Chapter 1, The Boy in the Snow

Little Tiger, seeing that none of these matters involved him, anxiously said: "Father, what about me? What can I do?"

Luo Yushan brought the porridge closer and said with a smile, "This was just cooked early in the morning by Liu Boqi. Young man, you may have slept for a day and a night, so you should eat something to warm your stomach."

The man in the robe used his supreme cultivation to assist the young man in stabilizing his heart meridian, and he was astonished, saying: "It is strange, with such a massive disturbance caused by the stagnation of his vital energy in his chest, he should have awakened by now. Why is he still in a state of complete oblivion, as if lost in a trance? If I had not helped him stabilize his heart meridian, the vital energy circulating within him for several cycles would have inevitably injured his internal organs, leading to a serious illness. This kind of incomprehensible cultivation method is truly unheard of."

The man in the robe, however, did not let go, while attentively observing the flow of true energy within the youth's meridians, he generously infused his own celestial true energy continuously into the youth's body

"Living person?" Gu Zhi raised his eyes to look at the dim yellow sun rising high in the sky and said, "This is quite interesting"

At first glance, he saw the man in a robe sitting beside the soft couch, and then, in confusion, he looked around, wondering to himself: "I clearly fell asleep on the grass by the lake; why have I woken up here?" He secretly sensed that the true energy in his dantian was abundant and surging, indicating significant progress, which brought him great joy, yet he was unaware that this was all thanks to the generous assistance of the man in the robe

He appears to be in his early thirties, with a sturdy build and rugged, broad features. He is dressed in a thin, ochre-colored long robe, and despite the chilly spring weather, he does not feel cold at all

The man in the robe did not speak directly about it, but smiled reassuringly and said, "Little brother, do you still feel any discomfort?"

Suddenly, a faint flush appeared on the boy's face, and his body began to tremble slightly. A deep, muffled sound of "thud" resonated from his chest, as if something within was about to explode.

If others might feel a bit angry, Xiao Dan merely smiled silently and closed his mouth

So he is Luo Niu! The young man was taken aback, not realizing that he had inadvertently entered the Luo residence. He felt that the man in the brown robe before him did not quite match the image of the legendary figure from Tianlu; instead, he resembled a kind-hearted and easygoing middle-aged uncle.

However, Xiaodan lay in bed yawning one after another, yet his mind was a chaotic mess, making it impossible for him to fall asleep

In the blink of an eye, it was past midnight. The vast expanse of the sea was silent, both inside and outside the pavilion, with only the distant sound of the night watchman’s bell echoing softly. A man in a long robe sat in a chair, his eyes lowered, resembling an old monk in meditation, utterly still. It seemed that for him, sitting continuously for five or six hours was nothing out of the ordinary.

He carried a person weighing over a hundred pounds, walking steadily ahead, leaving no trace on the snow, as if he were walking effortlessly on a stone path.

Gu Zhi walked over at a leisurely pace, glanced at the boy's face, and a glimmer of brilliance flashed in his eyes as he replied: "Miss, rest assured, this lad possesses exceptional skills; a little snow won't freeze him to death."

As soon as Xiao Hu stepped through the door, he ran inside, shouting loudly: "Dad, Mom—where are you? Come out quickly!"

Reflecting on my own childhood as an orphan, I am grateful that my esteemed teacher took me in, preventing me from falling into the streets to suffer from cold and hunger. I felt a surge of compassion and gently patted the back of the small egg's hand, which was exposed outside the quilt, and comforted, "You rest for now; I will take you to the lakeside after dawn"

Due to the heavy snowfall last night, the snow on the ground nearly reached the calves of passersby, and there were even fewer people near the lake. However, there were seven or eight children of moderate age happily playing on the frozen lake surface, which was as hard as iron, occasionally filled with bursts of cheerful laughter.

The young boy muttered, "I don't have a surname, just call me Little Egg. I was originally waiting by the lake for my godfather, but somehow I fell asleep." He gazed out the window at the sky, no longer speaking.

Gu Zhi smiled wryly and said: "One should not harbor malicious intentions, but one must remain vigilant against the intentions of others. If he truly is a scheming little thief, then it is hardly worth your kindness towards him."

