Homeward Journey and Considerations

On the way back to the Far North, Xue Lingyun did not travel particularly quickly.

He chose little-traveled paths, occasionally spreading the Evil God Wings folded against his back to skim low over ravines and frozen rivers that were difficult to cross.

The wings brought him more than speed. They also gave him a vague sense of control over air currents and space. Though it was still blurry, it made traveling much more convenient.

After trekking for around ten days, when that familiar, pure chill that seemed to seep into his bones enveloped him once more, he knew he was not far from home.

At the edge of his vision, the towering ice-blue silhouette gradually became clear amid the falling snow.

The Ice Palace still rested quietly between the glaciers, like a silent sentinel.

At the palace gates, a massive white figure was absentmindedly batting at the snow with its paws, sending it flying high into the air.

It was Xiao Bai.

He seemed to sense something and abruptly raised his head. His deep-blue eyes widened round, his nose twitched hard twice, and then he let out an earth-shaking roar of joy:

"Little Cloud! Little Cloud is back!!!"

His enormous body charged forward with agility utterly mismatched to his size, making the snow-covered ground boom beneath him.

Xue Lingyun smiled and did not dodge, letting that fluffy giant head nuzzle him affectionately. The cold, damp nose rubbed against his cheek until it tickled.

"Easy, easy, Xiao Bai. You're going to knock me apart."

"Mom! Aunt Bing! Little Cloud is back!" Xiao Bai paid no attention, turning toward the Ice Palace and shouting at the top of his lungs, unable to hide his delight.

Two figures appeared at the palace gates almost simultaneously.

Snow Empress was still dressed in a spotless white gown. Her sky-blue eyes looked toward him, and her calm gaze lingered on Xue Lingyun for a moment before she nodded. Deep in her eyes was a faint softness.

Ice Empress stood with her arms crossed, her emerald eyes sweeping over him from head to toe. They paused briefly on his back before she snorted. "So you still remembered to come back? Your wings have grown strong, and you've been running wild outside for nearly two years."

Though she spoke that way, the corners of her mouth curved up slightly.

"Sister Xue, Sister Bing, I'm back."

Xue Lingyun broke free from Xiao Bai's "enthusiastic embrace" and walked over. The faint ripples in his heart brought on by the long journey and the troubles of the outside world completely settled the moment he saw them.

Deep within the Ice Palace, a warm ice-blue glow flowed gently.

Xue Lingyun held the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow Cup Snow Empress had handed him and took small sips of the Ice Nectar. A gentle, pure energy slid down his throat, driving away the last traces of exhaustion.

He roughly described what he had experienced over the past two years.

"Over at Star Dou, it was luck too." He recalled that day's encounter. "The night before, I studied the stars and felt that heading in that direction might bring some gains."

"But not long after I arrived, a pillar of fire came crashing down and nearly turned the lunch I had my eye on into charcoal."

"Fortunately, things ended well." He briefly explained how he had saved Ma Xiaotao, met Yan Shaozhe, and obtained the Recommendation Letter.

Ice Empress sneered. "The Evil Fire of a Phoenix Martial Soul? That thing can be called fire? It's a chaotic mess, not pure in the slightest." Her pride in her own Extreme Ice was etched into her bones.

Snow Empress was more concerned with what followed. "That Shrek dean gave you a promise and a Recommendation Letter?"

"Mm." Xue Lingyun took out the letter Yan Shaozhe had given him from his Storage Soul Tool.

The letter itself carried faint, gentle Soul Power fluctuations. The patterns on it vaguely formed an abstract bird-like design, radiating an extraordinary air.

"He was quite enthusiastic. The terms he offered were generous: a private room and all the resources I could need." It felt like he'd give me his ass if I asked for it, Xue Lingyun added silently.

"You want to go to Shrek?" Ice Empress raised a brow.

Xue Lingyun set down his cup and sat up a little straighter. He knew this question deserved a serious answer.

"Over the past two years, I've taken a general look around." His voice steadied, thoughtful. "The Sun Moon Empire is indeed formidable when it comes to Soul Tools. But their rules are strict. Outsiders without a proper identity have a hard time getting access to the core, and besides... it's not peaceful there."

"The upper ranks are fighting fiercely among themselves, and there's also an Evil Soul Master organization called the Holy Spirit Cult. I've heard it has infiltrated deeply."

"If I, an outsider and a kid with no status, ran over there, I'd stand out too much. The moment I showed my face, I might get Hard Controlled."

"If I want to go and see it, I should at least go as an exchange student backed by a major power."

He paused, then continued, "As for the Ben Ti Sect... their path is too singular. They're exclusionary and closed off. Once you get in, it won't be easy to get out."

