Chapter 761: Snow Palace Conflict
"Venerable!"
Bai Lixi's body froze on the spot, as if frozen solid, unable to move even a fraction. The expression on his face became exceptionally interesting.
A Venerable. The person who had brought Lin Feng here was actually a lofty Venerable. Even his teacher and the teachers of the others would have to bow in reverence before such a powerful existence. It was a being he could only look up to in his heart, one he might never even have the chance to see.
And just moments ago, he had been mocking Lin Feng for being a mismatched mess, having a snow cultivator teach a sword cultivator. But now, that mocking mindset vanished in an instant, leaving only a deep reverence for the Venerable and a fierce jealousy toward Lin Feng. Why? Why could Lin Feng receive guidance from a Venerable, while his own teacher was only at the Third Layer of Heavenly Martial Realm? The gap was too vast, stirring intense envy within him. Was the difference between him and Lin Feng really that great?
"Mhm." Snow Venerable nodded slightly to the group, his gaze sweeping over them. Casually, it brushed past Bai Lixi, making him feel as if his body would freeze in an instant—cold, so cold. Yet Snow Venerable's gaze left just as quickly, as if not deliberately looking at him. Perhaps it was simply due to his nature as a snow cultivator, his eyes naturally carrying a bone-chilling coldness.
Aside from Bai Lixi's intense jealousy, the others also showed expressions of shock and disbelief. Even Tianchi Xue couldn't suppress the turmoil in her heart. Snow Venerable was personally instructing Lin Feng. On their Tian Xuan Peak, only she, Tianchi Xue, had enjoyed such treatment. But now, Lin Feng had it too, causing a strange look to flicker in her beautiful eyes. She still remembered Lin Feng's arrogance before her, which had made her very uncomfortable. No man had ever been so cold and proud in her presence, as if he didn't even see her.
"Master." The Hunter stepped forward and bowed slightly to Snow Venerable.
"Are they all here?" Snow Venerable asked the Hunter. The Hunter nodded and said, "Master, all eight are here."
"Good." Snow Venerable's gaze swept over the group again, and he said slowly, "Perhaps you don't yet understand the Tianchi Snow Mountain. Let me briefly explain. Tianchi Snow Mountain is divided into seven great snow peaks. This is just one of them, Tian Xuan Peak. Tianchi Snow Mountain has a rule: among the seven snow peaks, only one is permitted to interact with the outside world and represent Tianchi Snow Mountain."
The eyes of the others stiffened slightly. Tianchi Snow Mountain had seven peaks, and their Tian Xuan Peak was just one of them. It seemed their understanding of Tianchi was only the tip of the iceberg.
Such dominant forces, ruling over a mid-grade empire, were indeed mysterious and extraordinary. The world could never know the true depth of their foundations.
"I tell you this so you understand that besides the eight of you, the other six snow peaks will also each send eight talented disciples from their peaks to enter the secret realm with you. There may be some minor verbal friction among you, but you are absolutely forbidden from attacking your own people. Do you understand?"
"Understood."
"I understand..."
One by one, they nodded. So, what they had known and imagined before wasn't the truth. The strong ones entering the secret realm weren't just the eight of them, but another forty-eight, making a total of fifty-six geniuses who would step into the secret realm together. This lineup was terrifying, tightening their hearts.
But it also showed how great the opportunities within the secret realm must be, for Tianchi to send such a formidable force.
"Take them to the Snow Palace," Snow Venerable said to the Hunter. The Hunter nodded slightly and said, "Follow me."
With that, he stepped forward and headed into the vast snowy mountains.
Eight figures stepped forward simultaneously, flying through the air, following closely behind the Hunter. Except for Tianchi Xue, none of them knew what the Snow Palace was.
Amid the endless snow and ice, they flew for an hour before finally reaching the Snow Palace. The eight of them sighed inwardly at how vast Tianchi Snow Mountain truly was.
At their speed, it had taken a full hour, showing just how vast a region they had crossed.
Moreover, they now vaguely understood the seven snow peaks of Tianchi. Along their journey, they had seen several towering snow peaks, the tallest and most majestic in a vast area, far more imposing and dignified than the peak they had first seen upon entering Tianchi Snow Mountain.
