Her words seemed to freeze the entire main hall. The Palace Lord, seated across from her, slowly stood and paced to the corner, his hands clasped behind his back. Yu Xiao followed him with her gaze.
The atmosphere thickened with awkwardness.
She had confessed, but the words she needed for clarity still hovered unsaid. Her expectations twisted in her mind, but she still hoped the Palace Lord wouldn't punish her.
After a moment, she rose and walked gracefully—if quietly—after him.
Palace Lord Xue noticed her and slowly turned on his heel to face her.
A faint smile touched Yu Xiao's lips, her eyes searching for the answer she so desperately wanted.
"I... I'm still waiting for your judgment, Palace Lord Xue," she said, her voice steady despite the anxious tremor beneath.
A faint smile curved the Palace Lord's lips.
"Why would I be angry with you? There's no reason for that. If you're confused about your situation, I admit, I am as well—though perhaps less so than you. From what I can sense, you've advanced your cultivation foundation. You must have broken through to Middle Qi Condensation with remarkable speed." His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Middle Qi Condensation...? What is that?" she asked, her tone innocent and full of curiosity.
Palace Lord Xue stepped closer, pausing at her side.
"It's the midpoint within the first major rank of the cultivation foundation stage," he explained.
"Qi at this stage is more refined, denser, and more stable than in the Early stage. Typically, it corresponds to the middle layers—say, layers four to six in a nine-layer system, or five to eight in a thirteen-layer system."
Yu Xiao could only twitch her lips and blink, her mind drifting further away.
What does any of that mean? Oh, Yu Xiao, your poor brain! Once again, you're completely lost.
"One more thing: Middle Qi Condensation increases combat power. At this stage, a cultivator can handle more complex artifacts and sustain longer spells compared to an Early-stage peer. It usually comes after the first minor bottleneck—like the third or fifth layer—allowing a smoother flow of energy."
He finished, turning to Yu Xiao with eyes as calm and deep as the ocean.
Yu Xiao felt as if her brain had escaped her skull. After a pause, Palace Lord Xue leaned in.
"Woman, did you… understand anything I just said?" he asked, a faint trace of amusement in his voice.
You're doomed now, Yu Xiao! Best not to ask for another explanation.
She managed only a sheepish smile, shaking her head slowly.
Was this really considered a milestone in the cultivation world?
After a long, scrutinizing gaze, Palace Lord Xue chuckled.
"It's alright not to have all the answers. What matters is being honest with yourself."
A gentle smile flickered across Yu Xiao's face as his words lingered.
Truthfully, the world around her wasn't as unfamiliar as it seemed. She was simply doing her best to go with the flow—even if it felt awkward at times.
The tightness in her throat loosened. Relief washed over her, knowing someone tried to understand her.
Even as someone constantly under scrutiny, there were still people who quietly did their best to shield her.
"Why so rushed?"
Yu Xiao snapped back at the sound of a new voice. She glanced aside—there stood Xue Wuya, smiling quietly at his father's side.
"I've been appointed to show her around. I'll take her to the sect's training grounds," Xue Wuya explained.
Palace Lord Xue turned, his gaze settling on Yu Xiao.
"Are you sure? Don't tell me you plan to let her wield a sword as well. Have you forgotten she's our guest?" His eyebrows arched. He noticed Xue Wuya's expression brighten.
Palace Lord Xue knew his son was always serious and focused on cultivation. A smile was rare on his face—what was with him today?
Though Xue Wuya managed only the faintest curve of his lips, warmth lingered in his eyes. He stole a few sidelong glances at Yu Xiao, doing his best to hide it. Still, he couldn't help but be quietly astonished by her presence.
Yu Xiao noticed and quickly lowered her head.
Despite her poise, there was something almost familiar about her today. But we only just met, Xue Wuya wondered. Could such beauty truly exist?
"Xue Wuya!" Palace Lord Xue called, waving a hand in front of his son's face to snap him back to reality.
Xue Wuya blinked, snapping back to attention.
The Palace Lord chuckled, giving his son's shoulder a gentle tap while glancing at Yu Xiao.
"When you show her around, guide her well. The training ground can be unpredictable. Don't let her get hurt."
"Yes, Father."
