Chapter 293: Ice Phoenix?!

Watching the several streams of light depart, Yunhe, standing outside the main hall of the Ice Immortal Pavilion, narrowed his eyes.

Their previous interaction wasn't much, but from some minor details, he could still sense quite a few things.

First, the cultivators of Wu State and Yuan State, although not exactly hostile, obviously did not have a very good relationship.

The Snow Sword Sect is the largest cultivation sect of Wu State, but the Myriad Beasts Sect is not the largest sect of Yuan State; there is also a sect called the Nine Dragon Gate in Yuan State, whose status and strength surpass those of the Myriad Beasts Sect.

Moreover, although both Wu State and Yuan State are countries in the northern part of the Dongdong Border, unlike Wu State, Yuan State faces an endless sea to the east, possessing far more resources than Wu State.

Of course, what Yunhe paid the most attention to was actually that fourth-level demonic beast of the Myriad Beasts Sect, the Vast Sea Spirit Turtle.

He was curious how a mighty fourth-level demon beast could be so willingly controlled by a Late Jie Dan Stage cultivator, even if the other party held the so-called beast-control talisman; theoretically, it shouldn't be so obedient.

Moreover, he could faintly feel that the old turtle's occasional gaze falling on him carried deep meaning.

As for the two Yuan Ying Cultivators of the Snow Sword Sect, their attitude was surprisingly good, leaving Yunhe somewhat surprised.

Although he had learned somewhat from Bing Gui Xianzi about the origins of the Snow Sword Sect and the Ice Immortal Pavilion, it didn't seem as simple as he imagined.

However, since Wan Hai Lin was also present, the two didn't say much, merely inviting Yunhe to visit the Snow Sword Sect as a guest if he had time, promising to welcome him with open arms.

As veteran Yuan Ying Cultivators, they believed they could offer Yunhe, this newly advanced Yuan Ying Cultivator, plenty of experience.

This made Yunhe somewhat tempted.

After all, if he could gain some cultivation experience and insights from those veteran Yuan Ying Cultivators, it would save him many detours on his future cultivation path.

At the same time, Yunhe also noticed that Han Sword True Lord seemed to have suffered some injuries, his condition not being good.

Seeing that the two had no intention to explain, he didn't ask further.

However, from their words and expressions it was not hard to see that, if Wan Hai Lin weren't present, they might have explained the reason.

Considering that he might later visit them in person, Yunhe temporarily tucked this curiosity away in his heart.

After seeing off the three persons and the turtle, Yunhe looked toward the somewhat reserved Bing Gui Xianzi beside him.

If one were to say, although Yunhe previously displayed strength barely comparable to that of a Yuan Ying Cultivator, his own cultivation level was still only Late Jie Dan Stage, barely enough for her to face him directly; now Yunhe's cultivation level has broken through to early Yuan Ying, forcing Bing Gui Xianzi to confront him as a junior.

Regarding this, Yunhe also didn't say much.

Such is the way of the cultivation world: strength reigns supreme, and cultivation level represents status and seniority.

Saying something somewhat excessive.

Now, if he wishes, even removing Bing Gui Xianzi from her position as Pavilion Master of the Ice Immortal Pavilion, no one in the Ice Immortal Pavilion would dare say a word.

At this moment, the Ice Immortal Pavilion has already branded the name "Bee Daoist" upon him, Yunhe.

However, Yunhe is not someone who places great importance on power; if the Ice Immortal Pavilion is useful to him, he'll keep it, otherwise he will leave without hesitation.

Nothing is as important as his own cultivation base.

This is also why Bing Gui Xianzi is utterly unconcerned about the ease of inviting a deity but difficulty of sending them away; she can see that Yunhe is a single-minded diligent cultivator, and she knows he will not interfere excessively in the Ice Immortal Pavilion's development.

For Bing Gui Xianzi, her only worry now is whether Yunhe will leave just like that.

And Yunhe's next sentence let him secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

"Pavilion Master, centered on the Ice Immortal Pavilion, notify all cultivation families and sects within a five-thousand-li radius to register at the Ice Immortal Pavilion within three months."

Upon hearing this, Bing Gui Xianzi's eyes lit up instantly.

In fact, when Yunhe previously showed strength comparable to a Yuan Ying Cultivator, she had considered using his name to expand the Ice Immortal Pavilion's influence, but Yunhe gave no indication then, and she dared not overstep.

But now, Yunhe's words mean that the Ice Immortal Pavilion can openly "use" the name of this Yuan Ying Cultivator, Yunhe.

