In truth, Zhou Haoyu understood Qin Yu'er's temperament very well.
A few words alone would never convince her—it would take time spent together before she could truly be swayed.
Suddenly, Zhou Haoyu's gaze fell upon Qin Yu'er's garments, still damp and clinging tightly to her flawless skin, faintly revealing glimpses that were dangerously enticing.
"When I thawed you out earlier, your clothes were soaked. Do you want me to dry them for you?"
As he spoke, a white flame blossomed in his palm.
At the instant the Void White Flame appeared, Qin Yu'er felt warmth again for the first time in ten long years.
She lowered her head to glance at her soaked attire. Without much hesitation, she softly said, "Please."
"A trivial matter."
With a gentle wave of his hand, Zhou Haoyu let the Void White Flame envelop her figure.
His mastery far surpassed that of Mages at his level, so there was no need to worry about harming her.
Besides, Qin Yu'er was an Ice Calamity Bearer—her Ice Seed was even stronger than the Void White Flame itself.
Had she not been frozen for ten years, she would already have become one of the strongest among Super-level Mages.
Before long, her garments were dried completely.
"Thank you."
Qin Yu'er's gaze carried a trace of genuine gratitude as she looked at Zhou Haoyu.
Though it was their very first meeting, she felt no trace of aversion toward him—if anything, she felt a faint closeness.
Perhaps it was because he had saved her life… or perhaps it was the long-lost warmth she had just experienced.
"We should leave this place first. We can discuss the rest outside."
With that, Zhou Haoyu began walking toward the mouth of the cavern.
Qin Yu'er hesitated briefly, then followed after him.
The moment the two emerged from the cave, the prone White Tiger suddenly leapt to its feet, its eyes filled with terror as they locked on Zhou Haoyu.
Though the beast still feared the imperial might Zhou Haoyu had released earlier, when it saw Qin Yu'er, its massive frame trembled with excitement, and it bounded to her side.
Watching this, Zhou Haoyu couldn't help but mutter inwardly.
"Are Ice-element prodigies born with some strange affinity that attracts the White Tiger? Or is it their constitution that draws them?"
At that moment, Mu Ningxue approached from nearby.
When her eyes fell upon Qin Yu'er's silver hair, so much like her own, shock flashed across her face.
Qin Yu'er also looked curiously at Mu Ningxue. From the aura she exuded, Qin Yu'er could sense a constitution somewhat similar to her own—
Though not nearly as severe.
Mu Ningxue's Ice Invasion state merely influenced a portion of her emotions, whereas Qin Yu'er, as an Ice Calamity Bearer, endured far greater affliction from Ice Invasion.
"She's called Mu Ningxue. Like me, she's a member of the National Institute Team," Zhou Haoyu introduced.
"National Institute Team…"
Qin Yu'er's expression grew dazed. Besides her years in Tianshan, the clearest memories she retained were from the World College Tournament.
"And she is…?"
Mu Ningxue, already captivated by Qin Yu'er's aura, couldn't help but turn to Zhou Haoyu for explanation.
But before he could speak, Qin Yu'er herself softly said, "My name is Qin Yu'er. I was also once a member of the National Institute Team. Later…"
Her words trailed off. The matter of being sealed in Tianshan was not something she wished to recall.
Mu Ningxue's face froze in astonishment. This woman looked barely over twenty—yet she was their senior, a former teammate?
Because of the ice seal, Qin Yu'er's appearance had been frozen ten years in the past.
"Senior Qin, I'm sure you've noticed her constitution problem. I'd like to ask you to guide her."
Zhou Haoyu chose not to circle around the matter, instead cutting straight to the point.
Mu Ningxue instantly realized what he had meant earlier, when he'd said Tianshan could help her.
So this was what he referred to—Qin Yu'er.
Qin Yu'er, seeing the bond between the two, felt a flicker of envy glimmer through her icy-blue eyes.
"I can. But it will take time." She spoke earnestly.
Though imprisoned in ice for ten years, Qin Yu'er had not been without gains—her understanding of the Ice Element had deepened, and her control over her own constitution had also improved.
Zhou Haoyu pondered briefly, then nodded. "Naturally. But before that, there's something else I need to do."
Under the questioning gazes of Qin Yu'er and Mu Ningxue, Zhou Haoyu strode straight toward the White Tiger.
As he approached, the Supreme Monarch-level beast instinctively shrank back, fear etched into every movement.
Qin Yu'er's eyes widened.
Earlier, she had seen the White Tiger show fear toward Zhou Haoyu, but she hadn't thought much of it.
Now, seeing it cower like this again, she realized—there was truly something about Zhou Haoyu that terrified the creature.
But how could that be? Zhou Haoyu was merely a High-level Mage. What could possibly inspire such fear in a Supreme Monarch?
"Don't be so scared. I'm not going to eat you."
Zhou Haoyu reached out and stroked the White Tiger's fur. It was silky smooth to the touch, carrying a faint chill.
The White Tiger was extremely displeased. Other than Qin Yu'er, no one had ever laid a hand on its coat.
But, constrained by the imperial majesty Zhou Haoyu exuded, it had no choice but to endure obediently.
"Among your Tianshan White Tiger lineage, there is a little White Tiger whose bloodline is extremely pure—stronger even than yours," Zhou Haoyu continued.
At the mention of the little White Tiger, fury flashed through the White Tiger's eyes.
Could this man be eyeing the cub?
"You Tianshan White Tigers are in fact a branch of the Sacred Totem White Tiger. And I am a Totem Guardian, so you don't need to worry that I mean your clan any harm."
Zhou Haoyu revealed his Totem Guardian identity outright. The Tianshan Light White Tiger had lived countless years—surely it would know of the Totem lineage.
As long as he found the little White Tiger, Mu Ningxue's contracted beast issue would be resolved.
Sure enough, at the words Totem Guardian, the Tianshan Light White Tiger's vigilance eased considerably, though not entirely.
"The little White Tiger has the potential to break through to the Emperor level. I can help it ascend, and in the future, it may even restore the lost glory of the White Tiger Totem line."
Zhou Haoyu painted a tempting prospect.
It wasn't empty talk—the little White Tiger's ascension to Emperor was far from impossible.
Once either the Azure Dragon or the Candle Dragon revived, relying on the Totem Source Power reflected through the Totems would be enough for the little White Tiger to ascend.
At the words restore the glory of the White Tiger Totem, a tremor of excitement flickered in the Tianshan Light White Tiger's eyes.
Zhou Haoyu hadn't lowered his voice, so Qin Yu'er and Mu Ningxue naturally heard everything.
The two women exchanged glances, each seeing the same shock in the other's eyes.
Though Zhou Haoyu spoke of "Emperor" so lightly, that was still an Emperor.
The strength of an Emperor-level being was such that it could effortlessly annihilate a major city—or even wipe a small nation off the map.
Qin Yu'er, having only just awakened, was overwhelmed by such staggering revelations, her head spinning slightly.
She had thought Zhou Haoyu merely a gifted High-level Mage, but reality had already far surpassed her expectations.
With Zhou Haoyu's help, perhaps she no longer needed to fear the Inquisition's pursuit.
As for the Holy City—so long as Qin Yu'er did not break through to Forbidden Curse, she would remain beneath Michael's notice.
...
For Advance Chapters
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