Journey of True Cultivation-Chapter 73: Snowfall Before the Flames

The endless night sky was shrouded in darkness, blanketed by thick clouds that stretched from the earth to the heavens.

From above, delicate white snowflakes, like drifting flower petals, began to fall gently toward the ground, settling softly before slowly melting away.

Yuan walked through the sect grounds as the snowflakes drifted down around him. Snow covered everything, the rooftops, the trees, even the folds of his green robe.

The once solid ground had grown slippery and soft, turning into patches of slushy mud beneath his feet.

This quiet walk came after he had finally been updated by Ming Ze, who had shared news of several strange occurrences within the sect.

According to Ming Ze, there had been a sudden surge of rising talents, cultivators far more gifted than the average disciple. And all of this had happened within just the two short months Yuan had been in seclusion.

To Yuan, it was shocking.

He couldn't quite understand how a small sect like the Howling Wind Sect, or even just one of its branch sects, could suddenly produce so many prodigies. It didn't make sense.

What was even stranger was that, based on Ming Ze's information, this phenomenon was unique to their sect.

None of the other six major sects or the five great families had seen this kind of sudden growth.

"How weird," Yuan muttered aloud, his voice barely rising over the sound of snow crunching beneath his boots.

With each step, the snow grew thicker. The air became colder, sharper, until eventually, the chill seeped too deeply into his bones for him to enjoy the walk any longer.

"Is it already winter, or why is the weather so cold?" Yuan muttered to himself, growing more annoyed by the snow with each passing step.

He turned back and began walking toward his cultivation cave. Along the way, he passed several other inner sect disciples who also seemed puzzled by the sudden winter.

Many were discussing how strange the weather was, but since none of the elders or high-ranking sect authorities had made any announcements, Yuan simply brushed it off.

Instead, his mind drifted back to the other things Ming Ze had mentioned.

The first thing that caught Yuan's interest was an upcoming event, an auction hosted by a powerful organization from another human region.

Ming Ze didn't know much about the group, only that it was a high ranking organization with far more resources and influence than the Howling Wind Sect.

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According to Ming Ze, even his own master had warned him never to offend them. If something went wrong, the Howling Wind Sect wouldn't be able to protect him.

This alone was enough to convince Yuan that the organization was worth noting.

But before he could fully process everything else Ming Ze had said, something, or rather, someone, caught his eye.

Standing in front of his cultivation cave, eyes closed and arms crossed, was Li Yun.

Yuan hadn't expected to see him again so soon.

As Yuan's footsteps approached, Li Yun slowly opened his eyes and turned toward him with a soft smile on his face.

"Hello, Brother Yuan. Long time no see."

His voice was gentle and calm, just as it had always been.

Even after his breakthrough to the Meridian Awakening Stage, Li Yun hadn't changed. There was no trace of arrogance, only the same familiar warmth.

Seeing that, Yuan smiled back.

"Brother Yun, you're already out of seclusion? I thought you'd remain in closed door cultivation for a few more years!" Hearing Yuan's surprised question, Li Yun gave a small, bitter smile and let out a soft sigh.

"A lot has happened that prevented me from continuing my seclusion. But Brother Yuan, why don't we continue this conversation inside your cultivation cave? The weather today seems especially cold, and this kind of chill isn't ideal for a casual chat."

Yuan looked a little embarrassed, smiling awkwardly at himself. Then he nodded and gestured for Li Yun to come inside.

Li Yun gladly accepted the invitation, this was his first time stepping into Yuan's cultivation cave.

If one had to describe the interior in a word, it would be: simple.

There was nothing more than a basic bed, a meter long table, and two plain chairs beside it. The walls were bare, made of aged gray stone carved from the mountain itself.

No tapestries, no spiritual artifacts, no colors, just cold, lifeless stone.

It looked more like a puppet's shelter than the personal space of a cultivator.

"Don't you want to decorate your cultivation cave a bit? Maybe add some color? It feels a little too... lifeless. I can help you, if you'd like," Li Yun said with a warm smile as he looked around.

Yuan blinked, surprised by his words. Decorate his cultivation cave... with color?

"How strange," he thought, but kept the words to himself. Instead, he responded calmly:

"Thank you for the offer, but I like it as it is. I rarely invite others here, this cave is just a place for me to cultivate in peace."

