Chapter 417: Snow Dance (Part 1)
"It was you... who saved Xiao Chan?"
Seeing the Snow Phoenix Beast safe and sound and its injuries mostly healed, Yun Che's heart calmed down considerably.
"That's right." The Snow Princess turned around, smiling brightly. "It landed behind you, and I used my power to cushion it. Otherwise, little Xiao Baibai might have fallen to its death. Eh? Xiao Chan? Is that its name? Mm... that's a strange name. I think Xiao Baibai sounds much cuter. Don't you think so, Xiao Baibai?"
Chirp... The Snow Phoenix Beast raised its head, letting out a crisp, low cry. Its expression seemed to be... agreeing with the Snow Princess's words.
Through his Mystic Seal, Yun Che could sense that the Snow Phoenix Beast's injuries had already healed by a full seventy percent. Flying out of the Phoenix Mountain Range would be completely feasible. Although his own condition was still extremely poor, staying in this place was far too dangerous. Now that he had regained consciousness, he had to leave immediately.
Yun Che mustered all his strength and stood up shakily. As soon as he rose, the Snow Princess's beautiful eyes widened, and she said worriedly, "You... why are you standing up? You're so badly injured; you can't move recklessly."
Yun Che shook his head gently and said, "Thank you, Snow Princess, for saving me and Xiao Chan. I will always remember this kindness. However, this place belongs to you. Falling here is already an unforgivable offense, so I dare not... disturb you any longer... Xiao Chan... let's go... ngh!"
A sharp pain shot through his chest. Yun Che's face turned pale, and with a "puh," he spat out a mouthful of blood mist. His body staggered, and he fell to one knee on the ground.
"Ah!" The Snow Princess gasped, immediately dashing toward Yun Che. She instinctively wanted to support him, but just as she was about to draw close, she abruptly stopped. Her outstretched hand retracted, and she even stepped back slightly. She said nervously, "You... how are you? I told you, you're so badly injured, you can't move recklessly. Please lie down. I... I'll try my best to use my profound energy to help heal you."
Yun Che supported himself with his arm on the ground. After a long while, he finally caught his breath. He shook his head and insisted, "No need. I don't dare to continue disturbing Your Highness. Besides, if the Sect Master finds out, I will definitely... cough... cough..."
Yun Che's chest heaved violently, and several clots of blood came out from his mouth in succession. Although he had regained consciousness, his internal and external injuries were still extremely severe.
"It's okay." The Snow Princess waved her snow-white little hand. "I won't blame you, and I won't tell Father Emperor. So you can rest here and recover in peace. If you insist on moving stubbornly, your injuries will get worse. And besides... I really, really like Xiao Baibai. Xiao Baibai is the most beautiful profound beast I've ever seen. If you leave, Xiao Baibai will have to leave with you... I'd be so reluctant to let it go."
"..." Yun Che finally understood. The Snow Princess was willing for him to stay and even promised not to tell her father. Her soft-heartedness was only half the reason; the other half was clearly... the Snow Phoenix Beast!
The Snow Princess had just said that only she and her father could enter this place. Since she had promised not to tell her father, this could be considered the safest place in the entire Shenhuang Empire. Moreover, Yun Che's current condition was utterly unsuitable for escape. Thinking this over, he suddenly relaxed. Calming his mind and breath, he sat down cross-legged and said, "Then... I will trouble Your Highness..."
With that, he closed his eyes, activated the Great Dao Pagoda Art, and began channeling the world's energy to nourish and recover his entire body. The passive healing of the Great Dao Pagoda Art was naturally inferior to his active direction. Now that his consciousness had returned, the speed of his recovery would greatly accelerate.
Seeing that Yun Che was willing to stay, the Snow Princess let out a small sigh of relief. She cautiously watched him for a while, then bounded over to the Snow Phoenix Beast. Throwing her entire body onto it, she laughed happily, "Great! Xiao Baibai, we can play together again. Wow~~ your feathers are so soft and cool... Why are you so beautiful?"
Although Yun Che had his eyes closed in healing meditation, his hearing was not sealed. The voice, like celestial music, drifted to his ears with the gentle breeze, causing his heart to flutter uncontrollably... Such a face, such a voice, such purity and flawlessness... Was she truly a human girl? Or was she a perfect spirit, born from the convergence of all the most beautiful things in the world?
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Qifeng Valley was surrounded by mountains on three sides, with the southern side being the thousand-zhang Fengjue Cliff. The valley seemed to gather all the spiritual energy of the entire Phoenix Mountain Range. Everything in sight was a pure, lush green, unlike the dry, crimson red elsewhere. Even every breeze was exceptionally soft and fresh. In the center of Qifeng Valley lay a small, clear, rippling lake. Beside the lake, an entirely white Snow Phoenix with feathers so beautiful they dazzled the eyes was drinking the clear lake water. Next to it stood a girl, her figure like an immortal from a painting.
The girl was dressed in a luxurious phoenix robe, but her crystal-clear, jade-like skin rendered it dull and lusterless. Her back and silhouette were ethereal and dreamlike. Even without seeing her face, her silhouette alone was beauty fit for a celestial being.
