Ren Zu held her close for a few more moments, just long enough for her heart to slow down a little… but not so much as to extinguish the heat that still burned between the two of them.
Then, with a discreet smile, he spoke close to her ear:
"Want to dance again?"
Lost in emotions she had never experienced before, Feng Xue'er didn't answer immediately. Her eyes drifted downward again, almost on their own, to his lips. Her own lips were still slightly parted. Her heart gave a small leap, and for an instant she truly believed he was going to kiss her again.
Without realizing it… she nodded.
Ren Zu noticed and made no comment.
Instead, he slid his hand gently along her waist and began to guide her, drawing her into the slow, familiar rhythm of the dance. Her body moved on reflex, following him… until, a second later, Feng Xue'er blinked, confused.
It was a dance.
She felt a small tightness in her chest.
A tiny pang of disappointment arose at not being kissed again. But strangely, it didn't make her sad. On the contrary… there was something deeply comforting about moving with him once more, about feeling the firm touch on her waist and having her hand intertwined with his.
She was happy.
Ren Zu led in silence at first, as though giving her time to compose herself. After a while, he spoke casually:
"Do you prefer sweet foods… or savory ones?"
Feng Xue'er blinked, caught off guard by the sudden question. She had never truly stopped to think about it, but after a brief moment of reflection, she nodded with soft, adorably sincere enthusiasm.
"I love both!"
The Snow Princess was the most precious pearl of the Divine Phoenix Sect. The environment in which she had grown up was something an ordinary girl could never imagine. Her daily life had always been accompanied by the most extravagant meals, prepared with the rarest ingredients. She had tasted everything throughout her life and, as a woman, naturally had a greater inclination toward sweets. Still, eating the barbecue prepared by her Big Brother Yun and sharing that simple yet special meal the moment she met him had made her come to like any kind of barbecue. That was why her answer came naturally—she liked both. In any case, her husband hadn't asked her to choose just one…
He nodded, as though storing the information away.
"And your favorite color?"
"…I like the color white, the same color as snow. Ever since I first saw it, that has been my favorite color…"
Ren Zu smiled faintly from the corner of his mouth.
"It suits you."
Feng Xue'er lightly bit her rosy lip, gathering courage. She also wanted to know more about the man before her. In truth, she wanted to know everything about him—a desire so strong she had been holding it back from the very beginning, her heart beating too fast for something she couldn't explain. The words of her Royal Father echoed softly in her mind, reminding her that she should behave like a proper young lady in his presence. So she took a deep breath and restrained the impulse, even though every fiber of her being seemed to pull her toward him. Still, since he was asking questions about her, she thought it only fair to return the gesture. Perhaps… just one. Her gaze dropped for a moment before rising again to meet his—shy and curious at the same time. Ah… she had never felt anything like this before…
"And you, husband…?" she asked. "What do you like to eat?"
"I like to eat anything, especially something I cooked myself…"
The conversation continued in this manner for quite a while. The two danced slowly as they spoke, driven by the simple desire to know each other better, drawing closer in a natural, almost imperceptible way.
She told him about the things she liked besides snow: the places in the Divine Phoenix Empire where she preferred to spend her time, about her family and how everyone had always cared deeply for her. She spoke with sweetness, as though sharing small secrets kept in her heart. He, in turn, shared some things as well—simple details of his life, mentions of his other two wives that unintentionally caused a faint sourness in her chest, and some aspects of his life in the Illusory Demon Realm.
Feng Xue'er hesitated before voicing her concern, asking quietly whether his other wives would accept her. Ren Zu answered calmly, reassuring her that there was no reason to fear that. His words were enough to soothe her heart, and as they continued dancing, the distance between them felt smaller than before—not only in space, but in feeling as well.
But, as with almost everything too good, which ends quickly, that unforgettable moment for both of them also came to an end.
The dance didn't stop abruptly. It simply slowed down. The steps became smaller, the rhythm more languid, until, without either of them saying anything, the movement ceased.
