Chapter 9:

Yongxue City, located at the edge of the Western Continent, atop mountains, in a frigid and desolate region.

Snow falls here in all four seasons; spring never arrives.

A small figure, about four or five years old, stood beneath a snow-laden pine tree. The child wielded a sword longer than his own height, swinging it with effort. Each swing released a sharp sword qi, carving countless furrows into the snow-covered ground before him, exposing the solid earth beneath.

The human body is the most fragile and frail; only by opening the Yin and Yang spirit orifices can one achieve physical perfection. Only after opening the spirit orifices can one be said to have officially embarked on the path of cultivation.

Countless mortals live mundane lives, and less than one in a million ever attain the path of cultivation.

Yet some individuals are destined to stand at the pinnacle from the moment they are born.

After unleashing his ten-thousandth sword qi, the boy lowered his sword. The breath he exhaled turned into white mist. His face was small, his cheeks still plump with baby fat. Though his features were youthful, his phoenix eyes already showed early signs of their distinctive shape.

Yongxue City is renowned for its sword techniques. It is commonly said that all sword cultivators in the world originate from Yongxue. Yet only the people of Yongxue know that in this desolate, frigid land, they possess nothing but their sword techniques.

“You must tightly grasp the only sword you possess”—so said Xie Daocheng.

At four years old, Xie Xuechen was exceptionally intelligent. Born with ten spirit orifices, he learned everything instantly, even without instruction. Yet when it came to sword cultivation, his father said it could only be understood and realized through personal experience.

All sword cultivators grasp their Dao heart and sword heart through day after day of sword swinging. The Dao heart is the foundation of cultivation, the purpose of cultivation. The sword heart is the comprehension of the sword path. Some have sword paths like flowing water, appearing gentle yet concealing turbulent undercurrents. Others have sword paths like rainbows, swift as lightning and fierce as thunder.

Xie Xuechen, what is your sword path?

Every day after completing ten thousand sword swings, the child would stand in the snow pondering this question.

Gazing at the boundless snow-capped mountains and the vast sky, the four-year-old pondered the most difficult questions in the world.

“Meow…” a soft cat’s cry from afar interrupted the child’s thoughts.

His phoenix eyes blinked, turning toward the direction of the sound.

On a high branch, a snowy white figure stirred slightly and let out another low cry: “Meow…”

“Snow cat?” Xie Xuechen slowly approached the base of the tree, curiously tilting his head upward to look at the kitten on the treetop.

Snow cats are unique demonic beasts in Yongxue City. They have long, fluffy fur and live in icy, snowy environments, using the snow’s color to conceal their tracks. This snow cat appeared very young, its lake-blue eyes timidly peering downward. It stretched out a paw, then quickly retracted it.

Xie Xuechen noticed that the ground beneath the tree was originally a thick layer of snow, but had been swept away by his sword qi, exposing hard rock and numerous sword marks. The snow cat must have playfully jumped onto the tree and, after waking from a nap, found itself too high up with no soft snow below to cushion a fall, too afraid to jump down for fear of injury.

Xie Xuechen hesitated briefly, then set down his sword. With a light step, he leapt and soared onto a branch near the snow cat.

A little snow fell, making a soft rustling sound.

Startled, the snow cat clung tightly to the thick branch, letting out a fierce but timid growl at Xie Xuechen.

“Meow meow!”

“I’m here to help you down,” Xie Xuechen said gently.

Perhaps the child’s expression was very gentle, his clear phoenix eyes filled with kind laughter, his small white hands opening toward the cat, showing none of the sharpness from his earlier sword swinging. After a moment’s hesitation, the cat leapt from the branch and flew into his arms.

Xie Xuechen caught the snow cat, then gracefully descended from the branch.

He gently stroked the cat’s fluffy fur. The kitten raised its head, tilted it, looked at him, meowed a few times, then extended its small tongue to lick his fingertip.

Xie Xuechen couldn’t help but smile, his bright phoenix eyes sparkling. He pinched the cat’s pink paw pad gently and asked in a childish voice, “You’re a snow cat, and I’m Xuechen. Aren’t we destined to meet?”

As if in response, the cat meowed once.

“Is your home nearby?”

Before Xie Xuechen finished asking, the snow cat wriggled out of his arms, jumped to the ground, ran a few steps forward, then turned back to look at him, as if waiting for him to follow.

Understanding the snow cat’s intention, Xie Xuechen immediately followed.

The cat and the boy dashed through the mountains and soon arrived at a cave entrance.

The snow cat darted into the narrow cave, but Xie Xuechen couldn’t enter, so he waited outside. Moments later, the snowy figure emerged, placing a silver fish in front of Xie Xuechen.

Xie Xuechen was surprised and asked, “Is this for me?”

“Meow…”

All things have spirits; how much more so for demonic beasts.

