Chapter 1023: Directly to the Ice Wind

Snow fell gently in the Ice Phoenix City Realm.

As Yun Che emerged from the Sacred Hall area, he saw a figure waiting in the distance. The person's aura was completely concealed, silent and still, with a thick layer of snow blanketing their form, clearly indicating a long wait.

Upon seeing Yun Che, the figure quickly approached through the falling snow, a smile on his face. He respectfully bowed to Yun Che and said, "Senior Brother Yun Che, we meet again so soon."

“Senior Brother Han Yi, I apologize for keeping you waiting,” Yun Che replied, returning the bow.

Mu Han Yi shook his head, a wry smile on his face. "Calling me 'Senior Brother' is truly too much for Han Yi. Please, Senior Brother Yun Che, do not do so, or I shall be utterly overwhelmed with trepidation."

“Hahaha,” Yun Che chuckled easily. "Very well then. For this journey to the Ice Wind Empire, I will rely heavily on you, Junior Brother Han Yi."

Mu Han Yi quickly shook his head. "Senior Brother Yun Che, what are you saying? Your personal presence at my imperial father's millennium birthday celebration is an unprecedented and immense surprise and honor for my father, for me, and for the entire Ice Wind Empire. The Sect Master's kindness in this regard fills me with such awe that I truly cannot repay it."

“Unprecedented?” Yun Che’s eyebrows subtly lifted. "Has something like this never occurred before?"

“Senior Brother Yun Che has only been in the Snow Song Realm for a short time; otherwise, you would surely not ask such a question,” Mu Han Yi sighed. “Though I have always been proud of my lineage in the Ice Wind Imperial Family, a mere national ruler’s birthday does not qualify for the personal attendance of the Sect Master’s direct disciple.”

“I haven't even had time to inform my imperial father about this yet. I imagine he'll be so thrilled and overjoyed he won't believe it,” Mu Han Yi said sincerely. “And if the various nations and sects of the Snow Song Realm come to know of it, they will surely be consumed with envy, haha.”

“...I see,” Yun Che slowly nodded. The status of a Realm King’s direct disciple was indeed extraordinary. In just a few months, he had risen from a newcomer to the Snow Song Realm to a position far surpassing the rulers of various nations. This was likely the most astonishing status elevation in the history of the Snow Song Realm.

“You mentioned you haven't had time to inform your imperial father yet, which means you've only just learned of this yourself?” Yun Che suddenly inquired.

“Precisely,” Mu Han Yi nodded. “I was supposed to depart yesterday, but just as I was leaving, I suddenly received a personal order from the Sect Master. So, I waited until now, and I never anticipated such a tremendous surprise.”

Yun Che smiled. "To be honest, I only just received my Master's command myself. It seems Master has always held a special regard for Junior Brother Han Yi."

Mu Han Yi looked up, his expression unreadable, yet his voice clearly trembled with excitement. "Therefore, I don't even know how to repay this kindness. Senior Brother Yun Che might not be aware, but the Sect Master’s benevolence is not only a personal gift to me but will also profoundly elevate the Ice Wind Empire’s standing within the Snow Song Realm."

Yun Che: "..."

“Oh! Look at me, I was so engrossed in my excitement that I almost forgot something important,” Mu Han Yi exclaimed. He then produced a dazzling sound transmission jade. "I must inform my imperial father of this immediately, so he can make early preparations."

“Wait,” Yun Che extended a hand. “It would be better not to inform your imperial father of this in advance. After all, I am attending on behalf of my Master. If there are excessive preparations, it might overshadow the host, which would not be ideal.”

Mu Han Yi paused in slight surprise, then put down the sound transmission jade. He said sincerely, "Senior Brother Yun Che's talent is not only astonishing, but his magnanimity is also truly admirable. Since you say so, I shall respectfully comply and await the opportunity to give my imperial father a tremendous surprise."

Yun Che smiled. "When it comes to magnanimity, I am far inferior to you."

Mu Han Yi's smile faltered slightly, and he let out a soft sigh. "Senior Brother Yun Che, I am not a person of boundless tolerance. To be frank, I envy... no, I should say I'm jealous of you. In fact, I even harbored resentment for several days."

