The Snow Lotus's Effect, Departure from the Far North (Seeking Follow-up Reads ᴖᗜᴖ)

Yan Hongchen maintained a calm expression, but inwardly he was still somewhat shocked. "So it's real?"

"Not certain." Jing Hongchen shook his head. "But at least it wasn't fabricated out of thin air. After all, you've never been there, and I never showed it to you, yet you were able to draw this map. That means there's a certain possibility."

Jing Hongchen stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the map. He remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "The trip to the Extreme North was originally meant to help you obtain spirit rings. Now, it seems that may not be the only purpose."

He looked at Yan Hongchen, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "We might be able to take care of one more matter while we're at it."

Yan Hongchen felt relieved, though he showed a perfectly measured look of confusion. "Grandfather, you mean?"

"I mean," Jing Hongchen said as he turned and headed outside, "we're definitely going to this place. We'll know once we get there and take a look."

When he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and glanced back at Yan Hongchen. "But remember one thing: don't tell people about this everywhere. The fewer people who know certain things, the better."

Yan Hongchen nodded. "I understand."

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen listened quietly, truly not expecting Yan Hongchen to bring them another surprise.

Xiao Hongchen patted Yan Hongchen on the shoulder. "Not bad, little brother. Another surprise from you."

Yan Hongchen said to Xiao Hongchen, "Stop making fun of me. I really feel like that dream put me through the wringer. Even now, I don't know whether this is a trap..."

He was actually worried that the map he had handed over might bring a life-or-death crisis upon his family—for instance... the Snow Empress!

"Besides that, there are still things I don't understand. First, who was that woman? Second, did the flower in this map mean that I'm supposed to take it?"

Naturally, he was saying this for Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen to hear. He had to plant a few hints—perhaps they would come in handy later.

Seeing this, Meng Hongchen replied, "Don't worry too much. If we really encounter that woman, Grandfather and Father and Mother should be more than capable of handling her together."

Yan Hongchen could not help muttering inwardly, Sis, if you knew that was the Snow Empress, you wouldn't be so calm.

"As for records of snow lotus flowers, I seem to have some impression of them." As Meng Hongchen spoke, she searched through the records in the study. After rummaging around for a while, she finally found the book.

Watching Meng Hongchen's movements, Yan Hongchen saw her wave the book in her hand. It was a book about medicinal herbs. "If you're curious, little brother, take a look at this. I only vaguely remember it, so I'm not certain."

The two of them gathered around the book, completely leaving Xiao Hongchen aside. Xiao Hongchen was unsurprised and leaned in to look as well. The three of them flipped through it quickly and found what they were looking for in moments.

Yan Hongchen read about the identifying characteristics and medicinal properties of snow lotus flowers, but one line alone caught his attention. It was the flower's symbolism: "A Sacred Heart of Mercy."

That sounded more suited to the traits of a heart martial soul, with a higher degree of compatibility. If it were used for the second awakening of his body martial soul, the chance of success would be very high.

This might be his only chance to undergo a second awakening without going to the Body Sect to cultivate the Secret of the Body. Trap or not, he had to take the risk!

"All right, thank you, Sis. I roughly understand the reason now." Yan Hongchen thanked her, indicating that he understood.

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen understood what Yan Hongchen meant and did not press the matter. They would see what happened after they returned from the trip.

Yan Hongchen said to Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen, "All right, Brother, Sis. I still need to think over a few things. You should go cultivate first. Don't let me hold you up."

Xiao Hongchen and Meng Hongchen did not try to persuade him. They simply left as Yan Hongchen wished. They believed that Yan Hongchen was still unable to calm down, so they let him have some time to recover.

Yan Hongchen was left alone in the study. He stood before the map, looking down at the flower he had personally drawn, and remained silent for a long time.

Yan Hongchen murmured softly, "I hope this map hasn't deceived me..."

The wind and snow of the Extreme North Icefield were still thousands of miles away, but Yan Hongchen knew that some things had already begun.

The day of departure arrived in the blink of an eye.

Before the sky had even begun to brighten, Liu Yueming and Yi Hongchen had already emerged from seclusion three days earlier. They now woke Yan Hongchen and told him to prepare to depart.

Yan Hongchen swiftly dressed himself, equipped his close-fitting inner armor soul tool, changed into a fitted outfit that allowed easy movement, put on a warm outer robe, fastened a temperature-regulating warming badge, and brought along a Sealed Milk Bottle.

Once he was ready, Yan Hongchen arrived at the spacious courtyard in the center of the residence, used for the takeoff and landing of flying soul tools. Yi Hongchen and Liu Yueming had arrived as well.

Jing Hongchen stood in the faint dawn light, his figure as steady as a mountain. Seeing that everyone had arrived, he smiled faintly. "Are you all ready?"

"Ready," Yan Hongchen and the others replied.

He said no more. With a thought, the air behind him twisted and rippled. Then, two broad, slender metal wings flowing with dazzling golden light abruptly unfurled!

The wings were composed of countless fine, feather-shaped metal plates, each engraved with complex soul tool circuits. In the darkness before dawn, they resembled two sacred flames kindled from nothing, their patterns of light flowing brilliantly without being glaring.

Jing Hongchen raised a hand and pressed down in the air. A gentle pale-gold light curtain descended from above, steadily enveloping Yi Hongchen, Liu Yueming, Yan Hongchen, and himself. The curtain appeared thin, yet it emitted stable fluctuations of soul power.

"Rise."

At Jing Hongchen's low command, the golden light curtain slowly lifted into the air. It began smoothly, then abruptly accelerated, transforming into a streak of light that pierced the lingering night sky and low-hanging clouds. Though they traveled swiftly, those within the curtain felt only a breeze against their faces, and everything remained exceptionally steady.

Yan Hongchen's body swayed slightly as they suddenly rose, but Liu Yueming and Yi Hongchen almost simultaneously reached out to gently support his shoulders from either side. A knowing smile flickered in Yi Hongchen's eyes.

Liu Yueming said warmly, "It's your first time riding a flying soul tool. Relax your body. You'll get used to it in the future."

The three then sat cross-legged within the light curtain, as though they were seated on solid ground.

Yi Hongchen spoke slowly, explaining the arrangements for the journey. "Little Yan, your grandfather told us about your situation regarding this trip to the Extreme North. We've planned out a route, so we may not go directly there right away."

Liu Yueming looked toward the increasingly close white horizon. "I haven't been to the Extreme North in many years. The last time was ten years ago... I only hope we can return safely this time."

Yan Hongchen listened and indicated that he would follow their arrangements in all things. Looking outside, he saw that the mountains and rivers below had gradually been covered in white. At first, there were only scattered patches of snow. Then they grew denser and thicker, until they finally merged into a boundless expanse of white that stretched beyond sight.

Jing Hongchen guided the golden metal wings into a slow descent. The light curtain dispersed, and the four of them set foot on solid ground, instantly swallowed by the Frost Forest on the outskirts of the Extreme North and by the piercing aura of this kingdom of ice and snow.

Biting winds carrying icy pellets swept across the open snowy woodland like blades.

Other than Liu Yueming, Jing Hongchen, Yi Hongchen, and Yan Hongchen each wore an exquisite badge upon their chests. A faint glow circulated at the center of the badges, forming an invisible field of warmth around their bodies that effectively resisted the bitter cold capable of freezing metal apart.

After resting for a while and ensuring their soul power was fully replenished, they safely passed through the Frost Forest and officially entered the endless, howling Extreme North Icefield.