Shengui Changsheng: Start from Zhenwuwei and add some points to cultivate immortality

The rest was left unsaid, but everyone understood—it was almost a one-way trip.

Little Stone was looking at the jade pendant by the table when he heard this. He looked up and said, "I'm going with Brother Tiger! I'm not afraid of the cold!"

"You stay." Wang Xiaohu patted the old man's head, then turned his gaze to him. "When do we leave?"

"The sooner the better." The old man stood up. "The Frost Nightmare has already begun to spread south. If we wait any longer, even the Star Sword Sect may be affected."

Before setting off, Wang Xiaohu visited the Sword Tomb. The phantoms of seven divine swords swirled around the Demon-Suppressing Sword. He reached out, his fingertips tracing the blade, as if bidding farewell to an old friend. "Wait for me to return," he whispered, and the Demon-Suppressing Sword hummed softly, as if in response.

When Su Qingwan packed his luggage, she stuffed in quite a few things: a thick cotton-padded coat, a hot water bottle to warm his hands, a talisman made from Soul-Gathering Flower seeds, and even a small jar of roasted chestnuts. "When you get to the snow mountain, remember to eat a few every day to warm yourself up." Her voice trembled slightly, but she tried to smile. "I'll be waiting for you at Puhuitang and will make you daylily tea."

Wang Xiaohu held her hand, the warmth of his palm dispelling all the chill: "When I come back, we'll expand the herb garden even more and plant it full of your favorite daylilies."

Shi Yong insisted on going along, saying that he was a hunter all year round and was very resistant to the cold, so he could help clear the way. A Ying also came from Qing Shi Town, bringing thick cotton boots made by Wang the tailor and dried dandelions that A He had dried. "These dandelions can ward off the cold, and they work when you soak them in water."

On the day the group set off, disciples of the Star Sword Sect and villagers came to see them off. The children clung to Wang Xiaohu's clothes, reluctant to let go. Xiao Shitou stuffed the patched-up cloth tiger into his arms: "Brother Xiaohu, take this with you, it can ward off evil spirits."

The far north snow-capped mountains are colder than I imagined. The further north I went, the thinner the air became, even the sunlight looked pale, and thick ice covered the stones by the roadside, making a crunching sound underfoot. An old man said that these were the traces of the passing cold, and further on, even the stones would turn into ice sculptures.

Once inside the snow-capped mountains, the temperature was so low it could freeze bones. Shi Yong's beard was covered in frost, and the white breath he exhaled when he spoke could instantly condense into ice crystals. A Ying wrapped herself in all her thick clothes, but she was still shivering from the cold. Nevertheless, she insisted on serving everyone dandelion tea, saying that they shouldn't let the cold seep into their bodies.

The Bone-Eating Ice Crevice lies deep within the snow-capped mountains. From afar, it resembles a gaping wound, churning with a dark gray-black chill that blocks even sunlight. The howls of the Frost Nightmare emanate from the crevice, like the wailing of countless wronged souls, sending chills down one's spine.

"It's right here." The old man pointed to a huge rock at the edge of the ice crevice. "The core of the Sealing Jade is at the bottom of the ice crevice. The sword master needs to jump down with the Demon-Suppressing Sword in hand and use the Seven Sword Spirits to fill the cracks in the jade. Remember, no matter what you hear or see, you must not let go of the sword, otherwise the Nightmare of Cold will take the opportunity to enter your sea of ​​consciousness."

Wang Xiaohu nodded, gripping the Demon-Suppressing Sword even tighter. He glanced back at Shi Yong and A Ying; though they were too cold to speak, they encouraged him with their eyes. "Wait for me to come up," he smiled, then turned and leaped into the ice crevice.

The chill inside the ice crevice was a hundred times colder than outside, feeling like countless ice needles piercing his bones. Wang Xiaohu circulated the Seven Swords Spiritual Essence, forming a protective golden light around his body, barely managing to withstand the cold. After descending for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he finally saw the core of the Sealing Jade—a huge piece of white jade, suspended at the bottom of the ice crevice. The cracks on it were even denser than the fragments the old man had brought, and black, chilling energy was continuously gushing out from the cracks.

