From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Zhou Yuan did not tell anyone else about his plan. He only told his second sister and master that he had a secret mission to carry out. It was not dangerous and would take a long time.

The matter in the Western Regions was basically over. Ye Qingying was very curious about what he was going to do. After asking him several times but getting no answer, she went out of spite.

Zhou Yuan finally set off. Two hours after seeing Guan Lu off, he headed south under the guidance of two guides from the Queenie family.

Tomur Peak is located in the south of Yining City. It is the highest peak in the Tianshan Mountains. It is known as the "Iron Mountain" and is a sacred mountain in the hearts of local people.

"It's a long way. We have two ways to go."

"One is to go southeast to Narat Grassland and Bayinbuluke, and then southwest. The journey is long, nearly two thousand miles. Even with the best and fastest horse, it will take at least four or five days to get there."

The guide of the Queenie family looked to the south and continued, "There is another option, which is to go directly south. It is extremely difficult and difficult along the way. It is more than half the distance, but it takes longer."

Zhou Yuan frowned and said, "Have you ever taken this road? Go directly south."

The guide said, "Yes, the caravans go there every year to collect herbs."

Zhou Yuan said, "Give me the map you drew, and I'll go by myself."

"Your Majesty... The terrain in the Western Regions is complicated. If we get lost, we won't be able to explain!"

Both guides were scared.

Zhou Yuan said, "I don't have that much time to waste here. It will be faster for me to go alone. Give me the map. This is an order."

The two guides couldn't persuade him, so they had to give him the map, and then they looked at Zhou Yuan stupidly as he suddenly took off. His figure flew out like an arrow, rising and falling to cross a distance of a hundred feet.

The two looked at each other, already full of shock.

It is indeed good to have internal strength that has reached the highest level. Zhou Yuan's Dantian is as vast as the sea, and every moment it surges with great power, allowing him to move forward easily.

I remember when I first crossed here, Zhou Yuan even imagined that he had the same martial arts as Qiao Feng and Xu Zhu, and he could travel the world with a sword in the future.

Now, through continuous dual cultivation, his strength has reached the level of the sweeping monk, and he can condense an invisible air wall.

Crossing mountains and ridges is nothing to him.

The map is not detailed, but the general direction is correct, and that's enough.

Because the place he wants to go is a snow-capped mountain that can be seen from a long distance.

He ran all the way regardless of the cold or heat, and occasionally stopped to rest and eat some dry food.

After running for three days and four nights, Zhou Yuan finally arrived at the foot of the mountain and saw the majestic sacred mountain.

It was right in front of him, but the top of the mountain pierced the sky. Bayan Luohan tried several times but failed to climb it, but Zhou Yuan felt that it was not that difficult.

Could it be that my current strength is stronger than Bayan Luohan?

Yes, Master said that my internal strength has reached the level before her breakthrough, which is indeed slightly stronger than Bayan Luohan.

Although not much stronger, but the advantage is youth!

Zhou Yuan was only in his twenties, while Bayan Luohan was an old man in his seventies at that time.

In his twenties, his energy, physical strength, and endurance were far higher than Bayan Luohan at the time.

"No matter what! Charge!"

"As long as there is a route, you can find the peerless snow lotus."

Zhou Yuan did not act rashly. He rested for three hours before really starting to climb the mountain.

He was immune to cold and heat, so he could travel light and move forward very quickly.

This peak with an altitude of more than 7,000 meters was much more terrifying than he had imagined. Zhou Yuan walked along the route for most of the day. When he looked up, it seemed that the top of the mountain was still at the top of the sky.

He did not hesitate and continued to move forward, but his breathing was already a little difficult.

Lack of oxygen? Don't make a fuss. How can I lack oxygen with my body?

But is there a possibility? Climbing quickly here, burning internal energy to resist the cold and provide physical energy, this huge consumption will cause lack of oxygen?

Zhou Yuan had no idea, but the physical discomfort was very mild, so he decided to continue moving forward.

After climbing for more than an hour, he was already panting and sweating all over.

The internal energy was consumed in large quantities, reaching an astonishing level. There was fog all around, accompanied by strong winds, which made his vision blurred.

The difficulty of Tieshan is not in its height and danger, but in the changeable weather and frequent clouds and fog.

Just as he was thinking about this, he felt like he heard something. He looked up subconsciously and was almost scared out of his wits.

The avalanche came suddenly, like rolling white waves, gathering into a mighty torrent, and it was approaching without knowing when.

The wind was too loud and the fog was too thick, so he didn't even notice it at the first time.

Without hesitation, he turned around and ran, going down the mountain faster, and there was no need to say more about escaping at this moment..

After running for half a quarter of an hour, he finally ran out of the avalanche area, and was so frightened that he felt cold all over.

Zhou Yuan found that his heart was beating very fast and his head was swollen and painful. It was obvious that the discomfort just now had worsened.

Is it true that the internal force is really useless here?

Avalanches, clouds, and sudden changes in the environment, no wonder Bayan Luohan couldn't get up.

This dead monk must have encountered an avalanche.

Slowly, you have to go up slowly.

Zhou Yuan sat on a huge rock, looking at the scenery around him, and was fascinated for a while.

Strong winds, scorching sun, huge rocks, the coldness of the ages, and the fission and compression of the earth for billions of years have created the snow-capped mountains here.

Standing here and looking around, it seems that all living beings in the world have become extremely small, and even time has become empty.

Time can kill humans, but it cannot destroy these majestic mountains.

They are like ancient giants, witnessing the rise and fall of dynasties from generation to generation.

People's emotions, whether they are trivial matters or grand plans, are fleeting jokes in their eyes.

"Those who climb high must be humble."

"This sentence does not mean that you will be humble in your heart, but tells you that to climb to a higher place, you must start from the lowest place."

A calm voice sounded, and a tall woman in a black coat walked out from behind the boulder and slowly approached Zhou Yuan.

She was in good condition, breathing steadily, as if nothing had happened.

She just continued, "You are too impatient. You don't really respect this mountain, so you can't climb up."

Zhou Yuan couldn't help but say with joy, "Xiao Zhuang! You finally showed up! Come and help me!"

Xiao Zhuang looked at him and couldn't help but smile. He shook his head and said, "I can't help you. Even I can't carry you up this mountain."

Zhou Yuan said, "No need to carry me. You can definitely climb up if you come with me and take care of each other."

Xiao Zhuang looked at him and said, "I can climb up with you, but you will be left behind soon."

"Your understanding of the Tao is too superficial. All your cultivation and inner strength come from the gifts of the advanced. You can't digest these things."

"This climb may be rewarding for you. At least you will gain patience."

After saying that, she strode up.

Zhou Yuan couldn't help but said, "Be careful, the avalanche is too exaggerated, it is not something that human power can bear."

Xiao Zhuang turned around and said, "Do you know why I have been making progress? Because I have a pure heart and a sincere way, I know how to conquer this mountain."

"And you thought it was very simple from the beginning, your heart despised it, and you didn't think deeply about these things."

"Zhou Yuan, you have been very successful in these years, but don't forget that your success is not easy, but is fought for step by step."

"The same is true for mountaineering. Don't think you can go up casually. This also requires planning."

After speaking, she went up, step by step, not fast, but very determined.