Lin Yu and Murong Xue were pulled by the powerful force released by the altar, drawing closer and closer to it. They struggled desperately, trying to break free from the pull, but to no avail. As the distance to the altar shrank, they felt an intense pressure, as if an invisible pair of giant hands was trying to crush them into dust.
Just as the two of them felt almost desperate, Lin Yu suddenly sensed the newly awakened mysterious power within his body beginning to surge. This power seemed to resonate with the altar in some way, and he tried guiding it to resist the altar's pull. The mysterious power slowly flowed out, clashing with the powerful suction and temporarily halting their forward movement.
Seeing this, Murong Xue also drove the Ice Phoenix Formula to its absolute limit, channeling her freezing energy into Lin Yu's body to help him fight the altar's power. Through their joint efforts, they gradually stabilized their footing. However, the altar's power did not wane; instead, it grew even more violent, causing the surrounding space to warp and distort.
Suddenly, an ancient voice echoed in their minds: "To obtain the inheritance, one must endure trials. If you cannot bear them, you will be lost here forever." The moment the voice faded, the crystal ball on the altar burst into brilliant light, each emitting a beam that enveloped Lin Yu and Murong Xue. Within the beams of light, they saw bizarre visions—fragments of ancient cultivation methods and powerful spells.
Realizing this might be a rare opportunity, Lin Yu endured the immense pressure and concentrated on comprehending the mysteries hidden within the visions. Murong Xue did the same, using her sharp and brilliant mind to diligently absorb the knowledge. As time passed, their understanding of cultivation deepened, and their power quietly grew.
Chapter 363: Comprehending the Inheritance, Enhancing Power
Immersed in the comprehension of the mysterious inheritance, Lin Yu and Murong Xue seemed to cut all ties with the outside world. Lin Yu focused on the details of those ancient cultivation methods; every single rune and every circulation path was deeply etched into his mind. He discovered a marvelous complementary synergy between these cultivation methods and his own Myriad Phenomena Unification Formula. Through the process of fusion and comprehension, his spiritual energy circulated much more smoothly, and his control over it reached a brand-new height.
Murong Xue, on the other hand, became fascinated by the advanced application techniques of ice-type spells. She saw how to compress and condense freezing energy to multiply its power exponentially, and she also comprehended several exquisite ice-type formations capable of trapping enemies in battle to create favorable combat environments for herself. With her deeper understanding of the inheritance, her Ice Phoenix Formula achieved a new breakthrough, making her freezing qi increasingly pure and powerful.
Within the radiant glow of the inheritance, Lin Yu's body began to undergo changes. His muscles grew firmer, and a faint light flickered beneath his skin, as though it contained endless power. Murong Xue's demeanor grew even colder and more ethereal; the air around her was affected by her freezing energy, condensing tiny ice crystals that swirled about her like an ice-and-snow fairy.
After an unknown length of time, the altar's power gradually subsided, and the inheritance light slowly dissipated. Lin Yu and Murong Xue opened their eyes, which flashed with the brilliance of wisdom and power. They exchanged a glance and saw mutual surprise in each other's eyes, for both felt a tremendous enhancement in their strength. Lin Yu had successfully solidified the Peak Golden Core realm and gained a clear direction for his future cultivation, while Murong Xue's Ice Phoenix Formula had reached the peak of the eighth stage, leaving her only a step away from the ninth.
Chapter 364: Leaving the Ruins, Encountering Pursuit
Carrying their harvest from the ruins, Lin Yu and Murong Xue joyfully prepared to leave. They moved quickly along the passage they had used to enter. When they reached the exit of the ruins, however, they discovered that the sea outside had become eerily calm, and the Illusory Sea Spirit Fish that originally swam around the area had vanished. An ominous premonition welled up in their hearts.
The two cautiously swam out of the ruins. The moment they broke the surface of the water, they heard a sharp whistling sound. Dozens of arrows glowing with spiritual energy shot toward them from a distance. Quick to react, Lin Yu drew his long sword and unleashed a powerful sword qi, swatting the incoming arrows away. Meanwhile, Murong Xue cast an ice-type spell, forming a protective shield of ice around them just in case.
Immediately afterward, a group of figures dressed in tight black garments swarmed in from all directions. The leader was a gloomy-looking man who stared coldly at Lin Yu and Murong Xue. "Hand over everything you obtained in the ruins, or none of you will leave here alive today." Lin Yu's heart sank; he knew these people had come for their spoils from the ruins. Gripping his sword tightly, he shielded Murong Xue behind him and said, "If you want the goods, come and take them with your own skill."
The group of men in black exchanged glances and launched a simultaneous attack. They unleashed all sorts of bizarre spells—black mists, flashing lightning bolts, and sharp wind blades—all hurtling toward Lin Yu and Murong Xue. Channeling his spiritual energy, Lin Yu fused the powers of ice and fire to deploy a powerful defensive spell. Murong Xue also activated the Ice Phoenix Formula. Freezing qi collided with the spells of the men in black, and for a time, brilliant flashes and roaring explosions echoed endlessly across the sea surface.
Chapter 365: Fierce Battle with Men in Black, Mysterious Warship Appears
Lin Yu and Murong Xue engaged in a fierce battle against the men in black. Lin Yu employed the Myriad Illusions Birth Pupil Technique, generating multiple illusions to confuse the enemy, while simultaneously executing sharp sword techniques whose formidable momentum beat back the approaching adversaries. Murong Xue provided support from the flank, casting ice spells to freeze the black mist generated by the attackers and obstructing their line of sight.
Although the men in black were numerous, Lin Yu and Murong Xue's greatly enhanced strength made it difficult for the enemy to achieve a quick victory. The battle reached a stalemate, with both sides continuously draining their spiritual energy. Suddenly, a massive warship appeared on the sea, flying a peculiar banner emblazoned with a soaring phoenix.
The warship sailed rapidly toward them. As it closed the distance, a group of women dressed in gorgeous attire leaped down from the deck. The leading woman was of breathtaking beauty and noble bearing, holding a gemstone-inlaid staff that radiated powerful spiritual energy fluctuations. Seeing Lin Yu and Murong Xue fighting the men in black, a trace of curiosity flashed in her eyes. She waved her staff and cast a powerful spell; a flash of multicolored light swept out, enveloping the men in black.
The men in black struggled in agony amidst the multicolored light. Their spells were instantly shattered, and their bodies were rendered completely immobile. The leader stared in terror at the woman and shouted, "Who are you? Why are you meddling in our affairs?"
The woman let out a cold snort. "You lack the qualifications to run wild in my domain." With a flick of her hand, an invisible force swept the men in black away, vanishing them from the sea surface.
