Chapter 829: The Strongest Slave Enters the Stage!
It was no different than rubbing salt on the wound!
"Still, it\'s better to use the spot and fill it." Wan Ji sighed in resignation.
"The problem is, with Yan Feixue gone, we don’t have a suitable candidate," the Ice Lineage Diva stated.
"There’s not much time left. Your Ice Lineage must hurry and find an appropriate disciple," Wan Ji instructed.
Her implication was clear. Her Sea Lineage had offered her seven daughters, and the Snow Lineage had Feng Yao in the fray; it was time for the Ice Lineage to participate.
As the Frost Sword Devil, the Ice Lineage Diva naturally would not shy away, even if the path ahead seemed perilous.
"Alright." Having said this, the Ice Lineage Diva instantly flew away on her Sovereign Sword.
"Si Ji!" Wan Ji called out to the beauty with white hair and pink eyes.The Snow Lineage Diva turned around, her gaze serene.
"If it really comes to a life or death situation, it\'s up to you to survive. I’m at my wits\' end, having nothing left to offer the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm but my daughters, nothing but to meet death. You’re young, you are the future, you must persevere," Wan Ji said, her eyes slowly reddening.
The Snow Lineage Diva trembled. Then, she took a deep breath and said, "Okay." With that single word, she felt the weight on her shoulders grow heavier, making even turning around difficult.
Afterwards, the Sea Lineage Diva, alone once again, returned to the Sea Diva Ruins. There, seven stunningly beautiful young maidens were waiting for her.
"Mother, is it time to depart?" The youngest, with chin-length hair and round, clear eyes, looked innocently enchanting with her big, round eyes full of naivety.
"Almost, Hai Ying." Wan Ji recalled the matter of the Heavenly Deity Alliance. Then, she thought of those vile faces ogling at her daughters, who were so innocent, passionate, and full of dreams… And she felt her heart being cut apart, knowing she was sending them to their doom.
Her daughters didn\'t yet grasp that this Grand Assembly of Myriad Sects would be ten times more brutal than any before. Usually, one or two sisters would never make it home. But this time, how many of them would return?
Looking at their young faces, naive to the world\'s cruelties, her heart ached terribly, tears shimmering in her eyes. But what could she do?
Her daughters were the strongest of their age in the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm, blessed with the finest resources. It was their duty to stand and defend their home and honor.
"Mother, what\'s wrong?" The daughters crowded around, each one concerned. Their tight-knit family was a testament to Wan Ji\'s skilled and heartfelt governance.
"It\'s nothing." Wan Ji forced a smile, then pulled out seven white pills from her robes. "Take these Moon Seeds," her voice trembled slightly as she spoke.
At the mention of the Moon Seeds, a solemn expression fell over the girls.
The youngest, Hai Ying, asked, "Mother, is it really necessary to take this?"
"It is necessary. Every disciple of the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm must take one, even me," Wan Ji insisted seriously.
"What if I accidentally break the shell of the Moon Seed and release its poison?" Hai Ying asked nervously.
"Don\'t worry, it won\'t break accidentally. It\'s very safe—it\'s our guardian to protect our purity," Wan Ji said sternly.
"Mhmm."
Though hesitant, the daughters finally consumed the Moon Seeds.
"I heard that when the poison of the Moon Seed activates, it instantly corrodes our bodies, turning us into a mist of ice and snow that dissipates into the air..." Ꞧ
"Yes."
"How terrifying..."
"Don\'t worry, we won\'t need it. Our Harmony Divine Palace is a member of the Heavenly Deity Alliance. Who would dare cross us?"
Listening to the hushed conversation of her daughters, Wan Ji felt a piercing pain in her heart.
▬ι══✧⚰
At the Snow Diva Ruins, Yun Xiao had barely returned when the voice of the Snow Lineage Diva echoed near his ear.
"Come find me," she said.
Yun Xiao rose and entered the deepest chamber of her palace.
Inside the chamber, she lay stretched out, her perfect form hidden in the shadows, so beautiful that even the slightest outline in the dim light was startling.
"It\'s not even morning yet. What\'s the rush?" Yun Xiao said.
"We\'re leaving soon," the Snow Lineage Diva replied coolly.
"Alright."
This being their third time, Yun Xiao wasted no further words. Going through the motions, he smoothly carried out his task as faint sounds filled the darkness.
"Not in a good mood?" Yun Xiao asked, noticing her lack of engagement, which resulted in less release of spiritual yin energy.
"It\'s none of your business," the Snow Lineage Diva responded coldly.
"Then think of something happy," Yun Xiao suggested.
The Snow Lineage Diva didn\'t reply, but she did become more involved, gradually finding her rhythm.
After a while, she was enveloped in a red mist, slumped in a corner, drenched in sweat, panting heavily.
Despite this, it was clear her aura was growing more formidable, her vital energy surging, and although her body seemed weak, she was undergoing a transformation.
"Go find Feng Yao, then wait for me together," the Snow Lineage Diva said, her head lowered, her voice soft.
"Yes." Yun Xiao opened the door to leave.
Unexpectedly, upon opening the door, he saw the Ice Lineage Diva Yu Ji coming in from outside.
"Senior..." Seeing Yun Xiao, the Ice Lineage Diva\'s face lit up, the frostiness vanishing in an instant.