Although he was young, he was quite bold. After a brief moment of daze, he used both hands to clear the snow around his eyes, gradually revealing the face of a boy around sixteen or seventeen years old. Strangely, despite appearing frozen, the boy not only had a normal complexion and slightly parted lips, exhaling a long breath, but his skin also radiated warmth, as if he were in hibernation

Gu Zhi shook his head helplessly, thinking: "This child's heart is as kind and pure as her parents. If no one is there to protect her, who knows how much suffering she will endure in the future. However, given her family background, how many people in the world can afford to provoke her? Perhaps I am overthinking it."

The young girl had already risen a step ahead. Despite her delicate and radiant appearance, seemingly fragile, her silver-white figure swiftly reached the scene of the incident. Upon seeing that a boy was indeed buried in the snow, a hint of urgency appeared on her face as she urged, "Uncle Gu, please think of a way to save him quickly"

Gu Zhidao: "I am not sure either; perhaps it is related to the unique skills he possesses, or he may simply have ulterior motives and ill intentions."

Little Tiger ignored them and turned to call out loudly to the girl sitting under the tree: "Sister, Uncle Gu—hurry over here, there's a living person buried in the snow!"

Gu Zhi shook his head dismissively and said: "What do my trivial skills amount to? Your father's cultivation can truly be called unmatched in this world. As long as you apply yourself diligently, if you can learn even sixty to seventy percent of his abilities, you will benefit for a lifetime"

He sat up and took the bowl of porridge, just as he was about to pick up the chopsticks, he quickly raised his head and said softly: "Thank you"

Little Tiger said: "We certainly cannot let him stay in the snow and freeze. If our parents find out, they will surely blame us for not helping and for going against our moral duty."

A girl of about six or seven years old walked up behind the little tiger and immediately screamed in fright upon seeing the face buried in the snow, bursting into tears. The other children were also taken aback, trembling as they shouted, "There is a dead person!"

The spring mountains stretch far along the river, while the evening clouds linger long beneath the hills. As we part and bid farewell, we often hear the calls of the twin swallows in the wind by the sails. A myriad of flying blossoms fills the view, and when I look back, my old friends are a thousand miles away, as I pour wine to soothe my troubled heart. Before the Returning Wild Goose Peak, the trees shrouded in mist stand tall and green.

As she spoke, the young girl gently pressed the boy's pulse with one hand while taking out a fiery red pill with the other, intending to place it in his mouth. However, the boy's jaw was tightly clenched, and the girl failed twice in her attempts. Gu Zhi snorted, "Is it really that troublesome?" With a pinch of her fingers, she grasped the boy's chin, and the pill was smoothly delivered inside, dissolving instantly; it was truly a top-tier spiritual medicine.

Little Egg shook his head and replied, "No, I was born this way." He couldn't help but yawn again and fell silent.

Luo Niu inquired: "May I ask how to address you, young brother? What brings you to be buried beneath the snow?"

The man in the robe said: "Brother Gu, treating others with sincerity will never be a mistake. I believe this child is not a bad person. Moreover, we have always been open and aboveboard, never having done anything to feel guilty about, so there is no need to fear anything." He pulled up a chair and sat down in front of the low table

Little Tiger felt an unbearable itch from his beard and chuckled, saying: "That's not true, my sister and I saved someone!"

This act naturally resulted in a significant depletion of his vital energy, and among the practitioners of both righteous and demonic paths in the world, who does not regard their own vital energy as a treasure? After all, it is the result of arduous cultivation accumulated over time, and once depleted, it cannot simply be replenished by consuming a couple of ordinary snow mountain ginseng. It is not just a matter of a stranger; even when friends and family are in danger, one must deliberate carefully before making a decision. Yet, this man in the brown robe shows no regard for it, which is indeed remarkable. It is not just a matter of a stranger; even when friends and family are in danger, one must deliberate carefully before making a decision. Yet, this man in the brown robe shows no regard for it, which is indeed remarkable.

