"Perhaps we should try to appease her, and maybe she'll let us in if she's in a good mood,"
The rogue cultivators discussed amongst themselves, unburdened by the constraints of any sect.
The disciples of the established sects, mindful of their reputation, dared not openly fawn over Feng Ninghe.
Moments later, a cultivator approached Feng Ninghe's location. "Young lady, since we are all in Jinling, why not forge a good connection? We are willing to exchange spirit stones for the chance to enter the wooden house."
"I am willing too! As long as you let me into the wooden house, you can have whatever you desire!"
In a short while, a dense crowd had gathered before her.
Feng Ninghe paid them no mind, her gaze sweeping over them before her clear, cool female voice gently stated, "Are the disciples of the Willow Face Sect present?"
The moment her voice fell, the disciples of the Willow Face Sect erupted.
They exchanged glances, secretly pondering Feng Ninghe's intentions.
Su Xian emerged from the crowd and approached her. "The disciples of the Willow Face Sect are all here."
A long line of disciples followed Su Xian.
Counting heads, there were dozens of them.
Feng Ninghe withdrew her gaze and turned sideways. "The wind outside is no ordinary wind. Prolonged exposure can harm the body. Minor injuries to the bones and muscles are the least of it; recovery will take a long time. Let the disciples of the Willow Face Sect come in to take shelter from the wind and snow."
Su Hongxiu had treated her with great courtesy, and in return, she would naturally help the Willow Face Sect more.
Su Xian's eyes instantly lit up. She generously cupped her hands towards Feng Ninghe. "Thank you, Miss Feng. All disciples, follow me inside!"
The disciples of the Willow Face Sect, seeing a glimmer of hope, shivered and eagerly stepped into the wooden house.
Baili Yang quickly got up, intending to follow behind the Willow Face Sect disciples. "Quick, let's go in too!"
The disciple closest to him perked up at his words and hurried to rise.
The wooden house seemed to have eyes; as they approached, it instantly repelled them.
Baili Yang crashed heavily onto the ground, his internal organs feeling as though they would be flung out, causing him extreme pain.
The other cultivators who had wanted to follow stopped in their tracks, looking enviously at the Willow Face Sect disciples who had entered the wooden house.
The Willow Face Sect had many disciples, enough to fill the wooden house.
Mei Ziling bit her lip, her eyes flashing with a myriad of cold light. "Why can the wooden house be controlled by her?"
The disciples of the Xuan Qing Sect looked at Feng Ninghe with envy, the cold wind whistling around them.
The biting wind here could damage the body, and if it worsened, it could harm the spiritual roots. Recovery would not be a quick process.
Baili Yang struggled to his feet, staggering as he looked at the scene before him in disbelief. "This woman must have used some sort of sorcery to control the wooden house and drive us all away!"
Xiao Zhao twisted its round body, sticking out its tongue at the cultivators outside before quickly shutting the door.
The biting wind and flying snow were firmly shut out by the door.
Inside the house, everyone was shivering.
They had been walking in the snow for nearly half a day, and those with weaker cultivation could no longer endure it.
Feng Ninghe casually took out several bottles of pills from her spatial jade bracelet and handed them to Su Xian. "These pills are warming and can dispel cold. They should be able to drive out some of the chill from your bodies."
Su Xian felt the medicine in her hand inexplicably hot. The meticulously applied makeup on her face subtly shifted.
At this moment, she suddenly understood why the Sixth Master had looked upon Feng Ninghe with such favor when they were in Li Country.
Thousands of cultivators had stepped into the snow, yet only Feng Ninghe could control this wooden house.
If Feng Ninghe possessed no skill, she would not be able to control the wooden house.
Su Xian looked at her with a hint of gratitude. "Miss Feng, our Willow Face Sect will surely repay this kindness today."
Feng Ninghe responded with a bright smile, her red lips curving upwards. "I am also indebted to many in the Willow Face Sect. You don't need to thank me; thank Master Liu for forging good karma."
Su Xian said no more, but her gaze towards Feng Ninghe now held a touch of admiration.
The disciples of the Willow Face Sect successively took the pills.
As the pills entered their mouths, a warm current instantly flowed throughout their bodies.
Su Xian also took a pill.
Feng Ninghe turned her gaze towards the window.
Through the glass, she saw the white snow falling incessantly.
Inside the wooden house, no sound of the wind could be heard, but she could imagine how strong it must be outside.
Feng Ninghe closed her eyes, extending her spiritual sense to gradually cover the snowy ground.
She could even hear the cultivators outside clamoring about something...
The cultivators, rarely united, wielded their weapons and struck at the wooden house, attempting to disturb those inside with their noise.
However, no matter how they struggled, those inside the house showed no reaction.
The sect disciples huddled closely together, taking out various items in an attempt to ward off the cold.
Mei Ziling set up a tent and squeezed inside with a few disciples.
The biting wind offered little protection, and the howling gale sounded right by their ears, filling them with dread.
Mei Ziling huddled tightly to the side, biting her lip as she looked around. "This snowy land is unusual. We have walked for a long time without leaving it. It will not be easy to escape. We must think carefully about how to leave this snowy expanse."
"Sister Ziling is right. The longer we stay here, the more the cold wind will invade our bodies. It's best to leave as soon as possible."
"I can barely hold on. I've already consumed all my pills in half a day. If this continues, I fear I will perish here!"
The Xuan Qing Sect disciples murmured amongst themselves.
Mei Ziling looked up at the vast expanse of white snow, a flicker of urgency appearing in her eyes.
The surroundings were a sea of white, and the sharp, cold wind mixed with flying snow. Even those with high cultivation might not be able to withstand it...
Inside the house.
Feng Ninghe had already merged with the snowy land.
She seemed to become a snowflake, drifting freely in the air.
Suddenly, she saw a solitary figure standing quietly in the snow.
The man was clad in white, as if he had blended into the snowy landscape. The biting wind and flying snow assailed him, yet he remained unaffected. The figure appeared profoundly lonely.
As if sensing something, the man turned his gaze in her direction.
The heart within Feng Ninghe's chest pounded fiercely, her pupils constricting.
She had been discovered.
Fortunately, the man harbored no ill intentions. He withdrew his gaze, and his low, husky voice slowly spoke, "Young lady, watch closely."
The man drew a long sword and danced gracefully in the snow.
His sword pierced through the tiny snowflakes, turning them into powder.
His movements were incredibly fast, yet his techniques were clearly imprinted in Feng Ninghe's eyes.
As the final move landed, the wind stopped, and the snow ceased.
The vast snowy land stretched out endlessly. The man stood in the snow, looking desolate and forlorn.
He tilted his head to gaze at the sky, a look of release on his face. "I have finally found someone worthy of inheriting my legacy. I can finally depart."
"Who are you?"
Feng Ninghe's voice trembled slightly.
She had not spoken aloud, but communicated with the man through her thoughts.