Chapter 255: with translation of chapter title

I, Bing Gui, have become the master of the Ice Immortal Pavilion; I have met you, fellow Daoist, and thank you for saving my disciple and grand-disciple.

Seeing Yunhe's flying vessel approach, Bing Gui Fairy's robes fluttered as she went forward to greet him and bow.

Mid-stage Golden Core Cultivation Base.

But because Yunhe was injured, what he revealed was only a mid-stage Golden Core Cultivation Base.

He immediately returned the salute, saying: "I am the Bee Daoist; I have been in seclusion for quite some time, only feeling that times have changed and old acquaintances are gone, thus I dare to disturb the Pavilion Master."

Bing Gui Fairy didn't give much thought to Yunhe's excuse.

For Golden Core cultivators like them, closing off for several decades is quite normal, and even closing off for a hundred years at once is not unheard of.

If it weren't for the demonic cultivators running rampant recently near Wu Kingdom, causing the region where the Ice Immortal Pavilion is located to become rather unsettled, she would not have come out to take over the position of Pavilion Master.

However, in order to respond to the demonic calamity and preserve the lineage, she had no choice but to leave seclusion, assume full authority of the Ice Immortal Pavilion, and oversee the overall situation.

So Bing Gui Fairy merely smiled faintly and said: "It's nothing; your arrival brings glory to our humble Ice Immortal Pavilion. If I knew what you sought, I would certainly hold nothing back."

Saying this, she gestured toward the pavilion below.

"Why don't we sit down and chat slowly? Knowing you have come, I have specially prepared some spiritual tea and pastries."

"Very good." Yunhe nodded.

Thus, the four slowly descended and arrived at that elegant pavilion.

Upon approaching, Yunhe discovered that this pavilion was entirely carved from clear ice crystal, its patterns beautiful and exuding a hint of chill, indeed possessing somewhat the air of an ice palace.

Yunhe and Bing Gui Fairy sat facing each other, while Dong Ning Xuan and Li Yun stood respectively at their sides, pouring tea for them.

"This tea is not bad." Taking a small sip of the spiritual tea that appeared rather ordinary, Yunhe's eyes lit up slightly.

This tea indeed has some subtlety; after drinking it, he felt a sudden clarity of mind, somewhat similar to his "Stagnant Ice Clear Lotus."

"This is ice crystal flower tea, made from ice blossoms that can only be harvested in extreme cold, processed by special means into spiritual tea, possessing the effect of clearing the mind and refining vital energy."

Bing Gui Fairy gave a brief introduction, then continued: "If you like it, Fellow Daoist, I will have Ning Xuan give you some later."

"Oh? Then I shall first thank you, Fairy."

Yunhe also did not refuse.

Although this spiritual tea is not bad, after all it is merely spiritual tea and not something particularly valuable.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Bing Gui Fairy brought the conversation back to the main topic; through their question-and-answer, Yunhe learned much about the current state of the Eastern Border cultivation world.

As a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, Bing Gui Fairy obviously knew far more than Dong Ning Xuan and Li Yun, including many secrets of the cultivation world.

The other party's attitude was exceedingly good, so good that Yunhe found it somewhat surprising.

Although Yunhe had saved Dong Ning Xuan and Li Yun, it shouldn't be enough to make Bing Gui Fairy act so friendly, should it?

After all, although Yunhe showed goodwill, if he had ulterior motives, it would not be impossible.

Moreover, from beginning to end, Bing Gui Fairy never asked Yunhe where he intended to go or when he would leave; her demeanor seemed to hope he would stay.

"Are you a wandering cultivator, Fellow Daoist?" Bing Gui Fairy suddenly asked.

Regarding this question, Yunhe seemed to have anticipated it; he smiled and lightly rubbed the rim of the teacup, waiting until the perceptive Dong Ning Xuan stepped forward to pour half a cup, then he slowly said:

"I suppose so. I once had a sect, but due to some reasons the sect suffered a calamity, and I thus 'became' a wandering cultivator."

Such a situation is not uncommon in the cultivation world at large.

Especially after the demonic path ran rampant, who knows how many sects were destroyed and how many mountain gates were razed.

Bing Gui Fairy pursed her lips, hesitated slightly, then said:

"Then I have a humble request: I hope Fellow Daoist will stay; my Ice Immortal Pavilion will grant you the position of Supreme Elder, and at that time your status within the pavilion will be equal to mine."

Indeed.

The other party's invitation also did not exceed Yunhe's expectations.

To speak frankly.