Chapter 366: Befriending the Phoenix Sect, Clues Acquired Anew
Lin Yu and Murong Xue looked in astonishment at the abruptly appeared woman and her subordinates, their hearts filled with doubt. The woman stepped forward and smiled at them. "I am Feng Wu, the Saintess of the Phoenix Sect. This sea area falls under our jurisdiction. Seeing you being besieged by those men in black just now, I lent a hand."
Lin Yu quickly cupped his fists in gratitude. "Thank you for your assistance, Saintess. My name is Lin Yu, and this is my companion, Murong Xue. We come from another continent and have traveled to the Spirit Illusion Sea to seek some precious materials."
Hearing this, a flicker of interest crossed Feng Wu's eyes. " Oh? Looking for precious materials? My Phoenix Sect has been in these waters for many years; perhaps we can help you. What materials are you searching for?"
Hesitating for a moment, Lin Yu decided to tell Feng Wu about their search for the ingredients for the Nine-Color Nascent Soul. Hearing this, Feng Wu's expression shifted slightly. "Materials for the Nine-Color Nascent Soul? That is no ordinary matter. I once heard that deep within the Spirit Illusion Sea lies a mysterious island where a plant called the 'Spirit Illusion Immortal Vine' grows. That plant is said to be the key to refining the Nine-Color Nascent Soul. However, the island is protected by powerful restrictions, and very few people can enter."
Overjoyed upon hearing this, Lin Yu and Murong Xue hurriedly asked Feng Wu for the island's location. Seeing their eager expressions, Feng Wu smiled faintly. "Considering that you have an affinity with my Phoenix Sect, I can tell you where the island is. But that island is extremely dangerous; you must be cautious." With that, Feng Wu provided detailed directions to the island and offered them some advice on dealing with the restrictions.
Immensely grateful, Lin Yu and Murong Xue bid farewell to Feng Wu and set off in the direction of the mysterious island. They knew that harsher challenges awaited them ahead, but for the sake of the Nine-Color Nascent Soul, they would not retreat.
Chapter 367: The Mysterious Island, Layered Restrictions
Following the clues provided by Feng Wu, Lin Yu and Murong Xue headed toward the mysterious island deep within the Spirit Illusion Sea. After several days of trekking, they finally caught sight of the fog-shrouded island. The island was surrounded by a faint layer of light—undoubtedly the powerful restriction mentioned by Feng Wu.
Lin Yu activated his Immortal Eye, attempting to pierce the mysteries of the restriction. He discovered that this barrier was woven from multiple strands of spiritual energy, forming a complex array containing formidable offensive and defensive power. The slightest carelessness would trigger the barrier and invite a fatal attack.
Looking at the barrier before her, Murong Xue felt a touch of worry. "Brother Yu, this restriction looks so powerful. How are we going to get in?"
Pondering for a moment, Lin Yu replied, "Senior Feng Wu gave us some advice. We can try following her instructions to find the weak points in the restriction. I will observe with my Immortal Eye first, while you stand by to deploy ice spells. If there's any danger, we'll watch each other's backs."
With that, Lin Yu concentrated, carefully observing every detail of the restriction. He noticed that the spiritual energy flow of the barrier experienced brief pauses in certain places; these spots were likely the weak points.
Approaching the restriction with utmost care, Lin Yu seized the right moment and channeled his spiritual energy into a weak point. Beside him, Murong Xue unleashed an ice spell, using her freezing energy to disrupt the flow of the barrier's spiritual energy. Through their combined efforts, the restriction loosened, revealing a small gap. Exchanging a glance, Lin Yu and Murong Xue quickly squeezed through the gap and entered the mysterious island.
Chapter 368: Crisis on the Island, Rampant Magical Beasts
Upon entering the mysterious island, Lin Yu and Murong Xue found the scenery inside bizarre; all kinds of rare plants grew everywhere, radiating dense spiritual energy fluctuations. However, before they could even appreciate the beautiful scenery, a low roar reached their ears. A gigantic magical beast lunged out from the woods. Resembling a lion, its body was covered in sharp spikes, and it spat green venom that emitted a pungent odor.
Spotting Lin Yu and Murong Xue, the beast flew into an immediate rage, lashing out with its massive paws to charge at them. Lin Yu quickly drew his sword, channeled the power of ice and fire, and executed a sharp sword technique to engage the beast in battle. Murong Xue deployed the Ice Phoenix Formula, freezing the surrounding air in an attempt to slow the beast's movements.
The magical beast possessed formidable strength, and its claws were extraordinarily hard; Lin Yu's sword left only shallow marks upon them. Furthermore, its venom was highly corrosive; once touched, it would inflict severe bodily damage. Lin Yu and Murong Xue gradually fell into a predicament as the battle wore on, their spiritual energy consumption escalating rapidly.
Suddenly, several more magical beasts swarmed in from all directions. Although of different species, every single one of them exuded a powerful aura. Lin Yu's heart sank, knowing they faced a grave crisis. Quickly adjusting his tactics and coordinating with Murong Xue, he sought a path of survival amidst the encirclement of numerous beasts.
Chapter 369: Survival in Desperation, Appearance of the Spirit Illusion Immortal Vine
Buffeted by the onslaught of numerous magical beasts, Lin Yu and Murong Xue fought back with all their might. Lin Yu employed the Myriad Illusions Birth Pupil Technique to generate multiple phantoms to deceive the beasts' sight, while throwing his full strength into fusing the powers of ice and fire to the absolute limit, launching fierce attacks against the beasts. Meanwhile, Murong Xue cast ice spells to freeze the surrounding beasts, creating opportunities for Lin Yu to strike.
Yet, the beasts were numerous and powerful, plunging their situation into deeper peril. Lin Yu had already sustained several wounds, his blood staining his clothes red. Murong Xue's spiritual energy was nearly exhausted, and her face had turned extremely pale.
Just as they neared despair, Lin Yu suddenly spotted a plant emitting a bizarre glow growing near a cliff not far away—it was the Spirit Illusion Immortal Vine they had searched for so bitterly. A sliver of hope reignited in Lin Yu's heart; he knew that as long as they secured the Spirit Illusion Immortal Vine, their arduous journey would not have been in vain.
Lin Yu shouted loudly to Murong Xue, "Xue'er, hold on! The Spirit Illusion Immortal Vine is right over there. Let's charge!" With that, he unleashed his strongest spell, a powerful wave of sword qi beating back the beasts in front of them. Murong Xue also channeled her remaining strength to condense her freezing qi into a massive wall of ice, blocking the beasts behind them.
Taking advantage of the brief window while the beasts were beaten back, the two sprinted madly toward the Spirit Illusion Immortal Vine. Behind them, the beasts gave wild chase, letting out furious roars. Pumping their very last ounce of strength, Lin Yu and Murong Xue finally reached the Spirit Illusion Immortal Vine. Lin Yu swiftly plucked it and stowed it into his storage ring.
