One of the three thousand small worlds.
The snow had been falling all night.
The peak of Kunlun Mountain was perpetually covered in snow, a vast expanse of white as far as the eye could see, devoid of any other color.
The sky was dark and overcast, and the snow was blindingly white. A fierce wind howled, with the cold piercing like needles, stabbing into Su Luowei's thin shoulders and back.
She couldn't feel the cold; she only felt like she was on the brink of death.
But she couldn't die—her younger sister was still waiting for her rescue.
The seal holding back the demonic forces had been broken, Kunlun had fallen, and her sister had gone missing—this all happened half a month ago.
Half a month ago, she had been reading to her sister, teaching her to recognize words, when she heard a loud noise from outside. As she went to the dining hall to fetch lunch, a massive explosion shook the area. Black clouds surged into the sky, and countless demons appeared, turning Kunlun into a demon-infested land.
A once-great sect like Kunlun was gone just like that.
In a daze, Su Luowei pulled a short sword from her chest. The blade shimmered faintly, though its light was growing weaker. Even though she put all her strength into it, she couldn't gather enough warmth around her.
Sensing her dwindling spiritual energy, the sword let out a sorrowful cry.
"It's okay, it's okay, sister. I know you've already tried your best. Just hold on a little longer; I'll find someone to save you soon," Su Luowei whispered, cradling the sword in her arms. She rested her sharp chin on the hilt, as if it was the only way she could draw strength.
She could no longer move. Her voice was hoarse and harsh, and every time she opened her mouth, the cold wind carried snowflakes into it, freezing her throat as if it might ice over.
"Kunlun disciple Su Luowei requests an audience with the Snow Mountain Goddess..." Su Luowei repeated, even though her voice was so weak it was almost inaudible. Yet, she remained devout.
"Disciple Su Luowei…requests an audience with the Snow Mountain Goddess."
The Snow Mountain Goddess was a deity that existed only in legends.
Years ago, when powerful beasts wreaked havoc on Kunlun Mountain, causing countless deaths among the mountain people, even the monks of Kunlun could do nothing to stop them.
It was said that the heavens, not wanting to see the beasts continue their rampage, sent the Snow Mountain Goddess, who single-handedly defeated all the beasts on Kunlun Mountain, restoring peace and tranquility.
After slaying the beasts, the Snow Mountain Goddess retreated to the peak of the snow mountain and never appeared before people again.
It had taken Su Luowei three days to find a map of the goddess's residence in the ruins of Kunlun, and another ten days to climb to the peak.
The altitude here was so high that each step she took felt like a heavy weight was pressing down on her chest, making it hard to breathe.
Walking through the snow was already exhausting, and the food she had brought up the mountain had run out two days ago. If she couldn't meet the goddess, she would likely freeze to death on the mountain.
The lack of oxygen made her dizzy, and even her eardrums throbbed painfully as if they were about to burst. But Su Luowei didn't care. She opened her mouth to gasp for air, struggling to lift her legs and take another step forward.
Even though this place was called a forbidden area, and even though no one had seen the goddess for many years...
She had to try.
Kunlun had fallen, her sister was missing, and after much thought, she realized that only the goddess could help.
It didn't matter if she died, as long as her sister could live. Master Le Ping had said that her sister was a rare cultivation prodigy, and as long as she survived and embarked on the path of cultivation, Su Luowei would not have failed in the responsibility her mother had entrusted to her on her deathbed.
The snow was falling heavier and heavier.
Logic told Su Luowei she should find a place to shelter from the wind and continue her journey when the snow had eased and she could see the path again.
But...
Feeling her heartbeat slow, Su Luowei knew her time was running out.
She clutched her clothes tighter, pushed a stick she used as a cane into the snow, and trudged forward with difficulty.
"Snow Mountain Goddess…Snow Mountain Goddess…"
She pushed through the wind and snow until she reached a snow-covered tree, where she could no longer hold on and sank to the ground, leaning against the trunk.
She curled up, hugging her knees, her eyelashes now coated in frost.
She was probably going to die here.
With her life ebbing away, Su Luowei half-closed her eyes, breathing shallowly.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a hem of a skirt.
She looked up, following the hem.
The person wore snow-white clothes, spotless even in the snow. She had a graceful figure, her left hand hanging naturally at her side, while in the crook of her right arm rested a small red bird.
Her eyebrows were long and slender, and her expression should have been gentle, but her eyes, dark as cold stars, were devoid of any emotion, making her seem especially merciless.
In her daze, Su Luowei heard the woman speak, her voice like the sound of falling snow.
"Who are you, and what are you doing here?"
At the top of Kunlun Mountain, at Yanmo Residence.
The snow had stopped, and the sun was trying to peek through the clouds.
Every window in the room was sealed with wooden boards, blocking out all the light from outside.
A candle flickered on the table, and by its light, Hongdou looked into a mirror, catching a glimpse of her blurry reflection.
A high nose, thin lips, a slightly pale complexion, and lips that were a bit too white. Her eyelids were thin, and her eyes and lashes were a deep, inky black. There was an inexplicable air of eeriness about her.