Li Yun stood silently inside the cultivation cave for a moment, then shook his head."If you don't want it, I can't force you," he said, referring to the cave's decoration.

Then his expression turned serious."Anyway, that's not the reason I came to see you. There's something important I need to tell you."

"Oh?" Yuan responded simply, moving one of the chairs over for Li Yun to sit.

Li Yun gave a small smile and thanked him before taking the seat. Yuan sat down across from him.

"So... about a week ago, my family contacted me," Li Yun began."And the news they brought wasn't good. In fact... it was really, really bad."

Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly, growing more intrigued."Bad news? What could've happened that would force him to break his seclusion?" he thought to himself.

Li Yun let out a deep sigh, then spoke with a heavy tone."The Five Families are preparing to declare war... against all the sects."

"War?" Yuan repeated aloud, his voice calm but attentive.

"The Five Families want to go to war with the Seven Sects? Now that's real news that could shake the entire cultivation world," Yuan thought silently.

It was a bold move, too bold, even for them.

"Yes. War," Li Yun confirmed."And... it seems that our Li Family will be betraying the Five Families. We'll be siding with the Seven Sects. That's why I was pulled out of seclusion."

Yuan nodded calmly."Understandable," he said, locking eyes with Li Yun."Then... when do they plan to declare it?"

Li Yun blinked in surprise, stunned by how composed Yuan remained.

He looked at him with a puzzled expression."Wait, are you not shocked by this? Why are you so calm?"

"Why am I so calm, you ask? Hmm, good question... let me think," Yuan replied, trying to come up with a suitable reason.

Of course, he couldn't just tell Li Yun that he had already suspected the Five Families were growing too ambitious. That would raise too many questions.

After a brief pause, he thought of a reasonable explanation.

"Well," he began calmly, "I always believed that a war would break out sooner or later. So when you mentioned it, I wasn't that shocked. What caught me off guard was who the war is against. I expected conflict with the other sects... not with the Five Families."

Li Yun nodded thoughtfully. War between sects wasn't uncommon, when he first joined the Howling Wind Sect, one had just ended. He had learned much from his seniors about those past conflicts, so he couldn't disagree with Yuan's logic.

For a moment, Li Yun drifted into his own thoughts, until Yuan spoke again.

"By the way," Yuan said, turning his gaze toward him, "was there another reason you came to see me, aside from delivering news about the upcoming war?"

"Cough!"Li Yun let out a small, embarrassed cough, realizing he had nearly forgotten the main reason for his visit.

"Yes, actually. That is why I waited for you outside your cave."

He took a breath and looked Yuan in the eyes.

"My family informed me that I've been selected to serve as a captain in the war, leading a small squad of fellow inner sect disciples. And so, I came here to invite you."

"Me?" Yuan asked.

"Yes, Brother Yuan. I want you to be my right hand. Out of everyone I know, you're the one I trust most to stand beside me. I want your help... to survive this war."

Yuan fell silent for a few moments, seriously considering the proposal. Then he nodded slowly.

"I understand, Brother Yun. But this is a major decision, one that could shape my future as a cultivator. I hope you'll understand if I ask for some time to think it over."

Li Yun didn't seem disappointed. In fact, he smiled warmly.

"Of course," he said. "Take all the time you need. Just knowing you're considering it makes me happy, But let me know before the sect officially announces the war. I'll need your answer by then."

With that, Li Yun stood up, offered a parting nod, and left Yuan's cultivation cave.

As the door closed behind him, Yuan rose to his feet and sealed the entrance with a simple formation.

Once the cave was secured, a wide smile spread across his face.

He turned and walked back to his bed, lying down with a sense of satisfaction.

Closing his eyes, he allowed his mind to wander, to the war, and to Li Yun's offer.

Bit by bit, Yuan's thoughts began to solidify. He carefully considered the implications of the war with the Five Families, the risks, the benefits, and the opportunities it might offer.

"Going to war could be truly beneficial to me," he thought, his expression calm but resolute.

The choice was no longer a question.

With his decision now clear in his heart, Yuan knew what he wanted.

He would join the war.

And he would stand at Li Yun's side.