Zhou Clearing Snow

The snow has stopped.

No, it was caught.

In the vast Ye Capital, a fine net woven from golden characters intertwines in the air. These characters, when combined, form the laws, regulations, and order that are known to the world.

The Jin dynasty inherited the throne from the Wei dynasty, and its laws and regulations were almost identical.

The law is like a vast net that catches nothing. Thus, the snow falling from the sky cannot enter the human world, nor sink into worldly affairs. It hangs in the air, drifting aimlessly, unable to cover the bloodshed and sins that fill the city.

Then the sunlight streamed down through the gaps in the clouds, falling on the black lacquer of the imperial carriage, on the tattered robes of the kneeling Former Wei people, and on Cao Huan's straight, resolute spine.

It seems that this is what it means to clear one's name; "clear" means the light of day, and "snow" means to wash away.

Cao Huan stood there, and in front of him was the man in white, named Cheng Fasi.

He studied Confucianism in his youth, but acquired Movement Method.

Ancient and profound Dao patterns appeared around him, inscribed with rules and regulations, and the Daoist aura faintly emanating from his body was proof of this.

The law, also known as the Mingyang Way, belongs to one of the Three Yangs, Wei Wen [Huangchu].

The essence of [Huangchu] is the hierarchy of rank and social order, as well as the established rules and regulations.

Among them is a Divine Ability called [Heavenly Law Vastness].

However, the Dao patterns produced by the Divine Ability were not dazzling; in fact, they appeared somewhat dim, like a tool whose luster had been worn away by time.

But it can cause this Heavenly Cold Qi to disintegrate and vanish into nothingness the instant it touches it, as if it were thrown into boiling water.

You must know that this is the [Cold] Qi of Sima Ying, the Prince of Ye, a being whose combat power is unparalleled, comparable to Divine Core. A powerful figure who can decide life and death with a mere gesture!

Sima Hui's expression immediately changed; he didn't know whether to be happy or sad.

The good news is that the snake was lured out of its hole, and the mission was accomplished.

The tragedy is that this person's strength is probably not much different from my father's, at the very least he is a Five Laws True Person, and he must possess a supreme treasure!

Such arrogance and domineering behavior may bring glory, but it will likely cost you your life!

Father, please come and save me!

Despite his dissolute lifestyle, he was of royal lineage, of noble birth, and possessed some secret knowledge. In addition, he was usually quite shrewd and opportunistic.

That's why his father entrusted him with this risky yet rewarding task of drawing out the remnants of the Former Wei dynasty.

"This lock of the Great Void transforms wind and snow, draws in the light of heaven, and stabilizes the spiritual atmosphere. Under its Divine Law, all beings live in awe, and even Divine Ability must diminish their power by three-tenths!"

"It must be the Divine Law of the Former Wei! Only the Divine Law of the Former Wei, refined by Mingyang, could possess such power! This is Golden Core Law Treasure!"

"You are from the Cheng Clan! You people of the Former Wei dynasty, how dare you! How dare you!"

Sima Hui spoke immediately, his voice trembling, his body clearly indicating that he wanted to buy time and seek a glimmer of hope.

Cheng Fasi glanced at it briefly, but it made Sima Hui suddenly lose his composure. He felt a surge of criticism and sorrow, and he felt that he was committing boundless evil and was unforgivable!

The golden runes were reflected in his pupils, and his entire body radiated light. However, the imperial chariot was currently emitting a dark light that swallowed the golden runes, allowing Sima Hui to escape with his life.

"Father... Father! Help... me!"

"Get down here now!"

In a fit of rage, accompanied by a bone-chilling cold that seemed to annihilate even the mind and soul, all the armored soldiers near the imperial carriage bowed in worship.

Cheng Fasi's gaze sharpened, and he felt a chill run down his spine. He slightly turned his body to completely shield Cao Huan behind him, his Divine Ability operating flawlessly.

Then he raised his eyes and looked at the chilling aura that was tearing through the void above Ye Capital.

The Great Void suddenly split open.

Prince of Ye Sima Ying, stepped out from the depths of his palace amidst the swirling Cold Qi and ice, and stood atop the imperial carriage.

