Chapter 19 Cloud Snow Flower

Chapter 19 Cloud Snow Flower

Before Chu Ji could devise a way to feed Jun Xueyi the leaf, night fell.

As darkness descended, the Cloud Snow Flower began to bud, unfurling fully in mere moments.

Upon closer inspection, they were conspicuously visible, yet without prior knowledge of the Cloud Snow Flower, one could easily miss its silent bloom amidst the vast grassland.

Jun Xueyi stated, "The Cloud Snow Flower blooms for less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn. It will wither as soon as the first ray of sunlight touches it. You must gather the frost before then."

Ji Ling understood the gravity of the situation and nodded, "Understood."

To harvest the Cloud Snow Flower, four individuals were required to guard the four cardinal directions, preventing any external qi from intruding. Otherwise, the moment anyone touched the flower, it would immediately fall to the ground and dissolve into water.

Jun Xueyi assigned positions: Ji Wuyan and Ji Wuxing guarded the east and south, Ji Yin took the west, while he himself guarded the north. Ji Ling was tasked with gathering the frost.

Watching the buds slowly unfurl, Jun Xueyi couldn't help but feel that the flower resembled the Young Master beside him—soft as a cloud, white as snow, and equally delicate.

Chu Ji happened to be seated directly north, with Jun Xueyi standing right beside him.

Tilting his head, Chu Ji sent a whispered message to Xiong Qun, instructing him to follow his plan.

Xiong Qun nodded and immediately focused his attention on Ji Ling.

Noticing Xiong Qun's actions, Jun Xueyi asked softly, "Are you targeting Ji Ling?"

Without even looking up, Chu Ji replied, "I'm coming for you."

Jun Xueyi felt reassured. The Young Master never lied—if he said he was coming for him, then he meant it.

He didn’t want to owe anyone favors. Since the Ji brothers were helping him harvest the flower, he would ensure they safely obtained the frost.

As time passed, midnight arrived. The Cloud Snow Flower was only half-bloomed when the grassland suddenly shook violently, as if some massive beast had landed nearby.

The system text before Chu Ji’s eyes scrolled frantically, all suggesting that Jun Xueyi’s martial brothers were behind the disturbance.

Puzzled, Chu Ji asked Jun Xueyi, "Are the people from the Clear Wind Sect capable of something like this?"

Wasn’t Jun Xueyi supposed to be the Protagonist, the leading disciple among the younger generation of the Clear Wind Sect?

Even Jun Xueyi couldn’t possibly control the movements of monster beasts, could he?

The commotion clearly indicated the arrival of a monster beast—and not a minor one.

Jun Xueyi sneered as he looked into the distance. "No."

Whether by chance or accident, as long as it was directed at him, anyone seemed capable of such feats. Even those fleeing from monster beasts in panic could somehow end up in his vicinity.

One small coincidence after another, all pointing toward him.

An unwilling savior.

Jun Xueyi said wearily, "They’re here. If the Cloud Snow Flower blooms, guard the northern position for me. Name your terms."

Sensing the weariness and boredom in Jun Xueyi’s tone, Chu Ji immediately handed him the leaf in his hand. "Eat this."

Without even glancing at the sap on the leaf, Jun Xueyi ate it.

He knew he wouldn't die.

He had known this since he was five years old.

Chu Ji took Jun Xueyi’s position and gestured for him to go. "Go on, don’t die."

Jun Xueyi replied gloomily, "You’d be happy if I died."

Chu Ji took out a tanghulu from Xiong Qun’s storage ring—the last one—and took a bite. "I am happy, but don’t die today."

Midnight had passed; there was still one more day.

He needed to test things tomorrow. If he could leave Jun Xueyi’s side, then he could definitely kill him.

Moreover, and this was crucial, the Little Demon King looked at Jun Xueyi and said, "If you die by someone else’s hand, what would that do to my reputation?"

Jun Xueyi suddenly raised an eyebrow. "Is that why you helped me before?"

Chu Ji replied expressionlessly, "What do you mean 'just because of that'? Jun Xueyi, I won’t rest until you die by my hand."

