Chapter 85: Xu Chu Yun Is Stunned by the Question

The Lord of the Snow Domain swiftly formed a hand seal, and in an instant, the drifting snowflakes in the air froze, then abruptly shifted direction, rushing toward the Moonlit Sword. The lightning from the Moonlit Sword scattered layer upon layer of snow, yet no matter how much it struck, the snow seemed inexhaustible. Soon, the snowflakes completely enveloped the Moonlit Sword, the accumulation growing heavier and thicker.

Yet the Snow Domain Lord was relentless, fearing the Moonlit Sword might break through the seal. He intensified his ice spell, drawing nearly all the snow from the region toward the great doors of the Snow Domain Sanctuary. The frigid air generated by the swiftly moving snowflakes left many of the curious onlookers in the bustling streets wounded by the chill, their skin scraped raw. But such an opportunity to witness the Snow Domain Lord in battle was rare—who would willingly miss it? Even if they could not see clearly, even if they risked injury, many still strained to peer toward the sanctum.

Though the Moonlit Sword was now bundled up like a clumsy snowman, the Snow Domain Lord could still hear that eerie, grating laughter. The sound sent chills down his spine. Neither physical nor magical attacks were being employed; instead, he was nearly undone by this maddening assault on his spirit.

In his hand, the Frost Fan constantly changed form, finally condensing into a sharp spear. Gripping the spear, the Snow Domain Lord stabbed it toward the tightly bound Moonlit Sword. Abruptly, the unsettling laughter ceased. Cracking sounds issued from within.

"Crack... crack... crack..."

Yet the snow outside did not fall away in the slightest. The Snow Domain Lord's brow relaxed a fraction, believing the Moonlit Sword had been shattered within the icy mass. He withdrew his Frost Fan, holding it at his side, and let his aura dissipate as he turned to enter the hall in search of You Xiyue.

He had barely stepped through the grand doors when a thunderous explosion erupted behind him. The snow blocks dissolved once more into snowflakes, swirling through the air and obscuring all sight. The Snow Domain Lord shook his Frost Fan from side to side, dispersing some of the dense snowfall at last.

The Moonlit Sword emerged, its blade gleaming.

"That was rather pleasant," it sighed, leveling itself with its tip aimed at the Snow Domain Lord.

"But even if you helped polish my blade, I won't allow you to disrupt my master's affairs."

These words darkened the Lord's icy-white face to an ashen hue. Yet the Moonlit Sword, ever irreverent, showed no sign of changing its incorrigible nature. Who it learned this from was anyone's guess—perhaps this was why You Xiyue so often sealed its speech.

"I have read the stars tonight, and I see disaster looming over you," the sword taunted. "A bloody misfortune is upon your brow."

"Impudence!" the Snow Domain Lord snapped, his chest heaving with mounting rage.

"Disbelieve me if you wish, but my divinations are always accurate," the Moonlit Sword retorted. With that, it transformed into a streak of light, shifting positions in the air before suddenly darting toward the Snow Domain Lord, striking fiercely at his heart.

His reaction was quick—after all, he was a cultivator on the Path of Heavenly Snare. He flicked open the Frost Fan, blocking the vicious blow. Sparks flew from the clash, a flicker of flame igniting where blade met fan. The Frost Fan was no common artifact; even under assault, it did not yield, layers of ice forming at each point of impact.

The Moonlit Sword laughed again, a chilling sound. The Snow Domain Lord frowned, displeased, but failed to see the sword's sudden feint as it split into countless phantoms, sword auras weaving in every direction. Each was a strand of the Moonlit Sword's own energy, slashing toward the Lord from all sides.

He hastily retreated, his black sleeves billowing, dense spiritual power resisting the myriad sword auras. Several were quickly destroyed, but one among them was the true body of the Moonlit Sword, moving with such speed its silhouette was nigh invisible. It struck again at the Lord's chest.

He sensed it, but too late; though he managed to evade, his arm was sliced, blood welling from his upper arm, soaking his robe before quickly congealing and healing. At their level of cultivation, only mortal wounds would fail to heal.

"I told you, my predictions are always spot on," the Moonlit Sword quipped, hovering before the Snow Domain Lord. Blood trickled deliberately from its blade, drop by drop onto the floor, as if to make a point.

Meanwhile, You Xiyue had already reached the topmost chamber of the Snow Domain Sanctuary. The room of the Snow Maiden, Xue Chuyun, was easy to find—the scent of her usurped soul still lingered, and it was far from pleasant.

Xue Chuyun shrank back in terror as You Xiyue entered, stumbling away.

"You... how did you get here? Where is Sang Que? He is the lord of this domain—how could you have bypassed him and entered the sanctuary?"

Seeing Xue Chuyun, You Xiyue's anger faded somewhat. After all, she was but a dying woman—why waste emotion on her?

"Sang Que? An acceptable name, I suppose. Most likely, he’s being cajoled and distracted by my talkative sword," You Xiyue replied casually, strolling around Xue Chuyun's room. As expected of the Snow Maiden's quarters, sacred relics adorned every corner.

Each item was of considerable value.

Xue Chuyun, however, had no mind for such things. She snatched up a sword from the table, drawing it from its sheath to defend herself. Her golden dragonbone whip had been destroyed; though this sword was not as familiar, it was still a famed artifact Sang Que had found for her.

You Xiyue glanced at her, then resumed examining the chamber, asking a question she had once posed to the sanctuary guards.

"Do you like snow?"

The abrupt inquiry left Xue Chuyun bewildered. "What?"

"Then... do you like fire?" You Xiyue pressed.

Xue Chuyun frowned, unable to fathom her meaning. "What are you trying to do?"

You Xiyue raised her left hand, gazing at the red bell bracelet encircling her wrist. She had yet to use it in earnest since putting it on. Looking up, her face was expressionless, but the danger Xue Chuyun sensed was more intense than ever before.

"Do you enjoy tribulation lightning?"

"What are you talking about?!" Xue Chuyun's grip on her sword trembled; she felt an even greater threat than when she had seen You Xiyue in the Sacred Realm's mountain caves.

You Xiyue released her formidable spiritual pressure all at once, making no effort to suppress it. Even at the grand hall’s entrance, where Sang Que was still embroiled with the Moonlit Sword, he felt its impact.

The force was so great it restricted his movements. Where he had previously been able to match the Moonlit Sword, now he found it increasingly difficult. He expected the sword to press its advantage, but instead, it flew out of the sanctuary, hovering above the snowy expanse ten miles away.

From above, it gazed down at the room suffused with spiritual pressure, muttering to itself, "My master really has no concern for me—doesn’t even worry about refining me along with the rest. Fortunately, I’m clever enough to withdraw in advance."

Sang Que frowned in confusion, unable to grasp the meaning of the sword’s words. He glanced up at the stairs leading to the upper chambers, uncertain whether he ought to go and assist. But his instincts whispered that, like the Moonlit Sword, he would be wise to leave the sanctuary as soon as possible.