The cold deepened as Haotian pressed farther north. Snow swirled around him in endless sheets, but his Eyes of the Universe pierced the veil. He scanned ridge after ridge, valley after valley—until a sudden flare of light froze him mid-step.
There, at the base of a jagged canyon, qi surged so densely it shimmered like starlight. The ground itself glowed faint blue, mist curling upward like incense smoke.
Haotian descended.
What lay before him took his breath.
A spring, crystalline and clear, carved into the ice by forces older than memory. Its waters glowed with yin qi so pure that the air around it froze solid, creating pillars of clear ice like sacred jade. The pool stretched wide, still and glassy, as though untouched by mortal hands. From its depths radiated a pressure that pressed against his chest like the weight of the sea.
At its heart pulsed a faint light—the Cold Spring Source Crystal.
Haotian's lips curved faintly.
"Perfect."
He removed his outer robe, binding it with qi, and stepped into the water.
The cold hit instantly. It wasn't merely cold—it was annihilation. Like thousands of knives piercing his flesh, like marrow shattering within his bones. His skin cracked in thin lines, blood seeping out only to freeze against his body. His muscles tore and veins bulged, his face paling as the water consumed him.
Still, he pressed deeper.
Bubbles slipped from his lips as his spear flashed faintly in the dark. His meridians screamed, chi thrumming to resist the pressure.
Then—movement.
From the shadows below, scales flashed.
A shape surged upward—sleek, massive, covered in translucent ice-armor. Its eyes glowed pale blue, its body longer than ten men, tail lashing with enough force to split stone. A Fish Beast, its aura at the peak of Dao Comprehension, and this pool was its domain.
Its jaws opened, releasing a roar that vibrated through the water like thunder.
The beast charged.
Haotian twisted, Cloudveil Steps shifting his form even underwater. The spear whirled in his hands, lightning arcs trailing as he struck against the beast's snout. The impact cracked the water itself, sending shockwaves through the pool.
The Fish Beast thrashed, tail whipping like a guillotine. Haotian blocked, but the force smashed him into the canyon wall. Blood burst from his mouth, crimson threads vanishing into the water.
His grip tightened.
"You guard the Source Crystal? Then you fall with it."
He gathered his qi, spear-tip glowing like a star beneath the waves. The light expanded, cutting through the darkness.
Voidpierce Spear — Third Form.
The water split.
His strike shot forward, piercing scales, flesh, and spirit. The Fish Beast shrieked, its body writhing as lightning consumed it from within. The water boiled, clouds of bubbles bursting around them as its form went limp.
Silence returned.
Haotian floated, chest heaving, blood seeping from his nose and ears. His body trembled, but his eyes remained fixed on the glowing heart of the spring. He pushed forward, hand outstretched.
His fingers closed around the Source Crystal—a perfect prism of ice, humming with yin power. The instant he touched it, the spring roared, waves spiraling around him. His meridians flared, but he forced the crystal into his ring.
The pressure vanished.
The spring stilled, its light dimming, leaving only Haotian drifting in the silent depths.
He kicked upward, breaking the surface with a gasp. Cold mist rolled across the canyon as he pulled himself free, his body dripping frozen water. He exhaled long, blood sliding from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes shone with quiet triumph.
"Another treasure."
He dressed again, spear resting at his back, and leapt into the sky.
The hunt continued.
The northern air grew heavier with each step, but Haotian pressed onward, his Eyes of the Universe piercing through snow and ice.
At last, he stopped.
Below, at the base of a jagged canyon, qi shimmered like starlight. A spring, crystalline and clear, pulsed with yin energy so dense the mist froze midair, forming pillars of translucent ice.
At its center glowed the Cold Spring Source Crystal.
Haotian's lips curved faintly."Perfect."
He stripped his outer robe, binding it with qi, and slid into the water.
Instantly, agony.
The cold wasn't merely cold—it was annihilation, shredding flesh, burrowing into bone. His veins bulged, muscles tearing, skin cracking into fine fissures that leaked blood only to freeze against him.
Still, he pressed deeper, spear steady in his grip.
From the shadows, something stirred.
A shape lunged upward—sleek, massive, armored in translucent scales that gleamed like glass. Its pale eyes burned, its body easily longer than ten men. A Fish Beast, its aura at the peak of Dao Comprehension, and this pool its domain.
It roared, the sound vibrating through the water like thunder.
The beast shot forward.
Haotian twisted, Cloudveil Steps shifting his form even in the water. The spear snapped out, clashing against the beast's snout. The shockwave cracked the water itself, churning the spring.
