Chapter 065 Snow Ze Wakes Up

Jiucang was about to agree when—
“Your Holiness, Jilin objects!”
Qingui was momentarily stunned, but Jiucang was delighted.
“Oh? Speak your mind.”
“Jilin believes that Senior Brother is indispensable to Tianshan, second only to Your Holiness and the Grand Master. He handles matters that others cannot, so it would be unwise to send him down the mountain. The suggestion of the Velvet Maiden appears reasonable, yet lacks true merit. If Senior Brother descends to the mortal world, it would be a waste of his talents—benefiting mortals while neglecting Tianshan’s affairs!”
“You!” Velvet Maiden glared angrily at Jilin, yet dared not lose composure.
Jiucang halted their quarrel and asked in a gentle voice, “Then, what do you propose?”
“Your Holiness, I am willing to go. These years, I have always followed Senior Brother and gained much experience. Moreover, handling mortal affairs requires no more than myself; there is no need to trouble Senior Brother.”
Jiucang nodded, smiling at the silent Qingui. “In the end, both are your disciples. Do you have any opinion?”
Qingui snorted and smiled, “Let Jilin go, then.”
“Very well. I will also adjust my attitude and try teaching a disciple. Otherwise, I keep bothering you for every matter, and it’s rather inappropriate.”
Qingui replied with a cold smile, ignoring everyone.
Jiucang understood Qingui’s thoughts. He looked at Velvet Maiden and smiled. “I have lofty standards and wish to cultivate talents as outstanding as Qingui’s disciples. At present, only Velvet Maiden meets the requirements. What say you?”
Velvet Maiden was both astonished and overjoyed, immediately kneeling. “To receive such favor from Your Holiness is a great fortune. However, Master Bailin has already entered seclusion and remains my teacher. How could I accept a new master at such a crucial moment?”
Qingui glanced at Jiucang and saw through his intentions, bursting into laughter. “Ha! There are many with more than one master. What Bailin can teach you, Jiucang may as well. What Jiucang excels at, Bailin might not know. Why not—”
“Yes, I must hurry and cultivate a capable female disciple now,” Jiucang sighed meaningfully.
“In that case, I respectfully accept your guidance!” Velvet Maiden smiled, her thoughts surging: Jiucang wants to train a female disciple? Is he preparing to raise a Heavenly Maiden? This is a golden opportunity!
The scenery of Snow Bamboo Land was half winter, half spring and autumn—beautiful, with gentle temperatures. Snow bamboo covered most of the area, lending an intense elegance; even the wind seemed cool, pure, and fragrant.
Within the secret chamber, the atmosphere contrasted sharply with the outside chill—it was warm and comfortable, the heat soothing like a medicinal bath.
Having watched over Xueze for so long, the heavy heart and weary body became unbearable; Lanshui closed his eyes.
Xueze, enveloped in deep sleep, yet her mind remained tense, full of worry.
She lay on the stone platform, eyes closed in slumber, but she could still sense…
Her body felt heavy, yet a power welled up from within—her magic was shallow, but its source seemed endless, never exhausted. The sensation was overwhelming, the thick spiritual energy left her at a loss, reminiscent of that dream—
Suddenly startled, Xueze easily opened her eyes. Why so effortless? Was she still dreaming?
She closed her eyes again, her spirit weary, yet she could sense the outside world. Her hand was held by someone, warm and reassuring.
Dragging heavy eyelids, Xueze looked around, then at her hand. “Senior Brother?”
The chamber was sealed, lit only by orange firelight and heat radiating from the stone walls. Xueze lay on a stone platform; beside her was Lianzi, pale but breathing.
“Thankfully, we’re safe. But where are we?”
Xueze pondered but couldn’t recognize the place.
Lanshui, lightly asleep, sensed Xueze’s uneven breathing and immediately got up to check.

