# Chapter 419: Changes to the Mysterious Ark
Unconsciously, the falling snowflakes had gradually dwindled to nothing. The young girl also ceased her gentle dance, gazing with lingering reluctance at the snow layer quietly melting beneath her feet. She looked toward Yun Che and asked in a pitifully charming voice, "The dance I danced... was it beautiful?"
"It was beautiful..." Yun Che nodded, his eyes hazy, his voice like a dream, his consciousness still immersed in the dance movements just moments ago.
Such praise—the Snow Princess had heard far too much of it in her lifetime. Yet she still smiled happily and said, "Then... how about a little more snow? I can keep dancing for you to watch, you know. When I see snowflakes drifting down, I can't help but want to dance along with them."
"Alright..." How could Yun Che possibly refuse? Such a celestial being, even if one could only witness a single instant, was an indescribable enjoyment and luxury—a scene of ultimate beauty that ordinary people could never see in a lifetime. He raised both hands toward the sky, gathering his profound force...
But the moment he activated the Ice Cloud Art, a tearing pain shot through his chest. Yun Che let out a low grunt, quickly reaching to press against his chest as he forcibly swallowed back a surge of rebellious blood. His complexion, however, turned deathly pale.
"Ah!!" The Snow Princess cried out in alarm. Not even bothering to put on her shoes, her lotus-like feet left the snow layer and stepped onto the soft grass. Her hands reached out, then withdrew again, and she asked nervously, "You... are you alright? It's all my fault—I was so absorbed in watching the snow that I forgot about your injury... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."
This pearl of the Shenhuang Empire was actually apologizing in panic to him, an "ordinary disciple." Her trembling beautiful eyes were filled with worry and self-blame. Something deep in Yun Che's heart was gently touched. He managed a faint smile and said, "Don't worry, I'm fine. I just accidentally stirred up my internal injury. A little rest and I'll be better."
Having said that, Yun Che carefully sat down right where he was, closed his eyes, and slowly calmed his inner energy. The discomfort soon faded away.
Hearing Yun Che's words and watching his complexion gradually return to rosy, the Snow Princess's tension and self-blame quietly dissipated. Still worried, she sat down before him, her beautiful eyes fixed unblinkingly on him. She didn't know why she felt the urge to look closely at this man for a while. Perhaps it was some hazy sense of mystery about him... This was the first time in her life she had looked at anyone with such focused attention.
Once the stirred internal injury had settled, Yun Che opened his eyes—and immediately met the Snow Princess's gaze. Caught sneaking a look at him, she blinked and smiled sweetly. This suddenly blooming smile made Yun Che's soul tremble in response. He smiled back and said in an apologetic tone, "Your Highness the Princess, it's all because of my injury. Not only can I not let you enjoy the snow, but I've also made you worry about me... Tomorrow my injury will be much better. Then I'll make a heavy snowfall for you."
"Alright!" the Snow Princess agreed crisply, then tilted her head slightly. "But... could you not call me 'Your Highness the Princess'? It always feels so awkward."
"Then... how should I address Your Highness the Princess?"
"My name is Feng Xue'er. You can call me Xuexue, or you can call me Xue'er. I like both of those names. 'Your Highness the Princess' doesn't sound nice at all." The Snow Princess said with a beaming smile.
If it were anyone else from the Fenghuang God Sect, they would surely be extremely flustered. But Yun Che was naturally not among them. He smiled and said, "Alright, then from now on I'll call you... Xue'er."
"Mm!" The Snow Princess nodded lightly, her star-like beautiful eyes fixed on his face. "Then can I call you... Brother Ling Yun?"
"Of course you can... but I'd prefer it if Xue'er would call me Brother Yun. Because it feels a bit closer than 'Brother Ling Yun.'" Yun Che said with a smile... Though there was only a difference of one character, "Brother Ling Yun" and "Brother Yun" were two completely different concepts. Because the former... in a sense, was practically giving Ling Yun that brat a free benefit!
"Mm!" The Snow Princess nodded happily. "Brother Yun... Brother Yun... Brother Yun... Hee!"
The Snow Princess called out three times in a row, that sweet voice to the extreme making every bone in Yun Che's body go soft.
---
Within the Shenhuang Imperial Palace, Phoenix Main Hall.
"Your son pays respects to Imperial Father." Feng Ximing stood before Feng Hengkong and spoke with deference.
The Seven Nations Ranking Battle was drawing nearer, but that was actually secondary. The most important matter was that the gate of the Primordial Mystic Ark was about to open. Though over the past several thousand years, no one had ever been able to uncover the secrets within the Primordial Mystic Ark, it was beyond doubt that it contained earth-shattering supreme treasures. Therefore, despite repeated failures, the appearance of the Primordial Mystic Ark was still a monumental event for the Fenghuang God Sect. Everyone in the Fenghuang God Sect believed that if they could obtain the secrets of the Primordial Mystic Ark and seize the treasures within, the Fenghuang God Sect's power would truly stand shoulder to shoulder with the Four Sacred Grounds... and might even surpass them.
Thus, Feng Hengkong had been busy preparing for the Primordial Mystic Ark matter this entire time, rarely appearing in public. When Feng Ximing arrived, he didn't even lift his head, merely saying flatly, "What is it?"
