Feng Yao paid him no mind, hastily arranging her attire before heading out.

Yun Xiao watched her leave, then returned to his seat.

He had plundered many celestial pills anda Supreme Immortal Jades from the Jade Moon Divine Palace, feeding them all at once to Blue Star and Red Moon.

The night passed, and brand-new Tri Heaven Sariras along with Origin Orbs were refined.

After pondering the sword techniques, Yun Xiao resumed his cultivation, his power surging as he ascended rapidly.

At the same time, Yun Xiao tapped into his Mortal Dust Devil Seed, The Mortal Dust Devil Blood flowed through Feng Yao's eyes, allowing him to see everything she saw.

The moment was critical; she was to test her Corona talent again, and Yun Xiao could not afford to be negligent.

Should any mishap occur, he would be there to save her!

Feeling the stir of Mortal Dust Devil blood within, Feng Yao knew he had come.

"Why so nervous? You care that much about me?" she asked.

"Indeed, raising a piggy is no small feat," Yun Xiao replied.

"You call me a pig, and claim you're my parent. That means you're also a pig, a greasy middle-aged one at that," Feng Yao scoffed.

"Your tongue is getting even sharper," he remarked.

With those eyes, Yun Xiao gazed ahead.

Before them loomed an impossibly majestic snow mountain, at least three times taller than Thousand Snow Moon Peak!

Atop that mountain, a serpentine palace of snow-white stood out.

"The Celestial Snow Palace."

Undoubtedly, this was the core of the Harmony Divine Palace's Snow Lineage.

"Today, many pinnacle beings from the Snow Lineage gather here for you, but you don't need to be nervous. Whatever the outcome, your master will bear the responsibility. Just let me do most of the talking," Xue Yuening turned around and reminded Feng Gao.

"Master, what do you mean by bearing responsibility? Are you expecting something to happen?" Feng Yao said earnestly.

Xue Yuening shook her head with a gentle smile. "My girl, when the arrow is on the bow, it must be released. If you possess a talent that defies this world, and I fail to secure the rightful conditions for you, then it is my dereliction."

"Okay." Feng Yao nodded, then whispered, "Even if I remain at seven stars, would anyone blame you?"

"That's not important," Xue Yuening said with a gentle smile.

Though she didn't delve into the details, Feng Yao wasn't naive; she understood that using the true Harmony Crown brought considerable pressure on Xue Yuening.

This all-female celestial sect was harsh in its hierarchical power structure.

With the advice given, Xue Yuening personally took her disciple by the hand and stepped into the Celestial Snow Palace.

Upon entering, Feng Yao felt an immense avalanche-like pressure.

All eyes fell upon her as she entered.

"Truly a devil, and a notorious Yin Devil at that."

"Xue Yuening, you're truly beguiled by devils."

These were the first murmurs Feng Yao caught as she stepped into the Celestial Snow Palace.

The first comment was a scornful jab at her race, a high and mighty sneer at her integrity.

The second was a rejection of her master, Xue Yuening.

Feng Yao was brash as a young calf, unafraid of tigers and fond of defiance. She was not one to back down due to intimidation.

Xue Yuening bowed her head upon entering the Celestial Snow Palace. She glanced at Feng Yao, hoping her disciple would follow suit.

However, Feng Yao lifted her head and stood tall, meeting every gaze directly. Her eyes swept over the assembly!

Inside the Celestial Snow Palace were 100 figures! At the lowest tier, each Valkyrie was at least of the same rank as Xue Yuening.

Further up, on a higher step, sat ten Valkyrie Princesses, each adorned with more splendid garments and radiant Coronas, exuding an aura of greater nobility and power.

Without a doubt, these ten were in the Sixth Baptism Realm!

These ten Valkyrie Princesses were enshrouded in clouds, forming a celestial court of their own.

They seemed like behemoths on the clouds, delicate yet each possessing an overwhelming presence, especially with their icy demeanors and glowing Coronas adding to the oppressive atmosphere.

However, these ten were not the highest nor the most revered present today!

Above them, there was yet another tier!

On that tier, two figures sat!

Feng Yao noted immediately that they possessed the lower bodies of white serpents.

Their upper halves were regal and majestic, like sovereigns of ice and snow, commanding the elements, reigning supreme over 1,000,000 Immortals!