The snow continued to fall, silent and patient, gently covering the marks they had left on the ground, as though wanting to keep that instant all to itself.
Feng Xue'er remained still for a few seconds, still feeling his warmth at her waist, still feeling those emotions flowing through her heart from the light conversation and the tranquil closeness she had shared with him. Then, slowly, she turned her face toward the whitened world around her.
There was a gentle tightness in her chest.
She didn't want to leave…
Taking a deep breath and gathering courage, she turned to say, in a low and careful voice:
"Husband… I think we can go to the Frozen Cloud Asgard now…"
But the words died halfway.
Because Ren Zu… was no longer there.
Confused, Feng Xue'er blinked and took a few steps forward. It was then that she saw.
A few meters away, where there had previously been only snow, there now stood a small improvised camp. The snow simply did not fall in that space, as though repelled by something invisible. In the center, a fire of golden flames burned calmly, forming a perfect circle of heat that had completely melted the snow around it, revealing clean ground.
In front of the fire stood a bench made of crystalline ice. Ren Zu was sitting there, relaxed, one leg crossed over the other, elbow resting on his knee, as though that impossible scene were the most natural thing in the world.
Feng Xue'er approached, completely bewildered. When had he done this…?
"Husband…?" she called, still trying to understand what she was seeing.
Ren Zu raised his gaze, momentarily confused himself.
"What is it?" he asked naturally.
"Weren't we going to the Frozen Cloud Asgard…?"
Seeing her expression—confused, surprised, and slightly embarrassed—he found her beautiful like a pure fairy, bewildered by the behavior of a mortal. There was something unreal in her reaction, too delicate to belong to the common world. When her soft, crystalline voice sounded, it seemed to drift along with the wind, reaching his ears with an almost magical lightness. That sound rippled through his mind like the surface of a lake touched by a gentle breeze, and for an instant everything around seemed distant, irrelevant…
She seemed… far too enchanting to be ignored.
But he would never do such a thing. A calm smile appeared on his lips.
"No need to worry, Xue'er. We still have time and it's not that urgent. As long as we arrive by late afternoon, everything will be fine…" he said in his usual tranquil voice.
The simple smile was enough to make Feng Xue'er's face flush lightly. She blinked curiously as she approached, asking: "What do you want to do…?"
Without answering right away, Ren Zu extended his hand and touched his spatial ring. Two pieces of meat appeared in the air, floating gently in front of him.
Feng Xue'er's eyes widened as she looked at those two pieces of meat. They seemed far too succulent… The texture appeared perfect, with delicate marbling and a coloration that made her mouth water just by looking, even though they were completely raw. It was as though those cuts didn't belong to the mortal world, but to some banquet reserved for immortals…
Ren Zu then retrieved several seasonings. Crystal salt, rare aromatic herbs, spices that released a warm and profound aroma. Everything floated before him, obedient to his will. With calm, almost artistic movements, he began to season the meat. Each gesture was precise, elegant, as though cooking were a different form of cultivation.
Which, in a way, was no exaggeration at all.
During the time he spent learning countless things in the Illusory Demon Realm, he had also delved deeply into the culinary arts. The interest had arisen almost casually, almost as a passing curiosity, but his talent did the rest. In a short time, he had already reached such a high level that he was a true Divine Chef. More than that, he created an entirely new branch of cuisine—something different from anything ever seen in that world, a way of cooking that transcended ordinary techniques and bordered on the divine.
He called this path [Supreme Spiritual Chef Arts]. It was not an isolated profound art, but an absolute compendium of the culinary arts. There was not a single culinary skill within that compendium in which he had not reached the absolute peak, a perfect level that was, in practice, impossible to surpass. He could cook through intention alone…
The reason for calling it a divine art was simple: the food he prepared was comparable to consuming the highest-grade pills. However, unlike those aggressive pills, difficult to absorb and full of impurities, his dishes were gentle on the body. They integrated into it as though they had always been part of it. The energy spread naturally, strengthening the profound veins, nourishing the soul, and stabilizing the cultivation foundation without any side effects.
