Everyone stared at the frail figure in the main hall who exuded an incredibly sharp aura, stunned and overwhelmed with mixed feelings.
Lin Huang’s eyes narrowed. Lin Cangxue’s strike just now seemed to possess a deeper intent and greater power than his own Godslaying One Slash. That sword strike was not about the sharpness of the Three-Foot Cyan Blade, but rather about the sorrow of snowflakes flying across the sky. By blending the sense of sorrow into the cyan blade, she had turned raw emotion into an extremely powerful sword intent that erupted completely—enough to crush everything in its path.
After the time of Half a Cup of Tea had passed, Yann Nangui finally came to his senses and asked hoarsely, "When did you learn Snow Falling on Earth!"
As soon as the words "Snow Falling on Earth" came out, everyone present pricked up their ears. Snow Falling on Earth was the Palace Martial Technique of Piaoxue Palace! It was the only Earth-Tier Martial Technique in the entire East Spirit Realm. Everyone in Piaoxue Palace, from the disciples to the elders, dreamed of learning this invincible martial technique. Its style embodied the Tyrant Path, yet was sharp, poignant, and sorrowful.
Seventy-two years ago, a disciple named Yann Cangfeng had emerged in Piaoxue Palace. Because he fell in love with a genius female disciple from Qianying Valley, their relationship was strictly forbidden. It must be known that at the time, Piaoxue Palace was merely a second-rate sect, while Qianying Valley was at the height of its power in the East Spirit Realm. That female disciple was like a bright moon in the Nine Heavens.
Naturally, Qianying Valley could not accept such a thing. To tear the two apart, they continuously pressured Piaoxue Palace. Unable to withstand the immense pressure, the sect eventually expelled Yann Cangfeng. As a result, the female disciple fled Qianying Valley and eloped with him.
Afterward, experts from Qianying Valley relentlessly hunted Yann Cangfeng, but by a tragic twist of fate, they accidentally killed the female disciple, who had just become a mother. From then on, Yann Cangfeng gradually vanished from the East Spirit Realm’s sight.
That was until ten years later, when a one-armed middle-aged man suddenly stepped into Qianying Valley. Beside him, a young boy of ten or so held onto his father’s empty right sleeve. Alone with a single saber, the middle-aged man challenged Qianying Valley’s twenty-six elders and seven great Martial Marquis Ancestors!
In that battle, no one lasted even ten moves against him, let alone touched half a corner of his clothes. And at that time, the very reason the people of Qianying Valley were so incredibly wary of the one-armed man was due to his Earth-Tier Martial Technique—Snow Falling on Earth!
From beginning to end, the one-armed man did not speak a single word until he was leaving, when he said hoarsely, "My name is Yann Cangfeng. Do you... still remember me?"
Following that event, Yann Cangfeng returned to Piaoxue Palace and succeeded the position of Palace Master. Single-handedly, in just thirty years, he catapulted Piaoxue Palace to become one of the Four Great Sects of the East Spirit Realm. Consequently, Snow Falling on Earth became the Palace Martial Technique of Piaoxue Palace.
Later, a new rule was established: only someone who successfully cultivated Snow Falling on Earth could succeed the position of Palace Master. However, this Cultivation Technique was exceptionally difficult to learn. Even if one managed to learn it, grasping its true essence was profoundly hard. This was precisely why, over the years, Piaoxue Palace could not claim the top spot despite ranking among the Four Great Sects. Although Snow Falling on Earth was a prestigious Earth-Tier Martial Technique, without grasping its essence, it could even be inferior to some Profound Tier Martial Techniques.
Although Yann Nangui was a descendant of Yann Cangfeng, he had only comprehended thirty percent of its essence. Against the Sect Masters of the other Three Great Sects, he was merely evenly matched. This was why everyone in the hall was currently in a state of utter shock.
Lin Cangxue had actually cultivated it successfully, and her level of comprehension was even higher than Yann Nangui’s. It had to be noted that her Martial Soul was already shattered, and she was currently only at the Earth Element Realm. Furthermore, back before she fell from grace, she had attempted to cultivate Snow Falling on Earth but failed, which had always been a deep regret in the hearts of many elders. But who could have expected that during these three years of decline, Lin Cangxue would secretly brew a single sword strike, and that it would turn out to be Snow Falling on Earth!
Whenever they thought of this, the crowd felt incredibly shaken. They couldn’t help but think, "Lin Cangxue is still the Legend she once was. If her Martial Soul could recover, given time, she would inevitably rise again. It’s just... sigh..." Shaking their heads, they dismissed the thought. If her Martial Soul could revive, it would have done so long ago.
In the main hall, Yann Nangui looked at the beautiful and aloof young woman before him and asked again, "When did you learn Snow Falling on Earth?"
Lin Cangxue smiled calmly. "It’s merely an Earth-Tier Martial Technique. Over these past three years, if I wanted to learn it, I could have done so at any time." As soon as her voice faded, she continued, "The Innate Gang Qi around the Palace Master has already been broken. I beseech the Palace Master to deal with Xiaohuang leniently!"
"You... fine..." Yann Nangui let out a long sigh, looking slightly disappointed. He then turned to Lin Huang and ordered, "A hundred strikes with a cane, to be carried out by Elder Tie Wuxin, followed by half a year of reflection beneath Celestial Waterfall Cliff!"