Xie Xuechen accepted the silver fish joyfully and reverently. The silver fish was not a living creature but a manifestation of condensed spiritual energy from areas rich in spiritual power. This item was extremely valuable and difficult to obtain, being the snow cat’s favorite food.

The snow cat was very young. It could only express its affection and gratitude in this simple way, giving its most cherished treasure to its friend.

Xie Xuechen thought, this was the first gift he had ever received in his life!

Although his father had given him sword manuals and a precious sword, this silver fish held a different significance for him. It was a gift from his friend, a token of their bond!

After playing with the snow cat for a while, Xie Xuechen noticed the sky darkening. Remembering he had left his sword at Wenshie Cliff, he hurriedly ran back.

A tall figure stood beneath the tree, holding the long sword Xie Xuechen had left behind. Xie Xuechen slowed his pace, approaching the man from behind and softly calling out, “Father.”

Xie Daocheng glanced sideways at his most cherished youngest son.

Xie Daocheng, the City Lord of Yongxue City, had only average talent, reaching the Dharma Manifestation stage at the age of two hundred. Xie Xuechen was born after Xie Daocheng became a Dharma Manifestation Sage and married his wife.

He had more than a dozen children in his lifetime, but only one captured his attention. Born with ten spirit orifices, an unprecedented rarity, this child was extraordinary from birth, the hope of Yongxue City, the morning star that would pierce the long night of sword cultivation.

Yet now, he had actually abandoned his sword here! The sword is the life of a sword cultivator!

Containing his anger, Xie Daocheng coldly asked, “Where have you been?”

Xie Xuechen could not lie, even knowing the truth would bring his father’s punishment.

“I… I saved a snow cat, and it gave me a silver fish.” He carefully took the silver fish from his robe and placed it in his palm.

“You saved a snow cat, so why did you follow it away from Wenshie Cliff?” Xie Daocheng asked.

Xie Xuechen didn’t know how to answer. He just couldn’t help following when the cat looked at him with those blue eyes.

Seeing that Xie Xuechen did not answer, Xie Daocheng stopped asking, because he already had his own answer.

He turned and left, leaving only one sentence behind: “A sword cultivator must never abandon their sword, no matter what!”

Xie Xuechen was not punished by his father, which was unexpected. However, he didn’t dwell on it and merely felt relieved.

The next day, at the same time, he returned to this spot and began his daily sword practice once again.

The snow cat returned, wagging its fluffy tail and meowing at Xie Xuechen.

“Meow meow, I need to practice my sword now. I’ll play with you after I finish,” Xie Xuechen said.

The cat was very understanding. It could understand human speech and obediently crouched beside to watch Xie Xuechen practice. As snow began to fall again, it joyfully jumped around, chasing the swirling snowflakes.

Xie Xuechen noticed that the snow cat’s movements were swift like lightning, somewhat resembling sword intent. Unconsciously, he began imitating the cat’s movements while swinging his sword, adding a touch of agility to his previously ruthless sword qi.

“Ten thousand sword swings!”

Xie Xuechen exhaled deeply, having completed his daily practice. He then ran happily toward the snow cat.

“Meow meow, my sword qi today seems to have undergone a new transformation…” He poured out his thoughts to the snow cat as if to a friend.

The snow cat’s ears twitched, showing an attentive expression.

Xie Xuechen thought he could become friends with the snow cat. However, from that day onward, it never returned. He felt a bit down, even going to the snow cat’s cave to call for it, but received no response. He didn’t know where the snow cat had gone.

A month later, when he went to Wenshie Cliff for his usual sword practice, an accident occurred.

He was attacked by an adult snow cat.

The adult snow cat’s attack was fierce. Its left ear was missing a piece, and its eyes burned with intense hatred. Xie Xuechen struggled to defend against the snow cat’s desperate assault. The snow cat couldn’t believe that a four-year-old child could possess such sword skills. In shock and fury, it spat out its demon core and, risking mutual destruction, exploded its demon core to attack Xie Xuechen.

At that moment, an overwhelmingly domineering sword strike cleaved through the air, shattering the demon core and grievously wounding the snow leopard.

The snow cat spat out a large mouthful of blood, glaring hatefully at the newcomer. Without its demon core, it could no longer sustain itself and convulsed on the ground, dying in a pool of blood.

Xie Daocheng didn’t even glance at the snow cat. After confirming that Xie Xuechen had only minor injuries, he slightly nodded and said, “Your sword skills have improved again, becoming more agile.”

However, Xie Xuechen was concerned about something else. He looked at the lifeless snow cat, hesitated for a moment, then asked in a weak voice, “Father, why… why did it want to kill me?”

Xie Daocheng replied indifferently, “Hmm? Probably because I killed its child.”

