364: Chapter 364 Ice

Outside the window, a fine drizzle had started at some point. The raindrops tapped against the window lattice with a rhythmic pitter-patter, starting as a light sprinkle before gradually turning into a torrential downpour. The rain cascaded down, splashing like dancing spirits in the dark night, playing a night of lingering intimacy.

Inside the room, the atmosphere was tender and intimate. The two of them embraced and lingered until the early hours of the morning before finally falling into a deep sleep from exhaustion.

Feng Ming nestled into the soft warmth of the person in his arms. Even the successive System notifications ringing in his mind were completely pushed to the back of his head, as he had no desire to pay them any mind.

Inside the storage ring, where no one could see, another dramatic change was quietly unfolding.

The melting of the Ten Thousand Year Cold Ice never ceased. The toxic ice water dripped precisely into the basin below through the gaps in the Formation.

After an unknown amount of time, a tiny crack suddenly appeared on the hard surface of the cold ice. The crack spread rapidly like a spider web, covering the entire block of ice in an instant. With a crisp cracking sound, the entire piece of Ten Thousand Year Cold Ice shattered completely.

A woman, completely drenched in ice water, fell from within the ice layer. Just as Feng Ming had anticipated, she was caught steadily by the pre-positioned isolation formation, narrowly avoiding the poison basin below.

But Feng Ming never expected that the shattered ice would begin to melt even faster. The toxic water droplets no longer fell; instead, they all surged toward the woman's body.

Even from the several basins already filled with toxic water beneath the Formation, strands of black silk slowly rose, passing through the gaps in the Formation to entwine around the woman's back.

The woman was soon enveloped by a thick cloud of white mist. The mist churned incessantly, completely obscuring her figure.

After an unknown amount of time, the Ten Thousand Year Cold Ice had completely dissolved, and the poison in the basins had been sucked dry. Only then did the white mist surrounding the woman finally dissipate slowly.

The woman lying within the Formation suddenly snapped her eyes open. Her cold gaze swept across the unfamiliar space, her eyes filled with confusion and vigilance.

The rain outside had quietly stopped at some point.

Feng Ming only slowly opened his eyes when the person in his arms moved slightly, preparing to get up. Outside the window, the sky was already beginning to brighten. The pale blue dawn light seeped through the window lattice into the room, dispelling some of the lingering chill from the deep night.

He instinctively tightened his arms, pulling the person in his embrace even closer. His voice carried the laziness and tenderness of someone who had just woken up: "Be good. It's still early; sleep a little longer."

Lu Qianqian's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. She gently pushed against his shoulder, her voice as faint as a mosquito's hum: "That won't do. The people sent by Master will be here soon. Zhang Bai and the others also have to set off early this morning."

Feng Ming ignored her words, his arms like iron hoops, firmly locking her in his embrace, refusing to let go in the slightest: "You said yourself we have to wait a bit. We'll talk when they get here."

Lu Qianqian's eyes reddened slightly, and crystalline tears welled up in them. Her voice carried a hint of unavoidable bitterness: "But we have to part eventually... However, having this night together, I am already very satisfied and happy."

Feng Ming opened his eyes and looked down at her tearful face. His fingertips gently brushed against her cheek, and a mischievous smile played on his lips: "You're happy with just this? I can make you even happier."

Before his voice could fade, he dived straight under the covers.

In the next second, Lu Qianqian's pretty face turned so red it looked like it could bleed. She scolded him with a mix of shame and annoyance: "Don't mess around! You're terrible... ah..."

For a time, the room was filled with the morning sounds of playful scolding and light laughter, radiating warmth.

Amidst the bursts of laughter, Feng Ming lingered in the tenderness for a long while before finally stopping.

With a blushing face and eyes full of playful annoyance, Lu Qianqian got up to wash. Feng Ming leaned against the headboard, his gaze fixed on her figure without blinking until she repeatedly urged him to get up and get dressed.

When the two finished washing and went downstairs, Zhang Bai and the others had already packed up. Even the messenger sent by the Tianxuan Division to receive them was waiting in the Inn lobby.

Jiang Bing stepped forward and clapped Feng Ming heavily on the shoulder, his expression showing some reluctance to part: "We're leaving first. Once you've handled the matters in Xun Prefecture, come back as soon as possible. I'll explain things to the Old Master for you."

Feng Ming nodded slightly: "Give my regards to the Old Master."

"We're off!" Jiang Bing said no more. He waved his hand and led the rest of the group out of the Inn in a grand procession, heading toward the city gate.

Just as Jiang Bing's group left, Zhang Bai approached and patted Feng Ming's arm, smiling: "Brother Feng, until we meet again in Qian Prefecture."

Feng Ming raised his hand and lightly punched him in the chest, his tone firm and solemn: "If anyone dares to bully you in Qian Prefecture, just use my name. Tell them your big brother is the Prefect of Qianzhou. If they aren't afraid of death, let them try to provoke you."

Zhang Bai chuckled, but his eyes grew warm and misty with unshed tears. Still, he acted tough: "Don't worry. With my strength, who would dare bully me?"

That said, after a moment of silence, he still whispered: "Goodbye, Big Brother."

Having said that, he turned and followed the person sent to receive him, walking away quickly.

When it was Lu Qianqian's turn, Feng Ming held her and handed her a communication stone. "Contact me whenever you miss me. If you're not happy, come find me anytime. I promise I won't let you suffer. As long as I have a bite of dry food, you'll have a bite of porridge."

Hearing this, Lu Qianqian immediately protested, "If anything, I should be the one eating the dry food, and you eat the porridge."

Feng Ming nodded repeatedly: "Fine, fine, fine. You eat the dry food. It's all yours."

After speaking, Feng Ming ruffled her hair. "Go on. Don't keep the messenger waiting."

Lu Qianqian's tears finally fell uncontrollably. She looked up at Feng Ming, suddenly stood on her tiptoes to give him a light kiss on the lips, and then, without looking back, quickly followed the Tianxuan Division messenger waiting at the door.

The Inn, which had been bustling just a moment ago, was now left with only Feng Ming and Feng Da. It felt empty, and even the air seemed a bit colder.

"Young Master..." Feng Da looked at Feng Ming, understanding the loneliness he felt at this moment.

Feng Ming waved his hand and said calmly: "There are no other important matters for these two days. Wherever you want to go for fun or whatever you want to buy, just go. Just remember to set off for Xun Prefecture on time in two days."

"What about you, Young Master?" Feng Da asked with concern.

Feng Ming chuckled, his tone carrying a hint of unavoidable weariness: "It's rare to have free time. I'll stay by myself for two days. You go ahead."

With that, he turned and went upstairs alone.

With his friends and family all gone and the surroundings silent, the sense of loneliness in Feng Ming's heart grew even more intense. He sat on the edge of the bed, the faint scent of Lu Qianqian still lingering in the air. His thoughts involuntarily drifted far away, missing the warmth of the Feng family and Jiang Shuwan at home.

Only at the Feng family could he let down all his guards and truly feel at peace and relaxed.