Chapter 001: A Dream
Dew gathered like pine snow, ice reflected the rosy clouds, reaching upward to the hundred-foot clouds where rainbows soared, and downward to the endless snowy mountains where pure snow streamed like frost. The scene was pristine and cold, yet its delicate beauty never faded; the Tianshan of her dreams remained serene, clear, and beautiful.
She smiled faintly, sighing softly, “I’ve finally returned to Tianshan. The burden that has troubled my heart is at last resolved.”
Night began to fall; the glow of sunset gradually waned, casting fantastical hues over snowy peaks, icy pools, flower-filled ponds, and forests of timber. All of it beckoned her to hurry toward the bamboo groves of snow, yet her feet halted involuntarily before a certain door.
“What is this place? Why have I never seen it before?” She pondered, puzzled. “No matter, I’ll return and consult with Master about how to restore Tianshan’s good name. Surely, this has troubled him for some time as well.”
She took two steps, then glanced back. The door seemed to possess a powerful allure, making it impossible to simply leave it behind with indifference. Looking closely, she saw a pair of double doors crafted from white jade and refined silver, encircled by flowing ice. On either side stood two statues of ice-bodied lions with strange visages, and before the door lay a pool exuding icy mist. No one guarded it, yet its importance and solemnity were unmistakable.
“Could this be the Door of Magical Artifacts of Tianshan? I’ve never seen it before—why have I come here?”
She approached several steps, sensing the biting chill and the strength of the protective array—this was not a place she could enter at will. After some deliberation, she decided to turn away; there were more pressing matters to address.
Suddenly, a flash of white light erupted. A fierce current of magical energy seized her from the ground, dragging her forcibly to the door, where she fell hard. Pain surged through her body, the icy ground jolting her to her senses. Frantically, she scanned her surroundings, but everything remained still and unremarkable, as before.
“How did I end up here? This sacred door is not to be trifled with—I dare not cause more trouble for myself!”
Cautiously, she tried to leave, but each step became more difficult, an invisible pressure forcing her back. The magical currents here could not be touched; once entangled, escape was impossible. Before she realized it, she was pressed against the door, unable to breathe, suffocated by the mounting oppression. In panic, she scrambled for a way out, uncaring what she touched, desperate to escape the deepening sense of being crushed.
Suddenly, the cold door behind her trembled, shaking the ground as well. The magical pressure and currents vanished, leaving only the terror in her eyes, which gleamed with a sudden light.
A flash of silver appeared, the door opened, mist dispersed, and a swirl of smoke rose all around, making her unsteady on her feet and unable to look directly into the dazzling white light. Leaning against the door, she felt the entire Tianshan quiver. Closing her eyes, she could not see the changing clouds or the storm, but she could hear the thunder, the wind’s howl, hailstones striking the ground, and the blizzard’s sweep—a wave of panic surged from her heart, spreading through her body...
“Have I brought disaster upon myself? I did nothing! Magic Door, I beg you, please stop!”
In a moment, the wind died, the clouds stilled, and all returned to calm and silence.
She opened her eyes and surveyed her surroundings. Everything was as before, and her heart was much relieved.
“Thank goodness, the magic door is closed. No artifact is missing... otherwise, my guilt would be immense!”
A gentle breeze passed through, the temperature dropped several degrees, startling her into looking over. Beside the icy pool stood a woman in white.
The woman’s gaze was fierce, her expression cold and indifferent, her entire being exuding severity and pride. Her hostile intent permeated the air, chilling the atmosphere and lacing it with the scent of death.
She looked up at the woman, asking in confusion, “Who... who are you? Why do you look at me so?”
“You have committed a grave mistake—do you realize that? You opened the Door of Magical Artifacts without permission and have repeatedly defied our master. It’s time you learn the rules of Tianshan!” The woman in white spoke icily, conjuring an ice whip in her hand, striking toward her without mercy. The fierce current tore through the magical array, the ice whip shattering the snow and frost in the air, about to strike her. Alarmed, she summoned a shield of cold to ward off the whip’s blade-sharp tip.
“If you have the ability, come out and fight!” The woman in white could not advance, blocked by the door’s magical currents, and could only glare in anger. “Aren’t you Master Qian Gui’s favorite disciple? What good is hiding?”
“Why must I fight you?” she asked, deeply perplexed, glancing at her opponent. “You’re dressed as a Tianshan disciple, too. Why are we at odds? How have I offended you?”
The woman in white laughed coldly, her brow furrowed, her tone icy. “I am your senior sister—have you forgotten? Even without past offenses, today your actions have thrown Tianshan into chaos, and for that alone I can punish you!”
“I did not open the sacred door on my own—it drew me here... and it remains unharmed, no artifact is lost. Why such anger, Sister? If I have erred before, I am willing to accept punishment, but I will not admit guilt where none exists!”
