Chapter 423: I will teach Brother Yun, okay?

He merely touched her shoulder, and through her phoenix robes at that. And it was his own son! Yet, he mercilessly broke his son's wrist and confined him for half a year...

The Phoenix Emperor's protection of his daughter was simply astonishing! Compared to that, what I've done over the past few days would be enough to warrant being dismembered eight hundred times over!

Growing up under such extreme protection, Feng Xue'er was pure to the core, not just in spirit but also in body. The purer something is, the more it tends to awaken a man's deep-seated desire to defile and possess it—especially for someone like Yun Che, who never suppressed his true feelings.

Yun Che didn't withdraw his pinky finger. Instead, he looked into her star-like eyes and said with a smile, "Xue'er, your Imperial Father truly cherishes you. He doesn't want others to touch you because he's afraid you might get hurt."

"Yes, I know. Imperial Father is the person who cares about me most in this world," Feng Xue'er replied with a faint smile.

"However, with people you like and are close to, physical touch is perfectly fine. In fact, it can bring you closer and make you like each other even more. Xue'er, do you think I'm someone who would harm you, or someone you like?" Yun Che asked with a pure and earnest expression.

Feng Xue'er answered without hesitation, "Big Brother Yun is so kind, of course, I like Big Brother Yun. I'm truly happy when I'm with you, and you even helped me fulfill dreams I've had for many years."

"Mm-hm." Yun Che smiled and extended his pinky finger towards Feng Xue'er. "Then let's make a pinky promise."

"Ah... but... but..." Feng Xue'er remained hesitant and timid.

"Don't worry, it's just the two of us here. Your Imperial Father won't see, won't know, and therefore won't get angry. Besides, Xue'er is already sixteen this year, and sixteen is the age when you've grown up. Your Imperial Father can't protect you your whole life, so you need to start learning to grow. First and foremost, you must learn to make decisions based on your own feelings and judgment, following your heart instead of always obeying others' words."

Given the protection Feng Xue'er had received, no one had ever spoken such words to her. The impact of Yun Che's words on her pure, unsullied mind was immense. She had grown accustomed to her sixteen-year-long way of life, but the desire to break free from one's established self-world and constraints is also a deep-seated human instinct. These unprecedented words made Feng Xue'er feel as if she had touched another world, one she had never known. She listened to her own heartbeat, repeating Yun Che's words in her mind again and again... *follow your heart, make the decisions you want...*

Finally, Feng Xue'er made what was arguably the biggest decision of her life. Imitating Yun Che, she slowly extended her slender, fair pinky finger, gently reaching towards his... Her movements were slow, filled with nervousness, bewilderment, helplessness... and a faint sense of anticipation.

At last, her pinky finger voluntarily touched Yun Che's. Instantly, she jolted as if shocked, withdrawing her hand. But Yun Che didn't give her the chance. His fingers moved quickly forward, gently yet firmly clasping her pinky... Immediately, an incredibly soft and smooth sensation came over him, as if touching the purest, most flawless warm jade in the world.

"Ah..." Feng Xue'er let out a soft gasp, her entire body stiffening. Her pinky subconsciously tried to pull away, but Yun Che held it firmly. In her nervousness, her pinky entwined tightly with his, and she remained completely still, not even daring to open her eyes.

"With our pinkies linked, we can never go back on our word. After you turn twenty, we'll go together to the Ice Cloud Snow Region in the Azure Cloud Nation to see a thousand miles of falling snow," Yun Che said earnestly, lifting his wrist and gently moving Feng Xue'er's small hand. Even after his words faded, he still didn't release her finger. His voice largely dispelled Feng Xue'er's nervousness and helplessness, allowing her expression to finally relax a little.

Inside the Sky Poison Pearl, Jasmine watched Yun Che holding Feng Xue'er's pinky with cold eyes, her delicate and wicked little face filled with disdain. "Hmph, there he goes again. No matter where this detestable fellow goes, as soon as he encounters a somewhat attractive woman, he immediately reveals his true nature as a pervert and a beast. He'll never change!"

"Xue'er, how do you feel now? Are you sad, or is it hard to accept?" Yun Che quietly leaned in and asked, seeing that while Feng Xue'er had regained her calm, her eyes were still tightly closed.

"Oh... it's a very strange feeling," Feng Xue'er replied softly, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

"Strange?"

"It's... an indescribable feeling, but not unpleasant, and certainly not sad... Hmm... I've never had such a strange feeling before... And my heart is suddenly beating so fast... Big Brother Yun, can you tell me what this feeling is?"

"I can't tell you that; you have to feel and understand it for yourself, Xue'er," Yun Che said with a smile. His expression at that moment was exactly like a big bad wolf quietly captivating a little white rabbit. After a slight hesitation, he suddenly enveloped her entire hand... Feng Xue'er's hand was so small that Yun Che's palm completely enclosed it.

"Ah..." Feng Xue'er let out a soft gasp, but this time, her reaction wasn't as intense as before. Even her struggle lasted only for that initial, subconscious moment.

