Chapter 1014: Ice Phoenix Divine Blood

Before today, if Mu Feixue were designated as Yun Che's dual cultivation partner, Mu Huanzhi might have felt a slight reservation. But having personally witnessed Yun Che's performance today, his only feeling now was ecstasy!

What was Yun Che's status now? The Sect Master's personal disciple! He was the most distinguished young man in the entire Snow Song Realm. The talent he displayed today was evident to all; in terms of ice laws alone, it was highly probable he had already surpassed Mu Xuanyin in her prime. As long as his life or talent wasn't cut short, his future as the next Realm King of the Snow Song Realm was practically a certainty.

If his granddaughter Mu Feixue could marry Yun Che, it would truly be like a divine blessing.

If Yun Che were to become the Snow Song Realm King in the future—and the first male Realm King in the history of the Snow Song Realm—then wouldn't Mu Feixue become the Realm King's consort!

Although losing her primordial yin too early would cause irreversible hindrance to Mu Feixue's future cultivation—what was called a dual cultivation partner was, in essence, merely a cauldron that only benefited the male—Mu Huanzhi wouldn't even consider that. Yun Che's status and future alone left absolutely no room for hesitation... let alone refusal.

"Feixue, quickly thank the Sect Master," Mu Huanzhi urged, his voice barely concealing his joy.

Meanwhile, the elders, palace masters, and hall masters with unmarried female descendants all showed expressions of envy and jealousy. *Damn it, they thought, why didn't such good fortune fall upon my granddaughter!*

But thinking of Mu Feixue's talent, bloodline, and beauty, they could only envy her helplessly.

Mu Feixue glided through the snow and knelt beside Mu Huanzhi.

"Feixue, do you have any objections to this matter?" Mu Xuanyin asked with dignity.

"Everything is for the Sect Master to decide," Mu Feixue replied. Her words were as cold as ever, devoid of sorrow or joy, without a ripple of emotion.

She did not look at Yun Che once from beginning to end.

"Very good, then this matter is settled," Mu Xuanyin said, nodding with satisfaction. "Huanzhi, you will inform Feixue's parents about this. As for the date, we will discuss it later, but naturally, the sooner, the better."

"Yes, Huanzhi will begin preparations tomorrow," Mu Huanzhi said, nodding repeatedly.

Yun Che stood there like a wooden dummy, looking utterly bewildered. *What the heck? What the heck is going on? What's a dual cultivation partner? Does the Ice Phoenix Sect even have such a concept? And... this is such a huge matter concerning me, why hasn't anyone asked for my opinion!?*

I'm not even familiar with Mu Feixue; I haven't even spoken a word to her!

Yun Che looked as if he wanted to speak but couldn't, a look of hesitation on his face, but Mu Xuanyin had no intention of asking for his opinion. At this moment, she slowly stood up, her icy gaze sweeping across the entire hall. "Now that the discipleship ceremony is complete and all matters to be discussed have been settled, if there is nothing else, you may all withdraw."

At Mu Xuanyin's command, after bowing in unison, everyone began to disperse quickly and in an orderly fashion.

The Ice Phoenix God Hall disciples were among the last to leave. Many disciples walked to Mu Hanyi's side, seemingly comforting him with words. After all, it was common knowledge throughout the sect that Mu Hanyi was infatuated with Mu Feixue. They had always believed the two were a match made in heaven, a golden boy and jade girl, and even Mu Huanzhi had never shown any objection.

But now, she had been bestowed upon Yun Che by the Sect Master... and to serve as a cauldron for enhancing bloodline and profound strength.

In the past, he had the most dazzling halo in the entire sect. Today, however, because of Yun Che, he appeared dull and colorless. Even those who were previously indignant that he hadn't become a personal disciple no longer believed he could compare to Yun Che.

Under Mu Xuanyin's personal command, Mu Hanyi's hopes for Mu Feixue had completely become a fool's dream.

If Yun Che had not come to the Snow Song Realm, then Mu Hanyi would naturally have become the Sect Master's personal disciple during the Heavenly Pool Battle. And Mu Feixue would also very likely have been bestowed upon Mu Hanyi by the Sect Master, just as she was today. At that time, his life would have reached the perfection he had always dreamed of.

