Chapter 6: A Treasure Found

Yun Yi shook her head, forcing herself to stop thinking further. What use was regret now? She was going to get Wanwan out alive!

The Taowu closed in again. Yun Yi spotted a snow-covered mountain not far away and, in a flash of inspiration, scooped up the nearly unconscious Qu Wanwan and swiftly released a Spirit Slash.

Like the flap of a butterfly’s wings causing air currents, it triggered a slight airflow around them—one that would, a month later, become a tornado!

At that moment, her attack struck the snowy mountain. The ground trembled. More and more snow began to tumble down—growing larger, heavier, and faster!

Since the Taowu was behind them, it was the first to be swallowed by the avalanche, buried beneath the endless white snow.

Yun Yi pushed her spiritual energy to its limits, flying forward with everything she had. When she couldn’t fly anymore, she ran—desperately. Her spiritual power was nearly drained dry.

Was this the end? She couldn’t accept it. Just a bit further—just a little more—and they’d be safe…

Finally, they made it back to the cave!

Yun Yi dared not let herself faint, because Qu Wanwan’s condition was dire. She had lost too much blood and had fallen into a coma. Her spiritual energy was leaking out, and her body was turning cold.

Yun Yi remembered her own special constitution. In the past, she had used her blood to save a dying spirit bird, and the bird had quickly recovered and returned to full strength.

No hesitation. She immediately gathered the last of her spiritual energy, formed it into a blade, and slashed her palm. As the fresh blood dripped down, she quickly brought her hand to Qu Wanwan’s lips. But the girl was unconscious—she couldn’t drink it.

With determination in her eyes, Yun Yi refused to give up. She sucked the blood into her own mouth, then gently leaned down, pried open Qu Wanwan’s lips, and transferred the blood to her.

Eventually, Yun Yi, too, passed out—exhausted and out of spiritual energy—still holding Qu Wanwan in her arms.

Qu Wanwan was the first to awaken. To her surprise, her wounds were fully healed, and Yun Yi, who was still unconscious, lay draped over her.

“Was it you who saved me, Yun Yi?”

There was no answer, but the truth was plain to see. Not wasting time, Qu Wanwan immediately activated her Rebirth Technique to heal Yun Yi. Thankfully, Yun Yi was merely out of energy and strength—nothing serious.

From her sleeve dimension, Qu Wanwan retrieved some water. She propped Yun Yi up and gently fed her a few sips. Soon, Yun Yi regained consciousness.

“Wanwan, you’re awake!” Yun Yi’s first words were filled with concern for her.

Qu Wanwan’s heart warmed at the gesture.

Her father had favored sons over daughters, and unfortunately, she had been born a girl. As a result, she was never treated kindly. Her mother had raised her like a boy—harsh and extreme, resorting to beatings and scoldings. That was why she eventually left home to live on her own. In the end, her mother died from alcohol abuse.

But now, Yun Yi felt like a beam of light shining into Qu Wanwan’s world.

Qu Wanwan (inner monologue): So whether it’s for the original host or for me, the one suffering… is always me, huh?

“Feeling melancholic again?” The system chimed in at the worst time.

“Stupid mood-killing system, one day I’ll kill myself just to spite you. Hmph!” She bickered back, as usual.

Seeing Yun Yi awake, Qu Wanwan asked, “My beautiful Yi Yi, was it you who saved me?”

Yun Yi replied, “Not exactly… I just got you out of there.”

“How did you manage that? Escaping from the Taowu?”

“I used the avalanche to bury it. But it probably won’t stay down for long—it’ll be back,” Yun Yi said with concern.

“Then we shouldn’t linger here. Let’s rest a bit and leave as soon as we can,” Qu Wanwan responded.

They exchanged glances, and Yun Yi nodded in agreement.

After a short rest, Yun Yi shared her thoughts. “That Taowu showing up wasn’t a coincidence. It was sealed before… Someone must’ve deliberately released it. But why?”

“No matter their purpose,” Qu Wanwan said, “we need to get far away from here. The competition isn’t over yet. Even if it’s just for those 500 points of spiritual energy, I’ll help you win!”

Qu Wanwan (inner monologue): Ugh, this whole mess cost us so much time. Can we even catch up on points now? Damn that Taowu! It’s costing me money!

Heading in the opposite direction from where they came, the two girls set off again. Another leg-busting day. If not for conserving spiritual energy for battle, they’d have flown instead.

After who knew how long, when they finally felt safe again, the girls resumed hunting spirit beasts. After all, the competition was still on.