Actually, the location of the Ice Immortal Pavilion is not bad; within this mountain there is a spiritual vein of middle-grade third tier, the spiritual energy is abundant, and if one adds spirit-gathering formations and the like, the spiritual energy density could perhaps reach upper-grade third tier; together with Yunhe's "Congealed Fat Ice Clear Lotus," it would be sufficient for his cultivation needs.

For Yunhe, who has just returned to the Eastern Border and needs to tend to his wounds and find a place to settle in order to better understand the situation there, this is a good thing.

But

Yunhe did not answer immediately; merely, under the somewhat hopeful gazes of Dong Ning Xuan and Li Yun, he chuckled and then asked:

"Fairy Bing Gui, if you have any difficulties, please speak freely."

Upon hearing this, Bing Gui Fairy's face showed a hint of embarrassment, and she laughed sheepishly: "Please excuse my folly, Fellow Daoist."

She then let out a light sigh, revealed a worried expression, and roughly explained the whole situation.

As it turns out.

The spiritual vein where the Ice Immortal Pavilion is located is indeed good, so it has been targeted by demonic forces.

The demonic path ran rampant across the Eastern Border cultivation world, forcing many sects to flee or be annihilated, yet it also gave some cultivation families a chance to rise.

Many cultivation families have attached themselves to demonic sects, thereby to some extent strengthening the demonic forces; within Wu Kingdom there are three cultivation families that have surrendered to demonic cultivators, among them the Lu family, whose three Foundation Establishment cultivators Yunhe had previously slain.

The Lu family has set its sights on the Ice Immortal Pavilion!

"Actually, if that were the case, it wouldn't be a big deal; at worst we would simply retreat and give up our mountain gate. But the Lu family claims they want our mountain gate, while in truth they are after our Ice Immortal Pavilion's inheritance arts and our female disciples."

After Bing Gui Fairy's explanation, Yunhe finally understood.

As it turns out, the Ice Immortal Pavilion's inherited "Pure Maiden Ice Immortal Technique" actually also helps cultivators clear the mind and calm the breath when practiced in dual cultivation.

One should know that demonic cultivation methods are fast to train and powerful when accomplished, which is widely acknowledged; however, the price is that practitioners of demonic arts are more susceptible to heart-devils and more prone to deviation—mildly they become emotionally erratic, taking pleasure in slaughter; severely they are controlled by heart-devils, losing their humanity entirely.

If they were to learn of the Ice Immortal Pavilion's technique, likely all its female disciples would be seized to become furnaces; the outcome would be unimaginably tragic.

Although not all female disciples of the Ice Immortal Pavilion can cultivate the Pure Maiden Ice Immortal Technique, which has demanding spiritual root requirements, others do not care about that.

Originally, the situation of the Ice Immortal Pavilion was not so tense, but after Yunhe killed the three Lu brothers, it gave the Lu family a pretext to deal with the Ice Immortal Pavilion.

That's right.

The current situation in the Eastern Border cultivation world is tense; some truly powerful sects have stepped forward to challenge the demonic sects, suppressing the demonic cultivators' arrogance, so now if demonic cultivators wish to act again, they must have a suitable pretext—in other words, they must contrive an excuse.

The death of the three Lu brothers is the pretext for their intervention.

"In that case, this matter actually has some connection to this humble Daoist," Yunhe fell silent after hearing it.

Bing Gui Xianzi took a small sip of tea, did not respond to the sensitive remark, and simply said, "I hope you, fellow Daoist, will extend a helping hand."

There is no need to worry about Yuan Ying Demon Cultivators entering Wu Country.

Because the top sect of Wu Country, Snow Sword Sect, has already spoken, if a Yuan Ying Demon Cultivator enters Wu Country, it would mean a war declaration between the demonic sects and Snow Sword Sect, and the Snow Sword Sect would also suffer.

Know that Snow Sword Sect, as the largest sect in Wu Country, actually has two Yuan Ying Cultivators within its ranks, making it a truly massive sect!

As for Jie Dan Demon Cultivators, the early and mid Jie Dan stages are naturally not a threat, and for the Late Jie Dan Stage, Ice Fairy Hall has its own mountain‑protecting formation, sufficient to repel them.

Therefore, what Bing Gui Xianzi worries most is actually several Jie Dan Cultivators attacking simultaneously; at that time, Ice Fairy Hall relying only on her would find it hard to resist.

This is also why she invited Yunhe.

Because in this way, there are two mid‑stage Jie Dan Cultivators stationed, and with Ice Fairy Hall's mountain‑protecting formation, as long as not five or six Jie Dan Cultivators arrive at once, safety is absolutely assured.

