Chapter 249: White-Haired Former Residence

The Frozen Moon Cold River is very distant, not even bordering Da Qian. The vast northern reaches of Da Qian are demon territories, characterized by expansive lands and a sparse demon population. To Da Qian's west lies the Sky Frost Nation. Part of the Sky Frost Nation's northern border also connects to the demon domain, and the Frozen Moon Cold River is located to the west of the demon domain.

As they flew west from Xiazhou, human settlements gradually disappeared below. The climate of the Sky Frost Nation is considerably colder than Da Qian's. Although it was currently May, winter scenery could often be seen within the Sky Frost Nation's borders. This became more pronounced the further north they traveled, with mountains and rivers consistently covered in frost. Ye Tinglan dispatched Dugu Qingli to the Sky Frost Nation to investigate the situation, partly because the environment there was particularly suited to her.

The Sky Frost Nation's customs, climate, and even its political system differ greatly from Da Qian's. Due to the immense size of the world and the long distances involved, Lu Xingzhou had not thoroughly researched its specifics. He only knew that it resembled a typical Xianxia world, where various sects operated independently, the imperial court held minimal influence, and towns were dependent on these sects. This arrangement typically arises when the imperial court is weak and lacks a strong unifying power, resulting in a system that, though called a nation, functions more like a confederation of sects, with the monarch acting as a mere alliance leader. Their primary adversaries are also the demon races, establishing an allied relationship with Da Qian.

Because of the great distance, harsh climate, and the independent nature of its immortal sects, Da Qian never considered bringing the Sky Frost Nation under its rule, deeming it a thankless task. Consequently, there were few conflicts between the two nations; their shared border didn't even have troops stationed. Any conflicts that did arise were more often sectarian disputes between immortal sects, rather than national-level confrontations.

Hundreds of miles on either side of the border were uninhabited, consisting solely of rugged mountains and treacherous waters, making it an ideal hiding place for numerous fugitives and criminals. The strongholds of some demonic sects, like the Charming Maiden Joyful Union Sect, were also concealed here. This explains why the Charming Maiden Joyful Union Sect was relatively close to Xiazhou, making Xiazhou Pei Chuyun's first destination after leaving her sect.

After flying north for several more days within the Sky Frost Nation, they reached the southern tip of the Frozen Moon Cold River. As far as the eye could see, there was a vast expanse of white—thousands of miles of glaciers, with nothing remarkable save for the intense cold. In truth, many ancient ruins lay hidden beneath these glaciers, including a considerable number of ancient tombs. However, given the immense size of the region, these "many" were exceedingly difficult to locate. For centuries, cultivators had sought opportunities in this desolate place, but few ever truly found anything, leading to a gradual decline in visitors.

Dugu Qingli had lived here since childhood. The vastness of the region and the scarcity of visitors meant that even if someone was present, she might not encounter them. For many years, she had met very few people.

The small boat flew overhead. Lu Xingzhou stroked his chin, observing the ice plains below, clearly puzzled. "That's odd," he mused. "The Imperial Preceptor just abandoned the little white-haired girl here by herself, and she was still a child back then! Was this supposed to be training or exile?"

Ye Tinglan sat cross-legged at the bow of the boat, paying him no mind.

"How did she survive? What did she eat?" A'Nuo wondered. "There can't be many animals around here, can there?"

Ye Tinglan finally spoke, sounding slightly exasperated. "Dugu Qingli's situation is very unique. If she hadn't lived here when she was young, she wouldn't have survived anywhere else. She subsisted on the energy of ice, only becoming normal after her cultivation reached a higher level."

Lu Xingzhou commented, "Given that, it's not entirely baseless for some people to think she resembles a demon."

"Of course, she's not a demon. Modern people are simply easily surprised and unaware of certain rare innate holy bodies. Dugu Qingli possesses the Ice Soul Sword Body, which is exceptionally rare, appearing perhaps once every ten thousand years."

"Still, you can't leave a child to live alone. The Imperial Preceptor went too far with that."

"She wasn't alone. The Heavenly Jade Holy Land always had people observing this area, and Qingli's well-being was consistently looked after. In fact, I... also know that the Imperial Preceptor had a split soul accompanying her; otherwise, how could she guide her cultivation? Is merely abandoning her here considered a master-disciple relationship?"

"A personal old master trope, then?"

Ye Tinglan heard the term for the first time, found it quite fitting, and smiled, "Something like that."

"A true protagonist's treatment, indeed," Lu Xingzhou remarked. "But what did she eat?"

"There isn't nothing to eat here. Look, see for yourselves."

