The three moons hung bright in the night sky, their pale glow scattered among countless glittering stars.
Ye Kaishan rose slowly from the ground, his body covered in dirt and sweat, every muscle aching from practice. He glanced at himself, "First, I should cleanse myself."
With sluggish steps, he made his way toward the bathhouse.
Steam thickened in the air as he entered, stripping off his dirt-stained clothes before lowering himself into the hot tub.
Shoo— the sound of water rippled as he sank deeper, a long breath escaping his lips. "After training, a bath is what one truly needs." Closing his eyes, he allowed the heat to seep into his weary body.
His thoughts shifted inward. Let's check on my space-time tree.
His consciousness sank into his inner world—the vast sea of his soul—where a great tree stood rooted deep.
Its dark-blue and emerald-green leaves flourished in abundance, exuding a faint radiance. Among the branches of the darker leaves, a single golden bud glimmered faintly.
Ye Kaishan sat cross-legged before the tree. Space and time laws rippled gently around him, weaving currents of strange order.
"Looks like I still need to find some space-related treasures for the tree to absorb," he murmured. Curiously, he reached out to poke the golden bud.
It trembled once, a brief flicker of brilliance… then settled into silence.
His brows furrowed. "Is it because I'm still too weak?"
He studied the bud for a moment longer, then exhaled.
"No use forcing it. I'll figure it out later." With that, his consciousness returned to his body. Leaning back in the warm water, he allowed himself to relax.
Half an hour later, freshly dressed in clean robes,
Ye Kaishan stepped out into the courtyard. The manor was wrapped in silence. A cool breeze stirred the grass, carrying the chorus of night insects. Without Song Tao around, the courtyard felt strangely empty.
He yawned, stretching his arms lazily. "It's already late. I should sleep." His steps carried him toward the manor, though a soft sigh escaped his lips. "But Song Wu is sleeping with Song Yan… looks like
I'll have to find another room."
Just then, his eyes caught a figure sitting on the ground in front of the courtyard. His expression sharpened. "Hmm? Who's there?"
He approached cautiously, then blinked. "Jiang Mu?"
The boy turned at the sound of his voice, surprise flickering in his eyes. "Brother Ye? You're awake?"
"Yes. But why are you out here?" Ye Kaishan sat down beside him, brow furrowed. "Don't tell me Song Wu ordered you to guard the courtyard."
"Haha, no, Brother Ye. That's not it." Jiang Mu shook his head with a laugh. "I just… wanted to look at the moon." His gaze drifted upward, the three luminous orbs reflected in his wide eyes.
"It all feels too unreal," he continued softly. "This morning, I was still living with my sister as always… but now, I've joined the Song family." His voice lowered, carrying a faint tremor. "To be honest, I didn't want to leave her alone. I never did."
Memories clouded his expression, until a spark of determination reignited in his eyes. "But after the trial, I understood—I can't remain weak.
At the very least, I must have the strength to protect myself… and my loved ones. Sister has fought so hard for me already. Now, it's my turn. I'll become strong, strong enough to protect her… and everyone close to me."
Ye Kaishan studied the boy quietly, then let out a faint laugh. "Protect, huh?" His lips curled into a wry smile. "I wonder who will end up protecting whom when you meet her next time."
He leaned back, glancing at Jiang Mu with a softer expression. Still, this kid… he thinks like a grown man already. Perhaps it isn't such a bad thing that he became her companion. At least he's more sensible than she is.
His gaze followed the moonlight above, lost in quiet thought.
After some time passed, Ye Kaishan rose to his feet. "I'm heading inside. You should also rest. It's late."
"I will, after a little while," Jiang Mu replied, eyes fixed on the distant stars scattered across the endless night.
Inside the Song Manor, shadows filled the quiet halls. Ye Kaishan sighed as he looked around. "Now where should I sleep? There's only one bedroom."
He rubbed his temples helplessly. "Tch… it can't be helped. I'll just sleep here in the hall."
Dropping into a chair, he propped his legs up on the table, and before long, his eyelids grew heavy. Slowly, he drifted into sleep.
Dawn arrived. The sun rose from the horizon with its twilight army, driving away the night's darkness. Rays of gold spread across the courtyard, filling the manor with fresh warmth.
At the table, Song Yan, Song Wu, and Jiang Mu were already gathered.
"Sister, where is he? It's getting late," Song Wu frowned, her impatience clear. "We should depart. He can follow after."
"Are you talking about me?"
A ripple split the air as Ye Kaishan stepped out from the void, a faint smile playing on his lips as he took a seat at the table.
"See? He's here." Song Yan's calm tone settled the moment.
"Snort!" Song Wu turned her head away in irritation.
