Chapter 308: Snow Mountain Scenery, Ancient Techniques
Something strange in the mountain?
Lin Tianlu was surprised.
“Perhaps there are some traps or mechanisms on the mountainside.” Cheng Yishi frowned. “We have to be more careful later.”
“I’ll try my best to sense the flow of Yin energy around us.”
Mao Ruoyu also formed hand seals with a serious expression, summoning invisible rings of energy around them as a warning system.
Even Yun Yue, who was wrapped around Lin Tianlu’s neck, looked around vigilantly.
“Let’s continue up the mountain and see.”
Lin Tianlu quickly composed himself, his eyes narrowing slightly, and continued walking along the mountain path towards the peak.
Crunch.
Crunch.
Crunch.
As they approached the mountainside, the path became increasingly steep and rugged, almost impassable. The ground was slippery and soft, and if an ordinary person were to step on it carelessly, they might tumble down the mountain.
Even Cheng Yishi and Mao Ruoyu were now walking carefully, paying close attention to their footing, occasionally slipping and staggering, their hearts pounding.
“When Miss Shuya and you climbed to the peak of Jade Peak Mountain, husband, did you also climb like this on foot?”
Mao Ruoyu was feeling a bit tired, her breathing slightly ragged, and she couldn’t help but whisper: “Although I have Yin energy protecting me, my physical strength… is truly lacking.”
After all, she was a ghost practitioner who manipulated Yin energy, not a resurrected demon or ghost.
Although she had reached the Crimson Demon Realm, her mortal body naturally felt tired after such a strenuous climb. This was one of the fundamental differences between demons/ghosts and ghost practitioners, a gap that was difficult to bridge physically.
“Shuya was indeed nimble and light on her feet.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled without turning around: “When she climbed to the peak with me, she wasn’t even out of breath, her internal energy flowing smoothly, her energy still abundant.”
“Mm… Hearing that makes me a bit envious.”
Mao Ruoyu pursed her lips slightly, a look of envy on her face.
Although martial arts weren’t as convenient as Yin techniques, strengthening the body did have its advantages.
“Giggle~ Madam Mao’s cultivation is refined and profound, her foundation incredibly solid. As long as you practice a bit more, you’ll achieve great things. But to learn close combat martial arts now would be putting the cart before the horse~”
Youluo, who was following behind, chuckled and helped support Mao Ruoyu.
Mao Ruoyu could only sigh wryly.
Although there were many body-strengthening techniques among the cultivation methods of Lunar Valley, and the elders and disciples all possessed extraordinary physiques, capable of shattering metal and stone, she had neglected her cultivation for nearly ten years and had deliberately suppressed her progress in her youth, so naturally, she couldn’t master everything.
Even if her cultivation was rapidly improving now, it was still difficult to achieve.
“Don’t overthink it.”
Cheng Yishi, who was swinging her axe, said casually: “Your body is so voluptuous and sensitive, you would probably blush and be shy just from jumping around a bit, let alone practicing martial arts. If you move too much, your clothes might even fall off.”
Mao Ruoyu: “…”
She glared back but couldn’t retort.
“Hmm?”
Just then, Lin Tianlu, who was walking in front, suddenly narrowed his eyes.
“What did you find, husband?”
Cheng Yishi stopped and looked forward.
“There seems to be a faint Yin energy lingering around.” Lin Tianlu frowned and murmured: “Could there be Yin energy naturally present on this mountain?”
“Yin energy can originate from the fear and resentment of mortals, and also from the coldness of the terrain.”
Youluo explained casually: “It’s winter now, the weather is cold, and the terrain on this mountain is treacherous, with concentrated cold air, so it’s not surprising for Yin energy to be generated here.”
Lin Tianlu’s thoughts stirred, but he remained silent.
This scene was somewhat similar to what he had experienced on Jade Peak Mountain.
However, they hadn’t encountered any demons or ghosts lurking in the shadows yet, nor had they seen any corpses or skeletons, so the situation was somewhat different from their trip to Jade Peak Mountain.
…
After about half an hour.
The four of them had gradually reached the mountainside. The terrain became even more treacherous, and there was no longer a proper path. They had to rely on Yin techniques to walk, otherwise, stepping on the thick snow might cause an avalanche.
“Hu—”
Mao Ruoyu exhaled a puff of white mist and looked up towards the peak. Only the howling wind could be heard, quite noisy.
The heavy snow and fog added to the desolation and loneliness.
“Is there really a treasure beneficial to Xuanling hidden on this barren, snowy peak?”
“If it’s buried in the snow, it will be difficult to find its exact location.”
Youluo’s demeanor remained graceful and composed in the face of the biting wind, her expression unchanged.
