Chapter 508: Ice Mist

After Duan Rong and Lv Qingzhu disappeared beneath that giant rock, not long after, many centipedes and millipedes crawled out from the crack from somewhere unknown...

The shadow of the giant rock became a paradise for many poisonous insects. Around dusk, a toad larger than an adult's fist jumped from within the valley all the way into the shadow.

It jumped not far from the crack, flicked its tongue, and swallowed a centipede into its belly.

The toad was still wanting to feed when suddenly, a great wind rose at the crack.

A massive figure was seen leaping out; the Heaven and Earth Qi it carried with it kicked up a patch of dirt and, furthermore, crushed a large swath of centipedes and millipedes to pieces. The toad was startled and immediately turned back, jumping into a patch of withered grass to hide.

As the dirt settled, the figure landed; it was none other than Duan Rong.

At this moment, his face looked somewhat weary, and his clothes had two tears, but he was not injured.

Behind him, another figure also darted out. Lv Qingzhu's complexion was even paler, the clothing on her shoulder was torn, and her fair, fragrant shoulder was exposed.

Both of them were covered in grass clippings and dew on their bodies and hair, looking quite disheveled; clearly, that Profound Ice Turtle was not easy to deal with.

Duan Rong glanced at Lv Qingzhu behind him and said, "Miss Lv, please trouble yourself to tell Mr. Chu. I will not be in the valley for these two days."

Lv Qingzhu pursed her lips and did not reply. They had already obtained the turtle shell of the Profound Ice Turtle; she did not understand why Duan Rong was not practicing in the valley and where he was going instead.

Although Lv Qingzhu did not speak, Duan Rong saw it in her eyes and knew she had understood. His expression shifted, and he exerted his form, suddenly rising on the wind, heading toward Yunfu Peak amidst the misty clouds.

Since he had already obtained the Profound Ice Turtle's shell, Duan Rong naturally wanted to practice immediately to achieve the thirteenth layer of the Embryo Storage Realm. However, he did not choose to practice in the valley because, after he succeeded, he would have to go to the place where weapons were selected to devour an Artifact Spirit, and he also had to set about rescuing Xiao Yu; there was no need to return to the valley and run back and forth.

In the dusk light, Lv Qingzhu stood there watching Duan Rong's figure disappear into the churning clouds and mist, then her figure flashed, and she headed toward a hillside.

After Duan Rong returned to Yunfu Peak, he went straight to the Cultivation Secret Chamber.

He did not return to his own Cultivation Secret Chamber, but instead sat on the inner side of the stone door of a dusty, unused Cultivation Secret Chamber.

He had achieved the twelfth layer of the Womb Treasury Sutra last time in this very place.

In the corner of this Cultivation Secret Chamber, a two-man-tall statue of the Immovable King of Wisdom stood alone by the wall. It was just covered in dust, with a layer even on its eyeballs and lips. This statue stood opposite the Immovable King of Wisdom in the center of the space outside, separated by the stone door.

The place where Duan Rong sat cross-legged was exactly in the middle of the two statues.

As soon as Duan Rong sat down, he took something out from his lapel; it was a black shell, but only half of it, with a thick layer of frost on the surface.

Even though Duan Rong was already wrapping it with Qi, as soon as this object was brought out, visible wisps of cold air floated in the air. That was water vapor turning into ice silk in the sudden extreme cold.

Duan Rong held the Profound Ice Turtle's shell, his hands surging with Qi like millstones, clamping the shell in between.

Under the agitation and grinding of the two layers of Qi, the Profound Ice Turtle's shell instantly shattered inch by inch, soon turning into powder. And the cold energy contained within the shell became even more surging.

A large mass of pitch-black powder was seen floating not far from Duan Rong, wrapped in Qi.

A large amount of water vapor turned into ice mist, mixed within it, condensing into a strange, pitch-black ice cloud.

Duan Rong suddenly opened his mouth wide and inhaled the cold air; a mass of black ice mist was poured into his mouth and nose.

Under this inhalation, that mass of floating pitch-black ice cloud decreased by about one-fifth.

With the ice cloud inhaled, Duan Rong immediately closed his eyes and sat cross-legged, entering the practice of the Womb Treasury Sutra.

Afterward, not more than an hour later, Duan Rong would inhale another small mass of ice mist into his body.

