"Alright, I'm back, aren't I?" Miao Xin said with a helpless smile.
She, too, had no memory of the snow ferret, but the little creature had kept her company these days, which made her quite happy.
However, she occasionally noticed some odd things, like how the snow ferret practiced cultivation at night, its body enshrouded in a mist-like Spiritual Energy. She had never seen an animal cultivate before, and she kept this a secret from her Master, wondering how he would deal with the snow ferret if he knew.
What surprised Miao Xin today was that the snow ferret seemed exceptionally lively, rubbing against her, appearing to be very cheerful.
"Is it the aura of the Little Golden Snake? Could it be that Sister Mengdie has met Lin Mo?" the snow ferret thought to itself.
Yet, it immediately remembered that Xia Mengdie had lost her memory and had become Miao Xin.
This little ferret was a beast subdued by Lin Mo and had been kept in his Space Ring.
"Enough now, stop fussing and eat something. I still need to practice cultivation," Miao Xin released the snow ferret, shaking her head with resignation, yet the corners of her mouth curved into a faint smile.
Back in her own room, Miao Xin sat on her bed and took out a silvery little ring, looking at it carefully before gently caressing it with her finger.
"If I have the chance to see him again, I'll return the ring to him," Miao Xin murmured to herself, touching the ring with her delicate fingers and solemnly putting it away.
...
In a secluded palace of the Miao Xue Divine Palace, aside from the two Palace Masters, no one else, including Miao Xin, was allowed to enter.
After Miao Xin left, the Little Palace Master, Miao Shuang, stepped out from her palace and approached the secret dwelling. With great respect, she stood outside and said, "Sister, I'd like to speak with you."
After a long silence from the hidden palace, a distant and cold voice finally replied, "Come in."
Miao Shuang formed a spell with her hands, and the grand doors of the palace slowly opened. She then quickly stepped inside.
Inside the palace, on an ice bed emanating an eerie Cold Energy, sat a strikingly beautiful woman dressed in palace garments.
"Sister," Miao Shuang stood before her, hands clasped in front of her abdomen and head bowed slightly.
The woman in palace attire slowly opened her eyes, her slender eyes appearing somewhat icy as she frowned, "Hmm, didn't I say not to disturb me lightly while I'm in seclusion?"
This woman was none other than the Great Palace Master of the Miao Xue Divine Palace.
"The Mo Yu Flowers have been found, and Miao Xin has also returned," Miao Shuang said.
"Oh, the Mo Yu Flowers are a minor matter, but it's good that Miao Xin has come back; otherwise, I would have had no explanation for Young Master Qingxuan," said the Great Palace Master, a trace of joy appearing on her face as she spoke slowly.
Indeed, the quest for the Mo Yu Flowers was a minor concern. She had sent Miao Xin and Miao Zhu to seek them only as a training exercise, because, otherwise, they would never be able to break through to the Martial God Realm.
It was known that cultivation is not simply sitting and absorbing Spiritual Energy; it also requires the cultivation of one's Dao Heart and the tempering of one's will.
"This time I return, I will refine a few Snow God Pills for Miao Xin, to help her stabilize her Martial God Realm more quickly," the Great Palace Master began. "That way, I can hand her over to Young Master Qingxuan with peace of mind."
"However," Miao Shuang hesitated for a moment and then said with a strange look on her face, "this time Miao Xin went out, it seems she encountered a person from her past, and it was a man."
Upon hearing this, the Great Palace Master furrowed her brows even more tightly, "Did she remember anything?"
"Not at all, but I believe she will forget about it soon," Miao Shuang said.
"That's good, she is a Nine Yin Body, a rare find in a hundred years. Cultivating our Snow God Palace's techniques is twice as effective. Giving her to Young Master Qingxuan, our Snow God Palace will be able to exchange her for a large number of Spirit Stones," the Great Palace Master explained.
Miao Shuang clenched her hand into a fist, "But if Miao Xin were to be cultivated into our Snow God Palace's Goddess, she could bring great glory to our Snow God Palace in the future. Handing her over to Qingxuan..."
"Shut up." Suddenly, the Great Palace Master swung out a palm, a fierce look crossing her face as she spoke coldly, "I don't want to hear such talk a second time. Although she is the Nine Yin Body, her path of cultivation will only lead to a dead end after reaching the Martial God. It's better she contributes to our Snow God Palace."
An invisible handprint struck Miao Shuang's shoulder, causing her to stumble back several steps. She held her shoulder and lowered her head, saying no more.
"I understand, Sister," said Miao Shuang, wincing as her willow leaf eyebrows knotted together. She nodded, then added, "But what if Aunt Mei finds out? She probably won't agree, will she?"
"Her? If I hadn't taken pity on her and taken her in, she would have died a long time ago. Now that I have saved Miao Xin, she should be thanking me. Besides, Qingxuan is a great sect; Miao Xin will naturally be well taken care of there," the Great Palace Master stood up, hands clasped behind her back, her eyes narrowing slightly as she spoke.
"Mhm," Miao Shuang nodded, no longer speaking.
...
After returning to Huaxia from the border with Myanmar with Master Feng, Master Feng naturally stayed in Bin Hai, while Lin Mo took a plane back to his villa.
His last departure was hurried, and the Spirit Grass seeds found in Flood Dragon Valley were still planted in the yard. This time, Lin Mo planned to take all the Spirit Grass with him, since he didn't know when he'd be back again.
Using magic, Lin Mo wrapped the Spiritual Medicine planted in the Medicine Garden with Spiritual Energy and placed them into his Space Ring. As long as they were nurtured by Spiritual Energy, these Spiritual Medicines would continue to grow, and he could plant them somewhere suitable in the future.
Just as he finished doing this, he suddenly sensed someone approaching nearby.
"Lin Mo, have you returned?" A light and nimble voice sounded at the villa's entrance.
Listening, Lin Mo found the voice somewhat familiar. When he opened the door and saw a woman with long, black hair like a cloud standing at the entrance, he was momentarily stunned before immediately recognizing her.
It was Lu Xing, the disciple of the Magic Master from Hong Kong whom he had met in Han Country. He remembered that back in Han Country, Lu Xing always disguised herself as a man, only to be seen through by Lin Mo. Afterwards, she simply switched to wearing women's clothing and no longer donned men's attire.
She already knew of his return?
Lin Mo had not felt observed when he came back. Could it be that she had been waiting here all along?
"What business do you have with me?" Lin Mo asked with furrowed brows, looking at her suspiciously.
Seeing Lin Mo's return, Lu Xing's face finally showed excitement. She had waited in this area for nearly a year, grateful for her solitary nature that allowed her to cope. Had she been more lively, she probably would have been unable to bear it.
"I've waited here for you for a very long time. If it weren't for Master's orders, I would have already gone back," Lu Xing said, showing a bit of a girl's temper.