Following Ye Tinglan's gaze, Lu Xingzhou indeed saw a cluster of ice-crystal-like plants. From their leaves to their fruits, they appeared to be intricate sculptures carved from ice. Both Lu Xingzhou and A'Nuo's eyes lit up. "How fascinating," they murmured. It was an eye-opening sight.

"These are Ice Crystal Fruits, not found anywhere else," Ye Tinglan explained. "There aren't just plants here, but also animals—all of them exotic beasts. While these beasts will attack you, many parts of their bodies are valuable for alchemy. Some of these materials can be found at high-end auctions in Da Qian, but most are simply never seen. As alchemists, you've never encountered these unique items that don't exist in Da Qian. You're merely frogs in a well; what kind of alchemists are you? This is precisely the trial you need."

Lu Xingzhou stroked his chin. "If one were to specially collect these items here and sell them back in Da Qian, wouldn't that be incredibly profitable?"

"So why do you think the Heavenly Jade Holy Land has people permanently stationed in this area for observation?" Ye Tinglan countered. "Of course, they don't sell to Da Qian; these resources are stored and utilized by the Heavenly Jade Holy Land itself. While Da Qian has virtually no other such forces, many factions in the Sky Frost Nation engage in similar practices. Did you really believe Dugu Qingli only interacted with exotic beasts all these years? Naturally, there were also humans."

As they discussed, a biting cold wind suddenly swept past, piercing the small boat's external protective barrier and lashing at Lu Xingzhou's face. Lu Xingzhou casually waved it away, but the cold wind surged through the rift in the barrier, instantly coating his hair with frost.

Ye Tinglan guided the boat's bow downward, landing on the ground. "Here, frost winds occasionally howl, their icy sharpness like keen blades, and their power is considerable. It's much like the unexpected attacks you encountered in the Demon Subduing Domain."

"These are truly winds like knives and frost like swords," Lu Xingzhou remarked, examining the surroundings from the ground. "In the Demon Subduing Domain, it was due to stray energy left after demonic deaths. What's the reason here?"

"There's no particular reason; it's just ordinary wind," Ye Tinglan explained. "However, this wind contains potent icy energy, giving it a certain aggressive quality. The deeper one ventures toward the center, the more intense and concentrated it becomes, which is why ordinary cultivators cannot access the core areas."

"Has Qingli ever ventured into those parts?"

"How would I know? I'm not her personal old master," Ye Tinglan retorted, rolling her eyes. "Are you here to visit Dugu Qingli's former residence, then?"

Lu Xingzhou was speechless.

"If you're truly visiting her former residence, there might actually be one," Ye Tinglan continued. "If you spot a small hut constructed from ice blocks, precisely cut with a sword, that's likely it. After cultivating during the day, she would cut ice blocks on the spot each evening to build a temporary shelter."

A'Nuo imagined a small, white-haired girl, roughly her own age, laboriously constructing a hut by herself. Her face visibly crumpled. "How pitiful..." she murmured.

"There was no other way; extraordinary individuals must undertake extraordinary tasks. Had the Heavenly Jade Holy Land not discovered her, she would have perished long ago..." Ye Tinglan sighed softly, recalling her beloved disciple's pitiable state as a child. "The truly perplexing matter is her origin. How could a young child be abandoned in the Frozen Moon Cold River? It couldn't possibly be just because of her white hair and blue eyes, could it?"

Lu Xingzhou fell silent for a moment. "It's possible it was a faction from the Sky Frost Nation."

"Indeed." Ye Tinglan had, of course, intended for Dugu Qingli to come to the Sky Frost Nation partly to help her discover her origins, but there was no need to share this with Lu Xingzhou. "Come on, let's go examine the Ice Crystal Fruits first."

The three retracted their small boat and walked towards the cluster of Ice Crystal Fruits. Just as they approached, an ice snake suddenly darted out from beneath the fruit tree, subtly attempting to bite A'Nuo's foot. A'Nuo's foot swiftly landed on the ice snake's vital point. The snake convulsed twice, emitting faint wisps of icy energy, before becoming completely lifeless.

Ye Tinglan nonchalantly instructed, "Collect it. We'll examine its medicinal properties."

A'Nuo was speechless.

"So, don't be fooled into thinking that this thousands of miles of visible glacier appears harmless," Ye Tinglan continued. "In reality, danger lurks at every turn, and unexpected perils can emerge anywhere. Furthermore... are you both now feeling your blood circulation becoming increasingly sluggish, and even your true qi feeling stagnant?"

"Mmm..."

"This is also a trial for your cultivation. This is merely the periphery; I'm curious to see how far into the Frozen Moon Cold River you two can penetrate, given your current level."