Now, appearing before their eyes was a snow peak that reached the heavens. Even though they were already in midair, looking up at it, they still felt as if its summit touched the sky.
"This is the main peak of the seven Tianchi snow peaks, Tian Ji Peak," the Hunter said, turning back to the group. Then he stepped forward, his body soaring upward. At the top of Tian Ji Peak was the Snow Palace.
The eight figures soared upward into the sky. On the mountainside of Tian Ji Peak, there were many snow palace buildings. Compared to Tian Ji Peak, Tian Xuan Peak seemed shabby, making several of them silently lament. Tian Ji Peak truly deserved to be the main peak of Tianchi Snow Mountain.
The summit of Tian Ji Peak was a vast, boundless snowfield. In the center of the snowfield, in the distance, stood a snow palace, so majestic and grand that it inspired a desire to bow in worship.
The Hunter led the group onto the summit of Tian Ji Peak, walking across the snowfield. Lin Feng looked up at the snowflakes drifting through the air, as if he could reach out and touch the sky. Cultivating here might naturally stir a heart that could look down upon heaven and earth.
When they arrived at the magnificent Snow Palace, many people were already gathered in front of it. It was clear at a glance that these people were divided into six camps. Each camp wore uniform clothing adorned with star patterns, indicating which snow peak they belonged to.
When the people from Tian Xuan Peak arrived, the crowd turned their gazes. Seeing them, their eyes paused for a moment, and then many curled their lips in sarcasm.
"As expected of the weakest Tian Xuan Peak among the Tianchi snow peaks. A mix of good and bad, utterly disgraceful," someone sneered, causing the eight from Tian Xuan Peak to stiffen. Their expressions turned unpleasant. Being mocked the moment they set foot here was not something anyone would enjoy.
"Shut up," Tianchi Xue snapped coldly. In the eyes of the outside world, Tianchi Xue was the Tianchi Saintess. But in truth, she only held a high status on Tian Xuan Peak, being the most valued junior there. Since only Tian Xuan Peak was active in the outside world, Tianchi Xue had earned the title of Tianchi Saintess.
Among the seven Tianchi peaks, she, Tianchi Xue, represented Tian Xuan Peak. Naturally, she had to step forward and speak now.
"Tianchi Xue, how imposing. But is there anything wrong with what I said? Don't forget, among the seven Tianchi snow peaks, only the weakest peak is allowed to interact with the mundane world. Your Tian Xuan Peak is the weakest of the seven. Perhaps Tian Xuan Peak hasn't even told them that," the person sneered again, drawing laughter from many. They all looked down on Tian Xuan Peak. In the past, Tian Xuan Peak had been formidable, overshadowing them. But ever since Tian Xuan Peak's founding master disappeared, it had declined, becoming the weakest of the seven peaks, a laughingstock among the Tianchi peaks. The other six peaks all looked down on it.
"Your mouth stinks," Tianchi Xue said, stepping forward. A terrifying wave of cold air surged out, the power of ice and snow will erupting, threatening to freeze the speaker.
"Tianchi Xue, this is the Snow Palace," someone else stepped out from in front of the speaker, releasing a terrifying aura to confront Tianchi Xue, blocking all her icy pressure.
"Move aside," Tianchi Xue said, lunging forward without hesitation, ready to strike. Her icy palm shot out in anger.
Among the seven snow peaks, competition and sparring were never forbidden.
"Get back," the figure who had stepped forward stomped hard on the ground, sending snow flying wildly. He struck back with a palm, turning into a blur of shadows. With a loud bang, Tianchi Xue was sent stumbling back to her original position, her face growing even colder.
"Heh, Tianchi Xue, now you see the strength of Ling Xue, the youth leader of our Tian Shu Peak, don't you? Why not just marry Ling Xue? After all, no one on Tian Xuan Peak can surpass him," the person behind spoke again, his voice grating.
PS: Thanks to everyone for the tips. Xue Ba Dian Feng is actually a girl, haha. Asking for flowers!