Xie Xuechen’s pupils shrank, his heart tightening sharply. He trembled and asked, “Meow…”

“However, the mother cat ran fast and only got her ear injured. Knowing she couldn’t defeat me, she came to seek revenge on you.” Xie Daocheng said in a casual tone.

Suddenly, he noticed something unusual about Xie Xuechen.

The child’s eyes were red, tears welling up but held back with effort.

“Why… why did this happen?”

Xie Daocheng’s expression turned cold, his voice deepening, “What kind of expression is that?”

Startled, Xie Xuechen’s tears rolled down his cheeks. His father’s oppressive aura made him tremble, but he forced himself to suppress his fear of kneeling and looked up at Xie Daocheng with a small face, asking, “Father, the snow cat is a demonic beast, but it doesn’t harm people. Why… why did you kill it?”

That was his new friend, and his father knew it.

No… precisely because he knew…

Suddenly, Xie Xuechen felt his breath catch, as if someone had tightly gripped his heart.

“Xuechen, have you forgotten my words?” Xie Daocheng said coldly, “Cultivators must not have emotions; they must dedicate themselves entirely to the Dao.”

“No, I don’t understand…” Tears wet his thick lashes, blurring his vision, “Mother said that cultivators should carry the people in their hearts and take saving the world as their responsibility. Why can’t we have emotions?”

Xie Daocheng seemed to suddenly remember that this child was only four years old. No matter how intelligent he was, he had not yet experienced the hardships and dangers of the world.

“Saving the people and helping the world, carrying the people in your heart, is that your Dao heart?” Xie Daocheng sighed almost imperceptibly, “If so, you must cut off all emotions and attachments. If you have favorites, how can you embrace all beings with great love? If one day you face a choice between a loved one and the people of the world, can you sacrifice your loved one to save the people?”

A look of confusion and bewilderment appeared on Xie Xuechen’s young face; he still didn’t understand.

“Why… why must I choose only one?”

Xie Daocheng squatted down to his level, looking him in the eye, and said solemnly, “Xuechen, you were born extraordinary and will eventually stand at the pinnacle of the human world, even the three realms. On that day, the fate of all beings will rest on your single thought. Emotions will only become your weakness and bring danger to all beings. Remember today’s lesson and my words.”

Xie Xuechen nodded as if he understood, though he was still uncertain. After a long pause, he asked, “If I were just an ordinary person?”

Because he was extraordinary, he should not have emotions.

Then, could an ordinary person have emotions?

Xie Daocheng did not expect this question; his eyes suddenly turned to ice.

“Then you should die.”

At the age of four, Xie Xuechen learned from his father the meaning of being heartless.

He had eighteen children, but only one child mattered. If he were not Xie Xuechen, he would be nothing.

The Dao heart Xie Xuechen established was to carry all beings in his heart.

Therefore, his sword heart was to move forward without hesitation, to forget life and death.

He did not favor any person or thing in the world, including himself.

Yu Mo scratched his chin, puzzled, murmuring, “How strange, why is Xuechen’s Desire Prison different from others?”

Mu Xuanling looked at the child in the snow and slowly said, “Because he has long been free of desire.”

What greed could there be in someone who doesn’t even value his own life?

He has already reached the peak of sword cultivation, fame and fortune are like floating clouds to him, and as for love…

It was suffocated in that snowy field when he was four years old.

“Free of desire?” Yu Mo was momentarily stunned, finding it hard to believe, yet the fact lay before him.

The Desire Prison can unearth the strongest desires in a person’s heart. Within the prison, all desires can be fulfilled, causing people to indulge and willingly become prisoners. If there is no greed, then it is no longer a prison, and the person can come and go as they please.

Yu Mo sensed danger and was about to discuss how to deal with Xuechen with Mu Xuanling when suddenly he felt a sharp pain. Purple vines had somehow climbed onto his body, tightly binding him, and only now did they suddenly become visible.

Yu Mo recognized these as Mu Xuanling’s Judgment Vines. Instantly, his face turned deathly pale.

As the Holy Maiden of the Demon Race, Mu Xuanling oversees the punishments of the Demon Realm. All demons who violate the laws will be strangled by these vines and transformed into demon pills, which are then consumed by the noble demons of the Demon Realm. Demons cultivate through a path of absorption, able to refine demon energy or directly absorb the essence of other demons, the latter being even more convenient. The reason demons fear Mu Xuanling so much is because too many demons have died by her Judgment Vines. This artifact, refined by the High Priest himself, is specifically designed to counter demons, and perhaps only the Demon Sovereign could escape it.

However, this was Yu Mo’s domain; he originally had the opportunity to defend, preventing Mu Xuanling from making her move.

“Holy Maiden, what are you doing!” Yu Mo asked in fear.

“So that’s why demons are so stupid,” Mu Xuanling smiled slightly, “Such an obvious thing, why do you even need to ask?”

