Heavy Snow

Creak.

Yang Chen opened the door. Looking at the thick snow blanketing the ground, he inexplicably felt refreshed and at ease.

"What a world wrapped in silver!"

He praised it, then took a step forward into the vast white world.

The heavy snow still fell. Despite the freezing cold, disciples like Yang Chen paid it no mind. Some rolled about in the snow, some slid across it, while others, seized by playfulness, held snowball fights and built snowmen.

After eating, Yang Chen found two wooden boards and tied them to his feet, then found two sticks to use as support poles. He wanted to try the advanced sport of skiing.

"Excellent. Today, I'll be the skiing champion!"

Yang Chen looked over his crude gear and nodded in great satisfaction.

"Senior Brother Yang, what kind of outfit is that?"

"Senior Brother is going skiing. But judging by how excited he is, it seems to be his first time."

"I'm not bragging, but Senior Brother is only skiing for fun. If you really want to learn the technique, you still have to look to me."

"I don't like the sound of that. Want to compete?"

Seemingly influenced by Yang Chen, quite a few disciples who saw his getup also felt like giving it a try.

Someone's eyes gleamed as they sniffed out a possible business opportunity. They immediately called over several close friends and huddled together to discuss it, deciding to pool their funds and sell finely crafted skis.

Some clever male disciples also realized that this might be a fine opportunity to get close to soft and sweet junior sisters.

Yang Chen knew nothing of this. He was already standing on his skis, whistling away into the distance.

Standing on the skis and feeling the biting wind slam into his face as he sped forward, Yang Chen burst into laughter.

At first, his movements were somewhat clumsy. But with his powerful physique, after gliding four or five li, he was already able to attempt a few difficult maneuvers.

The residential area lay dozens of li from the spirit fields, the entire route sloping downhill. When he encountered a low hill along the way, he let out an "Awoo!" and boldly charged up it.

The skis shot off the small hill, launching him six or seven zhang into the air. Yang Chen controlled his body, spinning several consecutive three-hundred-and-sixty-degree turns in midair before landing steadily on the ground.

"What was that?"

On the road to the spirit fields, Xu Qingqing was traveling at a pace that did not sacrifice elegance. Hearing the commotion behind her, she turned toward the sound and could not help freezing in surprise.

Yang Chen did not notice her at all and whistled straight past her.

"Why is he like a child who never grew up?"

The thought flashed through Xu Qingqing's mind. Soon, she too felt a faint urge to try it, wondering whether she should play like that tomorrow as well.

Meanwhile, Yang Chen had already reached the spirit fields. After making a round of inspections, he returned to his wooden hut and began cultivating.

Cultivation in the Qi Martial Realm emphasized that when qi was full, it would overflow. So-called qi was qi force. Martial artists in this realm mainly used qi to control strength, but qi force could sometimes run dry. When the breath in one's heart dispersed, that was when one's strength weakened.

So how could one make qi force long-lasting and improve a martial artist's ability to fight continuously?

The answer was to merge qi force into the blood, allowing qi and blood to blend as one. This was the Blood Martial Realm. Once a martial artist cultivated to the Blood Martial Realm, their sustained combat ability would rise dramatically. As long as their qi and blood did not decline, they could continue fighting.

A month had passed since Yang Chen broke through to the Qi Martial Ninth Level, yet he still had not reached the state where qi was full and overflowed. This was a slow grind, requiring time to pile up bit by bit.

However, that did not affect the growth of his strength. By now, his Punching Force had surpassed fifteen thousand kilograms. He was not far from the state where qi was full and overflowed.

After cultivating for a long time, Yang Chen stepped out of the wooden hut and began comprehending sword techniques in the snow.

He had exceptional talent in swordsmanship. Both sword techniques could now be used in actual combat, greatly raising his battle prowess.

Yet both sword techniques were still only at the beginner level, still some distance from the realm of minor mastery.

The day quickly passed. After inspecting the spirit fields, Yang Chen returned to the residential area.

He actually did not want to make the trip back and forth, but with Zhou Han's threat hanging over him, he felt it was better to be cautious.

The moment he returned to the residential area, he stood dumbfounded.

Outside the dining hall, several disciples were actually selling skis. He walked over for a closer look and saw quite a few ski sets laid out on the ground. Their designs were exquisite, countless times better than the ones he had made himself.

Quite a few people were gathered nearby, asking about the prices.

"How much are these skis?"

"Greetings, Senior Brother. The main body of these skis is made from high-grade spiritwood, so the quality is exceptionally solid. Today only, a set costs just one spirit crystal."

"What the hell? One spirit crystal? You might as well go rob someone."

"You jest, Senior Brother. A few senior brothers have already bought several sets. Some of them even gave them to senior sisters and junior sisters. From what I saw, those senior sisters and junior sisters were very happy when they received the skis."

The disciple asking about the price had his eyes light up. Though his heart ached, he pulled out two spirit crystals. "Give me two sets!"

Looking at the exquisite designs, Yang Chen could not help imagining a scene.

"Senior Brother, you ski too?"

"Yes, yes."

"Senior Brother, these skis of yours have seen quite a few years, haven't they?"

*"..."*

He snorted coldly. He absolutely would not allow himself to witness such a scene, so he stepped forward and loudly said, "Give me a set too."

The disciples selling skis saw Yang Chen arrive, and their eyes immediately lit up. "Senior Brother Yang! The few of us only thought of this idea because of your inspiration. How could we possibly take your spirit crystals? Senior Brother, pick whichever one you like. Just take it!"

Now that was sensible!

Those words made Yang Chen feel very comfortable. He pointed at one of the skis, and the disciple selling them immediately brought it over.

"Take it, Senior Brother. This junior brother will give you another set as a gift."

The disciple selling skis directly gave Yang Chen another set.

Yang Chen was somewhat surprised. "You're giving me two sets so I can alternate between them?"

"No!" The disciple selling skis waggled his eyebrows. "This one was prepared as a gift for Senior Brother to give someone."

"Nonsense!"

Yang Chen feigned anger, yet obediently shielded the skis behind his back. Of course, he would not take them for free. He took out three spirit crystals from his robes and handed them over.

"Junior Brother, you have a promising future. Consider these three spirit crystals my investment in you. I hope you grow bigger and stronger!"

The disciple selling skis was deeply moved, his eyes even turning a little red.

Yang Chen turned to leave, but after walking only a short distance, he saw Xu Qingqing approaching from ahead.

Their gazes met, and Yang Chen instinctively shielded the skis behind his back.

Xu Qingqing's mouth twitched. She said irritably, "What does Senior Brother Yang mean by that? Are you afraid I'll ask you for skis?"

Yang Chen's face grew slightly hot. He gave two awkward laughs and openly held the skis before him. "Junior Sister, they're still selling them over there. Hurry and buy a set. I have something to do, so I'll be leaving first."

Without waiting for Xu Qingqing to speak, he vanished like a wisp of smoke.

A trace of embarrassed anger flashed through Xu Qingqing's eyes. This Yang Chen was truly too hateful. She had not planned to ask him for any in the first place, yet the way he acted made it seem as though she were someone who snatched things by force.

That was simply going too far.

She walked over, intending to buy herself a set of skis as well. But to her astonishment, in the brief delay just now, the skis had already sold out.

The disciple selling skis said awkwardly, "Ahem, um, Senior Sister, Senior Brother Yang has two sets. How about you go buy one from him?"

"Senior Sister, Senior Sister, take mine!"

"Yours isn't pretty. Senior Sister, use mine instead!"

Several male disciples eagerly volunteered. Xu Qingqing politely declined their kindness and left somewhat dejectedly.