Chapter 11: Ascending the Heavenly Mountain

It was said that on the border of the Heavenly Mountains, there was a stretch of lake perpetually shrouded in a deep, ghostly blue, encircling the mountain peaks and forming a natural barrier that separated the Heavenly Mountains from the mortal world. Above the Blue Lake, clouds and mists billowed, white fog curled in layers, and the scenery shifted with the seasons at will, invisible to ordinary eyes.

When Lotus Seed first beheld the Heavenly Mountains, she was filled with wonder and could not help but stop to gaze and sigh in awe. The waters of the Blue Lake were as blue and beautiful as the sea, while the mountain peaks lay hidden in snowy mist, difficult to discern. Yet, it was clear that this place was unlike anywhere else; even the mist and the breeze carried a unique clarity and faint fragrance.

“This place truly is extraordinary!” Lotus Seed exclaimed.

“Wait until we reach the mountain itself—there, the wonders are unmatched, with miraculous herbs and rare treasures from all four seasons!” Xueze told her. “But you must not wander or touch anything at will, lest you bring trouble upon yourself!”

Lotus Seed nodded in assent and followed closely behind Xueze and the two elder brothers.

After passing the Blue Lake and treading a few steps along a stony path, the four arrived before a cascading waterfall. Though the water thundered down with great force, it made not a sound, drawing repeated exclamations from Lotus Seed. The surroundings, too, differed from the mundane world, now tinged with a mysterious quality—pure whites and silvers that imparted an icy, ethereal chill.

“Xueze!” Bluewater suddenly halted, turning to look gently at Xueze. “We shall part ways here. I sense the presence of the Celestial Master; I fear that Master Qinglian has already arrived at the Blue Lake.”

“What do you mean by that, brother?” Xueze asked, confused.

“Lotus Seed is not of the Heavenly Mountains; she cannot ascend with us via the Inverted Spring. She is the child of Red Lotus, and now in human form—her cultivation must be profound. If she takes the ordinary path up the mountain and passes the trial of the Snow Maidens, we can go to meet her afterward.”

“But there are three levels of guardians on the way, and the power of the Snow Maidens grows stronger with each. I fear Lotus Seed may not pass!” Ji Lin considered this and nodded. “Sister speaks true. The first trial is easy, but the next two require real skill. I’ll accompany Lotus Seed while you two ascend via the Inverted Spring to inform Master.”

“That would be best—there’s no time to lose. We’ll go ahead; you two be careful,” Bluewater said, and with that, he led Xueze away.

Xueze turned back to Lotus Seed, worry in his eyes. “Be on your guard, both of you. Make haste!”

The Inverted Spring was a mystical means by which only the people of the Heavenly Mountains could ascend or descend the peaks. It allowed one to travel both down and up, but to make the water’s flow reverse required great power—most disciples could only ride it downward, not up.

As they crossed the spring, Xueze whispered to Bluewater, “Brother, how can Ji Lin accompany Lotus Seed? Won’t the Snow Maidens recognize him?”

“I understand your concern—but you need not worry. Ji Lin knows the art of invisibility and will not be detected. If Lotus Seed encounters trouble, he can advise her from the shadows or reveal himself to help if necessary. They will make it up safely, don’t worry.”

“Good!” Xueze looked at Bluewater—still so handsome, graceful, steady, and strong. He always filled Xueze with reassurance.

Just as Bluewater brought Xueze up the mountain, Master Qinglian arrived in pursuit. As they exited the Inverted Spring and reached the Hall of the True Lord, Qinglian caught up to them.

Knowing there was no avoiding her now, Bluewater and Xueze bowed in greeting.

“Xueze, come with me,” Master Qinglian strode straight to Xueze, her face grave and sorrowful.

“Mother, I’m already back—please don’t be like this!” Xueze slipped behind Bluewater.

Bluewater shielded Xueze, blocking Qinglian’s path. “Master Qinglian, please do not break Xueze’s heart!”

“What do you know?” she retorted, ignoring Bluewater and looking anxiously at Xueze. “If you don’t come with me, the road ahead will not be easy! I am doing this for your protection!”

“Xueze is grown now and does not need such coddling!”

Bluewater glanced at Xueze and whispered, “Go now—once you cross the Bridge of Lost Souls, she won’t be able to stop you!”

Xueze nodded, replying softly, “Brother, you must be careful!”

Noticing their hushed exchange, Qinglian sneered, her tone grave. “If you defy my wishes, you will regret it one day!”

“Then regret will be my own to bear!” With that, Xueze soared toward the Bridge of Lost Souls.

Qinglian frowned and hurried after her, but Bluewater stepped in to block her path. Though his rank was not as high as hers, he was one of the most outstanding male disciples of the Heavenly Mountains, his cultivation formidable—enough to match Qinglian for several moves.

“You dare bar my way?” Qinglian’s patience snapped, and she summoned a flurry of ice and snow to strike at Bluewater.

He leapt into the air, calling forth his Blue Light Sword to shatter the flying shards of ice, then conjured a shield of frost that dissipated the blinding wave of light sent his way.

With a cold snort, Qinglian flicked her sleeve, forging three ice swords with half her strength and sending them spinning toward Bluewater with fierce spiritual power.

The swords, cold as death and sharp as thought, flew unerringly at his chest. Bluewater felt a chill descend and struck with his sword, gathering fragments and sword energy to block the ice blades. He retreated a few steps, poured his strength into his blade, and, as the icy swords closed in, sliced the air, shattering them into a spray that clattered harmlessly to the ground.

After several exchanges, the two were still evenly matched, and Qinglian’s anger grew.

“Setting aside your insolence, do you not fear you’ll regret this in the days to come?”

