Chapter 2154: Evening Approaches

The largest mountain range in the Snow Domain is called "Extreme Ground Heavenly Que."

People also call it "Heaven Mountain."

Within the Extreme Ground Heavenly Que mountain range, the highest peak is named "Everlasting Holy Winter." Legend has it that it is the Snow Domain's most ancient ice peak, standing from far ancient times until now. Through the vicissitudes of life and the changes of all things, it remains steadfast, and the ice and snow that have accumulated on it over the long years together form the present Extreme Ground Heavenly Que.

It is also the peak that the White Shopkeeper often chants about, "Heaven Mountain above, the peak that does not melt."

Thick, heavy white snow fails to conceal this peak's danger.

Above the mountain's waist, there is white fog.

Above the vast white fog, there are accumulated thunder clouds that never disperse throughout the year.

In a place higher than the sea-like thunder clouds, the sunlight is bright, illuminating ten thousand li.

The part of Everlasting Holy Winter Peak that juts out from the sea of thunder is still several thousand zhang high. It is like the tip of a spear with the sea of thunder as its tassel.

On the absolute summit of the mountain, accumulated snow never melts. In the snow sits cross-legged a stern man with black hair hanging down his shoulders.

He is, naturally, Fu Huan.

The strongest in the Snow Domain, the Daoist who sits on Holy Winter Peak.

That year, when the Divine Firmament World was upgraded, the absolute peak powerhouses of the human and demon races exchanged blows across the "Cause and Effect Heaven Window" constructed by Chan Fa Yuan and Ji Xing Kong. He was one of those who made a move from the human race side.

His qualifications are extraordinary. As early as before the establishment of Snow Country, he had already reached the Derive Dao stage!

That year, it was precisely he and Snow Country's Grand Ancestor Hong Jun Yan who together established this great northwestern country that dominates the Snow Domain and guards Extreme Ground Heavenly Que.

He is also one of the few absolute peak powerhouses who have remained active from the beginning of the Dao Calendar's New Beginning until now.

At the end of the near ancient period, during the era of the Dao Calendar's New Beginning, the present world saw a surge of countless outstanding individuals, with heavenly pride figures emerging like a blowout. But as time passed, the pattern of the present world tended to stabilize, and the brilliant stars that once shone in the sky gradually dimmed. The familiar names of those individuals – some have fallen, some are hidden, some are in seclusion, some are planning for the ten thousand worlds, and some are scheming for transcendence – all rarely appear before people.

Those whose fame still exists, like Purple Void True Monarch Zong De Zhen, have also stayed on Jade Capital Mountain after ascending it and rarely come down.

Only Fu Huan has always been active on the stage of the present world.

He assisted Hong Jun Yan in building the country; he personally wrote the teachings of the Rigor Winter Teach; he stabilized the situation in Snow Country after Hong Jun Yan's death; he selected a "Rigor Winter's Son/Daughter" every hundred years as his direct disciple, cultivating generations of brilliant figures for Snow Country; and he, after the death of the Frost Immortal Monarch years ago, forced the North Heavenly Master Wu Dao You to personally write down a thousand-year promise in the ancient demon extermination alliance agreement guaranteeing the continuation of Snow Country...

Such a character's status in Snow Country is imaginable.

He is history, he is also the present, he is a signpost, and he is a pillar.

He is not a god, but in the hearts of the people of Snow Country, he holds a status higher than that of a god.

At this moment, he wore a loose, thin shirt, barefoot, sitting alone in the snow.

He seemed to have been sitting for a very long time, not moving at all. His eyes were fixed ahead, not knowing what he was thinking. The sea, the Snow Domain, the sky, all were in his eyes, and yet not in his eyes at all.

Until a certain moment, snow began to fall in front of him. The snowflakes coalesced into a human shape and quietly knelt on the ground.

Fu Huan blinked his eyes, and this world instantly became vivid.

"Ming World ah." He opened his mouth and said, "How many years have you been the bishop?"

Shen Ming World, Bishop of the Winter Zai Diocese, the first of the five great bishops of the Rigor Winter Teach, also known as... the first true expert of the Snow Domain!

He knelt in front of Fu Huan at this time, and answered steadily, "Three hundred and sixteen years."

His voice was like snow, still very clear as it floated in the air, and then became invisible after landing.

