The journey back was much smoother, perhaps because the snow was lighter, or maybe because Tianhen White Tiger had memorized the way back when they arrived.
Their speed more than doubled, and they returned to their original location in the early hours of the morning.
However, when they returned, the phantom of the White Tiger did not reappear.
"Roar, roar, roar…"
Tianhen White Tiger let out a few low growls, seemingly expressing something.
Tang Miao then summoned Little White, and only after Little White's explanation did Tang Miao understand.
The White Tiger, being a soul body, couldn't always manifest; it had only been continuously appearing this year because of Tang Miao.
As for whether it could now win the favor of the Snow Maiden, that was its destiny.
Tang Miao merely nodded in response, looking at Tianhen White Tiger and asking, "When can I leave?"
"Roar, roar~"
After Tianhen White Tiger roared a few times, Little White, hearing it, growled and translated, "After the heavy snow seals the mountain, you can only leave in the summer."
Although Tang Miao felt a bit helpless about this, he didn't risk leaving immediately.
Human life is fragile, and he never thought he was exceptional.
Moreover, this area was full of ice-element elemental seeds and such.
Once the snowstorm subsided, just these would be enough to nurture the little one.
During these days, Tang Miao could only feed the Snow Maiden with magic energy.
Fortunately, with the help of the Qilin Jade and Tianhen White Tiger, everything was manageable… Spring came, the snowstorm stopped, and by summer, Tianshan regained a sense of vitality.
After the snowstorm ceased, Tang Miao returned to the ice cave to cultivate.
Three months passed, and Tang Miao's ice element also reached level three.
Nearly a year had passed, yet the improvement was less than what he gained from cultivating for seven days in the Three-Step Pagoda; his summoning and spatial elements remained at level two.
Originally, Tang Miao wanted to break through to the advanced level here, but the magic energy required for the advanced level was not as simple as he imagined.
Moreover, Xuan Snake had arrived early; it seemed Tang Yue had learned about her coming to Tianshan.
He was very helpless about the trouble Xuan Snake caused.
However, there was nothing he could do; his beloved wife was so intelligent, how could Xuan Snake handle her?
So, he could only choose to leave.
When he left Tianshan with Xuan Snake, he didn't forget to scavenge a bit.
Tang Miao didn't miss any of the various treasures along the way; most importantly, he also had Tianhen White Tiger pick some Tianshan Sacred Lotuses for him.
Although their age wasn't high, it was still a considerable income.
Three days later… Mingzhu City.
After a period of rest, Tang Miao returned to the Magic Capital.
Upon his return, the first person he contacted was Tang Yue… When he arrived at the small apartment he rented in Mingzhu City, he found Tang Yue already there.
Looking at her flawless, oval face, her enchanting beautiful eyes carrying a hint of electricity, her nose bridge high and alluring, her small mouth red and captivating… Tang Miao dropped his luggage and immediately pounced on her.
Tang Yue had originally intended to scold Tang Miao, but Tang Miao completely disregarded the usual approach… Instead of obediently admitting his mistake, he displayed his unique domineering side.
Tang Yue's scolding words were all choked back in her throat~
The two went from the living room to the kitchen… and then from the bathroom to the bedroom.
Initially, Tang Yue still intended to scold Tang Miao after this was over, but gradually she realized that Tang Miao seemed to have endless stamina.
Even after they returned to the bedroom, Tang Yue, in a daze, even performed a certain act once… If she hadn't lost consciousness, Tang Miao would have found such enjoyment hard to experience.
A "day" passed without words… The next day, when the sun was high in the sky, Tang Yue groggily got up.
"Oh~"
Perhaps she got up too quickly,
The discomfort from a certain area made Tang Yue let out a soft cry… Hearing her voice, Tang Miao slowly opened his eyes.
"What time is it…"
As he spoke, Tang Miao's large hand found a suitable place to rest and kneaded it for a bit.
Tang Yue slapped Tang Miao's hand away, angrily saying, "Haven't you had enough?! School started days ago, aren't you going to report in? Dean Xiao even sent someone to ask me about your whereabouts!"