Bluewater, seeing that Xueze had crossed the Bridge of Lost Souls and reached the Bamboo Grove of Snow, felt reassured. He bowed and apologized. “Please punish me as you see fit, Master Qinglian. I meant no disrespect, only wished to help my junior sister.”

“Hmph! I hope you don’t live to regret your recklessness today!” With that, Qinglian strode onto the bridge.

Bluewater did not dwell on her words—he did not know from whence the regret she spoke of might arise; he only wished for Xueze’s happiness.

Crossing the bridge, he saw Xueze and Master Qinglian standing amicably with their master, a picture of harmony.

“My good disciple, you finally return to visit your master!” An elder in white robes with silver hair clasped Xueze’s hand, refusing to let go. Though he was advanced in age, his face showed no sign of years, not a wrinkle in sight. His attire and hair radiated the aura of an immortal—carefree and spirited, with a touch of playfulness. But for the depth in his eyes, it would be impossible to guess that he was the lord of the Bamboo Grove of Snow, Master Qian Gui.

Before Xueze could reply, Master Qinglian frowned and spoke displeased, “If not for the respect I owe you as a Supreme Master, I’d have words with you today!”

“Qinglian, you have a fine daughter. If you wish to argue, I will not be angered,” Qian Gui replied with genial humor, his gentle features alive with mischief.

Unable to contain her sorrow, Qinglian said bitterly, “You too are a party to today’s choice. Should anything happen, you too will be culpable!”

Neither Xueze nor Bluewater understood the meaning behind her words, both curious and uneasy, but Qian Gui only smiled serenely.

Stroking his beard, he said, “Who can say what is right or wrong? All things have two sides; there’s no need to dwell on it, Master Qinglian.”

While they spoke, at the foot of the Heavenly Mountains, the Snow Maidens awaited those who would attempt the trials.

For mortals, ascending the mountain was fraught with difficulty—beyond the waters of the Blue Lake and the perils of the Labyrinth Valley, three checkpoints guarded by the Snow Maidens awaited. Only those of extraordinary fate or ability could hope to succeed.

Lotus Seed expended a century’s worth of cultivation to pass the first trial with ease. Accompanied by Ji Lin, she reached the second gate and noticed someone else in the midst of the challenge.

“Brother, there’s someone there! Should we wait?”

“Don’t worry—let’s go now. In the confusion, I can help you more easily!”

Ji Lin pushed Lotus Seed into the trial formation, where she nimbly dodged traps and, following his instructions, proceeded upward.

Soon, Lotus Seed caught sight of the other challenger.

He was tall and powerfully built, his skin deeply tanned, his presence imposing; he wore armor and the uniform of an official, like a Central Plains general. His attire was unadorned, but the short sword at his side was exquisite—an object few could hope to possess. Anyone who could both wield such a weapon and reach the second gate was no ordinary man. Lotus Seed hurried after him, teaming up to face the Snow Maiden guardian.

“Who are you? How dare you attempt the trial together?” the Snow Maiden demanded, casting a spell to force Lotus Seed from the formation.

Lotus Seed grabbed the man’s arm and whispered, “I’m a challenger too. We’ll have a better chance together—just treat me as a fellow traveler!”

Startled, the man turned to reveal a face of striking clarity and stern, resolute features. Lotus Seed’s gaze lingered on him, a ripple of confusion in her heart: how could this man, so dark and severe, not inspire fear in her—instead, she felt a strange fondness.

“Hero, do you agree?” she asked.

The man regarded the lively, charming girl with a moment’s hesitation, as if weighing something of great importance. Seeing this, Lotus Seed addressed the Snow Maiden directly, “We’re together—do your worst!”

The Snow Maiden smiled and activated the second-level trial formation.

The challenge was greater than before, and Lotus Seed felt some worry, but steeled herself and followed the man through the dangers.

Dodging all manner of open and hidden traps, they reached a labyrinth. Surveying the identical passages, both were puzzled.

“It seems getting out won’t be easy. Let’s try to get our bearings first,” the man sighed. “You may have time, but I have urgent matters—I’ll take my chances with the first path I find.”

“Wait—don’t be rash!” Lotus Seed hurried after. “An expert told me: when you reach the labyrinth, find the center, then choose the most unusual of three doors. We should pick the shortest route first.”

“With this dim light and no way to use lightness skill, how can we tell? Let’s get to the center—my years in the field have given me a good sense of direction.”

“All right,” Lotus Seed agreed, and together they navigated the maze, winding round until they reached its heart. There, within high walls, the only illumination gleamed from three exquisitely carved doors.

“As you said—three doors! But which one do we choose?” the man wondered.

Lotus Seed looked at the near-identical doors, anxiety growing—she hadn’t asked Ji Lin for details. “Well, this is…”

“Careful!” the man cried, pulling her back just as a flurry of ice and snow swept past.

Lotus Seed steadied herself, alert. “We need to get out of here quickly!”

“Yes, my sister is waiting for me outside—I must hurry!” he replied, his anxiety plain.

Lotus Seed observed the doors closely—there were indeed subtle differences. Was that the key to this trial?

“This test is timed. The traps will multiply, and soon the doors will close. If you two can’t pass, you’d best retreat now,” the Snow Maiden’s voice echoed.

Soon, the three doors began to tremble, threatening to collapse, and a storm of flying ice swords swept in. Lotus Seed struggled to fend them off.

With a sigh, the man said, “Let’s just get out!”

“Wait, I almost have it!”

“There’s no time!” He dragged Lotus Seed toward the middle door.

She was about to resist when a strange force sent her flying into the rightmost door, taking the man with her.

A great power propelled them, and they landed heavily outside the gate. Behind them, the stone doors crashed shut and vanished as they turned to look.

“You’re lucky this time. The third trial won’t be so easy,” the Snow Maiden warned before departing, and the second formation faded from sight.