Thirteenth month of death

Chapter 256 Mysterious Ice Marrow
The morning mist enveloped the stone-paved road of Qingxi Town. Li Daosheng stood at the entrance of the inn, gazing at the distant, rolling mountains.

The long mark between his eyebrows was a few degrees deeper than yesterday. He raised his hand and gently touched the mark, feeling a slight burning sensation on his fingertips.

"Let's go."

Su Moshi's voice came from behind.

Today she changed into a plain white Taoist robe, her hair was simply tied up with a wooden hairpin, and a bronze mirror hung at her waist, gleaming faintly in the morning light.

Compared to her aloof and ethereal demeanor when we first met, she now exudes a more down-to-earth and relatable charm.

Li Daosheng nodded: "Go to the Northwest, there is a place marked by the Dao."

Su Moshi thought for a moment and said, "It should be the Xuanbing Palace."

“No mistake, there is a Cold Marrow Needle there, one of the magic treasures left behind by Wudao.” Li Daosheng said after sensing the map in his mind.

At the same time, fragments of memories that did not belong to him suddenly flashed through his mind—an ice crystal palace standing amidst the snow, a tall and slender figure driving an ice needle into the palace master's brow...

He shook his head violently, trying to dispel the images.

Su Moshi keenly noticed his unusual behavior: "You saw Wudao's memories again?"

“Hmm.” Li Daosheng nodded. “It’s alright. He saved me from the previous danger. After I finish what I promised, I will cut all ties with him.”

“I believe it.” Su Moshi said, and the bronze mirror flew out from his waist, growing larger in the air.

The two stepped onto the bronze mirror and transformed into a streak of blue light, flying towards the northwest.

The mountains and rivers beneath his feet rushed past, and Li Daosheng stood on the mirror-like surface, feeling the oncoming gale.

Since absorbing the Blood Jade Bead, his five senses have become exceptionally sharp, and he can even see the patterns on the wings of a bird several miles away.

This body is being modified, becoming less and less like his own.

"What are you thinking about?" Su Moshi stood beside him, her Taoist robe fluttering in the wind.

Li Daosheng was silent for a moment: "I'm wondering if I'll become completely ruthless after I collect all the magical treasures."

Su Moshi did not answer immediately.

The bronze mirror flew across a sea of ​​clouds, and sunlight shone through the clouds onto her pale face, reflecting an almost transparent texture.

"I won't let that happen," she finally said, her voice soft but unwavering.

Li Daosheng turned to look at her and suddenly noticed that Su Moshi's eyelashes were covered with tiny ice crystals that sparkled in the sunlight.

He instinctively reached out to brush it away for her, but stopped just before he touched it.

Su Moshi seemed to sense his intention and turned his head slightly: "The cold air has arrived, and the Xuanbing Palace is just ahead."

The bronze mirror continued flying north, and the temperature kept dropping.

The green forests below were gradually covered by white snow, and in the distance, a continuous range of icebergs appeared, shimmering with blue light in the sunlight.

"Ahead lies Tianbing Mountain, where the Xuanbing Palace is located," Su Moshi pointed into the distance. "The disciples of the Xuanbing Palace cultivate cold-natured techniques, and the entire palace is made of thousand-year-old Xuanbing ice."

Li Daosheng squinted and vaguely saw a huge ice crystal palace among the icebergs, like a finely crafted work of art.

As the distance closed, he felt the Blood Jade Bead within his body begin to stir, seemingly resonating with the Cold Marrow Needles in the distance.

"How do we get in?" Li Daosheng asked. "Should we just challenge them directly, or...?"

“Xuanbing Palace and Taishang Lihentian have a long-standing relationship,” Su Moshi said. “As a Daoist disciple, I should not be turned away.”

The bronze mirror landed in front of the iceberg.

A biting wind rushed towards him, and the white breath he exhaled instantly condensed into ice crystals.

Strangely, he didn't feel cold; instead, he had a strange sense of familiarity—this was the influence of Wudao's memories.

The two walked up the ice steps.

Ice sculptures of various shapes and sizes stand on both sides of the steps, including birds and beasts, as well as cultivators holding swords, all lifelike.

