The highest peak was home to the most powerful sect at the summit of the North Sea, the Ice and Snow Sect.
This was an extremely ancient sect, having stood at the summit of the North Sea for countless ages.
To gain territory and establish a sect in this mountain range, one needed the sect's consent.
Of course, the Ice and Snow Sect was always peaceful and didn't usually make things too difficult for visiting cultivators.
Moreover, given the environment at the summit of the North Sea, simply gaining territory and establishing a sect wasn't enough for survival, so they were relatively lenient in this regard.
"Sect Master Miao, now that we've arrived, let's take our leave!" Xu Ning said, bowing as he sat on the edge of the carriage.
Miao Yunyi replied, "Young friend, I've already contacted your Tiancheng Sect's sect master. Why don't we meet up together?"
Xu Ning nodded. "That's fine!"
The group then entered the mountain range.
However, as they went deeper, the snow became increasingly heavy, and the carriage could no longer proceed.
Miao Yunyi stepped out of the carriage. "Let's go, let's fly!"
The group emerged one after another, taking to the air and heading deeper into the mountain range.
Soon, the group saw Xiao Ze and his companions, who had been waiting for them.
"Junior Brother!" Xu Ning called out as he landed.
Xiao Ze immediately said anxiously, "Senior Brother, the Ice and Snow Sect doesn't agree to us establishing our own sect! They say that according to their rules, a Golden Core cultivator must be present!"
Xu Ning reassured him. "Don't worry, I'll go ask tomorrow!"
The group stopped to rest.
Although they didn't agree to the establishment of a sect, they didn't care about independent cultivators, as long as they didn't enter their territory.
The disciples of the two sects were currently like independent cultivators, feeling very uncertain.
This was where the advantages of having a sect became apparent. Without a sect, cultivators were like rootless duckweed, constantly drifting and living in constant fear.
That night, Xu Ning stood under the snowy night sky, gazing at the starry expanse.
His gaze unconsciously drifted to the mountain peak piercing the clouds under the night sky.
He wondered if the Ice and Snow Sect was as easy to talk to as rumored, and whether their decision was right or wrong.
Just then, footsteps approached. Xu Ning turned around and saw Yin Qingli walk to the side, slowly sit down, hug her knees, and look up at the night sky.
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Xu Ning was about to go back when Yin Qingli suddenly spoke. "You look a lot like someone!"
Xu Ning was startled. Sure enough, those who knew you well could always spot clues from the smallest details.
Then, Xu Ning turned and smiled. "Fellow Daoist, there are many people whose behavior is similar."
Yin Qingli said, "I didn't say you were him. He's already dead!"
Xu Ning said, "Fellow Daoist, please accept my condolences!"
After saying this, Xu Ning was about to leave when Yin Qingli spoke again. "Could you talk to me for a bit?"
Xu Ning was taken aback, then walked over and sat down next to Yin Qingli. "What would you like to talk about, Fellow Daoist Yin?"
Yin Qingli asked, "Fellow Daoist Ye, do you think the cultivation world is all heartless?"
Xu Ning said, "That depends on one's pursuit. Some cultivators only pursue cultivation and the Great Dao, naturally letting go of everything else! However, deep down, they still yearn for something!"
Saying this, Xu Ning looked up at the sky. Didn't he yearn for something? He certainly yearned for it.
He yearned for family, which is why he cherished the hard-won kinship he felt when he met Wang Dazhen's family.
He also yearned for love, but he was acutely aware that once he touched upon it, he would be entangled in its complexities. So he always avoided it.
He craved friendship, enjoyed making friends, and would grieve for the death of someone he had only known for a short time but who genuinely cared for him.
And these feelings, ultimately, would slowly transform into painful memories with the passage of time, gradually eroding Xu Ning's recollections.
Yin Qingli's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "Fellow Daoist Ye, do you mean he likes me, but he's suppressing it?"
Xu Ning couldn't help but glare. "Is that what I meant?"
Yin Qingli said, "Exactly! I don't care!"
Xu Ning said, "I'm telling you, Fellow Daoist Yin, you can't always focus on these romantic entanglements! You should focus on cultivation."
"If one day you become an immortal, just pull the person you like out of the river of time, lock them up, and loudly tell them, 'Even bitter fruit is fruit!'"
Yin Qingli looked up at the sky. "But becoming an immortal isn't that easy! Anyway, I definitely have no hope!"
Xu Ning said, "You can do it. Believe me, I see Fellow Daoist Yin has the bearing of a Great Emperor!"
Yin Qingli's lips suddenly curled into a smile.
Under the starry sky, the girl sat on the snow, hugging her knees, and turned to give Xu Ning a sweet smile.
Xu Ning was startled, then quickly stood up. "Fellow Daoist Yin, I have things to do tomorrow. I'll go rest first!"
"Thank you! Fellow Daoist Ye!"
Yin Qingli's voice suddenly came from behind.
Xu Ning didn't stop but instead quickened his pace.
After sitting down by the campfire, Xu Ning couldn't help but ask, "Am I too much of a jerk?"
The clothes said, "I think it's a matter of charm!"
The thatched hut said, "You should have just avoided provoking her from the beginning!"
Xu Ning glared. "What are you talking about? I've never provoked her! When I met her back then, I kept my distance. Who knew she would keep getting entangled with me like this?"
"No, stay away, you must stay away. Leave as soon as Master Qi Ruifeng leaves!"
In the past, Xu Ning would never have come to the North Sea Peak. Wouldn't it have been better to just find a place in the mortal realm to hide?
Inside the thatched hut, the sound of a hoe could be heard. "If you ask me, you shouldn't have spoken to her!"
Xu Ning said, "Putting everything else aside, she's still my fifth senior sister! If she hadn't had designs on me, I wouldn't be avoiding her like this!"
"Besides, she liked my previous identity, not this one!"
The thatched hut said, "Xu Ning, your heart is in turmoil!"
Xu Ning frowned, then suddenly smiled coldly. "In turmoil? How could that be!"
Immediately, Xu Ning entered a meditative state.
That's it? To make him in turmoil? You're overthinking it! Do you really think he's a love-struck, innocent boy?
He, Xu Ning, was only a Sigma man.
Nothing more was said that night. Early the next morning, after finishing his cultivation, Xu Ning and Miao Yunyi headed to the Ice and Snow Sect.
The snowstorm was particularly heavy that day, and the master and disciple were covered in snow when they arrived at the Ice and Snow Sect.
After announcing their arrival, they went inside.
They arrived at the reception area of the Ice and Snow Sect, where a woman quickly entered.
Xu Ning looked up and instinctively wanted to duck, inwardly cursing, "How could I run into her like this!" It was Mei Miaomiao!
The woman wore a white mink coat and exuded an air of authority. Her late-stage Golden Core cultivation was undisguised.
Compared to the rural girl Xu Ning had seen when he first transmigrated, Mei Miaomiao looked completely different.
It had been four or five hundred years since he'd last seen her.