Like a powerful figure approaching a prison, the air was thick with murderous intent.

The [Heavenly Cold Yin Qi Life and Death Record] hung above his head, radiating a dazzling Cold Qi, extremely yin and cold, protecting him.

As the pages turned, the wails of countless ghosts emanated from within, instantly connecting with the aura and Spiritual Qi of Ye Capital, shrouding the vast city in a bleak, extremely cold, and grayish-white hue.

Even the golden decrees seemed to lose some of their luster.

His gaze fell on Cheng Fasi, but he did not make a move immediately.

"The Cheng Household family." Sima Ying's voice carried a hint of scrutiny, but more so, it was calculating, and even mocking.

"I believe that either the Cheng family perished when Cheng Clan was destroyed, or that I wiped them all out a hundred years ago."

I never imagined that a remnant like you would still be alive today. Don't you think that's shameful? It's a disgrace to your family's honor!"

"But--"

He paused, a cruel smile curling at the corner of his lips.

"You remnants of the Former Wei dynasty have come forward yourselves, saving me a lot of trouble."

"You all want to protect this so-called emperor?!"

"That's incredibly overestimating yourself!"

The words had barely left his mouth.

[Nether Stillness Condensation], locked!

A dark and Cold Qi immediately emanated from Sima Ying's body and spread in all directions Divine Ability, instantly plunging the surrounding world into a deathly silence.

A golden light flashed in Cheng Fasi's eyes, as if he wanted to break free of his restraints, but in the clash of Divine Ability, it seemed to end in a draw, or perhaps vanish into nothingness.

Like snowflakes falling silently, the movement, energy, and flow of energy have already been locked away without a sound.

Before Cheng Fasi could think further, Sima Ying's voice rang out again.

"[Snow Buries Spirits], kill!"

The Nether Snow is rumored to belong to the underworld, capable of annihilating even souls!

Driven by Sima Ying's Divine Ability, the snowflakes materialized at this moment, falling silently from the sky and enveloping Cheng Fasi in a gentle drizzle.

Cheng Fasi calmly unleashed the Divine Law within his body. Suddenly, the sky brightened, and yin and yang clashed!

There was nothing they could do about him.

But behind him, Cao Huan clenched his fists, his eyes bloodshot, staring intently at Sima Ying, along with Cheng Fasi in front of him.

Cheng Fasi shook his head slightly.

Cao Huan seemed to be hoping.

Everything touched by this Nether Snow Nether Snow, whether spiritual consciousness or divine soul, along with the Spiritual Qi of heaven and earth, is silenced and buried in its chilling embrace.

The first to die were the Former Wei who were near the imperial carriage!

Sima Ying of killing and had no compassion; after all, they were all unruly people who missed the Former Wei.

The people of Ye Capital suffered terribly every time the Wei Imperial House rose again!

The people's physical bodies appeared unharmed, but their spirits and souls were frozen and imprisoned within their parched bodies by the cold snow, silently experiencing the silence of life.

Then it condensed into a single point, was extracted from the body, and transformed into strands of silk that flowed into the [Heavenly Cold Yin Qi Life and Death Record].

With each additional point, Sima Ying's power grew stronger!

Gradually, Cheng Fasi also found it increasingly difficult!

Cao Huan gazed at the swirling, cold snow, a bitter feeling welling up inside him. Reborn, he hadn't even begun his cultivation journey! Was he destined to end it all so hastily, perishing halfway through? He hadn't even started...

"Is the Cold Qi cultivated by the Prince of Ye truly so easy to use?"

It's not a question.

It was a statement, and suddenly a strange phrase echoed between heaven and earth, carrying the power of the universe.

To harness the power of heaven and earth!?

Was it the True Lord who made the move?

No!

It should only be a kind of Divine Core.

Upon hearing this, Sima Ying's figure suddenly paused in mid-air for a moment.

It was only a fleeting moment, so brief that most people present didn't even notice. But the speed at which the [Heavenly Cold Yin Qi Life and Death Record] above his head was flipping through the pages increased by a third.

In that instant, his aura finally transcended the shackles of the Purple Mansion.

"Who goes there?!"

"Who wants to help the remnants of the Former Wei Dynasty!"