The true form of the Nightmare was right next to Bai Yu, a humanoid mass of black mist staring at him with countless eyes, emitting a piercing shriek. "The aura of the Seven Swords..." a hoarse voice echoed from within the black mist, "A thousand years... finally, I've waited for spiritual power that can give me a good feast!"

It pounced suddenly, the black mist instantly transforming into countless ice spikes, aimed straight at Wang Xiaohu's face. Wang Xiaohu swung his sword to block, the seven-colored sword energy colliding with the ice spikes, producing a crackling sound. The ice spikes shattered on the ground, but immediately reformed, seemingly endless.

"It's useless," Han Yan laughed wildly. "Here, my power is limitless. Sooner or later, I will exhaust your spiritual power and turn you into an ice sculpture!"

Ignoring its clamor, Wang Xiaohu steadily walked towards the Sealing Jade. The Demon-Suppressing Sword hummed in his hand, and the seven illusory figures grew brighter and brighter. He could feel the power of the Nightmare of Cold constantly eroding the golden light protecting his body; his skin was already frozen and numb, but his hand holding the sword remained as steady as a rock.

Just as he was about to touch the Sealing Jade, the Frost Nightmare suddenly let out a shrill scream. The black mist expanded violently, transforming into a massive ice net that enveloped Wang Xiaohu and the Sealing Jade together. "Let's freeze here together!" it roared, "so that you can become my eternal nourishment!"

The ice net rapidly contracted, and a biting chill seeped in through the golden light. Wang Xiaohu's limbs began to stiffen, and his vision blurred. In a daze, he seemed to see Su Qingwan brewing tea at Puhui Hall, Little Stone chasing butterflies in the herb garden, Aying teaching children to identify herbs in Qing Shi Town, and Li Gou Dan beaming with joy as he held his grandson…

"I can't stop." He gritted his teeth and used the last bit of strength to stab the Demon-Suppressing Sword into the core of the Spirit-Sealing Jade.

Seven-colored sword energy surged into the white jade from the sword tip, and a dazzling light erupted from the cracks. The Cold Nightmare let out a bloodcurdling howl, and the black mist rapidly melted in the light, while the ice net dissolved into ice crystals that dissipated into the air. The cracks on the Sealing Jade healed at a visible speed, the black chill gradually disappeared, and only warm golden light remained in the ice fissure.

Looking at the perfectly intact Feng Lingyu, Wang Xiaohu finally breathed a sigh of relief, but his body could no longer support him, and he collapsed to the ground with everything going black.

He was awakened by a familiar fragrance after some time had passed. It was the smell of daylily tea.

He opened his eyes and found himself lying on a bed in Puhuitang. Sunlight streamed through the window, warming the blankets. Su Qingwan sat by the bed, tucking him in, her eyes red-rimmed. Seeing him awake, tears immediately streamed down her face: "You're finally awake!"

"I...I'm back?" Wang Xiaohu's voice was terribly hoarse.

"You're back!" Little Stone rushed in from outside the door, holding a Soul-Gathering Flower in his hand. "Brother Tiger, you've been sleeping for half a month! Brother Ying said you were too tired and told us not to disturb you."

Shi Yong also came in, carrying a bowl of hot porridge: "Drink it while it's hot. It was made with the spirit-sealing jade fragments you brought back. Daoist Xuanjizi said it can replenish spiritual power."

Wang Xiaohu then noticed a new bracelet on his wrist, strung together with fragments of Sealing Jade and Soul-Gathering Flower seeds, a beautiful blend of white and black. "This is..."

"I made this up," Su Qingwan said with a smile, wiping away her tears. "The old man said that fragments of the Sealing Jade can calm the mind, so I learned to make this from Aying to soothe your nerves." Outside the window, ginkgo leaves continued to fall, like a golden rain. Wang Xiaohu, drinking his hot porridge and looking at the person before him, suddenly realized that the most powerful force in the world was never the spiritual essence of the Seven Swords, nor the icy chill of the Cold Nightmare, but rather the warmth hidden in the everyday moments—the person waiting for you to come home, the light left on for you, and that bowl of ever-warm daylily tea.