Chapter 370: Successful Escape, Returning Fully Loaded
The moment Lin Yu plucked the Spirit Illusion Immortal Vine, he grabbed Murong Xue and searched for a way out. By now, the beasts behind them had caught up, flashing fierce glares and baring their claws. Murong Xue was physically spent, her steps faltering slightly. Seeing this, Lin Yu scooped her up in his arms, surged his spiritual energy, and sprinted toward the edge of the island.
During their flight, Lin Yu spotted a cave. Having no time to think, he plunged inside with Murong Xue in his arms. The cave was pitch black; relying on the faint glow of his Immortal Eye, Lin Yu groped his way forward. The pursuing beasts followed them in, but the narrow confines of the cave restricted their movements, preventing them from swarming them all at once.
Twisting and turning through the cave, Lin Yu and Murong Xue finally found another exit. Escaping through it, they realized they had reached the perimeter of the island. Spotting a huge piece of driftwood floating on the sea, Lin Yu jumped onto it with Murong Xue and cast a spell to propel the log rapidly toward the edge of the Spirit Illusion Sea.
Reaching the shore, the beasts could only let out angry roars as they watched Lin Yu and Murong Xue recede into the distance. Sitting on the driftwood and watching the mysterious island fade away, the two felt a myriad of emotions. They had successfully acquired the Spirit Illusion Immortal Vine, bringing them one major step closer to gathering all the ingredients for the Nine-Color Nascent Soul. They exchanged a smile; though exhausted, their eyes were filled with joy and satisfaction. They knew their adventures would continue and more challenges awaited them in the future, but they firmly believed that as long as they walked hand in hand, no difficulty could not be overcome.
Chapter 371: Straying into Penglai, Initial Appearance of the Mystery
Riding the driftwood, Lin Yu and Murong Xue finally distanced themselves from that mysterious island. However, the weather on the sea is ever-changing, and a sudden storm dragged them into a strange spatial turbulence. Embracing tightly amidst the turbulence, the two exerted every ounce of strength to maintain their spiritual energy shields to withstand the tearing forces.
After an unknown duration, when they regained consciousness, they found themselves in a world wreathed in clouds and mist. Brilliant rosy clouds filled the sky, exotic spiritual birds soared through the cloud banks, and beneath their feet stretched a vast expanse of land where various rare spiritual plants emanated mesmerizing glows. Lin Yu activated his Immortal Eye, attempting to probe the secrets of this world, only to discover that the concentration of spiritual energy here far exceeded the outside world, seemingly concealing a mysterious power.
Looking around, Murong Xue said in pleasant surprise, "Brother Yu, what is this place? It feels so magical."
Lin Yu shook his head. "I'm not sure either, but this place is definitely no ordinary location. Let's find a safe spot first and see if we can figure out what's going on."
They walked along a winding path; the surrounding scenery was dreamlike, as if they had stepped into an immortal paradise.
Suddenly, Lin Yu felt his Immortal Eye grow hot as a bizarre power surged within it. Closing his eyes and concentrating to feel it, he discovered that his Immortal Eye had awakened two brand-new skills—Soul Scorching and Space Folding. Overjoyed, Lin Yu couldn't wait to test the power of these two skills. Watching the joy on Lin Yu's face, Murong Xue asked with curiosity, "Brother Yu, what is it?" Lin Yu shared the change in his Immortal Eye with her, and she was genuinely happy for him.
At the same time, Murong Xue also sensed a wonderful transformation in the spiritual energy within her body in this mysterious space. Driving the Ice Phoenix Formula, she found her cultivation speed several times faster than before, and her mastery over ice-type spells grew far more effortless, as if some mysterious power was secretly assisting her cultivation.
Chapter 372: Shocking Change in the Spirit Garden, Mysterious Guardian Appears
Continuing onward, Lin Yu and Murong Xue arrived at a massive spirit garden. The garden held a vast array of spiritual plants, many of which they had never seen before, each radiating dense spiritual energy fluctuations. Their forms varied greatly: some resembled blooming flowers with petals flashing multicolored light, while others looked like towering trees etched with mysterious runes.
Lin Yu was drawn to a spiritual plant emitting a soft blue glow. Stepping forward, he prepared to inspect it closely. Just as his hand was about to touch the plant, a powerful wave of spiritual energy erupted, and a gigantic guardian beast burst out from beneath the plant. Resembling a qilin, the beast's entire body was covered in a layer of transparent crystal, exuding an icy chill.
Letting out an angry roar, the guardian beast swung its massive paws and lunged at Lin Yu. Quickly drawing his sword and channeling the power of ice and fire, Lin Yu executed a sharp sword technique. However, the guardian beast's crystal shell was exceptionally tough; Lin Yu's sword left nothing more than a spray of sparks without causing any substantial damage.
Seeing this, Murong Xue instantly deployed the Ice Phoenix Formula. Freezing energy billowed instantly, attempting to lock the guardian beast in place. Rather than retreating, the beast grew even more violent upon feeling the freezing chill. It spewed a breath of frost that collided with Murong Xue's ice spell, instantly filling the spirit garden with biting cold.
Realizing that conventional attacks were ineffective against the guardian beast, Lin Yu decided to try his newly awakened Immortal Eye skills. Opening his Immortal Eye, he fired a beam containing soul power—Soul Scorching—directly at the beast. The moment the beam struck, the guardian beast let out an agonized roar and began to tremble violently. Terror filled its eyes; clearly, the Soul Scorching skill had dealt it heavy damage.
Chapter 373: Fierce Battle with the Guardian Beast, Skills Display Might
Struggling in agony under the assault of Soul Scorching, the guardian beast refused to give up the fight. Lashing out with its claws, it launched a frantic attack against Lin Yu and Murong Xue, trying to eliminate the intruders. Seizing the right moment, Lin Yu unleashed another Immortal Eye skill—Space Folding. A flash of light crossed his eyes, and the guardian beast's body was instantly pulled in by warped space, bringing its distant attack right in front of them in an instant. Taking advantage of this, Lin Yu struck with a full-strength sword slash, the power of ice and fire exploding upon the blade as it hacked fiercely into the beast.
This time, a crack appeared on the guardian beast's crystal shell, and green blood seeped from the fissure. Murong Xue did not idle either, unleashing the strongest offensive ice spell in her arsenal. A massive ice cone carrying immense momentum shot straight toward the crack in the beast. Striking the fissure, the ice cone caused the guardian beast to emit a miserable shrieking cry. Its body swayed a few times before it finally collapsed to the ground with a thunderous crash.
Gazing at the fallen guardian beast, Lin Yu and Murong Xue let out a sigh of relief. They stepped forward to examine the spiritual plant the beast had protected. The glow emanating from the plant seemed even more intense now, leading Lin Yu to surmise that it possessed extraordinary value. Just as they prepared to harvest it, the surrounding space warped abruptly, and an old man clad in white robes materialized before them.