“You’re awake?”
They spoke in unison.
Seeing the beauty on the stone platform finally showing color, her gentle gaze turned to him. Lanshui felt a surge of warmth in his heart.
Having worried for so long, never daring to leave or sleep, he finally heard the sound of relief.
“Xueze!”
“Mm.”
Lanshui embraced the weak Xueze, tightly holding her hand, shielding her frail body. Feeling her warmth and pulse, he felt at ease and was reluctant to let go.
The moment was so wonderful—how he wished it would last forever.
“How is Lianzi?”
“Don’t worry. Master brought back snow lotus; you’ll both be fine.”
Xueze nodded, asking softly, “Where are we?”
“This is Master’s secret chamber; it’s my first time here too.”
After a long silence, Xueze finally gathered her strength. She looked around, then up at Lanshui.
“What’s happening outside now? Was the culprit caught?”
“No, we focused on saving lives and didn’t pursue. Tianshan is now heavily guarded; such incidents won’t happen again. Master and Jilin went to Qingming Palace and will return soon.”
“Lianzi is injured, so who will go down the mountain?”
“Rest assured, they’ll recommend the White Feather Maiden—it’s her duty.”
“What’s really going on? Why did someone try to harm Lianzi? Is it because she’s to descend the mountain?” Xueze frowned, anxiety rising: This is just like in my dream. Is it a coincidence? Will the future unfold thus?
Lanshui gently stroked Xueze’s hair. “Don’t worry. The truth will come out. Get well first, so you can watch Lianzi recover, and awaken her.”
“Mm.” Xueze blinked, fatigue washing over her.
Unconsciously, Xueze fell asleep in Lanshui’s arms, his embrace warm and secure as a safe haven.
Soon, Qingui and Jilin returned, calling Lanshui out for a private discussion.
At that moment, Xueze awoke. Seeing Lanshui leave with a grave expression, she knew something had happened outside.
“Did Master bring news? Why are they speaking in secret?” Xueze adjusted her breathing and sat up, wishing to join them.
She looked around—there seemed to be no other exit except opening the stone door as Senior Brother had, but that required magic, and she was still weak.
Xueze stepped off the stone platform and wandered around, suddenly discovering an exquisite wooden box.
Snow bamboo was carved on the box—it was clearly Master’s. Xueze opened it and found several crystal-clear, differently colored beads.
She paused, feeling an odd familiarity and a fragrant aroma, picking up one. “What is this?”
Inside Qingui’s room, the three conversed with grave expressions.
“Jilin, perhaps I should go. I worry this matter is strange and fraught with danger. If there is a schemer behind it, and the culprit possesses great power or cunning, you might not escape unscathed.”

“No, I said I will go, and so I must. I want to see who is plotting behind the scenes, and who dares commit crimes in Tianshan!”
Qingui frowned and sighed. “Ah, my disciple! Do not act rashly; this matter is not trivial. Jiucang and I have checked the Snow Mirror and found no traces of outsiders. There is a great traitor in Tianshan! Someone schemed here, winning hearts—if they go to the mortal world, it will be even more dangerous. Think carefully!”
The Snow Mirror is a Tianshan artifact that detects the presence and tracks of outsiders, preventing enemy infiltration.
“What else can we do? While their power is small and the threat low, we must act quickly, or the consequences will be endless!”
Lanshui nodded. “It makes sense, Master. Allow me to go!”
“Your sister just suffered—after only one day, you’re in such haste. Do you wish Snow Bamboo Land to lose all its disciples? If not, none may leave the mountain; I will handle this myself.”
“Master!” the two called in unison.
Qingui shook his head. “Enough. Take good care of them. Only when they wake can anyone leave Snow Bamboo Land.”
“Master, I am awake!”
Xueze’s voice came from the doorway. Qingui looked up in surprise; Xueze was already in the room. Lanshui and Jilin were both astonished.
“Xueze, you’re awake?”
“Sister, when did you wake?”
“Sister, how did you get here? Where did you find the strength to walk, and open the secret chamber?”
Xueze smiled and approached the three.
“I saw Senior Brother come out, so I knew something was up. I wanted to help, so I thought of a way. I saw Master’s wooden box with spirit beads and picked one to eat—it refreshed me, and I felt completely recovered. The bead was miraculous; with it, Lianzi should awaken soon!”
“What, you ate an Ice Pearl?” Qingui was shocked and anxious. “Which one did you take? These are distinguished—you can’t eat them at will.”
“I took the blue one!”
“Fortunately, you chose the right one.” Qingui breathed a sigh of relief, though doubts lingered: Why has Xueze’s complexion changed? After one injury, her magic increased greatly—why?
Xueze nodded, recalling something and quickly spoke. “Seeing its effect, I gave Lianzi one as well. Is that right? Are the beads meant for different people?”
Qingui was startled, yet helpless. “Yes, they are divided by time and person. Which did you give her?”
Seeing their anxiety, Xueze became worried, replying hesitantly, “The green one.”
The three immediately relaxed, then felt amazed.
“How did you know which to take? These Ice Pearls are crafted and distinguished by the Heavenly Lord; how can you always sense the right choice? And after taking them, the effects are immediate. Such strange events—I’ve never seen before! Unless—”
Xueze did not understand her master’s words, shaking her head. “I don’t know. I just had a strong feeling. Perhaps it’s because of my mother—she always guarded the snowy realm and worked with snow lotus. I suppose I sense it because of that.”
“What? You know about the snow lotus? Who told you it was crafted from snow lotus?”
Xueze stared blankly at the astonished Qingui. “No one told me; I guessed so. Master, why are you so surprised?”
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