Chapter 55: First Visit to Liu Hanyan

The following morning, after a quiet breakfast, Su Miaoqing retreated to her room without a single backward glance. Su Qianyi offered only a cursory look at Xiao Yifeng, muttering a curt “Be careful,” before walking away.

In the end, only Lin Ziyun, Xiang Tiange, and a handful of fellow disciples gathered to see him off.

Standing in the courtyard, Lin Ziyun shook her head with a sigh. “It seems Qing’er doesn’t plan to come out. That silly girl… she likely can’t bear to watch you leave and is afraid her tears will make her a laughingstock. Alright, the hour is late. Xiao Feng, go early and return safely. Your safety is the only thing that matters.”

Xiao Yifeng nodded repeatedly. He turned to his martial brothers, his expression solemn as he cupped his fists. “Master’s Wife, Senior Brothers—take care. This disciple is departing.”

Xiang Tiange nodded, clapping a heavy hand on Xiao Yifeng’s shoulder. “Xiao Feng, go. Watch your back out there.”

“Go on,” Lin Ziyun added, forcing a smile. “We will be waiting for you.”

The other Senior Brothers cupped their fists in unison, assuring him that they would guard the Hall in his absence so he could travel with peace of mind.

Having said his farewells, Xiao Yifeng hesitated no longer. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned Falling Rainbow, the flying sword he had obtained only yesterday. Shouldering his luggage, he leaped onto the blade and formed a hand seal. The sword hummed, stabilizing instantly before rocketing into the sky as a streak of crimson light.

Standing atop the blade, Xiao Yifeng looked back. Xiang Tiange and the others were still standing there, waving from the distance. A surge of warmth filled his chest, and he waved back vigorously until they were nothing but specks.

Falling Rainbow tore through the mountain mist, carrying him toward the sect’s perimeter. On his trajectory, he passed by the territory of Feixue Hall. Gazing down at the magnificent, snow-dusted pavilions, his mind drifted to the cold, elegant figure who resided within.

Xiao Yifeng’s thoughts became a storm of conflicting emotions. Subconsciously, he slowed his flight speed.

A sudden impulse seized him. He wanted to fly down there—consequences be damned—find Liu Hanyan, and demand an answer: What exactly do you want from me?

He didn’t truly understand his own feelings. Perhaps he just wanted to tell her that he didn’t need her charity. He didn’t need her sympathy.

You may be stronger than me right now, he thought, gripping his robes, but in my previous life, I stood shoulder to shoulder with you. In this life, I will do the same!

After a brief internal struggle, Xiao Yifeng grit his teeth, adjusted his stance, and banked the sword sharply toward Feixue Hall.

As he approached, a massive barrier rose up in the distance, shimmering as it enveloped the entire Feixue Hall domain.

Since Feixue Hall housed only female disciples, its security was the strictest in the sect. The protective barrier remained active year-round, and the few open entrances were heavily guarded. Naturally, these measures were in place to ward off lechers and opportunists.

Xiao Yifeng descended toward one of the grand gates, where four female disciples stood on duty.

“Halt! This is Feixue Hall of the Wentian Sect,” one of the guards called out, stepping forward. She eyed Xiao Yifeng’s plain clothes with undisguised suspicion. “Fellow Daoist, what is your business here?”

Xiao Yifeng smiled bitterly. Comparisons really are the thief of joy, he thought. Just look at the imposing grandeur of Feixue Hall compared to our shabby Wuya Hall.

He bowed politely. “I am Xiao Yifeng from Wuya Hall. I have come to request an audience with your Sect Leader. Please announce my arrival.”

The guard’s eyes widened. She scrutinized him again, frowning. “You wish to see our Sect Leader? Do you have a letter of introduction? A token from your own Hall Master? Anything?”

Xiao Yifeng shook his head. “No.”

The female disciple gave a dry laugh. “Junior Brother, the Sect Leader is not someone you can just casually meet. Without a token, we cannot even announce you.”

Xiao Yifeng nodded; it made sense. Given Liu Hanyan’s lofty status, she wasn’t exactly accessible to ordinary disciples. Just as he turned to leave, a voice cut through the air.

“What is going on?”

The voice was cold yet melodious. Xiao Yifeng turned to see a familiar figure standing behind him.

Her beauty was peerless, though her temperament was icy and sharp, like a proud plum blossom enduring the winter snow. The blue robes of a True Disciple fit her perfectly, radiating an aura that made it hard to look away.