It was a matter of his dignity.

The book described him as a supreme antagonist, the final adversary who fought the Protagonist to the end. Jun Xueyi’s last enemy was him, his greatest foe. After Jun Xueyi attained the rank of Demigod, he slaughtered him with a single sword stroke, ascending to godhood through that very act. This plotline irritated Chu Ji, but the idea of Jun Xueyi dying prematurely at someone else’s hands irritated him even more.

Wouldn’t that mean he, the villain, was inferior to those small fry?

And if Jun Xueyi died so easily, it would only make him look even more incompetent.

Chu Ji sneered, "If you die, I’ll find a way to resurrect you just so I can kill you again."

Everyone who heard this fell silent, not understanding the dynamics of their relationship.

Ji Wuyan and Ji Wuxing simply thought this Young Master was truly ruthless.

Meanwhile, Jun Xueyi stared into his eyes as if seeking confirmation. "If I die, you’ll find a way to resurrect me?"

Chu Ji frowned immediately. "Why put it so harshly? It’s about killing you."

It was the first time Jun Xueyi had heard someone describe resurrecting another as "harsh." He chuckled softly. "Fine, I won’t die. I’ll wait for you to kill me."

Chu Ji tilted his head, gesturing with his chin toward the approaching disturbance. "I have no spiritual power. Don’t let any disgusting creatures come near—it’s filthy."

They were far from the river. If Jun Xueyi fought nearby, he wouldn’t be able to wash himself clean in the water.

Damn this distance restriction.

How irritating.

Jun Xueyi summoned his Soulbound Sword, using his spiritual power to conceal the unique patterns on the hilt. The current Young Master had no spiritual power and wouldn’t see through his disguise. "You’re quite adept at bossing me around."

Chu Ji snorted. "Get lost."

Jun Xueyi sent a whispered message to Ji Ling, telling him to proceed as he judged best. He had prepared two boxes for the Cloud Snow Flower, one of which he’d given to Ji Ling back in Bu Luo Town.

Although Ji Ling didn’t understand why Jun Xueyi didn't want his benefactor to harvest the flower—since Young Xiong Qun could easily guard the north—this was his promise to Jun Xueyi. Jun Xueyi had helped him find the Cloud Snow Flower and allowed him to gather the frost; no matter what, he would help Jun Xueyi obtain the flower.

Chu Ji noticed the fluctuations of the voice transmission and sneered. He knew Jun Xueyi had intentionally assigned him to guard the north to keep him occupied so he couldn't interfere.

Not that he could cause trouble anyway—his spiritual power was sealed by Jun Xueyi. Jun Xueyi had set up a protective barrier around the Cloud Snow Flower; anyone else could break it, but he couldn’t.

But none of that mattered. The disturbances in the distance indicated that it wasn’t just monster beasts approaching—there were people too, likely the ones Ji Ling had mentioned earlier. If Jun Xueyi died here, he would perish alongside him.

It's better to pick this flower as a backup, to feed it to Jun Xueyi in a critical moment to extend his life.

To extend his life.

After these two days pass, he'd be glad if Jun Xueyi died.

Thinking of this, he grew resentful toward the people and demonic creatures arriving now.

Why come neither earlier nor later, but precisely when he and Jun Xueyi are bound together? If his spiritual power were still intact, he would cut these people down.

Chu Ji bit his lower lip and finally summoned his sword.

What could be more ironic than coming with the intent to kill but having to go to great lengths to keep someone alive?

Jun Xueyi, how annoying.

And that Immortal Venerable underwater who bound their lives together is even more deserving of death.

The battle over there was intense. The Cloud Snow Flower was only half-bloomed, yet even that was enough to cover the nearby grass with a layer of frost.

Like snow falling on grass, the flower floated ethereally, like a cloud, as if it could be blown away by the wind once fully bloomed.

It was an extremely beautiful and stunning flower. Everyone present immediately understood the origin of the name Cloud Snow Flower.

A soft glow radiated from the flower, like snow drifting down from a cloud.

Ji Wuyan and Ji Wuxing silently took out their cloaks and put them on.

