The avian beings, though frozen, seemed to awaken as they exchanged glances with the arriving experts. After a moment of mutual hesitation, they suddenly united their power to summon wind and rain——In an instant, multiple steam-laden water columns emerged from thThe Frozen Awakening of the Birds IIe distance, converging mid-air before reaching the avian companions.
After being warmed by natures power, the avian people wisely slipped away without a second thought. Ah Jun, already weakened from his initial exhaustion, nearly collapsed from the bitter cold. Fortunately, Xiao Xi rushed over in time to support him. As they sat down together, his small eyes kept lingering with appreciative glances at the young girl who had helped him.
Of course, not only because of gratitude and admiration, but more because of love, but the girl didnt seem to feel it at all, and the heat in Xiao Xis eyes —— the fluctuation between the two were almost frozen.
After rescuing Ah Jun and waiting for the avian group to retreat, the girl immediately withdrew her powers. With the rising temperature and the help of flowing water, the body heat quickly warmed up, allowing Ah Jun to gradually recover from danger. However, he didnt have time to thank her. Clutching his trembling hands, he grabbed some snacks to replenish energy, while the kitten remained in his arms, refusing to leave.
The girl before Xiao Xi was slender, about the same height as Ah Jun. Her skin was as white as snow, and she wore a traditional Hanfu dress that looked light and flowing. Her long black hair cascaded down to her slender waist...
After a brief rest, Ah Jun regained his composure. Slowly opening his eyes, he studied the girl in Xiao Xis gaze. His keen observation revealed her weapon differed from the Guardian Team members staffs—this was the exclusive Losh Star Staff. While its basic framework mirrored those from his homeland and channeled guardian energy, the fully developed version featured a unique crystalline formation at the handles tip, serving as the power source for activating abilities.
However, this young maidens weapon stands apart. Its complete form features a crystalline core at the tip that exists without guidance, with an extraordinary appearance resembling a six-petaled frost blossom suspended mid-air. The handle shares its translucent quality, emitting a faint pale blue glow that harmonizes with the veins on her arm. This must be the legendary Xuanwu Tear—the sacred artifact of Xuanwu Commandery, entrusted to successive generations of holy maidens.
From this, it can be inferred that the girl in front of him must be the current saint of Nanguo City, the guardian of the Holy Land.
At this time, everyone had also come to the children—— only to see the girl glance at Ah Jun, who was already safe, without saying much, and everyone, old and young, bowed to the saint.
Here, the Holy Maiden held the status of a clan leader, and this was the proper etiquette. The young maiden nodded gracefully and returned the salute to the elder, her gaze cold yet tender. Ah Jun could almost guess that the old man before him might be either the city lord here or the girls grandfather—the leader of the Nangong clan, the ruling family of Nanguo City.
Meanwhile, Xiao Xi, who had been standing there in a daze, seemed to have forgotten her purpose. She blurted out a cheerful greeting as she approached the girl, bombarding her with questions while introducing herself. The young woman appeared startled, taking a small step back before glancing at Ah Jun. Her gaze then turned resolutely forward, completely ignoring Xiao Xis attempts to engage her.
Ajun noticed his second brother was acting out and making things uncomfortable, so he quickly pulled Xiao Xi back while apologizing to the old city lord and the Holy Maiden. Meanwhile, Xiao Jiwoo was perched on Juns shoulder, meowing accusing Xiao Xi of being too rude to girls.
Xiao Pangdun slowly realized his problem. He just smiled and stood there staring at the girl, kept apologizing, and then habitually helped up ajun who was still a little weak.
Fortunately, the old city lord was remarkably magnanimous. Though his expression remained stern and unsmiling, he refrained from reprimanding Ah Jun and instead reassured him not to worry. He casually inquired about Xiao Xis teachers condition, clearly recognizing them as acquaintances. Meanwhile, all those surrounding the elderly man wore frozen expressions, staring blankly at Xiao Xi and Ah Jun without a trace of emotion.
Then, the saintess also turned gracefully to face Ah Jun and them, and said softly, "Its ok."