Luo Yushan said with a reserved smile: "It's just a bowl of porridge, as long as you like it, young man. There's no need for thanks."

Little Egg held the empty sea bowl for a moment, feeling a bit embarrassed, and asked: "May I have another bowl?"

The man in the coarse clothing smiled gently and said, "If you can be patient, then stay with your father and keep him company."

Tired from sliding, this group of children returned to the shore to build a snowman. The leader was a boy of about seven or eight years old, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, looking quite lively. His cheeks were rosy, resembling two small apples, making him exceptionally adorable

As the crowd hurriedly retreated, a vast expanse of snow-covered ground was revealed. Gu Zhizhuang stood with his feet on the snow, and without any visible effort, a thick white mist gradually rose from beneath his soles, while his feet slowly sank into the snow.

At that moment, a gust of icy cold wind swept in as the door opened, and Luo Yushan entered carrying a bowl of porridge on a plate

Luo Yushan smiled gently, as captivating as a pure and flawless lily in full bloom, and took the empty bowl, saying: "I will fill it right away"

Luo Niu laughed heartily and slapped his forehead, saying: "Look at my memory! Xue Shan, it's fortunate that you still remember the porridge that Old Liu made for us earlier."

Luo Niu asked, "Young brother, is this strange mental technique you practice in your dreams also taught by him?"

He bent down, intending to use his fingers to dig out the two black objects from the snow, but suddenly he was stunned. It turned out that what was exposed beneath the snow was clearly the eyes of a person wide open.

Xiao Dan was taken aback and, in a state of confusion, asked, "Xiao Hei, who is he?"

My godfather will leave a mark if he cannot find me, indicating where he has settled.

Xiao Dan took a small sip and immediately felt that the porridge was extraordinarily delicious, warming his stomach and providing an exceptional sense of comfort. Although cultivators at a certain stage can easily go three to five days without food or drink, he had lain in the snow all night and had been continuously practicing his techniques, resulting in a considerable depletion of his physical strength and energy. Therefore, he no longer hesitated and quickly finished the entire bowl of hot porridge in just a few bites.

Liao Feng could not help but say: "Master, he is merely a little child of unknown origin; why must you personally guard him?"

Luo Niu did not find it offensive; he merely thought that Xiao Dan was unwilling to reveal his cultivation details to a stranger, and inwardly felt that he had been too abrupt in his questioning. With a smile, he said: "Would you like me to invite someone to the lakeside to find your godfather, so he won't be left waiting in vain"

The snow beneath the boy's body made a "hissing" sound, as if a small hill was gradually rising from the ground. In no time, Gu Zhi's feet were completely buried in the snow, and before him stood a snow platform measuring one zhang in length, two chi in width, and three chi in height. As he pressed down on the snow platform, a radiant red light flashed, and the ice and snow melted instantly, revealing the entire form of the boy. Remarkably, the snow supporting him remained completely intact, showing no signs of having diminished.

The man in black, seeing Gu Zhi speak so seriously, also restrained his smile and nodded, saying, "Alright, I will go and invite him right away"

Xiao Dan was taken aback, feeling that in over ten years of wandering the world with his godfather, he had never encountered such a beautiful girl. The moment she pushed the door open, it was as if the light and colors of the room dimmed, concentrating all their brilliance without reservation on the girl dressed in a light blue garment.

Gu Zhigong respectfully bowed and said: "Master, Xiao Hu discovered this young man by the lake under the snow. He appears to be in a deep coma, yet there are no signs of him being frozen, which is quite suspicious. I probed into this child's background and found that his cultivation is quite remarkable, but the path of his true energy is very peculiar, making it difficult to determine whether it is righteous or evil. Miss Xueshan could not bear to see him continue to suffer in the snow, so I brought him back to the manor for your decision."

The man in the robe said: "I just noticed that his vital energy is operating somewhat abnormally; it seems to produce slight tremors and is somewhat stagnant and unstable when it circulates near the Dan Zhong point. I should keep an eye on the situation, just in case something happens, so I can respond in a timely manner. You all go ahead and be busy; it's fine as long as Little Tiger is here with him"

The boy was even more surprised, gently patting the man's cheek and calling out, "Hey, wake up!" However, the other party remained unresponsive, allowing him to continue patting his face without any reaction.