Ji Yin looked at Chu Ji and said, "Young Master, when the flower blooms, it will suddenly turn cold."

This cold wasn't due to weather changes. A single Cloud Snow Flower could make the area within several miles so cold in the height of summer that it would snow.

After the flower bloomed, it would truly snow.

Every snowflake had the power to cause frostbite.

Chu Ji gazed into the distance and saw clearly—it really was a python. Jun Xueyi had erected a barrier around their location. As long as Jun Xueyi didn't die, the barrier wouldn't dissipate.

With sharp eyes, he noticed several people following the Heavenly Python. The text he saw told him these people were Jun Xueyi's fellow disciples.

He let out a soundless, cold laugh and said to Ji Yin, "I'm not cold. I'm so fired up right now I could kill someone."

Ji Ling wasn't worried about this. Since the benefactor could absorb Young Hero Jun's spiritual power, he must have long acclimated to this cold. If he could endure the spiritual power of Young Hero Jun's extremely cold Mental Technique, the cold brought by the Cloud Snow Flower was much weaker.

He just looked strangely over there, wondering why Young Hero Jun didn't lure the Heavenly Python away.

Now, having to maintain the barrier and fight the Heavenly Python at the same time, he was clearly struggling.

Ji Ling said, "Prepare yourselves. After picking the flower, Ji Yin will take it back to Buluo Town. The rest will come with me to help Young Hero Jun."

Upon hearing this, Ji Yin immediately said, "Brother, I'm not leaving."

Ji Ling looked coldly at Ji Yin. The Ji Family must have someone bring all the frost back.

Ji Yin's leg injury hadn't healed yet. Staying would only be more dangerous.

Under his brother's gaze, Ji Yin remembered the reason he left the Ji Family this time and slowly lowered his head. "Alright."

Ji Ling took out the necessary items from his storage ring, erased his spiritual sense, and threw it to Ji Yin. "Go to Buluo Town and wait for us."

Ji Yin said dejectedly, "Alright."

Chu Ji diverted a bit of attention back and gave Xiong Qun a look.

He had no interest in the frost. The Ji brothers could take it if they wanted.

But the flower would not be left to them.

Xiong Qun understood. Once the flower was picked, he would seize it.

Jun Xueyi fended off the Heavenly Python for two long hours until those few people made their move, tipping the scales.

It’s hard to fight alone against many, especially when a single Heavenly Python was enough to take his life.

The Cloud Snow Flower had fully bloomed, its petals covered in a thick layer of frost.

Chu Ji kept a close watch. Seeing someone ambush, he instinctively blurted out, "Be careful."

As soon as he spoke, he clutched at his chest.

The pain in his chest told him that Jun Xueyi had almost died just now.

Jun Xueyi held his sword, slicing through the scales on the python's belly, then pulled back to knock away the knife behind him.

At this moment, the clothes he had just changed into were soaked with blood—his own and the python's.

The Heavenly Python, in pain, was completely enraged, its blood-red eyes completely fixed on Jun Xueyi.

The people behind, sensing danger, jumped back a distance. One of them stared at Jun Xueyi, disbelief written on his face. "He still isn't dead?"

"He really is a monster," another said, picking up his knife again. "Since he came to the Clear Wind Sect, everything that should have belonged to Eldest Senior Brother was given to him by those old fools."

The leader, referred to as Eldest Senior Brother, said nothing, just stared at Jun Xueyi, his eyes filled with malice.

Below, Jun Xueyi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stood up, leaning on his sword.

The world-weariness in his eyes grew stronger.

A demonic creature that had lived for tens of thousands of years—even his master would only have even odds of defeating it. Yet now, it had been easily lured from the center of Buluo Mountain Range's heavenly pool to the north by those few people.

It had gone berserk, fixated on killing him.

It was truly irritating.

He pressed a hand to his chest. That knife should have pierced his heart, but it had deflected slightly at the last moment. He wouldn't believe it was due to a last-minute mercy from the attacker.

This world was so ridiculous.

So absurd it was boring.

It both threw life-threatening trials at him and ensured he didn't die.

Too boring.

