In the eleventh year of Tianjian era in Daliang, the situation was extremely turbulent.

In June, there was a heavy snowfall in Yingzhou. Rumors spread that an immortal had descended to the world. Upon hearing this news, countless people flocked to Yingzhou hoping to catch a glimpse of the immortal, but no one found any trace of the celestial being.

In September, there was a great flood in Weizhou. The Wei River breached its banks, and the people on both sides became homeless, with famine rampant. Refugees fought with stray dogs for food, and the land was littered with white bones.

At the year's end, the newly crafted sword, Mount Jianqi, caused a sensation in the world. Countless swordsmen vied to ascend Mount Jianqi, all eager to obtain this sword of the century.

Two years later, in the thirteenth year of Tianjian, early winter brought snow to Weizhou.

...

...

The heavy snow began falling from the winter solstice and had continued for a full month now.

The sky had long darkened.

With the half-hidden moon, no sight of birds or beasts remained in the mountains and fields, leaving only a vast expanse of white.

Several lanterns emitting faint light swung in the cold wind, resembling a lone boat amidst stormy waves, facing uncertainty.

That dim light belonged to a group of about ten people slowly making their way along the mountain road.

"Miss, once we cross this mountain, we should reach Tianqing County. The people sent to meet the Miss will likely arrive at Tianqing County tomorrow. Then, the Miss will be escorted to the Divine Capital, and we will return to report."

In the midst of the group, an elderly man with white hair adjusted his cotton robe and spoke. As he did, the deeply furrowed wrinkles on his forehead relaxed somewhat.

However, he soon expressed regret, saying, "It's been many years since I last ventured out. I didn't expect the world to be in such chaos. It nearly endangered the Miss. I am truly ashamed."

This group had encountered several monsters, and by now, barely a tenth of them remained.

"Master Song, there's no need to worry. When the people from the Divine Capital arrive, there should be no more problems heading north."

In the middle of the group stood a young girl, picturesque in appearance, clad in a plain and sturdy light-blue robe. Yet even so, she exuded a distinct air. Despite her young age, her eyes, like water, held no hint of naivety but rather a serene calmness.

She was definitely not an ordinary girl.

The elderly man surnamed Song looked at the girl with a face full of satisfaction. This young lady was the foremost figure of the Xie Family among this generation.

The Xie Family's cultivation methods were unique; one could not cultivate before the age of sixteen. Hence, when she turned sixteen, the Xie Family of the Divine Capital arranged for her to go north and study.

This was clearly a plan to cultivate the young lady properly.

The Daliang Dynasty had been established for more than two hundred years. Although the world was still unstable, it was much better than the previous dynasty. At least in these two hundred years, there had been no large-scale invasion from the northern Yao and Evil Court, slaughtering entire regions at will.

However, there were still monsters within the borders, causing harm to the people. These incidents were unavoidable.

"Miss, Master Song, there's a mountain temple ahead. Should we spend the night there?"

Amidst the heavy snowfall, faintly visible by moonlight, stood a dilapidated mountain temple, mostly covered by snow, with its gates and courtyard showing signs of disrepair.

It seemed abandoned for a long time, with no one maintaining it since the Daliang Dynasty didn't believe in ghosts or deities. Such temples were built during the previous dynasty and were now left to deteriorate without any funding for restoration from the current government.

Returning his gaze, Master Song looked at the young girl.

The girl nodded.

Within Weizhou's territory, the heavy snow made traveling increasingly difficult. The group, already exhausted, had been traveling non-stop.

Master Song understood and said in a deep voice, "Enter..."

His voice abruptly stopped!

The once quiet night suddenly stirred.

Woo-woo-woo—

A chilling sound echoed from somewhere.

"Ah!"

At the rear of the group, a sudden wail resounded. When everyone instinctively turned around, they only saw a long trail of blood stretching and disappearing into the nearby forest.

"Protect the Miss!"

With a loud command, the remaining people drew their weapons, forming a protective circle around the girl, nervously scanning their surroundings.

Master Song leaped into the air in an instant, declaring, "Evil creatures, reveal yourselves!"

A green light overflowed from Master Song's palm, spreading out and illuminating the entire night sky!

"Bloody demons?!"

A man exclaimed, tinged with sorrow.

Among the creatures rampant in the Daliang Dynasty, the Bloody Demons were particularly formidable, posing the most challenging threat.

With only this small group left, how could they be their match?

Hovering in mid-air, Master Song furrowed his brow. At the sight of these two Bloody Demons, he had already decided on a life-or-death battle. On normal days, even if he couldn't kill them, he could escape. However, after this arduous journey, he was riddled with injuries and lacked the strength to do so now.

"Take the Miss and go. I'll hold it off!"

Master Song darted towards the two Bloody Demons. In an instant, he enhanced his aura to the peak, shining brightly with a resolute and formidable demeanor!

Seeing Master Song charging recklessly, the remaining few carried the girl and headed towards the mountain.

However, after only a few steps, a man suddenly spoke up, "Master Song won't be able to hold off that Bloody Demon!"

They were all martial artists, well aware of the Bloody Demon's strength.

The others remained silent, silently acknowledging it.

The man, who had been guarding the Xie Family for over a decade, smiled calmly, "Miss... We cannot protect the Miss any longer."

"Please, Miss, go ahead. We will hold off the creature for a moment!"

His voice was low but firm, leaving no room for objection.

The others nodded firmly.

Rather than letting Master Song face the Bloody Demon alone, they preferred to join forces and buy a few more moments of survival for the girl.

A touch of reluctance flickered in the girl's eyes. Yet, at this moment, she merely gritted her teeth, holding the lantern and hurriedly running ahead.

Taking a silver hairpin from her hair bun, her slightly sweaty palm clenched it tightly. Strands of dark hair cascaded down, swaying behind her head.

"Take care, Miss."

Seeing the girl leaving, the others didn't hesitate further and, with resounding cries, charged towards the Bloody Demon!

The cold wind howled at this moment, and the Bloody Demon was in pursuit. Despite her genius and precociousness, she was still just a girl.

Her fingers holding the hairpin turned slightly pale due to the force applied. Amidst the snowstorm, some snowflakes landed on her hair, as if coating it with a layer of moonlight.

She was like a flower, refusing to bow in the wind and snow.

If she were to be caught by the Blood Demon in the end, with no one left but herself, the girl had already prepared for the worst in her heart.

Yet, as she approached the mountain temple, she noticed a faint light shining through the windows.

Someone?

She furrowed her brow slightly, quickening her pace, yet unwilling to enter the unknown temple. But at that moment, a gust of eerie wind swept through, and an aura of demons filled the sky, already rushing towards the girl from a distance.

Uncle Song and the others failed...

The girl's face turned pale. Though reluctant to accept it, she knew it was the truth.

No longer hesitating, she entered the mountain temple, holding a lantern. Passing through the courtyard, she arrived at the door, paused for a moment in the air, and then forcefully pushed open the already dilapidated doors of the main hall.

As the door swung open, the dusty temple stirred up a chaotic scene. The girl crashed into the haze and vaguely saw in the center of the dilapidated mountain temple, beneath the weathered statue of the mountain deity whose painted colors had long faded, someone had made a fire.

Next to the fire was a dark-clothed youth.

He held a suspended blade.