Mingyuan, he felt no cold.
The falling snowflakes seemed to slow in his perception. The translucent, crystalline flakes landed on the ground, remaining perfectly still.
'Since it came into this world, it was meant to take away all the world's warmth, yet it departs without a single stain.'
'People are the same. Since we have come into this world, we should strive to shine as brightly as possible, so that even in death, we have no regrets. Leaving one's mark on the world... isn't that its own form of immortality?'
'Besides, with the Blood Glutton Celestial Fall Scripture, longevity shouldn't be much of an issue.'
'I can foresee from the Abnormal Eating Chapter, Sensing Chapter, Primordial Spirit Chapter, and Divine Venerable Chapter that I can continuously devour all things, and that includes lifespan itself.'
At that moment, the snowflakes in Lu Mingyuan's eyes seemed to freeze in place.
He began to swing his long saber freely, following the dance of the snowflakes, paying no mind to stances or rhythm.
Like a dancer, all that mattered was the pure performance.
Swinging a saber was the same: as fast as thunder, formless when drawn, and striking like a shooting star.
'In all the Martial Arts under heaven, only speed is unbreakable. To advance further in my Saber Technique, I must trace it back to its source.'
'A saber is, at its core, a sharp weapon.'
'Fast and ruthless—that is enough.'
Lu Mingyuan unleashed a continuous flurry of slashes, sometimes with a forward grip, sometimes a reverse grip, sometimes a half grip. Regardless of the form, it could be described in a single word: fast.
Gradually, the red Martial Arts Qi around his body coalesced into a formless Momentum.
Once the Momentum solidified, the sound of thunderous sonic booms ripped through the air. He stomped, shattering the accumulated snow, and a large swath of the surrounding bamboo forest splintered and collapsed.
'This is my very own Winter Thunder Saber Momentum.'
Having completed the set, Lu Mingyuan sheathed his saber, thinking to himself.
'Triple comprehension... this is just too heaven-defying.'
Lu Mingyuan was deeply struck by the power of his enhanced comprehension. It had allowed him to grasp Saber Momentum far ahead of schedule. 'If it continues to advance, I can't even imagine what will happen.'
Filled with excitement, he prepared to return to Qingzhu Hall.
However, as he was passing a vast, white expanse of a Great Snowfield...
An azure meteor suddenly streaked across the sky, as brilliant as an aurora.
Before he could get a good look, the meteor dimmed, and a figure plummeted from the sky.
A woman as beautiful as a painting, her hair coiled in a high bun and her waist impossibly slender, landed in the middle of the Snowfield. She held a clear, radiant, unnamed Long Sword in one hand while clutching her chest with the other. The delicate pale skin of her arm was faintly visible beneath her azure sleeve, and her loose Daoist Robe failed to conceal her graceful figure.
Her cold, beautiful eyes clearly saw Lu Mingyuan. A flash of killing intent appeared as she bit her lip and swung her sword forward, intending to silence him for good.
Lu Mingyuan's pupils contracted. Without a moment's hesitation, he drew his saber to defend himself.
Winter Thunder Saber Momentum.
He was putting his newfound skill to immediate use.
Unfortunately, the expected CLANG never came.
He slashed out, but before his blade could connect, she had already collapsed to one knee, her Long Sword clattering to the ground. Lu Mingyuan's attack hit nothing but air.
How could Lu Mingyuan let such a golden opportunity pass? He advanced with his saber and thrust it straight toward her heart!
CLANG!
But his strike was repelled by a protective Golden Light that erupted from the woman's body. Lu Mingyuan was sent flying backward.
His saber flew from his grasp and plunged into the earth.
A Talisman composed of black, tadpole-like runes materialized in front of the woman before quietly dissipating.
"What the hell was that?"
Lu Mingyuan sat up, scratching the back of his head in complete bewilderment.
Seeing the woman's Daoist Robe, he asked, confused:
"Where did this Daoist Nun come from?"
Before he could do anything else, the azure-robed woman coughed up another mouthful of blood, staining the vast white snow. With cold eyes, she pulled the pin from her hair. In an instant, a cascade of snowy, silver hair tumbled down like a waterfall.
Gripping the hairpin, she lunged at Lu Mingyuan once more.
But she only managed a few steps before her qi and blood surged in reverse, as if from overexertion, and she collapsed to the ground.
Utterly bewildered, Lu Mingyuan didn't risk approaching her. Instead, he ran into Qingzhu Hall to get Zi Yun.
"Your Highness, what's wrong?"
"Someone tried to kill me."
Half an incense stick's time passed. Only when the snow had nearly buried the woman's body did Lu Mingyuan return.
"Your Highness, is this the woman of unknown origin you mentioned?"
"Yes."
Zi Yun stepped forward to check the woman's breathing. Turning back, she said, "She's still alive."
Only then did Lu Mingyuan step forward to get a better look at the woman's face.
Her eyes were shut tight beneath long lashes. She had slender, willow-leaf eyebrows and thin, bloodless lips. Her chest was a mangled, bloody mess, her cheeks were ghastly pale, and her hair fell like a snowy waterfall. Still, none of it could diminish her stunning beauty.
Zi Yun asked, "Your Highness, what should we do with her?"
"Dismember her, burn the remains, and then bury them."
Lu Mingyuan took a step back, brushed the snow from his clothes, and gave the order with unnerving calm.
With that said, he clasped his hands behind his back and walked slowly into the main hall.
"But Your Highness," Zi Yun began, "she seems to be from the Taoist Sect. She also has an invitation Token for Changle Palace on her person. Her background must be significant. If she dies here, won't we be held responsible?"
Zi Yun asked this after having searched through the azure-robed woman's belongings.
She had served the Sixth Prince for a long time and knew his temperament, more or less. He was exceedingly cautious and always thought things through before making a decision, which was why she had dared to press the issue.
Hearing this, Lu Mingyuan's brow furrowed.
'This person is a huge problem.'
Just then, the Six-Yao Turtle Shell in his mind flashed, emitting two beams of light.
[Imperial Palace Snowfield: Encounter with a White-haired Daoist Nun. Hidden within this event is the conflict of the Three Religions and the chaos of clashing dragons. Disaster and fortune are intertwined.]
Then, two divination results appeared before him.
[Middle Trigram of Good Fortune: Save the Daoist Nun's life. The resulting fortune can obscure the Celestial Secret, granting you a unique opportunity. You can leverage the Taoist Sect's influence to watch the clash of dragons from the sidelines, staying out of the chaotic fray. Obtain the Azure Fate Grid (Fated to be Seductive). Outcome: Moderately Auspicious!]
[Middle Trigram of Evil: Ignore her. The Daoist Nun will perish in body and Dao. You will be caught in the conflict of the Three Religions and the disaster of clashing dragons, incurring the suspicion of the Taoist Sect and attracting unwanted attention from multiple factions. Outcome: Moderately Inauspicious!]
...