Yu Huang picked up the Qingluan sword from the ground and cupped her fists. “This junior indeed acted thoughtlessly and has truly slighted all you seniors. On behalf of the Wan Hen Sect, Yu Huang apologizes to everyone. To express our apologies, Yu Huang has specially prepared several invitation letters, sincerely inviting all seniors to attend my master’s birthday banquet. At that time, Yu Huang will personally apologize.” After she finished speaking, Lin Wuxi, on behalf of Yu Huang, sent out several Wan Hen Sect invitation letters, which slowly floated towards everyone present.
The crowd, who had been slightly unwilling, all quieted down. Yu Huang’s actions served two purposes. First, she was emphasizing her status as a young leader of the Wan Hen Sect to those present, daring them not to act rashly. Second, she was showing goodwill to these powerful figures of the Snow Mountains. The Wan Hen Sect was relatively weak in the Tianshan Mountain Range; if they could win over these experts, it would be mutually beneficial.
With matters having reached this point, it could be considered concluded. Naturally, no one foolish enough would truly try to take anything from Yu Huang. Even if some wanted to take advantage of Yu Huang being alone and seemingly weak, they wouldn’t dare act recklessly, considering the Snow Spirit tribe.
Although the Snow Spirit tribe disliked conflict, if someone harmed their partners, the Snow Spirits would mostly not stand idly by. In these Tianshan Mountain Range, the Snow Spirit tribe was like a local power; no one would dare to ignore them in the Tianshan Mountain Range.
Lin Wuxi and Yu Huang smoothly followed the Snow Spirit to the mountain where the Snow Spirit tribe resided. Because what they were about to discuss was no small matter, this Snow Spirit guide directly took them to the Snow Spirit tribe’s main peak. After instructing a young Snow Spirit to show them around, the guide hurriedly went to report this matter to the tribe elders. This matter could concern the cooperation between their tribe and the Wan Hen Sect, so this Snow Spirit guide absolutely dared not neglect it.
Knowing they wouldn’t get an immediate answer, the two weren’t anxious either. Instead, they followed the Snow Spirit guide to tour this largest encampment of the Snow Spirit tribe.
Though called an encampment, its scale was comparable to a small city. Unlike the cultivation world, the buildings here were all constructed from ice and snow. Pure white ice and snow, supported by formations, were built into grand houses and palaces, complementing the snowy mountain scenery, creating a magnificent and beautiful sight.
Such buildings lacked some of the ethereal grace of the cultivation world but possessed more crystalline purity. Both had their own characteristics and were equally impressive.
The Snow Spirit guide led them to a pool halfway up the mountain. The pool was small, about five meters across, but strangely, in this land frozen for a thousand miles, the water in the pool was not frozen at all. Instead, it was emitting faint steam, which was truly interesting.
The Snow Spirit guide, with a proud voice, introduced to them: “This pool is named Wind Whisper Pool. It is one of the beautiful sights of our tribe. The pool water not only doesn’t freeze but also maintains a certain temperature in this icy and snowy land. It is extremely popular among our tribe.”
Lin Wuxi dipped her finger into the clear, crystal-like pool. A warmth inconsistent with the surrounding environment spread from her fingertip. Tiny ripples immediately spread across the surface, disturbing the reflection of the blue sky and snowy landscape in the pool.
“I’ve read about this pool in ancient texts. I never thought I’d have the chance to see such a masterpiece of nature’s craftsmanship. I, Wuxi, am truly honored.” Lin Wuxi had long heard of this spring gushing from underground and had always hoped to see it. However, such pools were extremely rare in the cultivation world. It was only now that Lin Wuxi had truly seen one.
Seeing that Lin Wuxi seemed to really like this pool, Yu Huang quietly leaned close to Lin Wuxi’s ear and said, “Seeing as this pool’s water isn’t cold, how about we bathe here tonight?”
“Ah!” Lin Wuxi was startled by this suggestion, then whispered back to Yu Huang, “That’s… not good, is it? They seem to value this Wind Whisper Pool a lot.”
