The place seemed to have been sculpted directly from the purest concept of ice and snow. Every structure, every relief, and every reflection conveyed the sensation of a cold and untouchable perfection, as if that space existed outside the normal flow of the world. A gentle yet icy current of blue-silver light permeated the surroundings, enveloping everything in a delicate glow reminiscent of frozen mist. The air shimmered, laden with luminous particles that floated slowly, making the entire scene appear immersed in an eternal winter twilight. Observed from a distance, the ensemble resembled a hidden Asgard among the clouds, a realm suspended between sky and earth, too beautiful to be real.
The palace at the center was neither vast nor overwhelming in size. On the contrary, it occupied a relatively modest expanse, as if it had been deliberately contained. Its walls and towers of crystalline ice rose with elegance, not ostentation. Still, despite its reduced scale, there was something about that place that commanded absolute respect. It wasn't the grandeur that made the heart tighten, but the atmosphere. A penetrating cold seemed to pierce not just the skin, but the very soul, and the aura of silent sanctity made anyone hesitate before taking a step forward, as if approaching without permission were a sacrilege.
Mystical flowers and strange herb stems that appeared to be blades of ice and sharp petals of snow bloomed competitively around the ice palace, sparkling with an extravagant glow like those of crystals and jewels. They were so beautiful that they could make an individual hold their breath because of the sight. These strange plants were all nourished by the purest energy of ice and snow, unstained by even a single particle of the mundane.
In front of the palace, however, the landscape transformed drastically. Everything had been devastated in a continuous line that extended to the horizon, as if the world had been swept away by a single irresistible will. The terrain, once solid, had been torn apart and frozen in the same instant, creating a vast sea of irregular ice. Crystalline layers overlapped at impossible angles, forming columns, blades, and natural arches that rose in absolute silence. Between these formations, narrow corridors and winding paths emerged and disappeared, composing an immense labyrinth of ice.
The light reflected in these structures fragmented into thousands of cold tones, transforming the frozen chaos into something of almost supernatural beauty. It was impossible not to feel drawn to that vision, as if standing before a work of art created by immortal hands. However, the more one observed, the clearer the truth behind that perfection became: it had not been shaped by time, nor by nature, but by the impact of a single movement. A strike that had rewritten the entire landscape, leaving behind a scene as beautiful as it was terrifying....
...Before that impossible vision, two silhouettes appeared in the icy skies.
Ren Zu and Feng Xue'er advanced through the air with smoothness, cutting through the frozen mist as if they were a natural part of that world. The cold wind passed around them, but did not truly touch them; it was as if the ice itself recognized their presence and opened the way. As they approached, the vastness of the frozen labyrinth below became even more impressive, each formation reflecting the light at delicate angles, like jewels sculpted by the will of a god.
Feng Xue'er, however, seemed to have completely forgotten any notion of etiquette suitable for a princess. Her blue eyes shone intensely, reflecting the sea of ice beneath them. She leaned slightly forward in the air, as if wanting to absorb every detail at once, her gaze jumping from one formation to another. There was a genuine enchantment in her expression, like that of a child who had just discovered a world of fairy tales that until then had only existed in dreams.
The cold that made others' hearts tremble seemed only to heighten her excitement. The bluish light dancing on the ice walls, the crystalline columns rising like trees of an eternal forest, the winding paths of the labyrinth reflecting shades of white and silver... everything was new, everything was wonderful. She spun lightly in the air on impulse, as if wanting to see the place from all possible angles at once, unable to contain the fascination.
Ren Zu flew at her side with absolute calm, observing her from the corner of his eye. There was no surprise in his gaze, just a quiet acceptance, as if that reaction was exactly what he expected.
When they crossed the palace's boundary, the air changed subtly. The light became softer, purer, and the silence gained an almost sacred weight. The internal structures revealed themselves with elegant and precise lines, corridors of translucent ice and elevated arches that seemed to support the frozen sky above. Still, Feng Xue'er showed no fear at all. On the contrary, she drew closer, as if pulled by an irresistible curiosity.
For her, that was not a terrifying or oppressive place.
It was incredible.
It was beautiful.
It was like entering a dream made of snow, and every beat of her heart seemed to say that that place... somehow, also accepted her.
Feng Xue'er took a few minutes to emerge from her stupor; she finally seemed to remember that she was not alone.
She slowed down in the air and drew a little closer to Ren Zu, still looking around as if afraid of missing some detail if she blinked for too long.
Then, almost without realizing it, she commented, her voice low and full of sincere admiration, as if confessing a thought kept in her chest:
"It's... it's even more beautiful than I imagined..." There was a brief pause, and then she added, with a slight smile on her lips: "It seems like a place that should only exist in stories....."
There was something so genuine in that tone that it didn't sound like praise, but pure wonder.
Ren Zu turned his gaze to her and smiled. Seeing her like that, with her eyes shining, her countenance light, the impossible-to-hide enchantment, he found it hard not to consider her... adorable.