"Shh…" Yun Xiao put a finger to his mouth and smiled gently.
"Okay!" The Ice Lineage Diva nodded obediently and then added, "I\'m here to see Si Ji."
As she spoke, her gaze drifted past Yun Xiao to the chamber behind him, where the Snow Lineage Diva lay disheveled, her face flushed.
At that moment, the Ice Lineage Diva\'s body trembled, her heart racing, and a blush spread across her face unbidden.
"They\'re about to leave, and they were still..." Her emotions surged, a tumult of feelings welled inside her—envy intermingled with restraint.
"Yu Ji," the Snow Lineage Diva called out. She\'d already guessed that both her sisters had realized she was using this slave to break through. So, she no longer tried to hide it. She slowly stood, leaning against the wall, and asked, "What is it?"
Yu Ji took a deep breath and replied, "I\'ve found a disciple named Liu Qin to fill the ninth spot."
"If you\'ve decided, then it\'s settled," the Snow Lineage Diva said.
Unbeknownst to her, the Ice Lineage Diva was only using the matter of finding a ninth disciple as a pretext. Her real purpose was to seek out Yun Xiao for advice and hear his thoughts about the Heavenly Deity Alliance.
"Si Ji, have you spoken to him about the Heavenly Deity Alliance?" Yu Ji asked cautiously.
"Him?" The Snow Lineage Diva was taken aback. Why would she discuss such a critical matter with a lowly slave?
"Ahem." Yun Xiao coughed and winked at Yu Ji.
Yu Ji, unsure of his intentions but obeying his gesture, halted immediately.
"Then, it\'s settled. Liu Qin will take the ninth spot," the Snow Lineage Diva concluded. This was partly to make Yu Ji leave sooner; she needed to catch her breath.
"Why add someone else?" Yun Xiao suddenly asked.
The Snow Lineage Diva shot him a cold look, her silence speaking volumes. What does it matter to you?
But before she could voice it, the Ice Lineage Diva quickly explained, "The Heavenly Deity Alliance has granted us an extra spot at the last minute. We at the Harmony Divine Palace must make it into the top ten, or else we face serious trouble. We have to use every slot we\'ve got."
"What kind of trouble?" Yun Xiao asked.
"Why do you ask so many questions?" the Snow Lineage Diva said, exasperated.
"Si Ji, what kind of attitude is that?" The Ice Lineage Diva glared at her, then with a mix of sorrow and frustration, she explained the Heavenly Deity Alliance\'s decision and the looming disasters for the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm to Yun Xiao.
The Snow Lineage Diva looked completely baffled. Her second sister Yu Ji was usually colder than ice. Now, she was acting tender and almost coquettish towards a lowly slave…
"Oh..." Yun Xiao muttered after listening, now with a rough understanding.
"I\'d need an identity to participate in the Grand Assembly of Myriad Sects..." Thinking this through, he then declared, "Let\'s do this—give the ninth spot to me, and I\'ll fight on behalf of the Harmony Divine Palace."
"You\'re speaking nonsense..." The Snow Lineage Diva had barely started speaking when the Ice Lineage Diva, overtaken by excitement, jumped up and exclaimed, "That\'s perfect!"
"What…!?" The Snow Lineage Diva was left bewildered. "Just like that...?"
The Ice Lineage Diva\'s only concern was whether Yun Xiao would qualify. No doubt she believed an old sage like him was far older than her. But his body double here might just be young enough. Even if it wasn\'t, couldn\'t a Boundless Immortal like him employ some trickery?
"Yes!" Yun Xiao quickly agreed, cutting her off before she could mention him being a body double.
"No problem at all, I\'ll arrange the registration right away," the Ice Lineage Diva hurriedly said.
"Go ahead," Yun Xiao replied.
"But, representing the Harmony Divine Palace, you can only do so as a slave..." Yu Ji said apologetically.
"I am a slave," Yun Xiao responded with a smile.
"Indeed…" The Ice Lineage Diva blinked, gave a cute smile, and then turned to hurry with the registration, fearing Yun Xiao might slip away.
Now, only Yun Xiao and the Snow Lineage Diva remained in the chamber.
Yun Xiao glanced back at her and gave a dry laugh.
"Stop right there!" The Snow Lineage Diva called out, floating in front of him, sizing him up.
"Diva, is there something?" Yun Xiao asked.
"Did you give Yu Ji some sort of enchantment drug?" the Snow Lineage Diva asked.
"Not at all," Yun Xiao replied.
"Why is she so thrilled about you fighting?" she asked, puzzled.
"Perhaps that Diva recognizes my extraordinary talents," Yun Xiao said.
"..."
The white-haired, pink-eyed woman was visibly confused.
"What is going on here..."
Everything felt strange to her, especially this young man, who seemed almost ethereal.
"Is it because I\'m too tired after that session? Why do I feel like Yu Ji is worshiping a lowly slave?" Si Ji muttered in confusion. Then, she shook her head. "I must be imagining things."
Just then, the Sea Lineage Diva issued a rallying call. The time to depart had arrived!
Yun Xiao now had his mission. This journey was to battle in the Grand Assembly of Myriad Sects!
"A eunuch going to war, how unprecedented…" Yun Xiao said with a wry smile.