Li Yuan stood quietly before the small, dilapidated house that had once been his home within the sect.
The wooden walls were weathered, the roof tiles cracked in several places, and the courtyard weeds had already begun reclaiming the ground where he once practiced his sword techniques.
It had never been an impressive place—barely more than a shack compared to the residences of other disciples. Yet the longer he looked at it, the more complicated the feelings inside his chest became.
This was where he'd awakened in this world, where he had learned of his cheat, where he had spent many nights cultivating, growing stronger and stronger until no other Outer Sect disciple could match him.
Despite its miserable state… this place held fond memories that he would never forget.
For a long moment, Li Yuan simply stood courtyard, trying to understand his own complicated feelings regarding this place. Sadness, joy, relief, nostalgia, and many other emotions. It all combined into a bittersweet feeling.
He closed his eyes and drew a slow, steady breath. When he opened them, the hesitation had vanished. He looked at the house one last time and gave a small, solemn bow. "Thank you," he whispered, the words barely audible against the wind.
Li Yuan returned to the ship and jumped aboard. Zi Mo, who had been waiting, placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Ready to go to the Snow Peak?" she asked softly and he nodded.
Zi Mo smiled and activated the ship's formation. The small vessel rose smoothly into the air and began gliding across the sky. And soon, the shabby residence disappeared behind them. That would be the last time he would ever see it.
They flew higher and higher until the Outer Sect area became little more than a patch of area on the mountain. Until the entire sect unfolded beneath them, shown to him in its true glory. Nine great mountains, each more impress than another as they stretched out from horizon to horizon.
Soon, they started flying over those peaks, and Li Yuan noticed that the first peak they flew over belched out thick plumes of smoke from the countless furnaces scattered across its slopes.
Aside from that, the entire mountain had been carved into small terraces were Spirit herbs gardens were stacked one after another. And even from this great height, he could smell the scent of a thousand different herbs growing in that peak.
It didn't take a genius to guess that this was the Alchemy Peak.
Soon enough, they passed by the Alchemy Peak and flew over another one. This Peak seemed to be covered in greenery from top to bottom. And he could see countless animals and birds living in the mountain forest.
A closer look however revealed that those weren't animals, but instead spirit beasts. And while most of them were 1st Grade spirit beasts, they were also some 2nd Grade Spirit Beasts scattered here and there, and he even got to see a rare 3rd Grade Beast. A giant Crane whose wingspan dwarfed that of a 747 airline.
Some of the larger beasts flying around the mountain even noticed their flying ship and curiously approached it. But befofe they could get too close, Zi Mo unfurled a small fraction of her aura… and the beasts let out chirps and shrieks of fear before scattering all directions as they fled for their lives.
Li Yuan chuckled softly at the sight and then glanced at the other Peaks in the distance. Trying to make a guess at what each of those peak were without much success, as a the rest didn't look all that different from one another.
Except for the Main Peak, that is. He had never used the term crowded, with the term mountain before. But looking at that gargantuan mountain which was filled with buildings in every flat surface, he could only imagine how many people lived in that place.
The fact that the Main Peak also stood at the centre of all the other Peaks also gave away its identity.
Eventually, the ship began approaching a distant mountain. And unlike some of the others, he recognised this one instantly, as the entire mountain was buried beneath Snow. Giving it a rather different look compared to all the other peaks in the Sect.
Zi Mo brought the ship down to the bottom of the mountain, where a shimmering formation made itself visible before them. As Zi Mo released her aura in a strange pattern, the formation opened up and allowed them entry into the mountain, where the ship once again begin its ascent.
Now that they were flying so close to the mountain, he could finally take a closer look at it. And doing so made him feel like he had arrived in an entirely different planet.
Most of the plants growing on the mountain didn't resemble plant at all. Their stems seemed like they were made from crystals, and their leaves from ice. In other places, strange minerals jutted out of the snowy ground and shimmered faintly in a manner that he'd never seen before.
Rivers of Yin mist flowed through the cracks between the rocks, drifting lazily across the mountainside like ghostly streams.
