438 - Rebirth of a Star: Another Day, Another Drama

Chapter 438: Journey to the Snow Cold Palace The next day, Ye Ling Long, feeling immensely accomplished, set off on the journey to the Snow Cold Palace with Bai Li Feng. Naturally, Xiao Hei and Bai Li Feng accompanied her as well. Bai Li Ming originally had no intention of bringing Bai Li Feng along, but he couldn't shake off his insistent younger brother. The reason for this persistence was because Bai Li Feng had provoked a young lady from the Phoenix clan. Known for their pride, the Phoenix clan didn't take kindly to Bai Li Feng's antics. While he was getting close to one of them, he simultaneously flirted with another fairy, leading to his capture in a compromising situation. He narrowly escaped being incinerated by a true phoenix fire in the nick of time. At that critical moment, Xiao Hei transformed into his true form, saving Bai Li Feng's life and carrying him back to the Bai Li family, nearly causing a misunderstanding with the family's guards who mistook him for an invader. Fearing the wrath of the Phoenix clan girl, Bai Li Feng was adamant about tagging along with Ye Ling Long and the others. "Dear niece, where did you buy this big brother of mine? Could you gift him to your uncle? I will treat him with utmost respect, pampering him with the finest food and drinks," Bai Li Feng said with hopeful eyes, cradling Xiao Hei in his arms during their journey. "Woof~" Xiao Hei expressed his dissatisfaction with a disgruntled howl from Bai Li Feng's embrace. Ye Ling Long glanced at him and responded, "Xiao Hei is my companion. I wouldn’t trade him for anything. I respect his wishes." Bai Li Feng's eyes lit up at her words, and he placed his face near Xiao Hei’s, groveling, "Big Brother, Big Brother, would you come with me? I promise, as long as you're with me, you eat the meat, I drink the soup, and all good things will come your way first. What do you say, Big Brother?" "Big Brother!" "Big Brother, Big Brother~" On the soaring shuttle, Bai Li Feng’s effervescent pitch filled the air. Ye Ling Long felt a headache coming on; her little uncle was truly unreliable. Calling Xiao Hei "Big Brother" — was Xiao Hei suddenly an elder, or had Bai Li Feng regressed in age? Bai Li Ming's expression turned particularly sour at Bai Li Feng's remarks, and he finally cast a silence spell on him. "Bai Li Feng, I warn you: If I hear you call that leopard 'Big Brother' one more time, I’ll exile you from the Bai Li family—go live as a leopard!" he threatened. On hearing this, Bai Li Feng immediately covered his mouth, shaking his head vigorously, signaling with his eyes that he wouldn’t repeat the mistake. Ye Ling Long laughed, "Pfft~" Xiao Hei, "Woof~" Bai Li Feng, "o(╥﹏╥)o" ... The speed of Bai Li Feng's shuttle was impressive, and within days they reached the vicinity of Snow Cold Palace. Disembarking, the surroundings unfolded as a world of silvery white, exhaled breaths turning visible in the frosty air. "So cold! Does Sister-in-law really live in such a place? It's dreadfully boring; there's nothing here but ice," Bai Li Feng remarked, rubbing his hands in his light clothing. Although his spirit energy shielded him from the harshness of the cold, the sight of the endless snow and ice still caused an involuntary shiver. Bai Li Ming eyed him sideways, "If you don't want to stay, you can leave now. You weren't meant to come along anyway." Bai Li Feng chuckled, "Hehe, no, no, Big Brother. I don't want to leave at all." What a joke—being left in the middle of nowhere with no signs of civilization, he wouldn't even find his way back. Ye Ling Long felt none of the discomfort. In fact, thanks to her Ice Soul Constitution, she found the place oddly familiar, absorbing the spirit energy at an accelerated pace. Even the Ice Phoenix Heart within her veins buzzed with exuberant activity, which she could clearly sense. Bai Li Ming, familiar with the journey from over two centuries of visits, skillfully navigated them through the glacial forest outside the Snow Cold Palace. After launching a signal into the sky, the glacier forest began to move, slowly revealing a path leading straight to the Snow Cold Palace. At the end of this road appeared a blur of blue, its speed tremendous, swiftly closing the distance until a striking woman stood before them. Her serene features bore the cool austerity of someone who lived amidst glaciers for years. "Bai Li Dage, you've come! Why so early this year?" she exclaimed, eyes sparkling with delight. She ignored Ye Ling Long and Bai Li Feng, her gaze solely on Bai Li Ming. A sharp glint flashed in Ye Ling Long's eyes, instantly recognizing the young woman’s interest in her father—a budding maiden’s affection. Ye Ling Long felt a wave of displeasure rise within. Knowing her father visited yearly to accompany her still-slumbering mother, how dare this woman harbor such thoughts? Her mother was merely asleep, not gone—a point that seemed lost on some eager to step into her mother's shoes. Bai Li Ming remained expressionless, not even bothering to glance at the woman, "Xue Ling, by seniority, I am your elder. It's inappropriate for you to address me as 'Big Brother,' nor do I acknowledge you as a younger sister." His tone was devoid of emotion, even slightly cold. "Ba... Bai Li Dage, I'm sorry, I just... I'm sorry..." Xue Ling stammered, her eyes watering, portraying the image of a damsel in distress. The coldness radiating from Ye Ling Long intensified, reminiscent of encounters with a particularly vexing individual. Following an animalistic instinct, Bai Li Feng took two steps back, casting a sympathetic look at Xue Ling. Pretty as she was, her poor choice in affection and the trouble she brought upon herself with Ye Ling Long, who was known for her fierce spirit and formidable acts—the memory of her decisively beheading someone in the family shrine was still spoken of in awe. "What have you done to Saintess Xue Ling, Bai Li Feng! Nothing good ever befalls our Snow Cold Palace's saintesses in your presence!" a harsh voice echoed from the distance. Before long, another azure silhouette shot forth, sword in hand, the blade tip aimed directly at Bai Li Feng's face. "Shishu, it's not Bai Li Dage's fault!" Xue Ling's cry was unable to halt the assailant. In that instant, Ye Ling Long moved. Her motion was as swift as lightning, her sword tracing a lengthy arc in the air. In her fury, Ye Ling Long activated her Ice Soul Constitution. In the heart of the ice, its power multiplied several-fold, fueled further by the Ice Phoenix Heart’s augmentation. Her strike carried unprecedented might. Boom~! Two streaks of icy blue sword energy clashed, triggering a vast explosion, scattering ice fragments everywhere. Ye Ling Long was propelled back several steps, unharmed due to her formidable physical resilience. Her opponent, however, fared far worse, stumbling back over a dozen steps, visage flushed, blood spilling from his mouth. Seeing this, Xue Ling angrily snapped at Ye Ling Long, "Who are you, and why..." but her voice trailed off, her expression shifting to fear. "Xu... Xue Zheng Shishu is alive!!!"