With eyes like lightning, the old man stared at Lin Yu and Murong Xue and said coldly, "You little brats, how dare you break into my spirit garden and kill my guardian beast? None of you will leave here alive today."
Startled, Lin Yu sensed the formidable aura radiating from the old man—an existence far beyond what they could easily contend with. Yet, without a trace of fear, he shielded Murong Xue behind him and replied, "Senior, we did not mean to trespass; we merely stumbled into this place by accident. If we have caused any offense, please forgive us."
Chapter 374: Negotiating with the Old Man, Mysterious Trade
The old man let out a cold snort. "By accident? You make it sound so easy. Is this spirit garden of mine a place anyone can just wander into? You killed my guardian beast, and you must pay a price."
Frowning deeply, Lin Yu racked his brain for a countermeasure. He knew full well that the old man was immensely powerful, leaving them zero chance of winning a real fight. At that moment, Murong Xue stepped forward and said, "Senior, we are willing to compensate you for your losses. We carry some precious materials and magical treasures; perhaps they can make up for our offense."
A trace of disdain crossed the old man's eyes. "The things you carry are mere common trinkets in my eyes."
An idea stirred in Lin Yu. He remembered some ancient tomes he had acquired in the ruins; perhaps they would pique the old man's interest. Retrieving a tome that exuded an archaic aura from his storage ring, Lin Yu handed it over. "Senior, we obtained this from a set of ruins. It records some ancient cultivation methods and mysterious formations; perhaps it will be of some help to you."
Taking the tome and opening it, the old man instantly flashed a look of pleasant surprise. He carefully flipped through a few pages, and the expression on his face gradually softened. "I never expected little brats like you to possess such a precious tome. Very well, I will accept this book, and you may leave this place."
Lin Yu quickly added, "Senior, we have one more favor to ask. Having stumbled in here, we are unfamiliar with this place. Might Senior enlighten us on how to leave this world?"
Pondering for a moment, the old man said, "To leave here, you must find three keys hidden in three dangerous locations within the Penglai Secret Realm. Once you gather all three keys, you can activate the teleportation array leading to the outside world. However, those three places are fraught with peril; are you certain you want to go?"
Lin Yu and Murong Xue exchanged a glance and nodded firmly. Seeing their resolute expressions, the old man said, "Very well, I can tell you the locations of the three places, but whether you can retrieve the keys alive depends entirely on your own fortune."
Chapter 375: Flame Valley, Wrath of the Flame Fiend
Following the Old Man's instructions, Lin Yu and Murong Xue arrived at the first dangerous location: the Flame Valley. Before they even stepped into the valley, a scorching heat wave rushed toward them, making it feel as if they were standing inside a giant furnace. In the valley, roaring flames burned and magma surged like rivers, while the air was thick with a pungent smell of sulfur.
They stepped cautiously into the valley. The ground beneath their feet was burning hot, and with every step, they could feel the soles of their shoes melting. Suddenly, a massive Flame Fiend strode out from the fire. Standing several zhang tall, the Flame Fiend was engulfed in blazing flames and wielded a giant flame battleaxe in its hand, radiating a formidable aura.
Upon seeing Lin Yu and Murong Xue, the Flame Fiend let out an angry roar, swung its battleaxe, and slashed toward them. The battleaxe carried raging flames that ignited the air wherever it passed. Lin Yu quickly cast an Ice-Fire Shield, protecting both himself and Murong Xue within it. The flame battleaxe struck the shield with a violent crash, causing cracks to spread across its surface.
Murong Xue unleashed an ice-attribute spell, attempting to neutralize the Flame Fiend's fiery power with the chill of the frost. However, the Flame Fiend's flames were simply too powerful, and Murong Xue's ice-attribute spell had no noticeable effect. Knowing they could not remain on the passive defensive, Lin Yu activated his Immortal Eye and executed the Soul Scorching technique. A beam of soul light shot toward the Flame Fiend, causing its body to tremble slightly as it clearly suffered damage on a spiritual level.
Yet, the Flame Fiend did not back down. Instead, it grew even more enraged, brandishing its battleaxe and launching a frantic attack against Lin Yu and Murong Xue. Seeing this, Lin Yu used the Space Folding skill to redirect the Flame Fiend's attack aside. At the same time, he unleashed his full strength, fusing the powers of ice and fire to their absolute limit, and charged at the Flame Fiend. Amidst the fierce battle, Lin Yu and Murong Xue gradually discovered the Flame Fiend's weakness: there was a flame core located right on its chest. If they could destroy this core, they might just defeat the Flame Fiend.
Chapter 376: Fierce Battle with the Flame Fiend, Seizing the Core
Having identified the Flame Fiend's weakness, Lin Yu and Murong Xue began formulating a new battle plan. Murong Xue cast an ice-attribute spell, releasing a massive wave of chilling energy in an attempt to slow down the Flame Fiend's movements. Meanwhile, Lin Yu employed the Myriad Illusions Birth Pupil Technique to create multiple phantoms to confuse the Flame Fiend's vision. Under the cover of these illusions, he rapidly closed in on the Flame Fiend's chest.
Affected by Murong Xue's chilling energy, the Flame Fiend's movements became sluggish, and compounded by the distraction of Lin Yu's phantoms, it was thrown into momentary panic. Seizing the opportunity, Lin Yu unleashed a full-strength strike, fusing the powers of ice and fire to the extreme, and thrust his sword straight into the Flame Fiend's chest. With a soft "thud," the longsword pierced the Flame Fiend's chest, striking the flame core dead-on.
The Flame Fiend let out a painful roar, its body shaking violently as the flame battleaxe slipped from its grip and fell to the ground. It writhed wildly, trying to throw Lin Yu off its body. Lin Yu held tightly onto the longsword, continuously pouring his spiritual power into it to accelerate the destruction of the flame core. Murong Xue also gave it her all, unleashing her ice-attribute spell's ultimate attack—the Ice Explosion—directly onto the Flame Fiend.
With a deafening explosion, the Flame Fiend's chest blew apart, and its flame core was completely pulverized. The Flame Fiend's body slowly collapsed, dissolving into a pile of ashes. Looking at the fallen creature, Lin Yu and Murong Xue felt utterly exhausted, but an overwhelming sense of victory filled their hearts. They stepped forward and, at the spot where the Flame Fiend had fallen, discovered a key radiating a fiery glow—precisely one of the three keys they were searching for.
Lin Yu picked up the key and placed it into his storage ring. Murong Xue looked at Lin Yu, her eyes brimming with joy. "Brother Yu, we did it! We got the first key." Lin Yu smiled and nodded. "Indeed, Xue'er. This is only the beginning; two more dangerous places await us ahead. Let's rest for a moment and then continue our journey." The two found a relatively safe spot and sat down to recover their spiritual power. Once rested, they set off once again in search of the second key.
