The man outside had a great shock. A ball of white light met Hua Qiyue’s water hidden weapon. They both dissipated noiselessly as they collided.

Hua Qiyue had already sensed Hua Zun’s aura. Her small face turned cold. “Hua Zun, I will settle my score with you later!”

The man outside the window had fled. It was indeed Hua Zun. He ran to the grand hall of the Ice Palace, his chest slightly heaving.

“You actually peeked at her taking a bath?” A man’s voice, resembling tons of ice, rang out from behind him. Hua Zun was shocked. He did not expect his voyeuristic act to have been discovered by Tianpi!

Tianpi’s face was frosty. He stood there coldly, a murderous look appearing in his eyes.

Hua Zun started and pouted coldly. “So what if I did? I can’t suppress my love for her. So what if I took one glance? I’m not molesting or ravishing her!”

“So you have a reason, eh? Outrageous! If I don’t teach you a lesson, my name isn’t Tianpi!” With these words, Tianpi’s figure flashed and his entire person advanced!

Hua Zun was no weakling but he was fearful of wrecking the Ice Palace in a fight. So the two came to blows outside on the snowy ground. A magnificent combat unfolded.

Scintillating light was everywhere as snowflakes fluttered. Some had melted, drenching their robes.

When Hua Qiyue and Tianci emerged from the Ice Palace, they found them already engaged in a bitter fight.

Hua Zun and Tianpi were about evenly matched. Neither side could get the better of the other in a short time. As the snowflakes fluttered about, Hua Qiyue and Tianci could not tell their figures apart.

The chill penetrated their bones. Hua Qiyue exhaled a warm breath and tightly embraced Tianci. “Tianci, are you cold?”

“No. Uncle Hua gave me a fox fur coat. It’s very warm. Are you cold, mom?” The little fellow lifted up his face, frozen red, and asked gently.

Hua Qiyue shook her head. The fur coat she had on was sewn by Tianpi after he hunted down evil beasts. It was extremely warm too. Only her small face had felt a little cold, assailed by the chilling gale.

“How long will the two uncles fight? I smell the odor of blood. They must be both injured!”

Tianci watched the disorderly, fluttering snowflakes and streaking shadows. At times, he could not even see those streaks.

He began to get worried. The two uncles had treated him and mom well. To be honest, Tianci hated to see them fight.

But Tianpi and Hua Zun would fight behind mom’s back because of some minor differences. Each time, Tianci would pull them apart. This time, however, mom had discovered their fight.

Hua Qiyue did not react. Her face was expressionless. “They like to fight anyway. Don’t they often bruise and batter each other over nothing?”

Hua Qiyue actually did know. She was merely too lazy to care.

“Don’t fight, don’t fight! Mom asks you two to stop!”

Tianci could stand it no longer. He waved his chubby arms and growled at the top of his voice. Tianci was already 10, nearly 11. He was much taller than he had been before.

His growl made the two stop obediently. The madly twirling snow had now settled. On the snowy ground were one or two spots of blood. Their robes were splattered with large splashes of blood.

The two were panting, standing on the snowy ground. Both looked at Hua Qiyue.

Hua Qiyue was in a coat of white evil beast fur. She looked adorable and lovely. Yet she merely lowered her head, watching the scene without saying anything.

Tianpi was quite disappointed. He could not see even the faintest trace of heartache in her expression. He started to curse Hua Qiyue inwardly. She was heartless! He was, after all, her Master. Surely, she must say something out of concern?

“Qiyue… I didn’t mean to…” Hua Zun said in a whisper opposite the cold Qiyue, embarrassedly lowering his head.

Hua Qiyue gave a cold snort. She started to sneer mercilessly. “If there’s a next time, I will personally jab your eyes blind.”

Hua Zun bit his lips. He lifted up his eyes tremblingly, watching Hua Qiyue’s merciless eyes. “And I will accept it.”

Hua Qiyue was so upset that she nearly vomited blood. She turned away unhappily and headed for the Ice Palace. She had just taken two steps when she turned Tianci around and they went in the direction of Ice City instead.

They had not left the palace for half a month. After Hua Zun’s provocation, Hua Qiyue had an urge to eat and drink heartily.

Hua Zun and Tianpi exchanged glances. They caught up with her quietly. They had just taken two steps when Hua Qiyue turned her head back coldly. “Don’t follow us. I don’t want to see you today!”

Hua Qiyue’s mood was low and testy. For some reason, she started to remember Yun Shimo again.

While she was bathing in the past, that man had kissed her waywardly in the hot spring pool.

Hua Zun heard her and his face blanched. Tianpi gave a complacent snort and advanced to Tianci’s side.

But Tianci stopped and took out a vial from his pocket. “Uncle Hua and Uncle Tian, please take a Blood-clotting Pill!”

With that said, Tianci handed the vial to Hua Zun.

Hua Qiyue stared curiously at Tianci, studying him from head to toe. She seemed not to recognize him as her son. “Tianci, I remember that you have never bought medicine pellets before. Where are these from?”

Tianci smugly blinked his eyes, his chubby little face glowing with excitement. “They’re medicine pellets I refined myself!”

What?

The three of them suddenly widened their eyes. Tianci knew how to refine pills? Why hadn’t they known?

“When did you learn how to refine pills?” Hua Qiyue shook her head suspiciously. “Tianci, you mustn’t lie to mom. Good boys don’t lie!”