The several children playing nearby were unaware of what had happened and rushed over to ask, "Xiao Hu, what are you doing? Are we still going to build a snowman and play?"

Luo Yushan asked, "Father, according to your estimation, how much longer will this young man need to wake up?"

The young man was indeed blessed by fate, and unbeknownst to him, a master of the celestial and demonic paths was protecting him with all their might. Amidst the dangers, his internal energy circulated through thirty-six major cycles, and finally, it was gradually absorbed into his dantian, along with the power imparted by the man in the brown robe.

Outside the window, the sun sets and the moon rises until the sky is completely dark. The young boy on the couch sleeps soundly, showing no signs of waking. Little Hu, after all, is just a child and can no longer contain his urge to sneak out. During this time, Luo Yushan, Gu Zhi, and others have come by several times, wanting to guard the boy on behalf of the man in the robe, but he has refused their offer.

Luo Niu苦笑着说："Little brother, don't listen to her nonsense. Xiao Hei is a dog we keep in our residence. Xue Shan is just joking around with it, so you mustn't take it to heart."

The young girl smiled lightly, and two small dimples appeared on her jade-like cheeks as she said: "Uncle Gu, I was reminded of the story of Uncle Ding and Aunt Yu by this poem that describes the pain of parting, which made me a bit lost in thought, but it is nothing serious."

The man in the robe withdrew his fingers and said, "I vaguely feel that he seems to be practicing some rare celestial technique, thus completely entering a state of innate self-forgetfulness, unaware of the matters outside himself. Unless he awakens on his own, any intense external interference will only frighten him and lead him to a state of confusion. Alas, this is merely my conjecture and may not necessarily be correct. If Senior Brother Sheng or Brother Ding were here, they would surely discern the intricacies within."

While he was speaking, the man in the dark robe had already placed his two fingers on the youth's right wrist, closing his eyes for a moment. He then asked, "Liao, what do you think of this young man?"

Gu Zhi said: "Er Er, stop messing around with Xiao Hu. This child is a bit peculiar. I will take him to 'Hai Kuo Xuan', you hurry and invite the owner over."

Little Egg stopped contentedly after drinking six bowls of porridge in one go, wiping the sweat that had emerged on his forehead with his dirty sleeve, and blushingly said, "I hope I haven't eaten too much"

Xiao Dan finds it somewhat strange that Uncle Luo, who once led the demonic sect and swept across the land, is now living in seclusion at Tianlei Mountain Villa and shows such care and consideration for him. Could it be that he has discerned something?

At this moment, the rooster crowed five times outside the window. The man in the coarse robe withdrew his left hand and felt the pulse of the young man for a while, confirming that he had passed the danger and would soon awaken. He then let out a long breath and sat back down in the empty chair in front of the couch

The young boy shook his head and asked, "Where is this? Did you bring me from the lakeside to this house, uncle?"

Gu Zhi hurriedly carried the young boy through the corridor and over the bridge into Hai Kuo Xuan, placing him on the soft couch in the side room. The young Hu siblings busily helped him remove his boots and outer garment, then covered him with a quilt. The man in black had already led the male head of the Luo family to the scene.

The man in the coarse clothing shook his head and said, "I can't say for sure either, so let's just let him sleep here for now. Brother Gu, could you please find someone to go to the street and buy two sets of well-fitting clothes, socks, and boots for him? He hasn't changed or washed this outfit in probably two or three months, and the tips of his boots are worn through with holes." After thinking for a moment, he instructed, "Xueshan, have Old Liu from the kitchen prepare a pot of light congee and keep it warm on the stove. As soon as he wakes up, bring it to him immediately."

The young girl released the boy's pulse and exclaimed, "Uncle Gu, the way the vital energy circulates within this body is truly strange and unlike anything in the books. Have you encountered this before?"

Regarding Xiao Hu's parents, Gu Zhi sighed and said, "You little rascal, always like to use the master and mistress to pressure me." He took a step forward, standing above the boy buried under the snow, and sternly commanded, "Clear a space of six feet!"

