PROLOGUE

Peak of No Return was just like that. A peak, no return.

Although it was called a peak, the name was attributed to a lone mountain that stood conspicuously at the edge of Phantom Forest. This sole mountain stood thousands li tall, like a majestic monarch with head held upright, reaching the bundle of soft clouds above. The base of the said mountain was luscious green and bustling with life, while it's peak was capped with white snow all year round. The lifelessness and coldness of this mountaintop was in stark contrast with its flourishing base.

Although the name Peak of no Return refers to the entire mountain, it was mostly attributed to its snow-capped top. On how it got its name, there were quite few stories. And those stories, while some are legends and mostly exaggerated, some may be based on true events. Peak of no Return was named like that because everytime someone accidentally wandered onto that mountain peak and fall into the cliff, they would surely vanish without a trace. Yes, they wouldn't just simply die, they would eventually vanish, never to return in this world. If they fall on that treacherous cliff, not even a single part of the body remains, they would magically disappear. Some people believed that the mountain had grown a spirit, devouring these unfortunate souls. Others says that there's a vicious demon living at the bottom of the cliff, luring people to jump to their death and ate them. While some believed that it was a path to ascension, a secret door towards heavenly realm. No matter which it was, no one dared to confirm these suspicion.

And naturally, everyone avoided that place. Almost no one dared to climb that infamous peak for a reason or two.

Well, almost no one... Except the plain-looking, poor-clothed Shen Lian.

Climbing several hundred li of terrainous mountain, Shen Lian finally reached the snowy part of Peak of No Return. He started to feel the chilling cold as he continue to ascend so he clutched his old faded robe closer to his body. On his arms, two cold clay jars were resting.

He sighed softly as he felt the coldness crept on his neck. Then he muttered in a soft low voice, "I... It's probably a bad idea to accept requests like this."

After walking for many more minutes, the edge of the cliff becomes visible. Shen Lian once again let out a soft sigh before crouching down to scoop two jars full of snow.

To find the hidden mystery of the Peak of No Return was not Shen Lian's goal at all.

"Sigh. Those noble families really do have peculiar interests. Why would they be fond of playing snow during summer? Can't they wait until winter? So baffling."

This is exactly why he came here. That's right. His very intention was to fetch this two jars of snow. He had braved the perils of the mountain for the sake of these two jars of snow.

After fetching what he needed, Shen Lian hugged the two jar, ready to left. Before he left, he cast a glance towards the very tip and while doing so, his eyes suddenly caught a glimpse of something amidst the thick white snow just few zhang away.

Driven by curiosity, Shen Lian slowly walked towards the figure and as he walked closet, the figure lying on the snow becomes clearer. And when he reached at that particular thing, he was stunned.

Indeed, it was a human figure.

Not just any ordinary human.

It was a bizarre-looking lady.

This lady looked no more than twenty years of age, lying unconsciously on the snow. Her tightly shut eyes were covered witb odd clear object that was worn on her ears. She was also dressed in a strange manner. She was not wearing any robe, instead she was only wearing a short-sleeved, thin clothing and a very short lower garment, barely covering half of her thigh. Her exposed limbs were very pale, even paler than the snow she was lying on.

After a moment of blankness, Shen Lian bent down and placed his fingers under the woman's nose. He detected a hot yet faint breathe. Then he withdraw his hand and held the woman's wrist to check her pulse. Then he carefully examined the woman's appearance.

No external injuries except for shallow scratches and frostbite. The temperature was also not right. It was far from right. In fact, despite the chilling temperature of the surrounding, her body was scorching hot.

She was burning with fever.

Shen Lian put down the two clay jars that he had been hugging for a good while now.

"Young lady, just what are you doing in this kind of place?"

Of course, the unconscious lady won't be able to answer him. He took a layer of his outer robe and draped it all over her body. With a sigh, he snaked his arm on the woman's back and his other hand lifted her knees. Just like that, he carried the unconscious lady in his arms. His nose was suddenly filled with a fresh citrus scent.

He had just took three steps when he suddenly halted. The he turned back, crouched again, picked up the two jars of snow and put then in the arch of the lady's stomach.

And just like that, he descended the Peak of No Return, with both the jars of snow and an unconscious lady in his arms.

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