"Thank you, Palace Master!" Lin Cangxue cupped her fists. The icy expression on her face softened slightly as she turned to look at Lin Huang, breaking into a warm smile.
Lin Huang forced an answering smile onto his face, but inwardly, he felt increasingly guilty and uncomfortable. The reason for this could well be imagined.
***
"Kid, you really have a good sister. During Lin Cangxue’s three years in Piaoxue Palace, although her actions followed the Tyrant Path, they were mostly directed at other sects. Going against the Palace Master today is a first for her!"
In the courtyard outside the main hall, Tie Wuxin sighed as he leaned on his Wolf Fang Club, his face still holding a livid expression.
"Mhm." Lin Huang smiled desolately. Looking up at Lin Cangxue’s distressed expression, noting how her delicate hands tightly gripped the corner of her clothes, he felt another stab of pain in his heart. "Elder Tie, let’s begin. There’s no need to show mercy!" he said quietly.
Tie Wuxin gave a cold smile. "As an elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, I naturally will not hold back."
Soon, the CRACKING sound of the Wolf Fang Club landing on Lin Huang’s body echoed relentlessly through the courtyard. With every strike, Lin Huang’s expression twisted. The piercing pain invaded his Five Viscera and Six Bowels, but he never let out a single cry, stubbornly forcing a smile as he kept his eyes on Lin Cangxue.
Her delicate brows, however, furrowed even tighter. Her knuckles were clenched so hard they turned blue, as if every strike of the Wolf Fang Club was landing on her own flesh.
***
When the punishment of one hundred strikes was over, Lin Huang was dripping with blood, his robes dyed entirely red. Lin Cangxue’s eyes had long since brimmed with tears. She walked briskly to his side and helped him up, her slender frame trembling as she choked out a sob.
"Sis, I’m fine," Lin Huang grinned, baring his teeth. "I have a Body Refining Technique, so this bit of punishment is nothing."
"You only know how to talk big. Your flesh is torn wide open," Lin Cangxue scolded, her face streaming with tears.
"Thank you for showing mercy, Elder Tie!" Lin Huang looked at the cold-faced Tie Wuxin beside him and cupped his fists with difficulty, mustering a smile. As the one receiving the punishment, he naturally knew that although his flesh was torn open, his bones and tendons were completely unharmed. Had Tie Wuxin not shown mercy, he would probably have passed out cold by now.
Tie Wuxin maintained an indifferent expression. "Back then, to help the Law Enforcement Hall purge a defecting Outer Elder, Cangxue did not hesitate to pursue them for a thousand miles, suffering eighteen wounds in the process. I have always kept this favor in my heart. Since you are Cangxue’s younger brother, you should act more prudently and practice Cultivation diligently. Do not bring shame to your sister."
"I will remember that!" Lin Huang cupped his fists once more. Then, supported by Lin Cangxue, he slowly departed under the gaze of the crowd.
As he walked away, Lin Huang could still feel a deeply malicious gaze fixed upon his back. However, he did not turn his head, because he knew this gaze belonged to the elder named Hong Jiu. Not only Hong Jiu, but the attitudes everyone had towards Lin Cangxue in the main hall just now—he had taken it all in. It was just that his current strength was far too shallow, and his talent was not enough to make the crowd value him.
In the courtyard, Hong Jiu watched the siblings supporting each other as their desolate figures faded away. A flustered, angry look twisted his features. "Consider yourselves lucky today!"
***
"...I’m sorry!"
Within Piaoxue Palace, the siblings walked forward, bracing against the cold wind. Lin Huang kept his head down in heavy silence.
"You are not allowed to say sorry," Lin Cangxue patted Lin Huang’s head and smiled radiantly. "It’s my fault for not protecting you well. If Mother found out, she would definitely blame me."
"Mother..." Lin Huang murmured. This unfamiliar word hovered in his mind for a moment before vanishing into thin air. He then chuckled and squeezed Lin Cangxue’s hand a little tighter.
"I’ll go get some medicine to apply on you!"
After the two returned to their room, she hurriedly rummaged through the chests and cabinets, looking for Spiritual Medicine to treat his external injuries, and then began to help Lin Huang strip off his ruined clothes.
"Sis... I’ll do it myself. Or you can have Fatty Bai do it," Lin Huang said awkwardly, gripping his collar tightly.
Lin Cangxue gave a gentle, teasing smile. "Now you know how to be shy? A certain someone was clamoring to sleep with me just a few years ago. Let go!"
"Uh..." Lin Huang’s face completely flushed with embarrassment. Eventually, crumbling under Lin Cangxue’s incredibly resolute gaze, he helplessly relinquished his grip.
"Are you done yet!" Lin Huang called out, lying on his stomach on the bed, his upper body completely bare.
"You’re a grown man now, yet you’re still so shy. I’m your sister, what are you afraid of?" Lin Cangxue teased.
"I’m cold!" Lin Huang muttered defensively.
***
"Sis, let me ask you a question!" Lin Huang suddenly struggled to sit up, looking at Lin Cangxue with utmost seriousness.
"Lie down properly!" Lin Cangxue pushed him back down with one hand and said softly, "Ask away!"
Lin Huang turned his head to peek at her before asking cautiously, "In Piaoxue Palace, have you ever heard of a girl named Jun Qingcheng?"