On the other hand, Barlin wouldn't ever have the chance to rule should Fleur catch on.

Even then, it was wishful thinking.

Barlin knew all too well what Fleur was like and how she did things—she would never trust him again after he hid something this important from her, and he might even lose his position in the Qing Eliminating Society.

The more he thought about such questions, the worse Barlin felt… And so he failed to focus enough to cultivate at all.

This icy cave really wouldn't have be