The beast lashed its tail. The strike smashed into him, slamming him against the canyon wall. Blood burst from his mouth, crimson threads dispersing into the water.
His grip tightened.
"You guard the Source Crystal?" His voice echoed in his heart, steady despite the pain. "Then you fall with it."
He raised his spear. Lightning arced faintly along the shaft as his aura gathered.
Ninefold Thrust.
The first strike split the water.The second cracked scale.The third tore flesh.Each thrust faster, sharper—blow upon blow, the spear leaving trails of light as it stabbed relentlessly into the beast's body.
By the seventh, the spring boiled with qi shockwaves.By the ninth, the beast shrieked—its body convulsing, scales shattering like glass, blood dispersing into the water in a crimson storm.
The Fish Beast's struggles ceased, its massive body floating limp in the depths.
Haotian's chest heaved, blood streaming from his nose and ears. His muscles writhed with torn fibers, but he forced himself forward. His hand closed around the Source Crystal, a prism of cold light that hummed with ancient yin qi.
The spring roared once more, but with the beast slain, it had no power to resist. Haotian sealed the crystal into his ring, the pressure vanishing in an instant.
Breaking the surface, he gasped for air, droplets of icy water rolling from his hair and robes. Blood streaked his face, but his eyes burned bright.
"Another treasure."
He dressed quickly, steadied his breathing, and leapt skyward. The hunt was not yet done.
High above the frozen lands, Haotian slowed, the clouds swirling around him as he glanced at the seven rings on his fingers. One by one, he inspected the treasures sealed within—
The Frost Lotus Tree, roots still pulsing with yin qi.The Hundred-Thousand-Year Frost Ginseng, coiled like a sleeping dragon.The Cold Spring Source Crystal, glowing with primal purity.The Crystal Frost Vein, an entire canyon's worth of stones, now his alone.The three Frost Falcon eggs, wrapped in protective seals.And thousands of herbs, rare and uncommon, filling every corner of his storage.
He exhaled slowly, lips curling into the faintest smile."With this, the Moon Lotus Sect will stand unshaken. Even Sect Master Yin Xue will be forced to admit the heavens themselves favor us."
As he streaked southward, he imagined their faces—the awe of the disciples, the quiet pride of Elder Bai, even the satisfaction in Sect Master Yinxue's eyes. When he revealed the Frost Wolf's death, the Source Crystal, the countless treasures… surely the sect would erupt with joy.
He chuckled softly, his aura dancing around him as he quickened his pace."Yes… they will be delighted."
But back in the Moon Lotus Sect, there was no delight.
The grand courtyards, usually alive with cultivation, were listless. Disciples sat slumped against pillars, training grounds lay empty, chores went undone. Even the radiant gardens seemed dimmer, petals drooping as though sharing their sorrow.
Everywhere Haotian's name lingered, whispered with despair."He's gone…""He left us…""He didn't even say goodbye properly…"
Some disciples wept openly, clutching their robes. Others stared blankly, unable to focus. Even the most diligent could not gather the strength to train. A strange, lifeless stillness blanketed the sect.
On the high dais of the council hall, Sect Master Yinxue stood with her arms folded, her gaze cold but heavy with fatigue. She surveyed her disciples, once spirited, now hollow shells of themselves.
The weight of it pressed against her chest.All this… because of one man's presence.
At her side lay a folded slip of paper, Haotian's handwriting scrawled boldly across it:
Be right back.
She had read it countless times, her expression unmoving. None of the disciples had thought to unfold it fully—none cared to. The words, cruelly simple, were wound into their hearts like a blade.
Yinxue sighed, her voice carrying across the square."From this day forward, no men shall be allowed to enter this sect."
A murmur of shock rippled through the elders, but her gaze silenced them."I will not allow the Moon Lotus to suffer this chaos again. One influence such as his is enough. We are cultivators—discipline is our core. Yet look at you all…"
Her words lingered bitterly in the cold air.
The disciples bowed their heads, unable to meet her eyes.
Above, the mountain winds howled, carrying with them the silence of despair.
And far away, unaware of the lifeless quiet his absence had birthed, Haotian flew faster toward home, treasures blazing in his rings and certainty shining in his heart.
Haotian's descent slowed as the familiar silhouette of the Moon Lotus Sect rose from the snowy horizon.
But something was wrong.