Ye Kaishan stretched lazily. "Since everyone's here, we should depart to the Song Clan."
"Yes," Song Yan nodded. "It's already late." With a flick of her wrist, her sword appeared, magnifying until it loomed several meters long. She leapt onto it, followed closely by Ye Kaishan, Song Wu, and Jiang Mu.
The blade gleamed beneath the morning sun before shooting into the skies, vanishing into the clouds with tremendous speed.
Three days later.
The endless forest below stretched like a sea of green, boundless in every direction. At last, the massive gates of the Song Clan appeared in the distance.
The sword descended within the clan grounds, drawing the attention of disciples as it landed. Song Wu leapt down first, her curious gaze drawn toward the martial stage ahead.
A fierce battle raged there. Two opponents clashed, blades ringing against one another, the stage trembling under their force.
High on the platform, Song Mian and several elders observed, Beside them rested two unknown figures dressed in snow-white robes—their aura serene, cold, and unfathomable, like untouched frost upon a distant peak, making them stand apart from the rest of the gathering.
Song Yan and Ye Kaishan's eyes also shifted toward the duel.
In the next instant, a chilling sound echoed—crack!
The entire martial stage froze solid, covered in thick frost. One girl collapsed to her knees, her sword trapped within a prison of ice.
Before her stood another girl, serene as falling snow. A snowflake mark adorned her forehead, her long white hair flowing like winter winds. Sword in hand,
she placed the blade lightly upon her opponent's shoulder, her calm expression unshaken as though the fight had been nothing more than a trivial exercise.
"The winner—Song Ning!"
The declaration rang out.
Song Ning lowered her sword and turned away without a word. She stepped off the stage and walked straight toward the white-haired boy waiting below, her figure graceful and cold.
The crowd erupted with hushed murmurs.
"It's Her tenth consecutive victory…""She hasn't even broken a sweat!"
"It's clear—the Soul Snow Palace has already chosen."
The disciples' voices buzzed with awe and envy.
Ye Kaishan narrowed his eyes. "So… they're from Soul Snow Palace?" His gaze drifted toward the man and woman in white beside Elder Song Mian.
"Elder Song Mian spoke about them before we left Mistveil Town," he thought quietly, studying the pair with growing curiosity.
The woman wore a flowing white gown, her gray eyes serene and untouched by worldly concerns. Beside her, a man stood in a deep blue robe, his black hair falling neatly across his shoulders, and eyes as dark as night, giving him a youthful appearance, perhaps no older than his twenties.
Ye Kaishan briefly glanced at Song Yan, She had an unusual calmness, her expression composed yet speaking volumes without a single word. He then returned his attention to the stage.
Suddenly, the woman's lips parted, her eyes locking onto Song Ning. "I will take that girl," she said, each word carrying the biting chill of frost, cold and unwavering.
Song Mian remained silent, as if he had anticipated this all along. Without a word, he called for Song Ning and her dao companion.
Amidst the crowd, Song Ning made her way toward the high platform.
"Song Ning," the woman said, her voice calm but authoritative,
"you have been selected for the Soul Snow Palace." She looked briefly at Song Ning's companion before continuing, "You must follow them and cultivate diligently. Do not let the Song family down."
"I will," Song Ning replied calmly, clasping her hands together in respect toward Song Mian.
Song Ning and her companion approached the seated woman and man, bowing respectfully and clasping their hands.
The woman nodded, rising gracefully. "If there is nothing else, we will depart shortly. We still have many clans to visit," she said to Song Mian, her voice calm yet carrying a subtle frost-like authority.
"Then we will not delay you further. The Song Clan thanks you for granting our disciple such fortune." Song Mian replied politely, bowing slightly.
The woman's gaze swept across the courtyard, taking in the Song Clan's bustling disciples and the fading twilight.
Then, with a flick of her wrist, she tossed a small boat into the air. It shimmered for a moment before expanding, the name Snow Palace engraved upon its side glowing with a pale, ethereal light.
A soft wind stirred through the courtyard, carrying the scent of pine and the distant hum of the city.
The boat's glow intensified, and a beam of radiant light shot upward, enveloping Song Ning and her companion.
They rose effortlessly, the light wrapping around them like a gentle yet unstoppable current, lifting them toward the waiting vessel.
For a fleeting moment, Song Ning's gaze returned to the Song Clan.
Her eyes met Song Yan's, the quiet calm between them conveying unspoken Words. Then, with a determined breath, she turned fully toward the boat, ready to embark on her new path.
The courtyard fell silent in her wake, disciples whispering in awe as the light carried them higher, the last rays of sunset spilling across the walls and rooftops, gilding the moment with a fleeting, golden serenity.