And as for the taste…
"Delicious" was far too small a word. It was the kind of food that made time slow down, that drew involuntary sighs, that made even immortals forget the heavens for a brief moment…
Putting that aside, he controlled the pieces of meat through his intention, and they began to rotate slowly around the golden fire.
The golden flames licked the air, enveloping the meat in perfectly controlled heat. The aroma began to spread—rich, deep, and irresistible…
Feng Xue'er approached without realizing it, completely hypnotized by the scene.
"You can sit," Ren Zu said, patting the ice bench lightly beside him. "It's better to watch from here."
She obeyed almost automatically, sitting down next to him…
"You cook… like this?"
Ren Zu gave her a sidelong glance, confident, almost amused.
"Yes. You've never seen anything like it, right?"
Feng Xue'er nodded adorably, like an enchanted fairy seeing something for the first time in her life. The golden light of the fire reflected in her blue irises, making them shine like crystal-clear water under the sun.
"I… have never seen anything like this…" she answered with absolute sincerity, her voice soft and filled with an emotion difficult to explain.
Ren Zu smiled, satisfied.
Without saying anything more, he decided to show her a little more of his skill.
With a simple gesture, the meats began to spin a little faster around the golden flames. The heat adjusted with invisible perfection; there was no excess smoke, no abrupt crackling—only a low, almost musical sound, as though the fire were obeying a silent score. The surface of the meat sealed gradually, creating a delicate crust that locked all the juices inside.
The aroma changed.
First came a deep, comforting smell, warm like an embrace in winter. Then subtler notes appeared—herbs, something faintly sweet, a touch reminiscent of mountains at dusk. It was such a rich perfume that it seemed to invade the senses, making the air around denser, more alive… as though the world had been infused with the breath of the immortal realm…
"Waah… It smells so good!! This is the first time I've smelled something this amazing." Feng Xue'er swallowed unconsciously. Her fingers tightened slightly on the ice bench, and she felt her mouth water almost involuntarily.
When Ren Zu judged the moment perfect, he made one final gesture. The meats stopped in midair and descended gently, already done, each fiber at the exact perfect point.
He picked up one piece and extended it to Feng Xue'er.
"Try it."
She received the piece carefully, as though holding something far too precious to handle hastily. The heat was still pleasant, comforting. She smelled it gently, then parted her lips slightly and bit down with her pearly teeth.
The world stopped.
There was no other way to describe it.
The flavor exploded softly and overwhelmingly at the same time. The meat was absurdly tender, melting effortlessly, releasing layer after layer of taste that succeeded one another like perfect waves. Sweet, savory, deep, clean—everything coexisted in absolute harmony…
Feng Xue'er's eyes widened, and a small sound escaped her lips before she could control it.
"…!"
She pressed her free hand to her chest, feeling her heart race as a purely sensory pleasure spread throughout her body. It wasn't just flavor—it was comfort, joy, a satisfaction so intense it seemed to reach her very soul. The energy of the food flowed gently, warming her from within, as though she were being cared for by something ancient and benevolent…
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing she had ever eaten in her entire life even came close to this.
Ren Zu, beside her, took a bite of his own piece, watching her from the corner of his eye, clearly pleased with her reaction.
Feng Xue'er chewed slowly, as though wanting to prolong that moment as long as possible. Her table manners remained graceful; each small bite was elegant. As he watched her devour the food, Ren Zu's gaze gradually softened. In this girl, no matter her body or what she did, she possessed an enchanting and irresistible charm that no one could resist.
When she finally finished eating the entire piece, completely absorbed, she turned to him, still stunned, her cheeks lightly flushed—not from embarrassment, but from pure emotion.
"Husband…" she said, with a dazed and completely sincere smile.