The Cold Qi of heaven and earth was moved by Sima Ying's thoughts and began to search. At that very moment, Cheng Fasi felt his soul frozen and became extremely slow.

The physical body seemed to have become a rigid puppet, a cage, locking away one's soul and consciousness.

Only the Great Wei Divine Law, still flickering, swayed precariously in the wind and snow.

However, Cao Huan was unharmed...

Even a single breath is enough to kill an ordinary Purple Mansion Nether Snow.

The sound echoed between heaven and earth, seemingly powered by the very force of the universe, but it also appeared to be merely a means to convey some words.

He said.

"Since ancient times, in the vast Cangxuan, every source of heaven and earth has Dao Lord, also known as the Heavenly Position."

The Heavenly Position is the authority recognized by Heaven and Earth, favored and watched by the primordial energy and destiny of a person. This is called the Golden Core, and also the True Lord!

Just as fire belongs to [Langya Li Fire], wind belongs to [Cloud Haze Azure Firmament], water needs no further explanation; it is the exclusive domain of the Sima Clan.

Whether it's [Luo River Huanyu] or that one who only has half a step of [Luo River Azure Waves], both are highly regarded and beloved. Of course, this [Cold] Qi is naturally also present.

"In the past, who held the Heavenly Position this Cold Qi— "

"Didn't your Sima Clan ancestors tell the Prince of Ye?"

Sima Ying's expression finally changed.

"Shut up."

Two words were squeezed out from between his teeth.

The voice didn't stop; instead, it continued...

"In the past, Cao Zijian, the Prince of Chen of the Great Wei, possessed extraordinary talent, a Cold Qi gift."

The voice was calm as water, yet each word was like a blunt knife, scraping at Sima Ying's Dao heart, one cut at a time.

"He is the true holder of the Heavenly Position of Cold Qi. It is bestowed and cherished by Heaven and Earth, and cannot be taken away by your heretical and crooked ways."

"The method of reversing cause and effect, trying to imitate a result that has already been achieved, will ultimately miss the point, just like the path of the Purple Mansion Golden Core Elixir."

"By forcibly absorbing the Qi, you have become neither human nor ghost, despised by the Heavenly Position. Even if you cultivate such Divine Core, you will only be... a withered skeleton in a tomb."

"Sima Ying, the Cold Qi you cultivate has an unjust foundation. It's stolen power, stolen Divine Ability. That's why you've become like this—the more you cultivate, the more brutal and bloodthirsty you become."

"The chill seeps into your heart, the indifference penetrates to your bones; you are no longer yourself."

"Shut up!"

Sima Ying roared, his body surging with Cold Qi. The temperature in the entire Ye Capital plummeted in that instant, and his words seemed to have exposed the deepest pain in his heart.

Sima Ying's expression darkened, and he exhaled softly towards Cao Huan. Then, icy cold gathered, and countless ice spikes shot out in that direction.

And so, the voice let out a cold snort!

Before Cao Huan stood an invisible barrier. The ice spikes disintegrated three zhang in front of him, turning into primordial cold air that dissipated into the world.

However, Cheng Fasi was not so lucky. He was hit by the ice spike, which actually cut off half of the body of this Purple Mansion Great True Person, and he could no longer maintain his Divine Ability.

Sima Ying narrowed her eyes slightly.

He figured it out.

The voice was meant to protect Cao Huan.

Someone placed a bet! At least until this kid completes his mission, the others won't let him die! However, he does understand the rules; he didn't personally intervene, only using a Divine Core!

But, being Divine Core, it ended so abruptly! How will people in Luoyang view me?

The Prince of Ye is incompetent! He has disgraced the imperial family!

He dared not think about the consequences.

We must restrain him first!

"Then Ye Capital, isn't that perfect! You can be trapped to death there."

He waved his sleeve.

Countless black-armored cultivators poured out from all parts of Ye Capital, and then suppressed this place with the [Heavenly Cold Yin Qi Life and Death Record]!

The Nether Snow and the malevolent spirits grew increasingly violent.

Then he turned around and prepared to submit a memorial to Luoyang.

The instant he turned around—

Suddenly, the world fell silent.