Chapter 377: The Frozen Land, Might of the Ice Emperor
After leaving the Flame Valley, Lin Yu and Murong Xue headed toward the second dangerous location: the Frozen Land. The moment they stepped into the Frozen Land, a bone-chilling cold rushed over them, as if they had instantly transitioned from the heat of summer into the depths of winter. The entire world was blanketed in snow and ice, a pristine white expanse where towering glaciers rose and icicles hung like sharp blades from the sheer cliffs.
They walked carefully across the ice; the surface beneath their feet was unimaginably slick, and a single moment of carelessness could cause them to slip. Suddenly, a howling gust of wind swept past, and a massive figure slowly emerged from within a glacier. The figure resembled a giant, but its entire body was made of solid ice, radiating a powerful, freezing aura. It was the guardian of the Frozen Land—the Ice Emperor.
Upon seeing Lin Yu and Murong Xue, a flash of icy murderous intent crossed the Ice Emperor's eyes. It swung its massive ice fist, smashing it toward them. The ice fist carried tremendous force, shattering the ice sheet wherever it passed. Lin Yu promptly cast an Ice-Fire Shield to fend off the Ice Emperor's assault. Meanwhile, Murong Xue executed the Ice Phoenix Formula, attempting to communicate with the Ice Emperor since both of them wielded ice-attribute powers.
However, the Ice Emperor seemed entirely unresponsive to this, launching even more ferocious attacks. It cast an ice-attribute spell, summoning countless icicles that rained down upon Lin Yu and Murong Xue like a torrential storm. Lin Yu activated his Immortal Eye and used the Space Folding skill to deflect the icicles away. At the same time, he launched the Soul Scorching technique in an attempt to assault the Ice Emperor's soul. Yet, the Ice Emperor's soul appeared to be shielded by a thick layer of formidable ice, rendering the effects of the Soul Scorching technique negligible.
Lin Yu and Murong Xue found themselves in a difficult predicament. The Ice Emperor's strength was overwhelming, and the damage inflicted by their attacks was limited. Amidst the fierce combat, Lin Yu noticed that although the Ice Emperor possessed immense power, its movements were relatively sluggish, and every time it prepared to unleash a powerful ice-attribute spell, there was a brief charging period. Sharing this discovery with Murong Xue, the two decided to exploit this weakness to find an opening for a counterattack.
Chapter 378: Clever Battle Against the Ice Emperor, Obtaining the Ice Key
Capitalizing on the Ice Emperor's weakness, Lin Yu and Murong Xue formulated a detailed battle plan. Murong Xue cast ice-attribute spells to continuously disrupt the Ice Emperor's movements, creating ice walls and ice spikes to obstruct its advance. Lin Yu, on the other hand, utilized the Space Folding skill to constantly shift his position, searching for flaws in the Ice Emperor's defense.
When the Ice Emperor prepared to unleash another powerful ice-attribute spell, Lin Yu seized the moment, employing the Myriad Illusions Birth Pupil Technique to create multiple phantoms that confused the guardian. Distracted by the illusions, the Ice Emperor's attack paused momentarily. Seizing this chance, Lin Yu exerted his full power, fusing the ice and fire energies to the absolute limit, and thrust his sword into the Ice Emperor's arm. Although the Ice Emperor's arm was composed of hard ice, a crack still appeared under Lin Yu's formidable attack.
Seeing this, Murong Xue immediately cast a binding ice-attribute spell, freezing the Ice Emperor's arm in place. The Ice Emperor roared in fury, attempting to break free from the freeze, but Murong Xue continuously poured spiritual power into the spell to maintain its effect. At that exact moment, Lin Yu executed the Soul Scorching technique. This time, the beam of soul light successfully pierced through the outer layer of ice guarding the Ice Emperor's soul, inflicting real damage.
Struck by the Soul Scorching attack, the Ice Emperor's body began to sway, and its attacks grew erratic. Pressing their advantage, Lin Yu and Murong Xue unleashed their strongest spells for a final assault on the guardian. Under their combined onslaught, the Ice Emperor could no longer hold out and crashed heavily to the ground.
As the Ice Emperor fell, its body gradually melted, and right at its chest, a key radiating a chilling, frosty light appeared. Lin Yu stepped forward and picked up the key, his heart filled with joy. Murong Xue hurried over happily, and the two embraced with smiles. They had successfully obtained the second key, bringing them one step closer to leaving the Penglai Secret Realm.
Chapter 379: Mysterious Swamp, Shrouded in Mist
Carrying the second key, Lin Yu and Murong Xue pressed on toward the final dangerous location: the Mysterious Swamp. As they reached the edge of the swamp, a foul, rotting stench assaulted their senses. Thick fog blanketed the marshland, obscuring everything within. Occasionally, bubbles would rise from the murky depths, emitting a bubbling sound as if countless dangers lurked beneath.
They stepped cautiously into the swamp. The ground beneath was soft and muddy, requiring immense effort with every step. Moreover, the mist hanging over the swamp seemed to possess mind-clouding properties; Lin Yu and Murong Xue felt their consciousness gradually blurring and their sense of direction completely fading away.
Lin Yu activated his Immortal Eye, attempting to pierce through the fog to survey their surroundings. However, a mysterious force within the mist obstructed the observation of the Immortal Eye. Murong Xue cast an ice-attribute spell, trying to use the chilling frost to disperse the fog, but with little visible effect. Suddenly, a massive tentacle shot out from the swamp, lunging toward Murong Xue. Reacting swiftly, Lin Yu unleashed the power of ice and fire, slicing the tentacle in two. Yet, almost instantly, more tentacles emerged from all directions, trapping them tightly in the center.
Lin Yu and Murong Xue were in a tight spot, forced not only to cope with the interference of the mist but also to fend off the relentless tentacle attacks. During the fierce skirmish, Lin Yu noticed that these tentacles seemed to be controlled by some mysterious force, and the denser the fog grew, the more ferocious their assaults became. He realized that they had to find a way to disperse the mist if they were to crack this predicament.
Chapter 380: Battle in the Misty Swamp, The Method to Break the Deadlock
While fighting off the tentacles, Lin Yu pondered how to clear away the mist. He suddenly recalled some special spiritual herbs he had acquired in the Penglai Secret Realm; among them was one called "Breeze Grass," rumored to have the property of dispersing fog. Lin Yu quickly retrieved a stalk of Breeze Grass from his storage ring and set it on fire. As the grass burned, it released a fresh fragrance, and wherever the aroma reached, the mist began to recede.
