He never expected that such a crystal containing spiritual power was hidden in this seemingly ordinary dead tree.

Although it was only the size of a grain of rice, the spiritual energy within it was exceptionally pure, even purer than the spirit stones he had found before.

Place the crystal in your palm and observe it carefully.

The crystal was pure white, with a faint glow emanating from its surface. Qing Xuanzi gently enveloped the crystal with his spiritual power, attempting to further sense its spiritual energy.

"The spiritual energy of this crystal is so pure, could it be some kind of natural spiritual crystal?" he thought to himself. "If so, this is truly an unexpected gain."

Spirit crystals are extremely rare natural spiritual objects, usually formed under special conditions. They contain powerful spiritual energy and can be used to refine high-quality talismans. They can even greatly help cultivators improve their spiritual energy.

Qing Xuanzi decided to try absorbing the spiritual energy within the crystal.

He sat cross-legged, placed the crystal in his palm, closed his eyes, and began to circulate the spiritual energy within his body.

He gently touched the crystal with a wisp of spiritual energy, attempting to guide the spiritual energy within it.

Guided by his spiritual power, the spiritual power within the crystal began to flow slowly. Strands of pure spiritual power surged out of the crystal, flowing along Qing Xuanzi's meridians and slowly merging into his body.

Qing Xuanzi could clearly feel that this spiritual energy was purer than the spiritual energy he usually absorbed, and it could be directly absorbed by his body without any conversion.

His spiritual power seemed to become purer and stronger after absorbing the spiritual power within the crystal.

Qing Xuanzi was overjoyed, knowing that this crystal would be of great help to his cultivation.

However, just as he was about to continue absorbing, the spiritual energy within the crystal suddenly stopped flowing.

Qing Xuanzi opened his eyes and found that the crystal had become dull and lifeless, as if the spiritual energy within it had been completely absorbed.

He held the crystal in his palm and examined it closely. At this point, the crystal had lost its original luster and looked just like an ordinary stone.

Qing Xuanzi felt a little regretful, but he also knew that this was the limit of the crystal.

"Although this crystal is small, the spiritual power it contains is so strong. It is truly a rare treasure."

He put the crystal into his pocket, intending to study it carefully when he got back.

Qing Xuanzi looked at the remaining wood, picked up a piece, and crushed it little by little. Just as he had guessed, there were also crystals in the remaining dead wood.

Rong Jiaojiao was crying her eyes out. Qing Xuanzi didn't delay any longer and put all the remaining wooden stakes into his sleeve.

Only then did he return and carry Rong Jiaojiao out. Seeing her like this, Qing Xuanzi felt both guilty and heartbroken.

Carrying the trembling Rong Jiaojiao, they arrived at the tree stump, wanting to make sure there were no other dead branches they had missed. But to their surprise, as they got closer, the roots of the original stump suddenly vanished, leaving only a huge hole.

If Qing Xuanzi hadn't reacted quickly, he and Rong Jiaojiao would have fallen into the pit by now.

Looking at Rong Jiaojiao again, she still had teary eyes and an innocent look on her face.

Looking at the huge crater on the ground, Qing Xuanzi was both amused and exasperated. He figured there must be spirit crystals underneath, but it was too late to think about it now.

He tapped her little nose and said, "You, it would be good if you knew to inform your master when you were little."

Rong Jiaojiao was still angry, so she leaned on his shoulder and ignored him.

Qing Xuanzi chuckled and explained, "Master doesn't know the use of the first spirit crystal, so he can't give it to you. As for the rest, we'll split them equally after Master goes back and finds them all, okay?"

“If you don’t speak, your master will take it as your agreement. Without your master, you wouldn’t be here, so you’re not at a disadvantage, right?”

At this moment, Qing Xuanzi felt that he had cultivated his shamelessness to a high degree, making it thick enough.

After some self-reflection and a bit of bravado, Qing Xuanzi carried Rong Jiaojiao on their way. The air was filled with the faint fragrance of grass and trees and the scent of earth, and a gentle breeze brought a touch of coolness.

Qing Xuanzi took a deep breath, feeling the tranquility and beauty of nature, and his mood was also very good.

As they walked, Rong Jiaojiao fell asleep again without them noticing. Qing Xuanzi quickly prepared the milk powder and waited for her to eat when she woke up.

He didn't eat anything himself and continued on his way. After a while, Rong Jiaojiao still hadn't woken up.

And the familiar scene was happening to Rong Jiaojiao again; her body temperature was slowly rising.

Qing Xuanzi smiled, hugged her tightly, and continued walking forward.

But by evening, Rong Jiaojiao's temperature had not dropped and she was still fast asleep.

They were still halfway to the ice market, so Qing Xuanzi found a high spot, pitched his tent, and rested for the night.

He laid out the crib, placed her in it, and then laid out a cushion and sat down beside her to watch over her.

As the night passed, Rong Jiaojiao's temperature still hadn't come down. Qing Xuanzi checked her pulse countless times before he was finally relieved to find nothing wrong.

But he still said, "If I had known you would sleep for so long, I would have dug up the tree roots too."

"Hey, when are you going to stop sleeping?"

He patted his little apprentice's head: "It shouldn't be too badly burned, right? I wouldn't dare give you medicine if I didn't know your condition. Tell me, isn't this worrying?"

Another hour passed, and Rong Jiaojiao still hadn't woken up. She smacked her lips, and Qing Xuanzi picked her up and let her lean against him. He then put the bottle of milk that had been prepared earlier to her lips, and the little girl gulped it down in no time.

Not full yet, she opened her little mouth and made little noises, searching for the bottle.

Qing Xuanzi quickly made her another bottle, which she gulped down in no time.

However, this time she didn't look for the bottle after finishing her drink, so Qing Xuanzi didn't dare let her lie down immediately. Instead, he let her fall asleep on his shoulder and patted her back intermittently.

Seeing that she didn't seem likely to wake up anytime soon, Qing Xuanzi packed up his things, carried her, and continued on his journey.

Sure enough, the little guy slept until noon before his temperature gradually came down, and he didn't wake up until mid-afternoon.

Upon waking, she patted her stomach and said, "Father Xi, seven~~"

Qing Xuanzi could tell from her rosy complexion and energetic appearance that she was alright.

Qing Xuanzi took out the meat porridge he had cooked before leaving the house, heated it up, and fed her a large bowl.

In the evening, they finally arrived at the ice city.

This city is like a dazzling pearl set in the north, exuding a unique charm.

The streets are lined with Russian-style buildings, with domed churches, carved balconies, and rustic wooden doors and windows, each telling a story of the vicissitudes of time and the weight of history.

Qing Xuanzi led Rong Jiaojiao through the streets and alleys with practiced ease, and they arrived at a guesthouse.

The signboard of this guesthouse has faded a bit, but the words on it are still clearly legible: "Peace Hostel".

A dim yellow lamp hung by the door, its light swaying slightly in the cold wind, making it seem especially warm.

He knocked on the door, and a middle-aged woman wearing a thick cotton coat and an apron opened the door and poked her head out.