Snow Continent!!
To the south lay a stretch of treacherous mountains—steep, perilous, and yet brimming with the purest essence of nature. Every peak exuded a spiritual aura, with dense spiritual energy suffusing the range, nurturing the land and making the flora bloom in untamed abundance. Hundreds of mountains sprawled across the region, their distribution at first appearing chaotic.
But on closer observation, the layout revealed an intricate secret—an underlying harmony with the Dao of Heaven and Earth. Each mountain resonated with the others, their energies interconnected like a breath shared among them, pulsing in sync.
Below each mountain, spiritual veins ran deep—not just under one or two peaks, but beneath every single one. These spiritual veins, though varying in strength, transformed the entire region into a sacred ground for cultivation, where training speeds far outstripped those in the outside world.
These mountains weren't just randomly placed; they formed a natural formation—some sort of grand array.
Clouds gathered naturally above the peaks, cloaking the mountain tops in a mystical fog, lending the entire region the appearance of a celestial realm. High atop the peaks, palaces and pavilions towered majestically, each construction bearing an imposing grandeur, clearly beyond the reach of mundane craftsmanship. At dawn, purple qi rose from the east, and from the plazas and buildings on each peak came a tremendous suction force, drawing in the rising energy.
It was like watching a vast whale drinking from the sea.
All across the mountains, robed cultivators in green garments could be seen training in combat techniques and divine arts. Everywhere exuded the atmosphere of an immortal domain—one that stirred the hearts of all who laid eyes upon it.
At the mountain bases, large settlements of human civilians had formed. Countless families had built homes clustered around the mountain roots, and vast swathes of fertile land—more accurately, spiritual farmland—had been reclaimed and cultivated. Enriched by the spiritual veins, these fields grew spiritual rice and medicinal herbs.
These mountains were home to a human immortal sect known as the Qingshan Immortal Sect.
In the homes of every commoner living below, without exception, one could see a portrait hanging.
The portrait depicted a verdant mountain, and atop it stood a middle-aged man clad in green robes. His appearance was otherworldly, holding a floating whisk and brimming with immortal charm—so lifelike he seemed ready to soar away into the heavens at any moment.
This was none other than the founder of the Qingshan Immortal Sect—Ancestor Qingshan.
Under the protection of the sect, the people were required not only to labor in the fields daily but also to pray devoutly before the portrait every morning and evening, offering their incense and willing devotion. Day after day, year after year, this ritual never ceased.
For ordinary people, once this routine was completed, little time remained for any cultivation of their own.
In contrast, the disciples of Qingshan Immortal Sect were free from mundane burdens and could dedicate nearly all their time to cultivation. Their advancement was swift. Every year, the sect opened its gates to accept new disciples—both outer and inner sect members—though in very limited numbers, and only those of exceptional talent were admitted.
Still, it offered a rare chance to leap the dragon gate for the lucky few.
Of course, while the sect did not explicitly forbid others from cultivating, it offered no techniques, no skills, no spells to outsiders. These were the sect's core legacies, never to be distributed lightly. After all, if outsiders grew too strong, they might develop ambitions that should never arise.
Who would willingly remain a menial laborer, offering incense daily, while others soared as cultivators?
This was the Qingshan Immortal Sect, a human force even the Ice Crystal Royal Court regarded with deep caution. Around it, the sect sheltered tens of millions of human civilians—entire communities reliant on the sect for survival.
The sect itself used the surrounding mountains as a base to form a powerful defensive array—the Five Sacred Qingshan Formation—which guarded all directions. Once activated, even the Ice Crystal Royal Court would fail to breach it. This was the reason Qingshan Immortal Sect had never fallen, even in Snow Continent.
Power was the root of everything.
Within the domain of Qingshan, in an ancient city—
The streets bustled with people, most of whom hurried along without pause. No one dared idle. Here, to survive was to toil—fail to pull your weight, and you starved.
Despite the vast territory of the Qingshan mountains, survival for tens of millions still required relentless effort. One had to farm for food and labor for the sect.
There was no time for leisure.
