Over the next few days, aside from cultivating within the stone bead’s dream realm, Yun Che devoted all his remaining time to collecting and storing freshly fallen snow. Using the stone bead, he melted it down into what he called Spirit Snow Water—a liquid infused with refined ice-aspected spiritual energy.

  He dared not use large containers. Instead, he divided it into multiple bamboo tubes and hid them in various places. In just a few days, he had accumulated several dozen tubes. By his estimation, this supply would last him quite some time in the dream realm.

  With preparations complete, Yun Che immersed himself in cultivation. While the Spirit Snow Water was more effective than ordinary Cold Nether Pond water, it no longer produced the dramatic improvements it once had on his newly advanced body. At best, it served as slow-burning “kindling” to maintain gradual progress.

  He understood clearly: what he needed now was either a more efficient source of power—or clearer guidance for the path ahead.

  Before he realized it, the ten-day deadline he had agreed upon with Yun Feng had arrived. That night, heavy snow fell once more.

  Yun Che did not enter the dream realm. Instead, he sat cross-legged inside the storage shed, regulating his breath as he waited. Around midnight, his sharpened senses caught the faint sound of footsteps crunching through snow.

  Moments later, the door was pushed open just a crack. Yun Feng poked his head in, cold air spilling after him as he whispered urgently,

  “Stone Bro, hurry! My master just finished refining pills—I barely managed to sneak out. If we’re any later, we’ll miss the opening of the Frostshadow Gathering!”

  Without waiting for a reply, he turned and strode off. Yun Che immediately rose, tightened the bundle containing his gourd of Spirit Snow Water and a few odds and ends, and followed silently.

  The two moved swiftly through deep snow, soon leaving the sect buildings behind as they followed a hidden path into the depths of the back mountain. The snowy trail was slick, ice concealed beneath the surface. Yun Feng walked cautiously, shoulders hunched, muttering curses under his breath.

  “Damn weather… of all times to hold it now. If I slip and die, I’ll haunt the idiot who organized this!”

  Yun Che, however, walked with steady ease. The faint whirl of qi within him circulated naturally, bringing warmth and balance. His steps left barely a trace in the snow. In fact, he welcomed the storm—it was perfect cover. He was already considering collecting more fresh snow after the gathering ended.

  After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Yun Feng stopped behind a massive wind-sheltering boulder. Turning back, he produced a dark green pill and handed it to Yun Che, lowering his voice even further.

  “We’re almost there. Two more turns ahead. Take this Veiling Mist Pill first—can’t let anyone see through us.”

  He swallowed one himself. Instantly, thick black mist poured from his pores, completely enveloping his body. The fog writhed and twisted, distorting even his silhouette—his height and build seemed to shift. A hoarse, unfamiliar voice emerged from within.

  “Well? Still recognize me, Stone Bro?”

  Yun Che stirred his divine sense and probed the mist, but it vanished as if into the sea, blocked by a gentle yet resilient force. Reassured, he nodded.

  “Impressive.”

  He then swallowed his own pill.

  The same dense black fog spread over him, wrapping his entire body. A faint sense of separation arose, his vision dimming slightly, and even his own voice came out warped and low.

  “My voice—”

  “Normal,” Yun Feng replied from within the mist. “The fog distorts voice and form. Unless a Foundation Establishment elder deliberately probes with divine sense, no one will recognize you. Let’s go—the gathering’s starting!”

  Two humanoid masses of black mist vanished into the wind and snow. After rounding several bends, the view suddenly opened into a bowl-shaped mountain clearing.

  Several clusters of ghostly blue bonfires burned at its center, their flames flickering as they illuminated dozens of figures—each shrouded in the same black mist. The figures stood several paces apart, scattered throughout the clearing. Most remained silent; only the occasional distorted whisper drifted through the air, lending the place a tense, eerie atmosphere.

  Yun Che and Yun Feng took a spot along the edge, blending seamlessly into the silent “forest of black mist.”

  After roughly half a cup of tea’s time, no more newcomers arrived.

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  At that moment, a figure near the central bonfire—its mist noticeably denser than the others—stepped forward and cleared his throat. His voice, warped with a faint metallic resonance, echoed across the clearing.

  “The time has come. This Frostshadow Gathering will, as always, be presided over by this old one. Same rules as ever—fair trade, no grudges beyond this place. Now, let me begin.”

  With a subtle shift of mist, a short spike appeared in his hand—about two feet long, shimmering blue like crystal ice.

  “Cold Marrow Spike. Low-grade magic artifact. Forged from century-old marrow iron from the depths of a cold pond, inscribed with ice-soul runes. Exceptionally sharp, imbued with chilling侵蚀 energy. Exchange for spirit stones, or items of equal value. Starting price: thirty low-grade spirit stones.”

  Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

  “Thirty-five!”

  “Thirty-eight!”

  “Forty spirit stones, plus a bottle of Nourishing Origin Pills!”

  After several rapid bids, the Cold Marrow Spike was traded away for forty-five spirit stones and two bottles of Nourishing Origin Pills. The exchange was completed swiftly, both parties returning to their places as if nothing had happened.

  The successful opening warmed the atmosphere. Soon another figure stepped forward, holding a dragon-eye-sized pill glowing crimson with heat.