As the fog dissipated, Lin Yu and Murong Xue finally gained a clear view of their surroundings. They saw that strange plants grew throughout the swamp, their roots extending into numerous tentacles—the very ones that had been attacking them. Furthermore, in the exact center of the swamp stood a glowing stone platform, atop which something seemed to rest. Lin Yu guessed that this must be the third key they were looking for.
Murong Xue cast an ice-attribute spell to freeze the approaching tentacles, clearing a path for Lin Yu. Charging forward, Lin Yu exerted his full strength, fusing the ice and fire energies to the limit as he dashed toward the stone platform. Along the way, he continuously slashed through the blocking tentacles until he finally reached the platform. Resting upon it was a key radiating a mysterious glow—the third key they had sought for so long.
Lin Yu picked up the key and put it into his storage ring. However, just as they prepared to leave, a powerful surge of energy erupted from the swamp, and a massive figure slowly rose from the murky waters. Resembling an octopus, the creature's entire body was covered in a layer of hard scales, radiating a formidable aura. Its eyes flashed with a red light, revealing endless murderous intent.
Chapter 381: Fierce Battle with the Swamp Beast, A Matter of Life and Death
The swamp beast rose steadily, its colossal body blotting out the sky, while the surrounding marsh began to churn violently under the influence of its power. Opening its cavernous mouth, the beast spat out a torrent of black venom; wherever the venom landed, the swamp was instantly corroded into massive, gaping pits.
Lin Yu quickly pulled Murong Xue behind him, raising an Ice-Fire Shield to block the venomous attack. As the venom splashed against the shield, it hissed and smoked, leaving a layer of black corrosion on the surface. Murong Xue cast an ice-attribute spell, attempting to freeze the beast's movements, but the beast's scales were extraordinarily tough, rendering her ice spells virtually useless against it.
Lin Yu activated his Immortal Eye and executed the Soul Scorching technique, sending a beam of soul light straight at the beast. Feeling the spiritual assault, the beast's body trembled slightly as it let out an angry roar. Brandishing its massive tentacles, it launched a frantic assault on Lin Yu and Murong Xue. Lin Yu used the Space Folding skill to dodge the flurry of tentacles while searching for the beast's weak spot.
Amidst the fierce battle, Lin Yu noticed that although the beast's eyes were protected by thick scales, every time it prepared to unleash a powerful attack, the scales around its eyes parted slightly, revealing a tiny gap. Sharing this discovery with Murong Xue, the two resolved to seize this exact opening to deal the beast a fatal blow. Murong Xue cast an ice-attribute spell, gathering a vast amount of chilling energy around the beast to disrupt its rhythm and create an opportunity for Lin Yu.
Chapter 382: Seizing the Flaw, Reversing the Tide
Murong Xue's ice spell caused the surrounding temperature to plummet sharply, and the surface of the swamp began to freeze over, somewhat impeding the beast's movements. Taking advantage of the beast's momentary sluggishness just before its next attack, Lin Yu's eyes flared with a brilliant light as he fired consecutive Soul Scorching attacks. Several beams of soul light shot like sharp arrows straight toward the gap in the scales near the beast's eyes.
The beast roared in agony. Struck in the eyes by the soul-burning assault, the excruciating pain plunged it into a brief state of chaos. It thrashed wildly, its tentacles flailing about and stirring the swamp into an even greater mess. Seizing the moment, Lin Yu deployed the Myriad Illusions Birth Pupil Technique to create multiple phantoms to bewilder the beast, while simultaneously utilizing the Space Folding skill to materialize right in front of its eyes. Pushing his ice-and-fire energy to the absolute limit, his longsword shone with a dazzling radiance as he drove it fiercely into the beast's eye.
With a wet "thud," the sword penetrated deep into the beast's eye. The creature let out a deafening scream, and green blood spurted from its wounded eye. Its body began to shake violently, and its tentacle attacks turned completely erratic. Seeing that Lin Yu had succeeded, Murong Xue immediately unleashed her ice spell's ultimate finishing move—Frozen World. In an instant, countless massive blocks of ice rained down from the sky, smashing into the beast. Under their combined assault, the swamp beast could no longer sustain itself and crashed heavily down, sending up massive waves of muddy sludge.
Chapter 383: Successfully Acquiring the Key, Locating the Teleportation Array
Looking at the fallen swamp beast, Lin Yu and Murong Xue felt thoroughly drained, but their hearts were filled with the joy of victory. They stepped forward to the stone platform that the beast had been guarding and confirmed that the glowing key resting upon it was indeed the third one they needed. Lin Yu carefully picked up the key and stored it in his storage ring; they were now one crucial step closer to leaving the Penglai Secret Realm.
According to the hints previously given by the old man in white, gathering all three keys would allow them to activate the teleportation array leading to the outside world. Lin Yu activated his Immortal Eye to search for the location of the array. Through his enhanced vision, he spotted an area of abnormally intense spiritual fluctuation within a distant mountain range, leading him to deduce that the teleportation array must be located there. Although her spiritual energy was heavily depleted, Murong Xue firmly insisted on accompanying Lin Yu.
The two headed toward the mountain range, encountering many wondrous sights along the way. Spiritual butterflies emitting a soft glow fluttered among the flowers, their wings etched with ancient runes. When Lin Yu approached to observe them closely, the butterflies danced around him a few times before transforming into a beam of light that merged directly into his Immortal Eye, making his control over the technique even more fluid. Meanwhile, as Murong Xue passed through an icy plain, she absorbed a special type of ice-spirit energy, showing signs that her Ice Phoenix Formula was on the verge of a breakthrough.
Chapter 384: Mysterious Mountains, Formidable Barrier
Lin Yu and Murong Xue arrived at the foot of the mountain range radiating intense spiritual fluctuations. The mountains pierced the clouds, draped in wisps of mist that gave them a mysterious and majestic feel. They climbed upward along the winding mountain path; the higher they went, the stronger the pressure of the spiritual energy became.
When they reached the halfway point, a powerful barrier materialized before them. Composed of intricate runes, the barrier radiated a dazzling light that barred their path. Lin Yu activated his Immortal Eye to carefully study the structure of the barrier, discovering that these runes shared a connection with the ancient text he had seen in the ruins. Following the patterns stored in his memory, he attempted to channel his spiritual energy into the runes.
However, the moment his energy entered, the barrier flared with intense light, and a powerful backlash struck him, sending Lin Yu stumbling back several steps. Seeing this, Murong Xue hurried forward to support him, her eyes filled with worry. Wiping a trace of blood from the corner of his mouth, Lin Yu said, "This barrier is even more complex than I imagined. We cannot act rashly." The two paced around the barrier, pondering a method to breach it. Murong Xue suddenly remembered an ancient tome on formations she had acquired in the Penglai Secret Realm, which seemed to mention a similar barrier. She quickly retrieved the book from her storage ring, and together with Lin Yu, they began studying it.