"I will respectfully follow the elder's decree!" Bing Gui Xianzi replied respectfully.

Holding such vast authority will allow the Ice Immortal Pavilion to develop at an extremely rapid pace.

"This is the range agreed upon by the two Supreme Elders of the Snow Sword Sect; if any family or sect is unwilling, let their head come personally to speak with me."

Yunhe spoke calmly, but just that single sentence could almost decide the life and death of those great and small families and sects.

"Yes!"

"Supreme Elder, may I ask if we should hold a Yuan Ying celebration?" Bing Gui Xianzi asked hurriedly and carefully.

Somewhat larger sects and families, whenever a Golden Core cultivator appears, will widely send out invitations to various powers to hold a celebration, partly to display strength, and partly because others hold celebrations and receive gifts; if we don't hold one, many of the gifts sent out cannot be reclaimed.

Although the Ice Immortal Pavilion has held celebrations for Golden Core cultivators before, this Yuan Ying Cultivator's celebration is truly the first recorded instance.

It's just that the Ice Immortal Pavilion has held celebrations for Foundation Establishment cultivators before, but this Yuan Ying Cultivator's celebration is truly the first one on record.

He isn't fond of lively crowds, let alone this kind of useless socializing in his view.

He isn't very fond of lively people, let alone this kind of useless socializing in his view.

If he could gain some benefits, that wouldn't be bad either.

Even though he has already achieved Nascent Soul, many things that once seemed good to him have become ordinary; but little by little, sand piles into a tower—if things lack appeal, exchanging them for top-grade Spirit Stones could still fetch quite a lot, right?

Anyway, whether he attends the so-called celebration or not makes no difference.

"In three years, then."

After leaving those words, Yunhe's figure swayed slightly and then vanished from Bing Gui Xianzi's sight.

After saying that, Yunhe's figure swayed slightly and then disappeared before the Ice Osmanthus Fairy's eyes.

"Master!"

Upon seeing Yunhe return, the Cold Chant Flood Dragon guarding the cave dwelling's entrance immediately came forward.

"Congratulations, Master, on successfully achieving Nascent Soul! In the future, a display of Spirit Transformation promises longevity!"

Upon hearing this, Yunhe couldn't help but be speechless.

"When did you become so eloquent?"

He reached out and lightly stroked the Cold Chant Flood Dragon's head as it came over, and with a twist of his wrist he added a few "Feed Pills".

He reached out and placed his hand on the head of the Cold Chant Flood Dragon that actively came over, gently stroking it, and with a twist of his wrist, a few feeding pills appeared.

Seeing this, the Cold Chant Flood Dragon couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Seeing this, the Cold Chant Flood Dragon couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The gaze toward Yunhe grew increasingly respectful, also bearing a strong fawning expression.

Yunhe flicked his finger lightly on its head.

"Ouch!"

Speaking of it, given Han Yin Jiao's age, among the flood dragon clan it is considered relatively young; being able to cultivate to the late third stage is certainly due to the deep abyss cold pool, and also related to its innate talent not being poor.

"Rest assured, if you ever get a chance to break through to the fourth level in the future, this seat will lend you a hand."

Upon hearing these words, Han Yin Jiao was overjoyed.

"Thank you, Master!"

"You're granted a year's vacation; go out and play." Yunhe said, waving his sleeve.

Han Yin Jiao's eyes lit up instantly, appearing eager and unable to wait.

It had long wanted to go out and play, after all it didn't know how long it had been trapped in the deep abyss cold pool; the last time it followed Yunhe out was its first time leaving this place, and the bustling world outside filled its heart with longing.

"Remember not to kill indiscriminately." Yunhe admonished, but then added: "However, you need not be overly timid."

"I understand, Master; I will certainly not tarnish your esteemed reputation!"

After performing a respectful salute, it flicked its tail, let out a long roar that stirred up dragon chants, and swiftly flew off into the distance.

Yunhe smiled and shook his head.

He returned to the cave dwelling.

Although his realm had been thoroughly consolidated, he still had many things to contemplate; had it not been for his divine sense earlier scanning Han Sword True Monarch and a few others, he would not have emerged from seclusion so quickly.

Moreover, several of his magical treasures also needed to be reforged from scratch.

The Five Elements Thunder Sword advanced to the fourth level, having been baptized and tempered by heavenly thunder; the artifact spirit it gave birth to seems to have grown as well.