The sect, once gleaming under a clear sun, now lay under a blanket of dark clouds. The qi in the air, usually fragrant and pure, felt heavy and malignant, as if the very land itself despaired.
Haotian frowned, tightening his grip on the Fenlong Spear slung across his back."What in the world happened here…?"
He passed through the outer gate with steady steps.
Suddenly—
Boooooom!
An alarm bell shrieked, its sound rolling like thunder. Strange ripples surged across the air—new detection wards, freshly laid, flared to life around him.
His brows knit. "Huh? Detection wards? Since when—"
The air split. From the shadows leapt disciples, dozens of them, robes flaring, blades flashing.
"Men are no longer allowed in this sect!" they cried in unison, their voices trembling, their eyes red and swollen."All of our hearts have already been broken by one!"
Haotian blinked, stunned. "Wait, what—"
The first wave lunged. He slipped aside, his movements a blur. Their swords sliced only air, clashing against one another. He ducked under a second strike, turned past a third. His body weaved through their encirclement with the ease of a dancer.
But the disciples roared louder, tears streaming, their grief fueling each attack.
More surged into the courtyard, forming circles of steel around him.Blades flashed from all directions, cutting off his retreat.
"Whoa—!" Haotian muttered, and leapt skyward. He spun horizontally in midair, his robes spiraling like flowing ink. Their coordinated strike met in the space he'd just vacated, blades clashing together in a storm of sparks.
Landing lightly, he raised his hands."Please, stop! This isn't funny. Why are you suddenly attacking me?"
But his words only made them falter for a heartbeat—then their faces twisted in pain.
"It looks like him…""No—it's just an illusion!""Why would he come back? He left us already!"
They charged again.
Haotian sighed, and his spear leapt into his hand with a pulse of qi.The Fenlong Spear spun once, then blurred in motion as he disarmed the first girl, flicking her sword from her grip with a light strike. Another tried to stab, but he twisted, knocking the blade aside. A third's sword clattered to the ground after a deft sweep of his shaft.
One by one, steel rang against the stone as he knocked weapons from trembling hands—not striking them down, only halting their frenzy.
Finally, he planted the butt of the spear against the ground, exhaling."What has gotten into all of you? I leave for a few days, and suddenly you treat me like an intruder?"
He scanned their faces, his voice firm but concerned."Don't tell me you've all started cultivating the Heart-Seal method in my absence?"
The words struck like thunder.
The girls froze, blinking, their blades falling limp at their sides. The courtyard fell silent, broken only by the sound of ragged breaths.
One disciple, her cheeks streaked with tears, stepped forward cautiously. Her eyes scanned his face, his aura, every feature. She crept closer… closer… until she stood right before him.
Haotian's gaze softened. He spoke her name."It's me."
Her eyes widened. Her lips trembled.
Then she screamed."SE—SENIOR BROTHER HAOTIAN!!! IT'S REALLY YOU!"
She leapt at him, arms flinging around his neck. Haotian stiffened, but seeing her joy, he didn't resist.
The others gasped. Then, in a heartbeat, the dam broke.
They surged forward, a flood of robes and hair, their sobs mixing with laughter as they screamed his name. "Haotian!" "He's back!" "It's not an illusion!"
Dozens of arms wrapped around him at once, crashing into him with such force that he toppled backward, landing flat against the stone courtyard with a grunt.
A dogpile of disciples buried him under silk sleeves and trembling hands.
Pinned beneath them, he let out a helpless chuckle, his voice muffled."I understand, I understand… but please—get off me. And someone explain what exactly is happening here?"
His words only brought more tears, more laughter, more cries of relief.
For the first time since his departure, the Moon Lotus Sect was alive again.
The joyous cries of disciples were still ringing when the courtyard suddenly fell into a chilling silence.
A voice, sharp as ice, cut through the air.
"What is the meaning of this disgraceful behavior?"
The disciples froze. Heads turned. At the edge of the courtyard stood Sect Master Yin Xue, her long robes trailing, her aura suffocating, with the elders arrayed behind her. Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes blazed like cold fire.
All at once, the pile of girls looked guilty. Arms reluctantly loosened, sleeves untangled, and one by one they rose, stepping aside.
And there, pressed flat into the snow with a crooked smile, was Haotian.
He sat up slowly, brushing frost from his shoulders."Yes," he said with a faintly wry tone, "I am back."
But the words barely left his lips before a thunderous palm strike descended.
BOOM!
The force blasted him across the courtyard, his body streaking like a falling star as he slammed through three trees. Bark splintered, snow erupted, until his body finally struck the fourth with a sickening crack, dropping him into the snow.
