At dawn, the dark canopy of the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm stretched across the icy sea of the Harmony Divine Palace. Looking out, the icy spires and snowy mists above the cold sea presented a sight of breathtaking beauty.
Yet, despite the splendor, Yun Xiao knew he had to leave this place as soon as possible. It was for no other reason than the fact that the person he cared about lay ahead!
Before setting out, Yun Xiao had a chance encounter with Feng Yao at the Snow Diva Ruins!
"Where have you been? I couldn’t find you all night!" Feng Yao stared him down, her face stern, her presence overwhelming, suspicion written all over her face.
"I was immersed in cultivation," Yun Xiao explained.
"I don’t buy it. You’re a master of managing time; who knows how many women you flirted with in one night." Feng Yao’s piercing gaze tried to press the truth out of him.
"If you’re keen on misunderstanding and belittling me, then I suppose I don't need to care about your opinion," Yun Xiao replied indifferently.
"Getting defensive?" Feng Yao pursed her lips, holding back a laugh, and hummed, "Stop pretending. I understand you more and more."
"So tell me, what kind of person am I?" Yun Xiao asked, amused.
Feng Yao sized him up and scoffed, "Greedy, wrathful, foolish, and... lustful! A man who only cares about his whims!"
Yun Xiao looked at her, speechless.
"And you claim to be a carefree Immortal?" Feng Yao seemed to have touched a nerve, she crossed her arms and laughed mockingly, her expression scornful.
"If you know I’m such a lawless scoundrel, why are you so pleased to be my little mistress?" Yun Xiao countered.
Feng Yao faltered, her lips twitching as she retorted, "Who’s your little mistress!"
"You’re just stubborn."
Feng indeed understood Yun Xiao, but did he not understand her just as well?
In a way, they were very much alike; both possessed a pure true nature and enjoyed overpowering others and showing off. The difference was her naivete, while Yun Xiao was more unrestrained.
"Speaking of, how did last night go?" Yun Xiao cut to the chase, uninterested in further bickering.
At this point, she faltered a bit and then spoke lightly, "It went okay, I guess. Broke through three stages, got a Calamity Source, and entered the Third Baptism Realm."
"The effects of the Harmony Divine Pool are quite impressive then," Yun Xiao remarked. Even he wasn't that fast!
"Of course, the inner pool is made up of the blood of Seven-Hearted Beasts or greater!" Feng Yao explained.
"Speaking of which, absorbing all this Divine Spring Blood won’t get you pregnant, will it?" Yun Xiao asked, somewhat concerned.
"Get real. Divine Spring Blood and Divine Spring Water aren’t the same thing!" Feng Yao said exasperatedly.
"That's good then."
"Wanna know? Call me daddy." Yun Xiao smirked.
"Get lost! More like you're my son!" Feng Yao huffed.
"Then, should I start calling you mommy?" Yun Xiao joked.
"Get out, get out, you scoundrel!" Feng Yao blushed furiously, appalled that such words could even be spoken.
She glanced nervously at the Snow Lineage Diva, thankful that she was too preoccupied to overhear their private whispers.
Soon, they arrived at the Valley of Nymphs.
At this moment, the valley was teeming with various Valkyrie Queens, Valkyrie Princesses, and Valkyries, along with many Samsara and Taiji Disciples gathered in the distance.
Their faces solemn and reverent, they were there to send off the warriors of the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm.
This departure drew an even larger crowd than the previous selections.
By the time Yun Xiao and the others arrived, Wan Ji, Yu Ji, and the seven participating daughters of the Sea Lineage Diva were already there.
Upon the Snow Lineage Diva's arrival, all who were departing had assembled.
The Sea Lineage Diva, suspended high above, faced the gathered Valkyrie Queens and Valkyrie Princesses. She loudly declared, "There's been a slight change to our plans. The three of us Divas will lead nine combatants. The rest, originally scheduled to travel, will stay behind in the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm."
This decision seemed to have been discussed with the others beforehand. So, the announcement didn't cause much of a stir.
Yun Xiao looked around and observed the higher ranks of the Harmony Divine Palace. Their heavy expressions, some tinged with sorrow and grief, created a rather oppressive atmosphere.
Clearly, the decree of the Heavenly Deity Alliance had already spread among the upper echelons.
They all knew what the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm was up against...
This Grand Assembly of Myriad Sects was more like a desperate fight for the future of the entire realm by its youth.
Among the core members, only Feng Yao was left out of the loop. Her expression was odd as she whispered to Yun Xiao, "What's going on? Why does everyone seem so unhappy?"
Yun Xiao explained succinctly about the business of the Heavenly Deity Alliance, "In short, our neighbors in the Heavenly Deity Stellar River are disregarding ancient pacts and stirring trouble."
"That's bad. Once pacts are broken, they tend to be broken thoroughly." Feng Yao bit her lip.
"Indeed. The Extreme Yin Celestial Realm is considered eccentric, out of the mainstream. So, they'd be targeted sooner or later," Yun Xiao said.
"The top ten, huh?" Feng Yao, who might have felt pressured alone, now felt reassured hearing that Yun Xiao was involved. "Too bad for them. They can scheme all they want, but they never anticipated encountering a monstrous slave like you..."
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