The man with the surname Gu let out an "oh" and sighed softly, falling silent. He and another brother, Liao Feng, originally hailed from the Southern Wilderness and were notorious figures. In those years, whenever the name "Bie Yun Wu Ding" was mentioned, people from the Immortal Forest would turn pale with fear. Later, as the other three Ding fell one after another in battle, Gu Zhi and Liao Feng were betrayed by their former master in a time of crisis. Fortunately, the father of a young girl, who bore no grudge against them, came to their aid, allowing them to escape death. Thereafter, the two remained loyal, following their new master into countless battles across the south and north, their relationship transcending that of master and servant to become akin to brothers, until they finally settled down at Tianlei Mountain Villa over a decade ago.

A group of children was filled with joyful laughter, and Little Tiger, with a face full of envy, said: "Uncle Gu, your skills are truly impressive!"

Luo Niu and his daughter watched as Xiao Dan devoured his food with a loud "hulu hulu". Instead of being put off by his messy eating, they felt a deep sense of satisfaction and quietly accompanied him with smiles.

He was subtly reminding the two siblings that this person had an unclear background and it would be best not to get involved, to avoid unnecessary trouble. Unfortunately, things did not go as hoped, as the young girl still said: "Uncle Gu, please carry him back to the manor so that Father can take a look. Perhaps he has indeed suffered some rare internal injury that we have not noticed."

Apart from the fur cloak draped over her shoulders, the young girl’s attire is quite simple. The pair of red embroidered shoes with blue borders that adorn her lotus-like feet were also crafted by her own hands, stitch by stitch. Her black hair flows like clouds, her skin is fairer than snow, and especially her pair of crystal-clear, innocent eyes, which contain a hint of wistfulness, captivate the heart.

Gu Zhi shook his head and replied: "This fellow's cultivation is both righteous and evil, quite peculiar, somewhat similar to your Uncle Ding San."

Luo Yushan, with her beautiful eyes flowing like waves, tilted her head and thought for a moment, then said: "Not much, compared to our little Hei, this is nothing."

Gu Zhi carried the young boy into the inner courtyard, winding through several turns until they arrived at a modest residence marked by a plaque reading "Luo Mansion." The main door stood wide open, with only an old steward sitting on a chair at the threshold, drowsily watching the entrance. Nearby, a few children lay on the ground playing marbles, making a racket, with no adults in sight to supervise them.

Although the two individuals he mentioned are both renowned top experts in the world, sharing the same master and having a deep friendship, expressing a sense of lamentation about their own lack of insight in front of their children and servants seemed extremely natural. It was evident that he felt there was nothing to be ashamed of as long as he was speaking the truth.

The man in the robe said: "This is my home. My two children found your little brother collapsed in the snow while playing outside, and brought you here. By the way, my surname is Luo, so you can call me Uncle Luo."

The man in the robe sprang up almost instantaneously, his speed astonishing. He reached out to press on the boy's pulse point, and his left index finger promptly tapped on the center of the chest. A powerful and unmatched surge of true energy flowed in, causing the boy to unconsciously let out a low hum as he regained his composure

Liao Feng glanced at Gu Zhi and replied, "According to what Brother Gu said, this child is indeed suspicious. It would be better for us to take him in first and have someone closely monitor him. We can make a decision after questioning him thoroughly once he wakes up."

Perhaps deeply enchanted by this moving farewell poem, a faint trace of sorrow inevitably arises between the ethereal and delicate brows of the young girl, as she lowers her head, lost in thought, gazing silently at the lines of poetry

He searched and searched, and suddenly discovered two shiny objects protruding from the snow several zhang away, their size and shape just right. The boy was overjoyed; without needing a sled, he lightly tapped his toes on the snow and leaped forward, revealing an impressive leaping technique in the process.

After several hundred years of accumulation and expansion, Thunder Mountain Manor now covers nearly 8,000 acres, with a population exceeding 10,000, making it as prosperous as a small mountain city. The manor's owner, Lei Peng, is a prominent figure in the demonic path of Hanzhou, commanding respect even from the righteous sects, who must show him a degree of deference; trivial matters are not enough to summon his attention.

