Inside the stone chamber, everyone exchanged bewildered glances. Outside, snow and wind raged, while tremors from the giant python drew ever closer.
Only Mu Qingyan remained focused on the task at hand. He asked Qian Xueshen, “Do you have any Snow Scale Dragon Beast saliva left?”
Qian Xueshen replied apologetically, “No, there wasn’t much left from what my father and uncle collected in their youth. I put it all in that apricot-yellow jade bottle.”
Mu Qingyan then turned to Cai Zhao, “Did you hide the remaining saliva near the snow house?”
Cai Zhao smiled bitterly, “Yes, it’s in the ice wall behind the snow house.”
Mu Qingyan sighed, “Then we can forget about it. Even if the giant python’s movements hadn’t shattered that ice wall, the hot spring water would have washed it away by now.”
“Stop rubbing salt in the wound,” Cai Zhao said, her heart aching.
Snow Woman urged them, “You should leave quickly. It’s no longer safe here.”
After all the commotion, they had only managed to avenge the Tao family. Qian Xueshen, feeling guilty, gritted his teeth and said, “If there’s no other choice, I’ll go with you. Whether they flay me or chop me up, I’ll do my best to expose that impostor!”
“Expose what? Apart from coveting your Body Transformation Technique, what else is there?” Cai Zhao snapped irritably.
Mu Qingyan, his expression stern, continued questioning, “Miss Snow, you mentioned earlier that twenty years ago, the Snow Scale Dragon Beast recognized Lady Cai Pingzhu as a descendant of Fallen Petal Valley. How did it recognize her?”
Snow Woman pondered briefly, then replied, “At that time, Lady Cai was injured. The Snow Scale Dragon Beast followed her blood trail to find her. My master saw that although it was exhausted, it still showed great affection for a stranger, which led her to conclude that Lady Cai was a blood descendant of our ancestor.”
“Just as I thought,” Mu Qingyan exhaled deeply. He glanced at Cai Zhao and pulled out a razor-thin silver blade from his sleeve. “I need to cut your finger and drip some blood onto this eggshell.”
Cai Zhao hesitated, “Will… will that work?”
“My father once said that ancient spiritual beasts often shared a mental connection with their masters, established by recognizing their blood essence. Those two Snow Scale Dragon Beasts were saved by Fallen Petal Valley’s ancestors and lived together for many years. They must have imprinted on her bloodline.”
Cai Zhao agreed readily, “Alright, it’s just a cut finger. Let’s give it a try.” She placed the Blazing Sun Sword and the large egg on the stone table, then took the small silver blade and swiftly cut her left index finger.
Everyone watched intently as a drop of bright red blood fell onto the milky-white eggshell. It instantly transformed into two or three short red threads, as if embedded in the shell. Moments later, the eggshell emitted a soft crack.
Snow Woman, who had spent a full twenty years with this egg, heard this sound for the first time and couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise.
Feeling a surge of hope, Cai Zhao squeezed out a few more drops of blood. The red lines on the eggshell grew longer, gradually encircling the entire shell. Soft and loud cracking sounds continued until finally, along the thickest and longest red line, a crack appeared in the middle of the shell. The creature inside began to move, grunting and squeaking.
Covered in viscous egg fluid, a small, fleshy creature slowly emerged from the shell.
First came two soft horns, barely the size of mung beans, followed by a pair of swollen eyelids and a round head. Two semi-transparent flesh wings grew from its sides. The entire body was no larger than two or three palms, with only a row of glistening white scales along its spine, distinguishing it from an ordinary puppy.
It propped itself up on short limbs on the stone table, wobbling as it moved. Sniffing the air, it found Cai Zhao and began licking her with its tiny pink tongue.
Cai Zhao, who had witnessed her younger brother Cai Han’s birth and had experience holding and playing with infants, skillfully slipped her hands under the creature’s front legs and lifted it like a baby. The little beast struggled to open its amber eyes, blew two saliva bubbles, then grinned at Cai Zhao. Its smile was both silly and adorable, accompanied by a long string of drool that wet the stone table.
The Snow Scale Dragon Beast saliva they had sought so desperately was now available in abundance.
“Is this a Snow Scale Dragon Beast?” Qian Xueshen was the first to doubt. “I heard my father and uncle say that the Snow Scale Dragon Beasts they saw in their youth were extremely majestic and powerful.” The supposedly ancient hatchling before them looked even more foolish and cute than the mongrel puppy he had as a child.
Snow Woman’s face remained expressionless. “This egg was personally entrusted to me by my master. There’s no mistake.”
Cai Zhao carefully set down the hatchling. “Perhaps when it grows up, it will become majestic and powerful.”
Everyone’s gaze turned to the stone table, where the chubby, tender hatchling blew two more bubbles, resembling a blob of meat jelly.