Gasps filled the air. Disciples cried out, some rushing forward—but before they could take a step, Haotian's figure blurred.
He reappeared at Yinxue's side, blood streaming from his mouth, staining his chin. His breathing was ragged, his chest trembling from the strike.
"Jeez, Sect Master…" he coughed lightly, wiping his lips with the back of his hand. A smile still played on his face despite the crimson. "This isn't funny—attacking me with your full strength the moment I get back."
His palm pressed against his chest where her blow had landed, pain still radiating through his bones. Yet his tone was calm, almost teasing.
Yinxue's gaze hardened, her voice rising like a whip."Funny? You dare call this funny? You disappear without a word, you abandon the sect, you leave your disciples in despair, you cause nights of agony, of crying, of broken hearts—hundreds of them! You've thrown my sect into chaos!"
Each accusation struck heavier than her palm. Her voice echoed through the courtyard, and the disciples behind her hung their heads in shame, too afraid to speak.
Haotian raised his brows, but then interrupted with a cough."Wait… wait, hold on. Didn't you find the note I left in my chamber?"
Yinxue's eyes narrowed, her aura flaring."What note? You mean this?"
With a flick of her sleeve, she hurled a crumpled slip of paper at his chest. He caught it effortlessly between two fingers.
The words scrawled across it were simple:
Be right back.
The disciples around them flinched, some glaring, others close to tears.
Haotian exhaled, then chuckled. "Yes, it does say 'Be right back.' But…"
He pinched the fold and slowly opened the paper, flipping it to its proper orientation. The other side unfurled, the inked characters clear in the moonlight:
I am heading north to eliminate the threat of the beast tide. Do not worry. Protect the sect in my absence. Be right back.
For a heartbeat, silence blanketed the courtyard.
Every disciple, every elder, every breath stilled.
Even Yinxue, her lips parted, stood frozen in place.
Haotian twirled the paper in his fingers, his tone light but edged."See? It helps when you actually unfold both sides."
The courtyard exploded into shocked murmurs.
The courtyard buzzed with disbelief. Dozens of disciples pressed forward, eyes wide as they read the full note in Haotian's hand. Words once hidden now laid bare:
I am heading north to eliminate the threat of the beast tide. Do not worry. Protect the sect in my absence. Be right back.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"He… went north?""He faced the beast tide alone?""No wonder…"
The weight of it struck them all at once.
Haotian's lips curved faintly, his blood-streaked face still carrying that infuriating calm. He tucked the note into his robes as though it were nothing."The Frost Wolf leading them has already been slain. The tide scattered before me. Their corpses… and countless treasures… lie in my rings now. The threat is no more."
The disciples gasped as if the ground itself had shaken. Elders stiffened, their eyes widening with fear and awe.
"You… you destroyed the tide?" an elder whispered."Impossible…" another muttered, though their trembling voice betrayed belief.
Haotian lifted his hand. The Fenlong Spear shimmered faintly, frost-light dancing along its shaft. He turned his palm, and with a ripple of qi, a single Frost Stone, pure and radiant, appeared, glowing three times brighter than any spirit stone. He let it hover in the air.
"Proof enough."
The silence that followed was broken only by the sound of disciples dropping to their knees, their sobs of relief mixing with awe.
And then it happened.
The dark clouds above the sect began to shift. As if responding to the revelation, the heavens stirred. The gloom tore apart, revealing the silver glow of the moon. Light bathed the Moon Lotus Sect once more, bright and unblemished.
The malignant, suffocating yin qi that had oppressed them for days lifted in an instant. The energy became clear again—gentle, nourishing, pure as flowing water.
Disciples looked up, tears streaming down their faces."He… really saved us.""The heavens themselves… they acknowledge him!""Senior Brother Haotian has returned, and the sect is blessed!"
Even the elders bowed their heads slightly, their hearts unable to deny the miracle before their eyes.
Yinxue, still standing tall, watched quietly as the sect stirred back to life, her expression unreadable. But in her heart, a single truth pressed harder than ever:
His presence alone has changed the fate of this sect.
Haotian, meanwhile, stood in the moonlight, his robes torn, his chin streaked with blood. Yet in that moment, he seemed untouchable—an immortal descending among mortals.
He sighed lightly, glancing around at their awed faces, and muttered just loud enough for the courtyard to hear:"I told you I'd be right back."
The sect erupted in cheers and tears, the sound carrying across the mountain like thunder.