Chapter 1024: Ice Wind Kingdom Lord

"...Lan Lan!?" As Mu Xiaolan cried out, the people on the profound ark were also looking at them. The couple leading the group were filled with pleasant surprise. They both flew up from the profound ark simultaneously, arriving in front of Mu Xiaolan and her two companions. The ice ark stopped as well.

This couple was none other than Mu Xiaolan's parents: Situ Xiong ying, the current head of the renowned Situ family and lord of an independent domain in the eastern part of the Ice Wind Empire, and Madam Situ.

"Lan Lan, is it really you?" Madam Situ eagerly stepped forward, grasping Mu Xiaolan's small hands, still almost unable to believe it due to her excitement.

"Lan Lan, why are you here?" Situ Xiong ying's face was usually composed, but even he couldn't hide his profound excitement.

"I came with Senior Brother Han Yi. Master specifically sent me to reunite with you, Father and Mother." As she spoke, her eyes welled up. Having grown up cherished by her parents, she hadn't seen them for several years since entering the Ice Phoenix Sect.

"Senior Brother Han Yi?" That name made Situ Xiong ying's gaze suddenly shift, his previously calm expression changing dramatically. "Could it be that this is...?"

"Oh! Let me introduce him to you, Father and Mother. This is Senior Brother Mu Han Yi. You must have heard his name before."

"Mu Han Yi?" Sure enough, as soon as Mu Xiaolan finished speaking, the eyes of Situ Xiong ying and his wife instantly fell upon Mu Han Yi. Their gaze was filled with admiration, excitement, and surprise. Situ Xiong ying quickly stepped forward, sighing, "So you are the legendary Prince Mu Han Yi. Rumor has it that Your Highness is not only exceptionally handsome and graceful but also possesses unparalleled talent. Seeing you today, you surpass your reputation. At such a young age, your profound energy has already reached the mid-stage of the Divine Tribulation Realm—it's truly incredible."

"It is our great fortune to meet Your Highness in person today."

As an elder, Situ Xiong ying's every word conveyed deep appreciation and awe for Mu Han Yi. Madam Situ also nodded repeatedly, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him. Not only was he a prince of the Ice Wind Empire, but he was also renowned throughout the Snow Song Realm, widely recognized as its foremost talent.

"Senior Brother Han Yi has taken great care of me in the sect and helped me out of several difficult situations. It's also thanks to him that I'm able to come to the Ice Wind Empire and reunite with you, Father and Mother," Mu Xiaolan said.

Hearing this, the Situ couple's gratitude increased manifold, along with their pleasant surprise. Situ Xiong ying cupped his hands and said, "Prince Han Yi, I, Situ Xiong ying, am endlessly grateful for your care of my daughter. It is truly my daughter's immense fortune to be so close to someone of Your Highness's stature."

"Indeed," Madam Situ said with a smile and a nod. "My daughter is truly blessed to receive Your Highness's care. Our family's reunion this time is also thanks to Your Highness. We truly don't know how to express our gratitude."

Mu Han Yi humbly replied, "Uncle and Aunt, please don't mention it. As a senior brother, it is my duty to look after my junior brothers and sisters... especially when it's such a small matter."

Situ Xiong ying shook his head, sighing again, "Your background, appearance, talent, and achievements are all impeccable and unparalleled. And yet, you are so humble and courteous, completely without arrogance. It's no wonder everyone praises you. It's unlikely we'll ever see another person like Your Highness in this lifetime."

"Lan Lan, you haven't introduced this person yet?" Madam Situ prompted, her gaze gesturing towards Yun Che.

Mu Xiaolan stood next to Yun Che and happily announced, "This is Junior Brother Yun Che..."

"Yun?" As soon as Mu Xiaolan uttered Yun Che's name, Situ Xiong ying's brows twitched. "That surname is quite rare; it seems to exist only in the Great Azure Snow Region. Could it be...?"

Yun Che stepped forward and politely said, "Greetings, Uncle and Aunt. My name is Yun Che. I am not from the Snow Song Realm but from a lower realm."

"A lower realm?" Situ Xiong ying nodded slightly, his expression indifferent. "I see."

"Although Junior Brother Yun Che is from a lower realm and has only been in the sect for less than four months, he's incredibly powerful. He is..."

Mu Xiaolan was interrupted by Situ Xiong ying, who said, "It's too cold on the ice ark. We wouldn't want my Lan Lan to get frozen. Let's talk inside the profound ark... Prince Han Yi, if you don't mind its simplicity, perhaps we could move there together?"

Mu Han Yi replied courteously, "Then Han Yi will humbly obey."

