Chapter 982: Grand Spectacle
While Yun Che was in a daze, a cold wind swept through the air, and another figure descended from the sky. This was a man, his shoulders bearing a noble jade emblem that signified his status as a disciple of the Divine Hall. He was clad in flowing white robes, exuding an air of extraordinary elegance and nobility, with a handsome and refined demeanor.
"It's Senior Brother Hanyi!" Mu Xiaolan exclaimed involuntarily.
The Divine Hall... no, the entire sect, and indeed the whole Yin Xue Realm, the most outstanding one, the one of only two who might become a personal disciple of the Realm King — it was such a coincidence that he arrived first. To encounter these two before even entering the Minghan Heavenly Lake was an unparalleled stroke of luck.
Mu Hanyi floated down gracefully and bowed respectfully to Mu Bingyun: "Disciple Mu Hanyi pays respects to Palace Master Bingyun. I hear that Palace Master Bingyun's immortal body is gradually recovering, and Hanyi is infinitely delighted."
Mu Bingyun nodded slightly: "Today's outcome will determine the course of your entire life. Do not take it lightly."
"Yes." Mu Hanyi replied solemnly, then straightened up and turned to face Mu Feixue, who was as still as a deep, tranquil pool. His smile was warm and joyful: "Junior Sister Feixue, you've come so early. Did you not come with the Grand Elder and the others?"
"Senior Brother Hanyi has also come quite early, hasn't he?" Mu Feixue's voice was as cold as ice, chilling to the bone. Although she was responding to Mu Hanyi, her gaze did not shift in the slightest due to his approach.
"Thinking about today's events, my heart and soul couldn't rest all night, so I came early, hoping the cold wind here might calm my mind a bit. It seems my cultivation is still far from sufficient. Today, if I am fortunate enough to become the Sect Master's personal disciple, it will fulfill my lifelong wish. If I lose to Junior Sister Feixue, I will have no resentment or regret; perhaps I will even be happy as if it were my own success." Mu Hanyi sighed lightly, his words frank and sincere. His eyes were fixed on Mu Feixue without a moment's deviation.
Although it was piercingly cold, the source of that coldness was an exceptionally beautiful sight. If he could win a single glance and a smile from her, even if he were eternally frozen here, he might do so willingly.
In response, Mu Feixue remained silent. Her icy eyes lightly closed, quiet and soundless. She no longer paid him any heed, as if she hadn't heard his words at all... and from start to finish, she hadn't even glanced at him.
Mu Hanyi's smile remained, but a hint of melancholy crept into his brows... although he was long accustomed to being treated this way by Mu Feixue.
In the Bing Huang God Sect, countless women admired him. If he were willing, even if it were only as a concubine or servant, they would gladly accept. But the one his heart was set on always treated him as if he were nothing.
She treated everyone like this. It seemed that women born with the Ice Phoenix bloodline had their hearts and souls frozen by the Ice Phoenix's power from birth, never to melt. Conversely, men did not suffer this fate; perhaps it had to do with the yin-yang difference between the sexes.
On the other side, Yun Che, like Mu Hanyi, had his gaze firmly fixed on Mu Feixue. Gradually, he became completely entranced.
Although Mu Feixue was extremely beautiful, no less than Mu Bingyun, she wasn't the kind of woman who would cause him to completely lose his composure like the one who had previously called herself "Mu Xuanyin," a woman both fairy-like and demonically alluring. He couldn't look away, even becoming dazed, because she reminded him of someone.
Unlike Mu Bingyun's "clarity" and "lightness," Mu Feixue was the epitome of "ice" and "cold"... much like Chu Yuechan when he first saw her. The same aura that kept people at a distance, the same gaze that froze one's soul, the same ethereal immortal grace like the cold moon in a celestial palace.
Noticing him staring at Mu Feixue with a dazed look, Mu Xiaolan panicked and waved her hand in front of his face: "Hey hey! Snap out of it! It's so rude to stare like that!"
"Hahaha," Mu Hanyi walked over and laughed freely: "Junior Sister Feixue is a celestial being. Any man seeing Junior Sister Feixue for the first time will have his heart and soul taken from him. It's perfectly normal."
"Senior Brother Hanyi," Mu Xiaolan hastily bowed in greeting, then secretly poked Yun Che hard in the waist with her little finger. Although Mu Hanyi said that, his admiration for Mu Feixue was known throughout the sect. Yun Che staring blankly right in front of him was really... so embarrassing!
