The Snow Domain, Icewind Valley. The sky was choked with snow and ice, the heavy flakes like scales shaken from a colossal beast, obscuring the entire heavens and blurring all sight. In the bone-chilling blizzard, Ye Chen could no longer see the path ahead. Yet, not a single snowflake dared settle upon him; the storm swirling around his body was repelled by a transparent light shield. He recalled the route marked on his map, musing, "This is the fringe of the Snow Domain's territory; even the power of the Twelve Snow Domain Emissaries doesn't reach this far. The ice and snow here are genuine; the cold hasn't been filtered. Only those above the Void Heaven Realm should dare set foot here. This should be secluded enough, I suppose."

Thinking this, he continued to ride atop the Moon Demon Wolf, forging through the wind and snow for a while until they reached a steep, crystalline cliff face. The wind and snow seemed somewhat lessened, shielded by the valley, but the howling, fierce gale that swept out from the chasm sounded like a ghostly wail, utterly unsettling. Ye Chen leaped down from the Moon Demon Wolf and walked to the edge of the ice cliff. Gazing at the hard rock face, he tapped it lightly. Though a wind barrier encased his palm, the biting cold still pierced through, stabbing his fingers like sharp needles, making them ache. "I wonder if the physical form of the Patriarch of the Ten Pavilions can endure this?"

He paused in thought, about to open his Rune Space to inquire. Just then, his brow twitched violently, and he spun around, snapping, "Who goes there!"

The Moon Demon Wolf behind him immediately turned its head, adopting a ferocious, aggressive stance, staring into the distance where the thick snow swirled. Slowly, a dark silhouette seemed to emerge, moving with steps that were elegant and unhurried, as if in no rush at all.

"Aiyaa..." A strange, delicate voice drifted vaguely through the snow squall. "You mimic him so perfectly. Every time I see those dark eyebrows, that sun-kissed skin, my heart thrills. If you weren't a demon from the Abyss... I truly wish to do some interesting things with you..." As the voice faded, the shadow in the snow gradually stepped into view. It was a woman clad in a white robe, a wide hood shadowing her head. Her exquisite face possessed skin as white as snow and pupils of pure white, blending seamlessly with the swirling flakes of the surrounding landscape.

Ye Chen’s brow furrowed. He spoke coldly, "Who are you?" His fingers subtly tightened, the primal force of Wind surging within him, condensing at his fingertips, ready for attack.

"You don't know me..." The elegant, beautiful woman gently placed a finger on her full, alluring red lips, tracing them. "Since you managed to travel from Wushuang City here, you must have learned from the Library's knowledge—beneath the greatest Emissary of the Snow Domain, there are Nine Snow Slaves, yes?"

Ye Chen’s dark pupils contracted sharply. "You are a Snow Slave?!"

"Correct answer."

Kame's gaze was flirtatious and provocative. "Since you know, I needn't introduce myself further. If you obey me, listen to everything I say, and play with me for a while, I might consider granting you a swift death..."

"Enough nonsense!" Ye Chen coldly cut her off. "Judging by the markings on your chest, you must be a Four-Seal Snow Slave, correct? I am quite eager to see what level of strength the Snow Slaves of this Domain possess!"

Kame stared at him momentarily, then her eyes suddenly blazed with fierce, hot light. Her slender, snow-white hand covered her mouth, eliciting a melodious laugh that made her whole body tremble softly. Her fingertips rubbed against her crimson, full lips as she gazed provocatively at Ye Chen, cooing sweetly, "You are so manly! I adore that kind of man! You excite me so much, so much that I want to kill you right now and taste your fresh blood... It must taste wonderful!"

Ye Chen regarded her with cold disgust. "If you have the ability, I wouldn't mind." Despite his words, his heart felt heavy. Judging by the aura permeating the surroundings, this enigmatic woman before him possessed unfathomable strength, like a vast, surging ocean whose true depth was impossible to gauge, its power threatening to burst its banks.

"So captivating..." Kame extended her soft, crimson tongue and licked her lips, her eyes flashing with greedy, blazing light. Her other hand, which had been hidden within her robe, slowly lifted...

Ye Chen's pupils instantly contracted, filled with sheer horror.

"This..."

