98: Winter snow begins to fall

The first snow fell into Luoxia Valley, the spiritual fields had already harvested the last batch of spiritual grains, and the ridges were covered with a thin layer of white frost, like a scattering of crushed silver.

Liu Shan pushed open the window, and the cold air, crisp with snow, rushed in.

The distant mountain peaks, capped with pristine white snow, shimmered with a faint golden light in the morning glow.

"Mountain-ge, come in quickly, it's cold outside," Lin Qingxue said, carrying a basin of charcoal fire.

The charcoal fire was burning brightly, making her cheeks slightly red.

"Uncle Wang just brought over some freshly brewed spiritual rice wine; he said drinking it warm can ward off the cold."

Liu Shan closed the window, walked to the charcoal basin, and sat down.

He took the hand warmer she offered, and warmth spread from his palm.

Mo Chu coiled by the charcoal basin, its black scales gleaming with an oily luster in the firelight.

Its Golden Horn occasionally lifted, as if sensing the temperature of the charcoal fire, yet it dared not get too close, fearing it would burn itself.

"Where's Liu Zhi?" Liu Shan asked.

Usually, by this time, that boy would have already carried his sword to the training grounds.

"He's chopping firewood in the backyard," Lin Qingxue said with a smile, adding some goji berries to the wine pot on the stove.

"He said the Pill Chamber's fire basins don't have enough to burn, so he needs to prepare more dry firewood."

"Ever since he started dabbling in Alchemy, he's been much more diligent than before, going to the Pill Chamber before dawn every day to check the fire."

Liu Shan thought of the newly built Pill Chamber—Liu Zhi had personally led a few young disciples to build it.

The roof was covered with thick thatch, and simple Juling Arrays were carved into the walls.

Though crude, it was kept spotlessly clean, and in the corner were piled medicinal materials Liu Zhi had obtained from Danwang Valley, with labels written in a crooked but earnest hand.

"Yesterday he also told me that he ruined three batches of Medicinal Pills and was so heartbroken he didn't even eat dinner properly," Liu Shan said, remembering Liu Zhi's pouting expression, and couldn't help but laugh.

"I told him not to rush, but he insisted on quickly refining 'Qi Condensation Pills' for A He and the others to use for Breakthrough."

Lin Qingxue added a piece of charcoal to the basin, and the embers crackled: "This child, his heart is good.

A He and the others are indeed close to Breakthrough; with Liu Zhi overseeing things, it saves us a lot of worry."

Just as they were speaking, a "creak" came from outside the courtyard gate.

Liu Zhi walked in, carrying a bundle of dry firewood, with snow on his head and a nose red from the cold, yet his face was full of excitement: "Dad! Qingxue Aunt! Look what I brought back!"

He put down the firewood and pulled out an oil-paper package from his embrace.

Opening it, inside were several rock-hard wild fruits, red like small lanterns: "These are 'Snow Lanterns' picked from the back mountain; they're even sweeter after being frozen.

I specifically saved a few for you."

Lin Qingxue smiled as she took them, soaking them in warm water: "Look how cold you are; come over and warm yourself by the fire."

Liu Zhi huddled by the charcoal basin, rubbing his frozen hands, his eyes sparkling as he looked at the wine pot on the stove: "Is Uncle Wang's rice wine ready? It smells so good."

"Greedy cat," Liu Shan said, tapping his head.

"I'll pour you a small cup later, but no more.

You still need to go to the Pill Chamber to check the fire."

Liu Zhi chuckled, secretly glancing at Mo Chu.

Seeing it staring at the basin of soaking wild fruits, he picked up a softened Snow Lantern and offered it to its mouth: "Here, it's really sweet."

Mo Chu hesitated for a moment, then cautiously licked it.

Its eyes instantly lit up, and it swallowed it whole, wagging its tail happily, then looked eagerly at the oil-paper package in Liu Zhi's hand.

The three people and one snake gathered around the charcoal basin, watching the wine pot steam, listening to the sound of falling snow outside, occasionally exchanging a few words.

Time passed slowly.

In the afternoon, the snow fell a bit heavier.

The children in the training grounds built a large snowman, using spiritual fruits for eyes and a red cloth strip for a scarf.

From a distance, it looked like a charmingly naive little Cultivator.

A He held her sword, practicing by the snowman.

Snowflakes fell on her hair, but she was oblivious, performing a "Flowing Cloud Break" with impressive form, the sword light kicking up snow dust like scattered jade.

Liu Zhi stood under the veranda, watching, occasionally shouting: "Sink your wrist lower!

Don't let your Qi scatter!"

Liu Shan and Lin Qingxue stood at the doorway, watching this scene, and exchanged smiles.

Lin Qingxue suddenly whispered: "Mountain-ge, do you think we are too complacent?

The letter from Shadow Pavilion said there seem to be some disturbances in the Central Domain, and the Demon Race remnants haven't been completely cleared out…"

Liu Shan held her hand, the warmth from his palm spreading through her fingertips: "What's meant to come will always come.

All we can do is guard this place well.

Look how happily the children are laughing; A He's sword is getting steadier, and Liu Zhi has become sensible.

These are our confidence."

He looked towards the distant snow-capped mountains, his gaze calm yet firm: "If that day truly comes, we can also protect them, just as Mo Chu protected us back then."

Mo Chu seemed to understand, lifting its head from the charcoal basin, its Golden Horn flashing, and letting out a low hiss, as if in response.

In the evening, the snow stopped, and the setting sun peeked through the clouds, casting a golden glow over the snowy ground.

Uncle Wang came over with a food box, inside was freshly stewed spiritual chicken soup, its aroma wafting through the door crack, making one's mouth water.

"Valley Master, Fairy Lin, drink it while it's hot," Uncle Wang said, setting out the soup bowls.

"My old lady said this soup has snow lotus seeds in it; it's very nourishing."

The rice wine in the pot was warm, and the amber liquid poured into the bowl, carrying a faint aroma of rice.

Liu Zhi held his small half-bowl, sipping it slowly, his eyes narrowing into slits: "It's really delicious."

Mo Chu lay on Liu Zhi's lap, a half-eaten Snow Lantern in its mouth, its tail occasionally sweeping the ground, its Golden Horn glowing softly in the lamplight.

The fire in the stove flickered, reflecting the warmth throughout the room.

Outside on the snowy ground, the children's laughter could still be faintly heard, blending with the conversations inside, like a gentle song.

Winter in Luoxia Valley had no extreme cold of the ice plains, only the warmth of charcoal fire, the mellow fragrance of rice wine, and the smiles in the eyes of those nearby.

Such days, a little slower, and then a little slower, would be perfect.