Yu Huang also whispered back, “We just have to make sure we’re not discovered.”
“But…” Lin Wuxi was still hesitating but was already pulled along by Yu Huang to follow the guide in front, starting to tour another scenic spot.
With something on her mind, Lin Wuxi was dazed all day. Until the end of the day, when the guide led them to a small snow house to stay, Lin Wuxi still hadn’t snapped out of it.
Yu Huang, however, seemed very excited. As soon as they entered the house, she excitedly rummaged through her storage bag for a change of clothes to use for the bath later. Seeing that Yu Huang really intended to go bathe, Lin Wuxi asked awkwardly, “Senior Sister, you’re not really going to sneak off to bathe tonight, are you?”
“Why not?” Yu Huang said. “I observed it. That place is quite secluded. Almost no one goes back there except those specifically visiting the Wind Whisper Pool. Besides, Snow Spirits can’t see in the dark, so they naturally wouldn’t wander over there for no reason. When the time comes, we’ll just set up a confusing formation, and no one will discover us. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not worried about that…”
“Then what are you worried about? Hey, look at this. Isn’t it particularly suitable for tonight?” Yu Huang took out an exquisitely made garment and asked Lin Wuxi.
“That’s not right. Wait, I haven’t even said I’m going. Senior Sister, don’t be so eager yet.” Lin Wuxi hurriedly tried to stop her Senior Sister.
“Junior Sister Wuxi, are we really not going?” Yu Huang put down what was in her hands, her eyes glistening with tears as she looked at Lin Wuxi with a wronged expression.
Lin Wuxi: “…”
In the end, Lin Wuxi still couldn’t win against her Senior Sister. Now they were beside Wind Whisper Pond.
Wind Whisper Pond was indeed empty, just as Senior Sister had said. Not just Wind Whisper Pond, Lin Wuxi hadn’t seen a single Snow Clan member on the entire snowy mountain. It seemed the Snow Clan members didn’t wander around at night.
As soon as Senior Sister reached the pond’s edge, she urged Lin Wuxi to hurry up and get in, while she herself was wrapped up tightly, showing no sign of undressing.
“Senior Sister, why are you rushing me? Aren’t you getting in yourself?” Lin Wuxi said this, but she didn’t fuss much about it. She took off her thick outer robe and inner clothes, then got into the water.
Lin Wuxi immediately felt enveloped by warm steam, and the tension and fatigue from the past few days vanished. Just as she was about to call her Senior Sister to try it too, she heard a “plop.” Senior Sister, who knows when, had already undressed and jumped into the pond.
“Senior Sister, why were you so fast?”
“Nonsense. In this cold weather, did you expect me to wait until I froze into an icicle?” Yu Huang rolled her eyes and replied as if it were obvious.
“…” That seems reasonable too, Lin Wuxi had nothing more to say.
Although the snowy mountain was cold, they didn’t feel any chill in the hot spring. A gentle breeze caressed their hair, and under the moonlight, Lin Wuxi felt refreshed and content.
Starlight sprinkled down from the vast sky. Yu Huang, at some point, had swum to Lin Wuxi’s side and asked softly in her ear, “This scenery is truly breathtaking. Junior Sister, have you ever thought of bringing someone you love to enjoy this beautiful view together?”
“This…” Lin Wuxi was puzzled. “I don’t have anyone I love, so naturally, I’ve never thought about it.”
“Then, Junior Sister, have you ever wondered what kind of person your beloved might be?” Yu Huang didn’t give up and continued to ask.
Lin Wuxi smiled. “Senior Sister, why do you ask such things? Since I was young, I’ve been burdened by trivial matters, and later troubled by inner demons. How would I have time to consider these things? Actually, Senior Sister, for you to suddenly bring this up, could it be that you have someone you like?”
Yu Huang just looked at her with bright, sparkling eyes and answered, “Yes.”
“Oh?” This was truly beyond Lin Wuxi’s expectations. Someone like Senior Sister actually had someone she liked. “Could it be that Li Yu?”
That Li Yu was handsome and talented, which matched Senior Sister’s status as a heaven’s favored daughter.