But a hint of surprise and uncertainty appeared in her eyes as she looked around.
Even she was starting to sense something amiss—
Although the weather was cold, and snow and ice easily formed on this high mountain, was this howling snowstorm truly normal for the southern region?
If an ordinary person stayed here, they would probably be buried by the snow within moments, freezing to death even in thick clothes.
Although she had been staying in the Myriad Nether Tower of the Luo Xing for many years, it didn’t mean she was completely ignorant of the outside world. This heavy snowfall wasn’t normal for an ordinary mountain.
Just then, Lin Tianlu, who was clearing the path ahead, suddenly stopped.
Because in the heavy snow about a dozen feet ahead, he vaguely saw a figure flickering!
Looking closely, he realized that the blurry figure seemed to be merging with the falling snow, making it difficult to discern its true form.
“Be careful, there’s something strange in this mountain.”
Lin Tianlu raised his hand, signaling the three women behind him to be cautious.
But quickly, his heart skipped a beat, and he looked back.
“…”
The figures who had been following him had disappeared.
Lin Tianlu looked forward again, and the figure hidden in the snow began to materialize.
It looked slender and graceful in the dense fog, its long, snow-white hair dancing in the wind, its body seemingly floating in mid-air, its feet lifted by the wind and snow, slowly drifting towards him.
As he gradually saw the newcomer’s appearance and attire clearly, he couldn’t help but twitch the corner of his eye.
Because this woman resembled the mountain spirit he had seen on Jade Peak Mountain, her jade-like body completely exposed, only gradually transforming into translucent silk, barely concealing her nakedness as the wind and snow swirled around her.
But her beautiful face, sacred and aloof, still possessed a mesmerizing beauty that could captivate one’s mind and soul.
Like the pure white snow on the mountain peak, or the chilling wind between the towering mountains, her thoughts were unreadable, yet also pure and translucent.
“—Mortals, do not enter.”
Her lips parted slightly, a soft and crisp voice, like wind chimes, echoing in the wind.
Lin Tianlu’s expression turned serious, and he averted his gaze, cupping his hands from afar: “Miss, do you understand human language? Can you communicate with me?”
The snow-white woman’s gaze was incredibly calm, like a mountain lake, tranquil and undisturbed, a gentle light shimmering within.
“What do you want to say to me?”
Hearing her reply, Lin Tianlu’s heart stirred.
“I came to Immortal Phoenix Mountain to search for something that can help a friend of mine recover her cultivation and rebuild her body. Could you—”
“There is nothing you seek here.”
The snow-white woman waved her sleeve: “Leave quickly.”
Lin Tianlu frowned: “Why are you so adamant, Miss? And where are my three companions?”
“…”
But facing his questions, the snow-white woman didn’t respond, only waving her sleeve again with an indifferent expression. The howling wind around them became even colder and sharper, almost like sharp ice blades, as if trying to freeze the mountain path and block his way to the peak.
Lin Tianlu’s expression darkened, and he immediately struck out with his palm. A surge of energy shattered and dispersed the surrounding ice and snow, creating a snow-free area, making the snow-white woman, who had been aloof and indifferent, widen her eyes slightly.
“If you understand human language, Miss, why don’t we have a proper conversation? It would be better than forcibly driving me away.”
“…If you don’t leave, you will stay here with those women.”
The snow-white woman was silent for a moment, then spoke coldly, pressing her palm downwards.
Instantly, the wind and snow surged like a flood, as if trying to bury and crush everything below!
Lin Tianlu’s expression calmed down, and he shouted: “Forgive me, Miss!”
Saying this, his figure flashed, and he charged upwards with lightning speed, easily passing through the layers of snow, mist, and ice crystals. In an instant, he had reached the snow-white woman and placed his hand on her shoulder.
“Hmm?”
The snow-white woman was slightly stunned, seemingly not expecting him to be so fast. She was about to struggle and retaliate when Lin Tianlu pulled her, making her stumble and fall forward as if all her strength had been drained.
But at this moment, her cold eyes seemed to transform into brilliant ice crystals, and the silk gauze around her body exploded into countless sharp ice blades, a chilling coldness emanating from her as it spread out in all directions.
Crack, crack, crack
Numerous ice crystals clung to his arm.
But Lin Tianlu just snorted softly and calmly shattered the ice crystals covering his body. He was about to capture and restrain the woman when her figure dissipated like mist.
“—You can’t escape with such methods, Miss.”
Lin Tianlu’s emerald eyes glinted, and he immediately gave chase, reaching out with lightning speed.
“Ugh?!”
