Yun Xiao did not wait for her to speak, but smiled and said, "In truth, this body of mine is merely a body double, inheriting only a fragment of the Boundless Light. But if we were to speak of combat prowess, I'm afraid I'm still not quite at your level. My journey to the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm is also to cultivate this avatar."
"Is that so..." the Ice Lineage Diva realized, enlightened.
Everything made sense now.
"Sharing this secret with me signifies the greatest trust," the Ice Lineage Diva said.
"Indeed, I am a carefree soul, not one to hide or hoard. Honesty benefits us both," Yun Xiao remarked.
"Such profound wisdom," the Ice Lineage Diva said with admiration.
The more open and transparent Yun Xiao was, the more profound he seemed in her eyes.
With even his body double possessing such miraculous abilities, one could only wonder how powerful his true self was.
"Yu Ji, since we are fated to meet, why not sit and chat awhile?" Yun Xiao suggested with a smile.
"Senior..." she began.
"Don't worry. Think of it as a meeting between fellow travelers on the same path, delighting in discourse, not dwelling on the affairs of immortality," Yun Xiao assured her.
Upon hearing this, the Ice Lineage Diva shyly smiled, "Your reverence is profound and vast, it is I who am too rigid."
With that, she returned to Yun Xiao's side, bent her knees slightly, and sat down, her smile once again gracing her face.
"Do we have any fine wine?" Yun Xiao inquired.
"Do you also enjoy wine?" the Ice Lineage Diva asked.
"It is one of the great pleasures of life," Yun Xiao paused, "but nothing too strong. This body of mine is too fragile to withstand it."
"Understood." The Ice Lineage Diva nodded with a smile, reaching into her Bag of Holding to produce a white jade gourd, saying, "This is brewed from the celestial fruits of the Harmony Divine Palace, mild yet refreshing, and does not overwhelm. Please, have a taste."
As she poured him a cup, Yun Xiao took it and drank in one gulp, his eyes lighting up, "Pure and natural, like a clear spring cleansing the soul. Truly a treasure of the immortal path, as pure and fervent as the hearts of the women from your realm—honorable and worthy of the highest respect."
His words were like the warm sunshine in winter to the inhabitants of the isolated Extreme Yin Celestial Realm.
In the eyes of the Ice Lineage Diva, Yun Xiao, whose strength was unknowable, seemed even more otherworldly. His drinking was all too dashing!
To say her heart remained unmoved would be false, yet her emotional defenses were too formidable to breach.
Yun Xiao, his smile mingling with the warmth of the wine, began to chat with her, "Given the state of my body double right now, even if you're not inclined towards joint cultivation, I still wish to collaborate with you."
"Collaborate?" The Ice Lineage Diva blinked in surprise, her lips parting slightly, "Is there still a way I might be of service?"
"Indeed, there is," Yun Xiao assured her.
The Ice Lineage Diva shook her head, her expression curious, "Since Si Ji has already given her heart to you, whatever I can do, she can do as well."
"That might not necessarily be the case," Yun Xiao said, sipping another cup of wine, his gaze slightly tipsy as he looked at her, "For instance, I would like to visit the Harmony Divine Sword Realm of your Ice Lineage." Ȑ
"The Harmony Divine Sword Realm?" The Ice Lineage Diva frowned slightly, troubled, "That is the ancient core of swordsmanship of the Harmony Divine Palace, inaccessible to anyone but Valkyrie Queen Sword Immortals. As an outsider, it is even more forbidden."
"Is that so?" Yun Xiao chuckled. "I recall that your Harmony Divine Palace was founded by two ancestors—the Harmony Founder and Divine Founder. I heard the Divine Founder was a Boundless Immortal highly skilled in both the Sword and Martial Dao.
"My true self is a Sword Cultivator as well, currently crafting a new sword art but hitting a bottleneck. If I could witness the mysteries behind your Divine Founder's sword techniques, perhaps a breakthrough might be within reach..."
The Ice Lineage Diva looked apologetic, "I understand your intentions, but the rules of the Harmony Divine Sword Realm were personally set by the Divine Founder herself. I'd love to ease your worries, but I dare not contravene her teachings. I am truly sorry."
"But what if my offer could make you a Boundless Immortal as well?" Yun Xiao suddenly proposed.
"Right, I’ll get even with her!" she declared playfully.
Seeing this, Blue Star couldn't help but marvel. Turning an ice-cold matriarch of a realm into a doted-on little girl was indeed a rare talent!
"Listen, you’ve come out ahead in this cooperation. So, don’t be stingy if I ask for a little help over the next few days," Yun Xiao stood, his face stern.
"Don’t worry, as long as it's not dual cultivation..." the Ice Lineage Diva muttered, feeling too embarrassed to continue.
Though her barriers were formidable, they could not hide her deep respect for Yun Xiao. It was a genuine reverence.
After all, who else could solve the dilemma of her Ice Specter Poison?
"Let's go."
With the departure for the Grand Assembly of Myriad Sects set for tomorrow, time was short. It was crucial for Yun Xiao to sneak into the Harmony Divine Sword Realm and learn what he could before then!
"Of course, I'll lead the way," the Ice Lineage Diva said, her demeanor unexpectedly lively and cheerful, a stark departure from her usual frosty goddess persona.
"Just a moment," Yun Xiao cautioned as they prepared to leave. "About everything we've discussed today, do not mention a word to Si Ji. Pretend as if you know nothing."
"Why is that?" the Ice Lineage Diva asked.
"Well," Yun Xiao hesitated, "I'm afraid she might get jealous. Frankly, I'm not well-versed in romantic affairs given my focus on cultivation. It would really trouble me if she were upset."
Hearing this, the Ice Lineage Diva didn't know whether to feel envious or contemptuous.
She nodded, assuring him, "Don't worry, I will keep everything confidential."
"Right, cough cough." Yun Xiao took a deep breath, satisfied that he had successfully bluffed his way through.
Logically, the Ice Lineage Diva was not foolish, but Yun Xiao had skillfully exploited her vulnerability with a well-acted display that completely deceived her.
"Next, securing resources from the Ice Lineage Diva will be even easier than from the Snow Lineage Diva."
After all, the Snow Lineage Diva didn’t consider him a Boundless Immortal!
Yun Xiao’s claim of being merely a body double was also a tactic to lay the groundwork for acquiring resources.
With the Prison Warden Sigil and the awe inspired by his true self, Yu Ji dared not oppose him!
"Harmony Divine Sword Realm, here I come." The young man in white and the beautiful blue-gowned Diva, side by side, rode the wind away.
... ▬ι══????✧⚰
Within the territory of the Sea Lineage, the Sea Diva Ruins...
"Mom, drink, drink!"
"Me too! Me too!!"
The Sea Lineage Diva, her long curly hair cascading dramatically, was surrounded by a bevy of toddling girls, her expression one of utter despair.
"No, something's not right..."
After mulling over it, she still felt something was amiss. She suddenly stood up, causing several girls to scatter away as they played outside.
"That slave must be up to something!"
Unable to contain her suspicion any longer, the Sea Lineage Diva hastily adjusted her clothes, wrapping herself carelessly, then burst forth like a mighty river from the Sea Diva Ruins.
"Mom!" several toddlers with milk stains on their mouths cried, tumbling into a heap.