"After she reaches the Fourth Baptism Realm, I'll gladly welcome you two in nurturing her," the Snow Lineage Diva said.

However, the Ice and Sea Lineage Divas frowned. Even for a peerless prodigy, it would take quite a bit of time to go from the First Baptism Realm to the Fourth Baptism Realm.

During this time, the Snow Lineage Diva would have more than enough time to deepen her bond with Feng Yao.

By then, it would be almost impossible for latecomers like the Ice and Sea Lineage Divas to earn Feng Yao's recognition.

"My decision is final. Please, you may leave," the Snow Lineage Diva said, gesturing towards the door. Her declaration was a testament to her fearlessness against any ostracism that might come from the other two.

In this three-way power struggle, their relationships had always been a delicate balance of mutual indigestibility.

"Do you truly wish to walk this path of no return?" The Ice Lineage Diva’s eyes frosted over as she spoke.

"Like I said, that's up to you," the Snow Lineage Diva replied curtly.

𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

The Sea Lineage Diva, having long since lost her smile, chimed in, "Very well, we look forward to seeing what you can teach her in the first four celestial baptisms. With your prodigious talents, do not falter."

"There is no need for your concern," the Snow Lineage Diva responded coolly.

"We shall see," the Ice Lineage Diva was not ready to concede just yet.

"None of that matters now. Later, she will attend the Grand Assembly of Myriad Sects; you shall see her then," the Snow Lineage Diva continued in her stark manner.

"You really are something!" The Ice Lineage Diva was internally ablaze with frustration.

However, there was nothing to be done. It was Xue Yuening who had brought this young devil to their domain and daringly bestowed upon her the genuine Harmony Crown!

Neither the Frost Valkyrie nor the Sea Storm Valkyrie had the foresight to see Feng Yao's talent. They simply had to accept this fact.

Without another word, the two Divas turned and departed.

As they left the Palace of Melting Snow, the Sea Lineage Diva glanced back and scoffed, "It was Xue Yuening who gave that little devil girl her chance, not her. What is she pretending for?"

"As long as she remains within the Harmony Divine Palace, opportunities are plentiful; there’s no need to rush," the Ice Lineage Diva remarked.

This matter solidified their alliance like never before.

"Do you believe she's actually a 9-Star talent? Could it be a ruse by the Snow Lineage? Otherwise, why prevent us from seeing her?" the Sea Lineage Diva whispered coldly.

"They said she’s going to participate in the selection for the Grand Assembly of Myriad Sects, right? A cultivator’s true level is clearest during combat," the Ice Lineage Diva replied.

Together, they soared into the sky—a rare sight indeed.

"Hm?" The blue-haired Ice Lineage Diva felt a sudden stir and turned her gaze back towards the Snow Diva Ruins.

There, amidst the snowy ruins, she thought she glimpsed a fleeting white figure! She couldn’t tell if it was mere illusion or reality.

"Is that senior still in the Harmony Divine Palace?" the Ice Lineage Diva wondered, her mind awash with thoughts.

?ι══????????══ι?

Outside the Palace of Melting Snow…

"Out with it, what did you and her get up to?!" Feng Yao cornered Yun Xiao against a snowy wall, looming over him.

He was pressed down by her assets, breathless and struggling to speak.

"What are you imagining? Surely you know how she looks down on slaves, right?" Yun Xiao retorted, his voice flat with frustration.

"Nonsense," Feng Yao chuckled dismissively. "She can't fool me. The old women of the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm are all repressed. Once there's a crack, it's like a deluge."

"And what about you?" Yun Xiao asked with a smirk.

"Get lost, I'm young and not bottled up at all," Feng Yao glared back.

Her interrogation yielded nothing further.

"You're lying, and I'll eventually catch you in the act," she huffed.

"Why the diligence? Could it be—" Yun Xiao teased.

"Shut it. I'm just warning you, the women here are no easy foes. Don't stir up trouble that ends up costing me my neck," Feng Yao retorted.

"Rest easy," Yun Xiao assured her.

"Why 'rest easy'?" Feng Yao paused, puzzled.

"Because you're suffocating me…" Yun Xiao muttered under his breath.

This reversal of roles had its own fierce impact.

"I'll go find the Diva!"

To escape the awkwardness, Feng Yao turned and headed back to the Palace of Melting Snow. Soon, she was knocking on the entrance.

"Come in."

The other two Divas had just left.

Upon entering, Feng Yao found the Snow Lineage Diva appearing serene and composed. "Diva, I wish to break through in the Harmony Divine Pool, but I lack the entry token from Valkyrie Queen Wu Shang."

"I'll accompany you," the Snow Lineage Diva offered with a gentle smile.

"Personally?" Feng Yao was taken aback.

Indeed, having a Diva personally aid in one’s cultivation was a significant honor.

The Harmony Divine Pool was a double ring-shaped pool with an outer and inner pool.

At the outer pool of the Harmony Divine Pool, one could faintly perceive the pool's vibrant flow, its life force robust and overwhelming.

Only a Valkyrie Princess was permitted in the outer pool, and only a Valkyrie Queen could enter the inner pool.

During this visit, Feng Yao had unexpectedly encountered Xue Yuening, her first time at the Harmony Divine Pool breaking convention. Their meeting was joyous and heartwarming.

Xue Yuening, observing the Diva personally guide Feng Yao, wisely refrained from disturbing their growing bond, recognizing Feng Yao's rarity.

Ahead, the Harmony Divine Pool was in reality a blood pool, filled not with ordinary fluid but with the blood of Harmony Divine Beasts. This blood, blue as ice and clear as crystal, appeared as though it were pearls ground into liquid form—it bore no scent of gore, but was instead refreshingly sweet and pleasant to the senses.

Indeed, neither the Valkyrie Princesses nor Valkyrie Queens directly consumed the blood. Like Feng Yao with the Mortal Dust Blood Calamity, they too slowly assimilated its essence.

After all, the blood was potent with lineage power. If it were absorbed too hastily, it could easily devastate the body and corrupt the bloodline.

With a series of gurgles, the first step upon entering the Harmony Divine Pool was to disrobe.

The Snow Lineage Diva did so with ease, her white dress dissipating like mist as she slipped into the pool with a serpentine grace, perfectly in harmony with her surroundings.

The water rippled around her, the serpentine woman’s beauty magnified by the undulating waves—a truly mesmerizing sight.

"How beautiful!" Feng Yao marveled, half-jokingly contemplating her own potential for similar grace.

"Come on in," the Snow Lineage Diva called back, her wet white hair cascading over her shoulders, her smile as sweet as the waters.

Despite initial embarrassment, Feng Yao reminded herself she was among only women here, which eased her discomfort. She shed her garments and stepped into the Harmony Divine Pool, her presence causing the largest ripples yet.

"The Snow Lineage Diva has brought the 9-Star talent!"

Soon, numerous Valkyrie Princesses converged to pay their respects.

"Good day, seniors," Feng Yao greeted each with impeccable politeness, regardless of their lineage, earning a swell of favorable murmurs.

As she looked around at the shimmering figures, her smile froze.

"Yun Xiao, are you watching?" she blurted out.

Immediately, a voice echoed in her heart, "No, I am a gentleman through and through."

"I didn’t specify what you should be watching, and you claim to be a gentleman?" Feng Yao nearly laughed in exasperation.

"Hmm…" Yun Xiao fell silent for a moment, then suggested, "Well, in that case, why don’t you walk a bit further, maybe even take a dive…"

JustLivingJL's Thoughts