Even Mu Qingyan was speechless for a long while before finally saying, “Maybe we should leave first. By the looks of it, it won’t become majestic and powerful anytime soon.”
No sooner had he spoken than another violent tremor shook the stone chamber. The giant python was not far away. Through the open stone window, a familiar, heavy scent of blood wafted in on the wind.
As the group prepared to depart, the young creature on the stone table suddenly raised itself. Its previously droopy eyelids snapped open, and a low growl emerged from its throat.
Mu Qingyan’s instinct was to reach out and pick it up, but the creature bared its teeth threateningly. Reluctantly, he turned to Cai Zhao and said, “Quickly, bring it to the window!”
Understanding immediately, Cai Zhao carried the creature to the window, allowing it to hear the commotion outside and catch the scent of the giant python.
The stench of countless corpses wafted over the snowy peaks, accompanied by bone-chilling hisses as the giant python slowly approached. Unexpectedly, the young creature grew excited. Its wings spread wide, the gleaming scales on its back stood on end, and it raised its neck to let out a roar. Though not particularly loud, the sound was incredibly deep, resembling a horn blown from the depths of the earth.
While others might not have noticed, Mu Qingyan knew that humans and animals have different auditory canals. Some sounds inaudible to humans can be heard by animals.
The young creature stretched its short neck, roaring continuously. The foul air seemed to freeze.
After twenty years, the fear etched deep in the giant python’s bloodline was awakened once more. This roar came from an ancient predator that had devoured countless of its kind throughout history. Before this natural enemy, even the once-invincible python clan could be easily dismembered and devoured alive.
After an indeterminate wait, the ground’s trembling gradually subsided, and the air returned to its previous icy chill.
“Has the big snake… left?” Cai Zhao asked uncertainly, looking down at the young creature in her arms. “It just roared a few times, and the big snake obediently ran away?”
Mu Qingyan glared disapprovingly at the small bundle in the girl’s arms. “Do you know what a natural predator is? It’s a nemesis that can slaughter an entire clan for generations, regardless of how much they multiply. For instance, our Sacred Cult is to your Northern Chen Six Sects.”
Cai Zhao replied dryly, “Whatever makes you happy, brother.”
The Snow Woman estimated that the giant python would retreat into the mountain’s depths. With the crisis averted, the group prepared to move on.
Mu Qingyan, ever skeptical, couldn’t be certain that even if this creature was truly a Snow Scale Dragon Beast, its saliva would effectively counter the Shape-shifting Technique.
At his request, Qian Xueshen meditated for the time it took an incense stick to burn. Then, producing a silver needle hidden against his skin, he transformed Mu Qingyan into a middle-aged, unsavory butcher with a face full of thick flesh.
Cai Zhao thought to herself: This is personal revenge.
Displeased, Mu Qingyan shot a cold look at Qian Xueshen, who pretended not to understand.
After consuming the saliva, Mu Qingyan’s body indeed turned ice-cold, as if dead. Moments later, he reverted to his original form.
Cai Zhao exclaimed joyfully, “It seems to be genuine!”
What do newborn babies produce most? Drool.
The chubby dragon beast cub grinned foolishly, drooling profusely. The Snow Woman brought out a large jade bottle, half a foot tall, for Cai Zhao to collect the saliva. “If it’s just to counter the Thousand Faces Sect’s technique, a tiny amount would suffice. I’m not sure how many people you plan to test, but this large bottle should be more than enough.”
Cai Zhao noticed a detail in her words. “A tiny amount is enough? How much saliva is needed at a minimum to reveal someone’s true form?”
The Snow Woman shrugged. “I’m not sure, but my master once said that someone poured a small cup of saliva into a twenty-jin wine jar, and it revealed the true forms of forty to fifty people at a banquet.”
“What?!” Cai Zhao exclaimed in surprise. “It works when mixed with wine, so does it work with water too?”
“Of course,” the Snow Woman replied. “Otherwise, why do you think the Thousand Faces Sect’s founding ancestor hastily retired from the jianghu? If a Snow Scale Dragon Beast simply spat into a water tank, anyone who drank from it would reveal their true form. With such a significant weakness, the founding ancestor naturally had to go into seclusion.”
Cai Zhao and Mu Qingyan exchanged a glance, while Qian Xueshen had a sudden realization. “So that’s why. Our sect only dared to gradually reemerge after confirming that the Snow Scale Dragon Beasts had completely vanished from the jianghu.”
Mu Qingyan sneered. “The Northern Chen ancestor foresaw that the Shape-shifting Technique had too many taboos and would eventually become a target. Before his death, he revealed how to counter the technique, intending to protect them. However…”
Cai Zhao sighed. “Unfortunately, even with all his abilities, the Northern Chen ancestor couldn’t account for human greed. The Thousand Faces Sect was ultimately unable to escape its fate.”
