Three Years of Watching snow, One step to move mountains

Year 30.

News of a major event came from the Blue Sky Sword Sea, after a long absence.

Chi Yu wanted to challenge Miao Zi, the third Great Emperor, a descendant of some great figure from the Blue Sky Sword Sea, Qiu Li.

It was said this Great Emperor Miao Zi was born with divine eyes that could see through the 3,000 Great Ways. His outer immortal physique made him unmatched within the same realm. In battle he fought with great ferocity.

And Chi Yu was no simple character either. His 3,000 Flame Feather Crows were the most domineering of their kind.

But that wasn't important. What was important was this would be the third Great Emperor Miao Zi Chi Yu had challenged.

Among the reserve disciples there were a total of three Great Emperor Miao Zi. Chi Yu had challenged them one by one.

Unfortunately he had lost to them all.

The first time he clashed with the Emperor Capital on the Blue Sky Platform, he lost after fighting for three days and three nights. If it hadn't been a half-dead battle, Chi Yu would have truly died.

The second time he apparently fought with Chen Xia near some cave, though no one actually saw it happen. But according to Chi Yu he had narrowly lost, and had managed to injure Chen Xia.

No one knew exactly what had happened.

But judging from the viewpoint that Chen Xia was the weakest Great Emperor Miao Zi, the guessing was probably about right.

And next Chi Yu wanted to challenge who the reserve disciples considered the strongest Great Emperor Miao Zi - Qiu Li.

He was thought the strongest because Qiu Li had a record of victories.

Victories over other sects' Great Emperor Miao Zi.

It was said his outer immortal physique could withstand all methods, and his divine eyes saw through everything. Before reaching the quasi-Saint realm he was unmatched within the same realm, and after reaching the quasi-Saint realm it depended on his cultivation.

He also had the greatest power in the Blue Sky Sword Sea, said to be the descendant of one of the great figures.

And the great figure the reserve disciples could think of was one of the Great Emperors in the history of the Blue Sky Sword Sea.

There had been five Great Emperors throughout the history of the Blue Sky Sword Sea, each having lived for nine great eras, allowing the Blue Sky Sword Sea to prosper for nine great eras in this region of stars.

Only now was there a risk of decline.

This Qiu Li could be a descendant of one of those five Great Emperors.

And it was said he had been in seclusion for two great eras, avoiding the peerless talents of that time when he was absolutely unmatched within his realm. Now that he was nearing the peak era of his life he had emerged to contend for the path of emperor.

With such an existence, even if he ultimately failed to attain the emperor's path, his baseline accomplishment would still be at the Saint level!

Now Chi Yu actually wanted to challenge Qiu Li. Everyone really didn't know what to say.

Now jokes were spreading among the reserve disciples.

As a Great Emperor Miao Zi, it's fine if you've never defeated another Great Emperor Miao Zi, but you must have thrashed Chi Yu.

Now Chi Yu still dared to challenge the strongest Great Emperor Miao Zi Qiu Li. Everyone eagerly awaited the show.

It had taken the Emperor Capital three days to defeat Chi Yu before.

Chen Xia had also won against Chi Yu, though no one knew how long it took. But judging from Chi Yu's claim of barely losing, it was probably also several days.

Now they would see the final Great Emperor Miao Zi Qiu Li's record.

If he could surpass the Emperor Capital, Qiu Li's position as the strongest Great Emperor Miao Zi would be even more unshakeable.

Some bet it would take two days, some bet one day. Bets had even been placed. Thus this event was dubbed by the reserve disciples...

Speedrun Chi Yu.

The current record holder was the Emperor Capital, but that would probably be broken soon.

Because the battle between Chi Yu and Qiu Li on the platform had already begun, still a half-dead battle.

The observing reserve disciples shouted excitedly, whipped into a frenzy.

Chen Xia and Big Yellow Dog were also below watching the lively scene.

Big Yellow Dog stood with his arms crossed, somewhat puzzled.