The Demon-Subjugating Armor is only one step away from the fourth level; spending some time to reforge it will allow it to reach the fourth level.

Thus, with the Five Elements Thunder Sword for offense and the Demon-Subjugating Armor for defense, he barely qualifies as being well-equipped both offensively and defensively, allowing him to go out with confidence.

Besides that, his several divine abilities also need to be carefully experienced again.

He arrived at the cultivation chamber.

Yunhe formed hand seals and entered a cultivation state.

In his qi sea dantian, that vast surge of mana began to refine the Five Elements Thunder Sword and the Demon-Subjugating Armor.

After breaking through to the Yuan Ying realm, his mana is incomparable to before, and the refining speed undoubtedly increased greatly.

In the blink of an eye, a year passed.

During that year, for the cultivation world surrounding the Ice Snow Pavilion, it was anything but peaceful.

The news that the Ice Immortal Pavilion's Supreme Elder, the rumored "Bee Old Devil," had broken through to the Yuan Ying realm had spread throughout the Wu Kingdom and even to neighboring states.

Furthermore, this "Bee Old Devil" declared that all sects and clans within a five-thousand-li radius outside the Ice Snow Pavilion must register at the Ice Snow Pavilion, thereby becoming affiliated forces of the Ice Immortal Pavilion; if unwilling, they must personally visit him to discuss.

Who would dare to go and oppose a Yuan Ying cultivator's edict?

Moreover, given the precedent of the Ran family's extermination, no faction dared to flee or relocate; instead, they all sent representatives, making the Ice Snow Pavilion extraordinarily lively over that year.

However, this had little to do with Yunhe.

One year.

Finally, he became thoroughly familiar with the tenth layer of the "Grand Longevity Great Five Elements True Scripture," solidifying his cultivation base, and successfully refined the Demon-Subjugating Armor, which was only one step away from the fourth level, into a low-grade fourth-level magical treasure.

But this also marked the limit of Yunhe's Demon-Subjugating Armor's potential.

If he wishes to further improve it, he would need to refine more scales of the "Four Spirits Four Sages" into this demonic clan treasure.

This immediately brought to Yunhe's mind the land mountain turtle from the Demon Beast World.

Although he had successfully formed a Nascent Soul, his Demon Beast Body had not yet accumulated enough demonic power, nor had he broken through to the fourth level, so for now there was little he could do with that old turtle.

Next, he thought of the Vast Sea Spirit Turtle.

But after all, it is the guardian spirit beast of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, and moreover an old turtle of unknown age; its strength is unknown, and he cannot act against it.

"Forget it; for now it's barely enough. Let's first go see what's actually happening inside the deep abyss cold pool."

He walked out of the cave dwelling.

He glanced at the cold pool.

Seeing that Han Yin Jiao had not yet returned, Yunhe couldn't help but frown.

But he didn't take it too seriously; he flashed to the secret place of the Ice Immortal Pavilion, outside the seal of the deep abyss cold pool.

The first time he came here, Yunhe gazed at the seal but didn't see it very clearly.

But this time, he managed to discern some of the seal's intricacies.

He cast a spell seal onto the seal's pillar.

The seal instantly cracked open a gap.

Without the slightest hesitation, he flashed inside.

A chill immediately rushed toward him.

"Compared to when I first entered, this cold air is indeed not as thick."

After muttering that, he entered the extremely cold pool water.

Soon he reached the bottom of the cold pool.

Although it remained extremely cold, now that he was shielded by Yuan Ying-level mana, the cold's effect on him had greatly diminished.

"This is the place."

With ease, he arrived at the secret spot at the bottom of the deep abyss cold pool.

A mass of white, bone-chilling chill lay coiled within this cold pool.

Yunhe extended his divine sense.

This time, his divine sense finally began to seep little by little into that mass of murky cold air.

And when he expended considerable effort, finally he managed to 'squeeze' his divine sense into that cold air; upon seeing what the cold air wrapped and covered, Yunhe's pupils involuntarily narrowed.

Wings?

It was actually a pair of wings?

He unconsciously strengthened the divine sense that had pierced in, attempting to thoroughly see this object.

Snow-white feathers, like ice crystals and drifting snow, layered upon layered, lifelike.

Hiss!!

Suddenly, a long cry rang out in Yunhe's mind.

Faintly, the outline of an ice phoenix appeared in his divine sense.

Yunhe's eyes widened slightly, and he blurted out.

Ice phoenix?!

(End of chapter)