"They specialize in excavating and second awakenings of Body Martial Souls. My Primal Heart might attract their interest, but their methods emphasize extreme stimulation of potential. They take dangerous, unorthodox paths."

"My own path places more value on steady progress and thoroughly consolidating every aspect of my foundation. Blood and vitality, meridians, Soul Power, spiritual power—none of them can be weak links. Our paths differ."

"Besides, they look down on Soul Tools, considering them external objects. But in my view, Soul Tools are tools, another form of 'extension.' Why not use them if they can be used? There's no point trapping yourself inside one little circle."

As Xue Lingyun spoke, a shrewd gleam flashed in his eyes. "Besides, even if I really want something from them—like their most closely guarded Body Martial Soul secret arts—I should first establish myself at Shrek, then find a way to approach them and 'borrow' them to study. That would be more worthwhile."

"On the other hand, if I tie myself down in the Ben Ti Sect first and then try to reach into Shrek's treasure vault, that would be a completely different level of difficulty. No matter how you calculate it, going to Shrek first brings greater returns."

"With those options ruled out, the remaining choice is clear." He took a sip of Ice Nectar to moisten his throat, and his eyes became bright and clear.

"After weighing everything, Shrek is currently the best choice. It's like a mixed bag, with a little of everything. Its Martial Soul Theory is recognized as the best on the continent, and it has the cultivation environment and resources most suited to laying a foundation."

"Although the Soul Guidance Department started late, its basics are absolutely enough for my current stage. More importantly, it's relatively 'safe'—at least on the surface. It's the continent's number one academy, and the rules are there. I can develop steadily there, and..."

His fingers tapped unconsciously against his knee. "Shrek has a 'treasure vault' that no other place possesses—the Sea God Pavilion and that Golden Tree. I asked around. They hold Shrek's ten-thousand-year foundation."

"I don't care who fights whom in the future or who unifies the continent. I just want to find a place where I can safely build my foundation as solidly as possible and swallow every bit of knowledge and benefit I can get my hands on."

"For now, Shrek has the biggest spread, the fullest menu, and rules that leave me relatively more room to exploit loopholes."

After hearing him out, Ice Empress curled her lip. "You've calculated it quite clearly. At such a young age, you're already like a little fox."

Snow Empress fell silent for a moment before slowly speaking. "Your considerations are sound."

She looked at Xue Lingyun, her voice calm yet weighty. "Shrek's waters run deep as well. Since you have made this decision, remember this: make use of its advantages, but do not place complete trust in its people."

"The Extreme North Land will always be your home, the place you can return to whenever you wish."

"I understand, Sister Xue." Xue Lingyun nodded heavily.

Of course he understood. Shrek was a stepping stone and a resource vault, but this Ice Palace—where Snow Empress, Ice Empress, and Xiao Bai were—was the harbor he could always return to in peace, no matter how far he traveled.

"Alright, since you've thought it through, go." Ice Empress waved a hand as though shooing away some nuisance, but then added, "Be sharp out there. Don't let people fool you. If you can't win... remember to run."

Xue Lingyun could not help laughing. "Got it, Sister Bing."

Xiao Bai had been lying on the ground, only half understanding what they were discussing. At that moment, he interrupted, "Is Little Cloud going to study somewhere very far away? Does that mean I won't be able to play with you for a long time? And I won't get to eat the tasty things you find anymore?"

Seeing Xiao Bai's slightly aggrieved round face, Xue Lingyun's heart softened. He promised, "It won't be for long. The academy has breaks, and I'll come back as soon as I'm on vacation."

"Besides, maybe I'll find even tastier things outside and bring them back for you."

"Really?" Xiao Bai's eyes immediately lit up.

"Really."

Over the following days, Xue Lingyun did not rush to set out immediately.

There were still nearly two years before he would head to Shrek to study, and he intended to make good use of them.

On one hand, he would sort and organize the things he had obtained during this trip. On the other, he needed to further consolidate his cultivation, especially the circulation of the Heart Source Circulation Technique.

The tranquility of the Ice Palace and the pure ice-element energy of the Far North provided the best cultivation environment.

Occasionally, when Ice Empress "felt like it," she would pull him into a sparring match, claiming it was to "check whether he had regressed after running wild outside for two years." In truth, she used her terrifying control to suppress her strength to a level similar to his, forcing out all his potential and tempering his combat reactions.

Snow Empress would offer a few pointers at crucial moments, each one striking directly at the heart of the matter.

And so the days passed one by one, filled with steady cultivation, the company of family, and calm anticipation for the future.