"HAHAHA!" Yao Jing''sughter echoed through the snowy silence, filling the cold, empty expanse with a warmth that melted away the frosty tension between master and disciple.


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    Zhao Tian could only shake his head in exasperation, his cheeks still tingling from the bitter cold of the snow she''d pressed onto his face.


    Despite his mock frustration, he couldn''t help but smile, feeling lighter than he had in a long time.


    As they walked forward, Yao Jing''sughter gradually softened into chuckles.


    She nced at him out of the corner of her eye, a mischievous glint still lingering there. "I didn''t know you were so sensitive to a little cold," she teased, yfully nudging his arm.


    Zhao Tian shot her a look, feigning offense. "I''ll remember that, Master. Next time you ask for my help with anything, I''ll remind you of this day."


    She rolled her eyes, still grinning. "Oh, don''t be such a baby! You could use a bit of toughening up, especially if you''re going to help me gather rare herbs in ces like this. Besides," she added, smirking, "you need me to guide you, remember?"


    he gave her a sidelong nce. "So you keep saying. But I think I''m doing just fine on my own here. In fact…" His voice trailed off as he bent down, scooping up a handful of snow, a devious smirk ying on his lips.


    Yao Jing''s eyes widened as she took a step back,ughing nervously. "Tian… don''t you dare."


    But before she could react, heunched the snowball at her, hitting her square on the shoulder.


    The powdery snow exploded across her ck robe, the cold seeping through the thin fabric. She gasped, both in surprise and amusement, as the chill hit her skin.


    "Oh, you''re in for it now, Tian!" she eximed, her voice filled with yful vengeance as she scooped up her own handful of snow.


    Sheunched it back at him, and it hit his chest with a satisfying st, sending flecks of snow scattering across his shoulders.


    *st* They continued like this, hurling snow at each other, theirughter ringing out across the destendscape.


    For a moment, they were just two people, lost in the fun and exhration of a friendly snow fight.


    Yao Jing''s cheeks flushed a rosy pink from the cold and exertion, and her hair fell loose, stray strands framing her face in soft waves.


    She looked more carefree than Zhao Tian had ever seen her... less like the stoic master and more like someone who enjoyed every moment of life.


    Breathless, they finally paused, both of them covered in snow, their breathsing in visible puffs.


    Yao Jing ced her hands on her hips, trying to catch her breath, a satisfied grin on her face.


    "Not bad… for a so-called alchemist," Zhao Tian teased, chuckling as he brushed the snow from his shoulders.


    Yao Jing feigned indignation, crossing her arms. "And not bad for a cheeky disciple who thinks he can outmatch his master."


    "Hahaha.. let''s go."


    They resumed walking, side by side, the lightheartedness lingering in the air between them.


    The earlier chill seemed to have dissipated entirely, reced by a shared warmth that even the icy surroundings couldn''t extinguish.


    As they continued walking, the sun slowly began to dip to the horizon and Yao Jing spoke "We have been walking for a long time, let''s ce a tent and rest for the night."


    "This is one of the drawbacks in searching for a rare herb, we can''t just fly around and spot them.. we need to search everywhere."


    "Guess it will take atleast 2 months to get that herb."


    Hearing this, Zhao Tian''s gaze condensed... 2 months is not much in a cultivator''s eyes, as they live for thousands of years.


    And he is not in a hurry except for Li Jia''s state and that crazy woman Velnorah.


    As they continued their walk, their footsteps left shallow trails in the snow, and soon, they came across two thick trees leaning against each other, their branches intertwining to create a natural archway.


    It was an ideal spot, sheltered from the biting wind and perfect for setting up camp.


    Yao Jing nodded her head "Hmm, this will be good."


    As she waved her hand, a gust of astral energy swept, clearing a wide patch of snow and revealing the earthy soil beneath


    She quickly took a already built tent and ced it on the floor "Take you tent too, Tian. We can rest here."


    Zhao Tian blinked his eyes and seeing his clueless face, her brows arched, as she ced her hands on her hips. "Don''t tell me… you didn''t bring a tent?"


    He gave her a dry smile, shrugging. "Well, you didn''t exactly tell me to bring one."


    Yao Jing shook her head in exasperation "It is a basic knowledge to bring stuff like that when going to pick up a herb in the forest, how can you forget that. Were you nning to sleep on the ground?"


    Zhao Tian just shrugged and a sigh escaped her lips, "Well, you can use my tent,e with me..."


    She pulled the zip open on the entrance and the two of them entered the tent.


    The tent was surprisingly roomy, with enough space for them both to stretch outfortably and the fabric was thick, insting them from the cold.


    Taking antern like device from her storage ring, she ced it on the side and turned it on.


    Zhao Tian was amused by the device as the heat spread through the tent giving a perfect warmth for them.


    "You are well prepared."


    Yao Jing hit his shoulder yfully "Of course, I oftene to the forest to get herbs."


    After setting up the inside, Yao Jing headed back outside and knelt down, retrieving a bundle of wooden branches from her storage ring.


    She arranged them into a small pile and ignited them with a flick of her fingers.


    The fire zed warmly, casting flickering shadows on the surrounding trees.


    And in the next instant, she took a barbecue from her storage ring and ced it on the side "Muhehehe, we can eat good."


    Zhao Tianughed, watching her pull a tray of frozen meat from her storage ring and ce it on the grill with practiced ease.


    She was more prepared than he could have imagined—it felt like she''d turned their search for rare herbs into a full-blown camping trip.


    As she ced the cuts of meat one by one on the barbecue, the sound of sizzling filled the air, and the aroma of cooking meat wafted around them, mingling with the scent of pine and snow.


    "Come here, Tian."


    --------------------------------------------------------


    I hope you guys liked this chapter!


    Fuck these exams