But Yun Che's appearance had completely shattered all of it. Everything that should have belonged to him had fallen into Yun Che's hands... and he had merely become a sorrowful backdrop.

No one could truly empathize with Mu Hanyi's state of mind at this moment.

Perhaps, this was the cruelty of fate. He possessed incredibly high innate talent, noble status, and perfect temperament and appearance, yet he worked ten times harder than ordinary people. But his more than two decades of effort couldn't compare to Yun Che, who had only arrived three months ago and hadn't even found his footing.

Soon, everyone had dispersed. The vast sacred hall plaza was left with only Mu Xuanyin and Yun Che, who had just become the Sect Master's disciple on this first day.

Alone with Mu Xuanyin, Yun Che stood rooted to the spot, not daring to take a single step or utter a single word. Of course, he hadn't forgotten the matter of him teasing the "big-chested senior sister."

*Sigh, I just hope I won't "die" too miserably.*

The world became silent, with only the falling snow dancing in the cold wind. Mu Xuanyin stood silently amidst the wind and snow for a long time, seemingly deep in thought. Yun Che occasionally stole glances at her profile, naturally not daring to speak first. When he first arrived in the Snow Song Realm, he never imagined that one day he would be alone with such a terrifying figure.

"As expected of the Ancient Evil God's inheritance, the Elemental Creation God truly lives up to his name, capable of reaching such a level," Mu Xuanyin suddenly spoke, her voice as cold and indifferent as ever. "Huo Poyun's talent was unexpectedly extraordinary; for a few moments, even I thought you were sure to lose."

Since Mu Xuanyin had spoken, and with a hint of praise, Yun Che secretly breathed a sigh of relief and finally dared to speak, directly asking the question in his heart: "Master, your disciple wishes to ask... did you deliberately lure Huo Rulie into proposing a contest between disciples?"

"..." Mu Xuanyin slowly turned around at this moment. Her incredibly beautiful face, as if condensed from all the ice and snow of the entire Snow Song Realm, instantly made Yun Che hold his breath. Following that, the extreme icy dignity, as intense as her beauty, made him involuntarily lower his head, not daring to meet her gaze.

"What do you think of Huo Rulie?" Mu Xuanyin asked in return.

Yun Che thought for a moment and said, "Your disciple feels that Sect Master Huo seems a bit quick-tempered and irritable, which should have some relation to his Golden Crow bloodline. Furthermore, it's clear that he is indeed an upright and steadfast person whose word is his bond."

"Quick-tempered and irritable? Hmph," Mu Xuanyin lightly snorted. "Huo Rulie's status as the Golden Crow Sect Master is no less than that of a realm king in the Flame God Realm. If he were truly a reckless and foolish person, how could he have become the Golden Crow Sect Master?"

Yun Che fell silent.

"Huo Rulie may appear quick-tempered and reckless, but in reality, he is extremely shrewd and very difficult to anger. However, he has a major character flaw: once truly enraged, he easily loses control of his emotions and acts impulsively, to the point where even Yan Wancang and Yan Juehai find it difficult to stop him. While it's extremely difficult for others to provoke him, it's child's play for me to enrage him!"

Yun Che slightly raised his head. "So, Master, you deliberately provoked Sect Master Huo?"

Mu Xuanyin did not answer, but instead coldly asked in return: "I ask you again, the three Sect Masters of the Flame God Realm came here personally, and while it was to show sincerity, it was also a risk. Since it was a risk, why did they bring three young disciples with them?"

Yun Che opened his mouth, but did not reply.

"It might seem that Yan Wancang and Yan Juehai both brought their juniors, and Huo Rulie also couldn't come alone, so he brought his personal disciple. But in reality, it was precisely the opposite," Mu Xuanyin said, her beautiful eyes like cold pools in the Heavenly Lake, reflecting the world's coldest yet purest light. "It was clearly Huo Rulie who insisted on bringing his personal disciple along. Yan Wancang and Yan Juehai, left with no choice, had to bring their own juniors as well; otherwise, the provocative intent would have been too obvious."