From the girls eyes, it was clear she didnt mind and wasnt ignoring Xiao Xi. However, she seemed to dislike verbal communication, preferring solitude and rarely interacting with strangers—— or more accurately, others. Especially when facing Xiao Xis warmth, she felt somewhat at a loss. In reality, she was a naturally aloof beauty whose coldness was merely her outward appearance.
In addition, Ah Jun also noticed that the girls ability seemed to contain a power that could purify the mind. Just now, as she used her skill, the strange bird people were awakened all at once, and their eyes didnt look so scary... Of course, it was also possible that they were frozen with amnesia.
Nanguo City, an ancient fortress perched atop a mountain, showcases extraordinary architectural ingenuity—— Its historic districts nestle against precipitous cliffs near the summit. Despite the treacherous terrain, the structures stand steadfastly, interconnected by arched bridges that create an illusion of a sky garden. The modern district, however, flourishes on mid-slope plateaus with expansive vistas, featuring contemporary designs brimming with technological sophistication. This juxtaposition of old and new urban cores reveals a striking tension—intimate yet inherently discordant.
The areas perennial snowfall creates an exceptionally cold climate, where frost, thin ice, and frozen conditions persist year-round. Yet locals have adapted to this harsh environment, finding urban warmth in the citys abundant hot springs that provided Ah Jun with comfort earlier. This enduring thermal source has become the foundation for the towns development. Consequently, soaking in hot springs has evolved into a cherished tradition here, accompanied by an annual grand Hot Spring Festival celebration.
The hot spring water in Xuanwu County is praised as the divine water, which can not only bring warmth to people, but also heal many injuries and have a special effect of restoring strength. Therefore, this time, the weak Ah Jun recovered quickly.
As for the saintess of Xuanwu County, she usually lived alone on the top of a mountain in the central sanctuary of a high college, and seldom went out. This time, it seemed to jun that it was a coincidence to meet her.
A lone traveler trudged along the winding mountain road in the city, its contours unchanged since a thousand years ago—— The old man told Ah Jun that the Holy Maidens return home this time owed much to his arrival. When he first learned from the White Tiger Clan chieftain that the child was about to undergo trials, the elder had already sensed that today would finally bring them together as grandfather and grandson.
The saintess, however, received the guidance of the sacred beast, the black snake, just now——So she immediately set out to come, just in time to save Ah Jun, who was almost stung by the birds into a hornets nest.
Of course, the boy also wanted to thank the girl for her kindness, but he could not find a suitable opportunity—— Because Xiao Xi was beside Ah Jun and started her own mode of chatting, and she kept looking for words to talk with the girl, intentionally or unintentionally.
Looking at his third brother, Ah Jun shook his head helplessly, and the Holy Maiden also seemed a bit uncomfortable, looking awkward—— Fortunately, the little cat cleverly ran over, not only interrupting Xiao Xis chatter, but also interacting with the Holy Maiden, getting along well with her.
Gradually, the girls expression became natural. It seemed that she liked small animals very much. She showed a gentle and happy look at the cat.
A Jun genuinely felt Xiao Xi had acted rashly. Though he knew his younger brother was somewhat impulsive, he thought it a bit rude to approach such a delicate girl. He grabbed Xiao Xi and started discussing the new game theyd been exploring earlier... To his surprise, the chubby boy immediately quieted down and began enthusiastically explaining his ideas. At this moment, the Holy Maiden occasionally glanced back, likely sensing A Juns well-meaning gesture.
In addition, the old city master also told Ah Jun about the training situation. The time was set for noon the day after tomorrow, so they could have a good rest for a day and get enough energy to meet the challenge, because the task here was much more difficult, which was called heart training.
The atmosphere of Nanguo City is strikingly different from Ah Juns hometown. The streets exude an ancient simplicity and quiet serenity, with dinner hours seeing sparse foot traffic. Locals seem to prefer dining at home rather than eating out. While Ah Jun occasionally encounters passersby, most remain reserved and unenthusiastic—though they greet each other politely. This mutual respect and modesty likely stems from the bitter cold of the season.
Of course, there are some differences. —— It is very warm there, and Ah Jun and his friends are staying in a century-old hot spring hotel, which is also the largest and highest star hotel in the town.
