Crash!

The water ripples expand.

A man with an extraordinarily high forehead emerges from the frozen lake covered in broken ice and snow.

At that time, the cold wind was like a knife, frost flying in the sky. Looking around, there are undulating snow ridges, like waves of the Long River, resembling a white dragon lying on a mountain.

Such a beautiful scene really evokes the impulse to recite poetry—

If only the person emerging from the lake wasn’t constantly sneezing.

"Ha~choo!"

A sneeze was released, instantly raising a cloud of white mist in front.

The friend whom Marquis Wu’an of Daqi described as exceptionally smart couldn’t help but put his hands on his waist, looking around with pride: "Instructor Zhao must be thinking—"

"Achoo, achoo, achoo!"

"It seems Instructor Zhao is thinking about me a lot—"

"Achoo, achoo, achoo, achoo, achoo!"

Forget it.

Unable to finish a complete sentence, Xu Gaoe rubbed his nose, which was frozen and red, and quickly dealt with the accumulated lake water on his body.

If he waits any longer, it will freeze.

This awful place! Both suppressing Divine Skills and Dao Technique.

The wind like knives and frost like swords are exceptionally cruel and cold.

Even his esteemed Divine Skills Outer Building had been chilled, causing a cold!

Who would have imagined that their romantic journey with Instructor Zhao would encounter such a dire blow in the flawless and pure Snow Country?

They accidentally got involved in the contention for enlightenment by the Winter Emperor, with one troublesome matter after another coming one after another, making him exhausted, leaving no mood for romance—well, to be precise, Instructor Zhao had no mood for romance. He, on the other hand, could find love in any situation.

Originally, there was him, Instructor Zhao, and Zi Shu, the three traveled joyfully across the world. He and Instructor Zhao were a talented couple, deeply in love, their relationship getting better with each day, along with Zi Shu who was wholeheartedly supporting from the side... Big things were foreseeable!

Instructor Zhao had long been able to achieve God Arrives, it was only that she was still contemplating her Dao Path, hence the numerous delays. This time traveling the world and reaching Snow Country, she had made up her mind to establish her Dao Path and achieve God Arrives in one fell swoop.

He had already prepared to host a grand celebration on the day Instructor Zhao achieved God Arrives, write moving poems... then propose.

Originally, everything was progressing smoothly.

Hateful Winter Emperor, intoxicating people’s hearts.

Instructor Zhao unexpectedly got confused by him, determined to blaze a new Dao Path, disregarding her previous many choices, insisting on integrating the Hundred Schools of Thought and opening up a new source!

This was acceptable.

But saying "I cannot achieve my Dao Path, hence no intention to engage in personal sentiments"?

The so-called building a family and career, how can you build a career without first establishing a family?

Unfortunately, despite his earnest words and tirelessly speaking, Instructor Zhao remained unmoved. Even under the influence of the Winter Emperor, she became rude in her actions, attempting to beat him...

What kind of person is Xu Xiangqian?

Born into a prestigious family, a genius, overflowing with talent, known as a "Divine Talented Scholar"... how could he suffer this neglect?

Of course, he chooses to wait for her!

In such a cold Snow Country, occasionally being neglected is quite reasonable.

But speaking of which, counting the time, it’s inevitable to occasionally feel sorrow.

Having stayed in this Sky Stele Snow Ridge for quite some time, when will he succeed and leave?

Thinking of the three of them, who came to Snow Country in the Year 3919 of the Dao Calendar, and now it’s already the Year 3921 of the Dao Calendar. Of the Ganma Mountain’s Two Pride, the other pride who equaled him in talent has already been titled Marquis by his mother!

He’s still in this desolate place, a pearl obscured in dust, a precious sword concealed.

What a pity.

Without Xu Xiangqian, how lonely would the world be?

Another sneeze.

Xu Xiangqian dared not delay further, grabbing the recently caught Silver Autumn Fish, hurried back.

This fish, endowed with natural spirituality, holds divine treasures, consuming it can aid one in understanding the Dao. But it dies upon leaving the water; if not handled promptly, the meat would not be fresh... Instructor Zhao might not find it delicious.

In the vast snow, the figure of the young scholar trudges a step here and a slip there into the distance. A slender string passes through the fish’s lips, the beautiful Silver Autumn Fish glowing with silver light.

The already lifeless fish eyes move with the scholar’s trek, twitching now and then.

...

...

These despondent dead fish eyes, hidden within the messy hair, paired with the scruffy stubble, an expressionless expression...

For a long period, were Bai Yuxia’s nightmare.

He, Bai Yuxia, a descendant of Yue Country’s Bai Clan, had always been proud and self-disciplined. In personality, morals, and abilities, all were strictly demanded. Speech and conduct, never allowing himself any shortcomings.

Back then, during the important Yellow River Gathering main events on Guanhe Platform, a seat was easily given to him, yet he refused to claim it effortlessly, insisting on fighting hard for a dignified position.

He had the reasons for pride too.

Born into a famous lineage, with outstanding talent, diligent in studying without interruption. Learned swordplay at three, mastered techniques at ten, by sixteen he was already hailed as a genius known far and wide. Across the country, among peers, only slightly inferior to Ge Fei. However, Ge Fei was three years older than him; such a degree of disparity could be overcome by time.

Of course, after witnessing the caliber of individuals like Li Yi and Jiang Wang at the genius-filled Yellow River Gathering, he no longer dared claim to be flawless.

Upon returning, he confessed to others that he was once like a frog in a well, only now seeing the vastness of the world.

He didn’t lose heart either.

Though he was only a white frog, now having jumped out of the well, naturally ought to jump even higher. Having seen such brilliant scenery, naturally should travel further.

But, here’s the issue.

Strict self-requirements aren’t necessarily a bad thing. But the bad part is—being unable to satisfy one’s own strict demands.

That’s the nightmare of perfectism. People harsh on themselves can drive themselves to death.