Her hair was disheveled, and she wore a snow-colored Daoist robe with wide sleeves that bunched up on her arms, revealing distinct bone structure.
The air was faintly scented with a strange fragrance, like the smell of plum blossoms.
Fresh blood trickled from her fingertips, pooling on the green stone floor. The blood, bright red in the air, quickly turned a deep black as it hit the ground, emitting waves of demonic energy.
Hongdou squatted beside her, eyes full of concern.
"Master, is the demonic energy within you getting out of control?"
"It's nothing," Meng Shuying said softly.
Su Luowei was lost in a chaotic darkness, the smell of blood filling her nostrils. At first, she thought she was already dead, but something didn't feel right.
According to legend, the dead would feel cold, but she wasn't cold at all; in fact, she felt warm.
She didn't know how long she had been in this state, but as soon as she regained consciousness, she heard footsteps.
"How long has it been since anyone came to Yanmo Residence? Who is this brave soul? And they even brought her back!" A young, light-hearted voice murmured.
The voice sounded youthful and lively, making her relax a little.
"Hmm? It looks like she's waking up." The voice paused, then with a hint of amusement added, "I'm in a good mood today; otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered to heal you myself."
A hand touched Su Luowei's wrist, transferring a surge of spiritual energy into her.
"Tsk, someone's already healed you. Could it have been her? The sun must have risen in the west today."
Su Luowei didn't know who she was talking about, but she could guess that the person who had brought her back and healed her was likely the one she had seen under the snow-covered tree.
That person…
"Well, since you've already been treated, then I…" The voice trailed off as the speaker took two steps back, gathering spiritual energy into her hand. She paused for a moment before tapping Su Luowei's forehead. "Wake up."
Su Luowei opened her eyes and found herself lying in a spacious bamboo hut, a warm stone slab beneath her, covered by her old cloak, with nothing else on.
She curled up, moving closer to the wall, burying her chin in the cloak, leaving only her bright, clear eyes exposed.
The person before her was indeed young, about seventeen or eighteen, dressed in red with a black sash, her hair tied up high, looking full of spirit.
She was like a sword, newly unsheathed.
Seeing that Su Luowei had woken up, the girl smiled slightly, revealing two small dimples on her cheeks, exuding a warmth that made her look like the girl next door Su Luowei had grown up with.
"You're awake. Are you still feeling unwell?"
Su Luowei shook her head, but dizziness immediately overcame her, and blood welled up in her throat.
She carefully swallowed the blood back down, took a long moment to recover, and then slowly asked, "Where am I? I want to see the Snow Mountain Goddess…"
The Snow Mountain Goddess of Kunlun Mountain was said to be compassionate and kind-hearted.
"Goddess?" The girl frowned, unsure if the Snow Mountain Goddess Su Luowei mentioned was the same one she was thinking of.
"What kind of goddess is she? She's just a cultivator more powerful than me. What do you need her for? You can tell me instead."
Su Luowei clutched her sword, looking anxious. "I'm sorry, but only the Snow Mountain Goddess can help me."
The world outside was in chaos, Kunlun had fallen, and demons were rampant. Only the Snow Mountain Goddess could save her sister.
"Alright then!" The girl scratched her chin, looking a bit embarrassed by the rejection, her tone turning a bit sour.
"But I don't get it. Why do you all insist on going to her? Back in the day, when beasts ran amok, people went to her. When disasters struck, people went to her. Even when the crops didn't grow well, they sought her out. And now it's the same today!" She paced around, clearly annoyed. "I'm just as capable as she is. Why doesn't anyone come to me? I'm much easier to talk to. I won't let you go to her. Tell me what you need, and hurry up!"
As she spoke, she suddenly grabbed Su Luowei's arm. The girl was a cultivator and had been training for a long time, so her strength was far beyond that of an ordinary person. Su Luowei, already weak from illness and naturally frail, was yanked forward so hard that she nearly fell to the ground.
Su Luowei let out a small cry of surprise, unable to react in time, when she saw red and white lights clash before her eyes, exploding into a brilliant display.
The girl was thrown three zhang away, and another woman stood where she had been.
Once again, Su Luowei heard that voice, like falling snow.
"Hanzhu, there's no need to force her if she doesn't want to speak."
The dazzling lights had blurred Su Luowei's vision, and it took a long time for her to adjust and see the woman clearly.
She was backlit, with dark hair and a snow-colored robe, a sword hanging at her waist.
Her eyebrows were long and delicate, and her eyes were like black jade dipped in icy water, clear and indifferent.
A pearl earring on her ear swayed slightly before settling again.
Su Luowei had traveled far with a theater troupe in her youth and had seen many beautiful women. She had also gone to Kunlun, where the cultivators were all remarkably attractive.
But this woman seemed different.
There was something distinct about her, like a lone plum tree blooming boldly in the winter, unconcerned with the arrival of spring.
Su Luowei snapped out of her thoughts and heard the woman say, "The person you're looking for is me."
"But I am not the Snow Mountain Goddess. My name is Meng Shuying. I'm just a cultivator."
"What do you need? You can tell me now."