Yet the ingenuity of human civilization shone through. With time, many took on specialized roles—merchants, blacksmiths, tailors—those with skills found ways to rise. Through craft and intellect, they earned their keep. This the sect did not forbid; it was a natural part of cultural evolution.
Especially the basics of life—food, clothing, shelter—these were unimpeded.
As long as one didn't skip the morning and evening incense, all was permitted. Every person under the sect's protection was registered. Life and death, daily prayers—they were all recorded. No one could fake their devotion. Violations earned warnings, and three strikes meant expulsion—not execution, but exile from the Qingshan territory.
And outside the sect's protection?
You could imagine the consequences.
This ancient city was called Clearwind City.
At this moment, several plainly dressed individuals stepped into the city. Their clothing blended well with the locals and did not attract attention. They found a small inn and restaurant.
After sitting down, they ordered a few dishes and drinks.
"Guests, that'll be three crystal coins for your meal," the server said politely.
Here in Qingshan territory, the common currency was crystal coins. But they were rare and precious—three was already a lavish meal. The server clearly feared they might try to dine and dash.
A calm voice answered, "This should be more than enough."
A shining Eternal Coin was placed on the table.
The server's eyes lit up. One glance was enough to know—this was no ordinary coin. It carried a fundamentally different essence than crystal coins. Its value far exceeded the cost of the meal. He gave a quick reply that the food would be ready soon, and hurried off with the coin.
"You're trying to stir the hornet's nest, Military Adviser," a calm voice said.
Several bamboo hats were removed.
The group was revealed to be Jia Xu, Zhuge Zhengwo, and two of the Four Great Constables—Iron Hand and Cold Blood. The speakers were Jia Xu and Zhuge Zhengwo.
"In Snow Continent, our investigations show only four forces can somewhat resist the Ice Crystal Royal Court. Though most are isolated, relying on outside help or sheer strength to survive, only Qingshan Immortal Sect stands as a human force—a human immortal sect. Based on our deductions, they likely possess experts above the True Spirit Realm. So, our first move is to test the waters here."
Jia Xu smiled slightly.
As the strongest human faction in the region, Qingshan was naturally a priority for the Great Yi Dynasty. But immortal sects were independent by nature, rarely bound by imperial laws.
Martial arts violated laws; immortal sects transcended them entirely.
What they saw after entering the sect's domain left their hearts uneasy. True, Qingshan protected the people—but their "protection" was exploitation cloaked in benevolence. Mandatory prayers and offerings of willpower. Endless labor. Cultivating spirit fields, growing spiritual rice and herbs. Chores beyond count.
How was this different from slavery?
The only freedom granted: you could leave if you wished.
But if you stayed, you followed their rules. To the sect, sheltering the people earned merit—but nothing came free. Everything had a cost.
"I don't know why, but compared to Great Yi, this leaves a bitter taste. There's nothing outright wrong here, but it feels… wrong," Zhuge Zhengwo said, shaking his head.
It was a kind of spiritual enslavement.
In the Great Yi Dynasty, all people could cultivate. Everyone lived for themselves. That contrast made the core difference clear.
"Existence is its own justification. There's no need to dwell on it, Lord Zhuge," Jia Xu replied. "At least Qingshan is not an evil sect. They care for their people, albeit on their terms. Of course, once Snow Continent becomes part of Great Yi's domain, the people must fall under imperial law—not sect control."
He smiled, speaking from a different angle.
"You exposed the Eternal Coin on purpose—to lure the Qingshan Sect to us," Zhuge Zhengwo nodded.
"Why seek them out when we can let them come to us? Let's eat and wait. If my guess is right, by the time we finish our meal, someone from Qingshan Sect will be on their way."
Jia Xu's voice brimmed with certainty.
And indeed, within the inn—
The server had already delivered the coin to the innkeeper.
With sharp eyes, the innkeeper instantly recognized its uniqueness.
"This coin… this isn't a local currency. It's from beyond Qingshan territory. Those guests—outsiders, no doubt. I must report this to the sect at once."