She seemed perfectly at ease there, as if that ice domain were not something to be feared, but a place that silently welcomed her.
The sacred silence of the palace was broken by a sudden disturbance in the surrounding energy.
Two figures appeared ahead, descending quickly from one of the elevated ice passages. They were disciples dressed in long light-blue robes, adorned with silver patterns that resembled intertwined snowflakes. Their aura was sharp and vigilant, and the instant they landed, their gazes fixed on Ren Zu and Feng Xue'er with clear hostility.
The profound energy around the two condensed almost by reflex.
For them, any unknown presence within the Frozen Cloud Asgard could only mean danger.
"Who are you?" One of them stepped half a pace forward, her voice as cold as freshly formed ice.
But then... they looked closer.
The gaze of the first disciple met Ren Zu's face.
And froze.
The traces of alertness vanished like snow under the sun. Her eyes widened slightly, her breath faltered for a brief instant, and the profound energy around her body dissipated chaotically. The second disciple took only a second longer to recognize who was before them, and her reaction was practically identical.
The two straightened their posture at the same instant.
"G-Great Elder...!" They said almost at the same time, bowing deeply, absolute respect mixed with an emotion impossible to hide.
There was admiration in their eyes.
And something more... something dangerously close to devotion.
Feng Xue'er blinked, surprised.
She observed the two disciples, then Ren Zu, then the disciples again, and felt a strange discomfort grow in her chest.
Ren Zu, on the other hand, reacted with absolute naturalness.
"Lin Yue. Han Shuang..." He greeted casually, as if reuniting with long-time acquaintances: "It's been a while...."
The two disciples became visibly even more animated at being recognized by name. Lin Yue blushed slightly, while Han Shuang needed to avert her gaze for an instant to regain her composure.
"It is an honor to see you back, Great Elder..." Lin Yue responded with almost overflowing sincerity.
Ren Zu nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping the palace around before asking, in a calm tone:
"Where are the other disciples?"
Han Shuang responded quickly, eager to be useful:
"All are occupied, Great Elder. We are still finalizing the repairs from the damage caused by the attack from the Divine Sun and Moon Hall..." She hesitated for a fraction of a second before adding carefully: "...and also from the effects of your attack..."
Feng Xue'er's gaze instinctively shifted to the vast ice labyrinth in front of the palace.
So... that really had been his doing.
Ren Zu merely made a low sound of understanding, as if he already expected that answer.
"I see...." His gaze softened a bit before continuing: "And Qingyue?"
The two disciples exchanged a quick glance before Lin Yue responded:
"The Fairy Qingyue. The Mistress is in the inner sector, along with the Frozen Glass Fairy. They were personally supervising the final adjustments to the ice formations...."
Ren Zu nodded.
"Excellent. Thank you...."
The simplicity of the thanks was enough to make the two disciples visibly satisfied, as if they had received a great reward. Before they could say anything else, Ren Zu had already turned slightly, indicating he would proceed.
He didn't need to ask.
He knew exactly where Xia Qingyue was. But still, he made a point just to exchange a few words.
Ren Zu and Feng Xue'er passed by the two disciples and proceeded side by side through the inner corridors of the Frozen Cloud Asgard. The ice floor beneath their feet was perfectly smooth, reflecting the soft light coming from the walls, and the air seemed even purer as they advanced.
While walking, he silently observed the changes around.
Due to the attack from the Divine Sun and Moon Hall, where all the disciples and two mistresses were forced to go to the Frozen End Divine Hall, many structures had been destroyed. And besides that, his attack had destroyed everything from the Frozen End Divine Hall to the horizon, the girls had to rebuild everything, so it was much better than before in beauty and even in the resilience of everything. Teaching the disciples a bit more about the Laws of Water had allowed them to elevate the level of the Frozen Cloud Asgard even further. In just two days of his absence, the place had undergone a clear and impressive transformation.
Feng Xue'er walked beside Ren Zu, her hands discreetly clasped in front of her body. Until then, everything had been new, beautiful, and exciting... but now, as they approached the inner sector, a hint of nervousness began to emerge. Meeting another of Ren Zu's wives was different from hearing about her. Thoughts swirled like snowflakes in an internal blizzard. She was inexperienced in all of this—relationships, marriages, even social interactions beyond her family. Her father had protected her too much, and now... now she was there, about to face something entirely new... That's why her feelings were truly confused at that moment.
For a few instants, she hesitated... then spoke, her voice too low to break the quietude of the place.
"Husband..." She began, choosing her words carefully: "The other... your wife... what is she like?"
Ren Zu looked ahead as he responded.
"Qingyue is calm and reserved, besides being quite strong..." He paused briefly: "You'll like her...."
Feng Xue'er nodded slowly, taking a deep breath.
Shortly after, the corridor opened into a wide hall. The high ceiling was supported by arches of translucent ice, and suspended crystals radiated a soft white light.
