The Cold Girl

Lin Yue looked at them coldly without saying a word, only giving a slight nod. She could tell they meant trouble, and the aura they gave off filled her with disgust. "Hmph, she really is a cold girl," one of the subordinates behind Rex muttered, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. His eyes were full of disdain, as if he thought Lin Yue's cold attitude was nothing but a tiresome act.

Lin Yue's gaze shot toward him like an arrow, so icy it seemed capable of freezing the air. Under her stare, the smile on the subordinate's face instantly froze. A chill shot from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and he instinctively stepped back.

Rex frowned and glanced sideways at the subordinate, then snapped in a low voice, "Silence. Show some respect!" He turned back to Lin Yue, his face once more arranged into a seemingly warm smile that still held a trace of coldness. "Miss Lin Yue, I hope you won't take offense. My subordinate doesn't know the rules and speaks without thinking. We truly came here in good faith, sincerely hoping to reach an agreement with you."

Lin Yue continued to look at him coldly, the disgust in her eyes undiminished. She had lived alone on Frostblue Planet for many years and had long grown accustomed to the company of ice and snow. Her temperament was as cold and clear as the frozen landscape. She could not stand people who thought too highly of themselves, judging others and treating them with disrespect just because they had some powerful backing.

She knew perfectly well that although these people kept talking about cooperation, the arrogance in their manner and the faintly detectable air of aggression made it clear that things were not so simple. They might have their eyes on her Ice Soul power and want to use her to achieve some ulterior purpose.

Lin Yue raised her chin slightly and said coldly, "You'd better drop the insincere act. I'm not that easy to fool. If you really want to cooperate, then show me some genuine sincerity. Don't waste my time with empty gestures."

Rex was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. "Miss Lin Yue, you misunderstand. We've already shown our sincerity. The energy crystals in that energy storage unit are a genuine boon. And as I said, the Starshine Federation has top research teams and advanced equipment. They'll all be at your disposal, helping you unlock the potential of your Ice Soul power and explore the mysteries of the universe."

"Hmph!" Lin Yue scoffed. "You think that's enough? I think you're after something else. I've been on Frostblue Planet for a long time. I've seen every kind of trick there is. If you truly want to cooperate, why did you come in with such an intimidating attitude? And why did your subordinate insult me? Is that what the Starshine Federation calls sincerity?"

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Rex's face, but he quickly recovered. "Miss Lin Yue, I admit I failed to keep my subordinate in line, and he offended you. I apologize on his behalf. But please believe me when I say we came here for one reason only: to join hands with you and explore the mysterious powers of the universe. As for my subordinate's disrespectful behavior, I'll make sure he's properly punished when we return."

Lin Yue looked at him coldly and said nothing more. She knew there was little point in arguing with them now. What mattered was what they did next. She wanted to see how much genuine sincerity these people from the Starshine Federation could show—and whether they truly wanted nothing more than cooperation, or had some other scheme in mind.

She turned away, no longer paying Rex and the others any attention, and strode toward the ice cave. Against the backdrop of ice and snow, her figure looked even colder and prouder, silently telling them that she was not so easily swayed or used. Rex watched her leave, frowning slightly as he wondered how he could truly allay Lin Yue's suspicions and convince her to cooperate willingly with the Starshine Federation. The subordinates behind him exchanged uneasy glances, not daring to say another word. Lin Yue's icy stare and firm attitude had shown them just how formidable the Ice Wind Snow Maiden was.