Chapter 178 : Return the Favor
The system's detection was not wrong. Although the temperature change was initially subtle, it grew more noticeable the further they went, and gradually everyone became aware of it. However, apart from Yun Qingyue, no one yet knew that the little white tiger's destination was the ice plain volcano.
After two more days of travel through the endless ice and snow, they finally spotted another color on the horizon.
Bei Luo, still the most animated of the group, gazed at the distant tall brownish-black mountain peak and spoke first: "Oh, the ice plain ahead seems to have melted. What's that? A volcano?"
In truth, they were still far from the volcano, with only a black dot visible on the horizon, but cultivators' keen sight and hearing gave them a much broader visual range than ordinary people. Hearing this, everyone looked up and saw the top of the volcano. Noticing how the little white tiger was stretching her neck to look, they easily deduced that her destination was indeed this ice plain volcano.
Su Hao and the others could never have guessed that the little white tiger had come specifically to find Snow Realm Dragon Flame Flowers, assuming she had another purpose. Now that they were approaching their destination, they asked her: "Jianbing, is there some special ore beneath this volcano?"
The White Tiger was metal-attributed, and throughout their journey, she had led them to find mostly metal-attributed treasures, making Bei Luo with his metal spiritual root the greatest beneficiary. Though what the others obtained might not be directly useful to them, the value was undeniable. After leaving the secret realm, they could exchange these items for resources that suited them. Thus, everyone had no objection to following Jianbing to dig for minerals; they had even become somewhat accustomed to it.
The little white tiger shook her head, no longer concealing her purpose: "I came to collect Snow Realm Dragon Flame Flowers."
The group hadn't expected this answer and exchanged glances. Bai Xu couldn't help but clear his throat and say: "So Jianbing wanted Snow Realm Dragon Flame Flowers? If you had mentioned it earlier, I have some here. We needn't have made this special trip."
As an alchemist, Bai Xu had collected countless rare herbs and flowers. Though Snow Realm Dragon Flame Flowers were expensive, they weren't exclusive to any particular secret realm, so he naturally had some. He had originally hoarded them to refine into Age-Preserving Pills when he needed money, but if Jianbing needed them, he was perfectly willing to part with them. As he spoke, he had already taken out a jade box.
When the box opened, inside was a crystal-like flower, as clear as ice yet as vibrant as fire, exactly matching Senior Sister's description. Even though the little white tiger had seen many beautiful art pieces in her previous life, none compared to the exquisite perfection of this naturally formed crystal flower.
The little white tiger couldn't help but gasp in admiration, her eyes sparkling as she murmured: "So this is the Snow Realm Dragon Flame Flower. It truly is beautiful."
Hearing this, Bai Xu smiled and generously extended the jade box: "If Jianbing likes it, this flower is yours."
Truthfully, the Xuanqing Sect people truly doted on the tiger. From the Peak Masters of the Qing generation down to these senior brothers and sisters, whenever the little white tiger wanted something, none of them ever hesitated to give it, making her feel almost undeserving.
However, after admiring the beauty of the Snow Realm Dragon Flame Flower, the little white tiger still raised her paw to decline Bai Xu's kindness, saying earnestly: "Thank you for your kindness, and I appreciate it. However, one Snow Realm Dragon Flame Flower isn't enough. I need to pick ten."
"Is that so?" Bai Xu was puzzled but still withdrew the jade box.
While Snow Realm Dragon Flame Flowers were indeed the main ingredient for Age-Preserving Pills, refining pills didn't consume that many herbs. For instance, the single flower in Bai Xu's possession, combined with other spiritual medicines, was enough to refine three batches of pills.
A top-tier alchemist could produce at most ten pills per batch, while mid- to low-tier alchemists, if successful, could still produce one to five pills. For one person taking Age-Preserving Pills, three pills at most would suffice. He couldn't imagine why Jianbing would need so many Snow Realm Dragon Flame Flowers.
The little white tiger offered no explanation. While declining Bai Xu's kindness, she asked the system inwardly: "System, for collection tasks like this, do I need to pick them personally, or do any that come into my possession count?" If gifts or purchases counted, such tasks would be much easier in the future, and she wouldn't need to make special trips like this time.
The system understood the host's thoughts and generously provided an answer: "Any that come into your possession count." Then, before the little white tiger could rejoice, it poured cold water on her enthusiasm: "However, Host, these collection tasks either involve rare items or have quantity limitations. Taking shortcuts isn't easy either."
The little white tiger wasn't dampened by this cold shower and waved dismissively: "No problem, I have meal tickets."
The system was left speechless and secretly gave the host a thumbs-up in its database—indeed, the host had Xuanqing Sect as her meal ticket and backing. If the entire sect's power was mobilized to complete a collection task, it shouldn't pose much of a challenge. And once the host developed a proactive attitude toward completing tasks, their points would flow continuously. Repaying the loan and reaching the peak of system life would be just around the corner!