"Don't know who gave Chi Yu the courage to dare challenge Qiu Li, the fiercest Great Emperor Miao Zi."

Chen Xia glanced at Big Yellow Dog but didn't admit it was him who had given Chi Yu the courage.

Big Yellow Dog clicked his tongue and sighed twice more. "Luckily it's a half-dead battle, otherwise this Chi Yu would be dead for sure."

"You're right, bro."

Big Yellow Dog even turned to ask Chen Xia's opinion.

Chen Xia instead found another point to focus on. He looked Big Yellow Dog up and down curiously and asked,

"Aren't you tired standing like that?"

Big Yellow Dog stood with crossed arms, startled for a moment, then replied, "It's okay, just feels a bit cold down there."

"You can consider wearing pants. There's room for improvement in etiquette." Chen Xia critiqued.

Big Yellow Dog was bewildered, murmuring, "Do dogs need them too?"

He hadn't worn pants in two great eras already.

The idle chat between human and dog soon stopped as the two people on the Blue Sky Platform began fighting. Terrifying auras filled the entire platform, even overflowing.

After fighting the two Great Emperors, Chi Yu seemed to have improved. His 3,000 Flame Feathers swelled violently as his eyes shone with terrifying divine light.

Qiu Li also lived up to his reputation as the fiercest Great Emperor Miao Zi. His outer immortal physique blocked the flames, surprisingly suffering no injuries, and he charged Chi Yu while sturdily withstanding the flames.

Qiu Li attacked especially fiercely, slamming magical treasures and abilities without holding back, determined to speedrun Chi Yu and break the Emperor Capital's record.

And he did indeed break it.

In one and a half days.

Chi Yu fell in defeat, lying half-dead at the edge of the platform.

Qiu Li landed on the platform and tore off his tattered clothes disdainfully.

"A rabid dog daring to bite me, simply courting death."

Chi Yu of course couldn't retort. He was carried off by other reserve disciples.

And so this seemingly farcical challenge battle ended.

It counted as a brief liveliness in the long, dull days of the Blue Sky Sword Sea.

Chen Xia sighed. He was quite free these days. He couldn't cultivate too quickly, and he had no diagrams to draw, so aside from lazing around in his cave residence every day, he would also come out and wander around.

He could walk the paths of the Blue Sky Sword Sea blindfolded, with just two twisting routes.

Today it magically snowed.

Chen Xia leaned against the pavilion, watching the pure white snow.

There were no seasons in the Blue Sky Sword Sea, so snow was rare.

Snow now probably meant the start of winter in the small heaven and earth.

Chen Xia wasn't sure. He just leaned against the pavilion without going in to sit.

The snow fell slowly, steadily, just like Chen Xia's disposition.

Snow piled up on his shoulders but he didn't shake it off, letting it accumulate.

From afar, Chen Xia looked like a snowman.

Not in appearance, but in lonely temperament.

His thoughts drifted far away with the falling snow.

He vaguely remembered the last time he had watched the snow, over 130 years ago in that small heaven and earth.

That snow had been heavy and hurried, as if rushing people on their way.

Chen Xia didn't like heavy snow. Falling too quickly meant no chance to slowly appreciate it. Only unhurriedly walking in the snow was interesting.

Perhaps just like him.

His life was endless, but what did an endless life ultimately lead to?

Invincibility?

Not exactly.

Perhaps there was an even better answer.

...

Loneliness.

Chen Xia thought.

In the long river of his life, everyone would be a fleeting passerby.

Then he would meet other people again.

This snow fell for three years.

Until the first day the sun rose again.

Chen Xia shook the snow from his shoulders, light shining in his eyes once more.

The grand dream of three thousand years.

Awakening alone in the world!

The heavy snows of three years melted in a day.

Chen Xia took his first step in three years away from the pavilion.

From the peak of the Yuan Ying realm directly into the peak of the Mountain Moving realm.

The Great Dao stretching wide!