Bai Suzhen, I really need to punish you properly.

The Snow Woman said calmly, "I was born on this snow mountain, and I was born to guard this place. I cannot leave at will."

Despite saying that, the Snow Woman still harbored desires in her heart.

As the mountain goddess of the snow mountain, any mortal who sees her true form in ice and snow must either be killed by her own hands or be forced to swear a solemn oath.

This is the Snow Woman's life-bound vow to the Heavenly Dao.

Therefore, the Snow Woman usually does not show herself easily.

Whenever she encounters thieves with malicious intentions, she reveals her enormous true form and strikes without mercy.

Today, because Wang Xuan found the white jade jar that she had deliberately placed, she wanted to test Wang Xuan's character.

If Wang Xuan is of good character and keeps his vows, she is willing to give herself to him and form a marriage alliance.

Unexpectedly, she took a liking to Wang Xuan, but Wang Xuan was interested in her snow lotus root.

Not only that, a white dragon also appeared along the way.

However, now that the snow lotus root is back in her hands, she has no fear of this white dragon if she really wants to make a move again.

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but feel a little fondness for Wang Xuan again.

Although this ancient snow lotus root originally belonged to her.

Wang Xuan changed the subject and suggested softly, "Could you shrink a little? What if someone else on this mountain comes and sees your true form?"

In psychology, there is a concept called the foot-in-the-door effect.

Once a person accepts a small, easy request, in order to maintain a consistent image, they will be more likely to accept larger, more difficult requests in the future.

In short, it means taking an inch and wanting a mile.

Wang Xuan used this tactic quite often when he was with the girls.

Snow Maiden was not averse to talking to Wang Xuan, and considering that he had taken the initiative to return the snow lotus, she thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement.

The wind and snow gently swirled around her, her long white hair fluttered lightly, and her towering, massive body slowly shrank, transforming in a moment into the figure of a slender woman about 1.7 meters tall.

The ice crystal crown, the red and white trimmed robe, and the openwork silver pendant at the heart are all retained, maintaining the cool and elegant temperament.

"Wait for me."

Wang Xuan greeted them, then looked at the white dragon circling in mid-air and asked, "Are you Ao Jin?"

The white dragon responded and transformed into human form, landing in front of Wang Xuan.

The woman was stunningly beautiful, with a slender and graceful figure. Her hands were lightly placed in front of her, and her fair face was captivating. It was none other than Ao Jin.

She called out softly, "My benefactor."

"It really is you! I didn't expect you to be so amazing." Wang Xuan's face showed surprise and delight. He then said, "I'll say a few words to Miss Xue Nu first, and then we can catch up later."

Wang Xuan turned around and walked up to the Snow Woman. The Snow Woman asked, "Didn't you bring her?"

"She's my friend, but please believe me, I don't know why she's here."

Wang Xuan gently shook his head, gave a brief explanation, and then said...

"Snow Maiden, how about this: let's be friends. I'll come to see you every twenty years. I can chat with you, play with you, and bring you interesting things from the mortal world. What do you say?"

Since the Snow Maiden has been alone all year round, guarding the snow mountain by herself, and has no one to confide in, Wang Xuan decided to start from this aspect.

The snow woman repeated in a low voice, "Twenty years?"

Even though the Snow Woman didn't intend to agree immediately, she felt that the interval was far too long.

Wang Xuan blinked: "Do you think it's too frequent? How about thirty years then?"

"No," the Snow Woman said calmly, "it's been too long."

Wang Xuan laughed and said, "So you're willing? I can come see you once every five years, how about that?"

"It's still too long."

Wang Xuan hesitated before asking, "Then three years?"

"Two years."

She was incredibly bored being all alone all these years. If she could have Wang Xuan by her side every two years, her monotonous days of guarding the mountain would be much more interesting.

After a moment's hesitation, Wang Xuan replied, "Alright, I promise you, I will come to the snow mountain to see you every two years."

"But if you don't come, wouldn't I have been fooled by you?"

