"How do you judge my strength?"
Ye Yunfei suddenly asked, looking at the indignant Snow Maidens before him.
"Young Master, your strength is certainly far greater than ours," one of the Snow Maidens answered cautiously after a moment of surprise at his question.
They had been rescued by Ye Yunfei from the powerful Demon Race forces; there was no question his strength vastly surpassed their own.
"I was just chased out of the Ice-Snow World Cluster by those Demon Race members," Ye Yunfei continued. "And it's a good thing I fled quickly, otherwise I would have been blocked inside by their Demigod experts, and my fate would be uncertain.
Do you think, with your level of strength, that returning to the Ice-Snow World Cluster now would be of any use? Could you possibly help your Ice Ancestor?
If your Ice Ancestor was planning to escape, and you all suddenly returned to the Ice-Snow World Cluster, do you think he would stay behind to save you?"
Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, the Snow Maidens fell silent. They understood his meaning perfectly.
"Young Master, you speak truly," one Snow Maiden said. "With our strength, returning to the Ice-Snow World Cluster at this time would serve no purpose and could even become a burden for the Ice Ancestor."
Then the several thousand Snow Maidens grew quiet once more. Apart from the Ice-Snow World Cluster, it seemed they had nowhere else to go.
In truth, many among them had previously ventured out from the Ice-Snow World Cluster to travel and gain experience in the outside world, and were somewhat familiar with it.
But the situation was different now. The Ice-Snow World Cluster had been annihilated by the Demon Race, a tremendously powerful force in the Chaotic Void Sea. From now on, wherever these Snow Maidens went, once discovered by the Demon Race, they would face endless pursuit.
Furthermore, due to their intense allure to the vast majority of males in the world, they would face great danger wherever they went.
These Snow Maidens of the Snow Human Race were not merely possessed of beautiful appearances; many among them were actually quite talented, intelligent, and highly perceptive. Something this simple was naturally obvious to them upon reflection.
"Young Master, our Ice-Snow World Cluster has been occupied by the Demon Race, our Snow Human Race is nearly extinguished, and now the fate of our revered Ice Ancestor is unknown," said one Snow Maiden, taking a few steps forward to stand before Ye Yunfei, her expression sorrowful. "It seems we few thousand Snow Maidens have nowhere left to go."
Those behind her were also utterly grief-stricken. Not long ago, within the Ice-Snow World Cluster, they were all Heaven's favored daughters, of noble status. Now they were like stray dogs with nowhere to turn.
Ye Yunfei looked at the several thousand sorrowful Snow Maidens and shook his head. Then his gaze suddenly fixed upon one particular Snow Maiden, and his Soul Power energy swept out to sense her.
"This Snow Maiden indeed has a bloodline aura similar to Da Bing. Her bloodline is definitely related to his," Hun Lao also sensed this Maiden's bloodline aura.
Ye Yunfei's main reason for deciding to rescue these several thousand Snow Maidens in the Ice-Snow World Cluster was precisely this Maiden who possessed a bloodline akin to Da Bing's.
That Snow Maiden, suddenly the focus of Ye Yunfei's gaze, felt a bit strange. Seeing him continue to stare at her, she grew slightly embarrassed.
The other Snow Maidens around were also initially puzzled by Ye Yunfei's behavior.
"Could it be this Young Master has taken a fancy to Bai Shuang?" some Snow Maidens began to speculate through Sound Transmission.
"Would that be strange? Among us Snow Maidens, Bai Shuang's talent isn't the best, nor is she the most beautiful, but she possesses a unique temperament.
Have you forgotten?
Within our Ice-Snow World Cluster, countless young males have been infatuated with Bai Shuang."
"From this look, this Young Master might indeed have taken a shine to Bai Shuang!"
…
The many Snow Maidens murmured their guesses.
"Young Master, this is Bai Shuang. She is not only beautiful but also possesses a very kind heart…" The Snow Maiden who had just spoken to Ye Yunfei now introduced Bai Shuang.
"So your name is Bai Shuang. It suits your temperament," Ye Yunfei nodded upon hearing this.
Ye Yunfei sensed that the aura of ice-cold energy within Bai Shuang seemed denser than the others. Though not the strongest among these several thousand Snow Maidens, the ice-snow energy and ice-snow laws within her body were definitely the purest.
