Mutation on Shui Han Star

The battle between the two prodigies shook thousands, and news of it spread like wildfire.

In less than half a day, it had reached nearly half of the Southern Li Heavenly Domain.

Even the distant Northern Immortal Isle, where the Cangyun Heavenly Palace stood, received word through various channels.

Within the palace, discussions raged endlessly. The fame of Qing Yinxianyun shone as brightly as the sun, her prestige nearly rivaling that of their chief disciple, Zhong Limeng. Many young disciples gazed upon her with admiration.

The fervor grew so intense that even the secluded courtyard of the chief disciple could hear the clamor.

Yet the elegant courtyard remained eerily quiet, its gates tightly shut.

Inside the main hall.

Zhong Limeng sat in silence, her gaze distant.

She seemed deeply troubled.

Noticing her demeanor,

the fellow disciples seated nearby exchanged quiet glances before offering words of comfort.

"Senior Sister, don’t pay too much heed to the rumors. Your breakthrough is just around the corner!"

"Junior Brother Lu speaks the truth. Senior Sister Zhong Limeng’s foundation is extraordinary. A temporary setback means little—the title of prodigy will never fall to another."

"Exactly! With your talent and the boundless resources of our Cangyun Heavenly Palace, reaching the Heavenly Tier will be effortless!"

"Senior Sister? Senior Sister?"

Their reassurances went unanswered, leaving them to call out hesitantly.

Zhong Limeng snapped out of her thoughts, blinking in confusion.

"What is it?"

Only then did she notice their worried expressions and the heated discussions outside.

Realization dawned.

They thought she was concerned about her reputation as a prodigy.

A faint, wry smile touched her lips.

"You’ve misunderstood."

"I care little for such empty titles. It’s just… I’ve been thinking of Yi Feng lately, and a sense of unease has taken hold of me."

So that was it.

The group chuckled awkwardly, their worries dissolving.

Yet at the mention of Yi Feng’s name, guilt flickered across their faces, casting a somber mood over the room.

"Senior Sister’s loyalty puts us to shame."

"Ah, speaking of Brother Yi… it still weighs heavily on our hearts."

"We were but strangers, yet he risked his life to aid us. In the end, he perished on the Waterfrost Star. We’ve failed him—we must make amends."

"Indeed! Now that Senior Sister has become chief disciple, we should honor our promise and seek out Yi Feng’s kin on Yunxing, offering what little comfort we can."

"Well said!"

Filled with righteous determination, they turned to Zhong Limeng.

Though gratitude warmed her eyes, the faint crease between her brows remained.

After a moment’s pause, she finally voiced her thoughts.

"I’m deeply moved by your noble intentions."

"But lately, whenever I think of this matter, guilt gnaws at me. I wish to return to the Waterfrost Star to search for Yi Feng. Otherwise, my conscience will never rest."

"Even if he’s no longer alive, I must at least recover his remains!"

Her words drew sighs from the group.

"Senior Sister’s virtue humbles us all."

"But the Waterfrost Star is overrun with demons. Even if we return, success is unlikely."

"Your heart is as clear as the sun and moon. Yi Feng’s spirit would surely be moved… There’s no need to go to such lengths."

Yet no amount of persuasion could sway Zhong Limeng’s resolve.

"My fellow disciples."

"Yi Feng’s sacrifice must not be forgotten. No compensation can compare to a life. Had we not been pressed for time back then, we would never have left so hastily…"

"We achieved our goal, but Yi Feng was left behind on the Waterfrost Star. How could we face his loved ones if we don’t even try to find him?"

"This matter is settled. I will return to the Waterfrost Star to search for him. Dead or alive, I must bring him back—if only for my own peace of mind."

Silent glances passed between them, their eyes brimming with emotion.

With firm resolve, they rose and bowed.

"We will follow you, Senior Sister, to the Waterfrost Star!"

United in purpose, the close-knit group made swift preparations.

By midday, they boarded a Heavenly Palace skyship and vanished into the starry expanse, indifferent to the uproar they left behind.

Days of relentless travel later,

the skyship descended upon the Waterfrost Star, landing in a glacial valley.

By sheer coincidence, it was the same riverbed where they had once camped.

As Zhong Limeng and her fellow disciples stepped onto the ice, nostalgia washed over them—but the familiar landscape felt hollow without Yi Feng’s presence.

Her eyes stung, and she issued a firm command.

"Just like before, we’ll split up to search for Yi Feng and regroup here."

"Remember—caution above all else!"

The dozen or so disciples saluted solemnly, their expressions grave.

Though they knew the dangers of scattering across a demon-infested world—a desperate measure no longer necessary—they didn’t hesitate.

If Yi Feng had risked his life for them, they would brave the peril to recover his remains in return!

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Figures darted in all directions, while Zhong Limeng sped eastward with unwavering focus.

Gliding over icy peaks and clouds, she remained vigilant.

