"Destroyed by another's hand?" Xiao Che's brows tightened sharply. From childhood to this day, all he'd ever known—whether through his grandfather's teachings or the tales of others—was that his profound veins were innately crippled. It was only today, upon bearing the memories of the Sacred Healer's legacy in his rebirth, that he realized his damaged veins were not the result of a congenital defect.
Yet Xia Qingyue had declared in a single sentence that his crippled veins were not due to birth but had been damaged by external force after he was born.
This fact, unnoticed by anyone in the Xiao family, was laid bare by Xia Qingyue in a mere few breaths.
This woman...
"Precisely." Xia Qingyue lowered her lashes, speaking softly, "And because the injury struck you at a young age, perhaps your family remained unaware, leaving the wound untreated. As your body grew, the damage calcified… leaving no hope for repair."
Her final words carried an unshakable certainty. For an adult, damaged profound veins would result in a depletion of profound energy, though repair might still be possible. But when an infant's profound veins were crippled, the injury became a permanent foundation for their growth, deepening over time into utter ruin—such that by Xiao Che's age, reversal was unimaginable.
Yet Xiao Che's expression remained unchanged as he replied calmly, "That may not be the case."
Xia Qingyue cast him a sidelong glance, "It seems you've held hope for repairing your profound veins?"
"I will restore them," Xiao Che stated, his face impassive.
Xia Qingyue regarded him intently. From his gaze, she discerned not merely pride and confidence, but a chilling, deep-seated resolve. With a faint sigh, she murmured, "…The Sky Profound Continent is boundless, teeming with talents. Perhaps someone does indeed exist with the power to restore your veins. I should not have spoken so conclusively; consider it my ignorance."
These words marked a sharp change in Xiao Che's impression of her. He hesitated, then asked, "The icy profound energy you wielded earlier—what is it? I've never heard of anyone in Floating Cloud City who possesses such power. Your master… I suspect they are not from here… But this may be personal, so feel free not to answer."
Xia Qingyue remained silent for a long moment. Just as Xiao Che assumed she would not respond, she replied calmly, "Frozen Cloud Arts."
"Frozen Cloud Arts?" The name jolted Xiao Che, stirring a faint familiarity. When he finally recalled its significance, his face paled, and he exclaimed, "Frozen Cloud Asgard?!"
Xia Qingyue glanced at him in slight surprise. Despite his initial outburst, she found him remarkably composed. Even the city's lord would tremble at hearing this name. With a gentle smile, she replied, "Indeed, my master hails from Frozen Cloud Asgard, and I am considered one of its disciples… Only my father in Floating Cloud City knows; you are the second. I tell you this because, in name, you are my husband, so this is a courtesy."
"…" Xiao Che's heart reeled with shock, the name "Frozen Cloud Asgard" detonating within him like an explosion. This was one of the Blue Wind Empire's Four Great Sects, a hallowed realm every profound practitioner revered, and one even the imperial family honored yearly.
Heavenly Sword Villa, Frozen Cloud Asgard, Xiao Sect, and Burning Heaven Gate.
The Blue Wind Empire was the smallest of the Seven Nations on the Sky Profound Continent, with the lowest strength. Yet it had remained unconquered, largely thanks to the Four Great Sects—whom even the empire's royal authority dared not challenge.
The strength of these sects was indisputable. They accepted disciples based solely on talent, not lineage. To join one of them would bring boundless honor to one's family; even the court would recognize them as nobility.
In humble Floating Cloud City, no one had ever dreamed of joining such exalted ranks. To Xiao Che, the Four Great Sects were like heavenly palaces, unreachable stars. Yet now, his newly wedded wife was a disciple of Frozen Cloud Asgard, second only to Heavenly Sword Villa.
Composing himself, he asked, "Since you're a disciple of Frozen Cloud Asgard, why does your Xia family keep it hidden? With your status, the Xia family could easily dominate Floating Cloud City; no one would dare oppose you. The city's wealthiest families, even the lord's household, would scramble to curry favor, and your family's prosperity would soar."
