After defeating Spicy General, Nangong Wentian and his companions once again set out on their journey to save the Jade Island Kingdom, while Yun Tian and Bailing headed toward Beiming Xue Snowfield without the slightest hurry.
Yun Tian and Bailing walked along the road toward Beiming Xue Snowfield.
"Brother Yun, it's getting colder and colder."
"Yes. The farther north we go, the closer we get to Beiming Xue Snowfield. It's a land of ice and snow, so it keeps getting colder."
Feeling the chill in the air, Yun Tian remembered that he had yet to give Bailing a gift, so he took a garment from the System Shop. Naturally, it was no ordinary piece of clothing, but an Immortal Garment. Not only was it beautiful, it automatically adjusted its temperature to suit the surrounding environment and could clean itself.
"Here, Bailing. Put this on. It'll only get colder farther ahead."
"Wow, Brother Yun, this is so pretty!"
"Yes, and it keeps you warm, too."
"Thank you, Brother Yun."
"Mm. I have another gift for you."
Yun Tian took a Divine Weapon Beast egg from the System Shop. Once he brought it out, he used his spiritual energy to hatch it. Before long, the egg hatched, revealing a White Tiger with snow-white fur and the character for "king" on her forehead.
"Wow, Brother Yun, she's so cute!"
"Yes, Bailing. This is my gift to you. She's a Divine Weapon Beast, and from now on, she belongs to you."
"Really? But Brother Yun, isn't this too precious?"
"Not at all. Since you've chosen to follow me, you're one of my people. You don't need to feel burdened about it."
Deeply moved by Yun Tian's words, Bailing thought of how well he had treated her and leaned over to kiss his cheek.
"Bailing, what are you-"
Bailing blushed and said, "Brother Yun, don't misunderstand. I only did that to thank you."
Seeing Bailing blush, Yun Tian felt like teasing her, so he said, "Oh, but what if I've already misunderstood?"
"Ah, then... then..."
Seeing Bailing so flustered that she could barely speak, Yun Tian knew he had gone far enough. Any more, and he might make her cry.
"All right, all right, I was only teasing you. Still, the next time you thank me like that, remember to warn me so I can get ready. This time, I didn't even get to feel whether your lips were soft."
Hearing his words, Bailing realized that Yun Tian was teasing her.
"Ah, Brother Yun, you're so mean! How could you tease me? Hmph, I'm not talking to you anymore!" Bailing gave him a light smack and ran ahead.
Yun Tian smiled as he watched Bailing run ahead.
"Wait for me, little Bailing!"
"Hmph! I'm not waiting for a meanie like you, Brother Yun!"
From her words, Yun Tian could clearly feel that Bailing had grown closer to him and was no longer as reserved as before. Watching her get farther and farther away, he quickened his pace and caught up.
Beiming Xue Snowfield was covered in snow all year round. It was bitterly cold, sparsely populated, and difficult to navigate.
Heavy snow was falling from the sky, and the snow piled on the ground already reached halfway up a person's calves, making walking extremely difficult. A father and son trudged through the snow, trying to reach a village, but they could not find their bearings at all.
"Dad, can we really find the village?"
"Don't worry. We certainly can."
Although he said that, the father knew better than anyone that if they did not find a village soon, they would freeze to death here. Yet in weather like this, never mind finding a village-they could not even tell which direction they were going. What were they supposed to do? Just as despair took hold, a shining star suddenly appeared in the sky. Its light pierced through the fog and swirling snow, showing lost travelers the way.
"Dad, look! There's a star!"
"Hm? A star? Wonderful! We're saved! We can find the village now!"
"Dad, what exactly is that star?"
"It's Ten Directions Bright, the guardian beast of our Beiming Xue Snowfield. He can show lost travelers the way."
"Come on, son. We can find the village now."
Meanwhile, up in the sky...
An old man rode a winged horse. The horse was Ten Directions Bright, and the old man was none other than Beiming Zheng, the man in charge of Beiming Xue Snowfield.
"All right, Ten Directions Bright. Today's patrol is finished. Let's head back."
"Yes, Manor Lord. Miss A Xue and the others must be waiting for you to return so they can eat with you."
"Mm."
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha!"
Laughter suddenly rang out, followed by the appearance of a horde of Demon Beasts. Beiming Zheng fixed his gaze on the man leading the Monster Legion.
"Who are you, and what are you doing in Beiming Xue Snowfield?"
"Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha! I am the Heaven-Earth Alliance Leader. As for my purpose, naturally, I'm here to make Beiming Xue Snowfield my territory!"
"Hmph! I won't let you succeed!"
"Ten Directions Bright, let's go!"
"Monster Legion, attack!"
The two sides immediately clashed, but Beiming Zheng was too old and soon fell into a disadvantage. Just then, the Heaven-Earth Alliance Leader struck, hitting Ten Directions Bright with a single blow. Unable to react in time, Ten Directions Bright plunged into the valley with Beiming Zheng.
"Alliance Leader, what should we do next?"
"Beiming Zheng has fallen into the valley and is no longer a threat. Only his children remain at Beiming Mountain Manor now. Clever Strategist, go seize Beiming Mountain Manor for me."
"Yes, Alliance Leader! I, Clever Strategist, will certainly seize Beiming Mountain Manor for you!"
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