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Yun Xiao ignored her cutting remark and instead commented, "It seems you\'ve managed to integrate well into the Harmony Divine Palace."

"Of course, I\'m quite the social butterfly," Feng Yao replied with confidence.

"And your master? She just took you in and that\'s it? No further arrangements?" Yun Xiao asked.

"What\'s the rush? She\'s probably busy with handling my entry into the palace; she told me to rest up... She seems to have gone to meet with the higher-ups of the Snow Lineage. Apparently, she wants to have them test me with the real Harmony Crown," Feng Yao explained.

"Hmm. She\'s quite efficient." Yun Xiao nodded.

"Speaking of which, if she really gets the actual Harmony Crown, should I wear it?" Feng Yao asked.

"What do you think?" Yun Xiao leaned against a pillar at the entrance of the Carefree Palace, surrounded by a world of snow, smiling at the beguiling devil before him.

In this cold, snowy world, there was no place more in need of warmth and fiery embrace.

Knowing he was testing her again, Feng Yao pondered for a good while, trying to boost her perceived intellect in his eyes. "I think it\'s best not to wear it. Considering what happened with the imitation—it cracked—if I wear the real thing, it would surely light up eight or nine stars."

"Isn\'t an increase in potential a good thing? Like when I entered the Sword Ruins and became a Sword Exile directly," Yun Xiao pointed out.

"It\'s different here; there are no Sword Exiles like in the Sword Ruins. Even the most heavenly of talents are just that—talents, not powerhouses. There are three factions here at odds, and my 7-Star Valkyrie Queen potential has already sparked jealousy from the other two lineages. Crossing the line would disrupt the balance, making both the Snow Lineages and me targets for the other lineages. That could be deadly," Feng Yao explained.

"Go on," urged Yun Xiao.

Encouraged by his interest, Feng Yao continued with a hint of pride, "Based on my estimates, my 7-Star talent is just right for now. I\'m getting quite good resources as it is. No need to risk more."

She finished with a smug look at Yun Xiao.

After a long pause, seeing that he remained silent, she glared at him. "What? Am I wrong? Advancing to eight or nine stars might bring short-term gains, but the risks would skyrocket."

"Have you forgotten why we came to the Harmony Divine Palace in the first place?" Yun Xiao asked calmly.

"The original purpose…" Feng Yao pondered, then bit her lip, "To leave this place, to find your Senior Sister Zhao."

"We don\'t have much time; I prefer to strike quickly. Taking risks doesn\'t bother me," Yun Xiao said.

"And if it all goes wrong?" Feng Yao asked incredulously.

"Then it\'s just a loss of one you, and I find another Blood Base," Yun Xiao responded coldly.

"You!" As if struck by lightning, Feng Yao\'s eyes widened in disbelief, tears welling up.

"Ugh… Wahhh!" She suddenly crouched down, hugging her knees, and began to cry. Wails grew louder amidst her mournful sobs.

"Hey, hey," Yun Xiao rushed forward, urgently consoling her, "Why the tears? It was only a joke, not meant seriously. You\'re too precious."

Her tears continued to flow unabated.

Left with no other option, Yun Xiao pulled her into his arms and said with a sigh, "Alright, alright, I apologize. I\'m a scoundrel, and I won\'t ever tease you again."

"Okay." Suddenly, Feng Yao looked up, her tears ceasing instantly as a sly smile crossed her face. "Got that recorded, no backing out now."

She waved a projection talisman in her hand.

Yun Xiao was dumbfounded. Just moments ago, he was recording others, and now the tables had turned on him! Such was karma.

He looked at the feigning innocence of the big girl before him, both amused and baffled.

Inside this lofty devil dwelled a girl with a clear sense of love and hate, kind and lovely at heart.

"So, are you going to keep your word?" She clenched the talisman in her hand, her lips pursed in a fierce question.

"Yes, yes, you win," Yun Xiao pinched her face hard, letting out a breath of relief.

"Win, my butt! Here you are still teasing me! I\'ll strangle you!" Feng Yao pounced on Yun Xiao, gripping his neck.

However, she underestimated her own weight; her charge knocked him over, and she ended up sitting atop him, her waist bending...

CRASH! In front of the Carefree Palace, they remained in this compromising pose for several moments.

"What\'s this? Aren\'t you an archer, trying to overpower me in close quarters?" Yun Xiao joked from beneath her.

Her heart pounded wildly, her body flushing red as if steaming in the snowy setting.

She swiftly leaped up, panicked, and retreated to the side, cursing, "Stupid midget, I\'ll let you off today, but don’t get cocky, cough cough..."

Yun Xiao got up, watching her clumsy performance with a smile, thinking to himself: How wonderful girls really are...

This just showed that there were all sorts of people in the world—a blend of good and bad. Why condemn an entire group for a single sin?

"Have a seat."

Yun Xiao felt oddly serene that day. Seated on the white jade steps amidst a snow-laden landscape, he watched the world turn a powder white as snowflakes danced through the air.