Until the last small mass of pitch-black ice mist was completely inhaled by him, and by this time, in the valley outside the Cultivation Secret Chamber, the morning light was already faintly appearing.

Duan Rong suddenly opened his eyes. At this moment, within his Spirit Sea of spiritual clarity, above the firmament, one more star body had appeared surrounding the Gray Shadow. That newly condensed star body emitted a faint fluorescent light, and within the light, a blurry turtle shell appeared and disappeared.

"The thirteenth layer of the Womb Treasury Sutra is achieved!"

Duan Rong jumped up. His Divine Soul was connected to the Gray Shadow within his Spirit Sea, as if those thirteen glowing star bodies were surrounding him at this moment, slowly rotating in the void...

Duan Rong opened the stone door and walked out.

The sky was already bright. He went straight to the Inner History Department, found the History Supervisor who had just arrived and was still yawning, got a permit, and headed to the place where weapons were selected.

After Duan Rong devoured a batch of Artifact Spirits, he returned to Yunfu Peak.

He walked into the building and went straight to knock on Fan Hongjiao's door.

After Duan Rong knocked on the door with a "thud, thud, thud," he waited at the doorway. When he left the Secret Chamber, he had already asked the Attendant there; Fan Hongjiao was not in the Cultivation Secret Chamber. If there was no one in this room either, it meant she was not on the peak.

If Fan Hongjiao was not there, he would go find Wu Shidao. In any case, he needed a helper in the Qi Cyclone Realm. But he had other thoughts on how to use this helper, not just taking them directly to the Tower Forest to snatch someone.

He already had a plan for exactly how to rescue Xiao Yu.

Duan Rong waited for a while and, seeing no response from inside the room, was just about to leave when he suddenly heard a delicate voice from inside that sounded like it hadn't woken up yet, calling out: "Early in the morning, who is it?"

Duan Rong then smiled. So she was there!

In the plan in his heart, Fan Hongjiao was naturally a more suitable candidate than Wu Shidao.

Duan Rong called out: "Senior Sister, it's me. I've disturbed your sweet dream."

As soon as Duan Rong finished speaking, a sound of footsteps rang out in the room, and then the door creaked open.

The moment the door opened, Duan Rong's chin almost dropped to the ground. He saw Fan Hongjiao with her hair disheveled, barefoot in pajama pants, and what was even more deadly was that she was only wearing a bodice...

It could be called "ready to burst out"!

Duan Rong couldn't help but swallow his saliva, almost unable to hold himself back. Damn it!

Fan Hongjiao, however, deliberately pushed aside the hair covering that area and said with a smile: "Little Disciple, you heartless thing. How could you still remember to come see your Senior Sister?"

The moment Fan Hongjiao pushed aside her hair, Duan Rong's nosebleed almost sprayed out.

The places that were originally half-covered by her hair were all exposed...

Truly, moonlight like water hiding in a secluded cave...

Duan Rong hesitated and said: "Senior Sister, why don't you put on your clothes first, and then we can talk?"

Fan Hongjiao's eyes were misty and sorrowful as she said: "Little Disciple, do you know that waking up in the early morning is the most unbearable loneliness? At a time like this, what are you talking to Senior Sister about clothes for..."

As Fan Hongjiao spoke, she had already pulled Duan Rong in, closed the door, and bolted it.

She pulled Duan Rong to sit down and sat directly on Duan Rong's lap. The original beautiful scenery was now in full view, every curve exquisite.

Duan Rong didn't want to look, but how could he resist!

Fan Hongjiao was already rubbing against Duan Rong...

Duan Rong's lower abdomen felt waves of heat, but he still suppressed his impulse, looked somewhat stiffly at the coquettish Fan Hongjiao, and said: "Senior Sister, I am preparing to snatch Xiao Yu out of the Tower Forest."

"What?!"

Upon hearing this, the look of sorrow on Fan Hongjiao's face changed abruptly.

She looked at Duan Rong, her face pale with fright, and said, "Little Disciple, you must not act recklessly!"

Duan Rong said, "Xiao Yu's talent is limited; it is very likely she will never be able to leave the Tower Forest. I cannot simply watch her be trapped inside until she dies and turns into white bones."