The Snow Woman filled a flask with saliva for Cai Zhao, stating that it would be enough to test over a thousand people.
As Cai Zhao’s loved ones remained missing, she was eager to move on without delay.
During their farewell, the chubby cub clung affectionately to Cai Zhao.
Feeling emotional, Cai Zhao said, “It’s not that I don’t want to take you down the mountain. There are too many bad people out there. You’re safer here. Perhaps when I find my master and father, I’ll come back to keep you company.”
Mu Qingyan scoffed, “Give it up. You complain for days when there’s no green onion in your wonton. Someone so attached to worldly comforts would struggle to stay in this cold, quiet mountaintop for even three days, let alone live here long-term to keep it company.”
Embarrassed at being exposed, Cai Zhao sheepishly told the Snow Woman, “When I have time, I’ll come to visit you and Little Snow.”
The Snow Woman’s lips curved slightly as if remembering something. “Years ago, your aunt said the same thing to my master before she left.”
Cai Zhao was taken aback.
The Snow Woman continued, “But my master waited for over a decade, and your aunt never returned. On her deathbed, my master hoped to see her one last time, but it wasn’t possible.” Despite her usual indifference, her words couldn’t hide a trace of resentment.
Cai Zhao lowered her head. “Not long after my aunt left here, chaos erupted in the martial world. Later, she fought a great demon. The demon died, but she was left crippled, bedridden for over a decade. She couldn’t have climbed this snowy mountain.”
The Snow Woman’s expression softened slightly. “I see. Is she in better health now?”
“She passed away three years ago.”
Before leaving, Cai Zhao repeatedly urged the Snow Woman, “If you ever tire of this place, come find me in Luoying Valley.”
The Snow Woman smiled faintly with a hint of mockery. “I like it here. I won’t get tired of it. Humans are the source of all evil. I never want to go down to the world of men again.”
As they descended the mountain, Cai Zhao sighed repeatedly. “I forced Little Snow to hatch for my selfish reasons. I don’t know if it was right or wrong. Now it’s the last Snow Scale Dragon Beast in the world. How lonely it must be.”
Qian Xueshen, remembering his solitude with his sect and family all gone, empathized and sighed as well.
Unexpectedly, Mu Qingyan coldly interjected, “Spare me your pity. Snow Scale Dragon Beasts have extremely long lifespans, living at least two hundred years. In two centuries, the world will change dramatically. Who knows, its kind might reappear in some remote corner. By then, even our grandchildren might be dust. We ordinary mortals shouldn’t waste energy worrying about that long-lived little creature!”
Qian Xueshen immediately stopped feeling sad.
Cai Zhao sullenly punched Mu Qingyan’s arm. “You don’t know how to read the mood.”
Halfway down the mountain, Qian Xueshen suddenly stopped. “You two go on. I’m staying here.”
Mu Qingyan raised an eyebrow. “Don’t you want my antidote anymore?”
Qian Xueshen smiled and shook his head. “The poison was fake, wasn’t it? Young Lord Mu, you’ve probably noticed many of my inconsistencies along the way. Thank you for your patience and tolerance.” He bowed deeply to Mu Qingyan.
Confused, Cai Zhao asked, “But what will you do here? It’s a desolate, snowy wilderness. Why stay?”
Qian Xueshen smiled faintly. “The Snow Woman’s words resonated with me. Both the Snow Scale Dragon Beast and the Shape-shifting Technique shouldn’t reappear in the world. It might be better if I died, but I’m not ready to give up this body yet.”
“This is where my whole family once lived. Staying here brings me peace. I’ll slowly raise Snow Feng and Snow Zhu’s children. Lady Cai, Young Lord Mu, meeting you two was my good fortune. All gatherings must end. Let’s part ways here.”
“I don’t want to return to the world of men either.”
As evening approached and snow began to fall again, the three bid farewell amidst the swirling flakes.
Watching Cai Zhao’s retreating figure, Qian Xueshen suddenly called out, “If I encounter travelers in need on the mountain, I’ll still help them!” After saying this, he picked up the four white cubs and turned away without looking back.
Hot tears rolled down his cheeks as he choked back sobs, walking into the snowstorm.
There was something he had kept in his heart, never telling Cai Zhao:
Thank you.
Thank you for saving me multiple times.
Thank you for defending me and helping me avenge my family.
Thank you for always believing I wasn’t a bad person.
Father, Mother, Uncle, Aunt – they weren’t wrong. The evil people were wrong.
With vengeance achieved and a new life ahead, he wished to spend his remaining years protecting this snowy peak.
There is no greater virtue than this.