A melodious chant, akin to heavenly music, emanated from beneath the trees by the lakeside, resonating like a gentle spring breeze over the still ice-bound expanse of pristine white snow. There sat a young girl, dressed in a silver-white fur cloak, leaning against a square stone cushioned with soft animal hides, softly reciting verses from a collection of poems.

The sound of the flute fades, the flame of the lamp is short, and the fragrance of horse hooves lingers. Floating clouds and flying willow catkins, my shadow heads towards the Xiao and Xiang rivers. How many moments under the wind and moon, winding to the ends of the earth and sea, even the dreams of the soul are desolate. Once again, spring is nearing its end, and I am speechless before the slanting sun

In the second month of the eleventh year of the Zheng Tai era, the world was at peace, coinciding with a prosperous age. The Tianlei Mountain Villa, located in the Jishi Mountain of the northwest Han Prefecture, always welcomed spring late each year. While spring buds had already burst forth in vibrant green and all things were renewed thousands of miles away in the south, the lakeside outside the villa remained cloaked in silver, devoid of any hint of spring.

In a short while, the snowman was built, but it lacked eyes and a nose, making it look somewhat incomplete. It would be perfect if there were two black coal balls and half a carrot. The boy was exhaling large puffs of white mist from his mouth, his round eyes wide open as he searched the snowy ground, hoping to find something that could serve as a substitute.

The man in black did not take it seriously and continued to tease, saying: "Oh really? Then let me see whether this person is male or female. If it's a little girl, she would be a perfect match for our little Tiger."

It is no wonder that he would be so shocked. More than thirty years ago, Luo Niu was a direct disciple of the esteemed Master Dan Yan of the Cui Xia Sect, who was renowned as a leader of the righteous path. Later, due to a misunderstanding, he was thought to be the legitimate son of the former leader of the demonic sect, Yu Yi Nong, and was thus rejected by the righteous community. Master Dan Yan sacrificed himself to save him. However, Luo Niu turned misfortune into fortune, not only comprehending the secrets of the latter volume of the "Tao of Heaven," which countless people yearned for, but also rising to become the leader of the demonic sect. When the truth was finally revealed, it became clear that he was not the offspring of Yu Yi Nong, and Luo Niu naturally resigned from his position as leader, retreating to Tian Lei Mountain Manor, and so more than ten years passed in a blur.

Luo Niu rose and said, "Little brother, you should rest a bit longer. If you need anything, just let me know." After saying this, he helped him lie down and covered him with the quilt before exiting the room with Luo Yushan, gently closing the door behind them

Gu Zhi felt quite disapproving in his heart, but he understood that it was his master's usual style, which was difficult to argue against, so he nodded in agreement.

Luo Niu thought to himself: "This child keeps mentioning his godfather, so his biological parents must not be around. At such a young age, being left alone and wandering here is truly pitiful"

Just as he reached the living room door, a middle-aged man in black was walking out. Upon seeing Little Tiger, he picked him up and affectionately smiled, his stubbly beard prickling the boy's rosy cheeks, saying: "Little Tiger, rushing around to find your parents, have you gotten into some trouble outside again, causing someone to come knocking at the door?"

He did not voice his concerns, but instead picked up the young man and said, "Let's go, we are heading back to the village."

Suddenly, the boy blinked his wide-open eyes and exhaled a mouthful of murky deep red mist, coming to his senses.

Little Tiger curiously asked, "Then why did he sleep soundly in the snow, and even get buried by the heavy snowfall?"

After a moment, the vital energy flowing through the youth's meridians once again surged into the chest's Dan Zhong point, suddenly erupting with an even more intense muffled sound than before, as a faint, reddish mist emanated from his body.

Behind her stood a middle-aged man with a fierce expression and a spirited demeanor, whose eyes occasionally flashed with a chilling light. Noticing the young girl lost in thought, he could not help but advise, "Miss, the poetry of scholars and literati is nothing but nonsensical drivel, unworthy of your attention. If it causes you distress, it is even less worth your concern."