Yet he couldn't give up resisting.

The first time he realized this, he had given up. But he was swallowed by a demonic creature, remained unconscious for a year, until his master found and saved him.

Jun Xueyi gasped raggedly. If he were swallowed this time, he'd have to count on that Young Master to save him too.

He didn't want the other person to save him.

The idea of being cut open and extracted from the beast's belly—no need to think to know how disgusted the other would be, likely wanting to chop him to pieces.

He forced himself to quickly recover his spiritual energy, dodging the Heavenly Python's slamming tail while continuously aggravating it.

Almost there—the sun was about to rise.

As dawn broke, Ji Ling suddenly let out a low roar nearby, and Jun Xueyi sensed that the Cloud Snow Flower had been plucked.

He took out the Teleportation Talisman, swung his sword and splattered his own blood mixed with the beast's blood toward the group's location. The talisman instantly transported him into their midst.

"Roar—"

The Heavenly Python went completely berserk. Following the blood, it reached the group in less than two breaths, coiling its tail around them and opening its massive maw...

"Damn it!"

"Where's Jun Xueyi?"

The moment Jun Xueyi appeared before the group, he was instantly pulled back to Chu Ji.

This time, Chu Ji didn't manage to dodge in time. He stared at the blood staining his clothes and at Jun Xueyi, who was on the verge of death.

After a cold glance, he grabbed the snake from Xiong Qun's hand and forced it to bite Jun Xueyi hard.

Jun Xueyi felt a tingling numbness and struggled to open his eyes. "What was that?"

Chu Ji held the snake and spread his hands. "I don't know, but it's poison."

Ji Ling: "Young Hero Jun, be careful!"

Chu Ji looked up—the Heavenly Python was already right in front of them.

Tsk.

So ugly.

As the python opened its mouth, Jun Xueyi used his last bit of strength to grab Young Master.

Chu Ji was almost pulled away by Xiong Qun! But now, he ended up inside the snake's belly alongside Jun Xueyi.

Before being swallowed, he heard Jun Xueyi say, "Even in death, keep me company."

Chu Ji really wanted to tell him to go to hell.

But it was so putrid inside that he couldn't even speak, let alone keep his eyes open from the reek.

Outside, Ji Ling acted decisively, using his only Teleportation Talisman to send away Ji Yin along with the freshly obtained Cloud Snow Flower and its frost.

Xiong Qun clutched the seized Cloud Snow Flower. "Young Master!!!"

He stored the flower in his storage ring, unable to conceal his demonic energy any longer. He lunged forward, entangling himself in fierce combat with the Heavenly Python.

Ji Ling hesitated in his rescue efforts, staring at Xiong Qun, momentarily too stunned to act.

In the distance, the only one who escaped the python's maw—Clear Wind Sect's Eldest Senior Brother Yang Tianyun—watched the scene and immediately projected his voice using spiritual energy: "Fellow cultivators of the Cloud Snow Flower in this valley, Jun Xueyi has succumbed to demonic cultivation! He brought a demon cultivator to destroy the Cloud Snow Flower! I urge all fellow cultivators to come quickly and aid me in eliminating these demons!"

Hearing this, Ji Ling snapped back to reality. Regardless of whether Xiong Qun and his benefactor were demon cultivators, they had saved Ji Yin earlier, and Jun Xueyi was also inside the snake's belly—they had to be saved.

"Ji Wuyan, Ji Wuxing, activate the formation!"

The valley was vast, but no matter its size, it couldn't withstand overwhelming numbers.

News of the Cloud Snow Flower had spread far and wide, and many had come to the valley searching for it. If those people arrived, there would be no chance to explain.

Ji Ling led the others forward to help.

Yang Tianyun watched from afar while continuing to broadcast his message. He looked down with satisfaction—this was a Heavenly Python. Even the Sect Leader might not be able to save them. These few individuals were nothing more than snacks for the python.

Sure enough, in less than half an hour, the three were injured. Only the demon cultivator seemed oblivious to pain, having already knocked off many of the python's scales.

And earlier, Jun Xueyi had already shattered a large patch of scales on the python's belly. If they found that vulnerable spot...

