271: Summer Snow Again

It was a new day, and the sunlight in Juyan City seemed to carry a hint of scorching heat. Qin Feng and the others did not slack off due to the pressure brought by yesterday's dispute and intelligence; their pace of life remained tight.

Qin Feng sat cross-legged in the Quiet Room. The Daoist Primordial Chaos Art flowed slowly through his Meridians, like a stream thawing in early spring; although it lacked the surge of the past, it was more resilient and enduring. He carefully guided his True Essence, nourishing the Meridians that were covered in tiny cracks and the Dantian that had barely stabilized after nearly collapsing. A subtle itch and sting came from his Sword Heart, a sign that the shattered Origin was slowly repairing itself—a process that was slow and painful, but which no one else could undertake. The ink plum sword on his lap resonated slightly with his breathing. The newly generated lightning attribute True Essence gradually merged with the sword body, and a faint bolt of lightning flowed across the blade, emitting a low hum.

Next door, in the Pill Room, the medicinal fragrance grew stronger. Xiao Chun was fully focused on the rolling medicinal liquid in the Pill Furnace, sweat beading on her forehead. With Juyan City's ample and stable supply of Earth Fire, and some decent fire-attributed auxiliary medicines purchased from the market, she was attempting to refine a simplified version of the "Life Creation Pill," a secret transmission of the Medicine King Valley. This pill had miraculous effects on healing hidden injuries to the Origin and stabilizing the Foundation, which was exactly what Qin Feng needed most right now. The chance of success was not high, but she was willing to try again and again.

In the courtyard, Xia Ya's Shield Technique practice stirred the Earth and Rock Qi, causing the ground to tremble slightly. She was trying to perfectly combine the heavy Earth Qi contained within the earth spirit pearl with her own True Essence. As she wielded the massive shield, a stable Force Field vaguely formed. Ji Ruxue and Ye Wuyou, meanwhile, moved like two wisps of smoke, silently traversing the shadows and light of the courtyard. Their daggers and short blades occasionally clashed, sparking a cold glint before separating immediately, seeking the ultimate speed, stealth, and precision for a single fatal strike.

Little Fire remained the purest "glutton." It lay amidst a small pile of crimson Medium Grade Fire Spirit Stones, nibbling efficiently with its small mouth. The crimson-gold patterns beneath its fur flickered on and off with its breathing. Xiao Chun would stop her Alchemy every so often, walk over to it, and use the pure Vitality Power of the Myriad Medicine Body to soothe the surging Fire Spirit Qi within its body, preventing it from becoming too restless and damaging its Meridians. Looking at Little Fire's dependent yet satisfied gaze, Xiao Chun felt that any amount of hardship was worth it.

Just as Qin Feng was at a loss regarding the sun crystal stone, and the team members were immersed in Cultivation and preparation, night deepened, and the zi hour was approaching.

Qin Feng sat cross-legged, temporarily suppressing his chaotic thoughts, and sinking his mind into his Sea of Consciousness. The System Light Screen that appeared punctually every day was his most reliable reliance in this perilous world, and the key to resolving his predicament. He concentrated and waited, and the faintly glowing text appeared as expected:

[Daily Intelligence Refreshed] (zi hour):

1. [White Intelligence]: Yan Di's reputation for being romantic when he was young spread far and wide. He once traveled north and had a brief romance with an exceptionally talented female hunter from the Berserker Tribe. Third Miss Yan Chi is the fruit of this romance, inheriting the excellent Bloodlines of both parents.

2. [Yellow Intelligence]: Yan Chi possesses not only the Yan Bloodline but also a deeply Awakened Berserker Bloodline, which greatly influences her fighting style. After falling into a tough fight or being injured, there is a high probability (about four tenths) that she will enter a "Berserk" state. In this state, pain sensitivity is reduced, and power, speed, and aggression are greatly increased, but rationality is correspondingly weakened, making her fighting style more instinctive and violent. When not Berserk, her combat power is roughly equivalent to an ordinary Mid-stage Martial King; once Berserk, she approaches the Late Stage Martial King level, fighting fearlessly, making her extremely difficult to handle.

