The Ice Abyss became even colder at night.

In the Extreme Ice Abyss, the exit could not be seen to its end, and day and night could not be distinguished by the rising and setting of the sun and moon. However, the glowing azure flowers in the Ice Abyss had their petals open for about half a day and closed for half a day, so the blooming and withering of flowers could be used to distinguish between day and night.

Ten days and nights had passed since Zanxing continued climbing upward.

Bujiang watched the person slowly climbing up the Ice Abyss. The woman was originally quite tall, but her fox fur coat was already covered with ice and snow, pressing heavily on her body. She continued moving forward without stopping for even a moment, like a snail with its shell pressed down, slowly traveling alone on the distant giant peak.

She sighed and muttered quietly to herself, “What a fool.”

Bujiang waved her hand, gathering a cluster of demonic essence from her fingertips and sending it toward Zanxing. The demonic essence burned, instantly melting away most of the ice and snow accumulated on Zanxing’s fox fur coat. She stopped in her tracks, supported herself against the ice wall, turned to look at Bujiang floating in mid-air, and smiled, “Thank you.”

“You and I are close relatives; no need to be so polite.” Bujiang glanced around at the azure flowers blooming in large clusters, glowing like flowing fire, then said, “Night has fallen. You’ve climbed for a whole day today, rest for a while.”

Zanxing leaned on the Wuyou Stick, looked up at the top of her head – the abyss looked no different from ten days ago. She had climbed for so long but seemed to have only moved up a little bit, which was truly disheartening.

Fire began burning in the cold, silent abyss.

The dancing red flames seemed to drive away some of the night’s chill. Zanxing sat against the ice wall, stretched her hands toward the fire burning in the Heavenly Fire Basket, and moved her stiff finger joints.

Bujiang watched her, or more precisely, watched the Heavenly Fire Basket in front of her, raising an eyebrow, “This fire basket is quite useful. It’s been ten days, and the fire hasn’t diminished by half.”

“The Heavenly Fire Basket contains three fire crystals. Burning day and night, it can be used for three years. If I use it sparingly like this, it might last for decades.” Zanxing rubbed Mimi’s frozen belly while speaking, “It’s only been ten days, what does that matter?”

She rarely spoke in such a proud tone. Bujiang narrowed her eyes, “Fire crystals are difficult to refine. That senior brother of yours is quite generous to you.”

Zanxing climbed during the day and stopped to rest at night. During rest, Bujiang often asked her about past events. She wasn’t clear about what happened in Yue City, so she didn’t mention much. What she talked about most was the daily affairs on Gufeng Mountain. Thinking of Tian Fangfang, she couldn’t help but smile. She had once disliked Tian Fangfang for being petty, giving her a seemingly useless fire starter, but this fire starter had now saved her life here. Without the Heavenly Fire Basket, relying only on Meng Ying’s fox fur coat, she would have long become a statue in this ice cave.

“I can see you had good relationships with people at Taiyan Sect,” Bujiang said, looking at her. “Fox fur coats, Heavenly Fire Baskets, substitute talismans – even in the Demon Realm, these are all rare items. It seems your personality is quite likable and endearing. In this regard, you take after me, unlike your cold father.”

Zanxing paused and said softly, “They are very kind, always taking care of me.”

Indeed, very kind. Fellow disciples who would risk their lives to protect you are rare even in our Demon Realm.” Bujiang looked meaningfully at the hair ribbon on Zanxing’s wrist.

“Zhuyan” had become an ordinary hair ribbon after losing its teleportation spell, no longer as bright as before, lying dimly on her wrist like a resting withered butterfly.

Zanxing thought of Gu Baiying, her expression growing somber.

He had forcibly sent her away and faced the anger and accusations of the entire cultivation world alone. With his proud and stubborn nature, he probably wouldn’t say a single soft word to the sect elders. Those old men were ruthless in their methods – who knew how they would treat him?

In the end, it was she who had implicated Gu Baiying.

Seeing Zanxing’s worry, Bujiang changed the subject, “However, do you still plan to continue climbing up? At your pace, it might take ten or twenty years.”

“That’s not bad either,” Zanxing looked down at the flames. “After all, the Heavenly Fire Basket can burn for decades, and since I’m of the demon race, I have a long lifespan. In a few decades, I surely won’t still be in the same place.”

“I want to encourage you.” Bujiang opened her palm, and a small jade comb suddenly appeared in her hand. She held the comb with one hand and slowly combed her long hair.

The chains binding her limbs made rustling sounds. Bujiang paid no attention, only combing her satin-like black hair, saying calmly, “You’ve also felt it – the higher you go, the colder it gets. When you climb a bit higher, the fire in the Heavenly Fire Basket will consume even faster. And even with fire crystals, it can’t stop you from freezing. Zanxing, you need to think clearly.” Her tone became more serious, “If you stay in place, I can transfer some essence to you, and you could last a bit longer.”

Mimi’s body became softer in the warmth of the flames. The Yinlang Shi opened its eyes tiredly, lazily licked Zanxing’s hand, then closed its eyes and went back to sleep. The longer they stayed in the Ice Abyss, the longer Mimi slept. Sometimes for an entire day, Mimi would be awake for less than half an hour.

Zanxing stroked its head and said, “You don’t have much demonic essence left either, do you?”

Bujiang froze.

“Being imprisoned here by Gui Yansheng, your demonic essence is consumed daily. If you transfer it to me, what will you do? At least now there’s someone to talk to. If you also fall asleep, climbing up this tall Ice Abyss would be truly lonely.” Zanxing smiled, “I’ve lost all my essence, and you’re not much better off. There’s no need to force yourself. Besides, I’m not ignorant of my limits – I just don’t like sitting and waiting for death.”

“Trying is better than not trying at all. When it comes to that desperate moment, you can help me then. Now isn’t the time to talk about giving up,” she said.

The Ice Abyss fell silent, with only the flames dancing soundlessly, casting lively shadows on the ice walls.

Bujiang didn’t speak, only looked at Zanxing, thinking about something. After a while, she smiled, “It seems the Yang family raised you well.”

“This personality of yours is indeed very endearing.”

The azure flowers bloomed in the Ice Abyss all night, their flowing light gradually dimming at dawn. The petals closed, and those blooming flowers returned to silence, once again becoming buds waiting to bloom.

The beautiful woman in red robes’ eyelashes fluttered slightly as she slowly opened her eyes.

She yawned, summoned the jade comb from her palm, and while combing her hair, glanced at the person sitting against the ice wall, muttering, “You’re getting up late today. Did you think carefully last night and decide I was right, planning to change your mind?”

Zanxing sat with her head down, not answering her question.

After waiting a while without hearing a response, Bujiang couldn’t help but look over again and ask, “You’re not still sleeping, are you?”