Tianci started to chuckle. “Once, I secretly got Uncle Hua to buy me a medicine tripod. None of you knows. Uncle Hua thought the tripod was merely for fun, so he didn’t take notice either!”

“You really know how to refine pills?” Hua Zun unstoppered the vial incredulously. He sniffed and indeed detected a strong medicinal whiff. It smelt quite aromatic and authentic too.

The aroma proved that these pills were high in herbal content.

“Of course. Try one. You won’t die from it!” Tianci said with a grin.

Hua Zun poured out a brown pill and took it. After some minutes, he felt the blood on his wounds to have stanched. His whole body felt cool and invigorated!

It was indeed true. Hua Zun started to nod and commend him. “You’re so amazing at such a young age. You will only get more awesome!”

Then, Hua Zun threw the vial to Tianpi. Tianpi caught it and also took a pill. He instantly felt a soothing ease permeate his whole body. In his heart he was surprised. Tianci was merely 10 and yet he knew how to refine pills!

He had no Master too.

Hua Qiyue was happy and amazed. She grabbed Tianci’s hand lightly and squatted down. “Tianci, who taught you how to refine pills?”

Tianci’s black, rolling eyes were radiant and smiling. “I watched dad refine so many pills. That’s how I learned. It’s easy. Would you like to learn too, mom?”

Hua Qiyue shook her head with a smile.

Although the thought of Yun Shimo aroused some displeasure in her, she must admit that this gift of Tianci was another form of expertise. In the future, he could refine useful medicine pellets for himself without needing to ask another person.

“Tianci’s awesome. Come, let’s take a stroll in Ice City. This time, you can eat what you like and buy what you want!”

Hua Qiyue’s mood had improved. After all, her son had vindicated her. But when she remembered Yun Shimo was Tianci’s real father, her head started to throb with intense pain.

She tried to make herself feel a little easier. After all, this was now an unalterable fact.

As he watched Tianci and Hua Qiyue walk away, Tianpi raised his brows complacently. “Hua Zun, if there’s a next time, I will be the first to jab your eyes blind. Don’t need her to do it!”

“Humph, I am most willing for Qiyue to jab my eyes blind. I won’t trouble you!” Hua Zun’s face was indifferent. He started to chuckle shamelessly.

Tianpi’s countenance suddenly sank and he said no more. Soon, he caught up with Hua Qiyue in the near distance.

Hua Zun stood where he was, stupidly and alone. He gazed in the direction where they had disappeared. Loneliness clouded his eyes.

—

In Ice City.

“Buns on sale! Hot and fragrant buns!”

“Meatballs! Five-flavored meatballs! A specialty of Nanhe Kingdom!”

Spicy vegetables with ice pops! Sour plums, pickled bamboo shoots, sweet and sour fruits…”

The moment they stepped into Ice City, they could hear countless voices hawking foods. All sorts of aroma wafted in, tempting their tastebuds.

Hua Qiyue took a deep breath. For some reason, she could only relax in such bustling environments.

In the past two-and-a-half years, Hua Qiyue’s cultivation had stagnated. After reaching the first level of Great Deity, she had not advanced at all.

“Mom, I want pickled bamboo shoots! Mm-mm, they taste great!”

Tianci pointed at a small stall specializing in sour snacks— sour meat, pickled bamboo shoots, pickled vegetables, pickled fruits.

Ice City was a paradise for food and games. Hua Qiyue and Tianci had fallen deeply for this place.

“Let’s go then!” Hua Qiyue said quietly. Her composed face exuded an alluring charm.

Her white robe tightly enwrapped her slim figure. Part of her black hair was coiled up casually in a bun, while the rest was let down. The bun bobbed slightly as she took graceful steps, looking exceptionally pretty.

Tianpi was following behind her. When he saw her beautiful figure from the back, his heart missed a beat.

The appearance of the ravishing Hua Qiyue naturally attracted gazes from everywhere.

She sat down with Tianci. Hua Qiyue discovered this stall was packed. She heaved a sigh. There were indeed plenty of gluttons in this world.

This time, Tianci ordered many sour foods. He would take one or two small bites, to keep his stomach free for other foods.

Tianci was so wasteful but Hua Qiyue did not stop him. Right now, money was no problem for them. They were living for loftier goals.

“This pickled bamboo shoot is so yummy, sour and crispy… And this pickled fruit is sweet and sour. The aftertaste lingers in the mouth, making one recollect it with pleasure.” Tianci kept eating and praising the food. Tianci would always visit this stall and order a few dishes each time he entered the city. Hua Qiyue was not fussy. She was now eating more than she usually did.

“Ice City is a renowned food paradise of Changjing Kingdom. In this city, you can have all the snacks from the entire country. So it’s good to visit this place in your free time. It’s nearby too.” Tianpi said with a grin. The look in his eyes was tender.

His diabolically handsome face attracted many female customers, all trying to squeeze their way in. One glance at Tianpi and they all swooned.

Hua Qiyue glanced at him quietly and cursed him inwardly for being a chick magnet. Soon, this stall would burst from the incoming swarm of females.

“Make way, make way! The Reverend of the Dragon Race is here!” A rough voice rang out from the outside. Soon, there was a racket: a few men had been thrown to the ground. In an instant, the male and female customers all fled, not daring to stay.