Kongur Tagh.
Amid the howling wind and snow, a hand suddenly gripped the edge of the nearly vertical cliff face. A figure struggled onto the summit, rolled twice through the snow like a lump of mud, and lay flat on his back.
Immediately after, another figure climbed up, coughed violently several times, staggered forward two steps, and plunged headfirst into the snow.
The two youths lay atop the peak, gasping heavily for breath.
Lu Baoyou glanced at Fang Mo, and the corners of his cold lips involuntarily curled upward.
"You... cough, cough, cough... you were half a second slower than me."
"If I hadn't grabbed an illusory rock by mistake and slipped several meters down, you would've been the slower one." Fang Mo sneered. After a brief pause, he still shook his head helplessly. "But a bet is a bet... I admit it. You won this time, Lu Baoyou."
BOOM—!!
Surging divine light and a deep hum came from the distant border. Lu Baoyou and Fang Mo froze at the same time, then struggled to their feet and turned to look.
Endless black mist churned not far beyond the border. Across the vast snowy plains, a majestic black stone stele towered over the earth like a pillar reaching the heavens. Gods filled the sky beside the divine monument, charging toward it one after another.
"Emperor Fengdu of Great Xia's Northern Yin, answering the Celestial Venerable's decree, is willing to shatter my own cultivation to protect the people of Great Xia and grant them peace for all ages!"
"Great Xia Golden Immortal Chi Jingzi, answering the Celestial Venerable's decree, is willing to shatter my own cultivation to protect the people of Great Xia and grant them peace for all ages!"
"Great Xia Golden Immortal Huanglong, answering the Celestial Venerable's decree, is