"This… is incredible! I've never eaten anything so delicious! Absolutely nothing compares to this or even comes close. It's as though before I was only eating bad food, and today I tasted real food for the first time."
Feng Xue'er's gaze drifted almost involuntarily.
It descended… and stopped.
It stopped exactly on the piece of meat still in Ren Zu's hand.
For a brief instant, she said nothing. She just watched, her blue eyes shining subtly, pupils dilated with a simple, transparent desire too obvious to hide. Her rosy lips parted slightly, and an almost childlike, hopeful expression took over her face—so pure, so sincere, it seemed to come from a dream.
It was like a child looking at the last piece of candy.
Ren Zu noticed instantly.
He raised an eyebrow slightly, looking at her from the corner of his eye, and for a second didn't even consider refusing. Even if his heart were ten times harder, even if it were made of cold stone… there was still no way to resist that expression.
Without a word, he extended his hand.
"Here."
Feng Xue'er's eyes lit up immediately.
"R-really…?" she asked reflexively, but was already reaching out, unable to hide her excitement.
When the piece was placed in her hands, she held it like a treasure. And then… she ate.
This time, with no hesitation whatsoever.
She bit down with restrained but still graceful enthusiasm and quickly forgot the world around her entirely. The same overwhelming pleasure flooded her senses again, and she closed her eyes for a moment, savoring each fiber as though engraving the sensation into her soul.
Ren Zu watched in silence.
She was eating too quickly now, as though afraid it would disappear if she took too long. When she finished, she delicately wiped her fingers… and then stopped.
She looked at her empty hands.
Her smile faltered.
"…It's gone…" she murmured, a genuine hint of sadness in her voice.
There was something almost painfully adorable in that reaction.
Ren Zu let out a low, amused sigh and raised the hand that had already been cleansed of any grease by his profound energy, gently placing it on top of her head. His fingers slid slowly through her soft hair, giving her a calm, natural head pat without hurry.
Feng Xue'er froze for half a second.
And then completely relaxed.
The touch was warm, safe, far too comfortable.
"I'll cook again later…" he said simply, his voice low and tranquil. "As many times as you want."
She blinked.
And then… swallowed hard.
The mere idea made her body react before her mind could catch up. A light shiver ran down her spine, and her lips parted again, almost reflexively. She didn't notice, but she was already salivating once more, her eyes shining with anticipation.
"…Later…?" she repeated softly.
Ren Zu smiled.
Feng Xue'er lowered her gaze, trying to look composed, but failed miserably. A small, happy smile appeared on her face, and she nodded, like someone who had just received the best promise in the world.
"Then…" she said, her voice soft, almost shy, "…I'll wait."
While smiling at her response, Ren Zu naturally withdrew his hand from her head.
It was a simple gesture.
Even so, Feng Xue'er immediately felt an almost childish emptiness. Her fingers moved reflexively, resting on her own abdomen, and she made a slightly confused expression, as though only then realizing something.
"…Uhm…"
There was a subtle discomfort there. Nothing painful, but heavy. The meat had been too good—too good for a body still adapting. After all, it didn't come from an ordinary profound beast, but from a powerful existence filled with concentrated energy. Eating two pieces of that level would make any ordinary cultivator feel strange…
Ren Zu noticed instantly.
Without saying anything, he stood up and raised his hand toward her.
Noticing his movement, Feng Xue'er immediately turned to him.
In the next instant, his palm began to glow. Golden stars appeared around his hand—small and delicate, like fragments of condensed aurora light. They moved gracefully, spinning in the air before enveloping Feng Xue'er completely.
Her eyes widened.
The first sensation was warmth.
A gentle, profound warmth that didn't burn, only enveloped. It passed through her skin, her flesh, her bones… and then reached her soul. Feng Xue'er felt as though her soul had met the angels of heaven and was dancing with joy—a strangely specific feeling.
The heaviness in her stomach disappeared, and her fatigue became nonexistent, like dust carried away by the morning wind.
She took a deep breath.
