"Are we finished?"
Two black peaks stood proudly over the snow-white plains, like two sharp swords aimed at the heavens. Each peak had a person sitting in front of it, one male and one female. Everything the female wore—from the eye-blindingly white dress, the silk ribbon tied in her long hair, the sheath of the longsword in her lap, and even the sword handle itself—was white. Only her full head of black hair broke from the otherwise pure-white theme. It was none other than the Foundation Stage elite of the Xiao clan—Xiao Xue.
To Xiao Xue's left was the male, who was sitting cross-legged and as unmoving as a statue. His physique was large, with long, slender eyes and a tall nose, giving him a perceptive and resolute impression even at a single glance. He wore a bright yellow robe embroidered with a four-clawed dragon brandishing its claws and fangs, while his hair was neatly tied up with a golden crown adorning it. It was none other than the Foundation Stage prince, Chu Huang.
These two Foundation Stage elites had also come for apprenticeship. Each of them sat in front of a black peak apiece like two guardians of the sole entrance: a small path between them that led behind the peaks.
Three hundred or so feet behind the pair, a group of people could be seen beneath the peaks. They were the servants of all the young elites from earlier, and all of them were gathered to wait for the return of their young masters from the trial grounds. They hadn't expected that after waiting for nearly an entire day, the first to show up would be this male and female duo leading a large group of spirit beasts with them, which caused a commotion among the servants.
"Which clan do those two belong to?"
"Mm, seems to be from the Bohai Kingdom. How did they pass through the trial grounds first?"
"Look at how many spirit beasts are behind them. Did they borrow the powers of these spirit beasts?"
"Is that even allowed? Didn't they say they had to use their own power?"
Everyone speculated on the matter, but none of them dared to actually go up and ask. They knew that until the pair managed to get past the two Foundation Stage cultivators standing guard, the trial wasn't finished yet—there was still much to see.
"Why are those two here?" Fang Xing muttered to himself before jumping off the Snow Jiao Serpent alongside Ying Qiaoqiao. He dismissed the spirit beasts with a wave of his hand before he and Ying Qiaoqiao began to walk towards the two guardians.
"You are the first to pass the trial, but there is one more obstacle to face—the two of us," Xiao Xue calmly spoke when she heard the pair's footsteps, her eyes slowly opening. "Clearing this hurdle is very simple: we will attack you without using our Foundation Stage power, and as long as you are able to take three of our strikes, you will be allowed to enter the depths of the Snowy Mountain. If, however, you are unable to take them, you and your servants shall return home."
Fang Xing was a little surprised by this and exchanged a glance with Ying Qiaoqiao, who was similarly caught off guard. They believed they'd passed already and weren't expecting to have to take three strikes from a Foundation Stage cultivator on top of everything else they'd done.
"Haha, I merely walked alongside her because of how timid she is. I don't have to do this final stage!" Fang Xing laughed and looked towards Ying Qiaoqiao, while he himself prepared to move to the sidelines. Ying Qiaoqiao looked back at him with a glance, to which he smiled and continued, "Do your best! I—your little uncle—am placing all my hopes on you to enter the Melodic Ice Palace!"
These words were the truth. Fang Xing had put forward all of his effort along the journey to ensure this girl made it into the Melodic Ice Palace. Now that the trial grounds themselves were completed, success was merely a few steps ahead and he naturally didn't want any unpleasant surprises.
Ying Qiaoqiao nodded when she heard his words. "You can rest assured, Big Brother Xiao Jiu." She then picked up her courage and began to walk forward.
At that moment, Xiao Xue looked at Fang Xing and calmly asked, "Are you certain you wish to give up on this chance? We have been tasked with testing whosoever manages to walk out of the trial grounds. If they are able to handle three strikes from us, they will be able to enter the Snowy Mountain directly so they can have a chance at the grand opportunity. Since you have walked out of the trial grounds, you are also qualified for this."
Fang Xing was a little surprised to hear this and pointed to himself in confusion. "But I didn't receive a Black Ice Order…."
Xiao Xue showed a faint smile. "The order had to be viewed to be allowed into the valley, nothing else. Now that you're in the Snowy Mountain, there is no need to see it!"
Ying Qiaoqio's eyes lit up as she tugged on Fang Xing's sleeve. "That is great news, Big Brother Xiao Jiu! If you are able to take three strikes from her, doesn't that mean you'll be able to join the Melodic Ice Palace with me?"
Fang Xing considered this. He wasn't worried about not being able to endure three of their strikes, he was actually more worried about whether or not they'd see through his actual cultivation level in the process. With a quick thought, however, he decided that if this woman didn't use her Foundation Stage power, then it was possible he wouldn't have to reveal his cultivation level either to endure them. Deciding to accept the proposal, he turned to Ying Qiaoqiao and said, "Ok then. I shall take three strikes from her first to scout the path for you!" With that, he walked forward until he was three feet away from the woman and cupped his hands in front of his chest. "Let's begin!"
Xiao Xue expressionlessly replied, "You can use any weapons, techniques, or spirit tools you wish. No matter how, if you can take these three strikes from me and remain standing, you will have successfully passed this stage. You will then have a chance at the grand opportunity at the end of this Snowy Mountain's depths."
Fang Xing smirked. "Be gentle, then!"
A smile swept across Xiao Xue's face as she grew silent. With a quick fleeting moment of thought, she pressed her hand towards Fang Xing. Her palm was sparkling and pure, the movement as though belonging to a goddess—as though it no longer belonged to the human realm. As the palm strike stretched forward, its force covered a full three feet out to either side. It was nothing more than a single palm, yet after it struck out, her hand disappeared and the only thing that could be felt in the surrounding air was its power. It brought with it the sensation of being unable to escape or block—of inevitability.
