Chapter Ten: The First Tale of Wind and Snow

Watching the other’s tightly clenched fist, Lin Xiaobao sensed trouble and immediately clasped his hands and said, “Please forgive us, senior brother. My companion is a bit blunt and straightforward—please don’t take offense.”

“Straightforward? Is that how you insult someone in a roundabout way?” Young men, ever eager for chaos, began to stir up the crowd.

Though Lin Xiaobao was quick-witted, he had never faced such a scene before. His intention had been to say Wang Dashan was simple-minded, but fearing that would wound his friend’s pride, he tried to soften his words. Yet, with the crowd fanning the flames, it sounded as if Lin Xiaobao was mocking him as well.

The browless youth, provoked, grew even angrier and was about to step forward when Lin Xiaobao raised a hand to block him.

“Senior brother, let me say this: right now, there are two of us and only one of you. If it comes to blows, you might be at a disadvantage!” Since apologies had failed, Lin Xiaobao decided to bluff.

But before his words had even settled, seven more stepped out behind the browless youth. “You can’t bully the people of Starlight City so easily!”

“Old Mo, Old Wu, help me out here! Surely you wouldn’t let your prized disciple be beaten up as soon as he arrives? That would hardly do your reputations any good!” Seeing the situation worsening, Lin Xiaobao could only plead for help from the two elders within him.

“With our current state, we can only aid your cultivation; as for this predicament—alas, we are powerless!” Old Mo had barely finished when Old Wu added, “Don’t worry, this is the Frost and Snow Pavilion. At most, they’ll rough you up; they won’t kill you!”

“You…” Lin Xiaobao hadn’t expected the two old men to abandon him at such a moment. His eyes darted, and he said, “In that case, let’s have a contest!”

He stepped forward. “I’ll take on all eight of you alone. If you can last the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, let this matter be settled—what do you say?”

His words turned the Hongwu Hall deathly silent. Those brought to the Frost and Snow Pavilion were all prodigies of Ningfeng Kingdom, but none would dare claim they could face eight opponents single-handedly.

Only Hu Dequan’s gaze flickered with complicated light. He still remembered the surge of power Lin Xiaobao had unleashed before. Had he truly been hiding his strength all along?

Seeing Lin Xiaobao’s confidence, the eight hesitated briefly, then agreed. Even if Lin Xiaobao truly possessed such power, they had no choice but to fight; otherwise, they’d never be able to hold their heads up in the Pavilion again.

“But to avoid distractions, none of you may lay a hand on him during our bout,” Lin Xiaobao gestured to Wang Dashan.

“I’m not afraid, Brother Xiaobao!” Wang Dashan hurried over, but after Lin Xiaobao whispered in his ear, he retreated.

“Very well!” The eight responded in unison, preparing to attack, when Lin Xiaobao’s shoulders twitched and, like a cunning rabbit, he darted to the flank.

Run? No one had expected Lin Xiaobao, after his bold proclamation, to simply flee. Laughter erupted among the crowd. Shaking their heads, they could scarcely believe such a person had been chosen by the Frost and Snow Pavilion—he was nothing but a scoundrel.

The eight were momentarily stunned. As Lin Xiaobao widened the distance between them, they realized he was escaping. “After him!”

Ignoring the ridicule, Lin Xiaobao weaved through the crowd, slipping through every gap he could find. He knew that, given his and Wang Dashan’s abilities, they had no hope but to take a beating, so this was his only option.

The eight from Starlight City spread out like a tightening net, shrinking Lin Xiaobao’s space. Fortunately, Lin Xiaobao was accustomed to such situations and remained agile and composed.

Suddenly, as he slipped through a gap, his foot faltered and he stumbled forward, falling to the ground. Looking back, he saw Hu Dequan’s smug expression.

Lin Xiaobao blamed himself for being too careless, not realizing he’d passed by Hu Dequan, who had tripped him.

The eight were already close; with this mishap, they immediately surrounded him.

“What’s going on here?” Just as the eight raised their fists to strike, a thunderous voice exploded from the central platform of the hall. No one knew when the figure in yellow had appeared atop the stage.

The entire hall fell silent. The browless youth and his companions reluctantly backed off.

“My name is Hong Feng, and I am an instructor for the outer disciples of the Frost and Snow Pavilion.” Hong Feng’s gaze lingered on Lin Xiaobao and the others for several breaths. “No matter your status or honors outside, from today you are all equal—candidate outer disciples of the Pavilion. Don’t think you are already outer disciples; every year, many are eliminated by my hand.”

“As for the rules of elimination, you will learn them in time.” Hong Feng pointed to the bloodstained arena to the left. “Private fighting is forbidden in the Pavilion. If you have grudges, you may settle them one-on-one on the Life-and-Death Platform. But remember—only one may leave that platform alive.”

The atmosphere in Hongwu Hall became even more oppressive. Most of the youths present prided themselves on their extraordinary talent, but few had witnessed bloodshed or death. Now, with Hong Feng’s words, they realized the Pavilion was far less idyllic than legend; even life itself seemed uncertain here.

Hong Feng was indifferent to the fear in their eyes. With a flick of his right hand, a flash of light appeared, and every youth found a small booklet in their hands. “Everything you need to know about the Pavilion is in your hands. Whether you can open it, and how much you can comprehend, depends on your own fate.”

Feeling the weight in his hand, Lin Xiaobao looked down. He now held a yellowed booklet; on its cover was written “Frost and Snow Primer,” and on the back, a large character: “Two.”

Residence Two?

“For the next year, all your tasks are recorded in the Frost and Snow Primer. If you fail the test after one year, pack your things and leave!” With that, Hong Feng vanished without a trace, as if he had never appeared.

Staring at the empty platform, everyone revealed expressions of envy—what kind of strength must one possess to achieve such a feat? Was he a martial master of the innate realm?

Exclamations echoed through the hall. Many struggled to open the Frost and Snow Primer, faces flushed, unable even to turn the first page.

Lin Xiaobao tried to open it, only to discover the booklet was a sealed box, impossible to open, and his brows knitted tightly.