With that, Xue Wuya strode toward Yu Xiao. He offered a slight bow, a hint of a smile on his lips.
"Your Highness, shall we?" he asked, extending his arm in a gesture both formal and gentle.
Yu Xiao stood poised, offering a small nod and returning his bow, uncertain.
A moment passed. Xue Wuya tilted his head, noting her hesitation—his features sobering, his arm still suspended between them.
Why insist on this formality? Yu Xiao wondered. Surely, he could guide me without all this ceremony. But perhaps it's just his way. Let him have it.
"Very well."
At her words, Xue Wuya's expression brightened.
"The Palace Young Master's assistance is a rare honor. I suppose I'm safe in your hands. There's no reason to worry."
With newfound confidence, she placed her hand in his.
He looked down, gently curling his fingers around hers. "Let's go," he said, guiding her out of the palace.
Outside, they paused as Xue Wuya clapped his hands twice. Instantly, something extraordinary appeared—a white spirit beast, massive and majestic, dwarfing even the largest cattle.
"Wolf!?" Yu Xiao gasped, startled. Instinctively, she darted behind Xue Wuya, clutching his robe, heart pounding.
Xue Wuya glanced over his shoulder, noticing her panic. "Are you afraid?" he asked calmly.
"Does this mean your pet plans to eat me? Did you invite me here as prey? Young Master, I don't have enough meat on my bones to satisfy your spirit beast!"
Xue Wuya let out a soft chuckle at her anxious rambling.
"What nonsense are you saying? Who told you my wolf would eat you?"
Yu Xiao's embarrassment flickered as she released his robe.
"This is Xuelang Lingzu, my spirit beast. He's grown up with me—my companion since my mother passed away. He was originally hers, entrusted to me after she died," he explained, his tone turning serious.
A sudden ache tugged at Yu Xiao's heart.
Now I understand why he acts the way he does. Losing someone you love must be the most terrifying thing in the world. I, too, grew up without parents, never knowing who I was or where I came from. Even here, I search for fragments of memory that never surface.
"Young Master," she said softly. "I know how painful it is to lose someone you love, especially a mother. But you must try to step out of that sorrow. At least you have a father who still guides you. Some people grow up never knowing that kind of love."
Xue Wuya turned, her words striking something deep within him. Tears shimmered in Yu Xiao's eyes, but she forced a gentle smile.
"To be loved by one's parents is precious. Your father cherishes you—I've seen it myself. Show him your affection, even if he never asks. Treasure your loved ones while you still can."
"Are you crying?" Xue Wuya asked gently, surprised.
Yu Xiao quickly composed herself, wiping away the tears with a small sniffle.
"I—I just got a little emotional," she replied, forcing a faint smile.
Xue Wuya gazed at her in silence. "Did you… lose someone, too?" he asked, voice softening as he leaned closer.
Yu Xiao stepped back, unsettled by his intensity. She lowered her eyes. "Young Master, aren't we going to stroll through the sect? Why haven't we left yet?"
Xue Wuya shot her a skeptical look, doubt flickering in his eyes. Without another word, he strode toward his spirit beast.
"Let's go," he said coolly, running his hand along the beast's snowy fur.
Yu Xiao hesitated for just a moment before following, nerves prickling. Xue Wuya climbed onto the spirit beast with practiced ease. Yu Xiao's eyes widened at the massive creature, her hand lifting in disbelief.
"Wait, we're really going to ride this thing?" she blurted.
A faint smirk tugged at Xue Wuya's lips. "The sect is far. Xuelang Lingzu is the fastest way." He extended his hand. "Come, sit behind me."
"Ha?" Yu Xiao squeaked, lips twitching with nerves.
He raised an eyebrow, waiting patiently. Reluctantly, Yu Xiao placed her hands in his. Gently, Xue Wuya pulled her up, settling her behind him and guiding her arms around his waist with surprising tenderness.
Yu Xiao froze, her cheeks burning.
Isn't this taking advantage of me? She thought, scandalized.
"Your Highness, hold on tight, or you'll fall," Xue Wuya warned. The spirit beast lunged forward, and Yu Xiao instinctively tightened her grip around his waist.
"Young Master! Slow down!" she cried, her voice nearly lost in the wind.