"..." Yun Che's gaze gradually refocused, then he lowered his eyes and muttered absentmindedly: "She's not Xiao Xiannü after all."
"Huh? What did you say? Xiao Xiannü? What Xiao Xiannü?" Mu Xiaolan asked subconsciously.
"Xiao Xiannü is Xiao Xiannü, the one and only Xiao Xiannü in the world. Do you understand now?" Yun Che snorted helplessly.
Mu Xiaolan looked at Yun Che, who had suddenly gone crazy, quite bewildered. There was no way she could understand.
"Senior Brother Hanyi," Yun Che took the initiative to address Mu Hanyi: "Those days ago, I was swayed by emotions and left in a great hurry. I didn't even get to properly thank you. So today, I formally express my gratitude for your help that day."
Mu Hanyi waved his hand lightly: "We are all fellow disciples. It was just a small favor; no need for such courtesy."
"Ha, speaking of which, in this vast sect, we meet again only seven days apart. It seems we are indeed fated." Mu Hanyi smiled, then reached out and lightly patted Yun Che's shoulder: "Junior Brother Yun Che, although you come from a lower realm and your profound strength is still low, you have extraordinary talent. If you work hard, your future achievements will surely be remarkable, and you will shine brightly in the sect. I trust my judgment. Today, whether or not I am fortunate enough to become the Sect Master's personal disciple, my words from that day still stand. If you ever encounter any difficult matters, I will help you within my ability. You must also work hard and not waste your extraordinary talent."
"I will remember Senior Brother Hanyi's advice." Yun Che nodded.
"Mm," Mu Hanyi nodded and instructed: "Being able to enter the Minghan Heavenly Lake today is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity for you. Be sure to seize it well."
Because it was close to the Minghan Heavenly Lake, the cold was terrifying. Mu Xiaolan had to use nearly half her profound strength to resist it. Not long after, the sky to the south stirred with cold wind, and a group of people descended on an ice boat, arriving in an instant.
"Hahahaha!"
A very hearty laugh came from above, greatly dispelling the bitter cold. Amidst the laughter, a burly man landed from the sky.
The man appeared to be in his twilight years, with graying beard but jet-black hair, a face full of wrinkles, yet eyes as fierce as a tiger's. His unrestrained laughter and imposing aura were somewhat at odds with the ice-based profound arts cultivated by the Bing Huang God Sect.
As he landed, the thirty people accompanying him also stood neatly behind him. On their shoulders, they all wore the jade emblems of Divine Hall disciples!
"Grand Elder." This time, it was Mu Bingyun who took the initiative to bow.
"Grand... Elder!" Mu Xiaolan also quickly pulled Yun Che forward, and Mu Hanyi bowed deeply... Only Mu Feixue remained as still as snow, her gaze unwavering.
Grand Elder? Yun Che quickly sized up this imposing man... He was the chief elder of the Bing Huang God Sect, and he was actually a man!
In the Bing Huang God Sect, in terms of status, the seventy-two elders of the Divine Hall and the thirty-six palace masters of the Ice Phoenix Palace were roughly on par. But in terms of strength, the elders were slightly superior to the palace masters. However, this gap wasn't due to talent but to age. Those over ten thousand years old could become elders, while most palace masters were only a few thousand years old.
The main duty of the seventy-two elders of the Divine Hall was to cultivate the two thousand disciples of the Divine Hall. Under one palace master of the Ice Phoenix Palace were three thousand disciples, but in the Divine Hall, each elder took care of fewer than thirty disciples on average. This showed the treatment of top-tier disciples in the Bing Huang God Sect... and it was roughly the same in any sect.
After all, the current power structure was already established and hard to change. The future of a sect was always determined by the younger generation. If the younger generation was lacking, the sect would inevitably decline.
Grand Elder Mu Huanzhi strode forward and said in a loud voice: "Bingyun, you really came early."
"Arrived not long ago," Mu Bingyun replied.
"Oh?" Mu Huanzhi's gaze fell on Yun Che: "This junior should be the one you brought back from the lower realm. I remember his name is Yun Che. Hahahaha, I heard that this kid managed to defeat a disciple of the Cold Snow Hall with the strength of the Sovereign Xuan Realm. Impressive, very impressive."