At this moment, the desire in Fan Hongjiao's heart had been startled away, and she said, "Those who do not reach the True Qi Realm Great Perfection are never permitted to leave the Tower Forest; this is the Sect Iron Law."

Duan Rong said nothing upon hearing this, but his gaze remained resolute.

As soon as Fan Hongjiao saw that look on Duan Rong, she knew his mind was made up.

Fan Hongjiao's gaze flickered, and she changed the subject, saying, "Senior Sister knows that you are a man of deep affection and righteousness, Little Disciple, but there is no need to take such a risk. Let Senior Sister tell you, in less than a year at most, it is estimated that Master will be able to succeed as the next Sect Master. When that time comes, the management of the Tower Forest will fall into Master's hands. By then, if you beg Master, there should be room to maneuver."

Duan Rong sighed upon hearing this and said, "I know. But I am afraid Xiao Yu cannot wait until then..."

Duan Rong still remembered the blood-written letter Xiao Yu had sent out, as well as the state of Xiao Yu as described by Shen Mizhi; he had a feeling that it was impossible for Xiao Yu to hold on for another year inside the Tower Forest...

Furthermore, one year from now, is it certain that Zhu He will become Sect Master? What if there are variables?

In fact, regarding the gains and losses and the various variables, Duan Rong had already pondered them repeatedly; he would rather take the risk and rescue Xiao Yu now, even if it meant suffering some punishment.

Fan Hongjiao wanted to say something more, but Duan Rong suddenly said, "Senior Sister, I have already decided; at worst, I will accept some punishment. Even if it is an Iron Law, the Sect surely won't kill me."

Looking at the expression on Duan Rong's face, a touch of emotion welled up in Fan Hongjiao's heart. In this day and age, such a man of deep affection and righteousness was not often seen.

"That, it won't. Little Disciple, with your talent, if they were to kill even you, wouldn't the Taiyi Sect be digging its own grave?"

Duan Rong smiled slightly and said, "Senior Sister, this Disciple would like to ask for your help."

Upon hearing this, Fan Hongjiao suddenly stood up, looked at Duan Rong, and said, "Little Disciple, one thing is one thing, another is another. This is breaking into the Tower Forest to snatch someone! Senior Sister does not want to wade into these muddy waters. Besides, Senior Sister does not have your talent or merits; how could I withstand such thunder!? Little Disciple, please spare Senior Sister..."

By the end of her words, Fan Hongjiao was already pleading in a coquettish manner.

Duan Rong's expression remained unmoved; he merely brushed his sleeve across the side table, and two black porcelain bottles appeared on it.

The moment Fan Hongjiao saw those two black porcelain bottles, her eyes lit up.

She naturally recognized these porcelain bottles; they were what Zhu He had bestowed upon Duan Rong, containing the Bone Marrow Gray Matter of a High-Tier Beast.

A look of hesitation and struggle appeared on Fan Hongjiao's face. Although she coveted those two bottles of Bone Marrow Gray Matter, assisting Duan Rong in snatching someone from the Tower Forest was a violation of the Sect Iron Law.

Caught in a dilemma, she was naturally tormented.

Duan Rong saw the hesitation on Fan Hongjiao's face and said, "Senior Sister, rest assured, this Disciple will not harm you. I guarantee that you will be able to retreat unscathed in this matter; not a single speck of mud will splash onto you."

"Is that so?" Fan Hongjiao looked at Duan Rong with a suspicious expression.

Duan Rong then took two teacups from a tray on the side table, placed them upside down on the table, pulled them a distance apart, and said, "This is the Tower Forest, and this is the hill closest to the Tower Forest. When Xiao Yu and the others come out of the tower for practice, I will break in from the southeast and snatch her out. This position is guarded by only one expert at the First Layer of the Qi Cyclone Realm; he cannot stop me."

"But after I snatch Xiao Yu out, the other three experts guarding the remaining positions will inevitably rush over to surround and intercept me. Your task, Senior Sister, is to not let them block me before I reach this hill." Duan Rong pointed to the other teacup and said, "As long as I reach this hill, you don't need to worry about it, Senior Sister; you can let them surround and intercept me."

Fan Hongjiao's eyes flickered; she did not understand Duan Rong's meaning at first and asked suspiciously, "As long as I ensure they don't block you during this distance?"