But as they walked, Yun Yi noticed something strange—they seemed to be lost. No matter which way they turned, they kept seeing the same markings she had made earlier. She had marked their path to avoid getting lost, but now the same marks kept reappearing!

“This snow mountain is suspicious,” Yun Yi told Qu Wanwan.

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Chapter 6 (Part 2)

“It’s just snow monkeys. You’re overreacting,” the system teased.

Hearing that, Qu Wanwan turned to Yun Yi. “I noticed it too. We seem to be going in circles—we haven’t been able to leave. We better stick close together. I think some little critters are playing tricks on us.”

“Then no need to waste effort searching—they’re coming to us!” Yun Yi’s eyes lit up.

Sure enough, a group of snow monkeys gradually emerged, chattering amongst themselves in a language they couldn’t understand. Just as Qu Wanwan was about to attack, the lead monkey seemed to realize it and quickly led the group to kneel respectfully.

Qu Wanwan grew curious. “Wait, don’t attack—they seem to want to say something.”

Qu Wanwan (inner monologue): System! Translate for me—I can’t understand monkey-speak!

“It’s begging you not to hurt them.”

Qu Wanwan asked the monkeys, “You don’t want us to hurt you, right?”

The little monkey nodded, surprisingly intelligent. Then it continued chattering while the system translated:

“They said they were forcibly driven here. They originally lived in a blessed land, but a group of snow bears came and took their home, killing many in their tribe. They hope you can help them.”

Yun Yi sensed the monkeys had no ill intent and were seeking help. She tugged at Qu Wanwan’s sleeve. “Wanwan, let’s help them. They seem to be in real trouble.”

“Alright, let’s go with them!” Qu Wanwan agreed. Yun Yi smiled brightly in response.

Led by the snow monkeys, the group traveled over two mountains and twisted paths until they arrived at a cave. It was warmer here, with resting areas, glowing stones, and stone chambers. Compared to the snowy wilderness outside, this was indeed a blessed refuge.

The little monkey continued chattering.

“They said this was once their home. The snow bears took over and are still inside. They’re asking you to drive the bears away,” the system translated.

Qu Wanwan rubbed her hands excitedly and whispered to Yun Yi, “Looks like we’ve got a job. These snow bears took over their nest. The monkeys want us to get rid of them.”

Yun Yi looked at her and said firmly, “Then let’s turn them into competition points!”

The monkeys stopped at the entrance. The two girls strode in boldly. Qu Wanwan shouted, “Come out—all of you!”

One by one, the snow bears emerged, roaring at the sight of humans as if to say, How dare you intrude on our territory?!

Qu Wanwan launched her Phoenix Divine Fire Technique. In moments, several snow bears were set ablaze. Yun Yi quickly followed up and finished them off. Within half an hour, all the bears were eliminated.

They even ventured deeper into the cave to deal with any that had escaped.

When it was done, they found the snow monkeys again and said, “The snow bears are all gone. If any more beasts come to bully you, use these Spirit Fire Talismans—just stick them on the enemy.” Qu Wanwan handed a set of talismans to the monkey leader.

Grateful beyond words, the monkey leader squeaked in excitement again.

“It says it wants you to follow—it has something to give you,” the system translated.

Qu Wanwan said, “Yi Yi, I think it wants to give us something. Let’s follow it.”

Yun Yi agreed, and the two girls followed the monkey leader through twisting paths in the cave. At first, it was narrow and tight, but then it opened up dramatically. Whoa—this was the leader’s treasure hoard!

The cave glimmered with gold, silver, jade ornaments, jewelry, talismans, pills, spirit stones, spirit pearls—everything imaginable.

“There’s a divine weapon here! In the southeast corner!” the system urged. Qu Wanwan, seeing Yun Yi picking spirit pearls, went to the corner the system pointed out.

“What does it look like?” she asked.

“It’s a sword—Demon Subduing Sword. With this, you can kill the Taowu!”

“Seriously? I couldn’t beat it before, and now with this sword I can?” Qu Wanwan was skeptical.

“It was the weapon of an ancient goddess. Of course you can’t use it—Yun Yi can.”

“Geez, I really am just cannon fodder, huh…”

As she thought this, a sword suddenly came into view.

It gleamed silver-white, double-edged, and though buried in snow for who knows how long, it had no rust. Just standing near it sent cold air coursing through her, disturbing her spiritual energy.

Qu Wanwan thought—If this thing hit me, I’d be…