"…Ah…"
The sound escaped before she could hold it back.
It was as though she had been reborn.
Her body felt light, her mind clear, and an absolute sense of comfort made her almost melt on the spot. If Ren Zu hadn't been there, she was sure she would have lain down on the bench… When the light dissipated, Feng Xue'er blinked several times, stunned. She looked at her own hands, then at him, her blue eyes shining with realization.
"That profound art…" she said, still feeling a lingering trace of that warmth in her soul. "It's the same one you used in Divine Phoenix City, isn't it…?"
Ren Zu nodded slightly.
"Yes."
"You healed everyone with it… I've never heard of this kind of profound art. What profound art is that…?"
Ren Zu observed her for a moment before answering, as though deciding there was no reason to hide it.
"It's my personal profound art that can only be practiced by someone with profound mastery over the Laws of Light. It is based on Profound Light Energy…" he explained calmly. "I call it [Celestial Aurora Canon]."
The name alone made Feng Xue'er's heart beat a little faster, and the explanation left her mind swirling with countless thoughts.
"It has eight stages…" he continued. "In Divine Phoenix City, I only used the third…"
Feng Xue'er swallowed hard.
"The… third…?"
Ren Zu confirmed with a slight nod.
"The third stage is called [Benevolent Light Dominion]. It has two available sub-arts. The main one is [Shining Star], which basically instantly restores any kind of injury, both to the body and to the soul. In addition, it recovers profound energy and repairs any damage to the profound veins… in other words, it heals every existing wound…" He paused briefly before continuing: "What I used on you just now is also part of the third stage: [Profound Purification]. It removes any poison under the heavens, including rare toxins, curses, and every negative effect present in the body."
Feng Xue'er remained silent for a few seconds. Then she raised her face to him, her eyes filled with a mixture of admiration, respect… and a soft glow she herself still didn't fully understand.
"…Incredible! I've never heard of anything so amazing! It really seems like a divine profound art. Even more impressive than the World Ode of the Phoenix that I practice!"
Ren Zu accepted her admiration with his usual calm, and over the time that followed, he patiently clarified every doubt Feng Xue'er raised.
Feng Xue'er listened to everything with absolute attention. Sometimes she asked about cultivation, other times about his experiences, and even about his level of profound strength—which remained a mystery to which he gave only a vague answer. She also asked about the Illusory Demon Realm, and even about simple things, like habits and preferences that had nothing to do with power.
Time passed without them noticing. The fire continued to burn steadily, the snow kept falling around the camp, and the light in the sky began to change little by little.
When Feng Xue'er realized, the cold midday glow had already given way to softer tones, and long shadows stretched across the snow.
It was then that Ren Zu, after casting a brief glance at the horizon, judged that they had stayed there long enough. The Frozen Cloud Asgard wasn't far, but arriving before late afternoon was ideal. Without fanfare, he dispelled the camp as though it had never existed, extinguishing the golden fire and making the ice bench dissipate into the air.
Feng Xue'er stood up beside him, her mind still full of thoughts and her heart strangely calm and happy, genuinely wishing for a life by his side that would last forever…
The two set off toward the Frozen Cloud Asgard, leaving behind only pristine snow—as though that silent interlude of dance, warmth, and conversations forgotten by time had been a secret kept solely between the two of them…
…And that was how I conquered your mother's heart.
_________________________
(A/N: This chapter marks the last moment focused on the development of Ren Zu and Feng Xue'er's relationship. Everything that needed to bloom between the two at this stage of the story was carefully built here. I hope you enjoyed it — personally, I really liked these last chapters and the way their relationship developed.
From the next chapter onward, the story finally gets back on track. The next destination will be the Illusory Demon Realm! Of course, before that, he will deal with the "Crystal Palace" project in the Frozen Cloud of Asgard, setting in motion something much bigger and taking the final step in his relationship with Feng Xue'er.
I hope you enjoyed this more intimate and peaceful development between them.
See you in the next chapter.
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