"Time... Time passes really fast." Fu Huan's tone was inexplicable, "Hong Xing Jian grew up under your watch."

"Yes, the country monarch is still very young," Shen Ming World said.

Fu Huan asked again, "Have people from the Too Void Pavilion come?"

Shen Ming World replied, "The one who came is Jiang Wang. You once made a move from afar and brought him back from the demon world."

"Young hero!" Fu Huan briefly evaluated him, then asked, "What is he doing now?"

Shen Ming World said, "He... is doing nothing. He was indeed very busy on the first day. He went to Cold Flower City, met Na Lan Long Zhi, chatted with the Winter Emperor, and incidentally arrested some criminals and took them to the Cold Flower City government office, then took away Wei Yu - and that's it. The rest of the time, he's been cultivating in meditation in the Too Void Corner Tower originally built by the Too Void Sect."

Fu Huan chuckled, "He is a smart person, making us appear not smart."

"The Too Void Illusion has already become a great trend, and the human way's flood is unstoppable. Snow Country opening up is already inevitable," Shen Ming World said in a deep voice, "It's either early or late. Are you... prepared?"

Fu Huan did not answer, just looked out of the mountain, looking at the distant place covered by ten thousand years of thunder clouds: "Look in that direction, what do you see?"

"Sky, thunder clouds, and snow."

"A little further."

Shen Ming World said, "Killing intent, resentment."

Fu Huan said, "In the past, the Human Emperor Sui Ren Shi and the ancient hundred races together made a great vow, vowing 'As long as the human race exists, the hundred races will not perish.' Thus, he gained the support of the hundred races and together they raised the banner to attack the demons. Later, he again strove to gain the defection of the dragon race, and finally the ancient heavenly court was overthrown, ending the dark era.

"But the hundred races claimed their merit, greedy and insatiable, repeatedly making demands. And by nature they were unruly and undisciplined, causing disasters multiple times.

"Therefore, Sui Ren Shi paid a huge price, bypassing the ancient vow, joining hands with the ancient Dragon Emperor Pan Wu Shi, and opening the great war against the hundred races, the so-called 'Dragon and Human, exterminate the hundred races.' A part of the ancient hundred races escaped to various heavens, a part completely submitted and merged into the human race, and the vast majority were all killed. The resentment of the dead hundred races' strong experts did not disperse, accumulating in extremely dark places, the sunset land... transforming into Asuras."

"Ming World." Fu Huan asked, "People today pursue the ancient, many can only guess. You say the ancient hundred races indeed caused frequent disasters?" Shen Ming World's expression remained unchanged: "Perhaps they did."

Fu Huan sighed, "Yes ah, perhaps they did."

"We have long been prepared to open up, we just need a little time," Shen Ming World said lightly, "With you here, no matter who it is, they should give some patience."

"Males manifest as Asuras, females manifest as Rakshasas. This race is born for killing," Fu Huan said, "Everyone knows that Qin Country guards the Yu Abyss, and Wu Guan blocks the Wei Water. But they do not know that Snow Country also guards an entrance to the Yu Abyss. Xu Wang killed A Ye Ji, shaking the world. How could I not have killed an Asura monarch?"

He stood up from the snow, his bare feet stepping on the snow, and walked towards the edge of the cliff: "What is Extreme Ground Heavenly Que? It is the heaven gate of the human world! The great sun falls into the Yu Abyss here, hence the heavens are late."

"To some extent, this is fair," Shen Ming World knelt and did not move, "We refuse to communicate with the outside, so our honor is not known."

"There are three entrances to the Yu Abyss in the present world. One is in Qin Country, one is in Snow Country, and one is on Jade Capital Mountain. The entrance on the Jade Capital Mountain side was completely sealed as early as the middle ancient era. So after the Dao Calendar's New Beginning, it is Qin Country and Snow Country that together bear the heavy responsibility." Fu Huan sighed, "Hong Jun Yan regretted until his death - what a pity that while guarding the Yu Abyss and having the merit of suppressing Asuras, Snow Country was unable to dominate the world. Not only was it unable to claim hegemony over one world, it couldn't even stand side by side with countries like Jing Country and Mu Country in one domain."

Shen Ming World pondered, "I still don't understand why the Grand Ancestor didn't head east that year."

