Chapter Eighty-Six: The Collapse of the Snowy Sanctuary

A crisp chime echoed from above, reverberating as it faded into the distance, until it seemed the entire snowy realm was stirred. Though the sound was melodious, it carried a formidable intimidation. All who heard it felt inexplicably cold sweat break out upon their skin. Even the Moon Glow Sword could not help but retreat several miles farther.

“This time, it’s truly over. The master is angry—who knows what havoc will ensue?” The Moon Glow Sword muttered to itself, not realizing when Sang had appeared beside it.

“Your master, what is her origin?” Sang asked.

“Hm? Aren’t you going to rescue your Saintess?” The Moon Glow Sword thought itself clever, unwilling to be easily tricked into revealing anything.

Sang’s black robe billowed behind him, and his gaze grew more detached. “She brought this upon herself, refusing all counsel. If the snowy domain is entrusted to such a person, disaster will surely follow. I have done all I could to stop it. What comes next is beyond my abilities.”

Sang glanced sideways at the sword floating in the air. “Your master doesn’t seem to be one of the Sacred Land’s people.”

“Pft, what’s so special about the Sacred Land? Frogs at the bottom of a well.” With that, the Moon Glow Sword hurriedly shut its mouth, wishing it could seal itself away.

Sang withdrew his gaze, his mind already calculating. He had long suspected that the Sacred Land was not the world’s true pinnacle. When he was young, he’d once asked his father: To us, the Saint Realm and Immortal Realm are but ants; does the Sacred Land appear equally insignificant to others?

The Saint Realm could enter the Sacred Land by passing through the Eight Trigrams Array, but the Sacred Land could never find a passage to the worlds above. Thus, people assumed they were at the world’s end. It was merely self-righteousness, laughable now.

While Sang was still inwardly mocking, others in the temple, unable to withstand the intimidating chime, poured onto the streets.

“Lord, what is that strange chime?”

“Lord, the Saintess is still inside…”

Sang did not answer, but instead lifted his gaze toward Xue Chuyun’s chamber.

“Thank you.”

“Hm?” The Moon Glow Sword was baffled by Sang’s sudden gratitude.

Then Sang continued, “Thank your master for not unleashing carnage upon the snowy domain.”

“Oh.” The Moon Glow Sword wanted to retort, but the chime abruptly ceased.

In that instant, flames ten fathoms high erupted from the temple floor, rising ever higher, as if intent on consuming the entire snowy domain’s sacred temple.

Xue Chuyun was wholly encircled by the blaze. Everyone in the snowy domain possessed ice elemental roots, practicing only ice magic.

Fire naturally overcomes ice, and these flames were wrought from You Xiyue’s spiritual power—the Heavenly Tribulation Fire.

Xue Chuyun meant to risk everything, leaping from the ring of fire, but at the edge she was forced back. This fire, more vivid than any ordinary flame, not only scorched flesh but burned the soul as well.

“What is this fire magic? Why is it so powerful?” Standing at the center, Xue Chuyun could not move a step. She desperately unleashed ice spells, hoping to turn them to water to douse the flames, but all was futile.

You Xiyue leisurely inspected the room’s furnishings, then sighed. “A pity for these treasures.”

With that, she turned to leave.

Seeing You Xiyue suddenly depart, Xue Chuyun relaxed a little and again tried to break free. Yet the fire surged to the rooftop, shaking the entire temple to its foundations.

Xue Chuyun pulled a Jade Palace from her spatial pouch, intending to escape, but the flames, as if sentient, shifted direction, searing her hand, then engulfing her whole body.

The flames wrapped around Xue Chuyun, pain wracking her from head to toe, her soul nearly torn from her body.

The scene felt eerily familiar. Then she recalled the question You Xiyue had asked earlier:

“Do you enjoy crossing tribulation?”

“This is Heavenly Tribulation Fire? This is the Inferno of Yin?”

Only in her dying moments did Xue Chuyun realize what monstrous existence she had provoked.

You Xiyue descended the snowy domain’s sacred temple stairs at a leisurely pace. The flames parted before her, making way until she stepped out the temple doors.

The snowy domain’s temple collapsed with a thunderous roar, becoming a rushing torrent that swept into the bustling streets.

As for Xue Chuyun, not only her body but her soul was reduced to drifting smoke, merging with the swirling snowflakes.

The snowy domain itself seemed to have suffered a flood. Sang frowned, watching the little girl still standing at the temple gate.

This temple had been built over a million years of accumulated ice. The raging fire was far from ordinary.

A monument of a million years, toppled in mere moments. Such cultivation was terrifying.

The Moon Glow Sword obediently returned to You Xiyue’s side. “Master!”

“Yes,” You Xiyue replied, raising her eyes to Sang.

“Do you have any further grievances? Best to resolve them all at once.”

Such brazen, forthright questioning stirred indignation among the snowy domain’s people, all awaiting Sang’s response.

Sang merely sighed, “With Xue Chuyun’s matter settled, I ask the esteemed guest to depart.”

“Lord!”

Voices of discontent rose from below.

You Xiyue cast a cold glance. “You’d best keep your people in check. I don’t wish to return a second time.”

Sang nodded, watching You Xiyue leave.

You Xiyue took out the scroll and brush given by Lan Shi, writing the Sacred Land’s exit. In the blink of an eye, she and the Moon Glow Sword vanished together.

Though You Xiyue had departed, the snowy domain was far from peaceful, with voices of doubt resounding everywhere.

Sang could not be bothered to explain. “If anyone seeks revenge against the little girl, they must first get past me.”

With that, he vanished into the sky.

There was little left to explain; all in the snowy domain had witnessed You Xiyue’s power.

To easily burn down the sacred temple—such a person was not one to be trifled with.

People only needed to vent their emotions.

Of course, news of You Xiyue destroying the snowy domain’s temple quickly spread throughout the Sacred Land.

Some busybodies even traveled thousands of miles to investigate, only to find that the once towering temple had not a stone left of its foundation.

Lan Shi heard the news days later.

Her first thought was that it must be connected to You Xiyue, but then dismissed it.

Though she could not fathom You Xiyue’s cultivation, You Xiyue was, after all, just a young girl.

How could she accomplish such a thing? The snowy domain’s lord was no pushover.

The snowy domain’s loss was immense; You Xiyue’s fire left not a trace behind.

Sacred artifacts and Dao tools—everything was reduced to ashes.

Sang grieved for days; where once he would dine on spirit fish and celestial meat, now he could only afford vegetarian fare.

“To select a Saintess, one must be cautious.”

Sang shook his head helplessly and entered his temporary lodgings.