The voice arrived silent as the snow, yet startlingly close! Such proximity heralded the arrival of someone immensely powerful.
Neither Blue Star nor Red Moon had detected the presence, a testament to the terrifying stealth of the newcomer...
Yun Xiao, however, possessed a heart as broad and calm as the ocean. He turned, with a serene detachment, to face the speaker.
In this stark world of ice, a woman stood behind him. She was an existence both breathtaking and suffocating.
She was breathtaking for her beauty was unparalleled and celestial; and suffocating, for her nobility, power, and coldness were immense.
No icy figure, be it Bing Shuiyue or Bing Xuanqing, could rival her coldness.
She seemed the embodiment of this icy realm—a solitary coldness, as if the whole world was encased in ice!
Yun Xiao felt a reverence, reminiscent of his first encounter with the Diva of the Snow Lineage.
Naturally, this woman appeared older than that girl with white hair and ruby pink eyes, her demeanor more enigmatic, her long blue hair cascading like icy waterfalls.
She bore a serpent's tail too! But this tail was of a pale blue, shimmering on the ice, its tip sharp as an icicle.
Beyond her serpentine form, she bore an even more unique trait. In between her brow, a vertical crystal-like eye was embedded in her forehead. It was like a gem, devoid of gaze but emitting an ancient, cold light.
Yun Xiao knew it to be an eye, for it scrutinized him intently!
In short, this woman was the embodiment of frost, beauty, allure, and cold elegance! She was like a towering ice sword of the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm!
Despite only being in the First Baptism Realm, Yun Xiao met her three-eyed gaze.
Aware of her strength, he dared not show weakness.
Crucially, the respectful way she greeted him opened avenues for maneuver.
"How did you discern that?" Yun Xiao asked with a smile, his tone casual as if speaking to a younger sister.
The ice-maiden with blue hair and eyes returned his gaze solemnly, a look of reverence in her eyes. "I was born with the Ice Spirit Eye, and saw the Boundless Light within your Corona."
"Ah, a fine eye indeed," Yun Xiao responded, hands clasped behind him, nodding slightly.
Truthfully speaking, he was like a lamb entering the tiger’s den.
Yet, he was certain that due to the Boundless Light, she had mistaken him for a Boundless Immortal.
In the Samsara Galaxy, the Boundless Light unequivocally marked a person as one!
There were no exceptions!
As for why Yun Xiao's power and Corona seemed so modest... He believed she had already concocted her own explanations.
His best strategy now was to keep quiet.
Indeed, his silence made the blue-haired beauty slightly anxious, and she asked softly, "May I ask, esteemed senior, if there is anything you require in our Extreme Yin Celestial Realm?"
Yun Xiao shook his head, smiling. "I am but a carefree wanderer, enjoying the sights. Little girl, do as you please."
The blue-haired beauty seemed a bit unsettled by his casual address. A trace of a smile forced itself upon her frosty face. Then, with a hint of nervousness, she asked, "Senior, is there something regarding the slaves of the Harmony Divine Palace you wish to correct? Please speak freely, and we shall heed your advice."
"Every being has its fate; none can replace the heavens in judging the mortal world. I am merely a carefree wanderer, lacking such refined tastes. But you are indeed born with charm... I wonder, could that serpent's tail perhaps transform into human legs?" Yun Xiao appraised her openly.
Despite her age likely surpassing that of Cao Shuo, his words flowed smoothly, almost fittingly.
Hearing this, the blue-haired beauty hastily replied, "In our Extreme Yin Celestial Realm, we do not concern ourselves with matters of gender; please, restrain yourself."
"Oh? Then that’s dull."
“Why are you grinning at me like that? Makes you seem like my father or some old uncle!” Feng Yao snorted.
“Exactly, I'm basically your parent at this point,” Yun Xiao teased.
“Pah!” Feng Yao, annoyed, didn’t want to talk any longer.
"Hand them over," Yun Xiao said, extending his hand.
"What?" Feng Yao asked.
"The celestial techniques you acquired. I'll learn them and teach you," Yun Xiao explained.
"No need, I can learn them myself!" Feng Yao retorted, then turned on her heel and sauntered into the Carefree Palace.
Watching her figure recede, coupled with the lingering fragrance in the air...
Yun Xiao couldn't help but smile knowingly.
"The piggy's becoming more diligent."
▬ι══????✧⚰️✧????══ι▬
That night, Yun Xiao spent time with the War Princess. She was nearby, pondering new archery skills and celestial techniques.
Yun Xiao, too, was digesting the myriad sword techniques he had gathered, attempting to integrate and refine them into a supreme killing sword that suited him perfectly.
"It would be best to fully harness the power of the Corona."
After the War Princess switched to using a bow and arrow, she found it very compatible with her Sanguine Spirit Dragon Corona.
After settling for the night, the two of them had both made substantial progress!
Soon, their second day in the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm dawned.
Early in the morning, Xue Yuening called from outside, "Yao Yao, it's time to set out."
Hearing the voice, Yun Xiao glanced aside only to see Feng Yao lounging lazily on a sofa crafted from snowflakes, her enticing curves reminiscent of a leopard-patterned python, tempting wild thoughts.
Yun Xiao was torn between laughter and tears. She claimed to be diligent, but that only lasted half the night. The other half, she spent lying down. Whether she accomplished any cultivation, he couldn't tell.
"Hey, there's a fire!!" Yun Xiao slapped her on the backside sharply.
"Huh, Whu-what!? Fire, where!?" Feng Yao jumped three feet into the air, like a python ascending to heaven.
WHOOSH! Yun Xiao hadn't expected such a reaction and had to catch her in a sweeping embrace.
This embrace was a full one.
Such a broad embrace was a first for them.
"What are you doing?" Feng Yao demanded, her eyebrows raised but her arms still wrapped around his neck.
"Waking you up to test your Corona talent," Yun Xiao said as he carried her outside.
She hesitated to leave his hold, but the thought of Xue Yuening waiting outside scared her into action.
"You're acting pretty daring for a slave. Aren't you afraid they'll find out and purify you of all desires?"
"No worries, my desires are endless," Yun Xiao replied.
"..." Feng Yao stared at him, speechless.