  “Blazing Sun Pill. One hour of thirty percent increased fire-art power. Temporarily aids cultivation of fire-aspected techniques. Seeking pills that enhance cultivation, or defensive talismans.”

  “Three Qi Condensation Pills!”

  “One Golden Armor Talisman, blocks a mid-stage Qi Condensation strike!”

  In the end, the Blazing Sun Pill was exchanged for five Qi Condensation Pills and an Ice Barrier Talisman.

  Trades continued—damaged array flags, incomplete jade slips, under-aged spirit herbs, mysterious ancient objects of unclear use. Whenever multiple people desired the same item, a rapid, silent bidding ensued. Highest offer won.

  Yun Che observed quietly, in no rush to act. What he needed were solutions to his current predicament—guidance techniques, concealment methods, or more efficient cultivation resources. Most offerings were either useless to him or outrageously overpriced.

  Then, a hesitant figure near the edge stepped forward. Its mist fluctuated unsteadily as a halting voice spoke.

  “I… I offer a minor technique called Breath Concealment Art. Once mastered, it can suppress one’s spiritual fluctuations, simulating an aura one or two minor realms lower than one’s true cultivation. Unless closely examined by Foundation Establishment divine sense, it is difficult to detect.”

  After a pause, the figure added cautiously,

  “It… has limitations. Requires at least Qi Condensation third layer to use. Can last no more than half an hour per activation, followed by a need to recover. I ask only for five Qi Condensation Pills—or equivalent spirit stones.”

  Soft scoffs and murmurs followed.

  “Concealing aura? Playing weak? Ridiculous.”

  “Half an hour? What’s that good for?”

  “Needs third layer and wants five pills? Robbery.”

  “Useless.”

  Clearly, most saw the technique as flashy but impractical. The seller sighed and began to withdraw the bone slip in his hand.

  “I’ll trade five Qi Condensation Pills.”

  Yun Che stepped forward and spoke.

  Silence fell. Several black mists turned toward him. The seller froze, then his mist surged with excitement.

  “A decisive daoist!”

  The exchange was swift. Yun Che received the bone slip, cool to the touch and etched with fine patterns. When his divine sense brushed it, a stream of information flooded his mind—the full method and intricacies of the Breath Concealment Art.

  He stored it away calmly.

  To others, it might be useless. To Yun Che, it was timely rain. He urgently needed a way to mask his abnormal growth and suspicious progress. Simulating a lower cultivation realm was perfect cover. As for the requirements and duration—he had the stone bead and tenfold time.

  The gathering continued.

  After several more rounds, a figure near the rock wall stepped forward. Its mist was solid, posture faintly arrogant. In its hands rested a jade box radiating intense cold. As the lid opened slightly, a fragrance spread that invigorated the spirit and tingled the skin.

  “Profound Frost Creation Pill. One pill.”

  Its deliberately calm voice could not hide its pride. Every gaze fixed upon it.

  Yun Feng’s mist trembled violently—he nearly lunged forward. Yun Che could feel the intense yearning beside him.

  Bidding exploded.

  “Sixty spirit stones!”

  “Cold Crystal Dagger plus forty stones!”

  “Three Golden Sword Talismans and twenty Qi Condensation Pills!”

  “Eighty stones, plus a bottle of Iceheart Pills!”

  “A damaged mid-grade defensive jade pendant—will you trade?!”

  The Profound Frost Creation Pill could drastically increase ice-qi absorption efficiency within two months—an absolute treasure for any ice cultivator in Qi Condensation.

  Yun Feng joined hoarsely, “Ninety spirit stones! Plus five of my self-refined Fire-Melting Pills!”

  It was his limit.

  But his offer was quickly drowned out. In the end, the pill was taken by a figure with an aged voice offering one hundred and twenty spirit stones, plus a rare Minor Vanishing Talisman—capable of fully concealing form and aura for three breaths.

  Yun Feng’s mist shuddered, sagging with frustration and despair.

  Yun Che watched in silence, his understanding of the sect’s brutal resource gap growing colder by the moment. His resolve to remain hidden and advance cautiously hardened further. Without strength, even minor abnormalities could invite catastrophe.

  With the final trade complete, the host spoke once more.

  “This Frostshadow Gathering is concluded. Depart in order. Same rule as ever—once you leave, forget all you’ve seen.”

  Figures silently melted into the snow and darkness. Yun Che and Yun Feng exchanged a glance—two swirling mists—then retraced their path. Only after reaching a secluded ice cave and confirming safety did they wait for the Veiling Mist Pill’s effects to fade.

  The black fog dispersed, revealing their faces. Yun Feng clenched his teeth in frustration.

  “So close! That old monster even threw out a Vanishing Talisman!”

  Yun Che patted his shoulder but offered little comfort. He carefully stored the bone slip containing the Breath Concealment Art.

  This trip had already yielded results.

  The storm intensified, erasing all traces of their arrival. The two returned in silence.

  Yun Che knew that with the concealment art—and the stone bead—his path forward could be walked more quietly, more steadily.

  And what he had glimpsed tonight was only the tip of the iceberg: a cultivation world cold, ruthless, yet filled with opportunity.

  Do you think the Breath Concealment Art is Yun Che’s most crucial acquisition so far?

  If you were in his place, would you risk everything for the Creation Pill—or choose the same steady, hidden path?

  Share your thoughts below—your perspectives may shape what comes next.