"Correct!" Duan Rong said, "When they are about to catch up to me, you can pretend to be passing by accidentally, and I will shout for help to you, crying that they want to kill me. That will give you an excuse to intervene and stop them. As long as I reach this hill, it won't matter even if you act out a scene of scolding me and join them in capturing me."

Fan Hongjiao's eyes rolled, and she immediately understood the crux of the matter; she only needed to pretend to have a misunderstanding and help Duan Rong block them for a moment. Even if she were questioned later, she would have a way to prevaricate and should not be punished. Moreover, she could obtain two bottles of High-Tier Beast Bone Marrow Gray Matter; why not do it?

Fan Hongjiao let out a soft moan, threw herself into Duan Rong's arms again, and said coquettishly, "Little Disciple, I knew it, you really are the one who dotes on Senior Sister the most."

Duan Rong said, "Then Senior Sister, have you agreed?"

Fan Hongjiao said, "You are so thoughtful toward Senior Sister, how could Senior Sister fail to live up to your intentions?! Little Disciple, since the matter has been discussed, why don't we..."

Duan Rong immediately stood up and darted away, saying as he walked, "Senior Sister, I still have things to do. Once the time is set, I will notify you!"

He opened the door and flashed out; just as Fan Hongjiao lunged forward, Duan Rong's figure happened to flash out of the door.

After breaking through to the Qi Cyclone Realm, Duan Rong's movement technique was clearly better, slippery as a loach.

Fan Hongjiao lunged at empty air by the door and could not help but feel annoyed, so she cursed there, "You've stirred up the fire for Senior Sister, and then you run off... Little Disciple, you truly have a ruthless heart..."

As Fan Hongjiao spoke, she turned her head away in dejection. She caught sight of the two bottles of Bone Marrow Gray Matter on the side table, and her originally dim eyes instantly became full of charm. She walked over, picked up the two black porcelain bottles, and headed toward the bed behind the screen...

Iron Enclosure Mountain, inside the Tower Forest.

When the morning light illuminated the spires of the towers one by one, the sound of the Copper Chime rang out.

After two rings of the Copper Chime, Xiao Yu pushed open the door of the tower somewhat sluggishly. She stood at the door and hesitated for a while, confirming that there were no screams in the Tower Forest, before finally stepping out with a slightly eased heart.

In the past few days, for three consecutive days, someone had hanged themselves, and they were all from the same batch that had entered. The old-timers in the Tower Forest told her that once one survived the first year, one could basically live; the most difficult part was actually the first year.

Xiao Yu knew that those people told her this because they wanted her to live.

However, Xiao Yu was not sure if living like them was truly called living.

Perhaps hanging oneself was a form of liberation?

These past few days, she often dreamed of Su Bairong.

She suddenly understood Su Bairong's feelings at that time.

Because, having endured until now, she also wanted to go home.

Xiao Yu walked out of the Tower Forest, and the morning light shone on her face.

She had become even thinner these past few days; as the saying goes, bones protruding through skin, once a person becomes thin, the cheekbones rise, the eye sockets appear even more sunken, and the eyes become listless.

Xiao Yu stepped on the fallen leaves everywhere. She looked up at the gray sky above the dense forest where the morning light was just beginning to show, and Duan Rong's smiling face suddenly appeared in that sky.

Xiao Yu gave a miserable smile; Duan Rong's smiling face was already somewhat blurred.

She knew Duan Rong was also in the mountains.

But the dense forest before her eyes was like a cage of ten thousand layers, separating them far apart. So close yet so far, like mandarin ducks separated by a lifetime.

Duan Rong could not get in, and she could not get out.

Every time she thought of Duan Rong, Xiao Yu's heart felt as if it were being pressed by a giant boulder. Her footsteps suddenly became heavy, and she moved forward somewhat stiffly. Just at this moment, she suddenly caught a glimpse of a black shadow moving in the dense forest not far away, flashing toward this side.

Although it was only a blurred black shadow, for some reason, Xiao Yu's heart suddenly began to beat violently, as if her breathing were about to stop...

"Is it you? No, it cannot be you! The defense of the Tower Forest is so tight, how could you get in?! It cannot be you..." Although she thought this, her gaze remained fixed on where the black shadow was moving, unable to look away.

(End of chapter)