"Quickly pay respects to the two Valkyrie Queens, ten Valkyrie Princesses, and all the Valkyries," Xue Yuening instructed.

Yun Xiao understood then the hierarchy of the Harmony Divine Palace! It was Valkyries, Valkyrie Princesses, Valkyrie Queens, and Divas!

The Divas were the ultimate rulers.

Beneath them, the two Valkyrie Princess before Feng Yao stood as paragons among countless Immortals.

Just their presence made even Xue Yuening tremble inwardly, though she came here to advocate today.

"Pay respects?" Feng Yao thought to declare that a man's knees bear only gold, but then she remembered she was no man, and so she chose to endure this one time.

Now, as a 7-Star Valkyrie Queen talent, she faced two true Valkyrie Queens.

How could she not bow, when her future was their present?

She bowed gracefully. But no sooner had she finished than a mocking voice sounded beside her.

"Please consider carefully, Valkyrie Queens. This is a Yin Devil. Although born in the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm, she might not be pure."

Feng Yao looked toward the speaker, a black-robed Valkyrie named Chen Yue.

"Don't cause trouble, Chen Yue. I've confirmed that Feng Yao is pure," Xue Yuening said, seemingly anticipating interference.

Chen Yue scoffed coldly, "What does your confirmation count for? After all, you've transgressed before. The reason you bear no children, you know best."

The air in the Celestial Snow Palace turned icy cold.

Xue Yuening bowed her head, her face pained, fists clenched, eyes reddening.

"Valkyrie Queens, I request to personally verify her purity, to prevent the Harmony Crown from being tainted by impurity," Chen Yue said as she stood.

The two serpent-bodied Valkyrie Queens, lofty and elevated, looked down at Feng Yao.

One was Cang Xue, delicate and gentle like a saintly snow goddess, while the other, Wu Shang, had short hair and a more androgynous, commanding aura.

Against these two, Chen Yue's pettiness was stark.

"Such an act is demeaning. Please consider the psychological growth of the younger generation," Xue Yuening pleaded.

The Valkyrie Queens exchanged a glance.

Cang Xue then said, "Regarding the Harmony Crown, it is prudent to be cautious."

"Yes!" Chen Yue smiled triumphantly.

Xue Yuening could only grip Feng Yao's hand, urging her to endure.

"Feng Yao, I do this for your good, to give you a chance to silence the rumors. Don't hold this against me," Chen Yue said with a wistful smile.

Feng Yao laughed. "You, a mere Valkyrie, dare to offend me with the talent of a 7-Star Valkyrie Queen, showing you are but another's mouthpiece. Why should I resent you? It's those behind you, propping you up to play the villain, whom I truly disdain."

The Celestial Snow Palace buzzed with life at Feng Yao's bold proclamation.

The elders found it peculiarly striking! Her words seemed both shrewd and foolish, leaving the assembly in disarray.

𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

She was called smart for piercing through Chen Yue's fa?ade as a mere mouthpiece. And foolish, for voicing such suspicions outright. Was this something to be said aloud?

Xue Yuening was dumbstruck.

Feng Yao, unencumbered by fear, pointed at Chen Yue and challenged, "Come on then, I'm not afraid of you. How do you want to test me? With your fingers?"

Such brashness from a disciple towards an elder was uncommon.

Chen Yue had never encountered such defiance! Her authority, momentarily, seemed diminished.

"Test me!" Feng Yao pressed.

Chen Yue stared at the young girl. After a long pause, she laughed again.

"What's funny? Are you thinking that with my temper and wits, I'll never make it to Valkyrie Queen, that I’d die along the way?" Feng Yao asked, half-mocking.

Chen Yue's smile vanished, leaving her speechless.

This segment was losing its edge.

Approaching, she took a celestial instrument, scanned Feng Yao with it, and then declared, "Reporting to the Valkyrie Queens, her purity is confirmed."

"Is that all? I thought you might actually make me comfortable for a moment," Feng Yao scoffed.

Chen Yue was left wordless.

Xue Yuening, wishing to move past this turbulence, respectfully asked, "Valkyrie Queens, may we begin?"

Wu Shang remained silent, while Cang Xue, whose expression had been unchanging, spoke softly, "Proceed. First, a ceremonial bath, then the cleansing ritual, and I will summon the crown."

JustLivingJL's Thoughts

"Is that all? I thought you might actually make me comfortable for a moment," Feng Yao scoffed.