"And how about this, Xue'er? What do you feel now?" Yun Che gently held Feng Xue'er's small hand... It was a softness and smoothness he couldn't describe. Just holding her hand quietly like this, he felt every nerve in his body uncontrollably relax; he simply didn't want to let go.

"My heart... is beating even faster..." Feng Xue'er whispered, "So, touching Big Brother Yun feels this strange... Big Brother Yun, can we stay like this a little longer? I really want to understand what this feeling is."

How could Yun Che refuse such a request? He wished he could hold her hand forever.

Feng Xue'er closed her eyes, feeling very earnestly. After a short while, she softly spoke, "I still don't understand... I think I... felt Big Brother Yun's heartbeat. Wow! Big Brother Yun's Phoenix bloodline is so pure, even purer than my imperial brothers'... Huh?"

Feng Xue'er opened her eyes, looking at Yun Che with confusion. "That's strange, why haven't you cultivated the 'World Ode of the Phoenix,' Big Brother Yun?"

Although Yun Che possessed the profound skills of the fifth and sixth stages of the "World Ode of the Phoenix," these were merely the skills associated with those stages. The activation of profound skills typically required profound energy of corresponding strength as a foundation. However, Yun Che, using the power of the Evil God's Seed and his own comprehension, bypassed this rule, forcibly activating Phoenix Wing Heaven Dance and Blazing Star Demon Lotus with basic Phoenix flames. Naturally, their power was significantly weaker than if they were activated with true Phoenix profound energy. Therefore, regarding the profound arts of the World Ode of the Phoenix, Yun Che had indeed not cultivated them at all; anyone who practiced the World Ode of the Phoenix could discern this by simply sensing his profound energy attributes.

Yun Che composed his expression and said, "Because for the past few years, I've been in the Azure Cloud Nation. To conceal my identity, I not only had to hide my Phoenix bloodline but also couldn't cultivate the World Ode of the Phoenix. This year, I've only just returned to the sect. The Nineteenth Elder is busy every day and has no time to teach me, and after many years away, I don't have anyone particularly familiar among my fellow disciples who would be willing to teach me the World Ode of the Phoenix."

"Oh, is that so, no wonder..." Feng Xue'er thought for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up, and her expression became excited. "Then, Big Brother Yun, would you like to learn the World Ode of the Phoenix?"

"Of course," Yun Che nodded without hesitation. "But..."

"Since you want to, how about I teach you, Big Brother Yun?" Feng Xue'er said with a beaming smile, as if it would make her very happy.

"You... teach me?" Yun Che's heart trembled violently.

When Feng Xue'er mentioned the "World Ode of the Phoenix," the thought of having her teach him flashed through his mind, but he immediately dismissed it. He had already deceived Feng Xue'er about his identity and couldn't bring himself to scheme against her further... even though the World Ode of the Phoenix was incredibly important to him. But he never expected Feng Xue'er to voluntarily offer to teach him... Yun Che's emotions instantly became incredibly complex.

Seeing Yun Che hesitate and look conflicted instead of immediately agreeing, Feng Xue'er grew a little anxious. She shook Yun Che's hand, pleading playfully, "Big Brother Yun, please say yes and let me teach you. You let me eat such delicious food, and you promised to take me to the Ice Cloud Snow Region just so I could see beautiful snow... I haven't been this happy in a long time. I really want to do something for you too. Even though I've never taught anyone before, I'm sure I can teach very well... Big Brother Yun, please say yes, please."

Yun Che looked at her, saying with a half-smile, "Xue'er, are you hoping I'll stay here longer so you can play with Xiaobai everyday?"

With a small part of her intentions easily exposed, Feng Xue'er giggled shyly. "Not just Xiaobai, I also like Big Brother Yun very much now, and I want you to stay with me longer... Before, I was always alone here, doing the same things every day, it was so boring. But with Big Brother Yun and Xiaobai here, I feel so happy I could burst. Please let me teach you the World Ode of the Phoenix; after you learn it, then you can leave, okay?"

In Feng Xue'er's eyes, teaching a fellow disciple from the Divine Phoenix Sect the World Ode of the Phoenix was truly nothing significant, as it was a profound art every Phoenix disciple knew. Anyone with Phoenix bloodline could cultivate it, and it was abnormal not to if you possessed the bloodline. Given Feng Xue'er's current demeanor, if he refused, she would be disappointed. He had no intention of "stealing" the World Ode of the Phoenix from her, but...

"Alright," Yun Che readily agreed, half-joking and half-musing to himself, "Having Xue'er... Princess Snow herself teach me the World Ode of the Phoenix feels like a dream."

"Hehe!" Feng Xue'er giggled happily. "This is the first thing I'm doing for Big Brother Yun, so I'll be very serious. Shall we... start now?"

"...Okay."

"Big Brother Yun is injured right now, so it's a good time to quietly comprehend the profound art while you recover. So, I'll teach you the main formula now, and you must understand it carefully." With a soft voice, Feng Xue'er raised her finger and tapped the air near Yun Che's glabella. A faint flash of fire appeared... Instantly, the main formula of the World Ode of the Phoenix was clearly imprinted in Yun Che's mind.