Although the Ice Phoenix Palace didn't have many disciples, each palace had three thousand. Remembering names was not easy... Except for the thirty-sixth palace of the Ice Phoenix, which besides Mu Xiaolan, only had Yun Che.
Yun Che quickly said: "To think that the Grand Elder even knows this disciple's name. I am truly flattered."
Mu Huanzhi waved his hand grandly: "This kid of yours has become quite famous lately. After all, in all these years, Bingyun has only brought back one person, you. Winning against a Divine Origin Realm cultivator with the Sovereign Xuan Realm is truly remarkable. Worth cultivating well. Bingyun's judgment, well, how could it be bad?"
When he called out the name "Yun Che," the Divine Hall disciples behind him also turned their gazes toward him... It seemed that he had indeed become quite well-known during this time.
"...Thank you for the praise, Grand Elder." Most people in the Bing Huang God Sect, due to cultivating ice-based profound arts, had cold temperaments. Mu Huanzhi was a rare exception.
"But, Bingyun, although these two kids have decent talent, their cultivation levels are really too low. They probably can't withstand the lake water of the Heavenly Lake." Mu Huanzhi furrowed his brow.
"Indeed," Mu Bingyun nodded slightly. "I have no intention of letting them touch the lake water. Otherwise, it would not only be unhelpful but could easily hurt them. Just the cold mist and chill will be enough to benefit them greatly."
"Hahahaha," Mu Huanzhi let out an understanding laugh. "Look at my old brain, getting muddled with age. With you here, I'm just worrying over nothing."
"Hanyi, today is a very important day for you." Mu Huanzhi turned to Mu Hanyi, his expression becoming a bit more serious. "Although Feixue is my granddaughter, if it's you... then I can accept it without too much discomfort. Anyway, do your best. The future of our sect may very well rest on the two of you."
Mu Hanyi bowed deeply: "This disciple will give his all."
"Ahem, Feixue, grandfather certainly hopes you can become the Sect Master's personal disciple, so you must... ah, ah, Feixue..."
Mu Feixue stepped on the snow with her lotus feet, giving Mu Huanzhi an increasingly distant back.
Mu Huanzhi sheepishly withdrew his half-extended old hand, rubbed his nose somewhat awkwardly, and said gloomily: "This kid, her temperament is getting worse and worse. If she really ends up like that Bingyun girl, never marrying her whole life... ah, worrying me to death."
Mu Bingyun: "..."
Mu Huanzhi was over six thousand years older than Mu Bingyun and had been half her master back then, so he definitely had the right to call her "girl."
The time for the Minghan Heavenly Lake to open drew nearer, and the elders and disciples of the Divine Hall, along with the various Ice Phoenix Palaces, all arrived one after another.
The two thousand Divine Hall disciples, led by the seventy-two elders, stood at the front. The thirty-six palaces, led by their respective palace masters, stood behind. Although everyone had calmed their minds for seven days in advance, the disciples of the Ice Phoenix Palaces still had faces full of excitement they couldn't fully suppress. And today's lineup included all the elders, palace masters, and Divine Hall disciples. Even the most senior among the disciples had never seen such a grand spectacle.
Even the Divine Hall disciples were the same.
Though both were disciples, there was a chasm of difference between the Divine Hall and the Ice Phoenix Palaces. Standing behind all the Divine Hall disciples, the Ice Phoenix Palace disciples were all nervous and anxious, not even daring to breathe heavily. They formed thirty-five neat rows, their feet as if nailed to the ground, not daring to move.
And in the corner, the thirty-sixth "row," with only two people, stood out conspicuously. Yun Che's eyes were bright, constantly looking around, feeling the vast, dreamlike aura, marveling and sighing internally. Mu Xiaolan, on the other hand, was extremely unsettled, one little hand tightly clutching Yun Che's sleeve.
All thirty-six Ice Phoenix Palaces had arrived. The Cold Snow Hall, Mu Fengshu, and Mu Sushan also arrived together.
Just before the Minghan Heavenly Lake opened, the last Divine Hall elder tore through the air and landed in front of the assembled disciples... more precisely, in front of Mu Hanyi.
This was a rather tall woman, bearing the heavy marks of age and time, with a somewhat robust build. Her cold eyes held an inherent authority without anger. Her arrival made the surrounding atmosphere freeze.
The thirty-ninth elder of the Divine Hall — Mu Yunzhi!
And compared to being the thirty-ninth elder, she was also known throughout the sect for another identity.
Mu Hanyi's personal master!