"Thank you for your praise, Young Master. Bai Shuang thanks you here for saving our lives," Bai Shuang said softly, her face flushing upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words.
For in her heart, she also felt it highly likely this Young Master had taken a liking to her. In truth, she herself felt a strong goodwill toward this unfamiliar young man. Had he not intervened, they, these few thousand Snow Maidens, would undoubtedly still be enslaved under the Demon Race, or perhaps already auctioned off to become playthings for other males.
"Have you heard of the Ice Demon Race?" Ye Yunfei asked abruptly after staring at Bai Shuang for a moment.
"Ice Demon Race?"
Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, the other Snow Maidens all looked confused. Judging by the name alone, the Ice Demon Race seemed somewhat related to their Snow Human Race.
But these Snow Maidens knew very little about the Ice Demon Race; some hadn't even heard the name.
Only Bai Shuang, upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, suddenly paled drastically. But she quickly tried to mask it, adopting the same expression as the others.
"Trouble! That lass is definitely related to the Ice Demon Race!" Hun Lao immediately transmitted to Ye Yunfei.
"Yes, most likely," Ye Yunfei nodded.
Hun Lao and Ye Yunfei's perceptive abilities were formidable; they had clearly observed Bai Shuang's fleeting expression.
"But why is she so afraid? Even if she is related to the Ice Demon Race, or even if she herself *is* an Ice Demon, there's no need to conceal her identity. Could there be some hidden circumstances?" Hun Lao transmitted again.
"Never mind that. As long as she is an Ice Demon, then she's related to Da Bing. And since her bloodline is so similar to Da Bing's, they must be close kin. From now on, I must ensure her safety," Ye Yunfei replied.
"Actually, you could ask her properly and clarify her identity completely," the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm suddenly transmitted to Ye Yunfei. He was feeling gossipy.
"Very well, I'll ask more clearly. As for these several thousand Snow Maidens, let them stay in the Phantom Tower for now since they have nowhere else to go," Ye Yunfei thought for a moment and nodded.
Ye Yunfei then comforted the Snow Maidens, telling them to stay put for the time being, and simultaneously released the seals on them.
The strongest among these several thousand Snow Maidens were only two or three Intermediate Golden Immortals—strength negligible to Ye Yunfei.
"Miss Bai Shuang, I have something I'd like to discuss with you," Ye Yunfei said, looking at Bai Shuang after releasing the seals.
Bai Shuang's face flushed crimson upon hearing this. She thought Ye Yunfei wanted to be alone with her.
"This is too obvious in front of everyone! If he wants to be alone with me, can't he be more subtle about it?" Bai Shuang couldn't help thinking.
"So this Young Master has indeed taken a liking to Bai Shuang.
This Young Master is mysterious, immensely powerful, and dares to rescue us from the Demon Race. His background must be exceptional.
Our Snow Human Race is currently facing a critical moment of survival. If this mysterious Young Master can be with Bai Shuang, it would mean he will stand on our side in the future—a powerful ally.
So we must persuade Bai Shuang to interact with this mysterious Young Master," the other Snow Maidens discussed secretly via Sound Transmission.
They then sent transmissions to Bai Shuang one after another, explaining the stakes.
"Bai Shuang, whether you like it or not, this mysterious Young Master before us may very well be the Snow Human Race's chance to turn things around. We must seize it. So you *must* interact with him!"
"Bai Shuang, for the sake of our race's future, you cannot refuse this Young Master!"
…
One after another, the Snow Maidens kept transmitting persuasions to Bai Shuang.
"Everyone, say no more. I understand what must be done. I am also a member of the Snow Human Race," Bai Shuang transmitted back in response to their relentless persuasion.
The others breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing her reply. As long as Bai Shuang stayed close to this mysterious Young Master, these several thousand Snow Maidens would temporarily have a powerful patron.
"Very well, Young Master. I accept," Bai Shuang replied, her face red.
"Good," Ye Yunfei nodded, then waved his hand, sending a surge of energy to lift Bai Shuang.
Bai Shuang was merely an Advanced Golden Immortal—far too weak before Ye Yunfei.