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In the mortal world, there's a saying: "Looking at the mountain is enough to exhaust a horse."
Though the cultivators had never heard this saying, and with their ability to fly and traverse the earth they wouldn't find it logical, the expression seemed quite fitting for this no-fly zone on the ice plain—from the moment they spotted the volcano with their exceptional eyesight and began walking toward their destination, it took two full days before the distant volcano finally appeared before them.
Behind them, the ice plain's wind and snow were bitingly cold, difficult for even cultivators to withstand, but at the foot of the volcano before them was an entirely different scene. At the mountain's base, lush green grass carpeted the ground, dotted with wildflowers, as if they had instantly stepped from the bitter cold of winter into the warm bloom of spring.
Yun Qingyue and the others put away their cloaks, and the little white tiger leaped down to the ground.
She took a few steps on the grass, feeling warmth and softness beneath her paws, no longer experiencing the frozen sensation she had on the ice plain. This immediately energized her. Instead of rushing to find the Snow Realm Dragon Flame Flowers, she ran about joyfully for a few steps, then stretched her body into a long, lazy stretch, as if every bone in her body had suddenly relaxed.
The experience of traversing the ice plain had indeed been unpleasant. After everyone had relaxed a bit, they turned to the matter at hand: "Brother Bai, you're familiar with the growth of spiritual herbs. Do you know where Snow Realm Dragon Flame Flowers might grow around here?"
Hearing the question, Bai Xu looked around, seemingly observing the surrounding environment, before shaking his head: "I'm not certain. Snow Realm Dragon Flame Flowers grow at the intersection of ice and fire. With the volcano ahead and the ice plain behind, theoretically they could grow anywhere along this boundary." After a pause, he added candidly: "But they might not be here at all. Just because the environment is suitable doesn't mean the spirit herbs will definitely grow."
This was reasonable, but since the system had given such a collection task, Snow Realm Dragon Flame Flowers must exist somewhere in the Canglán Secret Realm. Unless there were other snowy ice plains, or other volcanoes on this ice plain.
The little white tiger was therefore not worried about finding them and confidently raised a paw: "They must be here. Let's search first and see."
Since they had already come this far, everyone naturally had no objections. After discussing, they decided to split up to search—they were currently at the foot of the ice plain volcano, and while the circumference of the mountain base shouldn't be too large in theory, this volcano rose over ten thousand feet high, covering an unknown area. With the influence of geothermal heat, a large area at the mountain's base had thawed, meaning the area they needed to search was quite substantial.
For safety, everyone still moved in pairs, arranging distress and gathering signals. The little white tiger, without question, went with Yun Qingyue, so the two formed their own team.
After all arrangements were made, everyone separated.
Perhaps due to being carried the entire way, the little white tiger didn't cling to Senior Sister's embrace this time.
Yun Qingyue didn't insist and simply began walking, with the little white tiger conscientiously following by her feet. However, as they walked, the short-legged tiger inevitably fell behind the long-legged woman. The little white tiger had to break into a trot to catch up and was mercilessly mocked by the system: "Little white tiger, so fluffy, chasing Senior Sister, can't keep up..."
The little white tiger ground her teeth upon hearing this, but the system had grown cunning and was hiding in her consciousness sea, beyond her reach. So as she ran, the little white tiger transformed into the big white tiger, now covering more distance in a single stride than Senior Sister.
Yun Qingyue, while walking, didn't forget to carefully observe her surroundings, seriously helping Jianbing look for the flowers. Suddenly turning her head, she found that the little white tiger had grown larger again. She paused her steps, vigilantly scanning the surroundings. Finding nothing unusual, she asked the White Tiger: "What happened? Why did you suddenly grow big again?"
Transforming into a larger size naturally consumed energy, with the energy consumption during movement being ten times that of normal. Thus, she rarely changed form unless forced to fight, only then becoming a big tiger out of necessity.
However, this time was different, though the little white tiger was too embarrassed to tell Senior Sister that she had transformed because her legs were too short to keep up. She tilted her head, a flash of inspiration coming to her, then stepped forward and slightly lowered herself: "Senior Sister, you carried me all the way across the ice plain. Now, how about I carry you? It's only fair, and riding on a tiger's back is quite impressive."
Hearing this, Yun Qingyue was momentarily taken aback before laughing: "No need, I can walk on my own."
The White Tiger had only had a passing thought, but now that Senior Sister had declined, she strangely became stubborn. She walked alongside Yun Qingyue, nuzzling her arm with her large head as they moved, acting coquettishly and playfully trying to coax her onto her back.
Yun Qingyue was nudged slightly off balance and was amused by the big tiger's coquettish behavior, but her smile had barely formed before it froze.
Her gaze sharpened as she looked ahead.