Chapter 385: Breaking the Barrier, Stepping into Danger
After carefully leafing through the ancient text, Lin Yu and Murong Xue finally found the method to crack the barrier. It turned out that different attributes of spiritual energy had to be injected into the rune nodes of the barrier in a specific sequence. Lin Yu's Myriad Phenomena Unification Formula was capable of fusing multiple spiritual attributes, while Murong Xue's ice-attribute spiritual power could serve as one of the required links.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Yu circulated the Myriad Phenomena Unification Formula, taking the lead by infusing both ice and fire energies into the barrier's runes in the sequence recorded in the book. The runes flickered a few times, seeming to respond. Murong Xue immediately followed up by executing the Ice Phoenix Formula, channeling pure ice-attribute spiritual power into the array. As spiritual energy continued to pour in, the light of the barrier began to shift, and its initially fierce resistance started to weaken.
Through their joint efforts, the barrier was finally breached, revealing a passageway leading toward the summit. A mysterious aura drifted within the tunnel, accompanied by faint flashes of light. Exchanging glances filled with both anticipation and tension, Lin Yu and Murong Xue stepped hand-in-hand into the passageway. The walls of the tunnel were carved with various strange patterns depicting ancient battle scenes, mysterious sacrificial rites, and creatures they had never seen before. Lin Yu activated his Immortal Eye in an attempt to decipher the meaning behind the carvings, but the information contained within them was too complex to fully comprehend at the moment.
As they continued forward, the temperature inside the tunnel plummeted drastically, and an ice wall blocked their path ahead, seemingly concealing some danger behind it. Murong Xue cast an ice-attribute spell, attempting to communicate with the ice wall to see if she could find a way through.
Chapter 386: Behind the Ice Wall, Mysterious Guardian
Murong Xue's ice-attribute spell resonated with the ice wall, causing it to slowly melt and reveal the space beyond. Within this space, a figure radiating a freezing aura gradually materialized—a woman clad in ice armor. Her face was breathtakingly beautiful, but her eyes were as cold as millennial glaciers.
Looking at Lin Yu and Murong Xue, the woman said coldly, "Outsiders, why have you trespassed here?" Lin Yu stepped forward and spoke respectfully, "Senior, we accidentally wandered into the Penglai Secret Realm, and having now gathered all three keys, we wish to leave through the teleportation array here." Hearing this, a trace of surprise flashed in the woman's eyes. "I didn't expect you to actually gather all the keys. However, if you wish to pass through the array, you must first pass my test."
No sooner had she spoken than her figure flickered, appearing directly before Lin Yu in an instant, her ice sword thrusting toward him. Lin Yu quickly drew his longsword to parry. The ice sword collided with his blade with a crisp ring, sending up a flurry of ice crystals. Seeing this, Murong Xue immediately cast an ice spell to assist Lin Yu. Yet, the woman's strength was immense, and her mastery of ice-attribute techniques was flawless; Murong Xue's attacks had virtually no impact on her.
Lin Yu activated his Immortal Eye and executed the Soul Scorching technique, shooting a beam of soul light toward the woman. Sensing the spiritual attack, the woman frowned slightly and erected an ice shield to block the soul-burning ray. Seizing the opening, Lin Yu used the Space Folding skill to materialize right behind her, thrusting his sword toward her back. Reacting with lightning speed, the woman spun around and blocked Lin Yu's strike with her ice sword.
Amidst the fierce exchange, Lin Yu noticed that although the woman's ice-attribute spells were formidable, her movements and transitions seemed to have certain limitations. Exchanging a glance with Murong Xue, the two decided to exploit this weakness to find a way to defeat her.
Chapter 387: Defeating the Guardian, Activating the Teleportation Array
Working in close coordination, Murong Xue cast ice-attribute spells to continuously pin down the woman from the front, drawing her attention. Meanwhile, Lin Yu utilized the Space Folding skill to constantly shift his position, probing for flaws from the sides and behind. Though the woman's ice spells were powerful, she gradually found herself stretched thin against their joint assault.
Catching the right moment, Lin Yu deployed the Myriad Illusions Birth Pupil Technique, creating multiple phantoms to confuse the woman. Her attacks paused for a fraction of a second, and Lin Yu seized the opening to execute the Soul Scorching technique. This time, the beam of soul light successfully punched through the woman's defense, inflicting damage upon her soul. The woman's expression shifted slightly as her rhythm was thoroughly disrupted.
Seizing the opportunity, Murong Xue unleashed the ultimate attack of her ice spells—Ice Soul Impact. A surge of energy carrying immense freezing power shot toward the woman. The woman attempted to block it, but under the dual assault of Lin Yu and Murong Xue, her ice shield shattered instantly, and the impact sent her flying backward.
Steadied herself, the woman looked at Lin Yu and Murong Xue. The coldness in her eyes vanished, replaced by a hint of admiration. "Your strength is quite good. You have passed my test." With a wave of her sleeve, a teleportation array radiating five-colored light appeared before them. Overjoyed, Lin Yu and Murong Xue thanked the woman and walked toward the array.
Chapter 388: Preparing to Leave, Unexpected Gains
Standing before the teleportation array, Lin Yu and Murong Xue carefully examined its structure. The array was constructed from massive stones etched with mysterious runes that flickered with light, seemingly gathering power. Lin Yu activated his Immortal Eye and discovered that the array contained immense spatial energy; once activated, it would open a passage to the outside world.
Before activating the array, Murong Xue suddenly sensed a new opportunity for a breakthrough within the Ice Phoenix Formula in her body. She immediately sat down cross-legged, circulating the technique to absorb the surrounding ice-spirit energy. Lin Yu stood guard beside her, using the downtime to recover his own spiritual power.
As Murong Xue absorbed the Qi of the Ice Spirit, a crystal-clear layer of ice gradually formed around her body, shimmering with multicolored light. Lin Yu watched in astonishment as Murong Xue's aura steadily climbed, her Ice Phoenix Formula successfully breaking through to the ninth level. Murong Xue slowly opened her eyes, a gleam of joy flashing within them as she said, "Brother Yu, I've broken through!" Lin Yu smiled and congratulated her, "Xue'er, you're amazing! This Penglai Secret Realm is indeed full of opportunities."
Having broken through, Murong Xue's strength increased dramatically. Together with Lin Yu, she followed the instructions of the runes on the teleportation array and channeled her spiritual energy into it. The teleportation array flared with brilliant light, the surrounding space began to warp, and a massive portal slowly swung open.
Chapter 389: En Route, Mysterious Interference
Lin Yu and Murong Xue stepped into the portal hand in hand. In an instant, they were enveloped by a powerful spatial force, their bodies involuntarily hurtling through the spatial tunnel. Light flashed within the passage, and various bizarre sights streaked past their eyes.