Feng Ximing lowered his head slightly, his posture humble and deferential: "Reporting to Imperial Father, the Lingkun Hall just passed on news that the mystic seal on the Primordial Mystic Ark's gate changed this morning. According to past records, this kind of change means the gate will open in twelve days—four days earlier than initially predicted."
Feng Hengkong raised his head, his expression grave: "Four days earlier?"
Feng Ximing nodded: "Yes. It was originally set that the Ark would open the day after the Seven Nations Ranking Battle concluded. Now that the Ark gate is opening three days early, it conflicts with the Ranking Battle's schedule. But if we try to advance the Ranking Battle's start date, it's already far too late. So I humbly request Imperial Father's instructions on how to proceed."
Feng Hengkong stood up, his brow slowly furrowing. The Primordial Mystic Ark's gate would only open for twelve hours—every second and minute was precious and could not be delayed. However, when the invitations were sent to the six nations, it was explicitly stated that the top three in the Ranking Battle would have the right to board the Primordial Mystic Ark. If they boarded the Ark before the competition ended, how could there be top three? Starting the Seven Nations Ranking Battle early was even more improper.
Feng Hengkong pondered for a moment, then spoke in a low, authoritative voice: "The Ranking Battle was originally scheduled for five days. The Primordial Mystic Ark matter absolutely cannot be delayed, and the competition date cannot be moved forward. Since the Primordial Mystic Ark is opening four days early, then we can only compress the competition schedule... to one day!"
"One day? This..." Feng Ximing showed surprise. In the history of the Seven Nations Ranking Battle, this had never happened before. Moreover, for the battle of seven nations, just one day was far too tight—or rather, it was simply impossible to complete.
"This is the only way. How to arrange it will be up to you." Feng Hengkong fixed his eyes on him. "There must be no mistakes in exploring the Primordial Mystic Ark. And the Ranking Battle concerns the prestige of our Shenhuang Empire and also cannot go wrong. How you arrange things will be a test of your ability. Any problems?"
Despite his inner anxiety, Feng Ximing naturally didn't dare refuse. He quickly bowed his head and said, "Yes! Your son will handle it properly according to Imperial Father's wishes and will not disappoint Imperial Father."
"Mm." Feng Hengkong nodded. "If there's nothing else, you may withdraw. Remember to inform the various grand elders and hall masters, let them prepare early."
"Yes... Imperial Father, your son also has one more matter. This matter could be big or small. Your son thought it best to inform Imperial Father."
"Speak."
Feng Ximing said cautiously, "A few days ago, a great disturbance suddenly occurred in the Phoenix Mountain Range. When people rushed there, they found that Thirteenth Uncle's personal bodyguard, Feng Chihuo, had died within the Phoenix Mountain Range. Moreover, he died extremely horribly, and the surrounding area was heavily damaged—clearly the scene of a brutal battle."
Feng Hengkong naturally knew of Feng Chihuo, but he clearly didn't care much about this matter. He said flatly, "Only members of our sect can enter the Phoenix Mountain Range. Since he died there, he must have been killed by someone from the sect. Investigate and you'll find out."
"Imperial Father speaks wisely. After investigation, that morning before dawn, Feng Chihuo chased after someone who had forcefully charged through the south gate. According to the city guards, it was not yet light at that time, so they couldn't clearly see the person's face. They could only vaguely make out that the person was under thirty years old, and then..."
"Enough!" Feng Hengkong waved his hand impatiently. "I have no time now to deal with these trifling matters. Since Feng Chihuo was killed by a fellow disciple, it just means he was inferior in skill. Do I need to personally investigate who killed a useless waste?"
"Imperial Father, please calm your anger... Feng Chihuo's miserable death is a small matter, but... but..." Feng Ximing took a light breath, his expression clearly becoming tense. "The place where Feng Chihuo died horribly is less than ten li from Fengjue Peak. On the other side of Fengjue Peak is the Qifeng Valley where Xue'er resides. Imperial Father had people guard the east, west, and north sides fifty li out from Qifeng Valley, but no one is guarding the south side. Your son worries whether Xue'er might be disturbed—or that the person might be audacious enough to break into Qifeng Valley..."
Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly felt his entire body go cold. The remaining words died in his throat. Feng Hengkong's eyes narrowed, his furious gaze releasing a cold and sinister light.
"So then... do you want to go to Qifeng Valley and see if Xue'er is safe?"
"No, your son absolutely does not mean that. It's just... just that I'm afraid someone might disturb Xue'er." Feng Ximing said in panic. He had long anticipated that Feng Hengkong would react this way, yet he still couldn't help saying it... Feng Hengkong was too busy right now—he might actually let him go check... Even if there was only the tiniest chance, just being able to see Xue'er for a moment would be worth it. But clearly, this was still wishful thinking. Feng Xue'er was Feng Hengkong's greatest reverse scale—an untouchable reverse scale.
"Hmph! To the south of Qifeng Valley, there is not only Fengjue Cliff but also the Phoenix Grand Array. No one other than our sect members can enter. Within our Fenghuang God Sect, no one has the audacity to dare break into Qifeng Valley!! Xue'er can instantly send me a sound transmission. If she were truly disturbed, she would immediately inform me. I don't need you to worry about this! Get out of here now!"
"Imperial Father, please calm your anger. It is... it is your son who was overthinking things. Your son takes his leave."
Feng Ximing hurriedly withdrew... As he stepped out of the Phoenix Main Hall and turned around, his teeth clenched tightly, and a cold light of resentment flashed in his eyes.
...
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