Chapter Fourteen: Seventh Stage Martial Disciple

One cannot help but admit that Tianfeng Mountain is truly a paradise for demonic beasts, with countless creatures lurking within, danger concealed at every turn.

As the group advanced through the dense forest, many beasts were intimidated by the formidable size of the Lan Yue Tower’s expedition and kept their distance. Yet, within half a day, the team faced several waves of attacks. Two Eighth-Level Martial Artists, caught off guard, were ambushed and killed instantly by a first-level demonic beast—a green-blue snake hidden in the trees.

This grim reality awakened Qin Lang to the stark truth that he could not afford the slightest negligence; at any moment, he could fall prey to the perils of Tianfeng Mountain.

After traveling for a full day and enduring multiple beast attacks, the group finally emerged from the outer forests of Tianfeng Mountain and arrived beneath a vast mountain range blanketed in snow.

These mountains were entirely covered in ice and snow, stretching endlessly like slumbering white dragons.

This was the Tianshan Range, the destination of the Lan Yue Tower’s herb-gathering expedition.

It was also Qin Lang’s destination.

“Yun’er, you must hold on. I will find the Heavenly Ice Flower for you,” Qin Lang murmured, clenching his fists as he gazed upon the dazzling white peaks of Tianshan.

“Everyone, stop here. We will gather medicinal herbs in this area,” Xue Qianyao commanded, directing the Lan Yue Tower’s team to pause in a mountain hollow rich with spiritual energy.

This place was abundant in spiritual energy, ideal for the growth of spiritual herbs—making it the perfect spot for their harvest.

Qin Lang frowned as he surveyed the hollow. He had planned to search for the Heavenly Ice Flower alongside the Lan Yue Tower’s team, but information from the Supreme Elder had informed him that the Heavenly Ice Flower thrived only in the bitter cold extremes of the Tianshan Range.

Although this hollow brimmed with spiritual energy, its temperature was not low enough to support the growth of the Heavenly Ice Flower, making it impossible to find it here.

“Thank you all for your hard work escorting us this far,” Xue Qianyao said with a smile, bowing to the guards. She then instructed several subordinates to distribute the promised rewards.

“To serve Lady Xue is our greatest honor!” the guards laughed heartily.

“Our herb-gathering team may remain here for half a month. If any of you have other plans, you are free to leave at any time. Lan Yue Tower does not force anyone to stay,” Xue Qianyao said, her beautiful eyes scanning the guards.

She knew that a small number among them had come not for the few hundred taels of silver but for other reasons.

Their departure would not weaken the guard’s overall strength, so she did not mind their leaving.

“Lady Xue, since we’ve reached Tianshan, my brothers and I want to try our luck here. We’ll take our leave now!” a burly man stepped forward apologetically and led two strong men away.

Following his lead, nearly ten men gradually bid farewell to Xue Qianyao and left the escort team.

Tianshan formed the transitional zone between the outer and inner regions of Tianfeng Mountain. Here, demonic beasts were several times more numerous and far stronger than those in the outer forests, making it even more perilous.

Yet, precisely because of this danger, few martial artists ventured here, leaving opportunities and treasures far more abundant than in the outer regions.

These departing warriors were hoping to test their fortune here.

“Lady Xue, I’m heading deeper into Tianshan to search for the Heavenly Ice Flower,” Qin Lang approached and took his leave.

“The Heavenly Ice Flower?” Xue Qianyao’s brows furrowed slightly.

She knew it to be a third-level spiritual herb, yet rarer than some fourth-level herbs.

Firstly, its growth conditions were extremely harsh—it could survive only in the coldest parts of snowy mountains.

Secondly, it could strengthen the constitution of ice-attribute martial artists and beasts, so powerful demonic beasts often guarded it closely.

Lastly, and most importantly, the herb was ineffective before maturity. Only during the three days immediately after it matured did it confer its constitution-enhancing powers. Beyond that, it lost all efficacy.

Putting aside whether Qin Lang could find the Heavenly Ice Flower in Tianshan, even if he were lucky enough to locate one, with his current Seventh-Level Martial Artist strength, he would stand no chance against the powerful beasts protecting it.

Thus, in Xue Qianyao’s eyes, Qin Lang’s chances of obtaining the Heavenly Ice Flower were virtually nil.

“This is a Lan Yue Tower communicator. If there’s any news of the Heavenly Ice Flower, I will inform you immediately,” she said, handing him a device from her bosom.

“Thank you!” Qin Lang accepted it gratefully, feeling the lingering warmth of the device.

Yun’er’s life hung by a thread. If Lan Yue Tower happened to have news of the Heavenly Ice Flower, it would be a blessing.

He vowed to remember this kindness. Whenever Lan Yue Tower required help in the future, he would assist to the best of his ability.

Although he knew the odds were slim, as long as there was a glimmer of hope, Qin Lang would not miss it.

Bowing in farewell to Xue Qianyao, Qin Lang ventured deeper into Tianshan.

“May you find the Heavenly Ice Flower,” she whispered, watching the footprints left in the snow and his receding figure.

Though it was their first meeting, she inexplicably felt a profound and familiar affection.

Leaving the Lan Yue Tower’s team behind, Qin Lang proceeded cautiously into the heart of Tianshan. The air grew colder, and biting winds howled past, slashing his face like knives.

He resisted the piercing chill while remaining vigilant of his surroundings.

More dangerous than the freezing environment were the demonic beasts hidden within the ice and snow.

The beasts here were far stronger than those on Tianfeng Mountain’s outskirts and, due to the harsh conditions, were more adept at hiding and ambushing.

Every step deeper into Tianshan was fraught with peril.

Though Qin Lang exercised extreme caution, within half a day, he was ambushed no fewer than ten times.

Fortunately, all attackers were first-level beasts. Except for a swift demon leopard that left several shallow scratches, the others caused him little trouble.

Days passed swiftly—ten days, then more.

In the frigid heart of Tianshan, Qin Lang scaled more than a dozen snow-capped peaks and slew over a hundred beasts, facing life-or-death battles on more than ten occasions.

Though much time was spent searching for the Heavenly Ice Flower, his strength grew faster than during his solitary training back home.

He understood that only in the crucible of life and death could a martial artist truly awaken their potential.

After more than ten days of trials in Tianshan, Qin Lang reached the zenith of the Seventh-Level Martial Artist and stood on the cusp of breakthrough.

Yet, no joy stirred in his heart.

All this time, there had been not the slightest trace of the Heavenly Ice Flower.