And aside from that… the most important thing he noticed about this place was just how incredibly silent it was. Too silent, he would say. The snow blanketing the ground swallowed any and all sound completely, and even the wind seemed hesitant to disturb the silence.
Just as eerie was that fact that there were no humans, animals, birds or insects in this place. No, that's not completely right either. Using his Spirit Residue Following Technique, he was able to see countless little worms moving around on the mountain's surface.
Taking a closer look made him realise that they were Gu. Countless Yin or Ice type Gu that had likely been borne by the heavens due to the special circumstances of this place.
He also saw the faint spiritual signatures of countless Yin-aligned Spirit herbs growing beneath the snow, showing that this place was not as barren as it might seem at a first glance.
"How are you feeling?" Rou Lin's voice pulled him from his observations. He turned to see her watching him in concern.
"Fine," Li Yuan replied, slightly confused. "Why?"
Rou Lin blinked at his reply. "You're not feeling uncomfortable?" She asked.
He raised an eyebrow. "Should I be?"
She pointed toward the frozen landscape surrounding them and nodded. "Yes. Most cultivators feel uneasy in Snow Peak," she explained. "Unless they possess strong cultivation or an affinity with Yin energy."
Li Yuan blinked, and then he slowly turned his head toward Zi Mo who met his gaze and nodded. "It's true." She said "But our first dual cultivation session ended with you absorbing part of my Physique, which allowed you to inherit a portion of my Yin affinity."
Li Yuan stared at her. "…I did? I didn't know."
Zi Mo shrugged slightly. "I thought you already noticed."
He hadn't. But thinking back, the Yin-heavy atmosphere surrounding them indeed felt surprisingly comfortable to him.
Eventually the flying ship reached a plateau carved into the side of the mountain. And a small settlement appeared before them. Snow-white homes dotted the plateau, and several women stood outside those houses, chatting or practicing techniques.
The moment the flying ship appeared overhead, the women looked up. And their eyes widened as they noticed Li Yuan standing on the ship.
Li Yuan noticed the reaction and frowned in confusion. "Why are they looking at me like that?" he asked.
Zi Mo chuckled softly. "They're not used to seeing men on this peak."
"…really? You peak have no men at all?" He asked.
"We have two," she said, and then paused. "But both of them possess Yin physiques because of which they're rather… feminine."
Li Yuan nodded slowly. "Um… if I live in this place for a while, then I won't also become more feminine, would I?" Because if that were the case, then he would have to reconsider living here.
The path of the femboy was not for him.
Zi Mo looked thoughtful for a moment before shaking her head. "No. You don't truly have a Yin-Physique, so that shouldn't be the case."
Li Yuan nodded slowly. And the flying ship continued gliding across the plateau before finally descending near the centre of the settlement. There, standing proudly against the snowy mountainside, was a massive palace constructed entirely from ice.
Li Yuan instinctively activated his Spirit Residue Following Technique, and the moment his senses touched the palace… he froze in utter shock. Every inch of the palace glowed like a miniature sun within his perception. Every pillar, and every wall was like that.
The amount of condensed Qi stored within that palace was staggering. More than any spirit treasure he had ever seen. Even the Top-grade Spirit Stones Zi Mo had used before didn't contain this much energy.
His mind raced as he tried to estimate the value of this palace from its materials alone. The number that formed inside his head was so large that his brain simply blue screened.
He finally snapped out of it when the flying ship touched the snowy ground. Zi Mo stepped toward the stairs of the ships before turning back toward him with a playful smile.
"Well?" She extended her hand. "Ready to meet the first Nascent Soul cultivator of your life?"
Li Yuan paused. Only then did the weight of that statement truly sink in. Yes, this was indeed the very first Nascent Soul cultivator he would ever meet in his life. An honour that many cultivators in their very sect will never receive.
He swallowed quietly, then nodded and let Zi Mo take his hand and guide him forward.
"Don't worry," she said reassuringly. "My master has always treated me like a daughter. I'm sure she'll like you."