'This chick really does seem to have some tricks. If she were to use her Foundation Stage powers, this attack would be ten times more terrifying!' Fang Xing was actually a little moved by this and became serious. 'Since it can't be blocked, I—your grandpa—won't block it. Watch me leave you with a black eye….'
Although Xiao Xue's attack was brilliant in its technique, Fang Xing was someone who'd gone through all sorts of trying moments. When he saw this blow was difficult to defend against, he tightened his jaw, took a step forward, and drew back his fist like drawing the string of a bow. With a swoosh, he suddenly sent it flying towards Xiao Xue's snow-white face, the strength in his fist causing a whirlwind as it shot out like an arrow, heavy and unyielding. If it could be said Xiao Xue's palm was so wondrous and brilliant as to defy description, then Fang Xing's fist was simple and straightforward—brutal and effective.
Even Xiao Xue opened her eyes wide and felt a sense of panic when she saw that menacing fist come towards her. In the face of such a blow, there didn't seem to be any method of dealing with it except to either retreat or use her Foundation Stage powers. With a quick movement of her spirit sense, the palm she'd sent out earlier immediately returned to envelop the power Fang Xing had sent out.
BOOM
Fang Xing's palm halted in the air less than ten inches from her face.
Xiao Xue's gaze chilled slightly. "Second strike!" Her fingers pointed like a sword towards the center of Fang Xing's brows before she struck forward like lightning.
Fang Xing raised both of his hands and activated Levitation. The Qi in front of him turned into narrow streams, coiling over Xiao Xue's arms like a million threads. By the time her powerful second strike was completed, he'd already hopped over four feet away and the fingers themselves were no longer able to reach him. This second strike was Xiao Xue being brutal and straightforward instead.
Xiao Xue's interest seemed to grow when she saw what had just happened. She casually held up the white jade longsword that had been placed horizontally over her lap, and then—without removing the blade from its sheath—she struck out directly towards Fang Xing. As the attack drew forward, it seemed to have a consciousness of its own as it locked on its target, as though no matter where Fang Xing wanted to hide, he wouldn't be able to avoid the fate of meeting his end through this sword.
This time, Fang Xing didn't even try to escape. Instead, he took out the single-legged-man lance from his back and thrust it towards Xiao Xue's white jade longsword with his full strength. Fang Xing's physique was incredible, and he had a monstrous amount of strength; even though he didn't use any of his Foundation Stage power, the power contained within this blow was so massive that it felt as though it was enough to crack mountains and sunder the earth.
Xiao Xue was a bit startled by this. The longsword tapped against the point two-thirds of the way down the lance before she flew back towards the jade platform, seating herself down and growing still.
Fang Xing had originally intended to fight head-on with this woman and use this strike to knock the longsword out of her hand. He believed this woman's strength wouldn't be enough to stop him as long as she didn't use her Foundation Stage powers, but he hadn't anticipated that this woman's sword techniques were so brilliant she only needed to shift the sword slightly to tap at the weakest point of his statue lance, which had actually forced him to take a few steps back.
In terms of technique, Xiao Xue was the certain victor. Based on her rules, however, he had already survived the three strikes, so it was counted as his win.
"These last three strikes were to determine how well you'd do in battle. From the looks of it, you have gone through a great number of battles by now, and I wouldn't even dare say I was stronger in Spirit Stage than you are right now. I am very curious about you now; I hope that after you form your foundation, you will come and fight a battle with me. Regardless of victory or defeat, I—Xiao Xue—would like to have you as a friend."
Although Xiao Xue spoke in a calm manner, Fang Xing could somewhat feel a trace of excitement just beneath the woman's exterior. It was the same excitement as a wine collector who'd just chanced upon a rare bottle, or a gourmet who'd just seen a fine cuisine….
'Dammit, this harlot must have taken a fancy to me….' Fang Xing secretly lamented to himself while displaying a smile on the surface. "Have I passed through this stage?"
Xiao Xue nodded before gesturing lightly behind her. "Of course. You may enter the depths of the Snowy Mountain!"
Overjoyed, Fang Xing cupped his hands in gratitude towards Xiao Xue before waving towards Ying Qiaoqiao. "It's your turn now. Quick, come!"
Ying Qiaoqiao walked up with excitement as well before whispering, "Was it easy?"
"I don't think it was too difficult, but you have to be a bit more vicious…" Fang Xing quietly recounted the experience he'd gained from receiving those three strikes, which left Xiao Xue a bit speechless.
Ying Qiaoqiao took Fang Xing's words to heart. She gathered a bit more confidence before lightly moving in front of Xiao Xue. She slowly bowed before politely asking, "Big sister, is it my turn now?"
Before Xiao Xue was able to answer, Prince Chau Huang's half-closed eyes suddenly opened.. "It's my turn," he declared in a soft voice.
Xiao Xue let out a light sigh. "Indeed, it is his turn now."
"Oh…." Seeing this, Ying Qiaoqiao could only walk towards Prince Chu Huang to give another polite bow. "It is my pleasure, Your Majesty…."
Prince Chu Huang's cold gaze landed squarely on her face. "You're that girl from the Bohai Kingdom's Myriad Beasts Sect?" he abruptly asked.
Ying Qiaoqiao nodded with a bit of surprise. "Yes, that is me!"
"Based on your cultivation level, you shouldn't have passed the trial grounds so quickly. How did you do it?" Prince Chu Huang sternly asked. His voice was awe-inspiring but indifferent, without a single strand of emotion.