In the frigid lands, after my exile, I began to slay demons and monsters.

Chapter 110 The Backer Has Arrived

After a sweet nap, Ning Xiaoxi opened her eyes.

"woke up?"

"S-lord?"

When Ning Xiaoxi saw Tianji's familiar phoenix eyes and bright smile, she wished she could faint again.

"What did you see in Tianchi Lake?"

"My lord." Ning Xiaoxi climbed up to Tianji's side with a bit of a rogue's air, ignoring his previous question, and asked softly, "Are you familiar with that black-robed priest?"

Tianji stared into Ning Xiaoxi's eyes, his smile fading considerably. "What do you want to say?"

Ning Xiaoxi whispered, "Black, Dragon, Priest."

A fierce glint flashed in Tianji's eyes. "When I came here today, the Nine Domains Priest personally told me that my subordinates wanted to go to Kongsang Mountain and asked if it was my arrangement. Now it seems that I have done all the work for him."

“The Nine Domains Priest!” Ning Xiaoxi sat back down and realized that she was now in the tent where the spirit of Kuiwei Mountain had arranged for her to stay yesterday. She raised her wrist and waved it in front of Tianji’s eyes. “I have already told the priest that I was afflicted by the Snow Maiden’s soul mark and was heading towards Kongsang under guidance in order to remove the soul mark. Actually, I can’t say for sure whether I am really in Kongsang Mountain or not until I get there.”

Ning Xiaoxi stepped out of bed, poured a bowl of water from the hearth, and sat down next to Tianji. "To be honest, no one believes it. But how did you arrive so quickly, sir?"

Tianji pulled Ning Xiaoxi's wrist and examined the icy blue snowflake on it closely. The mist that had been on it was gone, leaving only a solitary snowflake. He hadn't sensed any demonic energy on Ning Xiaoxi before, and frowned slightly. "The Snow Maiden's Soul Trace is recorded; it can only lead to demonic possession. How can we undo it?"

"The Heart of the Snow Maiden." Ning Xiaoxi looked at Tianji's furrowed brows. "Even you, sir, do not know of this item?"

There is no record of it.

"When it told me, it probably thought everyone already knew!"

Tianji smiled slightly and released Ning Xiaoxi's wrist. "No wonder you were suspected. Who wouldn't be curious about something that's never been recorded before!"

"People told me that Kongsang is a forbidden area, full of demon bloodlines, and that I have to go there with them."

“The forbidden area is real, and the demon bloodline is real too.” Tianji nodded. “It’s just that he couldn’t climb the mountain freely without an excuse, and that’s exactly when you appeared.”

Running her fingers over the snowflakes, she thought, "It might not necessarily be heading to Kongsang!"

"Whether you're pointing to Kongsang or not is no longer important."

"Then why did he go to Kongsang?"

"Like Longhou Mountain, Kongsang Mountain was once a battlefield where humans and demons fought. Just as a great demon perished on Longhou Mountain, a great demon also perished on Kongsang Mountain." Tianji turned to look at Ning Xiaoxi again, "What exactly did you see on Longhou Mountain?"

“The Heavenly Pool on Dragon Marquis Mountain contains more than just water.” Ning Xiaoxi held the bowl of water, looking at the rippling waves, and recalled the turbulent waves in the three Heavenly Pools. “But why hasn’t anyone noticed?”

Tianji fell silent. He had also been to Longhou Mountain, but he had never felt anything special about it. The demonic energy left behind after the great demon's fall had faded considerably in recent years and should dissipate completely soon.

Ning Xiaoxi sat down by the fire pit, looking at the flames inside and feeling the temperature. She thought of the cold, karmic black lotus inside the tent hall.

"Adults must be tired too!"

Tianji sat down by the fire pit and poured himself a bowl of water. "I am the supervising celestial master. I don't have a residence, so I have the duty to patrol around. You are an unexpected girl, so I have to take extra care of you."

Ning Xiaoxi picked up the bowl of water and touched it to Tianji's lips, saying, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, sir."

Tianji smiled and took a sip of water. "It's just that you have so many problems, more than we have in all these years."

