Prologue

It is said that on the highest peak of the Millennium Mountains, filled with biting cold glaciers, raging snow, and white bleakness, stood a temple where an ancient ancestor rested; his cultivation was unfathomable; wherever he went, grass would bow, flowers would bloom, and trees would make way for his straw sandals. He defeated his foes with a wave of his whisk. Release storms and thunder with a flick of his fingers. He was also a wise sage who possessed vast knowledge. There's nothing in this world that he can't solve.

In desperation and hopelessness, Fei Mingyun crossed the torrential rivers and deathly mountains.

She gazed at the distant mountain ranges covered by a white expanse of mist and clouds, stumped the ground, and flew. On her back, a body devoid of breath hung with its arms around her neck.

Fierce winds cut her skin, leaving bloody marks. Fei Mingyun didn't feel any pain; an indifferent expression painted her face. It seems that when he left, he took away a large part of her, and only despair remains.

The increasing cold continues, and the robe embroidered with golden threads is torn and soaked with crimson liquid. It trickled down the snow when she landed, and red peonies trailed when she took steps. The red trail followed, and so did the sorrowful dark energy. The Millennium Mountains never tolerated the existence of evil; Fei Mingyun felt her entire body being entangled by countless parasitic vines sucking all the power she had. It hurts a lot, like endless mouths biting and drying her meridians, greedily devouring all corners, leaving only an empty shell.

After the invisible weight was lifted, her knees weakened and buckled on the ground. Icy breath left her lips as the body that was invulnerable before became a fragile mortal now. The weight on her back made her stagger and get up. Nothing could keep her from reaching the top, even if she became ashes. She'll ride the wind if she needs to just to have a single chance.

The wind blew and became gales; snowflakes became hales; and the pressure continued to increase as she took her first step on the endless stone staircase. Every step she took, the unforeseen force pressed on her, preventing her from succeeding.

Teeth chattering, trembling limbs, her labored form endured treading the dangerous path. One night passed, another night came by, and Fei Mingyun didn't know how long she was climbing. It seems time stood still, days and nights reversed, and only the cold sensation under her soles remains. She had long lost her shoes when she slipped and fell, getting grazed and hit by debris from atop. Her eyes could no longer see properly, only the bleakness and vague outlines of the road.

Counting on her two hands, she crawled and touched every corner ahead; she continued this until it became too stiff to even lift. Then she relied on her ears and carefully discerned the sounds. Time passed again in what seemed to be an eternity.

She maintained her pace until the world became silent. Not a sound entered her ears—not the howling of the winds, the harsh sound of rocks colliding, or even her pale breath—everything was gone. She halted when she made sure of her conjecture, but this didn't stop her from taking another step.

A layer of ice crept up her toes; a web-like transparent crystal emerged and gradually covered her bruised and swollen feet. Fei Mingyun stumbled but didn't forget to protect the remnants of the person she dearly loved. She hugged it tightly without a gap while taking the brunt of the fall. Her trembling, thin back slammed on the rocks; blood left a trace on the surfaces. She only heaved a sigh of relief when the body was unscathed. A cough escaped her lips; apparently her organs were a mess, her breath in disarray. She caressed the cold skin of the body, whispering sweet words to appease her weary heart. Her body might not make it, but she still had a soul. It's just a pity the grave was crude; there's no tomb, mound, or tablet for their names to be carved. The season will pass, the body will rot, and no one will remember her anymore. She took a long breath and listened to the dreadful silence.

It was not until a voice so gentle and full of warmth called out in the void.

"Give up, young one."

Fei Mingyun opened her frozen lips with difficulty and uttered in a voice so small, "No. Shut up."

"Why?" The voice on the other side was filled with deep curiosity.

Her lungs felt like they were sliced every time she inhaled. "I don't have a reason to give you. It's just a pity."

"What is regretful?"

Fei Mingyun's eyes and moved towards the direction of the mountain peaks she last remembered. "I didn't get to meet the ancestor."

After that statement, she didn't have any more energy to spare. Her mouth parted, but no sound came out.

The silence she liked returned, and she embraced these rare moments of peace while being with him. Fei Mingyun felt that the claw of death was near as the tiny bit of warm temperature dissipated.

The tip of her nose moved, the icy air became soothing, and the sweet fragrance of flowers spread, invading her pores. She abruptly opened her eyes and was met by countless gazes. Is she dead? She wondered in her heart as dozens of monks in brown robes stood in front of her.

"This is the Temple of Benevolence and Merit. The young lady is not dead." As if reading her mind, the leading monk clad in a spotless white tunic spoke. He held a whisk in his right hand and Buddhist beads on his wrist. Time left traces on his face, but it could not conceal the brilliance of his past youthful self.

Her eyes straightened, having recognized the familiar voice that had spoken to her long ago. "Who are you?"