The surging snowflakes, the rampant chill, and the wails of the ghosts emanating from the [Heavenly Cold Yin Qi Life and Death Record] all fell silent at the same moment.

The snow is still falling.

But the snow changed.

The originally cold and black Nether Snow was now faintly glowing.

It was a faint hint of the Mingyang's light, blending into the cold snow.

There is light in the snow, and brightness in the cold.

This is impossible— Cold Qi and Mingyang are inherently mutually destructive; how can they coexist?

Sima Ying suddenly turned around.

"This is..."

Cao Huan raised his head, gazing at the gentle glimmer of light amidst the swirling snowflakes. For some reason, his eyes suddenly stung with tears. Cheng Fasi, already covered in wounds, took a deep breath and spoke softly.

"It's [Zhou Clearing Snow]"

"What is [Zhou Clearing Snow]?" Cao Huan's voice trembled slightly.

Cheng Fasi remained silent for a moment, then raised his head, gazing at the swirling snowflakes, a deep sorrow flashing in his eyes.

"Ji means the sky and earth clearing up, signifying purity and clarity. Zhou Clearing Snow is an extremely special Divine Ability within the Cold Qi lineage. It incorporates the imagery of Mingyang, transforming cold into light and snow into radiance. It is not a technique of killing—it is the way to cleanse the world and illuminate heaven and earth."

"This Divine Ability can only be possessed by one person in the Cangxuan Ancient Realm!"

Cao Huan's throat tightened; the name was almost on the tip of his tongue, making him extremely excited.

Cheng Fasi nodded.

On the northern horizon of Ye Capital, amidst the wind and snow, something was approaching. It was a coffin.

Old and weathered, the wood is blackened and covered with ancient seal script that has long been lost. Four dimly lit talismans support it as it slowly moves forward in the wind and snow.

Wherever the coffin passed, the cold snow brightened and the Yin Qi purified itself. The yin and death energy that Sima Ying had refined dissipated on its own a thousand feet away from the coffin, as if it had encountered a natural enemy.

It's him!

"Impossible!"

"Absolutely impossible!"

Cold Qi surged through his body, and he seemed to be losing control.

Sima Ying shouted angrily.

But there was a tremor in his voice that he couldn't hide.

The Cold Qi emanating from the coffin was pure and righteous, gentle and peaceful, seemingly possessing an air of self-assured orthodoxy and pride.

Like an emperor, he prevented all sinister and murderous arts from getting close to him, forcing them to submit and kneel in worship.

Before long, the coffin came to rest in the center of Ye Capital, suspended in mid-air.

The coffin lid was only slightly ajar, and a hand emerged from it. The hand was withered and emaciated, the skin clinging to the bone, the nails gray and the veins shriveled—it belonged to a man nearing the end of his life.

But in that palm, a ray of light was being held.

Extremely faint and pure, it blended with the swirling snowflakes, transforming into a gentle and warm Divine Ability.

thump.

A muffled thud came from behind him. Cao Huan turned around and saw that the old soldier who had escorted him out of the dilapidated house had reappeared sometime earlier.

He knelt on the ground, trembling all over, and murky tears welled up from his half-blind eyes, streaming down the lines of his face.

"Chen... Prince of Chen..."

Then came the second, and the third.

Those who had been hiding and scrambling to avoid the danger all came out.

She burst into tears.

"It is Prince of Chen!"

Cao Huan was startled.

Prince of Chen, Cao Zijian.

The person who left only a slender figure in his hazy childhood memories was, at that time, the Lord of [Cold Qi]!

[Cold Clearing and Serene Heaven]

Gentle and elegant, like a celestial being descended to earth, possessing an ethereal and otherworldly air, as graceful as snow after a storm.

That name, remembered and praised by the world for its exceptional talent and profound wisdom.

However, there was also the Prince of Chen, who had a falling out with Emperor Wen and his brothers, and ultimately died in despair.

They're still alive!

Is there any hope for Great Wei?!

But then, a hoarse, extremely weak voice slowly emanated from the coffin.

The voice seemed to have used its last bit of strength, yet it carried an indescribable warmth and compassion.

"In the Huangchu, the abundant snow arrived late..."

"Your Majesty, your younger brother... is late."