Shen Ningning's fingertips gently brushed the snow from the flower. The pure white, translucent Snow Lotus stood tall and proud amidst the wind, snow, and cold rain, its delicate form defiant.
Though battered by fierce winds, it remained standing at the peak of the frigid mountain.
Shen Ningning carefully dug out the flower and set it aside. Then, she began digging through the snow beneath it with her bare hands.
But years of accumulated frost had frozen the earth beneath the snow, making it as hard as rock.
At some point, Hei Diao landed beside her. Forgoing any mockery, it said, "I'll help you."
Shen Ningning moved to the side. With a single swipe of its sharp talons, Hei Diao tore into the ground. The hard, frozen earth fractured, and chunks of soil went CRUMBLING down.
"That's enough. I'll do the rest myself." She was worried its talons were too sharp and might damage what her mother had left behind.
