The first snow of the year was heavy. Flurries drifted down, blanketing the tips of the bamboo stalks. When the wind stirred, it sent snow scattering through the air in a breathtakingly beautiful display. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Master’s wife had already made winter clothes for everyone. But since they were so close to the waterfall, the air was heavy with cold moisture. After running around outside for a little while, the surface of their clothes would be damp, and even the cotton padding inside would get wet.

Fortunately, if there was one thing the mountains weren’t short on, it was firewood. They had gathered plenty of cobblestones to pave their most frequented areas, and with a bonfire burning all day long, it was quite a bit warmer.

"Godmother, does this look right?"

Xiao Jiu and Qinghe sat by the bonfire with Master’s wife, sewing clothes together.

Although they hadn’t formally become disciples, they had been living together for so long that both Xiao Jiu and Qinghe now addressed Master’s wife as their godmother.

Master’s wife smiled kindly as she looked at their sewing, then nodded and said with a laugh that it was very good.

Once you got used to them, days like these were actually quite nice.

The master and his two disciples sat off to one side, also talking.

"It’s been over a month since we last went to True Martial... Should we go check on the situation again?"

The senior brother asked Qin Fang.

Since their first trip to True Martial to observe the situation, they had gone back two or three times over the past few months. They wanted to see what those men in black were up to, which would help them judge when they could finally leave.

One couldn’t say they were the only living people left in True Martial County, but the number was certainly extremely small now.

So, no matter what the Mysterious Power wanted to do, there was no one left to stop them.

All they hoped for now was that the strangers would quickly finish their business and leave.

And... not drag them into it.

The last time they went, they had seen that the men had already drawn a large number of patterns in the county seat, and it looked like they were almost finished.

’Who knows if it will trigger some disaster.’

His senior brother’s suggestion made Qin Fang fall silent for a moment. Finally, he shook his head. "I don’t think we should go... We can’t stop them no matter what they’re doing. The last time we went, the pattern was almost complete. It would be foolish to get close to that place recklessly. If something unexpected happens, it’ll be too late for regrets."

"Rather than take a risk when we can’t do anything about it anyway... we’re better off hiding out on Old Ox Back and waiting a little longer... Once that pattern is complete, they’re bound to make a big move."

Qin Fang’s words stunned his senior brother for a moment. After a short while, he let out a soft sigh, his eyes dimming. In the end, he said no more...

He knew his junior brother was right.

He was just... a little unwilling to accept it.

His master clapped him on the shoulder without saying much, clearly agreeing with Qin Fang’s judgment.

He suddenly asked, "How is your Cultivation coming along? How much longer until you break through to Hidden Thunder in Silk?"

The senior brother was taken aback, then said, "It will probably still be some time..."

As he spoke, he couldn’t help but glance at his junior brother again...

His injuries had mostly healed over two months ago, so naturally, he had started his Standing Pile cultivation.

Thanks to the Bee Meat, his progress was indeed very fast.

’This Bee Meat is even better than Qi Blood Pills.’

But ’fast’ was a relative term.

’Compared to my junior brother... my own speed is hardly worth mentioning.’

’After all, it only took my junior brother two or three months to break through from Anjin to Hidden Thunder in Silk.’

’But right now, forget breaking through—I feel I’m still a long way from even reaching the critical point.’

’We train the same way, but my junior brother is just faster.’

’It’s most likely because my junior brother can eat a piece of Bee Meat every day and absorb that initial, most potent wave of energy.’

’If I dared to eat that much... I’d get a nosebleed within two or three days, injured by the backlash from the surging Qi Blood...’

’Talent is such an unfair thing.’

Hearing this, the master nodded and offered some comfort. "Don’t be too hasty. Impatience is the greatest taboo on the path of cultivation... As for your junior brother..."

He shot Qin Fang a strange look before finally saying, "Just don’t compare yourself to him."

Then the master paused and said, "I’ve had a feeling recently. I want to try breaking through to Huajin."

This sentence made both Qin Fang’s and his senior brother’s eyes light up!

Huajin!

The final realm of the Mortal Martial Third Realm!

And it has no Early, Mid, or Late Stages!

Once you enter this realm, it means you have developed the human body to its absolute limit!

Your lifespan immediately skyrockets, granting you another hundred years of life!

The next step is to comprehend the ethereal ’God’ and enter the Divine Domain!

"Master, are you confident?"

his senior brother asked excitedly, his eyes shining.

The master thought for a moment before replying, "I can only say I have a certain degree of confidence... But who can ever be sure about Breaking Through? I can only give it a try."

During this time, about ten more drops of the liquid had collected in the stone bowl. The master and senior brother took three drops, and the rest were given to Qin Fang. One drop was diluted with water and given to Monkey and the others...

After these few months of cultivation, Monkey and the other three had successfully started on their martial path and were working toward Mingjin.

But their Physiques were limited, after all.

And the energy in the liquid was far more violent than that of the Bee Meat; only an Anjin Martial Artist could withstand it.

So they could only take it after it was diluted with water.

...The effects were still very good.

The increase in their strength was quite noticeable.

The master had consumed three of the remaining drops. This, combined with the occasional meal of Bee Meat and the free time he now had since he no longer saw patients, allowed him to dedicate his days to either guiding Monkey and the others or cultivating himself.

As a result, the master was in better condition than ever before.

He wanted to take this opportunity to make an attempt and see if he could reach Huajin.

If the master reached Huajin, it might not have a major impact on their current situation.

But it would undoubtedly be a wonderful thing.