C722 Bing Yue's Feet

“Ha... you little rascal, you talk like you're so worldly, but you've never even left the Golden Scale Domain. How would you know how dangerous it is out there?”

Bing Yue clearly didn’t believe Woo Zhengyang. Everyone knew he’d only been training for less than two years, and his rise to fame had only happened in the past year. During this time, his exploits had spread throughout the Golden Scale Domain, and people knew his movements like the back of their hand. He hadn’t even left the Heavenly Martial Sect area, let alone the domain.

Bing Yue was convinced of this because she remembered when Woo Zhengyang first came to the Ice Heart Sect area. He had mentioned on the Golden Scale Boat that it was his first time leaving the Profound Heaven Sect area. But what she didn’t realize was that Woo Zhengyang’s idea of "leaving" was different from hers. Technically, he hadn’t left the Profound Heaven Sect area, but his journey to the Sealed Land was far more perilous than simply leaving the sect.

“Don’t worry! Remember, I’m Woo Zhengyang, the Madman. I won’t get the short end of the stick anywhere I go,” Woo Zhengyang said, unable to explain everything to Bing Yue.

“Yeah, yeah, you’re the Madman Woo Zhengyang. But you’re also the Romantic Madman Woo Zhengyang. Not only do you never lose out, but you also have plenty of admirers flocking to you.”

Woo Zhengyang was speechless. This nickname was something he got stuck with just to help her out. But now wasn't the time to argue with Bing Yue about it.

Once he left, she would be back to that inescapable loneliness, so it was normal for her to feel reluctant. Letting her vent a little seemed fine.

However, Bing Yue's next words caught Woo Zhengyang off guard, making him realize he had completely misread the situation.

Bing Yue said, "So, to help keep an eye on you, the hopeless romantic, I've decided to step down as the leader of the Ice Heart Sect and join you on your adventures."

"What... Are you out of your mind?" Woo Zhengyang was so startled he almost fell into the water. Even though it was warm, it would still be embarrassing.

"I'm not crazy. I'm perfectly clear-headed, and I've thought it through. I shouldn't be the leader of the Ice Heart Sect."

"Is someone forcing you to be the leader?"

"Not really. It's just that because I was advancing quickly in my training, the elders saw me as the next leader. After a trip to the Limitless Domain, I returned having reached the Essence Shaking Stage, and the elders said I could take over. So, I just muddled my way into becoming the leader."

"You really do whatever they say!" Woo Zhengyang teased.

"Well, I was young back then!" Bing Yue said in a playful tone, completely disarming Woo Zhengyang. He dreaded that tone, and once again, he nearly fell into the water.

Seeing Woo Zhengyang's expression, Bing Yue giggled and continued, "It wasn't until the whole Huo Dongsheng incident that I truly realized why I let others control me, why I let the sect bind me. Without these chains, I'd probably be much happier. And since you're heading out, I might as well tag along with you for a little adventure!"

"But what about the Ice Heart Sect when you leave?"

"I've thought it through. I'm going to return the leader position to the deputy leader, who was the previous leader. She's much better suited to manage the Ice Heart Sect. As for me, I'll just be a guest elder, like you."

"You want to be a guest elder too! But a guest elder represents..."

"I know, being a guest elder means you're somewhat detached from the Ice Heart Sect. So what? You became a guest elder at the Profound Heaven Sect for me. To keep an eye on you, I can be a guest elder at the Ice Heart Sect too. Besides, you're a guest elder at both the Profound Heaven Sect and the Ice Heart Sect. That's not fair! I should head over to the Profound Heaven Sect and get a guest elder position from Nie Fengyu for fun..."

Woo Zhengyang was speechless. His situation was a necessary compromise, while she seemed to be looking for trouble. But Bing Yue was making such a big sacrifice to join him on his journey, what could he say?

What puzzled Woo Zhengyang was, if she was planning to venture out with him, why did she make it so dramatic earlier? Was she just teasing him?

It took Woo Zhengyang a long time to truly understand that Bing Yue's deliberate display of sadness during their farewell wasn't meant to tease him. She was waiting for him to say something. Unfortunately, even though he now carries the reputation of a passionate romantic, Woo Zhengyang still possesses an unavoidable naivety and innocence. It was this very innocence that came at a cost.

"Woo Zhengyang, do you think my feet are pretty?" Bing Yue asked, extending one delicate foot towards him.

"They're beautiful!" Woo Zhengyang replied sincerely.

This wasn't the first time Woo Zhengyang had seen Bing Yue's feet. During their first meeting, she had tempted him with a distant glimpse, using her foot to seductively part a veil. But he had never seen them this close before.

True to her name, Bing Yue, who grew up amidst endless ice fields, had feet as white as snow and as smooth as jade. They were petite and delicate, with a graceful arch and elegant curves, appearing almost boneless in their softness. Her toes were perfectly proportioned, like slender scallions, with nails painted a shimmering pink, resembling pearls set against her fair skin. Through the translucent, delicate skin of her feet, one could faintly see the tiny blood vessels beneath.

Woo Zhengyang found himself captivated by the sight before him. Bing Yue's delicate feet, still adorned with droplets of water from her recent playful dip, exuded an unusual beauty that left him a bit flustered. It was his first time witnessing a woman's feet up close like this.

As he stood there, unsure of what to do, he noticed Bing Yue's foot drawing closer to him. Before he could react, her foot gently landed on his forehead. At first, Woo Zhengyang thought she was just being playful. Despite it being a foot, Bing Yue's was so elegantly beautiful that he didn't mind it touching his face.

However, it quickly became apparent that this was more than just a playful gesture. Moments after her foot made contact, a subtle force began to emanate from it. Caught off guard, Woo Zhengyang had no time to defend himself and was propelled backward by the growing force.

Behind him lay a hidden current, formed by the warm waters beneath the ice...