Fu Huan said, "The main reason is our decision error. In that period, everyone already generally recognized that the state system would become the mainstream of the present world, and the power of the era was embodied in the state. Ji Yu Su built the capital Heaven Capital and was the first to establish a country. Thereafter, for twenty years, all kinds of states emerged like spring shoots after rain, and ambitious individuals of various shapes and colors appeared, but they were all easily crushed by Ji Yu Su's military force... until the twenty-fourth year of the Dao Calendar, Gu Yan Qiu ascended the throne in the east domain, establishing Yang Country, only then truly curbing Ji Yu Su's crazy expansion momentum.

"Snow Domain has dangerous terrain, easy to defend and hard to attack, making it a good place for closed-door development. Hong Jun Yan and I chose to establish a country here to avoid a newborn regime being easily crushed in a chaotic world, seeking a stable period of development."

"That year, Ji Yu Su, Gu Yan Qiu, Ying Yun Nian, He Lian Qing Tong, Zong De Zhen... all were world-shaking heroes, each fiercer than the last. Various heroes contended, and beacon fires were everywhere. They turned the present world into a flesh millstone, strangling countless ambitious individuals."

"Hong Jun Yan believed that we should accumulate strength and quietly wait for the right time. Wait for the world to be in great chaos, with all sides exhausted, then head east and south, tidy up the mountains and rivers, and decide the fate of the tripod in one fell swoop. Then, using the name of suppressing Asuras to lock the country, focus on the war in the Yu Abyss, and drill the troops."

"It's a pity that the world's winds and clouds changed. Tang Yu swept across the world, suppressed and killed the God Pool Heaven King, accepted the surrender of the God Pool water race, built the city 'Count Are,' known as 'Heaven Son Town Fierce,' accepted forces from all sides of the Jing ground, established an unprecedented military court empire, and also blocked our path to the east."

"And in the south, there is the strong Yong, with iron chains crossing horizontally. Jing Country only needs one army to aid, and we cannot advance south."

"Snow Domain is our fertile land, and also our prison. Finally, we could only watch the outside winds and clouds with our own eyes, watching the world's pattern being decided, becoming spectators of the era in the era when heroes decided the tripod."

Fu Huan's voice was not without regret, and the thousand years passed, quietly scattering in the wind.

Shen Ming World also heard this part of history specifically for the first time, and for a while sighed, "How brief history books are, and how many stories there are!"

Fu Huan looked at a stretch of thunder clouds and asked again, "What has the Winter Emperor been doing recently?"

Throughout the history of Snow Country, the successive strongest of the younger generation, only Xu Qiu Ci was not from Fu Huan's lineage. Later, she also achieved the highest achievement of Snow Country's heavenly pride, becoming the famous Frost Immortal Monarch.

And Xie Ai is this generation's Rigor Winter's Daughter, and also a heavenly pride personally taught by Fu Huan, who had a good performance at View River Terrace. But overnight, she suddenly became Xu Qiu Ci's reincarnation and is now the Winter Emperor.

Shen Ming World shook his head, "I only know that she is chasing and killing Na Lan Long Zhi, and also investigating the location of the Steal Heaven Mansion... The Winter Emperor's whereabouts are not something I can spy on."

"Steal Heaven Mansion... Na Lan Long Zhi..." Fu Huan murmured, "When I was young, I met a person named Pu Shun An. He said he was the master of the Steal Heaven Mansion. But I still don't know what this sect does."

"Where did you see this Steal Heaven Mansion master?" Shen Ming World said, "Perhaps we can deduce the location of the Steal Heaven Mansion from his whereabouts."

"I didn't see him in reality." Fu Huan obviously did not want to say more, "That was also a very long time ago." Shen Ming World asked, "So, what was stolen from the Winter Emperor? They have never contended in the world. This time they proactively came to the door, could it be that--"

"Who knows? Perhaps there will be a time when the Winter Emperor is willing to tell us," Fu Huan said lightly, "There is no need to worry about the Steal Heaven Mansion. They have never interfered with the present world."

Shen Ming World nodded, "Then next, what should we do?"

"Proceed as usual," Fu Huan said, "All of this is also time to end."

The diligent Jiang Cabinet Member cultivated diligently in the Too Void Corner Tower in Snow Silence City for many days, and just as diligently waited for the second Too Void Conference to open.

Being in Snow Country, he did not descend with his true body, but entered the Too Void Pavilion by entering the Too Void Illusion.