“You’re going to kill me?” Yu Mo shook his head in horror, “We just need to stage a play for Xuechen to see! There’s no need to kill me! Besides, if you kill me, my original body will sense it!”

“So what?” Mu Xuanling tightened the vines, causing Yu Mo to scream in pain as black mist surged from his body, “After all, your original body won’t know whether it was you killed by me or by Xuechen.”

Yu Mo suddenly realized he had been tricked! Mu Xuanling had been talking to him all this time just to make him let his guard down!

“You really betrayed the demon race! All those words you said were lies!”

Yu Mo’s body kept shrinking until it became a blackish pill.

The pill flew into Mu Xuanling’s hand, and the illusion shattered instantly.

—So stupid, who else would I trick if not you.

Mu Xuanling curled her lips.

The room was the same as before, seemingly unchanged, not even a candle missing.

Xuechen stood quietly to one side, looking at the demon pill in Mu Xuanling’s hand.

“The one who attacked just now was Yu Mo, one of the Three Demon Gods,” Xuechen affirmed.

He felt as if he had experienced a lucid dream, numbly going through everything like an observer. Precisely because of this, he deduced the identity of the attacker.

In the Ten-Thousand Immortals Formation, he had encountered Yu Mo before. That fellow was too weak, injured seriously by a single sword strike from him, whereas the Battle Demon could withstand a few of his strikes.

“Yu Mo was seriously injured and is currently in retreat, this was just his projection, but it still possessed one-third of his original strength. Now that I’ve killed it, his original body will suffer even more. Yu Mo can sense the death of his projection, but he won’t know what happened here.” That’s why she wasn’t afraid of the demon race hearing her words earlier.

As she spoke, Mu Xuanling opened her hand and presented the demon pill to Xuechen, “This is the demon pill transformed from Yu Mo.”

Xuechen looked at Mu Xuanling, his lips slightly moving as if hesitating, but he finally spoke, “Consuming the demon pill should alleviate the pain caused by the dispersal of demon energy.”

Mu Xuanling blinked, asking curiously, “Won’t you be angry?”

Xuechen didn’t know whether he should be angry. To the human race, demons consuming each other is seen as cruel and evil, but if they don’t consume each other, she would have to endure the pain of demon energy dispersal.

Xuechen didn’t answer, and Mu Xuanling didn’t press him. She put the demon pill into her storage bag and smiled, saying, “I won’t eat it; it’s smelly and fishy.”

“With Yu Mo dead, the demon realm will immediately know our location. We can’t stay here any longer; we have to travel through the night again.”

Mu Xuanling pulled Xuechen’s sleeve, pushed open the window, and the two of them jumped out the window and rode away on horseback overnight.

Mu Xuanling and Xuechen rode the same horse. She curled up in Xuechen’s arms, covering her head with her hood, hiding her pale face.

“I’ve thought of a way to return to Yongxue City as quickly as possible,” Xuechen suddenly said.

“What method? I’m so smart and I didn’t think of it?” Mu Xuanling muttered.

Xuechen was often left speechless by her remarks. After a pause, he said, “Yunxiu Manor has a teleportation formation.”

Suddenly, Mu Xuanling’s mind conjured the image of that handsome, gentle figure and the folding fan he held over his head.

That’s right, Nan Xuyue was the best at formations in the world. Formations are divided into four types: defensive, entrapment, offensive, and peculiar. Teleportation formations belong to the peculiar type. It was said that Nan Xuyue, unable to cultivate, studied many formations for self-protection and to defend the manor. These included not only teleportation formations but also healing formations, artifact forging formations, and sound transmission formations…

However, teleportation formations consume a great deal of energy and are not opened lightly except in special circumstances.

Given Xuechen’s status and position, Nan Xuyue would not refuse him.

Mu Xuanling thought of that gentleman’s gentle smile and felt that no matter who asked him, he probably wouldn’t refuse, though few dared to do so.

The horse galloped swiftly, the night wind gently brushing their faces. Xuechen saw that Mu Xuanling had been silent for a long time and thought she had fallen asleep. Suddenly, he heard her speak.

“Xuechen, do you like cats?”

Instantly, Xuechen understood that she had also seen his experiences within the Desire Prison.

He didn’t feel embarrassed or distressed, just as when he recalled that scene, his heart felt no fluctuation.

Xuechen thought he no longer liked cats.

But someone held his hand and softly made a sound: “Meow…”

Xuechen’s throat tightened, unconsciously gripping the reins.

He seemed to hear the sound of snow falling from the branches again, gently brushing his heart.

Only then did a weak voice come from Mu Xuanling’s arms.

“I don’t like cats.” Treasure-sniffing rat Aobao said unhappily.

Xuechen: “…”

Mu Xuanling: Who cares about you!