Ao Jin, who had been standing quietly to the side, immediately spoke up: "Our benefactor is a good person; he wouldn't lie to anyone."

The Snow Woman then asked Wang Xuan, "What's your name?"

"My name is Wang Xuan, and I live in Qiantang. Everyone there knows me, so it's very convenient for you to find me."

Wang Xuan continued, "Whenever I have free time, I will definitely keep our appointment on time. If I encounter difficulties that prevent me from getting away, I will definitely find a way to send a message to inform you. I will never let you wait in vain on the snow mountain."

The Snow Woman nodded slightly, her tone carrying a hint of ferocity: "You'd better not lie to me, or I will definitely find you and rip your heart out."

Wang Xuan then asked, "What about the ten-thousand-year-old snow lotus root...?"

"If you can make me happy, I can share a piece with you."

Wang Xuan pondered for a moment, then told a corny joke: "Do you know why the goddess Nuwa was laughing as she created humans?"

He thought to himself, "The Goddess Nuwa is so loving and compassionate, she certainly won't hold these things against her."

Why?

"Because the most important thing in life is to be happy."

The snow woman blinked blankly.

Wang Xuan asked somewhat awkwardly, "Isn't it funny?"

The snow woman pondered quietly for a moment, then a slight smile appeared on her lips: "A little."

Seeing her smile, Wang Xuan didn't rush to ask for the ten-thousand-year-old snow lotus root. Instead, she suggested with a smile, "Let's build a snowman together, but we can't use magic."

The less you know, the simpler and purer you are.

Having lived in the snow-capped mountains year-round, and never having had any interaction with the Snow Woman, Wang Xuan believed that even the most superficial interactions would be novel to her.

"Just roll the snow into a ball first."

Wang Xuan started building a snowman, demonstrating and giving instructions as he went.

The snow woman, slightly intrigued, bent down and reached out, gradually gathering the snow that was everywhere at her feet.

Wang Xuan inadvertently caught a glimpse of small, smooth footprints on the snow and realized that she was still barefoot under her long skirt.

For the Snow Woman, the frigid snow did not hurt her at all; on the contrary, she felt safe and comfortable.

Before long, the task was completed.

Two snowmen, one big and one small, were made, and Wang Xuan broke off four dry branches to serve as arms.

The snowman's appearance wasn't particularly refined, but it was exceptionally endearing.

Wang Xuan then looked at the Snow Maiden and tapped the top of his head.

The snow woman tilted her head slightly, momentarily puzzled.

Wang Xuan slowly reached out and gently removed the crown from her head, placing it on top of one of the small snowmen's heads. Smiling, she asked boastfully, "How is it?"

The snow woman gently shook her head: "She just doesn't look like me."

Wang Xuan subtly praised, "If someone could do it exactly like you, many ordinary people would probably come up the mountain to look for you every day, which would only cause you trouble."

The snow woman couldn't help but smile.

"The snow here never melts, so these two snowmen will definitely keep you company for a long time. I promise, next time I come, I'll build one that looks just like you."

"Hmm." The Snow Maiden raised her hand, took out the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Lotus Root, broke off a section, and gave it to Wang Xuan.

A slight chill emanated from her body, and her spiritual power diminished somewhat.

"Thank you." Wang Xuan immediately took out the white jade bottle containing the ambergris nectar, carefully put away the snow lotus root, and asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

The Snow Maiden gently shook her head, speaking casually, "After a few days of seclusion and meditation, you will recover."

"Snow Maiden, how shall I find you next time I come?"

"I can sense your presence as soon as you come."

"Okay, see you next time." Wang Xuan smiled brightly, took her wrist, placed the Thunder Spirit Pearl in her palm, and gently instructed, "Keep this for now. If you encounter danger, it will at least be of help to you."

As the Snow Maiden gazed at the Thunder Spirit Orb in her hand, a warm feeling welled up in her heart.

She couldn't help but look forward to Wang Xuan's next visit.

Wang Xuan then looked at Ao Jin, who was waiting quietly, and said, "Let's go."