Chapter 8

"Destroyed by others?" Xiao Che's eyebrows twitched sharply. From childhood to adulthood, whether it was from what he heard from his grandfather or what was rumored outside, his mystic meridian was always said to be congenitally defective. Even he himself only realized after "rebirth" today, carrying the memories of the Medical Sage, that his defective mystic meridian was not congenital.

But Xia Qingyue stated in one sentence that his damaged mystic meridian was not congenital but was injured by external forces after birth.

This fact, no one in the Xiao family had seen through, yet Xia Qingyue saw it clearly in just a few breaths.

This woman...

"That's right." Xia Qingyue lowered her eyelashes and said softly, "And because the injury was severe when you were young, and perhaps your family did not notice it at the time, it was never repaired. As your body grew, the defect in your mystic meridian also fully formed... There is absolutely no possibility of repair!"

Xia Qingyue said the last sentence with utmost confidence and determination. If an adult's mystic meridian is damaged, it can cause a massive leakage of mystic power, but there are still multiple methods to repair it. However, if the mystic meridian is defective during the early stages of growth, it will grow from a defective state, becoming even more defective. By the time someone reaches Xiao Che's age, it would have basically solidified, making it impossible to repair.

Xiao Che, however, remained unperturbed and said calmly, "That's not necessarily true."

Xia Qingyue glanced at him lightly, "It seems you have been thinking about repairing your mystic meridian?"

"I will definitely repair it," Xiao Che said expressionlessly.

Xia Qingyue looked at him deeply. From his eyes, she saw not only pride and confidence but also a deep-seated coldness. She sighed inwardly and said softly, "...The Tianxuan Continent is vast, with countless talented individuals. Perhaps there really is someone who can repair your mystic meridian. I shouldn't have made such a definitive statement just now. Consider it my ignorance."

These words greatly improved Xiao Che's impression of Xia Qingyue. He hesitated for a moment and then asked, "What about the cold mystic power you used earlier? I've never heard of anyone in Liuyun City who can use that kind of mystic power. Your master is not from Liuyun City, right... Of course, this might be your privacy, you don't have to tell me."

Xia Qingyue was silent for a long time. Just as Xiao Che thought she wouldn't answer, he heard her say calmly, "Ice Cloud Art."

"Ice Cloud Art?" This name made Xiao Che slightly stunned, a vague sense of familiarity arising in his heart. When he suddenly recalled what this name represented, his face changed dramatically, and he blurted out uncontrollably, "Ice Cloud Immortal Palace!?!?"

Xia Qingyue's beautiful eyes flickered, and she looked at Xiao Che with some surprise. When he shouted "Ice Cloud Immortal Palace," Xiao Che was clearly emotionally out of control, but in her eyes, he was still too calm. Even the city lord of Liuyun City would be so shocked by this name that his whole body would go limp and his legs would tremble. She said lightly, "My master is indeed from the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace, and I can be considered a disciple of the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace... This matter is known only to my father in the entire Liuyun City, and you are the second person to know. I will tell you... because you are, at least nominally, my husband, and this is the basic respect I owe you."

"..." Xiao Che's heart was in shock for a long time. The name "Ice Cloud Immortal Palace" was like a huge bomb exploding in his heart. Because it was one of the four most powerful sects in the Cangfeng Empire, a holy land that all mystic practitioners in the Cangfeng Empire aspired to, and an existence so transcendent that even the imperial family of the Cangfeng Empire paid tribute to it every year!

Tianjian Manor, Ice Cloud Immortal Palace, Xiao Sect, Fentian Sect.

The Cangfeng Empire is the smallest and weakest of the seven countries on the Tianxuan Continent, but it has never been annexed by other countries, largely due to these four major sects. The great powers might not fear the imperial court of the Cangfeng Empire, but they could not ignore these four major sects.

The strength of these four major sects is unquestionable. Their recruitment of disciples is extremely strict, valuing talent over background. Almost all mystic practitioners in the Cangfeng Empire dream of entering these four major sects. Even the lowest-ranking disciple of one of these sects would bring glory to their entire family, and the imperial court would treat them as honored guests, even granting them titles and honors.

And this small Liuyun City had never heard of anyone entering these four major sects, nor had anyone dared to dream of it. For the former Xiao Che, the names of these four major sects were like thunder in his ears, but they were like celestial palaces, something he never dared to aspire to... But he never expected that the wife he just married was actually a disciple of the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace, which ranks second only to Tianjian Manor among the four major sects!

Xiao Che quickly calmed down and asked, "Since you are a disciple of the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace, why didn't your family make this public? With your status, the Xia family could dominate Liuyun City, and no one would dare to provoke us. All the wealthy families, including the city lord's family, would come to curry favor, and the development speed of the Xia family would increase exponentially."