“These are…” Li Daosheng reached out and touched an ice sculpture.

“Statues of outstanding disciples of the Xuanbing Palace throughout history,” Master Su Mo explained. “They were sealed here using secret methods after their deaths, ensuring their eternal existence.”

It felt a little eerie... As soon as Li Daosheng's fingers touched the surface of the ice sculpture, he suddenly felt a sharp pain.

He stopped, and the two continued on their way, finally arriving at the main gate of the Xuanbing Palace.

Four white-robed disciples stood on either side of the massive ice gate, and immediately drew their swords at the newcomer.

"Who goes there?" the leading disciple shouted, his sword tip pointing directly at Li Daosheng.

"Su Moshi, the Daoist Master of the Supreme Separation of Hatred, requests an audience with the Palace Master of Xuanbing Palace." Su Moshi stepped forward, and a bronze mirror appeared in his palm, emitting a soft blue light.

The four disciples exchanged glances, clearly having heard of Master Su Mo's name, of course... regarding the recent massacre of the Supreme Lihentian sect.

However, Su Moshi's situation was not as suspicious as before. Obviously... as fellow righteous cultivators, Xuanbing Palace knew some inside information.

One of them turned and went inside to announce their arrival. He returned shortly afterward, his attitude much more respectful: "The Palace Master requests your presence."

After passing through a winding ice corridor, the two were led into a magnificent ice palace.

The interior of the hall was simply furnished, with everything carved from ice, emitting a faint blue light.

A woman with snow-white hair sat gracefully on an ice seat, her face as youthful as a young woman of sixteen, only her eyes bearing the marks of time.

"Master Su, you have come from afar; I am deeply sorry for not greeting you sooner." The Palace Master of Xuanbing Palace spoke in a cool voice, but her gaze remained fixed on Li Daosheng. Upon noticing his appearance, her expression changed slightly. "And this is..."

"Li Daosheng, a disciple of the Supreme Heaven of Separation and Hatred," Master Su Mo briefly introduced.

The Palace Master narrowed her eyes slightly: "I feel like I've seen the mark on Young Master Li's forehead somewhere before."

really……

There will always be people who remember Wudao.

“Palace Master,” Su Moshi changed the subject, “I have come here to retrieve an old item.”

"Oh?" The Palace Master raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"Cold Marrow Needle".

The temperature in the hall dropped sharply.

"What do you mean by that, Su Daozi? The Cold Marrow Needle is the most precious treasure of my Xuanbing Palace. How can you just take it as you please?"

Li Daosheng stepped forward: "Palace Master, you misunderstand. The Cold Marrow Needle is originally a wicked object; when did it become the treasure of your Xuanbing Palace?"

"It's really you!"

The Palace Master of Xuanbing Palace stood up, formed hand seals, and five ice walls instantly enveloped the two of them.

Dozens of Xuanbing Palace disciples surged out from all directions, their ice swords pointed directly at Li Daosheng and Su Moshi.

Su Moshi made a move with the bronze mirror, and a green light formed a barrier in front of the two.

Li Daosheng looked up at the Xuanbing Palace Master and said coldly, "Come here."

Just then, a crisp cracking sound came from deep within the hall, and a blue light pierced through the air, stopping in front of him—it was a three-inch-long ice needle, completely transparent, with blue liquid flowing inside.

"Cold Marrow Needle!"

The Palace Master of Xuanbing Palace's expression changed drastically.

Li Daosheng reached out and caught it.

The ice needle instantly fused into his palm, and a blue line quickly spread along his blood vessels to his heart.

Li Daosheng raised his head and let out a long, inhuman howl, which shook the entire Xuanbing Palace.

Countless fragments of memories flooded into his mind like a tidal wave—

Wu Dao stood atop the snow-capped mountain, the Frost Marrow Needle in his hand transforming into a ten-thousand-foot-long icicle...

Faced with an attack from thousands of cultivators, a single needle froze a hundred miles of mountains and rivers...

Now, its owner has come back to take it back.

The Cold Marrow Needle was overjoyed.

(End of this chapter)