Chapter 186 - 186 184 The Lady in the Snow

Words : 1359 Updated : Sep 30th, 2025

186: Chapter 184: The Lady in the Snow 186: Chapter 184: The Lady in the Snow The woman’s features were elegant, her black hair tipped with snow, dressed in snowy-white palace attire. With wide sleeves that danced and swept the ground, her face beneath the large, red, hooded cloak quickly blurred into snow and shadow. But even a fleeting glimpse was enough to captivate and steal one’s soul. From beneath the pristine white sleeves, a slender hand like fine jade reached out, lifting a cup of steaming Immortal Tea from the cold stone. A drop-shaped jade ornament on her forehead swayed, shining with the luster of a cool spring, and a hint of surprise flickered through her cool, lazy eyes, “The child from the Xue Family of Shifang City is quite good.” The Maid who served her with grace showed a flicker of different color upon her calm face. It was rare to receive a word of praise from the Empress in this world. Seeing the woman take an unusually second sip of the clear tea before slowly setting it down, her slender jade fingers leisurely plucked the strings of a zither, producing a sound as clear as flowing water. It seemed her spirits were high tonight. The Maid smiled and said, “Empress, the current master of Shifang City does not bear the surname Xue; that child’s surname is Fang.” The woman looked up, giving the Maid a quiet glance. The Maid smiled and added, “Though that child is formidable, igniting two characters of spirit intent, and can be considered a genius, that is only in the Mortal World.” The blizzard intensified suddenly, and the distant sound faded; the giant spirits’ voices trembled heaven and earth but were reaching their end. The woman gently touched her crimson lips, a smile not quite a smile on her face: “If that was all, then the child would not deserve my approval.” The Maid was taken aback, then smiled, but wisely didn’t ask any further. The woman held her tea and slowly stood up, ready to pour the remaining, not inferior, clear tea into the Snow Pool by the side to nourish the flourishing tea plant. Seeing this extravagant scene, the Maid was no longer surprised. Feeding such rare Spiritual Tea to a flower was a luxury only this woman could afford. The wind rose with surging waves, and the cold spring rippled. Where the ceaseless wind originated, it blew off the woman’s red hood, sending her ink-black hair dancing with the snow. The action of splashing the tea suddenly stopped, the woman’s expression becoming increasingly solemn, yet somewhat surprised. The tilted teacup was swiftly withdrawn and, under the Maid’s stunned gaze, she drained the cup of tea in one unrestrained gulp, casting aside any semblance of the Empress’s composure and elegance. A stream of clear tea even overflowed from the corner of her lips, flowing along her perfectly-contoured chin and neck, seeping into the loosened neckline, rendering her collarbone mesmerizingly damp. The Maid knew her mistress had always been difficult to please, with even top-grade Immortal Teas like those from the Silver Tip Snow Ridge serving merely to moisten her throat. She had never seen her drink a full cup of tea, and yet today was an aberration. Watching the trace of a smile on her lips, the maid asked softly, “Empress, you seem to be in a good mood?” The woman’s melodious voice resonated with the wind in cheerful frivolity, “All under heaven and earth, only vast impenetrable expanse remains.” The Maid’s faced showed disbelief: “Empress… has someone deciphered that eight-character ancient stele?” The woman sat amidst the snow, her jade-white feet dipped in the cold spring, slightly stirring, as she recited, “Come like the wind and rain, leave as if mere dust.” “What is this about, Empress?” The woman lay amidst the white snow and cold spring, resembling a languid and noble white cat. She looked at the Maid, seemingly inquiring, “Little Green Gourd, what do you say to me taking advantage of this trial to take in a Disciple for a try?” On hearing the nickname ‘Little Green Gourd’, the Maid’s mouth twitched, but she maintained her composure, smiling slightly: “Empress, perhaps accumulate some virtue? Better not go and ruin others’ good children.” The woman seemed to recall a sad affair, sighing with sorrow, “Why is it that these children, looking competent and promising, either die or become crippled once they become Disciples of Kunlun Mountain?” The Maid wore a complex expression, holding her tongue. Is this not a problem of your own making, Empress? Before they came to the mountain, each was healthy, lively, and cheerful. Clearly inept at teaching, yet you insist on taking in these vibrant young buds. Those tender boys and girls of the Mortal World, too fragile to endure your thunderstorm-like laissez-faire and torturous educational methods. Unable to speak candidly, the Maid could only vaguely respond, betraying her conscience, “The realms of Humans and Immortals have their order; perhaps these children’s blessings are too shallow.” The dignified woman’s eyes brightened, “This child doesn’t seem that fragile.” “Empress, even if they’re not fragile, it’s not right. Genius in the Mortal World is already rare; if you torment a few more to death, the strength of the righteous powers will decline. Once it declines, when those old immortals of Immortal Sect are gone, who do you expect to take over the Mortal World? If the Demon Sect cannot be suppressed, it will be up to our people in Kunlun Mountain to step in.” Although the logic was sound, the woman was unconvinced, continuing to deceive herself, “I wish to find a companion for Junjun, seeing my beloved daughter lonely for over a decade, my heart is truly guilty.” Exhaling softly, the Maid looked helplessly at the Empress starting to act spoiled, “Empress, don’t make excuses. The little princess enjoys solitude and dislikes disturbances from others.” “Sigh, that is truly regrettable.” … … Stars shone brilliantly, and sweat beaded on everyone’s brow. Fang Geyu regarded with an unfavorable gaze at one of the Guest Elders under him, Ming Yuanji. Baili An coughed twice, fresh blood flowing from the cracked wound on his forehead, winding down his face. He touched it and found his palm covered in blood, but these were not the real trouble. Ming Yuanji knelt on the ground, forehead dripping with cold sweat, head bowed. On the dark face of the ancient stele, a residual trace of red blood melded into it, quickly being absorbed and disappearing. Baili An tugged at Fang Geyu’s sleeve, whispering worriedly, “This isn’t serious, right? Could it affect your grand examination?” “Don’t be too arrogant. Who do you think you are, capable of altering my grand examination results? Better worry about yourself first,” Fang Geyu replied with a cool, mocking laugh. She regarded the man kneeling on the ground with eyes as cold and frosty as ever, “I had no idea you were capable of this?” With his shoulders trembling violently, Ming Yuanji was about to speak when a fierce gust of wind whistled by his ear. It was Fang Geyu’s sword that she swung heavily at his cheek. His head jerked to the side, his cheek marred by a red welt and fresh blood, utterly humiliated. As Fang Geyu’s gaze darkened, what surprised everyone was that she suddenly grabbed the hand tugging her sleeve, commanding coldly, “Stand by my side, don’t stray too far.” After speaking, her gaze became both vigilant and somber as she watched the two giant guardian statues. Baili An obediently stood by her side, musing, “It seems things are quite serious.” The boundary stele was clearly an artifact of the Immortals, and he had simply planned to follow Fang Geyu obediently into the city. Unexpectedly, it was the first meeting where that Guest Elder attacked him. Still feeling dizzy from the travel, and weakened, how could he fend off a surprise assault from a Cultivator of the Sea Expansion Realm?

Chapter 186 - 186 184 The Lady in the Snow

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