In the next moment, Ye Yunfei vanished from before the eyes of the several thousand Snow Maidens.
"Such terrifying movement speed! Within our Ice-Snow World Cluster, probably only the Ice Ancestor possessed such dreadful speed! My Soul Power can't even sense which direction he went!" one Snow Maiden couldn't help exclaiming softly.
Ye Yunfei soon brought Bai Shuang to another secluded spot. With a wave of his hand, he deployed several dozen Formations, then led Bai Shuang into the formation space.
Bai Shuang watched as he conjured dozens of intricate formations with a mere gesture and couldn't help but feel deep admiration.
"Does he truly like me?
He's too bold, too direct. He's not giving me any time to adjust, suddenly pulling me away to be alone.
But being direct has its merits too…" Bai Shuang thought chaotically as she followed Ye Yunfei into the formation space, which was indeed quiet and isolated.
"Young Master…" Once inside, Bai Shuang's face was completely flushed, seeming flustered and uneasy. Though she'd always had many suitors, she'd never been alone in such a secluded place with a strange young man, and momentarily didn't know what to say.
Just as Bai Shuang felt intensely shy and unsure how to proceed, Ye Yunfei spoke.
"Miss Bai Shuang, the reason I brought you here is actually for you to see a friend of mine.
I believe this friend must have some connection to you."
"What?
Young Master, you brought me here to see a friend?
What connection could your friend have with me?" Bai Shuang was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, never expecting Ye Yunfei to say such a thing.
She had thought all along that Ye Yunfei brought her here to be alone with her, to confess his feelings and begin his pursuit.
Her mind had been pondering how to respond—should she agree or not—only to hear this question.
Bai Shuang's face flushed even deeper.
She realized she had misunderstood Ye Yunfei. Recalling her previous thoughts and bashful behavior, she wished she could dig a hole in the ground to hide.
"Miss Bai Shuang, please look," Ye Yunfei said, waving a hand. A tall figure materialized before Bai Shuang—it was Da Bing.
Ye Yunfei had not only simulated Da Bing's appearance and Soul Body aura but also his bloodline aura.
Whirling ice and snow surrounded Da Bing's form, instantly causing the temperature in this small space to plummet.
"He is…" The moment Bai Shuang saw Da Bing, she was captivated. She immediately discerned his race at a glance and also discovered that his bloodline aura was remarkably similar to her own.
"He… Young Master, who exactly is this friend of yours? Where is he now?" Bai Shuang stared at Da Bing for a moment with an expression of pleasant surprise before asking Ye Yunfei in an excited tone.
"She indeed has a bloodline connection to Da Bing. And by the looks of it, she must know him," Hun Lao chuckled upon seeing Bai Shuang's reaction.
"Yes," Ye Yunfei had also observed Bai Shuang's expression.
"He is my friend. His name is Da Bing, of the Ice Demon Race. As for his current whereabouts, I assume he has returned to the world of the Ice Demon Race," Ye Yunfei said.
"What?
He has returned to the world of the Ice Demon Race?" Bai Shuang's face changed dramatically upon hearing this.
"Is there something wrong, Miss Bai Shuang?" Ye Yunfei asked, puzzled.
"No… it's nothing," Bai Shuang hesitated, her words trailing off.
"Miss Bai Shuang, I have actually already surmised your origins. You must also be of the Ice Demon Race, and you know Da Bing, correct?" Ye Yunfei said mildly.
Bai Shuang remained silent for a moment after hearing this.
"Are you truly his friend?" she suddenly asked Ye Yunfei.
"Of course. I have no reason to lie to you. Da Bing is indeed my friend," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"He… how has he been these years?" Bai Shuang hesitated before asking another question.
Her asking this was tantamount to admitting she knew Da Bing.
"Initially, not very well," Ye Yunfei replied. "When I first met Da Bing, he was sealed within a very remote, low-level Small World. I found him, helped break the seal, and then brought him out of that Small World. We journeyed together as companions.
Not long after, he encountered elders of the Ice Demon Race and then returned with them."
"He's too foolish! How could he just run back like that? It's far too dangerous!" Bai Shuang stamped her foot upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, her face full of worry.