Feng Yao watched him cautiously for a spell, noting his ethereal, otherworldly demeanor, his face blending harmoniously with the swirling snow—as if he were the most exquisite addition to this picturesque scene. Only then did she relax and take her place beside him, bending her knees as she sat.

Her posture remained tense, however.

"Did you find out? How can we activate the celestial formation to leave the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm?" Yun Xiao asked, his gaze fixed on the snowfall ahead.

"The Extreme Yin Celestial Realm is a sealed world, created for protection. Travel restrictions for disciples are stringent; only those willing to risk life and death, and at least as advanced as a Taiji Disciple, may apply to travel to other worlds," Feng Yao explained.

As she spoke, she couldn\'t help but steal glances at his perfect profile, slowly merging with the snow and wind. A tranquility settled within her, a reassuring, heartwarming calm.

Feng Yao knew well that initially, he never spoke of abandoning her as a Blood Base, and back then, that\'s what scared her most.

But now, when he joked about leaving her as fodder... for some reason, she found herself not frightened at all. The more he joked about it to scare her, the more it felt just like a joke.

So, she could feel that he was truly looking out for her, genuinely caring...

"Are you now considered a Valkyrie\'s disciple? How does one become a Taiji Disciple?" Yun Xiao asked.

"Divine Bud, Stellar Sea, Taiji, and Samsara… that\'s the hierarchy of the disciple ranks in the Samsara Galaxy. To use myself as an example, if I can break through two realms and survive two baptisms by the age of 49, achieving the Third Baptism Realm, I\'ll qualify as a Taiji Disciple," Feng Yao replied softly.

"That doesn\'t sound too hard," Yun Xiao nodded, then asked, "Why 49, though?"

"7 by 7 is 49. That time is deemed the prime period for cultivation in the Samsara Galaxy. Many prodigies show their true mettle within these years. So, in these 18 Stellar Rivers, 49 is a huge breakpoint," Feng Yao explained.

To the two of them, one 16 years old and the other 18, 49 years old seemed like a lifetime away.

Bone age tests had some discrepancies; the War Princess had already passed her 18th birthday.

She recalled struggling to awaken her talents before she turned 18.

Yun Xiao digested her explanation, asking, "So, taking the Harmony Divine Palace as an example, all the disciples here are under 49 years old?"

"Right."

"What happens after they turn 50?" Yun Xiao asked.

"Those who haven\'t become Valkyries by 49 years old leave the Harmony Divine Palace to preside over different locations within the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm. These individuals are known as Outer Palace Personnel and include ranks like Stewards, Hall Masters, and Dao Guides. Among them, an Outer Palace Hall Master is usually in the Third Baptism Realm, while a Dao Guide is in the Fourth Baptism Realm," Feng Yao explained.

It was quite simple, really. In essence, the Harmony Divine Palace only retained geniuses and those who were at least strong as a Valkyrie. If you failed to become a Valkyrie, you\'d be reassigned elsewhere.

"Okay," Yun Xiao said, after confirming the information he gleamed with hers, "Then, let’s quickly help you become a Taiji Disciple."

"But there\'s a problem," Feng Yao pouted.

"Speak."

"The rules of the Harmony Divine Palace state that once a slave arrives in the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm, they\'re forbidden to leave for life. This means, apart from the time you were abducted, you’re prohibited from approaching the teleportation formations. The area is heavily guarded, and it’s hard to get close," Feng Yao explained.

"Not even you can manage it? What about a 7-Star Corona talent?" Yun Xiao said, exasperated. He couldn\'t help but wonder who brought him to this ridiculous world.

"The more talented you are, the more cautious the palace is about letting you leave," Feng Yao said, rubbing her temples.

"Damn!" Yun Xiao was cursing when Feng Yao suddenly giggled. "But I think there might be a way."

"Out with it," Yun Xiao urged, looking at her intently.

"In two days, they’ll select some disciples to attend the Grand Assembly of Myriad Sects. A lot of people will be traveling then, and it’ll be chaotic. If I can secure a spot, I might be able to smuggle you out... Even if that fails, if I have a reason to travel, I could make a scene to bring you along. They might just bend the rules a little, right?"

"Right!" Yun Xiao nodded decisively. "You\'re good at this, let’s do it your way."

"What exactly am I good at?" Feng Yao huffed.

"Making a scene," Yun Xiao laughed.

"Jerk." She looked at him, wishing she could tear away his disguise. "A wolf in sheep\'s clothing!"

However, she also felt that no sheepskin could be so bewitching. What kind of skin was it, really? She couldn’t figure it out.

"Let’s watch the snow," Yun Xiao suddenly suggested.

"Yes, let’s." She followed his gaze forward.

Mountains upon mountains of snowflakes danced in the sky.

"It\'s beautiful," her eyes shimmered as she whispered.

"Lean on my shoulder," Yun Xiao offered.

"No, you’re too short." Feng Yao teased, her lips curling slightly.

"Quit it." Yun Xiao looked ahead, reached out an arm, and pulled her close, letting her lean on him.

The snow was cold. But her blood was warm. It was their blood, mingled together.