Yun Che: "..."

Mu Han Yi shook his head with a bitter smile. "Senior Brother Yun Che might have heard that throughout my years in the sect, the two things I most desired were to become the Sect Master's direct disciple and to win the affection of Junior Sister Fei Xue. Yet, the outcome was..."

“That day at the Underworld Ice Heavenly Pond, I knew I had been utterly defeated by Senior Brother Yun Che, and there was no injustice in it. Yet, I still harbored resentment and felt gloomy for several days. Then, half a month ago, the Sect Master betrothed Junior Sister Fei Xue to Senior Brother Yun Che...” Mu Han Yi closed his eyes. Although he appeared quite composed, his tone and gaze clearly revealed that he had not fully come to terms with it.

Mu Han Yi did not continue, instead offering a bitter smile. "These words must surely amuse Senior Brother Yun Che."

“No,” Yun Che replied. “When the two most important aspirations in one’s life are claimed by another, even a legendary true saint would likely find it hard to easily let go. That you are willing to confide this so frankly, I can only feel gratitude and admiration.”

Mu Han Yi still shook his head. "Although Senior Brother Yun Che's profound strength is still low, his talent far surpasses mine. It is only right that the Sect Master chose him as a direct disciple. Junior Sister Fei Xue is a celestial being descended to the mortal realm; in the Snow Song Realm, only Senior Brother Yun Che is worthy of her. My feelings for her were, from beginning to end, nothing more than self-delusion. I have always known this, in truth... but my mind has remained depressed and restless during this period. Now that I have spoken these thoughts in front of Senior Brother Yun Che, I finally feel much more at ease."

“Senior Brother Yun Che,” Mu Han Yi said, facing Yun Che with an incredibly sincere gaze. “I have one brazen request.”

“...Speak.”

“After an Ice Phoenix woman loses her primordial yin, her cultivation progress will slow significantly. Given that Senior Brother Yun Che already possesses exceptionally high talent,” Mu Han Yi took a slight breath, “your cultivation will one day undoubtedly surpass Junior Sister Fei Xue’s. I only hope... Senior Brother Yun Che can always treat Junior Sister Fei Xue kindly.”

The fact that Mu Feixue had been rejected by Yun Che was not public. Additionally, Mu Feixue had rarely appeared in the Sacred Hall recently. Therefore, apart from a limited few, everyone in the sect had come to believe that Mu Feixue was serving Yun Che in the Sacred Hall—after all, it was a personal order issued by the Sect Master at the sect assembly.

“...” Yun Che nodded. "Rest assured, I would never allow any woman of mine to suffer injustice.”

As Yun Che finished speaking, he turned and gazed into the vast, white distance, a peculiar gleam flashing in the depths of his eyes.

This person...

“In that case, I can finally be at peace and have no regrets,” Mu Han Yi sighed.

“By the way, Master mentioned someone else would be joining us,” Yun Che said. “Junior Brother Han Yi, do you know who it is?”

Mu Han Yi shook his head. "I don't know, but...”

He turned and glanced behind him. Soon, from the vast white expanse of the sky, an ice boat sliced through the snow, carrying two ice-blue female figures.

They were, remarkably, Mu Bingyun and Mu Xiaolan.

With a flash of cold light, the ice boat halted directly before them.

After many days, Mu Bingyun was as captivating as ever, like an immortal descending to the mortal realm, her flawless, cool beauty inspiring pure reverence. Behind her, Mu Xiaolan, dressed in blue, had an expression of clear excitement on her delicate face.

“Palace Master, the person accompanying us to the Ice Wind Empire... could it be you?” Yun Che asked, his face filled with surprise.

“That’s right, it’s me!” Mu Xiaolan stepped forward, a triumphant smile on her face. When she turned to Mu Han Yi, her demeanor instantly became much more respectful. "Senior Brother Han Yi, please take good care of me."