He still manifested his body on the huge round platform surrounded by starlight, sitting silently in his chair - he subconsciously glanced at Li Yi's seat, which was still empty. The other cabinet members had all arrived.

Reuniting today, everyone felt very hazy, unlike the first conference, where everyone was in their true body.

"How is Jiang Cabinet Member's work in Snow Country progressing?" Dou Zhao squinted at Jiang Wang, his expression very displeased.

He seemed to have completely forgotten that the reason Jiang Wang came to do this was precisely because of his strong recommendation.

Jiang Wang's expression remained unchanged: "It is progressing steadily."

Dou Zhao bared his teeth: "It's been a month! Even if Qin Zhi Zhen went, the matter should have ended!"

The main reason for his dissatisfaction with Jiang Wang was still the intelligence issue.

After the person named Jiang went to Snow Country, he was very active at first, quickly obtaining Wei Yu's intelligence. But after receiving the high intelligence fee, he immediately disappeared like a mud ox sinking into the sea. No matter how he urged him, he didn't provide any new progress, not even a reply letter.

He originally thought that the situation in Snow Country was too complex, and the person named Jiang was probably using his poor brain to engage in witty and courageous battles, working very hard. He even expressed understanding multiple times.

But later, he mobilized the Chu Country's intelligence system to investigate, only to find out that this fellow was doing nothing but bringing Wei Yu to cultivate in Snow Silence City!

Did he still remember what he went to Snow Country for?

Public expense tourism?

Or public expense to make friends?

Qin Zhi Zhen listened with a frown: "Why does Dou Cabinet Member's words sound so unpleasant to me?"

"If it's unpleasant, then stuff your ears with cotton!" Dou Zhao said impatiently, "What, do you still want me to coax you?"

"The Too Void Pavilion is not your arena," Ju Kui said sternly, "Cabinet members, do not provoke each other at every turn. If this happens again, I will impeach!"

Qin Zhi Zhen was stopped before he could retort, and a belly full of words was stuffed back.

Dou Zhao seemed to completely ignore the fact that Ju Kui's criticism was directed at him, and continued to bombard Jiang Cabinet Member: "I knew you weren't serious. As soon as the last conference ended, you went to drink with Huang She Li! Do you even care about the task?!"

Huang She Li couldn't stand him: "Surname Dou, I advise you not to meddle in unnecessary affairs! Are you in charge of the private lives of cabinet members?"

Jiang Wang seemed to feel Zhong Xuan's gaze again and quickly said, "We don't have any private lives. We just had a drink together."

Huang She Li gestured with his hand: "I didn't say anything else."

"No other!"

Huang She Li smiled: "Alright, it's all up to you."

Later, Ju Kui would get a headache every ninth day of the month, but at this time, he still didn't realize the seriousness of the problem.

He just reiterated: "The second Too Void Conference is officially open. Please everyone, do not chat about unrelated things anymore."

"Then let's continue to talk about the task," Dou Zhao pressed on aggressively: "Shouldn't Jiang Cabinet Member report his duty?"

Jiang Wang said lightly: "To ensure the smooth conduct of the task, I will do my best to avoid all possible behaviors that could lead to leaks. After the task is completed, I will naturally communicate with all states, but now - I cannot inform."

"Good, good," Dou Zhao laughed with anger: "You're telling me you can't inform me now, is that it?"

"Although Dou Cabinet Member is targeting me, I have no intention of targeting Dou Cabinet Member," Jiang Wang said calmly, "Some secret arrangements are not suitable to be revealed in advance. I believe that with Dou Cabinet Member's wisdom, it is not difficult to understand. Furthermore, even this sentence of mine is actually a leak. Dou Cabinet Member had best pray that my plan is not affected, otherwise it will be very difficult for me not to suspect the intention of your questions."

Compared to the emotionally stable Jiang Cabinet Member, Dou Cabinet Member was obviously much more impulsive. For a moment, his eyes showed a fierce light: "What are you suspecting? Why don't you make your words clearer?"

Jiang Wang shrugged: "Saying more is of no benefit. Let time examine it."

After all, he didn't want to make things too difficult with Dou Zhao, this big buyer of intelligence, so he turned his gaze: "Yi, why hasn't Li Yi come yet?"

Dou Zhao was indeed angry: "This is despising the Too Void Pavilion, despising everyone present. Remove his chair!"