The girl took deep breaths of the cool breeze by the lakeside, letting out a laugh as pleasant as a secluded valley spring. She raised her jade-like fingers and gently untied her hairband, letting her glossy black hair cascade down like a waterfall. Each strand seemed alive, dancing in the air before obediently settling on her fragrant shoulders.
Her jade hand moved downward, and her robe was also gently untied. The phoenix robe, embroidered with a golden phoenix, slid slowly from her shoulders... As her clothes completely fell away, her flawless body—dazzling and soul-stirring—was exposed to the soft mountain wind. Her back was like piled snow; her waist was so slender it could be encircled with one hand; her legs were smooth, long, and without a single blemish... Everything about her evoked only the word "perfection." Even just the back view of this scene was enough to make any man lose control and go mad.
Her two golden shoes were removed, revealing jade-like feet like snow lotuses. She waved at the Snow Phoenix Beast and, carrying a spotless smile, gently stepped into the lake waters. Even submerged in the lake, her jade feet still shimmered with a dazzling whiteness.
"Xiao Baibai, do you want to take a bath together? This is where I bathe every day."
Everything in the Phoenix Mountain Range was scorching hot, but only here was it tranquil and fresh. The lake water carried a slight chill. The girl gently lifted the lake water, letting the clear liquid slip through her fingers. Her lips curled up slightly as she silently watched the water droplets flow down her jade-like arm to her full, snowy chest.
The lake was so clear that even the tiniest grain of sand at the bottom could be seen. Her exquisite figure was clearly visible, but unfortunately, no one was fortunate enough to behold this breathtaking scene. Her only companion was a beautiful profound beast, whose greater interest lay in drinking the sweet lake water.
"Xiao Baibai, are you really not going to bathe with me... Wuwu... Why do you already have a master... I like you so much... Because I love the color white, the color of snow. That year, when I was thirteen, a heavy snow fell over Shenhuang City. That day was the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen in my life. I felt as though my entire being would melt into the white snow... But after that, I never saw snow again..."
The girl cupped her cheeks with her hands, looking at the Snow Phoenix Beast, a dazed light flickering in her beautiful eyes. Her pearl-like jade shoulders quietly emerged from the water as she spoke, painting a pure yet incredibly alluring scene.
"Ah..." The girl suddenly gave a soft cry, her gaze turning southward. She said softly, "Xiao Baibai, it seems your master has woken up. Let's go back together."
She flew lightly out of the water, and that perfect body, capable of enchanting even immortals, was once again covered by the magnificent phoenix robe. She landed on the broad back of the Snow Phoenix Beast and called out happily, "Let's go!"
The Snow Phoenix Beast let out a joyful cry, spread its wings, and flew toward Yun Che's location.
This time, Yun Che had entered meditation for another full two days. With his consciousness awakened, his recovery progressed much faster. In two days, his internal and external injuries had healed by about thirty percent, and his profound energy had recovered by twenty to thirty percent. In less than a week, his injuries should be fully healed. However, during this period, he could not engage in any battles; otherwise, his injuries would inevitably worsen. Therefore, this place, where he would not be disturbed, was the ideal place to stay.
That is, on the condition that no one knew he was here. And the one who determined that was the Snow Princess, who mistakenly believed he was a Phoenix Sect disciple.
A white shadow swiftly crossed the sky, circled above his head, and then slowly landed in front of him. The Snow Princess jumped down from the back of the Snow Phoenix Beast and, with a smile like a hundred flowers blooming, looked at him and said, "You're finally awake! Otherwise, Xiao Baibai would have been worried to death. Do you feel that your injuries are a bit better?"
The girl's smile was so dazzling that it caused Yun Che to lose his focus for a moment. He quickly said, "Much better, thank you for your concern, Snow Princess. Look."
As he spoke, he stretched his arms and legs; they could now move freely.
"Wow! Recovering so quickly! I thought it would take a very, very long time." As she spoke, she glanced at the Snow Phoenix Beast, and her tone became a little timid. "But since you're not fully healed, you still can't move recklessly. So you should stay a few more days. I definitely won't let Father Emperor know."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Yun Che said with a slight smile. He now understood that the Snow Princess was so willing for him to stay because she liked the Snow Phoenix Beast. The Snow Phoenix Beast did indeed have a pure white, beautiful appearance, and as an ice-type profound beast, it was extremely rare in the Shenhuang Empire. In Shenhuang City, where fire elements were abundant, it could almost be said to be completely absent. This aroused her curiosity and affection. Or perhaps, it was because she was too lonely here, and the arrival of the Snow Phoenix Beast gave her a playmate.
Having not eaten for several days and severely injured, a feeling of hunger hit him. Yun Che sat down, took out some dragon meat, and began to roast it with Phoenix Flame. The body of the Flame Dragon was originally massive, but Yun Che had been eating it as his daily meal for months on end. Now, he had consumed ninety-nine percent of it, and there was only a pitiful amount of less than fifty jin left in the Heavenly Poison Pearl. However, in this process, Yun Che's skill in roasting dragon meat had improved day by day. He had mastered the proper heat, the exact time, and what seasonings to add to roast the most delicious dragon meat.