Two figures were there; it was obviously Chu Yueli and Xia Qingyue.
Xia Qingyue was the first to notice their arrival. Her eyes lit up at once.
"Husband..." she called, her voice soft but laden with an emotion she didn't try to hide.
Without any hesitation, she approached him, stopping in front of him with a warm smile. Her hands rose naturally, touching Ren Zu's face with tenderness, as if wanting to confirm he was really there. Then, she leaned in and gave him a brief yet deeply affectionate kiss. Ren Zu responded in kind, without haste, with the familiarity of someone who never needed words for that kind of closeness.
When they separated, neither spoke immediately.
They just gazed at each other for a few moments, their looks soft, tranquil, as if all the noise of the world had stayed outside that ice hall.
"You've returned, Qingyue missed you...." After a few moments, Xia Qingyue finished saying what the emotion hadn't allowed earlier and looked at him quickly, as if wanting to confirm he was well: "Did everything go as expected?"
"Yes...."
At that moment, Chu Yueli stepped forward.
"Great Elder." She said, bowing slightly. Her voice was firm, but her eyes carried emotions hard to conceal: "It's good to see you again...."
Ren Zu turned to her.
"Mistress Chu...." He responded with respect: "Thank you for taking care of everything while I was away....."
"That is my duty...." She responded promptly... before adding, in a lower tone: "It always has been...."
There was a brief silence.
Chu Yueli cast a quick glance at Xia Qingyue and then at Feng Xue'er. Her feelings remained hidden behind her impeccable posture, but the conflict in her eyes was impossible not to notice.
"This is who...?"
It was only then that Xia Qingyue seemed to truly notice the presence of the young woman beside Ren Zu.
Until that moment, her attention had been entirely on him. Now, however, her eyes slid naturally to Feng Xue'er, who was looking at her closeness with Ren Zu with an extremely envious gaze.
Ren Zu noticed.
Without changing his expression, he took half a step forward, positioning himself naturally between the two female presences before speaking:
"This is Feng Xue'er. Princess of the Divine Phoenix Empire... and my new bride."
The words hung in the air like freshly formed ice crystals.
Chu Yueli widened her eyes slightly, surprise impossible to hide for an instant. Xia Qingyue, on the other hand, merely blinked slowly. Not shocked, but clearly caught off guard.
"Bride..." The word escaped from Chu Yueli in a low voice, more to herself than to the others.
Xia Qingyue turned her gaze back to Ren Zu.
"I thought you were going to visit your biological grandfather and aunt. Not... go to the Divine Phoenix Empire."
"Is that so? As expected of you, you understand me very well, Qingyue... I did go, actually. I spent a whole day with them."
"Then...?"
Ren Zu sighed lightly.
"There were complications. The Divine Phoenix Empire ended up becoming a problem. I resolved it in the most direct way."
Feng Xue'er felt her heart race.
"I..."
She began, but fell silent again.
"I destroyed the Empire." Ren Zu's voice was absolutely calm, as if commenting on the weather: "Or rather... I was about to do so."
Neither of the two was shocked by this information; Xia Qingyue frowned slightly.
"Was about to?"
"The current Emperor made a smart choice. He became my subordinate. In exchange, he proposed the alliance... and the engagement."
Chu Yueli closed her eyes for a brief second.
"Of course he proposed..."
Ren Zu then extended his hand and gently poked Feng Xue'er's arm.
The gesture was kind. Encouraging.
"Xue'er. Introduce yourself."
Feng Xue'er shuddered slightly, as if awakened from a trance. She straightened her posture hastily and took a small step forward, clearly nervous.
"I-I am Feng Xue'er... It's... it's a pleasure to meet you, sister Qingyue..."
She bowed her head politely, her ears already slightly pink.
Xia Qingyue observed her in silence.
Her gaze was calm. Deep. As serene as the surface of a still lake in winter.
She took a step forward, approaching close enough to speak clearly, but without invading the young woman's space.
"You live up to the title of the number one beauty of the Profound Sky Continent. You are... truly very beautiful."
Feng Xue'er froze.
Her face turned red almost instantly.
"I-I...! N-no... that's not true...! If people saw you, sister Qingyue, I'm sure I'd lose that title right away...!"
Chu Yueli blinked, surprised.
Xia Qingyue showed no external reaction. But her eyes became softer: "You are honest. I like that."
The invisible tension in the air dissipated like mist under the light.
Feng Xue'er relaxed a little, realizing she wasn't being rejected. Quite the opposite. Gradually, the two began to exchange simple words, soft comments, and in a few moments, they already seemed to understand each other with surprising naturalness....
Ren Zu observed in silence.
And, for the first time since arriving, he felt that perhaps... everything would work out better than expected. Xia Qingyue had surprised him by being so receptive; she really had changed a lot since she stopped practicing the Frozen Heart Arts....
He only hoped that the Little Demon Empress would be as receptive.
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