Somehow, when it came to this, Lin Wuxi didn’t feel that happy in her heart.
Yu Huang stared into Lin Wuxi’s eyes and asked, “If I said yes, what then?”
Hearing Senior Sister actually admit it, Lin Wuxi, who should have been happy for her, suddenly felt a pang in her heart for some reason. She forced herself to look away and reluctantly replied, “In that case, I congratulate Senior Sister.” For some reason, the word “congratulations” almost didn’t make it past her lips.
Seeing Lin Wuxi’s somewhat dejected look, Yu Huang suddenly smiled, put her arm around Lin Wuxi’s shoulder, and whispered in her ear, “I was teasing you. I don’t actually like that Li Yu. The one I like is someone else.” Her warm breath tickled Lin Wuxi’s ear. Smelling the fragrance so close to her, Lin Wuxi felt her whole body stiffen.
“Why did you lie? Senior Sister, if you don’t want to say, you don’t have to.” Just thinking that Senior Sister had someone very important in her heart, someone more important than herself, Lin Wuxi couldn’t feel happy at all.
Realizing her own selfish thoughts, Lin Wuxi was startled. No matter what, I should be happy for Senior Sister. How could I have such dark thoughts? I’m really too much.
Lin Wuxi felt upset about the dark thoughts in her heart, feeling that if Senior Sister knew, she would definitely hate her. But she still couldn’t help asking, “What kind of person does Senior Sister like?”
Yu Huang smiled and looked at Lin Wuxi. Under the reflection of the countless stars in the sky, her dark eyes seemed to hold a bright light. She said, “Her cultivation might not be the highest, but she’s very impressive. In my eyes, many of the so-called favored children of heaven in the cultivation world can’t compare to her.”
“Senior Sister must be seeing her through rose-tinted glasses.” Lin Wuxi said, a little miffed.
“But sometimes she’s a bit silly, really dense.” Yu Huang stared into Lin Wuxi’s eyes and continued.
“Hmph, then Senior Sister shouldn’t like her anymore. Being silly is really annoying.” Lin Wuxi pouted.
“Alright, then Senior Sister won’t like her anymore. How about I like you instead?” Yu Huang leaned close before Lin Wuxi’s eyes, lifted Lin Wuxi’s chin, and asked with a smile.
Lin Wuxi felt her heart skip a beat. Senior Sister’s delicate features were magnified several times before her eyes. Her eyes, unblinking, stared right at her, as if trying to see into her heart.
“Senior Sister, you’re really joking.” Although her heart was pounding, Lin Wuxi knew this was, at best, just a joke. How could I take it seriously?
“Perhaps it is just a joke, then.” Yu Huang looked at Lin Wuxi and sighed. This girl, even now, still doesn’t know that women can also be in love with each other.
“Alright, let’s not talk about this. The night is so beautiful tonight. Junior Sister, would you mind taking a walk with me for a while?” Yu Huang changed the subject. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future to make her understand that women can also love each other.
“No, I don’t mind.” Lin Wuxi collected her thoughts, got changed with Yu Huang, and they left Wind Whisper Pond.
Although it was night, cultivators naturally had good eyesight. Coupled with the vast starlight, the surrounding scenery was clearly visible. Compared to daytime, it had an added touch of tranquility and mystery.
Snow covered everything around them. Except for Wind Whisper Pond, everything else was frozen solid. A gust of wind, like a knife mixed with biting cold, blew past. Yu Huang, wearing only a thin robe, shivered and shrank her neck. She then felt her hand being held by a warm, slender hand. As true energy flowed from that hand, Yu Huang felt her whole body warm up.
Turning her head, she saw Lin Wuxi looking at her with warm, smiling eyes. Lin Wuxi gently tapped her nose and said, “You wanted to look elegant, and now you know how cold it is, huh?” Although she said that, the flow of true energy from her hand didn’t stop at all.
Yu Huang silently leaned closer to Lin Wuxi. The little bit of grievance she felt towards that dense girl seemed to dissipate all at once.