Three people and a cat in one suite, two rooms, no mistake, the saint was with them, probably because guests need someone to greet them, but thats too much face.
Even Ah Jun and the cat were a little surprised, but when they thought about the day after tomorrow, they needed the help of the Holy Maiden to complete the training, so it might be a good thing to get familiar with it now.
This hotel boasts a unique architectural design with detached accommodations. The two-story wooden house by the hot spring features a spacious living kitchen on the ground floor and two bedrooms with a cozy second-floor lounge, all decorated in retro aesthetics. Both Ah Jun and Xiao Jiwoo appreciate this cozy home-like atmosphere. The Holy Maiden Hotel shares similar charm, though its quiet ambiance makes it a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle.
Next came Xiao Xi. Now, apart from continuing to bond with the girl, his main concern was food. After the recent battle and without any snacks, he was starving to the point of his stomach sticking out. At this moment, he was rummaging through something in the fridge of the cabin.
While the Holy Maiden couldnt whip up elaborate dishes, she knew better than to ask guests to cook. Instead, she invited everyone to the hotels restaurant for local specialties. Xiao Xi was over the moon—his favorite indulgence being trying new flavors, especially those hed never tasted before. The boy reveled in the experience like a child at a candy fair, while Ah Jun and Xiao Jiawo kept shaking their heads in frustration—— But the girl seemed charmed by his antics, her lips curling into an involuntary smile that made the young mans face light up with delight.
However, she had grown accustomed to living alone, making her interactions with others feel somewhat unnatural—— So, Ajun specially asked the kitten to help soothe her mood. But the little puffy face seemed reluctant this time, merely sitting beside the Saintess and meowing at Ajun.
But now the girl looked much more at ease. She touched the cats head and smiled faintly.
After dinner, the restless Xiao Xi couldnt wait to soak in the hot spring again, but Ah Jun held her back. "Just eating isnt enough—you need to let your stomach digest first——" Xiao Xi obediently stayed by her second brothers side, constantly asking about everyones choices. Since the hotels hot spring didnt allow small animals, even though Xiao Mao looked eager to join, she couldnt participate. Ah Jun had never intended to bring her anyway, as prolonged exposure to the steamy environment might harm his health. As for Sheng Nu, she naturally had no interest either. Growing up in this environment, she was already accustomed to these conditions. Moreover, she had disliked hot springs since childhood for simple reasons: crowded places, open-air settings, and unbearable heat....
It seemed that soon, Xiao Xi would have to go off to enjoy himself alone. Of course, he relished the solitude—snacking on fragrant hot spring steamed buns, savoring gooey hot spring eggs, and finishing a cold drink, all in perfect comfort. Yet unexpected visitors inevitably appeared. From time to time, Xiao Xis shouts could be heard as uninvited guests arrived: some bathing, others swimming, and a few diving... They were all familiar long-haired, furry regulars with tails.
This was also the reason why the Holy Maiden refused. As sacred creatures of the macaque family, they naturally came to soak in the hot springs here. They maintained strict gender segregation—male for males, female for females—showing remarkable respect and friendliness. Yet even Xiao Xi still found it hard to adapt to being surrounded by monkeys. The whole experience was utterly tedious, with constant food snatching from her.
After resting in the room for a while, Ah Jun took the kitten to the terrace to look at the stars, as the night sky here was also beautiful. The terraces of the two bedrooms on the second floor were right next to each other——at this moment, the Saintess happened to be quietly waiting alone on the terrace.
Seeing his new friend and the person who had helped him before, Ah Jun couldnt help but greet him. But the other party seemed somewhat unfazed, or perhaps interrupted by the sudden disturbance. After a panicked glance, he hurried back to his room to rest. Only the little dimple kept meowing at Ah Jun, as if scolding him for his rashness. Ah Jun could only scratch his head in confusion and smile.
Soon, its time to go to bed. So where will the little dimple stay this time?
Ah Jun suggested that the kitten could squeeze with them, but as usual, the kitten refused to leave. It stayed on the sofa in the small living room and blocked the front with a cushion. What should they do?