He knew the story would continue. There might be new challenges and dangers ahead, but as long as he had these people and this warmth by his side, he could make it back no matter how far the journey.

Just like the ginkgo trees of the Starry Sky Sword Sect, they shed their leaves every year, but as long as the roots remain, new green buds will surely sprout the following spring, growing even more luxuriantly under the sun. When the spring breeze once again swept across the stone steps of the Starry Sky Sword Sect, several newly planted "Wanggui Grass" appeared in the herb garden of Puhui Hall.

This grass was a seed left behind by an old man from the far north snow mountain before he left. He said it had a spirit, and as long as the person he cared about was on their way home, its leaves would unfurl in the direction that person came from. Su Qingwan planted it in the most conspicuous corner, and watered it herself every morning, watching the tender green leaves sway gently in the wind, like countless little hands waving.

"Sister Su, look, it's changed direction again!" Little Stone squatted by the grass, holding a small twig in his hand, gesturing in the direction of the leaves. "Is it because Brother Ying is coming back?"

Su Qingwan was polishing a hairpin with a fragment of the Sealing Jade from last year. Jade shavings fell onto the bluestone slab like scattered snowflakes. "Maybe so," she said with a smile. "Aying said in her letter that the peach blossoms in Qingshi Town have fallen, and it's time to send the newly harvested peach blossom honey."

No sooner had she finished speaking than the familiar sound of horses' hooves echoed along the mountain path. Aying rode an old horse, carrying a huge pottery jar on its back, followed by a small figure wearing a blue cloth dress and pigtails—it was Ahe.

"Aunt Su! Uncle Xiao Hu!" Ahe jumped off the horse, clutching a bulging cloth bag in her hand. "I brought dried dandelions that I grew myself!"

A-Ying jumped off his horse with a smile and patted the earthenware jar: "This is peach blossom honey. Miss Wang boiled it for three days, saying she wanted to make it into tea for Sister Su." His gaze swept over the herb garden and landed on the 'Wang Gui Cao' (a type of herb), a warm feeling appearing in his eyes. "This herb is truly miraculous. We just passed Duan Yun City, and it should have already turned this way, right?"

Su Qingwan's cheeks flushed slightly as she turned and went to the kitchen to busy herself, saying she was going to make them peach blossom honey water. Wang Xiaohu stepped forward and patted Aying's shoulder: "How is Qing Shi Town?"

“Very good,” A-Ying nodded, taking out a letter from her bosom. “Uncle Li Gou Dan asked me to give you a message, saying that the new school in town has been built and he would like you to write a plaque for it.” He paused, his voice filled with laughter. “He also said that his grandson can now call him ‘Grandpa Xiao Hu’, but he still can’t pronounce it correctly and always says ‘Xiao Hu Ye Ye’.”

Little Stone listened and laughed, but Ahe tugged at his sleeve, insisting on seeing the Soul-Gathering Flower in the herb garden. Last year, after Wang Xiaohu returned from the far north, the Soul-Gathering Flower seemed to have gained a spirit, blooming even more profusely than in previous years. The purple sea of ​​flowers undulated in the spring breeze, attracting butterflies to fly around it.

“Ahe can now recognize more than fifty kinds of herbs,” Aying said, looking at the backs of the two children with eyes full of satisfaction. “Miss Wang taught her to read, and she said that she wants to be a doctor like Sister Su in the future, who can both recognize herbs and save lives.”

Wang Xiaohu recalled the first time he met Ahe; she was a timid little girl who didn't even dare to touch the flowers. Now, she could generously water the *Hope-to-Return* herb and point to the *Soul-Gathering Flower*, saying, "This can calm the mind." Suddenly, he felt that time was like the flowing water in the herb garden, silent yet changing many things.

As evening fell, Su Qingwan brought over peach blossom honey water. A few peach petals floated in the amber liquid, and the sweet fragrance filled the courtyard. Aying talked about the interesting things happening in Qing Shi Town: the dyeing skills taught by Shi Yong's wife had spread throughout the town, and every household was drying blue cloth; three teenagers from Baiyao Valley had become teachers at the school, teaching children to identify herbs, and had even planted a patch of forget-me-nots in the school's backyard; Li Gou Dan's cured meat shop was doing better and better, and he said he wanted to save up tuition fees for his grandson so that he could also come to the Xingchen Sword Sect to learn swordsmanship in the future.