Ning Xiaoxi smiled and took a sip as well. "I'm still curious how it managed to rise to the position of priest of the Kuafu tribe without being discovered? Has the human race become that weak?"

Tianji glanced at her sideways, "I couldn't even tell its true form." Was he implying that he was too weak?

"Should we report them?" Ning Xiaoxi leaned closer and asked in a low voice.

Tianji pointed a finger at her forehead and pushed her face away, saying, "If you really push her too far, the Kuafu tribe might not be able to handle it."

"They've only been out for a short time, and now their spiritual energy is depleted. How could they be unable to hold on?"

"Can't you see they're all putting on airs on the mountaintop? Where's the arrogance of the human race, looking up at the sky and down at the earth?" Tianji's disdain was undisguised.

"Is Xiaoxi awake?" Kuiwei Mountain Spirit gently knocked on the door.

Ning Xiaoxi's eyes lit up, and she smiled at Tianji before quickly getting up and lifting the curtain. "Sister, come in quickly."

Like a mountain spirit, he carried a teapot and a tray, beaming with smiles. "Xiao Xi was frightened on the mountain, and Lord Tianji has been watching over her. She must be hungry too!"

Behind her, Kuiwei Guardian was also carrying a tray. "Xiaoxi, it's all my fault for not taking good care of you. I've come here to apologize to you."

Ning Xiaoxi quickly took the teapot from Kuiwei Mountain Spirit's hand, "It's because I'm not used to the climate on the ice plains yet, and I caught a chill, which made my sister and the guard worry."

"Greetings, Lord Tianji!"

The spirit of Kuiwei Mountain and the guardian of Kuiwei bowed to Tianji.

Tianji slightly raised his hand, sitting as steadily as Mount Tai, "My girl is still young and needs your care, so there's no need for formalities."

Upon hearing Tianji's words, Kuiwei Mountain Spirit and Kuiwei Guardian couldn't help but exchange a glance. This little girl, who hadn't even reached a high level yet, was indeed valued by Tianji.

Ning Xiaoxi poured Tianji another bowl of mulberry tree sap. "My lord, this sap is thirst-quenching and hunger-relieving, and it tastes refreshing. It's a good thing."

Tianji took it, his expression indifferent. "This stuff is cold in nature, so don't drink too much of it."

Ning Xiaoxi smiled and placed the teapot by the fire pit, then obediently sat back down next to Tianji.

Kuiwei Mountain Spirit and Kuiwei Guardian put down their trays and sat opposite each other. They hung the earthenware pot on the trays over the fire, and the flames quickly brought the soup inside to a boil.

"My lord happened to be inspecting this place. Tomorrow, Xiaoxi was originally scheduled to go to Kongsang with my clan for the trial. I wonder if my lord has any instructions?" Kuiwei Mountain Spirit ladled a bowl of hot soup from the soup pot and handed it to Ning Xiaoxi.

“Xiao Xi is young and should be gaining experience. It’s a rare opportunity for her to participate in the trial.” Tianji glanced at Ning Xiao Xi, who was sipping her soup, and then turned to look at Kuiwei Shouyu. “It’s rare for Shouyu to be able to participate in the super-level trial at such a young age.”

Kuiwei Shouyu laughed, his bright smile as dazzling as the sun. "You flatter me, my lord. I still need to work harder." The legendary strength of Tianji was said to be high-level, which was the same rank as his own. However, he could not discern Tianji's true strength no matter what, so he dared not be negligent in the slightest.

Tianji sat there, and Kuiwei Shanyue and Kuiwei Shouyu accompanied him for dinner before leaving.

Ning Xiaoxi smiled and said, "Having a powerful backer makes all the difference! You don't have to put on a smiling face."

Tianji stood up. "The Celestial Master Pavilion has stood for a thousand years; it would never allow its own people to suffer losses."

As the curtain was drawn back, the night market in the clan's territory opened on the tenth day of the lunar month, its bustling and prosperous scene breaking through the darkness. "In the beginning of chaos, there will always be light that breaks through the darkness. For the human race to exist, it must dispel the darkness."

Ning Xiaoxi watched Tianji's retreating figure. She remembered an ancient legend that the human race stood tall and upright, but later became emperors.