Then, a smooth and jade-like neck appeared in his hand. The snow-white woman’s flawless face reappeared from the snowstorm, struggling slightly, and she murmured: “How… how did you find—”
“Your concealment technique is truly ingenious, Miss, merging with the wind and snow on this snow-covered mountain, almost flawless.”
Lin Tianlu smiled coldly: “It’s a pity that your beautiful figure can’t escape my eyes. I can clearly see where you’re trying to escape to.”
“…”
The snow-white woman bit her lip lightly, a hint of displeasure appearing on her usually calm face.
But just as she was about to struggle again, Lin Tianlu released his grip and even took a step back.
“?”
The snow-white woman was stunned, taking two steps back hesitantly, her lips moving slightly: “What… what do you mean?”
“Our sudden visit to Immortal Phoenix Mountain was indeed rude and intrusive, disturbing your peaceful cultivation, Miss. I apologize for that.”
Lin Tianlu’s smile faded, and he bowed seriously: “I hope you can forgive me, Miss, and that we can put aside our differences and stop fighting, it would be a shame to cause unnecessary conflict.”
“You—”
The snow-white woman touched her neck, a flicker of emotion in her eyes.
“Are you… apologizing?”
“Indeed.”
Lin Tianlu smiled frankly: “But I also hope you can understand our sincerity, Miss.”
“You… could have killed me just now and gone directly to the peak.”
“I have no grudge against you, Miss, and judging by your character and behavior, you don’t seem like a cruel and bloodthirsty villain. It wouldn’t be right to truly fight.”
Lin Tianlu had observed carefully just now. This woman’s body wasn’t tainted with any filth or impurity, as pure and clean as the snow on this mountain, completely different from the Jade Peak Mountain spirit.
If he were to harm such a harmless mountain spirit, it would be too aggressive and unreasonable.
The snow-white woman was silent for a moment, lowering her hands, and the chilling wind swirling around them calmed down slightly.
Seeing that she had gradually let go of her hostility, Lin Tianlu cupped his hands:
“Could you release my three companions now, Miss?”
“It wasn’t me.”
“Hmm?”
Lin Tianlu was slightly stunned: “My three companions suddenly disappeared, it wasn’t you, Miss?”
“I was born from the spirit of this mountain, responsible for guarding this place and making mortals leave.”
The snow-white woman said indifferently: “Because there’s a formation in this mountain. If it’s activated, anyone with Yin energy will be pulled in, and the danger is unpredictable. Whether they can escape or not isn’t something I can control.”
“Formation?”
Lin Tianlu was surprised.
There was a formation here?
He had been careful along the way, but he hadn’t sensed any fluctuations of Yin energy from a formation.
“This formation comes from the phoenix in this mountain.”
The snow-white woman seemed to know his confusion and lowered her eyes, saying softly: “Her power is heaven-defying, seemingly originating from ancient times. She was the one who awakened my sentience. The techniques she uses are far beyond ordinary Yin techniques.”
There really was a phoenix living on this Immortal Phoenix Mountain?
Lin Tianlu was even more surprised.
But then, worry arose in his heart as he looked back in the direction where Mao Ruoyu and the others had disappeared.
The technique used by this phoenix in the mountain wasn’t an ordinary Yin technique, so its foundation probably wasn’t Yin energy either.
In that case, he had overlooked something in his perception and analysis—
“I have to think of a way.”
Lin Tianlu took a deep breath, calmed his mind, and slowly extended his senses.
…
Yellow sand flew, the moonlight like frost.
Mao Ruoyu stood on the barren desert sand, her expression dazed and lost as she looked at her hands and body, an indescribable emptiness in her heart.
“Where… am I?”
She touched her neck and shoulders, but Yun Yue, who had been with her, was gone.
Looking around, there was only a vast and seemingly endless desert, she was all alone, the cold wind howling, a scene of utter desolation and loneliness.
…
“What… what happened?!”
Cheng Yishi’s expression was blank for a moment, but she quickly recovered from her daze and looked around in shock and uncertainty.
Only then did she realize that her surroundings had suddenly transformed into a strange, dark, and endless void, disorienting and chilling.
“Why did I suddenly appear here? I was just on the snowy mountain, and suddenly…”
Tap
A faint footstep suddenly echoed, making Cheng Yishi instinctively look towards the sound.
Just as she raised her hand to summon her battle-axe, preparing to fight, her eyes widened, a look of fear appearing on her face.
“Sister, long time no see.”
A beautiful young lady walked towards her barefoot, a bright and innocent smile on her face: “Compared to before, Sister, you’ve become so charming and alluring, truly enviable.”
Cheng Yishi’s hands, gripping the axe handle, trembled slightly, and she murmured:
“Cheng… Xin… yin!”