3. [Yellow Intelligence]: Two years ago, the Northern Barbarians invaded southward in force, the border was in crisis, and the flames of war once spread to the outskirts of the Imperial Capital. Yan Chi, who was studying at the Imperial Capital's top Martial Academy, the "Tianshu Institute," and had just achieved a Breakthrough to the Early Stage Martial King, heard the news and, disregarding academy rules, charged out of the academy alone, heading straight for the most brutal front line! On that grinder-like battlefield of flesh and blood, she transformed into a Crimson Asura. Relying on her incomparably ferocious fighting style and fearless charges, she personally slew three Barbarian Commanders of the Martial King Realm, and killed over a hundred elite Barbarian soldiers, striking terror into the hearts of the Barbarian vanguard. However, after the enemy retreated, Yan Chi, fueled by the thrill of the kill, was temporarily unable to exit that Berserk state. She continued to attack the empty battlefield wildly for a long time until she was exhausted and was forcibly restrained by the generals who arrived later. After this battle, the handsome Young Master from a prominent Imperial Capital Family within the academy, who had previously been quite fond of her, sent someone to deliver a letter breaking off contact the next day, avoiding her ever since. Since then, Yan Chi's temper seems to have become even more explosive and straightforward, and she has developed an added layer of disdain and alienation toward men.

"Fire... Berserker?" Qin Feng exhaled a long breath, feeling this was intensely troublesome. How was this a City Lord's Daughter seeking a marriage partner through martial arts? She was clearly a fighting weapon wrapped in human skin—once she got started, she couldn't stop! Among those of the same stage, who could withstand an opponent who grew crazier the longer they fought, and became fiercer when severely injured? No wonder the previous challengers either died or were crippled.

"With this kind of combat power, this kind of Bloodline... if she could become our partner, I would immediately yield the White Tiger main attack position in the Four Symbols Battle Array to her!" He laughed self-deprecatingly and dismissed this unrealistic fantasy.

Early the next morning, the simple wooden door of the inn's small courtyard was gently knocked.

“Excuse me, does Young Master Qin Feng live here?”

A clear, pleasant, and somewhat familiar female voice came from outside the door.

Tao Yuanyi, who was guarding the courtyard gate, pulled open the wooden door. Standing outside was a graceful young woman. She looked about seventeen or eighteen, dressed in an exquisite water-blue dress embroidered with silver Star Patterns, cinched at the waist with a silk sash, giving her a slender figure. Her skin was like snow, her features were picture-perfect, and her temperament was gentle and lively, faintly revealing the composed nobility belonging to a City Lord's Daughter. At this moment, she was standing slightly on her toes, curiously peering into the courtyard, a sweet and surprised smile playing on her lips.

Xia Ya, wiping sweat, looked over. She first froze, then her eyes widened, and her face erupted in unbelievable ecstasy. She shouted, "Xia Xue?! Is that really you! Why are you here?!" She threw down the cloth she was using to wipe her massive shield, rushed over like a gust of wind, and wrapped the newcomer in a solid bear hug.

The newcomer was none other than Xia Ya's younger sister, Xia Xue! She was also the beloved daughter of the Xingnan City Lord, and an old friend whom Qin Feng and the others had met and fought alongside in Star South City.

Xia Xue giggled as her sister hugged her. After finally managing to break free, she tidied her slightly messy hair, but her gaze eagerly swept past Xia Ya's broad shoulders and landed on Qin Feng, who had emerged from the Quiet Room after hearing the commotion.

Sunlight shone on Qin Feng's slightly pale but somewhat recovered resolute face. A bright, star-like radiance flashed in Xia Xue's eyes. The corners of her lips curled up, revealing two shallow dimples, and her voice was clear, like an oriole leaving the valley:

“Long time no see, Qin Feng!”