"Provocation?" Yun Che now understood something.

"The matter of me accepting you as a personal disciple seven days ago, although not publicly announced, the Flame God Realm has many informants in the Ice Phoenix Realm; it's perfectly normal for them to know. They must have also known about the healing of the Ice Cloud poison long ago. Huo Rulie has held a grudge against me for gravely injuring his son. After learning about this, his anger and hatred must have intensified tenfold. Upon learning that I had gained a personal disciple, how could he resist bringing his exceptionally talented personal disciple to diminish my prestige!"

"...Master seems to know Sect Master Huo exceptionally well," Yun Che said.

"Hmph, the way he looked at me when he arrived, and Huo Poyun's clearly abnormal bloodline aura, I knew his objective at a glance," Mu Xuanyin said coldly. "It's just a pity that he's still far from capable of playing mind games with me!"

Yun Che inwardly shivered, his scalp tingling.

Huo Rulie was first easily provoked into a rage by Mu Xuanyin, then injured by her palm strike. Under the combination of rage and injury, Huo Rulie completely lost his rationality, transforming from the Golden Crow Sect Master into an uncontrollable brute. Everything that followed could simply be described as natural and logical.

The dignified Golden Crow Sect Master was led by the nose throughout, and played with like a little mouse... He increasingly felt that being by her side would definitely be an incredibly terrifying experience.

"Master, your disciple wishes to ask, was your calculation... uh, no, was your guidance of Sect Master Huo meant to obtain the Golden Crow Burning World Record?"

Mu Xuanyin actually demanded the Golden Crow Burning World Record from Huo Rulie, something impossible to cultivate. Everyone was astonished, and Yun Che was no exception.

Mu Xuanyin said indifferently, "Demanding the Golden Crow Burning World Record from Huo Rulie was merely a last-minute change of my mind."

Yun Che was utterly confused.

Mu Xuanyin flipped her palm, and a jade slip radiating crimson-gold light appeared, which she tossed directly to Yun Che.

Yun Che instinctively reached out and caught it. He recognized it at a glance: it was clearly the jade slip Huo Rulie had just given Mu Xuanyin, the one inscribed with the complete Golden Crow Burning World Record!

"This Golden Crow Burning World Record is inscribed with a soul imprint," Mu Xuanyin said coldly. "It can only be read once, after which it will disappear. To what extent you can cultivate and comprehend it will depend on yourself!"

"..." Yun Che held the crimson-gold jade slip, stunned for a long while, before dazedly saying, "You did this for me to get..."

"Sit down!" Mu Xuanyin said coldly.

Yun Che put away the crimson-gold jade slip and sat down as instructed, his expression complex.

Mu Xuanyin moved, carrying an extremely cold wind, and came to stand just a step before Yun Che.

"Close your eyes, steady your soul, guard your heart, and allow no distracting thoughts."

"Yes," Yun Che replied.

As Yun Che's eyes closed, his aura gradually stabilized. In the end, the falling snow settled on his outer garment and did not disperse for a long time.

Mu Xuanyin extended a finger. A bead of blood, shimmering with icy-blue light, condensed at her fingertip, and she pointed it directly at Yun Che's glabella.

Yun Che's body trembled slightly. A pure wave of cold energy spread out between heaven and earth. As blue light flickered, the strangely colored blood bead slowly merged into Yun Che's glabella. Immediately after, a dream-like icy-blue radiance began to float on Yun Che's body surface.

Ice Phoenix Divine Blood!

And it was the purest ancestral source blood!

Mu Xuanyin withdrew her finger, and cold light condensed in her palm as she was about to place it back on Yun Che's glabella. But the moment it touched, her palm and expression simultaneously paused. Then she slowly withdrew her hand, silently watching Yun Che, who had directly begun self-refining and clearly did not need her power to assist him at all.

These past few days, Yun Che had been wondering about becoming her disciple, whether it was right or wrong, a blessing or a curse.

And Mu Xuanyin, towards him, also harbored the same thoughts.