“Hmph, do you think I care for your explanations?” The woman in white summoned a blast of frost, fusing it with her ice whip and lashing out. A storm of snow and ice swept forth, unstoppable and overwhelming. The white blizzard engulfed her, and in a moment, she vanished, leaving only the sound of the ice whip shattering snow and frost.
“Let’s see how proud you are now! Haven’t you always rivaled me? Now, however—”
A flash of silver light darted forth, shooting into the blizzard. Suddenly, the storm before the magical door dissipated; all the snow and ice, touched by silver light, vanished without a trace. When vision returned, she stood unharmed, stunning the woman in white to fury and hatred.
Rising to her feet, she brushed the lingering frost from her sleeves and asked with some dissatisfaction, “Sister, this isn’t punishment—were you trying to kill me?”
“Well, you’re clever, aren’t you?” The woman in white advanced two steps, pausing by the icy pool. Her gaze fell on a shining silver object, and she was struck speechless by shock—her face a mix of terror, longing, and elation. She was about to act when the silver light vanished and the air grew still. “You... you released an artifact?!”
Wary, she glanced around, but saw no sign of any artifact. She replied coldly, “Don’t accuse me, Sister!”
“You truly don’t know you released an artifact? Then it doesn’t belong to you, does it? Regardless, this is a great crime—even Master himself cannot shield you!”
She could not grasp the implication, and retorted coldly, “If you are bent on incrimination, any excuse will do.”
A cruel smile touched the woman’s lips. “This time, I won’t let you go! Don’t think you can stay safely at the door—come out and meet your end! If you want a reason, I’ll tell you a secret.”
“What secret?”
“There’s only room for me here—not you! Your little follower was tormented to death by me—does that make you angry enough to fight me?”
Her eyes widened, fury unrestrained, grief and rage surging within her. “Why did you do that? What did she ever do to you?”
“Because of you!” The woman in white swung her whip toward her, her gaze murderous. “You took what I cared for—so what you care for will not survive! What, you can still endure? Then hear this: Tianshan is not what it once was! Its honor cannot be restored, danger is growing, and you, your friends, the bamboo groves—all will perish! This will be my domain!”
Unable to contain her fury, she leapt before the woman in white. “You are unworthy of Tianshan—unworthy to be my senior sister!”
The woman in white nodded proudly, sneering. “Such grief—why not just die?”
The two became locked in battle, their white figures darting and vanishing across the snow. Each wielded their unique skills and techniques, fueled by anger and hatred, each seeking to bring the other to ruin.
The ice whip, trailing frost, churned the snow and air, moving like a white dragon, its power commanding and forceful.
She dodged with all her skill, using uncanny spells to disrupt her opponent’s tactics and vision. At this moment, she could not fathom whence came her newfound power and skill—her cultivation had always been shallow, insufficient to withstand every blow and icy surge. Yet, from her rage, she drew immense magical strength and inspiration, making her opponent struggle as well.
“How did you gain such power?”
“That’s none of your concern, traitor! Before Tianshan’s honor is restored, you sow chaos—surely you deserve to die!”
The woman in white laughed coldly. “Too bad you lack the means! Let me tell you, I have a hand in every misfortune here. Even if you fix one, more will follow! With your noble heart, you’d best die now and spare yourself future despair!”
“You’re the traitor? The turncoat?” She faltered, then felt a stabbing chill—her chest struck by a blast of icy air. Looking up, the ice whip was upon her; there was nowhere to flee. She stared coldly at the whip tightening around her body. “You would break all taboos? Killing your own—such a soul will never find the righteous path for all eternity!”
“Hmph! You think I care? There is no righteous path in this world, only the pursuit of power!”
She saw a burst of red fire surging toward her, the woman’s face engulfed in the blazing flames. Soon, her vision was filled only with the blinding, scorching fire. She knew she was about to be destroyed by this force, yet her heart was not filled with fear but with confusion: how could she command fire magic? Such power would take at least five years to master. Had she gone astray so long ago?
In a daze, silver light flashed—a torrent of cold met the fire, and the world blazed with brightness. Ice and fire collided, exploded, and radiated outward. Both were struck down by an overwhelming force...
She awoke with a start, chilled to the bone, her mind seized by terror. All was silent around her, and only after a long while did she calm herself, repeating, “It was a dream, only a dream!”
A cool breeze drifted in. The summer night was fresh, insects sang, the moonlight was gentle, and the scent of flowers lingered. At last, she had returned to reality.
The dream had been so vivid—so real it lingered, her heart still racing, the memory refusing to fade.
“Why did I dream all that? Is it because I’m too concerned about Tianshan? But why dream of the Door of Magical Artifacts... and that terrifying senior sister... At least it was just a dream, and Lotus is safe!” She comforted herself again and again, then rose and walked to the window, gazing at the cold moon, feeling the breeze, thinking: the great matters of Tianshan remain unsettled; I cannot rest easy. Lately, I’ve been plagued by nightmares! I must return soon, see what has become of Tianshan, and always keep Lotus by my side.