"Because of you," Xia Qingyue replied.
"Because… of me?" Xiao Che stilled, then fell silent, understanding dawning.
"The Xia family's daughter marrying you was scandal enough for this city. Were I known as a disciple of Frozen Cloud Asgard, the shock would extend far beyond this small town. The consequences would be unpredictable for both you and my family. After all, the difference between us is vast." Her tone was soft, her gaze tranquil, her presence radiating otherworldly beauty.
Xiao Che exhaled slowly, "Then why did you marry me?"
"You already know. My life was saved by your uncle, who perished due to injuries sustained in protecting me. On the day I was born, my father betrothed me to you. Whether out of gratitude or duty to my father's wishes, I had no reason not to marry you."
Raising her gaze, Xia Qingyue's eyes gleamed like frost crystals, cool and luminous. "I tell you of my ties to Frozen Cloud Asgard so you understand: to cultivate the Frozen Cloud Arts, one must first attain a heart of ice. Frozen Cloud Asgard accepts only women, bound to abstain from all emotions and desires. Though I am your wife, I can never love anyone. This truth, you must understand."
"…Even if you weren't from Frozen Cloud Asgard, I doubt you would ever love me," Xiao Che replied with a bitter smile.
Xia Qingyue shook her head slowly, "You misunderstand—I've never looked down upon you, not once. My master has always taught that regardless of how high one ascends, it is only acceptable to look down with humility, never with contempt. I am but a novice myself. Though the Sky Profound Continent venerates profound power, countless revered healers, alchemists, and artisans abound. Crippled veins do not spell a life in ruin."
Xiao Che was stirred. The city only spoke of Xia Qingyue's beauty and talent, but few realized the remarkable maturity beneath her serene demeanor. At merely sixteen, the depth of her spirit was astounding.
Indeed, in a few years, her potential would be boundless. No wonder Frozen Cloud Asgard had claimed her.
And to think, such an astonishing woman, possessing unmatched talent and disposition, was now his wife—it felt surreal. Were it not for the experiences and memories of two lifetimes, he would scarcely have dared look her in the eye.
"Thank you for telling me all this…" Xiao Che murmured, his gaze sharpening. "Now, can you tell me—what is your true level of profound strength?"
To reach the tenth level of the Elementary Profound Realm at sixteen was an impressive feat, yet Xiao Che no longer believed that was her true level; such talent alone would never attract Frozen Cloud Asgard's interest.
His question brought a stillness from Xia Qingyue. Her silence alone confirmed her strength far surpassed the Elementary Profound Realm.
"You should go to offer the wedding toasts." She shifted her gaze aside, her voice soft.
As her words fell, footsteps neared the door, followed by the steady, aged voice of Xiao Hong, "Young Master, it is time for the toasts."
"Yes, Elder Hong, I'll be there shortly." Xiao Che responded, casting one last glance at Xia Qingyue before adjusting his robe and stepping out.
The moment Xiao Che left, the room glowed with frost-light, within which a snowy figure appeared, as ethereal as a dream, standing before Xia Qingyue. Xia Qingyue moved forward, bowing slightly, her voice soft yet reverent, "Master."
"Qingyue, you have achieved your wish. Shall we return to Frozen Cloud Asgard?"
Her voice, gentle and mellifluous as floating clouds, could melt the iciest of hearts.
But Xia Qingyue shook her head, "Master, I wish to stay a while longer. Leaving so soon after my wedding would bring upon him relentless scorn. Please, grant me another month, that I might leave in a way that spares him further harm."
Her master regarded her with a calm gaze before nodding, smiling gently, "Very well. Since we have already made you the first married disciple of Frozen Cloud Asgard in a century, a month more is of little consequence."
"Thank you, Master." Xia Qingyue bowed again, then hesitated, her voice softer, "Master, is there truly no way to restore his profound veins?"
The white-clad woman shook her head without pause, "Perhaps there are few absolutes… but to my knowledge, there is no way. Qingyue, your heart holds compassion and gratitude, and that is well. Yet in this, even I am powerless."