'So you're telling me that I fucked and almost took the Special Physique of a Nascent Soul's daughter?' He thought, his legs suddenly feeling rather reluctant to move forward. But as Zi Mo continued tugging at him, he had no choice but to follow her along.
"…Let's hope so." He replied with a wan smile, hoping the Nascent Soul elder won't kill him for defiling her daughter/disciple.
—————
Zi Mo stopped a few steps before the palace entrance, and Li Yuan nearly walked into her back before catching himself.
She turned around and produced a thin silver bracelet from her storage ring, its surface etched with delicate runes. "Wear this," she said, holding it out for him.
Li Yuan took the bracelet with a curious look. "What does it do?"
Zi Mo glanced toward the towering palace ahead before answering.
"My Master's Special Physique," she began slowly, "has a rather… overwhelming effect on the world around her."
Li Yuan raised an eyebrow. "What's that even supposed to mean?"
"Her physique converts the ambient Qi in her surroundings into Yin Qi. Even with her doing her best to control her physique, it still turns a large part of the world around her into Yin-energy." Zi Mo explained. "It is said that before she became the Peak Mistress of Snow Peak, this entire mountain was covered in lush greenery and towering forests."
His eyes widened at those words and Zi Mo gave him an understanding nod. "Yes. Even your improved Yin affinity won't be enough to save you should you go near her without proper protection. So wear that bracelet tightly around your arm."
Li Yuan nodded and did just that even as his gaze moved over to the rest of the mountain. 'A special physique that could change such a large area without the physique wielder's conscious effort… what a terrifying ability.' He thought.
And with that, came another thought. 'Someone will definitely after her someday.'
Because that was how stories like these always went. Some ambitious old monster would eventually hear of it and decide that stealing her physique was worth the risk. And that would lead to a clusterfuck that he would be forced into solving.
Just thinking about it already tired him out.
He then noticed that Rou Lin was wearing an identical bracelet around her arm and raised an eyebrow.
Him, having to wear the bracelet was one thing, as he wasn't a true special physique wielder. But to think Rou Lin would have to wear one as well…
He glanced toward the massive palace again. 'Just how powerful did someone have to be for their mere presence to be lethal for Foundation Establishment cultivators?' And that was while the peak mistress was restraining herself. He could only imagine how strong she'd be if she let loose.
Without another word, Zi Mo turned and led them inside. And the moment Li Yuan stepped through the palace gates, he immediately shut off his Spirit Residue Following Technique. If he didn't… he was fairly certain he would go blind from how much Qi was radiating from the entire palace.
The interior of the palace was vast. Each pillar was so wide that a dozen people standing hand in hand might barely wrap their arms around it. The ceiling towered far above them, easily over a hundred meters high.
Despite the palace being completely empty, the place still radiated a quiet majesty. As if this place had been built not for mortals… but for gods.
And considering the difference between a Nascent Soul cultivator and ordinary humans… perhaps that comparison wasn't entirely wrong. To the countless mortals living in the Nine Peak City below, the Snow Peak Mistress probably no different than a god.
They walked in silence for what seemed like an entire minute before they finally reached the far end of the grand hall, where a dense cloud of pale mist swirled slowly, concealing whatever lay beyond it. As they approached the mist, Zi Mo suddenly raised her hand. Both Li Yuan and Rou Lin stopped immediately.
He looked at her questioningly, but she kept her eyes forward. And a moment later, she dropped to her knees. Rou Lin followed instantly, and Li Yuan hesitated for half a second before kneeling as well, lest he 'give offence' to the Nascent Soul cultivator.
"Disciple Zi Mo has returned," Zi Mo announced respectfully. And Rou Lin echoed the greeting a moment later. Li Yuan briefly wondered whether he should say something as well, but since he had no idea what the correct protocol was, he wisely remained silent.
For several long seconds… nothing happened as the mist continued to swirl quietly in front of them. Then suddenly… the mist vibrated, and a voice emerged from that vibration.
"Welcome back… my disciples." The voice sounded distorted, as though filtered through layers of water and wind. The words echoed softly through the palace hall before fading into silence again.
"Master, I have—" Zi Mo began speaking, but the voice interrupted her.