“Yun Che, Han Yi,” Mu Bingyun said, “Xiaolan’s parents will surely be present at the Ice Wind King’s millennium birthday celebration. As it coincides with this event, I allowed Xiaolan to accompany you to reunite with them. Throughout the journey, you must ensure her safety.”

“Yes, I, Han Yi, guarantee with my life that Junior Sister Xiaolan will arrive and return safely. Please rest assured, Palace Master Bingyun,” Mu Han Yi stated respectfully and solemnly.

“Yes,” Yun Che replied, inwardly groaning. *I’m going to the Ice Wind Empire for something important! I still have no idea how to acquire that national sacred artifact, and now they’ve sent me another big burden...*

“Yun Che, what’s it like being the Sect Master’s direct disciple?” Mu Xiaolan asked, her face full of curiosity. “Is the Sect Master... very strict?”

“Of course, she’s strict,” Yun Che sighed languidly. “Palace Master Bingyun is still the gentlest.”

He said this aloud, but inwardly, his heart was turbulent. Mu Xuanyin had obtained the Golden Crow Burning World Record for him from Huo Rulie, and she wanted a complete Dragon God’s Heart, also for his sake. Reflecting on it now, she was willing to sacrifice the primordial yin of numerous Ice Phoenix women to rapidly increase his profound strength—a monumental cost unprecedented in the sect’s history. For something as defying as the Five-Spirit Nirvana Pill, even if the materials could truly be gathered, it would undeniably come at an astronomical price... yet Mu Xuanyin had not hesitated in the slightest.

Why is she so good to me?

Is it really just because I became her direct disciple and saved Mu Bingyun's life?

“Oh! You can’t say that!” Mu Xiaolan exclaimed, startled. “If the Sect Master hears you, you’ll be in terrible trouble.”

“Yes, yes, yes, I’ll diligently follow Senior Sister Xiaolan’s teachings,” Yun Che said weakly, his mind constantly preoccupied with how to introduce the matter of the Kirin Horn once they arrived at the Ice Wind Empire.

“Hmph, even if you become the Sect Master’s direct disciple, you should still listen to your Senior Sister,” Mu Xiaolan said, her lips curling slightly. “If you truly remember Master’s kindness, then visit Ice Phoenix Palace often. Don’t just pay lip service.”

“Yes, yes, yes,” Yun Che nodded mechanically.

Mu Han Yi watched them, his face full of surprise, evidently astonished by their addresses to each other. He then remarked with emotion, "Senior Brother Yun Che is truly a charming person.”

“Hmph,” Mu Xiaolan scoffed softly and retorted, “That’s because Senior Brother Han Yi doesn’t know his wicked side... Hmph, he’s a bad person, in short. Fortunately, Senior Brother Han Yi is a man. If he were a girl, you’d have to be extra careful.”

“Hahahahaha,” Mu Han Yi laughed heartily, then his gaze became distant. “Men should naturally be charming; otherwise, wouldn't they live their lives in vain? However, now that Senior Brother Yun Che has Junior Sister Feixue, I'm afraid no other woman will catch his eye.”

“Hmph, he must be absolutely ecstatic,” Mu Xiaolan muttered almost inaudibly, unconsciously lowering her head.

The ice boat sailed against the wind, swift as a streak of light. As they listened to Mu Han Yi recount the history and customs of the Ice Wind Empire, time passed quickly.

In less than a day, the ice boat finally entered the Ice Wind national territory and swiftly approached the central imperial city.

At this point, Mu Han Yi took out his sound transmission jade and directly messaged the Ice Wind King: “Imperial Father, your son is near the imperial city and will arrive in a moment, accompanied by two distinguished guests from the sect.”

For the King’s millennium birthday, the Ice Wind Imperial City was exceptionally bustling today. Countless guests had traveled thousands of miles, transforming the entire imperial city’s atmosphere.

As Mu Han Yi put down the sound transmission jade, a small profound boat quickly approached from the side, drawing nearer and nearer, its trajectory aimed directly at the heart of the imperial city.

Mu Xiaolan looked up, and as she clearly saw the two figures standing at the very front of the small profound boat, her beautiful eyes widened. She then let out a trembling cry of delighted excitement: “Father! Mother!”