Xiao Yifeng recognized her immediately. She was the disciple who constantly shadowed Liu Hanyan. He had crossed paths with her a few times in his previous life. Chu Mo, if memory served.

Chu Mo spotted Xiao Yifeng and paused. She remembered him well. Seeing him standing at the gates of Feixue Hall, her curiosity was piqued. “What are you doing here?”

“Greetings, Senior Sister Chu Mo,” the gate guard interjected quickly. “This Junior Brother from Wuya Hall claims he wishes to see the Sect Leader, but he holds no token. We dared not let him pass.”

Chu Mo turned to Xiao Yifeng, a puzzled look on her face. “You wish to see Master?”

“Yes,” Xiao Yifeng nodded. “I would like to trouble the Fairy to announce me. Please tell her Xiao Yifeng of Wuya Hall requests an audience.”

Chu Mo frowned slightly. “Master is currently in Secluded Cultivation. She may not act on your request, but… I will go and ask.”

Xiao Yifeng nearly laughed aloud. He knew Liu Hanyan’s dirty little secret. “Secluded Cultivation” was often just her code for “do not disturb my nap.” She was likely hiding away in her chambers, catching up on sleep.

“I appreciate the trouble, Fairy,” he said, keeping a straight face.

Chu Mo nodded. Without wasting another second, she mounted her flying sword and soared into the air, drifting into the hall with the grace of an immortal.

Xiao Yifeng waited by the entrance. The female guards couldn’t stop stealing glances at him, whispering among themselves. They were placing bets on whether the Sect Leader would actually agree to see him. The odds were overwhelmingly on ‘no.’

Moments later, a streak of light returned. Chu Mo landed lightly before him.

“Junior Brother Xiao, follow me,” she said. “Master is waiting for you in the Ice Spirit Hall.”

The guards’ jaws dropped, their eyes popping in disbelief as they stared at Xiao Yifeng. ignoring their shock, Xiao Yifeng nodded and stepped onto Falling Rainbow, following Chu Mo into the depths of Feixue Hall.

They flew at a blistering pace. Chu Mo glanced back at him several times, hiding her surprise. Xiao Yifeng was keeping up with her effortlessly, his breathing steady. It was worth noting that while she had matched his pace, she was a cultivator at the Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment stage. For a Qi Condensation disciple to keep up so easily was unheard of.

She had heard the rumors about him defeating a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but seeing his prowess firsthand forced her to view him in a new light.

“Xiao Yifeng thanks Senior Sister for helping me out of that predicament,” he called out, cupping his fists mid-flight. “May I ask the Fairy’s name?”

“It was a small effort, Junior Brother need not worry,” she replied, her tone neither warm nor cold. “I am Chu Mo. You may address me as such.”

The scenery within Feixue Hall was a stark contrast to the rugged nature of Wuya Hall. The landscape was dominated by white silver fir trees, creating a vast, blinding expanse of white that resembled a kingdom of ice and snow.

There were no steep, jagged peaks here; the terrain rolled in gentle, snow-covered hills. The main seat of power, the Ice Spirit Hall, sat squarely in the center of the domain.

It was a colossal structure built entirely of white marble. A long, sloping staircase led up to the entrance, giving it an air of majesty and desolate coldness—completely unlike the ancient, rustic charm of Wuya Hall.

Chu Mo led Xiao Yifeng past the guards at the main entrance and guided him briskly inside.

Stepping into the great hall, Xiao Yifeng took a moment to look around. This was his first time inside the Ice Spirit Hall. The interior mirrored the exterior—a fusion of icy white and azure blue, elegant yet imposing.

Chu Mo bowed deeply toward the figure seated at the far end of the hall. “Master, I have brought Junior Brother Xiao.”

Xiao Yifeng did not bow. He simply stood there, his gaze fixed on Liu Hanyan, who sat upon a broad throne carved from white ice.

“Mn. You’ve worked hard, Chu Mo,” Liu Hanyan said indifferently. “You may leave us.”

Yes, Master.” Chu Mo bowed again, turned, and withdrew, the heavy palace doors groaning shut behind her.

Liu Hanyan sat upright on her ice throne, her eyes sweeping over Xiao Yifeng. He had grown since they last met; he looked dignified, impressive.

“Why have you come?” she asked slowly, her voice echoing in the vast, empty hall. “If there is no urgent matter, I must return to Secluded Cultivation.”