Only by how far Xiu practiced did he catch the scent of cooking food. He didn't spare a thought for the Snow Woman being alone and rushed into the house. On the pitiable table, there was white rice and vegetables, but not a single piece of the meat that Xiu loved most.

"Hey, there's no meat here at all," Xiu asked the Snow Woman, who stood by the doorway, with a look of complete innocence, "Xue'er, what is your Sect Master playing at? How can I possibly have the strength for any trials without some meat to eat?"

The Snow Woman's temper flared instantly. She lightly raised her whip and brought it down, aiming squarely at an item on the table. "Hey, don't..." Seeing his late-night snack about to be destroyed, Xiu rushed forward in alarm, shielding the table with his body. The snow whip was about to strike his already unimpressive face.

"Hmph!" The Snow Woman had no intention of hurting Xiu. She retracted the whip at the critical moment, sneered, and said, "Is a meal worth this much effort from you?"

Xiu grinned mischievously at the Snow Woman, "I still have many missions yet to complete; I certainly can't starve to death, so I must eat. Of course, I also won't be killed by anyone from this Ghost Valley, so I will fight for my life."

The Snow Woman had no patience to listen to Xiu waxing poetic here. She herself had experienced the hardship of hunger, cold, and being a fugitive, though it seemed she had forgotten, or perhaps just refused to recall those times.

That night, Xiu ate his fill. No matter what spectacle the mysterious Ghost Valley Sect Master had arranged for him, he had a fulfilling night, having made acquaintance with another beauty.

Morning came, filled with birdsong and the fragrance of flowers. The eastern sunrise could only send slivers of light filtering into this small bamboo retreat. Xiu opened his eyes early, habitually reaching for his Tianyi.

What was going on with this thing lately? Xiu finally had time to ponder the changes in Tianyi carefully. From the previous Muzi Sword, to the Mozi Sword, and then to Tianyi after the two swords merged—he felt he was losing control of it more and more. If the assassination techniques of the past were mere replicas of memories in his mind, these successive fierce battles involving weaponry were entirely him following Tianyi's will. He had absolutely no recollection of the sword moves derived from Tianyi's malevolence; he couldn't remember how to execute those powerful techniques at all. Yet, the vast martial arts hidden within Tianyi seemed inexhaustible. If this continued, in the end, he truly didn't know whether he was controlling the sword, or if the sword was enslaving him.

Xiu quietly stepped out the door, careful not to disturb the fresh morning. In the distance, the Snow Woman was already among the vibrant flower beds, using bamboo leaves to guide dew-laden water to irrigate the equally exquisite blossoms. She was still dressed in a pure white top paired with a long blue skirt; her slender hair bun swayed gracefully with the fluttering butterflies. Her eyes were focused intently on a gorgeous white rose in the flower bed, and with her delicate, pale hand, she picked up a purple bamboo leaf, carefully sprinkling the dew into the rose's heart—a sight so gentle and lovely it was breathtaking.

"Miss Xue'er, it turns out you like white roses," because the Snow Woman was simply too beautiful, Xiu couldn't resist smiling and walking towards her.

When watering the flowers, the Snow Woman seemed to have let down all her guard. When she heard Xiu's voice, she suddenly flicked her right wrist, sending the purple bamboo leaf flying out like a hidden weapon.

"Whoosh..." The bamboo leaf struck Xiu's arm like a shooting star, the impact shaking him so badly that he couldn't help but drop Tianyi onto the ground.

The Snow Woman straightened up, her face cold and proud: "If you disturb me again next time, it won't be just a bamboo leaf."

Xiu kept grinning as he picked up the sword from the ground. He didn't truly believe the Snow Woman meant him harm. This beautiful girl had always held herself too tightly, perhaps due to the Ghost Valley Sect Master, or perhaps because she carried too many stories in her heart that she had no one to confide in, leading to this icy demeanor.

"Until the Sect Master fears others arriving, you best rest properly," the Snow Woman walked toward Xiu. Her steps were light, and her long skirt trailed on the ground, creating a unique flair.

"Do you know the meaning of a white rose?" Xiu asked the Snow Woman, pointing to the magnificent flower in the bed. "Every flower in this world carries a message, a meaning it represents."

The Snow Woman, who had been expressionless, suddenly became quite interested upon hearing Xiu's extensive knowledge of flowers. She stopped in front of him and lightly parted her lips: "Spit it out quickly; don't keep me in suspense, and don't treat me like some ordinary little girl."

Xiu was delighted. His previously learned skill of observing the heart had not been in vain. No matter how outwardly strong and stubborn the Snow Woman appeared, she couldn't hide it from Xiu's eyes. He cleared his throat and explained in detail: "Roses have long symbolized beauty and love, and the white rose specifically represents innocence, purity, respect, and humility."

"Is that all?" The Snow Woman dismissed the explanation with disdain.

Xiu walked around the Snow Woman with his hands behind his back; her natural fragrance intoxicated him. "Miss Xue'er, do you know what it means when a boy gives a girl white roses?"

The Snow Woman frowned upon hearing this and questioned him, "Who permitted you to call me Miss Xue'er! Besides, what else could a man giving a woman flowers mean, nothing more than the foolish affections and love of this world."

"NO! NO! NO!" Xiu waved his hand in denial. "Giving flowers requires knowledge; you can't just hand them out randomly. Has Miss Xue'er ever received flowers from a boy?"

The Snow Woman remained silent. Firstly, she was uncomfortable with a man addressing her this way. Secondly, she didn't understand the intonations Xiu used. Thirdly, and most importantly, she was already over twenty years old, knowing only fighting and killing, never having considered matters of romance or love. Moreover, as a Hall Master of the Ghost Valley, few dared to speak ambiguously to her, let alone send her flowers.

Xiu looked at the bewildered Snow Woman and chuckled softly, "One rose means my heart belongs only to you; two roses mean there is only you and me in this world; three roses mean I love you; four roses mean till death do us part; five roses mean sincere admiration; six roses mean mutual respect and love; seven roses mean I secretly love you; eight roses mean..."

The Snow Woman was captivated by his words but snapped back to attention when Xiu suddenly stopped speaking. She raised her eyes slightly and asked, "What do eight roses mean?"

Xiu opened his mouth wide, spread both hands, and stretched luxuriously, "Ah... Miss Xue'er, shouldn't you prepare some breakfast for me? I'm starting to feel hungry."