The legend begins with becoming a white deer.

The first heavy snow of early winter fell overnight, accompanied by a northerly wind.

As dawn broke, the world was already covered in a layer of pure white.

The lively atmosphere in the streets and alleys has faded. People have stocked up on firewood, rice, and charcoal early, put on thick clothes, and stayed indoors to avoid the cold. The once bustling markets dispersed an hour earlier than usual, and the number of merchants traveling on the official roads has decreased sharply. Most caravans have found nearby towns to rest and wait for the snow to melt in the spring before setting off again.

Winter seems to possess an inherent force of restraint. Even amidst the endless conflicts among nations, the pace of life slows down in unison during this season of cold winds and swirling snow.

The border patrols withdrew their defenses, the city gates were closed even earlier, and even the wild animals in the mountains and forests disappeared, the whole world immersed in a quiet slumber.

But deep in the mountains of the Bilin Kingdom, a white figure was walking against the wind and snow.

It was a snow-white deer, as big as a large horse. Its white fur blended almost into the snow falling all around it, and only when the wind lifted its fur did it reveal the smooth and agile lines of its body, which was strange and eye-catching.

This is naturally Qi Ji.

With its four hooves treading on the ankle-deep snow, its footsteps were as light as falling catkins. The passive skill [Agile Foot] was activated, and the moment the tips of its hooves touched the snow, a gentle force dissipated its weight. As it walked, the snow behind it remained smooth as ever, without even leaving a single hoofprint. It truly was a case of walking on snow without leaving a trace.

The trees on both sides of the mountain road had long since lost their leaves. They were all deciduous trees that turned yellow and withered in autumn. The bare branches, covered with snow, stretched towards the gray sky, creating a desolate scene.

Qi Ji walked along the mountain for about half an hour when the trees in his field of vision suddenly changed.

The trees ahead are still lush and green, their deep green leaves covered with snow, exuding vitality in the cold winter. They are all evergreen trees that never wither in any season.

"This is it."

Qi Ji paused slightly.

The perception of "All Trees Pay Homage" had already quietly spread, clearly perceiving that beneath the snow in this forest, there were many cold-resistant herbs and shrubs, all of which were edible green plants.

"——"

Qi Ji's deer antlers shone with a warm, golden-green light.

The moment the halo spread, leaves from the surrounding trees fell in a flurry, with most of them falling instantly. Even many slender branches with tender bark bent and fell off on their own, fluttering down and carpeting the snow-covered ground.

These are all rare and tender ingredients in winter.

The light from the antlers faded, and Qi Ji walked over and began to eat.

For ordinary wild sika deer, finding food is definitely the biggest challenge in winter.

Heavy snow closes off the mountains, withered grass is buried deep, and leaves have fallen. Often, one has to dig through the thick snow to find a little food to eat. When luck is bad, freezing and hunger are common occurrences.

However, this problem never falls on Qi Ji's head. [All Trees Pay Homage] not only can control plants, but also has an extreme perception of plants. Even if heavy snow covers the entire mountain forest, he can accurately locate where there are edible green plants, so he never has to worry about food.

"Phew, that feels good."

Half an hour later, Qi Ji raised his head and exhaled a full breath, and then a familiar notification sound rang in his mind.

[Spirit Points +1]

Qi Ji opened his template and took a look.

"Yes, I was right, today is the day I reach 100 Spirit Points."

Without the slightest hesitation, Qi Ji's mind stirred, and the next second he began "physical enhancement".

"Buzz"

In an instant, scalding heat surged from Qi Ji's limbs and bones, flowing through his blood vessels and throughout his body. Wisps of white mist rose from his body, and the heat condensed into fine water droplets, which looked like a burst of air from nowhere, particularly eye-catching in the icy and snowy landscape, with a rather "violent" appearance.

The enhanced warmth seeped into his bones, making Qi Ji feel so comfortable that he couldn't help but let out a soft moan.

As the heat gradually subsided, he shook off the snow that had fallen on him and continued walking forward.

Qi Ji had no fixed destination; he traveled through mountains and valleys entirely according to his own will, going wherever he pleased, which made him quite carefree.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, passing through a patch of low bushes, a vast, open icy lake suddenly came into view.

