"You've arrived."
"Lord Xuemian, you seemed to anticipate our meeting."
"Indeed, I did. I just didn't expect it to be so soon, nor that you would seek me out yourself."
"Fate is unpredictable. Isn't that even more wonderful?"
Ye Yun landed from the sky, his feet upon a芭蕉扇 (Bājiāo Shān - Banana Leaf Fan).
The surrounding formation barriers automatically parted, creating a path for Ye Yun.
However, as Ye Yun approached the Misty Snow Pavilion, the barrier suddenly reformed, pressing down upon him.
Ye Yun felt as if he were being enveloped by petals. These petals were incredibly cold, plunging him into an abyss of ice, even restricting the flow of his divine power.
"So powerful."
Ye Yun's heart trembled slightly. Was this the domain power of a Creation God? It was truly formidable.
But as a surpassingly ranked mid-level God Lord, Ye Yun would naturally not shy away from Xuemian's test.
"Primordial Star Power."
Ye Yun made no superfluous moves, directly activating his Primordial Star Undying Body. His primordial divine power surged like a tide, instantly covering his entire being.
Though the surrounding petals were frigid, they could not penetrate the primordial divine power.
"Oh? You surprise me every time we meet, Ye Yun."
"Is that so? Then I shall give you a grand surprise this time."
"Heh, I look forward to it."
Xuemian's voice flowed into Ye Yun's ears like a gentle stream, soft, warm, yet carrying a hint of icy allure that was captivating.
"Heavenly Sword Creation!"
Ye Yun extended his divine palm towards the sky. Holy light erupted, and the Heavenly Sword descended.
"Creation Sword Technique – Holy Path Heavenly Walk!"
With a single move of the Holy Path Heavenly Walk, boundless sword qi surged into the heavens, akin to countless carp leaping over the Dragon Gate.
Sensing Ye Yun's primordial sword qi, the surrounding icy petals rapidly retracted.
"Break!"
Ye Yun's divine念 (Niàn - consciousness) moved. The sword qi spun forth automatically, its power limitless.
"Crack, crack, crack!"
The myriad icy petals shattered, transforming into ice crystals that floated in mid-air.
Amidst the glittering ice crystals, a lone figure stood upon the芭蕉扇 (Bājiāo Shān), peerless and full of spirit.
"Bravo, bravo, bravo!"
Xuemian unconsciously applauded Ye Yun. Ye Yun's strength far exceeded her previous expectations.
"To shatter my Ice Crystal Flower Array with the cultivation of a mid-level God Lord truly is a grand surprise. You must know, even a high-level God Lord would find it difficult to escape this formation alive."
"Lord Xuemian, you set up such a terrifying formation for me. Were you truly just testing me, and not trying to kill me?"
"Ye Yun, do you truly believe I would kill you?"
"I don't know, so I came to ask."
"Heh heh, do you really need to ask me for the answer you've already decided in your heart?"
Her white gauze dress fluttered as a peerless figure slowly rose. Her icy eyes held a hint of gentleness and expectation as she looked at Ye Yun.
Ye Yun retracted his芭蕉扇 (Bājiāo Shān) and landed, walking towards Xuemian.
"You are the first person to approach me so closely."
"Then I am truly honored, Lord Xuemian, the Creation God."
Ye Yun looked ahead. Although Xuemian wore a thin veil, her visage was already imprinted in his eyes.
Upon this reunion, Ye Yun felt that Xuemian's aloof and proud demeanor had lessened considerably, replaced by a more approachable attitude, as if they were equals.
This earned Ye Yun's deep admiration, for Xuemian was the Creation God he respected most in his heart.
"I heard you are now the Grand Ruler of all realms. Congratulations."
"Ha, those are merely empty titles. Before Lord Xuemian, I am but a junior. I dare not call myself the Grand Ruler."
"You are too humble. To have carved out a territory in the Great Thousand World in such a short time is truly astonishing. I am very eager to know how you defeated the Heavenly Tide Star Lord."
"I didn't expect Lord Xuemian to be interested in these tales. Very well, I shall tell you earnestly, and you can see if I am worthy of becoming your friend."
"A friend? Hmm, indeed. Tell me then."
A faint smile played on Xuemian's lips. She hadn't expected Ye Yun to remain so confident in her presence, a Creation God, completely unfettered by her inherent divine pressure. Such individuals were rare.
"Alright."
Ye Yun nodded and recounted his feud with the Heavenly Tide Star Lord.
"Heh, that Heavenly Tide Star Lord is truly laughable. He went to seek Black Emperor's help. I imagine he might have gotten himself entangled now."
"Lord Xuemian, you seem to know Black Emperor quite well?"
"Of course. We crossed paths ten thousand years ago over a Xuanming Spirit Grass. I had found it first, yet that Black Emperor tried to seize it by force. I knew then that he was ruthless and immensely ambitious."
"That scoundrel actually showed no mercy to a lady. He truly deserved a beating."
"Oh? Are you perhaps concerned about me, or worried I couldn't defeat him?"
"I am merely stating my thoughts, nothing more. I believe that Lord Xuemian, with her peerless talent, would surely not lose to that scoundrel."
"Peerless talent? A pity. You are ranked first on the Great Thousand World's talent list. Only you deserve the description of peerless talent."
"I dare not, I dare not!"
Though he said he dared not, Ye Yun was inwardly shocked. Was Lord Xuemian, the Creation God of the Misty Snow Domain, just flattering him?
Or perhaps trying to bridge the gap between them?
Regardless, Ye Yun felt quite pleased. After all, he was merely a mid-level God Lord. In the eyes of most Creation Gods, he was no different from an ant, certainly not someone they would treat so politely.
Yet, Lord Xuemian treated him like a close friend, without any airs. Speaking with her was a pleasure.
"Alright, Ye Yun, you have provided me with much amusement. But it's time you told me the true purpose of your visit. I don't believe you came solely to see me."
"Heh, Lord Xuemian is indeed wise. I have come to discuss an alliance."
"An alliance?"
"Precisely. The Myriad Realms wish to form an alliance with the Misty Snow Domain."
Ye Yun spoke with utmost sincerity, making no attempt to hide his true intentions.
"You want me to help you deal with Black Emperor, don't you?"
"As Lord Xuemian mentioned earlier, Black Emperor's ambition is immense. He will never be satisfied with his current territory and will undoubtedly expand. Even the nine great worlds of the Great Thousand World will become his targets."
"Mmm..."
Xuemian nodded slightly. Ye Yun's words echoed her own thoughts. In recent centuries, the Black Soul Domain had been increasingly active, repeatedly crossing her boundaries. It was indeed a threat that could not be ignored.
"Lord Xuemian, what I need now is time. If you grant me sufficient time, I will personally deal with Black Emperor and eliminate this greatest variable for the Great Thousand World. Please believe me."