Though not her first visit, her wariness never faded. She masked her aura as she flew.

In this land of death, even a moment’s carelessness could be fatal.

Eyes sharp, Zhong Limeng scoured the glaciers below, leaving no trace unchecked.

Yet despite her efforts, she found nothing.

Not a sign of Yi Feng, nor any other humans. Even the once-rampant demons had vanished without a trace, as if wiped from existence!

A deep unease settled over her.

After another incense stick’s worth of flight, the pristine white expanse stretched endlessly, its silence sending chills down her spine. An eerie tension coiled in the air.

Abruptly, she halted and sent a mental summons.

Racing back to the glacial valley,

she found her fellow disciples already gathered, their faces etched with alarm.

"Senior Sister! Something’s wrong—I didn’t encounter a single demon!"

"Same here!"

"This makes no sense. Even the outskirts should be teeming with them!"

"We’ve barely been gone. How could the Waterfrost Star become so… lifeless?"

"Could the demons be plotting something?!"

Amid the rising panic, Zhong Limeng’s brows knitted tighter.

"This is indeed strange!"

"The Waterfrost Star has changed. We’ll stick together from now on—search for Yi Feng while investigating these anomalies. If the demons show any movement, we must alert Lanxing immediately!"

Nods all around, their expressions steeled.

Taking to the skies once more, the group of ten remained on high alert, their spiritual senses stretched to the limit.

But no matter how hard they searched, the land seemed devoid of life.

When they finally spotted shadowy figures,

the forms vanished before their senses could lock on, leaving no footprints—only untouched snow.

Zhong Limeng and her companions exchanged uneasy glances, a sense of impending revelation prickling their instincts.

With all barriers dropped, they unleashed their full spiritual power, hurtling across the ice at breakneck speed.

Their search grew frantic, the tension unbearable.

Then—after what felt like an eternity—

amid a labyrinth of icy hills,

a furtive figure came into view.

In perfect unison,

Zhong Limeng and her disciples locked onto the presence, channeling their Dao power as they dove like falcons!

More than a dozen figures stood tense in a defensive circle, their combat stances ready as they unleashed their full cultivation power. The mere leakage of their Daoist energies had already sealed off the surrounding hills!

"Come out!"

"Skulking demons, show yourselves and fight like warriors!"

No matter how they shouted, the shadowy figure hiding in the depths refused to emerge.

Zhong Limeng frowned, cautiously stepping forward across the slope.

But when she saw the scene before her, she froze in place.

Noticing their senior sister's stunned expression, the others mustered their courage and approached.

Only then did they see it—a three-zhang-long ant, cowering beneath a sheet of ice at the bend of the slope!

At the sight of it, their hearts shuddered.

Blood Ant Clan!

These were legendary elite demons, known for their ferocity and bloodlust, often dwelling in swarms, with cultivation levels rivaling that of Saints!

A formidable enemy!

Every one of them tensed, preparing for a life-or-death battle.

But upon closer inspection, the giant ant was trembling uncontrollably, clutching its head with chattering teeth, practically wearing a sign that read "helpless and terrified."

It looked utterly petrified.

Its demeanor was a far cry from the savage reputation of its kind.

The group stood dumbfounded, exchanging bewildered glances.

The youngest among them, Junior Brother Lu, scratched the back of his head and gaped at the others.

"Uh…"

"Senior brothers… is that really a Blood Ant? Why’s it acting like this…?"

A senior brother beside him narrowed his eyes and cautioned in a low voice.

"Junior Brother Lu, don’t let your guard down!"

"Demons are notoriously cunning and cruel—this must be some kind of trap!"

The moment those words were spoken,

the group’s vigilance skyrocketed, weapons drawn in unison.

But before they could strike, the giant ant suddenly jolted as if struck by lightning—then let out a pitiful wail!

"No! Don’t kill me!"

"I-I’m just a baby! You humans are so scary! Waaah…!"

It burst into loud sobs, tears streaming down like broken beads.

Zhong Limeng and her fellow disciples were utterly dumbstruck, their weapons frozen mid-air.

Even Junior Brother Lu was at a loss, scratching his head in confusion.

"This…"

What kind of scheme was this?

A ploy of feigned weakness?

A trap disguised as vulnerability?

Were demons really such masterful actors?

Before he could ask his seniors for guidance, the ant had already shrunk deeper into the ice crevice, shivering violently as it waved its limbs and kowtowed desperately.

"Stay back! Stay back!"

"Please don’t kill me! I don’t know anything!"

"Please, I beg you! Waaah!"

In mere moments, it had cracked the ice with its frantic bowing!

It seemed genuinely terrified—not an act at all.

Junior Brother Lu’s eyes widened in disbelief. When he turned back, he saw the others were equally flabbergasted, rooted in place like statues.

Even Zhong Limeng wore nothing but utter bewilderment.

Just what in the world was going on…?