Fang Qing was now at True Completion of Foundation Establishment, which in the Xiaoyao Realm equated to nearly touching the Golden Core stage.That meant to defeat Luo Tiangan she would have to fight across two major realms—a challenge worthy of hell itself.Moreover, Luo Tiangan was a cultivator with the ability to fly at will.That alone, even setting aside everything else, posed a grave difficulty for Fang Qing.After all, he could simply kite her like a kite on the wind, and she, as a martial artist, would have no means of retaliation.Thus, to seize the Wood Kirin Fragment, Fang Qing would need to wait for the right moment and seize an opportunity.Casting a glance at the burly man standing at the front of the flying ship, Fang Qing’s mind raced with schemes for obtaining the fragment.For now there was no chance—she could only wait.Then, before confronting Luo Tiangan, she could try confessing everything to Gu Yuan. If successful, she would gain an ally, and perhaps as the World’s Progeny he might bring an unexpected boon.In short, until a suitable opportunity arose, she must remain motionless.…After traversing thousands of li by ship, Fang Qing finally arrived at the site of Piaoxue Xian’s legacy domain.On a broad snowfield within Cold Wind Mountain lay an ethereal cave mouth glowing azure.The entrance measured five meters across, but remained closed—sealed by a thin membrane that barred all from entry.Countless cultivators clustered around it.Most sat on the snow, while a few had erected simple huts to shelter with friends or family.Unlike the mountain’s biting gales, this snowfield lay calm—apart from the cold, it was quite habitable.Cradling Bai Lulu in her arms, Fang Qing and Gu Yuan leaped from the ship and landed steadily, then followed the main force to the spot nearest the domain entrance.As noted, many from the Fire-Gold Sect had arrived early and set up dozens of temporary rooms for their people.As the premier sect, they claimed the lodgings closest to the entrance unchallenged.Before the makeshift buildings, Fang Qing and the others passed through the entrance and entered.The huts were spartan—just enough to house people—but Fang Qing did not complain.News of Luo Tiangan leading the expedition had long since reached here.So the entrance stood lined with dozens of Fire-Gold Sect members, including Luo Hong, Ren Yongnian, and elders.Upon two groups meeting, an elder at the front reported, “Sect Master, the Thunderclap Cliff’s Lord Lei and the Xuan Yin Sect Master have arrived.”Luo Tiangan was unsurprised and nodded for him to continue.“Our investigation shows the domain cannot admit Nascent Soul cultivators or above.”At this, Luo Tiangan’s expression shifted. “I shall test that myself. Any other issues?”The elder shook his head.Luo Tiangan waved and allowed everyone to act freely. Then he flew toward the domain entrance to test it.After nearing within a few meters, he felt [N O V E L I G H T] a powerful repulsion and stopped—confirming that Nascent Soul cultivators truly could not enter.Having ascertained this, he immediately flew to the Thunderclap Cliff encampment.…Fang Qing and Gu Yuan approached Luo Hong, Fang Qing still holding Bai Lulu despite the fox’s restless wriggling.Fang Qing addressed Luo Hong directly. “Where are we staying?”“I knew you two would come. It’s ready—follow me.”Luo Hong smiled and led them to their room, explaining as they walked, “Rooms are scarce, so there’s only one prepared for you—though it’s large. I hope you don’t mind.”Fang Qing nodded. “I don’t mind. Gu Yuan, you?”“Neither do I,” Gu Yuan agreed calmly.Since Fang Qing had no objection, neither did he.“Very well. Then we wait for the domain to open. By our estimate, it should be in three days.”“Understood.”…Night had fallen outside; most had extinguished lamps and fallen asleep.But Fang Qing and Gu Yuan stayed awake.Fang Qing sat on the bed and casually asked the standing Gu Yuan, “If someone ordered you to attack the Sect Master, would you do it?”Gu Yuan found the question odd—Fang Qing had been asking strange questions lately—but he answered earnestly, “I probably wouldn’t. After all, one side is my master, and the other a stranger.”“Then if it weren’t a stranger?” Fang Qing pressed.“That depends on who,” Gu Yuan replied, eyes on Fang Qing.Feeling his gaze, Fang Qing suddenly felt an urge to look away—but she did not, instead lowering her eyes and returning to planning her mission.Gu Yuan did not know what she was thinking. He said, “Shall we take turns sleeping?”The room provided by the Fire-Gold Sect oddly had only one bed—though large and soft enough for two.Gu Yuan felt he should not share it freely. Although rumors now cast them as a pair, nothing had actually happened between them; living together would fuel gossip.He did not wish to harm Fang Qing’s reputation, so he suggested they keep watch in turns, which made sense on Cold Wind Mountain.Fang Qing nodded. “All right. I’ll watch half the night, then wake you.”She stood, opened the door, and posted herself outside before Gu Yuan could respond.He did not protest—Fang Qing was resolute, and he could not dissuade her.Lying on the faintly fragrant bed, Gu Yuan closed his eyes and slept. With Fang Qing on watch, he felt safe.…With no wind, the outside temperature was merely cool—bearable for Fang Qing, who sat cross-legged by the door, minding watch while pondering how to complete her quest.She could have stayed inside, but to avoid rumors of cohabitation with Gu Yuan, she chose to remain outside, hoping passersby would spread word that she was alone.Despite this, her focus stayed on the mission.Since learning the Wood Kirin Fragment lay with Luo Tiangan, she had devised many methods—but discarded them all.None addressed the core issue: the gap in strength.The disparity was too great; without outside help, she could not win.But who could she enlist? Fire-Gold Sect members were out of the question. If she sought aid from Thunderclap Cliff, how could she be sure they wouldn’t kill her? Her identity as Sect Master’s disciple bound her to Luo Tiangan indefinitely.As for wanderers, even she might defeat them—how useful would they be?Thus she abandoned external help and searched for a wildcard.In the end, she found only one: Piaoxue Xian’s domain itself.If the domain housed a Transforming Spirit–grade treasure, perhaps it could help her defeat Luo Tiangan.Having settled on that, Fang Qing cleared her mind, preparing to face the legacy domain in her best condition.

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