Chapter 47: The Tragedy on the Snowy Mountain

A trace of astonishment flickered in Ji Chuxue’s eyes as she asked, “Sixth, do you actually possess the Thunder Spirit Root?”

Jiang Yan chuckled, his face showing a hint of pride. “Heh, I happened to acquire it by chance when I broke through to the Golden Core. I’ve discovered that thunder spirit power is incredibly potent, so I’ve been pondering new sword techniques these past few days.”

Ji Chuxue was deeply shocked; she had never expected Jiang Yan to comprehend a new sword move on his own within only a few days. His cultivation insight was truly genius among geniuses.

“Your sword move just now was excellent. Next time, try it out on those monsters,” Ji Chuxue praised.

If those monsters knew they were being used for practice, they’d probably be furious—though, of course, that would require a certain level of intelligence.

...

Ten days later, the disciples of the sect were covered in dust, utterly exhausted.

Those who traveled on foot suffered greatly, blisters forming on their feet. The distance between them and Jiang Yan’s group was steadily shrinking.

At night, both parties were attacked by monsters, and this time, the creatures moved with even greater agility.

Inside the caravan, Ji Chuxue sensed the barrier being struck and immediately called out, “Quick, get out and face them!”

After days of recuperation and cultivation, everyone was brimming with energy. Now was the time to test the fruits of their training; excited, they disembarked, preparing to confront the enemy.

“Let’s see who can slay the most monsters,” Wu Qianqian said confidently.

This time, there were as many as twenty monsters, considerably more than before.

Jiang Yan gripped the Flame Sword, unleashing the Thunder Sword Technique at the creature rushing toward him. In an instant, the monster was cleaved in two.

He glanced at the creature on the ground—good heavens, it truly was a decayed corpse, with its entrails spilling out.

Who in the world created such an abomination?

Clearly, the Thunder Sword Technique was powerful. Jiang Yan pressed on, using it against the other monsters.

In no time, the dozen or so creatures were easily dispatched by the group.

Wu Qianqian clapped her hands and laughed, “Looks like these monsters aren’t so formidable after all!”

Everyone returned to the caravan, where Xie Lingzhou poured each of them a cup of spirit tea.

“Come, have some spirit tea to refresh yourselves,” he said with a smile.

Jiang Yan took a cup, grinning. “Thanks, Third Senior Brother.”

This was expensive spirit tea—he’d be a fool not to drink it!

Zhou Yu also took a cup, sipped, and his expression suddenly changed. He asked nervously, “Is this Snow Mountain Spirit Tea? Where did you get it?”

Jiang Yan was startled by his abrupt reaction, wondering if there was some special story behind the tea.

Xie Lingzhou hadn’t expected anyone to recognize the tea so quickly. He replied, “Yes, it’s Snow Mountain Spirit Tea. I drank it once during an expedition. But this batch, I bought it three months ago from a child.”

“Was the child a boy around ten years old?” Zhou Yu pressed.

Xie Lingzhou looked at Zhou Yu in surprise, “Did you buy spirit tea from him too?”

Zhou Yu’s eyes reddened. “That boy is my younger brother, Zhou Xun. A year ago, there was a calamity in my family…”

As it turned out, Zhou Yu was the young master of Snow Mountain Manor, and Snow Mountain Spirit Tea originated from there.

Snow Mountain Spirit Tea had the effect of awakening the mind and strengthening spiritual power, preventing one from becoming lost in illusions.

Moreover, the Snow Mountain Immortal Herb used to brew the tea had an extremely long growth cycle—usually a hundred years—which explained the tea’s exorbitant price.

For this reason, Snow Mountain Manor became the target of envy.

A year ago, while Zhou Yu was away training, a group of powerful cultivators invaded the manor.

In a single night, the manor was bathed in blood; no one survived, not even a complete corpse remained. The precious spirit tea vanished amid the catastrophe.

When Zhou Yu rushed home upon hearing the news, the sight before him was devastating—bodies everywhere, a scene he could not accept. However, he did not find his younger brother, Zhou Xun.

He prayed with fervent hope that his brother had escaped the disaster…

Now, learning of his brother’s whereabouts from Xie Lingzhou, Zhou Yu was overwhelmed with emotion.

“Thank you for letting me know my brother is still alive,” he said gratefully.

Xie Lingzhou hadn’t expected such a coincidence. “You’re welcome! I can tell you where he is, though he may not stay there long.”

“Thank you. I’ll find him after I’ve avenged my family,” Zhou Yu said in a low voice.

The atmosphere in the caravan instantly grew heavy.

Who could be so cruel as to slaughter Zhou Yu’s entire family and mutilate their bodies?

Jiang Yan thought to himself that a depraved, murderous cultivator was truly terrifying.

Wu Qianqian sympathized deeply with Zhou Yu. She comforted him, “Brother Zhou, take care! I believe you will have your revenge.”

Then she cautiously asked, “By the way, Brother Zhou, how did your wife… get injured?”

She nearly said “die,” but caught herself just in time.

The others looked at Zhou Yu as well.

Zhou Yu closed his eyes in pain, recalling, “Three months ago, I tracked down those who destroyed my manor. I intended to take revenge myself, but my wife followed me…”

So, Zhou Yu sought vengeance but could not defeat the enemy. While fleeing, he was ambushed, and Jiang Xin shielded him from a fatal blow.

Though they eventually escaped, Jiang Xin’s injuries were too severe, and she did not last long…

Zhou Yu said that Jiang Xin was gravely injured and fell into a deep sleep.

Jiang Yan felt that Zhou Yu’s misfortune was truly tragic.

However, he did not agree with Zhou Yu’s rash decision to seek revenge alone without first investigating the enemy’s strength.

As the saying goes, a gentleman’s vengeance is never too late, even after ten years.

Although Zhou Yu’s cultivation was high, there were always greater powers out there.

If one’s strength does not surpass the enemy’s, it is wise to endure and grow stronger before seeking revenge.

Zhou Yu’s experience inspired Jiang Yan to cultivate diligently—only by becoming stronger could he better protect himself and those around him.

Compared to Jiang Yan’s group, who enjoyed tea and heartfelt conversation, the situation among the sect disciples was far less optimistic.

With their combined efforts, the monsters were finally defeated, but two female disciples were wounded by the creatures’ sharp claws.

They dismissed the injuries as minor and did not pay much attention.

Master Xuanqing ordered everyone to press on, though he felt an ominous foreboding.

“Sister, what’s wrong? Why are your eyes and face so red?” a male disciple cried out in panic.

The female disciple who had been scratched—perhaps due to her lower cultivation—quickly began to feel unwell. Dizzy and confused, she answered with difficulty, “Brother… I feel so faint…”