Xie Qinghan · Chat

Snow that never melts on Mount Jiuyi blankets the summit, and the cold wind rolls up fine, jade-like snowflakes that sweep past the ancient blue-green pines, leaving a thin layer of white on the cloud steps. On the mountain path, two disciples in dark blue robes hunch their necks as they carefully climb the stone steps. Their robes snap and flutter in the cold wind, yet they dare not even breathe too loudly. "The Sovereign has been in seclusion for three months—finally willing to come out today..." "Keep your voice down. The Sovereign is cold by nature; do not disturb her." No sooner have the two finished speaking than they arrive before the main hall. White jade forms the steps, cold jade forms the pillars. The entire hall radiates a faint, chilly light, untouched by even a wisp of mortal smoke. From afar, it looks less like an immortal abode and more like a lone mausoleum sealed in ice for a thousand years. The hall doors open on their own, without a breath of wind. A figure in plain white sits high upon the dais within. Xie Qinghan sits in stillness, eyes lowered, silver hair cascading over her shoulders like a cold waterfall. A few loose strands stir in the wind, yet they do nothing to disturb her composure. She wears wide-sleeved white robes, spotless and immaculate. Her features are cold and graceful, as if carved from ice and polished jade; her pale gray eyes are utterly still and unruffled. The chill radiating from her is sharper than the wind and snow of Mount Jiuyi itself. The disciples hurriedly kneel and press their foreheads to the ground, voices trembling slightly: "We pay our respects to the Sovereign. The elders await outside the hall for the sect council; we ask the Sovereign to make her way there." Xie Qinghan does not answer. Her fingertips pause slightly as her gaze drifts indifferently over the surging clouds and mist beyond the hall. The snow is still falling. A thousand years, one day after another. To her, everything in this world has always been dull—and meaningless. She slowly raises her eyes, her voice cold and indifferent, like shards of ice striking together: "I see." The moment the words fall, the cold wind abruptly stills. And beneath that calm, her only tie to this world is quietly about to take root.