"It's fine, I'm back now, aren't I?" Tang Miao got up and replied.
"Don't you know Tianshan is a forbidden area! Even if your strength is comparable to an advanced mage, you're still only an intermediate mage, aren't you?"
Tang Yue didn't get a chance to speak last night, and after being subjected to various treatments, the anger she had suppressed today burst out all at once.
"Hehe…"
After being dominant, it was time to be submissive.
Tang Miao scratched his head and said, "Going to Tianshan was because of the Qilin Jade's guidance, and I had Big Snake protecting me, so it was fine."
Xuan Snake, who had been a mere ornament all night, finally received attention.
It hissed and flicked its tongue, complaining… However, Tang Miao didn't pay any mind to the tool snake's complaints.
Tang Yue asked doubtfully, "Then what did you do on Tianshan this time?"
Although her heart was full of blame, Tang Miao had returned safely, and he had already been to Tianshan, so grumbling about it was useless now.
Therefore, Tang Yue was more curious about what Tang Miao did on Tianshan.
"Originally, I went to contract the White Tiger, but I didn't contract the White Tiger.
In the end, I came back…"
As he spoke, Tang Miao summoned the Snow Maiden, and as soon as the adorable little ice loli appeared, Tang Yue's body trembled slightly.
Was she perhaps charmed by her cuteness?
"This… this is the Ice Tianshan Snow Maiden!?"
Having spent many years in the Judgmental Court, Tang Yue was familiar with some demons and elemental spirits.
She naturally recognized this Snow Maiden, who was ninety-nine percent similar to a human, immediately.
"You even know about the Snow Maiden??"
Tang Yue held the Snow Maiden in her arms and gave Tang Miao an exasperated look: "Of course I know about the Snow Maiden, but shouldn't it live in the extreme north?"
Looking at the little tsundere Snow Maiden in her arms, Tang Yue was full of questions.
How did this Snow Maiden, who clearly existed in the extreme north, end up in Tianshan?
Of course, she never thought Tang Miao would lie to her, after all, the extreme north and Tianshan were quite different.
In the extreme north, not to mention monarchs, even emperor-level demons existed, and even human Forbidden Curse mages might not be able to leave safely.
"Perhaps she knew I was going to Tianshan, so she waited for me there."
"Ying ying ying~"
Hearing what Tang Miao said, the Snow Maiden cried out in dissatisfaction.
She wasn't waiting for Tang Miao; moreover, Tang Miao had forced her into the contract!
Although she gained a lot of resources with Tang Miao, she still remembered the coercion of that day clearly.
Tang Yue, seeing the Snow Maiden so adorable, was overcome with maternal affection and said, "So cute~"
As she spoke, she hugged the Snow Maiden and rubbed against her repeatedly~ Tang Miao watched, incredibly envious.
The Snow Maiden, however, looked teary-eyed, seemingly not enjoying the feeling, and escaped Tang Yue's fondling, running behind Tang Miao's neck.
Tang Yue looked at the Snow Maiden with some disappointment, then at Tang Miao.
That look was no less eye-catching than the Snow Maiden.
However, since the Snow Maiden didn't want to be hugged, Tang Miao couldn't force her, so he comforted Tang Yue, saying, "When you break through to the advanced level and awaken the summoning element, I'll take you to find the Flame Witch."
"You have news of the Flame Witch?"
Tang Yue's eyes lit up as she looked at Tang Miao; the Flame Witch's abilities were no weaker than the Snow Maiden's existence.
They were both elemental darlings of this world.
Tang Miao shook his head: "Not yet, but I'm searching for it.
The Snow Maiden can sense the location of elemental familiars, so don't worry, as long as you can awaken the summoning element, that's all you need."
The Snow Maiden nodded cooperatively, responding with a few "Ying ying ying" sounds; due to the contract, she still understood some of what Tang Miao was thinking.
Knowing that he was helping her out, the Snow Maiden naturally cooperated obediently.