“Oh, right,” Ah Yingxiang suddenly remembered something and took out a plush toy from her bag. It was a crooked little rabbit. “Ah He sewed this for you. She said thank you for the ice jade fragments she brought back from the snow mountain last time. She used the fragments to make a little rabbit pendant, and you wear it around your neck every day.”

The stitches on the doll were still crooked, but much neater than the tiger doll Little Stone had given him years ago. Wang Xiaohu took the doll, his fingertips touching the cotton inside, which felt warm, like it held sunshine.

At night, Wang Xiaohu and Su Qingwan sat on the veranda, watching the leaves of the *Gynostemma pentaphyllum* slowly close up, like a sleeping child. Moonlight fell on the herb garden, and dewdrops clung to the petals of the *Hypericum sarmentosum*, shimmering faintly in the night.

"Do you think we should go to Qing Shi Town for a while?" Su Qingwan suddenly asked, stroking the ice jade hairpin in her hand. The jade was warm and smooth, reflecting the moonlight with a soft glow. "Aying said that the new school is short of a teacher to teach medicine. It would be perfect for me to go."

Wang Xiaohu nodded: "Okay, write the plaque while you're at it." He looked at the Sword Tomb in the distance. The Demon-Suppressing Sword shone with a soft light under the moonlight. The seven phantoms were fainter than before, but also warmer. "Actually, I've already thought it through. Once the disciples are capable of standing on their own, we'll go to Qing Shi Town to live, guard the school's herb garden, and watch the children grow up. That would be nice."

Su Qingwan leaned on his shoulder without saying a word, but the smile on her lips was like melting peach blossom honey, so sweet that it warmed one's heart.

A few days later, the group headed to Qing Shi Town. Ahe carefully dug up the Wanggui Grass, put it in a ceramic jar, and took it with her, saying she would plant it in the courtyard of the new school, "so that we'll know when Uncle Xiaohu and Aunt Su will come to see us."

The new school was indeed impressive, with blue brick and tile houses. There was even a vacant lot in the courtyard with a wooden frame set up, waiting for the plaque to be hung. Li Gou Dan was waiting at the door with his little grandson in his arms. The little guy was wearing a red cotton-padded jacket. When he saw Wang Xiao Hu, he stretched out his arms to hug him, babbling "Yay!" which made everyone laugh.

Wang the tailor's daughter was leading the women in setting up the school. The walls were covered with children's drawings of herbs; though the lines were childish, they showed their earnestness. Upon seeing Su Qingwan, she hurried over, holding a piece of half-dyed blue cloth in her hand: "Sister Su, come and see! I tried to dye the cloth to resemble the Soul-Gathering Flower, but it doesn't look quite right."

Su Qingwan leaned closer to look. The outlines of purple petals were drawn on the blue cloth with alum, and they did indeed resemble the real thing. "It's already very good," she said with a smile. "Once it dries, I'll embroider a few real ones on it for you. I guarantee they'll look beautiful."

Wang Xiaohu spread out Xuan paper on the desk in the classroom, picked up his brush, and dipped it in ink. Li Gou Dan and A Ying stood by watching, and even the children crowded around, barely daring to breathe. He thought for a moment, then wrote the three characters "Gui Xin Tang" (Returning Heart Hall). His brushstrokes were no longer as sharp as before, but rather gentle and warm, like a spring breeze brushing across the water.

“Gui Xin Tang,” Li Gou Dan murmured, savoring the meaning, “Good! No matter how far I go, coming here feels like coming home, and I feel at ease!”

The day the plaque was hung, firecrackers were set off in Qing Shi Town. Children ran around the new school, holding small windmills woven from forget-me-nots, their laughter louder than the firecrackers. Wang Xiaohu stood under the eaves, watching Su Qingwan teach the women to identify medicinal herbs, A Ying leading the children to plant forget-me-nots in the herb garden, and Li Gou Dan holding his grandson, pointing out the characters on the plaque to the little guy, teaching him one character at a time. (End of Chapter)