Chapter Twenty Two: Way to The Top

Outside the cave, Xian Yu heaved a sigh of relief.

"Indeed, my hunch was spot on. None of these formidable beings are simple!"

When I first played the game, I couldn't fathom why these demonic creatures appeared so distorted. Either they are the remnants of souls or were slain by those they were guarding.

Now, after experiencing it firsthand, I see how absurd that notion was.

"I need to get out of this eerie place pronto. It's a shame we can't carry those dragon bones with us, but we can't keep tempting fate..."

It's not cowardice; it's a strategic retreat.

I was pondering the remaining soul of the North Wind Wolf King, Andrius, and it occurred to me whether Durin might be in a similar predicament.

What's more, Durin still has a physical form!

Xian Yu's bewildering actions made him contemplate if Durin isn't entirely "dead."

Regardless of what the game mentions, this is how Xian Yu feels.

The thought that the other party might be resurrected, combined with his recent daring feat of retrieving the teeth, propelled Xian Yu towards the grandfather and grandson.

It wasn't until he re-entered the land of wind and snow, and the imperceptible pressure dissipated, that Xian Yu slowed down.

As he emerged, the Cryo Crystal Butterfly on his head fluttered its wings and emerged from his hair.

The two antennae on its head quivered for a moment, as if they sensed safety and contentedly nestled against the ice core, unlike their previous hiding beneath the hair back in Wyrmrest Valley.

Feeling the Cryo Crystal Butterfly's movements, Xian Yu smiled and remarked, "You, little rascal, are quite the troublemaker, I must say."

In some cases, the behavior of the Cryo Crystal Butterfly might be more reliable than Xian Yu's instincts. After all, for these creatures, they're at the bottom of the elemental food chain. Without a keen sense of danger prediction, they would easily fall prey and perish.

After feeling it for a while, Xian Yu glanced at the Wyrmrest Valley behind him. It remained sheltered from the wind and snow, like another world.

No longer lost in nostalgia, his figure was concealed by the heavy snow.

Navigating the path through the snowy mountains was no easy feat. Snow covered everything, making it hard to discern what lay beneath the icy blanket.

However, Xian Yu didn't opt for the conventional route. Instead of treading the well-trodden snowy path, he chose the less steep rocky slopes on either side, making it a walk in the park for him.

Initially, he had intended to ascend the mountain directly. But as he gazed upon the towering peak that seemed to reach into the heavens, Xian Yu ultimately abandoned the idea.

The so-called "trail" was barely discernible, showing no signs of recent passage.

Luckily, this "path" ascended almost vertically, so Xian Yu continued along it without deviation.

"These days in the snowy mountains are rather short!..."

Even though the onset of darkness wouldn't hinder his movements, Xian Yu felt no rush.

The primary purpose of this journey was to aid the Cryo Crystal Butterfly, and the snow-covered mountain environment was highly conducive for its growth.

Thus, Xian Yu placed his reliance on the butterfly for most of his actions.

Evolution doesn't occur overnight; it necessitates time and external aid.

Assuming nothing unexpected happens, he will spend an extended period within these snow-clad mountains.

What about Xian Yu himself? Enhancing his strength is an entirely different challenge, one that lacks clear solutions.

Improving his abilities is even more challenging than advancing the Cryo Crystal Butterfly, and it primarily hinges on the passage of time.

With this in mind, he spared no effort to empower the Cryo Crystal Butterfly.

As for kindling a fire in the snowy mountains? Xian Yu can attest that it's a formidable task!

This place is strewn with rocks, and even if there were tree branches, igniting them is no easy feat. They are soaked by the heavy snow, rendering them damp and unignitable when exposed to heat.

However, Xian Yu had come prepared for this.

Just like the last time, they sought out a sheltered spot without wind, even if it lacked a cave. So, they begrudgingly set up a simple tent against the stone wall.

If you didn't want to wake up buried in heavy snow the next morning, a tent was a must.

He brought out the firewood, heated a pot of water, and brewed a comforting cup of tea.

Needless to say, it was rather enjoyable.

To an outsider, it might seem like he was here for leisure.

"Listening to the wind, savoring the snow, and gazing at the mountains – what a delight! If only there were no interruptions."

His words faded, and soon there was only the rustling of footsteps drawing nearer.

"Grandpa! Look, there's a fire over there!"

"I see it, little Siya. Please keep your voice down, so you don't attract the wolves again."

In response to his grandfather's advice, the young boy quickly covered his mouth and cast cautious glances around, dreading that wolves might suddenly pounce.

"Wolves?"

Xian Yu voiced his skepticism. Were there wolves in these snowy mountains?

And they were located high up on a mountain, inside, nonetheless.

He hadn't spotted any on his journey thus far, but he had encountered plenty of elemental creatures. Cryo slimes had no qualms about their location. As long as the environment suited them, it wouldn't be surprising for them to appear anywhere.

Hadn't he seen even a "spot" where immortals resided?

Before he could continue his contemplation, the grandfather and grandson approached.

Yet, their slightly cautious movements still kept him somewhat on guard.

"Hey! Weren't you the big brother we saw during the day? Hi, can Grandpa and I make a fire?"

Upon hearing this, Xian Yu didn't respond verbally but gave a slight nod.

At a glance, he might seem aloof and chilly, as though he should be kept at arm's length by strangers.

In reality, Xian Yu was easy to get along with, as long as one didn't become a nuisance.

After a while, aside from the inquisitive young boy, the group settled into a peaceful quiet.

Xian Yu, however, wasn't in the mood to entertain the boy's inquiries.

Perhaps due to his reluctance to engage in conversation and his growing boredom, the boy eventually ate and drifted off to sleep.

As the wind and snow roared, the flickering firelight danced upon the faces of the two remaining figures sitting upright.

"Little brother, judging by your attire, you're not from Mondstadt, are you?"

Upon hearing this, Xian Yu glanced up at the elderly man and replied softly, "You're right; I'm not from Mondstadt. I'm from Liyue. I have some business here."

Because they had crossed paths during the day and witnessed Xian Yu's actions, John assumed that he was after dragon teeth and refrained from probing further.

"I see. Since you're here in Mondstadt, you might as well visit the city. I'm sure you won't be disappointed."

"Yes, if the opportunity arises."

Their conversation was curt, and the atmosphere grew silent once more.

Xian Yu poured a cup of tea for the old man, gesturing, and then sipped from his own cup.

Setting the cup down, he recalled something the man had mentioned during the day about coming to worship. Did that imply that the man knew the way to the mountaintop?

"Sir, I happened to overhear you earlier. You've come to make an offering, haven't you?"

"In other words, you've been navigating the snowy mountains year-round. Do you know the way to the mountaintop?"

Xian Yu didn't directly inquire about whom the man was worshipping. Although he had a hunch, he wasn't certain. In any case, he simply wanted to ascertain the path, so there was no need to divulge his suspicions.

The man seemed momentarily taken aback by these questions but quickly regained his composure.

"I do know a route to the mountaintop, but it's a challenging climb, and one must be cautious to avoid danger."

"If you're interested, brother, you can join me tomorrow. I was planning to make the ascent."