Situ Xiong ying had sincerely invited Mu Han Yi but showed no intention of even acknowledging Yun Che. He didn't even spare him another glance after Mu Xiaolan's introduction.

His profound energy aura was only at the first level of the Divine Origin Realm, he had not been granted the "Mu" surname, and Mu Xiaolan referred to him as a junior brother... In Situ Xiong ying's eyes, all of this indicated that Yun Che's status in the Ice Phoenix Sect was far inferior to Mu Xiaolan's, and his origin from a lower realm made him even more insignificant.

"Oh, great! I've missed our family's profound ark so much!" Mu Xiaolan, completely unaware of the underlying dynamics due to her excitement at reuniting with her parents, bounced onto the profound ark. Yun Che pinched the bridge of his nose and quietly followed behind.

Although the profound ark was not large, its interior was quite luxurious. The servants and guards attending them also exuded powerful auras, clearly indicating the Situ family's substantial strength, or they wouldn't have been invited to the Ice Wind Emperor's millennium birthday celebration.

Once inside their own profound ark, Mu Xiaolan became exceptionally joyful, as if she were back home. She naturally pulled on Yun Che's sleeve, smiling as she said, "Although the sect's ice ark is powerful, our family's profound ark is the most comfortable. When I was little, Father and Mother always used this profound ark to take me on trips. Yun Che, have you ever ridden a profound ark like this in your lower realm?"

"The profound arks in my world aren't quite as fast, but other than that, they're pretty similar," Yun Che replied casually.

Situ Xiong ying, who had been speaking with Mu Han Yi, glanced over and immediately saw Mu Xiaolan pulling on Yun Che's sleeve and smiling brightly. His face instantly darkened. He quickly walked over, placed a hand on Yun Che's shoulder, and said, "Young man, I believe your name is... Yun Che, right? Come, let's have a word in private."

"Huh? Father, what are you going to talk to him about?" Mu Xiaolan asked, surprised.

"...Just a small matter I need to inquire about; you don't need to worry."

With that casual dismissal, Situ Xiong ying half-forcibly pulled Yun Che aside.

"How may I help you, Uncle?" Seeing Situ Xiong ying's expression, Yun Che could roughly guess what he was about to say.

When he was alone with Yun Che, Situ Xiong ying's face instantly turned grim. "You just mentioned you've been in the Ice Phoenix Sect for less than four months? Yet, you seem quite familiar with my Lan Lan. It appears she must have taken care of you quite a bit, didn't she?"

"...Yes, Senior Sister Xiaolan has indeed taken great care of me," Yun Che replied politely, giving a courtesy nod.

"Hmph!" Situ Xiong ying suddenly let out a heavy snort, his thick eyebrows furrowing deeply. "Lan Lan is innocent and kind-hearted, but she is my only daughter, Situ Xiong ying's, and the sole disciple of Ice Cloud Fairy. Her background is not something you can compare to, and her future is far beyond your reach. Do not harbor any ridiculous improper thoughts!"

"..." Yun Che slowly exhaled and said, "Uncle, have you perhaps misunderstood something?"

"Misunderstanding?" Situ Xiong ying scoffed. "Hmph, I'm ten times your age. Do you think you can hide your intentions from my eyes?! You're a young man who just entered the sect recently, with low profound energy, and from a lower realm, yet you followed Lan Lan here. What other possibility is there besides persistent pestering?"

"You'd best abandon any inappropriate notions you might have now. Lan Lan is someone you can never be worthy of. Otherwise... don't say I didn't warn you!"

Situ Xiong ying glared fiercely at Yun Che, then turned and walked away.

Yun Che stood there, speechless for a long time.

What made Situ Xiong ying so agitated and quick to warn Yun Che was not Yun Che's words or actions, but Mu Xiaolan's natural gesture of pulling on his sleeve... Such unconscious intimacy was clearly the most dangerous sign.

Mu Xiaolan and Madam Situ, mother and daughter, had many things to say after their long separation. Situ Xiong ying, meanwhile, was almost fawning over Mu Han Yi. Yun Che was left to the side. As the profound ark traveled, it flew into the Ice Wind Imperial City area, rapidly approaching the central Imperial Palace.

"Yun Che, what did my father just talk to you about? You looked so mysterious," Mu Xiaolan secretly transmitted to him.

"Oh, your father said he wants to marry you off to me," Yun Che replied listlessly.

"You... even as the Sect Master's personal disciple, you're still talking nonsense like that! I'm not going to bother with you, hmph!"

After a short while, Mu Xiaolan transmitted another message: "Huh? I think I forgot to introduce your identity to Father and Mother, even though it's such an important thing..."

"You'd better not," Yun Che's voice was even weaker. "I'm afraid your father has a weak heart."

Mu Xiaolan: "???"

Amidst the whistling wind, the profound ark arrived above the Imperial Palace. With a glance, hundreds of people could be seen waiting outside the main gate, clustered around a figure dressed in silver robes and wearing a golden crown... It was none other than the current Ice Wind Emperor, Feng Huituo!

Situ Xiong ying was surprised for a moment, then understood, and said with a smile to Mu Han Yi, "The Emperor must be longing for his son. Hearing of Your Highness's return, he has personally come out to welcome you."

Mu Han Yi smiled but remained silent. He knew very well that his Imperial Father had come out personally because he had sent a message ahead, informing him that he was bringing two distinguished guests from the Ice Phoenix Sect with him.

The profound ark landed, and the Situ couple stepped out, bowing together: "Situ Xiong ying pays his respects to the Ice Wind Emperor, wishing His Majesty boundless longevity and the Ice Wind Empire prosperity."

Although Situ Xiong ying was the lord of an independent domain, he was still somewhat subordinate to the Ice Wind Empire, being on its border, hence the partial bow.

"So it's Domain Lord Situ. Please rise, please rise," Feng Huituo personally stepped forward and helped them up.

"Ice Wind Emperor," Situ Xiong ying said, rising to his feet and smiling, "Look who's here."

He stepped aside, and at that moment, Mu Han Yi, Mu Xiaolan, and Yun Che also descended from the profound ark.

"Yi'er!" Upon seeing Mu Han Yi, Feng Huituo exclaimed with delight.

"Imperial Brother!" Behind Feng Huituo, a young man also dressed in silver robes and exuding nobility exclaimed in surprise. This was none other than the Crown Prince of the Ice Wind Empire, Mu Han Yi's older brother, Feng Hange.

Mu Han Yi quickly stepped forward and knelt heavily, "Your son pays his respects to Imperial Father and Imperial Brother! It has been a long time since Han Yi was able to greet Imperial Father and Imperial Brother; your son is ashamed."

"It's good you're back, it's good you're back," Feng Huituo reached out and slowly helped him up, looking him up and down. Despite being an emperor, his eyes were slightly moist.

Mu Han Yi, however, lowered his head and said with shame, "For many years, your son has not returned to the sect, dedicating himself to cultivation, only hoping to have the fortune to become a personal disciple of the Realm King, thereby bringing glory to Imperial Father and our nation. But... your son is useless; I failed to achieve my wish, and I am truly ashamed to face Imperial Father."

"Ah, don't say that," Feng Huituo gently shook his head. "Even if my son wasn't fortunate enough to become a personal disciple of the Realm King, you still surpass millions of men in the Snow Song Realm." His gaze then shifted behind Mu Han Yi, to Mu Xiaolan and Yun Che, who were also wearing the snow-white robes of the Ice Phoenix Sect. "These two... are they the distinguished Ice Phoenix guests who accompanied you?"

Mu Han Yi quickly composed himself, "Indeed, it is these two."

Without waiting for Mu Han Yi to introduce them, Yun Che proactively stepped forward: "Ice Phoenix disciple Yun Che pays his respects to the Ice Wind Emperor."

"Ah..." Mu Xiaolan was a little slow to react, but then quickly added, "Ice Phoenix disciple Mu Xiaolan pays her respects to the Ice Wind Emperor."

His divine sense swept over their auras, and Feng Huituo's heart sank in disappointment. They were indeed from the Ice Phoenix Sect, but how could they be considered distinguished guests? Their status and position were clearly far inferior to Mu Han Yi's. Had he known this, he would not have personally greeted them with such anticipation and apprehension.

He did not outwardly show his disappointment but smiled slightly, "Since you are from the Ice Phoenix Sect, then you are esteemed guests of my Ice Wind Empire. Domain Lord Situ, if I am not mistaken, this Mu Xiaolan is your beloved daughter, isn't she?"

Situ Xiong ying laughed heartily, "Indeed. As expected of the Ice Wind Emperor, your insight is truly sharp."

"To be granted the 'Mu' surname at such a young age, her future is truly limitless," Feng Huituo chuckled. "Domain Lord Situ, you have raised a wonderful daughter. Please, come in, come in."

Under the personal guidance of Feng Huituo and Feng Hange, the group quickly entered the main hall.

As Mu Han Yi had traveled for an extra day, their arrival was slightly past the start time of the birthday celebration. The main hall was already filled with guests, and naturally, those invited to attend were all prominent figures renowned in the Snow Song Realm.