"You have advanced six minor realms. And your physique… has improved." The mist paused and shifted slightly, as if studying Zi Mo. "What brought this change?"
"Yes, master." Zi Mo lowered her head and began recounting everything. How she had given her vital Yin to Li Yuan, how the phenomenon 'Special Physique Resonance' had occurred, how her physique had evolved rather than weakened, and how her cultivation had skyrocketed as a result.
The mist remained silent throughout the entire explanation, yet Li Yuan could clearly feel something examining him. Like invisible fingers brushing across his body and soul.
Finally, the mist spoke again. "Interesting." A pause. "I imagine there is a good reason you seduced the boy… despite your junior sister's prior interest in him."
Zi Mo's cheeks instantly flushed red. For a moment shame flickered across her face, then she straightened her back and spoke firmly.
"Reporting to master. This disciple knows she acted improperly and will accept any punishment you bestow." She said, and then lowered her head again. "But after witnessing Li Yuan's abilities… I could not restrain myself."
The mist was silent. Then… a long, heavy sigh drifted through the hall.
"You're so old, yet still so impatient." the voice said slowly. "For your failing conduct toward your junior sister… you will compensate her by acquiring a Golden Core pill when the time for her next major breakthrough arrives."
Zi Mo bowed deeply. "This disciple accepts the punishment." Then she hesitated again. "Master… there is another matter."
The mist remained quiet, waiting for her continue. And Zi Mo drew in a soft breath before she spoke up again.
"I ask for your blessing… to marry Li Yuan."
The probing sensation he felt before suddenly intensified. And Li Yuan felt completely exposed beneath the unseen gaze. As if his every secret, and every thought was seen through. It felt as though nothing could escape that scrutiny.
"Interesting." The mist spoke up again, and then paused. "Speak, child. Did Zi Mo force you against your will?"
Li Yuan considered that for exactly half a second. Well, aside from that first time when she had used Yin Qi to seduce him…
"…No." He replied.
The mist was silent. Then it spoke a single word. "Lie." And despite the distortion in the 'voice', the anger behind it was unmistakable.
"Master, I swear I—"
"SILENCE!" The word exploded through the hall like thunder and Zi Mo was forced down to her knees by the sheer pressure.
Then the presence turned fully toward Li Yuan. "Tell me everything, child."
Knowing an order when he heard one, and not wanting to displease the Nascent Soul Expert anymore, he explained everything from the beginning. From their first encounter, to how they ended up dual cultivating. He told her everything and didn't bother to hide anything lest she sense the lie and become even more displeased.
When he finished, the palace fell silent once more. The mist swirled slowly for a while, before it vibrated once again.
"I thought I raised you better than that, child."
Zi Mo immediately slammed her forehead against the ground. "This disciple has shamed you. Please punish me, master!" She shouted, her voice trembled with genuine guilt this time.
The mist remained silent for a long time after that. And none of them dared to so much as move. Until finally…
"You will spend three hours every day teaching Yin-aligned combat techniques to new disciples of your fellow sisters." The mist spoke up, and Li Yuan almost relaxed as the punishment didn't sound too bad, until the voice continued. "…for the next decade."
His expression twisted slightly. Poor Zi Mo.
Zi Mo bowed again. "This disciple accepts." Then she hesitated once more. "…Master. regarding the marriage."
The feeling of being scrutinised returned instantly. And when the mist spoke up, it address Li Yuan once again. "Tell me, child. Do you believe yourself worthy of my disciple, Zi Mo?"
Li Yuan already knew of the future he was sure he would carve of himself, and so he nodded. "Yes. I believe I am."
The mist hummed thoughtfully. "Very well." And then the silence followed.
Zi Mo cautiously raised her head. "Master… does that mean we have your blessing?"
The mist shifted, and this time, he felt that the intent within it had changed to something more aggressive.
"Survive. And you do."
Li Yuan barely had time to process those words before the frozen floor in front of them suddenly erupted outward before coalescing into two humanoid figures. Before Li Yuan could even register those figures properly… they lunged toward both him and Zi Mo.