"Wow, this place is so beautiful!"

Qi Ji's eyes lit up (ノ￣▽￣).

The lake in sight was covered with a thick layer of ice, clear and smooth like a piece of polished jade, quietly embedded among the mountains.

Fine snowflakes fell on the ice, forming a thin layer. Sunlight pierced through the clouds, shimmering with tiny silvery lights, clear and enchanting.

Qi Ji stepped onto the ice, and the suction force of [Spirit Foot] kept him firmly attached to the ice without the slightest sign of slipping.

He tried to glide forward a couple of steps, and to his surprise, it went smoothly. He was immediately inspired to play, and by alternating the force of his four hooves, he was able to glide freely on the ice.

"Yo~~~"

Qi Ji was having a great time, sometimes speeding up and sometimes turning, his white figure sweeping across the vast frozen lake, blending with the flying snow and the frozen lake to create an extremely elegant picture.

If humans were to see this, they would be utterly astonished.

Ordinary sika deer have narrow hooves and can't even stand steadily on ice, so there's no way they could glide so freely on the ice like this.

Qi Ji continued gliding forward. The frozen lake was much larger than he had expected. He glided for a full three minutes, but still could not see the end of the opposite shore.

"Hmm? That's...?"

Just then, a group of swarming figures appeared in front of Qi Ji's line of sight.

It is a herd of deer.

In winter, when food is scarce, wild deer herds often gather spontaneously to migrate together in search of food and to defend against predators.

The herd of deer in front of us numbered about thirty, with males and females mixed together, and they were currently crammed onto the ice, creating a tense and chaotic atmosphere.

They were originally going to cross the frozen lake to the other side, but suddenly a large chunk of ice broke off, and several deer fell in unexpectedly.

The lake water was icy cold in winter, and even the thick fur of the sika deer could not withstand it for long. Several deer that fell into the water desperately kicked their limbs, trying to climb onto the ice, but the smooth ice had no foothold. Their hooves slipped as soon as they touched it, and they could not climb up no matter what they did.

The deer on the ice frantically circled the hole, but couldn't muster any strength at all.

On land, one can use antlers and body for leverage, but on the slippery ice, even standing firm is difficult.

A robust male deer stamped its feet in desperation, lowering its head to grab a fawn that was constantly whimpering in the water. But as soon as it exerted force, its foot slipped, and it lost its balance and fell onto the ice. It slid down the ice and into an ice hole, splashing up a spray of icy water.

The deer herd panicked even more, calling out in unison, but they were helpless.

If this continues, the deer in the water won't last much longer, and the remaining deer will eventually have no choice but to abandon their companions and continue their journey.

Just then, several deer suddenly turned their heads alertly and let out a low, warning call in a certain direction.

All the deer looked in the direction of the sound.

In the wind and snow, a white deer, much larger than them, was gliding rapidly toward them.

The white deer is tall and robust, its snow-white fur standing out brightly against the snow. Its antlers gleam with a faint golden-green luster. What's most bizarre is its way of moving forward; instead of running, it glides across the ice at breakneck speed, its composure completely unlike that of a deer.

"!"

The deer instantly tensed up, their eyes filled with vigilance.

If it weren't for the fact that this strange beast resembled a deer, they would probably have already scattered and fled.

"Yo"

Qi Ji quickly glided closer, slowed down, and gave a gentle, low call to the deer herd, indicating that he meant no harm.

He then lifted his deer hoof and used his [Spirit Foot] to easily walk onto the surface of the cold lake water. He then lowered his head and bit the back of the neck of one of the fawns, which was almost exhausted and only struggling weakly.

"Let's go!"

Qi Ji used his neck strength and with a slight flick of his head, he flung the deer onto the ice.

The fawn rolled on the thick ice, soaking wet and shivering, but at least it was out of the icy water.

Qi Ji didn't pause. He lowered his head again, grabbed the neck of the second deer, and threw it ashore. He lowered his head again and threw it again... His movements were swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

In just a short while, Qi Ji had rescued the deer from the water one after another...