Aomi breaks through the continental border and enters the Eastern World with ease.
However, he leaves Goff, Maria, Walter, and his blacksmiths behind.
He enters the Yong Region and immediately catches sight of the Yong River.
According to In Gu Legends, this land was once whole until a dragon fell from the heavens.
Its impact created a line of craters that eventually formed the river.
However, Aomi’s gaze soon shifts toward two sects fighting nearby.
One is the Huo Sect, whose banner bears a red dragon.
The other is the Xue Sect, whose banner bears a blue dragon.
Aomi stands atop a hill, quietly observing the ongoing battle.
He scans the surrounding area and spots the Huo Sect’s camp.
Their rear camp appears to be completely unguarded, with nobody inside.
“What a lucky time to witness a brawl.”
Aomi sneaks around the battlefield and slips into the camp.
He wanders around until he finds a tent with several carts beside it.
His eyes narrow as he cautiously checks his surroundings to ensure nobody is watching.
Once he’s certain the place is deserted, he begins looting the camp for spiritual stones.
While inspecting his new body, he also checks its aptitude and discovers that it is Rank B.
“So it’s lower than my previous body’s, huh?” Aomi remarks.
He finishes his inspection, turns toward the entrance, and slips out of the camp.
As night falls, both sects eventually withdraw to rest.
Aomi escapes without being discovered.
He wanders into the forest and climbs a hill, only to discover a calamity waiting for him.
Dozens of wolves are sleeping there.
“These wolves will get in the way tomorrow.”
He carefully moves through the shadows of the trees, making sure not to produce a single sound.
After reaching a higher hill, he finally settles down and sets up camp.
…
The next morning, both sects prepare for battle once again, standing opposite each other across the battlefield.
Aomi sits atop the hill, watching from afar as the wolves begin to wake up as well.
“GIVE UP THE YONG REGION, HUO SECT!”
“WE WILL NOT! YOU SHOULD GIVE UP THE YONG REGION INSTEAD!”
Aomi watches as insults are exchanged between the two sides.
Meanwhile, he notices the wolves beginning to advance through the forest.
He sighs.
“They don’t know what’s coming for them.”
Both sides charge into battle, and the battlefield erupts into chaos once more.
“Hmm, I can scavenge the battlefield after both sides are dead.”
Amidst the chaos, one figure stands out from the rest.
Xue Níng.
A formidable fighter of the Xue Sect, she tears through the soldiers in her path with astonishing skill.
She wears silver armour over a light blue robe and wields her spear with deadly precision.
Aomi watches as she massacres her opponents.
However, his eyes soon drift toward the forest, where the wolves are lurking near the battlefield.
He huffs and returns his gaze to Níng.
“How sad. A great talent is going to waste.”
He rolls onto the grass and continues watching the battle, wondering whether either sect will survive the impending wolf attack.
…
Within moments, the sun climbs toward its highest point in the sky.
The wolves suddenly charge down the hill toward both sects.
Aomi stares at the bloody battlefield as the two sides begin retreating.
However, his attention soon settles on one particular figure.
Xue Níng.
She’s killing her own soldiers.
Aomi narrows his eyes, intrigued by the sight.
Is she a demonic path immortal?
Is she trying to become one?
Or is there another reason behind her actions?
Whatever the explanation, she has caught his interest.
However, he soon loses sight of her as she retreats, leaving her comrades to face their deaths.
Aomi then turns his attention toward the Huo Sect.
They are in much the same condition as the Xue Sect, retreating into their camp and shutting their gates.
As the afternoon progresses, both sides take time to recover from the unexpected disaster.
…
A week passes.
Both sects have suffered tremendous losses and exhausted their strength.
With neither side capable of securing victory, they finally agree to hold a meeting to negotiate peace.
Representatives from both sects gather on the battlefield, where they agree to establish the Yong Region as neutral ground.
Aomi watches the entire interaction from afar.
However, his attention soon shifts toward Níng, who appears rather different from the others.
She’s sitting atop a hill just below the camp where Aomi has settled.
“UGH! Damn wolves! I would’ve been fighting those Huo weaklings if they hadn’t interrupted us!”
Aomi studies her for a while as she continues cursing the wolves.
“I could’ve become Rank 6 by now!”
She angrily throws a stone down the hill.
Her words catch Aomi’s attention.
“Rank 6? Interesting…”
Then, a sudden realization strikes him.
Wait.
What rank am I now?
Aomi sits upright and focuses his attention inward, carefully examining his cultivation.
After a moment, he discovers that his new body is Rank 6.
His eyes narrow as he looks down at his lap.
His former body, the Snow Demon, had only been Rank 4.
Yet, despite his new body’s higher rank, he feels weaker than before.
He considers the situation for a moment before reassuring himself that things aren’t so bad.
After all, he still possesses two Rank 4 spirits: the Winter White Fox and the Injured Bear.
In addition, he has the White Fall Axe.
Suddenly, something crawls onto his lap.
Aomi ignores it, assuming it’s his Winter White Fox.
However, a thought crosses his mind.
Wait, was my Winter White Fox always this big?
Or did the Injured Bear come out?
No, it’s too small to be the bear.
Suddenly, an elbow nudges his lap.
Aomi opens his eyes.
And there she is.
Xue Níng.
She’s sprawled across his lap, resting one elbow beside her while propping her face up with her palm.
Her hair spills across his lap as she gazes at him with sparkling eyes, curiosity practically radiating from her expression.
After staring at him for a moment, she finally pokes his chin.
“Who are you?”
Aomi’s head tilts back slightly as she continues poking his chin.
“I’m just a traveller.”
“Liar.”
She leans closer, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
Aomi’s expression remains unchanged as he stares back at her.
Then, she pokes his cheek.
“You’re a spiritual master.”