Sensing others approaching, Yang Tianyun immediately raised his sword and stepped forward. "Fellow cultivators, do not fear! I, the Eldest Senior Brother of the Clear Wind Sect, am here to lend a hand. Let us join forces to exterminate these demon cultivators and the beast!"

The several squads that had arrived watched the demonic energy in the distance, their expressions turning serious.

It really was a demon cultivator.

Someone said, "Even Clear Wind Sect's Eldest Senior Brother is helping. Let's join too."

As more and more people arrived, Ji Ling and the others realized these newcomers were targeting Xiong Qun, not the Heavenly Python.

Someone even patted his shoulder. "We're here to help you."

Then they pointed their sword at Xiong Qun.

Ji Ling: "Kill the Heavenly Python first!!"

Yang Tianyun seized the chaos to unleash a spiritual attack, knocking Ji Ling unconscious.

"Kill the demon cultivator first."

Ji Wuyan and Ji Wuxing dragged Ji Ling to the rear, feeding him medicinal pills. By the time Ji Ling woke up, Xiong Qun on the front lines was about to be overwhelmed.

Under normal circumstances, Xiong Qun's power would far surpass these attackers, but now he was too preoccupied. His only thought was to cut open the python—Young Master was still inside. He sustained over a dozen wounds for this purpose.

-

Inside the python's belly, Chu Ji gripped his sword. Sensing the others nearby, he focused on slicing their way out while simultaneously killing the few individuals the python had swallowed earlier.

Otherwise, saving Jun Xueyi would mean saving these people too—an even more distasteful thought than rescuing Jun Xueyi.

A pity one had escaped.

After killing them, his current sword couldn't pierce the python's abdomen. He recalled the sword technique his mother had taught him, a wave of warmth spread through his heart. So this was it—new life emerging from death.

He opened his eyes. The jade pendant on his chest suddenly glowed, and a crimson sword aura shot out, slashing the Heavenly Python into several segments like a flame dragon.

After unleashing this strike, Chu Ji also lost consciousness, rolling out of the python's belly alongside Jun Xueyi. Along with them tumbled out the humans and beasts the python had swallowed along the way.

The stench was overwhelming.

The sword in Chu Ji's hand still emitted an incandescent glow. The sword aura hadn't dispersed; instead, it repelled everyone except Xiong Qun around the python, forming a protective circle around Chu Ji.

"Blazing Radiance..." Yang Tianyun stared in disbelief at this sword aura.

Immortal Venerable Linxun hadn't been seen in the world for twenty years—how could her sword aura be here?

Before he could ponder further, an ice-forged arrow shot forth, piercing through Yang Tianyun's chest in an instant, destroying his dantian and consciousness sea.

Yang Tianyun stared in shock. Jun Xueyi on the ground slowly opened his eyes, with no confusion in them.

He lowered his head—this was not an ability Jun Xueyi could possess. This level of spiritual energy was at least that of an Immortal Venerable.

Before he could figure it out, he collapsed heavily to the ground.

Jun Xueyi rose slowly, picked up the Young Master who had been knocked out after forcibly executing Immortal Venerable Linxun's famed sword technique, and told the crowd coldly, "This is Immortal Venerable Linxun's disciple."

Immortal Venerable Linxun, once the foremost figure in the immortal sects, had single-handedly secured twenty years of peace between immortals and demons. No one in the immortal sects dared say a word against her disciple, even if he was demonic.

Some among the crowd clearly recognized this sword intent.

No one dared to step forward again.

Jun Xueyi continued emotionlessly, "The Cloud Snow Flower has been destroyed by the Heavenly Python. Everyone, go back."

He carried the Young Master toward the river, figuring that once he woke up and saw how filthy he was, the first thing he would probably do is try to cut him down.

He also dragged along the severely injured Xiong Qun.

As he reached the riverbank, Jun Xueyi stumbled and almost fell into the river with the Young Master in his arms.

He shook his head hard and clutched his chest—this familiar sensation...

He was stunned. Did the Young Master slip him some aphrodisiac?

Author's note: