Chapter 1128: "Imprisonment"

In the Snow Phoenix Sacred Hall, snowflakes fell like a rainbow.

The news of Yun Che's return did not cause much stir within the Snow Phoenix Sect. After all, what people knew at the time was that the Ancient Horned Dragon had been successfully slain, Mu Xuanyin was injured and immediately went into seclusion upon her return, while Yun Che remained outside for training. The Snow Phoenix Sect members were only surprised by his early return, as it was common for direct disciples to train outside for ten or even eight years. As for what happened in the Burning God Sect's Fire Prison, no one else knew besides the three Burning God Sects, Mu Xuanyin, Mu Bingyun, and Mu Huanyi. They only knew the outcome: the Ancient Horned Dragon was killed and Mu Xuanyin was injured. However, the scene of Yun Che's single sword strike to overturn the Ancient Horned Dragon, exposing its fatal weakness and saving Mu Xuanyin, would certainly not be forgotten by anyone from the Burning God Sect who witnessed it.

Upon returning to the Snow Phoenix Sacred Hall, Yun Che felt as if a lifetime had passed, despite having only been away for half a year. From the moment he fled, he had never dared to hope he would return here alive. As the supreme sacred ground of the entire Snow Song Realm, only he and Mu Xuanyin could enter and exit freely; even Mu Bingyun rarely visited. Having committed such a grave error, he should have lost the right to step foot here again...

“Master... she really doesn't intend to kill me, does she?” Yun Che muttered, somewhat dazed. He knew very well what an unforgivable mistake he had made. An ordinary woman would never forgive it, let alone his Master, the Realm King who governed the Snow Song Realm...

“Are you so afraid of death?!”

As Yun Che felt melancholic, a chilling voice rang in his ears. Yun Che's body froze for a few breaths before he turned around. Not daring to look at the source of the voice, he bowed his head and knelt: “Disciple Yun Che greets Master.” Mu Xuanyin, in her Snow Phoenix long gown and snow-feathered shoulders, cast an icy, piercing gaze from her beautiful eyes: “Why aren't you running away this time?!”

“...” Yun Che moved his lips but remained speechless for a long time.

The world quieted for a moment, leaving only the sound of falling snow. Mu Xuanyin watched Yun Che quietly. In the past, whenever Yun Che bowed to her, he never did so with such humility. No matter the situation, even when facing her, he couldn't suppress his almost innate rebelliousness. But... others bowed to her in awe and trepidation because they feared her. As for Yun Che... Mu Xuanyin didn't sense fear, but rather deep guilt. Her gaze involuntarily shifted, no longer able to maintain its previous coldness. Fear is concern for oneself, while guilt is concern for the other.

“Enough.” The voice softened, and a faint sigh was heard: “Though you have committed a grave error, you first saved my life, which can be considered to balance your merits and demerits. Rise.”

“...” Yun Che was stunned for a moment, barely believing his ears. He dazedly stood up but kept his head bowed, as he had no idea how to face Mu Xuanyin after what had happened. After a long while, he heard no further sound. He finally raised his head slightly, only to see a beautiful silhouette bathed in the falling snow. Compared to Yun Che, perhaps Mu Xuanyin found it even more difficult to face him.

The world quieted once more, this time to the point where even the sound of falling snow was almost completely inaudible. Mu Xuanyin remained silent for a long time, and Yun Che, of course, dared not speak. In two lifetimes, he had never encountered such a rigid and helpless situation.

Finally, Mu Xuanyin slowly turned around, her icy eyes having regained their deep, cold calm: “Take out the Qilin Horn, the Horned Dragon Heart, and the Imperial Immortal Grass you just acquired.”

“Yes.” Yun Che quickly responded without asking why, taking out the Qilin Horn, the Horned Dragon Heart, and the Imperial Immortal Grass one by one. The Qilin Horn was massive and heavy, emitting a faint yet ancient and profound aura. The Horned Dragon Heart was still beating violently, each throb releasing intense heat. Within a few breaths of being taken out, large areas of the surrounding snowy landscape had significantly melted and collapsed. The Imperial Immortal Grass was encased in the purifying light of the Sky Poison Pearl, its aura completely contained.

Mu Xuanyin glanced at them, then said indifferently: “In that case, only the Nine-Star Bodhi Jade and the Wood Spirit Pearl remain.”

Yun Che didn't hesitate, quickly saying: “Master, actually, I have already obtained both the Nine-Star Bodhi Jade and the Wood Spirit Pearl.”

“?” Mu Xuanyin's icy brow subtly twitched.

After speaking, Yun Che also took out the Nine-Star Bodhi Jade and the Wood Spirit Pearl. As the Nine-Star Bodhi Jade and Wood Spirit Pearl appeared, their unusual glow and aura caused a noticeable change in Mu Xuanyin's gaze. Especially when her spiritual perception swept over the Wood Spirit Pearl, she exclaimed in surprise: “A perfect Wood Spirit Pearl? Where did you get it?”

“Reporting to Master, this Wood Spirit Pearl...” Thinking of the Wood Spirits who had died because of him, Yun Che's voice lowered slightly: “Your disciple purchased a young Wood Spirit from an underground merchant guild in the Black Soul Realm but couldn't bring himself to forcibly take its Wood Spirit Pearl. Instead, I returned it to its hidden dwelling place, and this Wood Spirit Pearl was gifted to me by an elder Wood Spirit there.”

“...” Mu Xuanyin was visibly startled.

“As for this Nine-Star Bodhi Jade, your disciple accidentally found it on the corpse of the Black Soul Realm King.”

“Corpse of the Black Soul Realm King... found?” Mu Xuanyin frowned again, evidently finding it even more incomprehensible.

“It does sound unbelievable, but your disciple dares not lie. Also, the Vanishing Sound Stone that I almost crushed in the secret realm earlier was also found on the Black Soul Realm King’s corpse along with the Nine-Star Bodhi Jade,” Yun Che stated truthfully.

“...So that’s it.” Mu Xuanyin now understood that the Nine-Star Bodhi Jade and Vanishing Sound Stone Yun Che had “found” were simply a trick orchestrated by Princess Caizhi behind the scenes. As for the Black Soul Realm King, even if she didn't kill him, she was certainly involved.

With a flick of her snowy sleeve, the Qilin Horn, Horned Dragon Heart, Imperial Immortal Grass, and the Bodhi Jade and Wood Spirit Pearl in Yun Che’s hand all vanished instantly, absorbed into Mu Xuanyin’s spatial storage, giving Yun Che no time to react.

“Acquiring a single Heaven’s Panacea Five Quintessence Pellet is typically as difficult as ascending to heaven, yet you managed to gather all ‘five quintessences’ in such a short time, which is no small feat.” Mu Xuanyin’s tone shifted slightly: “However, though your grave error can be offset, your subsequent betrayal of your Master and the sect by fleeing cannot be lightly forgiven! As for the Heaven’s Panacea Five Quintessence Pellet, you need not think about it anymore!”

“...” Yun Che opened his mouth, then lowered his head: “Yes.”

“There is less than two years until the Profound God Convention,” Mu Xuanyin continued. “Given your original cultivation progress, it would be absolutely impossible for you to reach the Divine Tribulation Realm before the convention through cultivation alone. However, since you have already obtained my Snow Phoenix Origin Yin and are now at the Divine Soul Realm, without relying on the Heaven’s Panacea Five Quintessence Pellet, but with my assistance, it might still be possible!” The words “Snow Phoenix Origin Yin” spoken by Mu Xuanyin sent a jolt through Yun Che. He sharply looked up, only to find Mu Xuanyin’s face completely calm and impassive, as if she had merely stated a trivial fact.

“You had just entered the Divine Way and had not yet fully comprehended the Divine Origin Realm before directly leaping to the Divine Soul Realm. How can the Divine Way be compared to the mortal path? While it drastically increased your profound energy, it also brought endless troubles. Moreover, the delay in your comprehension of the profound way will make your future progress a hundred times more difficult. If you were to forcefully supplement it with the Heaven’s Panacea Five Quintessence Pellet, though it might allow you to ascend rapidly, the severe consequences would far exceed your imagination... even if you possess the Heretic God’s Profound Veins!” Mu Xuanyin’s gaze swept over Yun Che: “Presumably, you have already noticed this.”

“Yes,” Yun Che replied obediently. After reaching the Divine Soul Realm overnight due to Mu Xuanyin’s Snow Phoenix Origin Yin, his profound energy had stagnated at Divine Soul Realm Level Two, making virtually no progress for a full half-year.

“From today onwards, you are not to leave this Sacred Hall by even half a step! You will spend two hours daily comprehending the Dao, two hours comprehending the mind, two hours on body refinement, and six hours on cultivation. I will teach you to re-comprehend the Divine Way and re-cultivate the Ice Phoenix Conferred God Tome. Apart from cultivation, you are not to see anyone else, go anywhere, or harbor any distracting thoughts or wild fantasies. Every word, every action, every movement, must comply with my will, without the slightest disobedience.” Her icy eyes were devoid of emotion, holding only an unyielding, cold authority and strictness that brooked no defiance or doubt: “This is the punishment you deserve, and also your only chance to enter the Eternal Heaven God Realm. You will obey, whether you wish to or not!”

While Mu Xuanyin had been quite strict with him before, she had never restricted his freedom. Now, her severe decree was akin to completely imprisoning him within the Snow Phoenix Sacred Hall and her will. Yun Che was stunned for a moment, then replied firmly: “Yes, disciple will strictly obey Master’s command.”

“That would be best!” Seemingly surprised that Yun Che agreed without any resistance, Mu Xuanyin silently glanced at him: “Go refine your body in the Netherfrost Heavenly Lake for three hours, then come to the Sacred Hall to find me!” As her voice faded, Mu Xuanyin rose into the air. As her figure turned, the direction of the falling snow throughout the entire Sacred Hall shifted with her.

“Master,” Yun Che suddenly spoke, his voice tinged with inquiry and concern: “Your injuries... have they healed completely?” Given Mu Xuanyin’s severe injuries and losses, coupled with the loss of her Origin Yin, even if her injuries healed, her profound energy would certainly be greatly diminished. Therefore, her aura should have been much weaker than before. Yet, the feeling Mu Xuanyin now gave Yun Che was even more ethereal and indistinct than before.

Mu Xuanyin halted, not turning back, and said faintly: “Within me lies the Snow Phoenix Divine Soul bestowed by my ancestors. I cultivated diligently for ten millennia to awaken merely three-tenths of its divine power... yet in this short half-year, seven-tenths suddenly awakened! Not only have my injuries completely healed, but my profound energy is also far greater than before. So, you need not worry excessively; just take care of yourself.” With her back to him, Yun Che did not see the incredibly complex look in Mu Xuanyin’s eyes as she spoke these words.

Yun Che’s face showed surprise, followed by delighted surprise: “It must be that Master’s desperate resolve at the time stimulated the awakening of the divine soul. Master must be blessed by heaven and earth to have turned misfortune into a blessing.”

“...” Not just her gaze, but Mu Xuanyin’s breathing also paused for several breaths. Then, with a soft hmph, she stepped onto the snow and floated into the air, her figure quickly vanishing into the falling snow. Meanwhile, a Vanishing Sound Stone fell from the sky, lightly landing beside Yun Che.

Learning that Mu Xuanyin was not only unharmed but her profound energy had even increased, Yun Che felt genuine joy in his heart. He let out a heavy sigh, plopped down onto the snow, picked up the Vanishing Sound Stone beside him, and felt incredibly lighthearted. Since his 'escape,' the two massive stones that had weighed on his heart had simultaneously fallen away and dissipated. Not only were his Master's body and cultivation unharmed, but she had also, so easily, forgiven him... There was no murderous intent towards him, and he could barely sense any anger. Compared to the overwhelming worry, guilt, and uncertainty he had experienced during this period... this outcome was like a dream, so wonderful that he could hardly believe it.

“Master actually forgave me, hehe...” Yun Che couldn't help but chuckle. He tilted his head back, grinning as he mumbled to himself: “If it were anyone else, with Master's temperament, they would have died ten thousand times over by now. It seems I underestimated myself. Indeed, a disciple as outstanding as me, no matter how big a mistake I make, Master would never truly bear to kill me.”