"Because of you," Xia Qingyue answered.

"Because of... me?" Xiao Che was stunned, then fell silent... These three words had already made him think of the reason.

"Marrying you as a simple daughter of the Xia family has already caused a stir in the entire Liuyun City. If I were to marry you as a disciple of the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace, the stir would not be limited to this small Liuyun City. It could cause many unpredictable consequences for both you and the Xia family. After all, the gap between you and me is too vast," Xia Qingyue's voice was light, her gaze clear. Although she was standing quietly, she was already dazzlingly beautiful.

Xiao Che slowly exhaled, "Then why did you still marry me?"

"The reason is clear in your heart... Because my life was saved by Uncle Xiao, and he was killed because he saved me. Also, on the day I was born, my father betrothed me to you. Whether to repay Uncle Xiao's kindness or to honor my father's promise, I have no reason not to marry you."

Xia Qingyue raised her eyes, her gaze as cold as shimmering ice, "I told you I belong to the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace to let you know that to cultivate Ice Cloud, one must first have a cold heart. The Ice Cloud Immortal Palace only accepts women and forbids them from having any romantic desires. Although I have married you, I will never fall in love with anyone in my life. You must understand this."

"Even if you were not from the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace, I don't think you would fall in love with me," Xiao Che said with a self-deprecating smile.

Xia Qingyue shook her head slowly, "Perhaps you misunderstood. I am not looking down on you, and I have never looked down on you... My master has often told me that even if a person reaches the highest level, they can only look down, not belittle. Besides, I am just at the starting point. Although the Tianxuan Continent values mystic power, there are also countless physicians, alchemists, and weapon masters who are highly respected. A defective mystic meridian does not mean a ruined life."

Xiao Che was deeply moved. The only things known about Xia Qingyue in Liuyun City were her beauty and talent, and perhaps no one knew the state of mind she possessed, which even most middle-aged people could not match.

And she was only sixteen years old... In a few years, it would be unimaginable. No wonder she was chosen by the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace!

And such a woman, who is a demon in terms of appearance, talent, and state of mind, actually became his wife, it felt like a dream!

If it weren't for the experiences and memories of his two lives, he would be so inferior in front of her that he wouldn't dare to look at her directly.

"Thank you for telling me all this..." Xiao Che said with a sigh, then his tone became firm, "So, can you tell me what level your mystic power is now?"

Reaching the tenth level of the Initial Mystic Realm at sixteen is an astonishing talent that would shock the entire Liuyun City. But now, Xiao Che did not believe that Xia Qingyue was really only at the tenth level of the Initial Mystic Realm. Because this talent, unmatched in Liuyun City, was not enough to catch the eye of the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace.

Xiao Che's sudden question made Xia Qingyue fall silent, not answering. But her silence already indicated that her strength was indeed not just the tenth level of the Initial Mystic Realm.

"You should go and offer toasts now," Xia Qingyue turned her gaze and said slowly.

As her voice faded, footsteps approached the door, and Xiao Hong's aged and calm voice came, "Young Master, it's time to offer toasts."

"Grandpa Hong, I'll be right there," Xiao Che replied, gave Xia Qingyue one last look, tidied his clothes, and walked out of the room.

As soon as Xiao Che left, a bright ice light appeared in the room. In the ice light, a snow-white figure appeared before Xia Qingyue in a dreamlike manner. Xia Qingyue stepped forward, bowed slightly, and called softly and respectfully, "Master."

"Qingyue, you have achieved your goal, it's time to return to the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace, right?"

This voice was very soft and beautiful, like a cloud, light as the wind, enough to melt the coldest heart in the world.

Xia Qingyue, however, shook her head lightly, "Master, Qingyue wants to stay a little longer. Leaving right after the wedding, he will surely face even more harsh and endless ridicule. Please give me one more month, and I will leave in a way that will not hurt him and will not allow others to continue hurting him."

The white-robed woman looked at her calmly, paused for a moment, then nodded slowly and smiled slightly, "Very well. Since I have made an exception to let you become the first married disciple of the Ice Cloud Immortal Palace in a hundred years, another month is not a problem."

"Thank you, Master," Xia Qingyue bowed again, hesitated for a moment, and said softly, "Master, is there really no possibility of repairing his mystic meridian?"

The white-robed woman shook her head almost without hesitation, "In this world, perhaps nothing is absolute... But at least in my view, it is impossible. Qingyue, you have a kind, compassionate, and grateful heart, which is very good. However, this time, I really can't help you."