A ferocious beast!

Feng Jiu’er’s heart lurched, and she immediately quickened her pace.

But what she hadn’t expected was that the ferocious beast behind her was even faster than she had imagined!

And that wasn’t all. What was even more terrifying was that another one suddenly burst out from ahead of her.

Both wild beasts were entirely snow-white and translucent. From their appearance, they had clearly been lurking here for some time, yet Feng Jiu’er had not detected them at all.

Most importantly, their coloring was far too similar to the white snow. Crouched amid the blizzard and remaining still, an ordinary person would never be able to spot them.

What terrible luck! In the midst of a snowstorm, beasts like these were nothing short of a nightmare. How could one possibly shake them off?

Could these be the legendary Snow Lotus Beasts? She had never encountered such creatures before and had no idea what abilities they possessed.

But just by looking at their gleaming fur and razor-sharp claws, one could tell their strength was far from weak.

And of course, their sheer massive size alone was enough to inspire dread.

Yet she could not show fear right now. Most wild beasts were the same — if you projected strength, they would feel some measure of wariness toward you and might not dare to advance and provoke you.

But if you showed signs of fear and let them know you were weak, they would become utterly fearless.

When that happened and they both lunged at once, the chances of survival would be truly slim.

She hadn’t imagined she would actually encounter Snow Lotus Beasts. Her luck had truly hit rock bottom.

Jiu’er’s hand moved silently toward the pouch at her waist, and in no time, several long, slender silver needles were clasped between her fingers.

She altered her course, still heading toward that boundary line, but her steps were slow — she moved only gradually, advancing one step at a time.

The Snow Lotus Beasts made no movement whatsoever, as though they were weighing whether the person before them would make for good eating, or whether she would be easy to catch.

They simply watched Feng Jiu’er’s figure. As she walked and gradually increased the distance between them, they began to move as well — following behind her in small steps, yet without making any particularly large movements. They simply trailed after her.

A chill ran through Feng Jiu’er’s body — not from the cold of the wind and snow, but from a cold that came from within.

Their claws were truly too sharp, and their bodies were truly too enormous — nearly as tall as she was! Not to mention their heads.

Feng Jiu’er was genuinely terrified. Yet fear was useless now, so all she could do was steel herself and continue walking toward the boundary line.

Once she reached the other side, with less wind and snow, perhaps with her lightness technique she would still have a chance to shake them off.

Here, she had absolutely no chance. The air was so thin and breathing so difficult that being able to move even slightly faster than usual was already an achievement.

To move faster than wild beasts born and raised in this terrain — that was simply impossible.

Heaven help her. Please don’t let them act on impulse.

She absolutely had to get through safely…

Crack — something was crushed underfoot!

Feng Jiu’er’s eyes snapped open. The terror in her heart had not yet passed when the two beasts not far from her, as though that sound had awakened their predatory instincts, let out two roars and instantly sprang up, launching themselves at her…

After Mo Bai had taken his leave, Zhan Qingcheng summoned Huo Yan: “What is today’s training?”

Huo Yan hadn’t expected that the Ninth Prince had summoned him only to ask such questions. He had thought there was some important task at hand, and for a moment he could not quite collect himself.

Yu Jingfeng’s expression darkened, and he immediately sharpened his tone: “His Highness is speaking to you!”

Huo Yan started, hastily snapping back to attention, and quickly bowed respectfully: “In reply to His Highness — today, the students of the Fourth Dragon Army and the Fourth Forbidden Army carried out combat training.”

Zhan Qingcheng said nothing. Yu Jingfeng, of course, knew his master well, and immediately asked: “Who did Miss Jiu’er spar with today?”

So it was Feng Jiu’er he wished to ask about. Huo Yan understood at once — but his feelings grew all the more complicated.

Only at noon had he watched Feng Jiu’er and Mu Mu getting along so well, their manner so close and intimate. And yet now, His Highness the Ninth Prince seemed especially attentive to Feng Jiu’er.

Huo Yan only felt that there were many things he was better off not knowing — because knowing them meant his capacity to bear it all would have to keep growing stronger. Otherwise, he simply couldn’t hold up.

“Feng Jiu’er faced quite a few opponents. In the earlier bouts, she fought nearly ten people and won every single one. Her inner strength and combat skills seem to have improved considerably of late — her progress has been remarkably rapid!”

“Who did she lose to?” Zhan Qingcheng’s brow furrowed slightly.

If she had won all the earlier bouts, that meant there were later ones as well.

Yu Jingfeng suddenly recalled something and immediately said in a low voice: “Your Highness, as far as this subordinate knows, the Seventh Princess is among the ranks of the Fourth Forbidden Army.”

Huo Yan also nodded at once: “Yes. The Seventh Princess trains in a hard-style school of martial arts. Her skills… are indeed a cut above Feng Jiu’er’s.”

“Likely more than a cut above.” Zhan Qingcheng set down his cup, and the corners of his lips curved with the faintest trace of amusement.

That hint of amusement sent a shiver running through Huo Yan’s entire body!

His Highness… was he smiling? Heaven above! He had been at the Imperial Academy for many years, and had served as a captain of the Dragon Military for quite some time as well — yet this was the very first time he had ever seen the Ninth Prince smile!

By comparison, Yu Jingfeng had seen it happen several times recently, so he wasn’t nearly as surprised.

Whenever something concerned Miss Jiu’er, it could easily draw a smile from His Highness.

Zhan Qingcheng paid the others no mind and suddenly rose to his feet, clearly intending to step out.

Yu Jingfeng immediately fell into step behind him.

Huo Yan dared not be remiss either and quickly followed behind them both.

Watching Zhan Qingcheng leave the Martial Training Building and head in what appeared to be the direction of the students’ residential courtyard, Huo Yan immediately stepped forward: “Your Highness, Feng Jiu’er went out today.”

“Went out?” Zhan Qingcheng’s steps halted. He turned to look at him. “Where to?”

“That, this subordinate does not know. I only happened to notice Feng Jiu’er’s name in the departure log.”

Yu Jingfeng immediately said: “Miss Jiu’er has been away from the imperial city for so long, and since returning, she hasn’t gone back to the Feng Manor. Perhaps she’s gone home.”

Huo Yan added: “Or perhaps she went to find ingredients for tonight’s meal.”

Feeling His Highness fix his gaze on him, Huo Yan felt that being stared at by him always made cold sweat break out across his body with little effort.

He hastily explained: “The Fourth Dragon Army defeated the Fourth Forbidden Army, and the students of the Fourth Forbidden Army plan to host a feast for the Fourth Dragon Army’s students this evening. Feng Jiu’er proposed drawing straws to decide who pays. Since it was her idea, it’s entirely possible she went out to find the ingredients herself.”

Zhan Qingcheng said nothing. Then suddenly, several figures came crashing in through the courtyard entrance, moving in quick strides in their direction.

The moment Yu Jingfeng saw who it was, he felt his scalp prickle. How did he keep running into this woman everywhere? No — this didn’t look like a chance encounter at all. She had clearly come to find the Ninth Prince deliberately. Truly like a stubborn ghost that wouldn’t depart.

Zhan Qingcheng glanced at her only once, then paid her no further attention. But the newcomer strode briskly right up to him, her eyes flickering with a hint of eager expectation: “A’Jiu, did you ask Emperor Qiwen to dethrone me as Empress? Do you truly wish for me and him to part ways?”