Hearing this, Yunhe shook his head, smacked his lips, set down his teacup, and sighed lightly, saying:

"Bing Gui Xianzi, although this matter has some connection to this humble Daoist, to think that these fairies alone can make this humble Daoist and cultivators of the same realm fight to the death—is that not a bit presumptuous?"

Ice Fairy Hall is a good place, but it is not enough to make Yunhe go there to confront Jie Dan Cultivators.

He returned to the Eastern Border partly to avoid the impending chaos in the Yunshang Realm, and partly to seek the follow‑up techniques of the 'Great Longevity Five Elements True Secret' and the 'Thousand Gu Ten Thousand Insects Technique,' rather than stay in a sect as some Supreme Elder.

If he truly wants to wield power and privilege, wouldn't staying in the Yunshang Realm as the He Family Patriarch be fine?

Just as he spoke, Yunhe's spiritual perception already sensed a Jie Dan Cultivator rapidly approaching.

"Moving that fast?"

It seems, just as Bing Gui Xianzi said, the Lu family is looking for an excuse; with the three Lu brothers dead, they will immediately raise an army to prosecute.

Yunhe rose slowly.

Under Bing Gui Xianzi's strange gaze, he said, "It seems, Fairy, that your Ice Fairy Hall has guests arriving; this humble Daoist's intrusion has not been brief, so I shall take my leave. This item shall serve as the reward for the information you have given me."

As he spoke, he placed a small jade bottle on the table.

It contained a third‑grade 'Healing Body Pill,' a decent healing Elixir, sufficient to pay for this inquiry.

Hearing this, Bing Gui Xianzi was startled.

Guests arriving?

"Wait a moment!" Bing Gui Xianzi shouted hurriedly.

Because after a while, the spiritual perception she spread finally discovered that indeed a Jie Dan Cultivator was truly approaching Ice Fairy Hall!

This indicates that Yunhe's spiritual perception is very strong, and not just a little, which also indirectly shows that Yunhe's Cultivation Base is impressive, at least stronger than hers.

After a brief hesitation, seeing that Yunhe was truly about to leave, Bing Gui Xianzi hurriedly said, "If you, fellow Daoist, can stay and serve as this hall's Supreme Elder, I can grant you the recipe for the Ice Heart Pill and its main ingredient, Ten Thousand Years Ice Heart!"

Yunhe's movement paused, and he looked at Bing Gui Xianzi with some surprise.

"Ice Heart Pill?"

"Exactly, Ice Heart Pill! I suppose you have heard of it; the Ice Heart Pill is a kind of Elixir that counters heart demons, and it can address the 'Heart Demon Tribulation'!" Bing Gui Xianzi said rapidly.

Yunhe naturally knew this.

He had studied the 'Nascent Soul Treasure' and various Elixirs that Jie Dan Cultivators can use when breaking through to the Yuan Ying stage.

Although the Ice Heart Pill is not the best Elixir for handling the Heart Demon Tribulation, it can modestly increase a cultivator's chance of overcoming it; it is a rare and valuable Elixir, not as valuable as a Nascent Soul Pill but not inferior to some Nascent Soul Treasures.

He was surprised that Ice Fairy Hall actually possessed the recipe for the Ice Heart Pill, and even its main ingredient, Ten Thousand Years Ice Heart.

If this became known, those coveting Ice Fairy Hall might not be only the Lu family.

"Three times," Yunhe said.

"Three times?"

"This humble Daoist agrees, Fairy, and can assist Ice Fairy Hall with three interventions," Yunhe explained briefly.

He could not stay here indefinitely; three interventions are already his limit.

But he already has his sights set on the Ice Heart Pill and Ten Thousand Years Ice Heart; if Bing Gui Xianzi thought to use this as leverage, Yunhe wouldn't mind playing the villain for a while and forcibly snatching the Ice Heart Pill.

So, after Bing Gui Xianzi mentioned this, whatever condition Yunhe proposed, Bing Gui Xianzi had no choice but to accept.

As expected.

After hearing, Bing Gui Xianzi's expression shifted; facing Yunhe's calm gaze, she clenched her teeth and said:

"Fine!"

For her, this move was also helpless.

Because she realized that it was not just a single Jie Dan Cultivator arriving; if Yunhe left, she did not know whether Ice Fairy Hall could survive this time.

Hearing her reply, Yunhe brushed his sleeve, smiled, and said:

"Rest assured, this humble Daoist never likes trouble when acting."

"Hm?"

(End of Chapter)