The night had passed, and morning light filled the room through the windows.
"OMG, my neck!" groaned Xiao Yan, who had slept on the hard floor the whole night.
"Good morning, Xiao Yan," said Jinyao from the bed, laughing at his miserable state.
They both got up, and Jinyao asked, "Anything planned for today?"
"Hmmm... well, the thing is, I'm heading to the cold mountains for something serious."
"Alright. Are you going today?"
"Well... not right now—"
Before he could even finish his sentence, she cut him off. "Okay, so stick with me for a bit."
(What a girl. My God,) Xiao Yan thought.
["Good morning, Master. How is your neck feeling this morning?"] said Seraphin, clearly trying to make fun of him.
"I'm not talking to you, bad... Disciple."
Jinyao took Xiao Yan to a place to eat. They sat down and ordered their food.
"What do you guys want?" asked the cook.
"Whatever you have," Jinyao replied, not really caring. She turned back to Xiao Yan. "Are you going to enter the Nansha Pavilion so you can go to the Eternal Hall?"
"Well, I'll go to the Nansha Pavilion in the capital eventually, but not right now. Right now, I'm sticking to my main plans."
"And what are your main plans?"
"None of your business."
"But we are friends, aren't we?"
Xiao Yan looked at her and simply rolled his eyes. After they finished eating, he stood up. "It's time to part ways, isn't it?"
"Alright. I will see you soon in the capital before the seven months are up!"
Xiao Yan finally felt free of the girl and was very happy. He went to buy supplies for his journey into the freezing mountains.
(Is there a shop around here? Let me check,) Xiao Yan thought.
"Hey, sir! You need something? Clothing? Anything?"
"Give me some cold-weather gear."
(I remember the System gave me weapons, so I need to use them soon. I have to become stronger; I feel far too weak right now.)
["Master, you aren't 'too weak.'"]
"Oh? I'm not?"
["No. You are more than just 'too weak.' You are worse."]
"I knew you were going to say something like that. You are never serious!"
After leaving the shop, it was already dark outside. Another day had passed, and Xiao Yan knew he had no time to play; he had to take his cultivation seriously. He left the city, deciding to cultivate in the forest for a bit before reaching the mountains.
["Are you really going to spend a day or two in the forest? Even I can walk faster than you, Master."]
"Are you really just a system?"
["You will know the mystery behind me once you become stronger. For now, just don't be too curious, Master."]
He walked through the night forest. The breeze moved slowly, and the sounds of wild beasts echoed in the distance.
"I just left this forest a day ago, and now I'm back in it."
["Well, that's life. You have no choice."]
Xiao Yan looked for an open space and drew his Ice Light Sword. He began practicing his sword techniques, swiping forward and back in rhythmic motions. After a long session, he sat down to meditate, hoping to breakthrough to a new stage.
["Don't forget, you need real battles or special pills to reach a new stage. You'll likely be at Stage 2 for a few more days."]
Meanwhile, at the Eternal Academy's Immortal Hall, Yan Bingxue sat at the highest point.
"Hall Master, do I have to stay here for a while?"
"Your father said to make sure you are safe, so don't worry about that," responded the Hall Master.
Yan Bingxue was already at the peak of the Divine Realm, incredibly talented at just 15 years old. She called for her close subordinate.
"Hey, have you found him yet?"
"Young Miss, we haven't found the person you're looking for. He isn't in Longwei City anymore. The royal family was taken down days ago, and he went missing."
"Search the whole continent. Maybe he will come to the Academy. He saved my life eight years ago, and I owe everything to him."
"We will do our best," the subordinate said, kneeling before the Young Miss.
(Eight years ago, you saved me from demons even though you were weak. Back then, I didn't take cultivation seriously. I was just a little girl, and you were the one who made it possible for me to be here today. I owe you, Xiao Yan,) Bingxue thought.
Xiao Yan, at that same moment, was still meditating under the night sky until a sudden sound shattered the silence.
BOOM!!!
"What was that just now?" Xiao Yan asked, his curiosity taking over.