The Ice Plains, Blizzard Zone. The roaring wind and snow blurred and distorted the vision, like countless dense points and lines intricately woven together, making clear sight impossible. Suddenly, a massive, arched transparent dome gradually materialized from the blizzard. Seen from afar, it looked like an arched, clear barrier. Within this dome, there was no wind or snow; in its center stood a single person. He wore black clothing and walked as if strolling leisurely across the thick snow, leaving a trail of footprints behind him that stretched into the distance, quickly filled in by the heavy, falling flakes, leaving no trace. "This Snow Domain is truly vast..." Di Zangchuan looked around and sighed softly, his brows furrowed with melancholy. "The roads are full of Snow Beasts, and they are disobedient. They won't even offer directions, and they resort to aggression... alas..." His expression was one of utter helplessness. "Oh?" Just then, his brow suddenly lifted, and his eyes gleamed slightly. He licked his lips. "It seems... a truly formidable entity is approaching this way..." Swish! The sound of the howling blizzard abruptly ceased. The falling snow seemed to be cleaved apart by a bolt of extreme white lightning. Within a radius of ten kilometers around Di Zangchuan’s location, not a single snowflake dared to drift in. On the ground covered by deep snow, only a pair of exquisite, silver-white boots stepped deliberately onto the fragmented ice, walking closer step by step. A chilling current, sweeping like dust, surged out from behind him with a roaring sound. The surrounding air rapidly condensed into ice, and the snow on the ground quickly grew a thick layer of frost. Di Zangchuan turned. From the snow, a dark shadow gradually emerged. His face became clear: a man wearing a silver-white robe, with vibrant blue eyebrows plastered like feathers onto his brow ridge. His clean, pure white pupils held a distant indifference as he gazed at Di Zangchuan without speaking. After a moment, he finally said, "You are the demon from the Abyss?" Di Zangchuan squinted slightly. "You are a resident here, or perhaps, you are the one guarding the corpse of the Goddess of Light?" "I guard only this territory," Stanier said coldly, letting out a sneer. "However, there's no need to explain this to you." "Oh?" "You are already a dead man anyway." "I see." Di Zangchuan couldn't help but laugh, a truly joyous sound. "I have long hoped to meet a certain person. Now that I finally see you, I am truly grateful. As a reward, I will grant you a very swift death, without any pain." "Is that so..." Stanier also smiled. "It's a good opportunity to test my skills." His smile was sinister and cold as he fixed his gaze on Di Zangchuan. "You carry a scent that utterly intoxicates me... yes, that murderous intent, such dense killing aura, and the profound power hidden within you, deep as the ocean... And those several potent auras on your body must be your weaponry; they are too captivating." "I wonder if you can withstand this move of mine..." He licked his lips, his smile like that of a ferocious wolf playing with its prey. "Since I created it, I have never used it before. You are the first to witness it. Oh, no, wait—the previous Two-Seal Snow Slave also saw it. Too bad for him; he is dead now..." Di Zangchuan nodded, speaking very sincerely. "I am very keen to experience it." Stanier's eyes flashed with sharp light. He slowly raised his palm. The howling, swirling cold wind around them suddenly vibrated outward, and the entire sky seemed to become a zone of vacuum; not a single flake of snow entered the area where he stood. "It is called Gā... Jin!" He uttered the words gently, a captivating smile gracing his face. Di Zangchuan’s smile remained, but it suddenly stiffened. His pupils contracted slightly, and he looked down at his hands. "M-my power... there is not the slightest fluctuation within my body, like stagnant water. The vast energy seems to have vanished suddenly, instantly rendering me an ordinary mortal!" "Below... here I come. Are you ready?" Stanier smiled tenderly, bent his body slightly, and then lunged forward, appearing instantly before Di Zangchuan. The breath expelled from both their nostrils could be felt by the other.

The Snow Domain, Tiger Face Chasm. On the crystalline cold ground, Sefiran wore a silver-white hood, and the biting, cold wind scraped across her delicate face like knives, freezing it slightly numb. Her soft robe fluttered gently, resembling drifting cloud mist. Ling followed behind her, his steps somewhat labored. His face was pale and haggard, with beads of cold sweat showing on his forehead. The feeling of empty exhaustion within his body made him sway precariously, yet he stubbornly kept pace behind Sefiran. As they walked, Sefiran suddenly stopped. Ling, following closely, took a few steps before being forced to halt. He looked up, panting, and asked, "Sister, what is it?" Sefiran's delicate brows furrowed as she stared towards the mouth of the chasm. She spoke softly, "It seems someone is waiting for us." "Waiting for us?" Ling looked confused. "Is it an acquaintance of yours, Sister?" "No." Sefiran gazed at the chasm entrance. The wind and snow were blocked by the immense ice mountains on either side, but at the mouth of the chasm, a faint, indistinct dark shadow was approaching slowly and casually. "It seems to be someone who has come to kill us." Ling started slightly. Immediately, he clenched his jaw, strode forward ahead of Sefiran, spread his arms wide, and declared with stern resolve, "I will absolutely not allow anyone to harm Sister again." Sefiran looked at him, then gently pulled the back of his collar, drawing him behind her. "Wait here. I'll be right back. You must not follow. That is an order!"