"I'm the ancestor the young lady is looking for," the amiable old man responded.

Fei Mingyun threw herself on his feet and prostrated on the grassy ground in a begging manner. "Please save him."

"I cannot. His soul has already left. Even if I search the world, I can't feel his traces." The Ancestor observed the lifeless body, and not a sliver of chance was left.

"You're a liar. Everyone said you can solve anything! Please! I can do everything you ask of me." Fei Mingyun knocked her head heavily on the ground. A trickle of blood dropped from her forehead. Her expression was that of a person on death's door, and only the old man's approval could pull her out.

The Ancestor shook his head. This simple gesture almost took her soul out of her body.

"But", the Ancestor's eyes flickered, light hidden within, and he touched the Buddhist beads on his left wrist, "I can let the young lady meet him. It's just that the young lady may have to pay a heavy price."

"I'm willing!" Fei Mingyun shouted loudly, afraid the old man would not be able to hear it.

The eighty monks behind him immediately called out one after another, very shocked by the old man's decision. Tampering with destiny is forbidden; the Ancestor is just a mortal; if he did it, the heavens would intervene, and even their ashes would not suffice its wrath. "Ancestor, please think twice."

The Ancestor looked at Fei Mingyun with firm eyes and took off the Buddhist beads. He rubbed the smooth surface and held it for Fei Mingyun. "Take it. I will let you meet him."

Fei Mingyun felt a strange attraction towards the ordinary sandalwood beads on the Ancestor's palm. The nine beads exuded a mysterious energy that was very familiar, as if she had had contact with it before, but as far as she knows, only three exist: heaven qi, earth qi, and human qi. She grasped the beads, and a warm current flew through, enveloping her soul and replenishing her qi with something pure, far from the dense dark energy she had before climbing up the mountain. Besides, she was grateful that the Ancestor found a way for her.

The Buddhist beads that never left Ancestor's wrist since he was a little boy have been given to an unknown woman today. When they thought the ancestor would be done, his next words weakened their knees.

"Take out the Tianjin mirror."

They all dropped to the ground and each pleaded for him to reconsider, but it fell on deaf ears. The Ancestor seems very persistent this time. Their blood turned cold after failing to persuade him. The Tianjin mirror can let a destined person see their past and peek at their future, but one needs an equivalent trade to activate it. Their temple only used it once, and the Ancestor gave up half of his cultivation in exchange. If our ancestors were used today, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Soon after, a palm-sized mirror was taken out and handed to the Ancestor. The ancestor took it and walked forward a few steps before stopping.

"The young lady should follow along with the young man," the Ancestor kindly requested.

Fei Mingyun carried the body. Her eyes looked at the man's closed eyes, and a teardrop escaped, landing on the man's cheeks. She rubbed her cheeks with his cold ones and tightly hugged him. She lifted her steps and followed the Ancestor waiting for her. She knew she was very selfish because, judging from the reactions of the other monks around her, the Ancestor would suffer after agreeing to her pleas. Ancestor, if there is a life after life, I'll be your horse or cow working hard for you to repay this favor. She stared at the back of the old man. Her hand clenched the Buddhist beads.

As if feeling her gaze, the Ancestor looked back and smiled, reassuring her. She became more ashamed of taking advantage. She lowered her head, and her eyes became misty and moist. She was really pathetic.

The top of the mountain range was very different from her imagination. She thought the environment would be harsh, but it was a paradise; despite the winter season going on, the place was in spring. She was in a trance, gazing at the vast flower field as it danced with the gentle breeze. Truly a wonderful place, but she was unworthy.

"We're here."

The entourage halted, and a platform made of stones came into view. There were several unknown patterns engraved on it that she didn't recognize.

All the monks stepped forward, with the Ancestor at the center. Fei Mingyun could feel dozens of gazes on her as her feet touched the stone platform.

Then it happened so fast, as if a feather in the wind, all the people hovered and unknowingly formed a formation; Fei Mingyun became the center; the Buddhist beads broken into individual pearls became lights; they formed a bond with her; The calm sky became cloudy; roars were heard; and a large pagoda emerged, enveloping her and preventing the thunder and lightning from harming her. She hurriedly looked for the Ancestor and Haoran, but chains came from out of nowhere and coiled around her limbs and neck.

Ancestor, what is this? She wanted to ask, but the scenery suddenly changed.

Her eyes fixed on the countless fragments, like papers being torn. Broken images formed at each segment, and one piece drifted towards her head. The familiar voice again disturbed her and only left two words: "The price."

Fei Mingyun stopped resisting, and she closed her eyes, letting the void disintegrate her flesh and bones bit by bit until only a tiny speckle of soul was left.

"Thank you." The little light flickered then vanished without a trace.