However, the teleportation did not go smoothly. Suddenly, a mysterious force interfered with the operation of the array. The spatial tunnel began to shake violently, and Lin Yu and Murong Xue felt a powerful pulling force, as if trying to tear them to pieces. Lin Yu gripped Murong Xue's hand tightly, circulating the Myriad Phenomena Unification Formula in an attempt to stabilize their bodies.
Activating his Immortal Eye, he discovered that this mysterious force originated from a dark rift within the spatial tunnel. The rift exuded a bizarre aura, continuously devouring the surrounding spatial energy and destabilizing the teleportation array. Lin Yu realized that he had to find a way to close this rift, or else they would be lost in the spatial tunnel forever.
Murong Xue also sensed the danger and cast an ice-type spell, attempting to fill the rift with freezing energy. But the devour-power of the rift was too overwhelming; the moment her ice spell drew near, it was completely swallowed up. Lin Yu gazed at the rift, an idea suddenly flashing in his mind. He remembered a mysterious magical treasure he had obtained in the Penglai Secret Realm—the Spiritual Rhinoceros Bead. It was said that this treasure could communicate with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and perhaps it could be used to close the rift.
Chapter 390: Successful Escape, Return to the Mainland
Lin Yu quickly took the Spiritual Rhinoceros Bead from his storage ring and channeled his spiritual energy into it. The bead flared brilliantly, emitting a gentle force that resonated with the spiritual energy inside the spatial tunnel. Under the influence of the bead, the surrounding spatial energy began to stabilize, and the engulfing power of the rift gradually weakened.
Seizing the opportunity, Lin Yu and Murong Xue increased their output of spiritual energy. The glow of the Spiritual Rhinoceros Bead grew increasingly intense as it slowly approached the rift. When the bead drew close, its light instantly enveloped the crack, and the rift began to slowly close. As the rift sealed shut, the shaking of the spatial tunnel gradually ceased, and the teleportation array resumed normal operation.
Lin Yu and Murong Xue breathed a sigh of relief as they continued their journey through the spatial tunnel. After an unknown passage of time, a dazzling light appeared ahead of them, and they knew they were about to reach their destination. The light grew ever brighter; before their eyes, a flash of brilliance erupted as their bodies flew out from the passage and landed upon a familiar mainland.
Lin Yu and Murong Xue looked around, their hearts filled with deep emotion. They had finally managed to leave the Penglai Secret Realm, having weathered countless hardships along the way and harvested formidable strength and precious opportunities. Lin Yu looked at Murong Xue, his eyes full of affection. "Xue'er, we did it. Next, we must continue working toward the Nine-Color Nascent Soul." Murong Xue smiled and nodded. "Mm, no matter what difficulties we face, we will face them together." Hand in hand, the two of them walked toward their new journey, their figures appearing resolute in the brilliant sunlight.
Chapter 391: Return to the Sect, Early Signs
Lin Yu and Murong Xue returned to their dwelling in the Qingyun Sect with abundant gains. Stepping through the familiar mountain gate, a familiar aura washed over them, but they were no longer who they used to be. Through his trials in the Penglai Secret Realm, Lin Yu's control over spiritual energy had grown increasingly refined, and he had successfully broken through to the Peak Golden Core stage. Spiritual energy surged around him, making it seem as though he could pierce the heavens at any moment. Murong Xue's strength had also advanced by leaps and bounds after her Ice Phoenix Formula broke through to the ninth level; her freezing aura had grown even more piercing, and every gesture exuded the demeanor of an expert.
After resting briefly within the sect, the two of them set about their respective business. As Lin Yu paced through the grounds, he happened to run into Su Yao. Su Yao had originally been a familiar senior sister to him, always full of vitality, but at this moment her complexion was pale as paper, and her steps were weak and unsteady. Shocked, Lin Yu activated his Immortal Eye to examine her closely, only to discover that Su Yao's body was eroded by dense fire poison, her meridians feeling as though they were being gnawed on by countless tiny fire serpents. Her condition was precarious in the extreme.
Lin Yu knew well that Su Yao's condition stemmed from her prolonged blacksmithing, which had allowed the fire poison of the forge to invade her. Feeling deep pity for her, he decided to help. Thus, in the Qingyun Bamboo Grove—a quiet and vibrant place—Lin Yu arranged to meet Su Yao. Inside the grove, a gentle breeze swept past, causing the bamboo leaves to rustle as if whispering. Lin Yu explained the situation regarding the fire poison within her. Upon hearing this, though shocked in her heart, Su Yao looked into Lin Yu's resolute eyes and chose to trust him.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Yu circulated the Chaos God-Slaying Flame within his body. The moment this divine flame emerged, the surrounding temperature spiked instantly, causing the bamboo leaves to curl slightly from the intense heat. Carefully guiding the Chaos God-Slaying Flame, Lin Yu slowly probed into Su Yao's body. Sensing the aura of the divine flame, the fire poison began to struggle frantically like a frightened beast, attempting to resist. Lin Yu clenched his teeth, increased the output of the divine flame, and engaged in a fierce confrontation with the fire poison.
During this process, as Lin Yu looked at Su Yao's face, twisted in pain, he could not help but think of Zhang Junwan. Zhang Junwan's lovely appearance overlapped with Su Yao's expression in that moment, and every detail of the time he had spent with Zhang Junwan rushed back like a tidal wave. Lin Yu's eyes instantly moistened; for Zhang Junwan's sake, he was determined to unearth the mastermind behind the scenes and make them pay in blood.
Chapter 392: Whispers in the Bamboo Grove, Stirring Affection
Immersed in his memories of Zhang Junwan, Lin Yu let tears fall uncontrollably from his eyes. Seeing Lin Yu suddenly burst into tears, Su Yao was at a loss for what to do. In the quiet bamboo grove, she softly asked, "Lin Yu, what's wrong?" Taking a deep breath and forcing back his sorrow, Lin Yu told Su Yao everything about Zhang Junwan from beginning to end.
As she listened to his account, Su Yao's heart filled with aching sympathy. Looking at the resilient yet deeply affectionate junior brother before her, she realized for the first time that such profound suffering was hidden within his heart. Subconsciously, Su Yao retrieved a fine wine from her spatial ring, handed it to him, and said softly, "Junior Brother, a single cup can dispel a thousand sorrows; perhaps it will make you feel a bit better."
Lin Yu looked at the fine wine before him and, after a moment of hesitation, took the cup and downed it in one gulp. The fiery liquid flowed down his throat, yet it failed to dispel the gloom in his heart. The two of them drank cup after cup; after several jars of fine wine, both of them felt a touch of intoxication. A rosy flush bloomed on Su Yao's cheeks, and her gaze grew hazy.
Under the influence of the alcohol, Su Yao mustered the courage to voice what had long remained buried in her heart. "Lin Yu, actually... I've liked you for a very long time." Lin Yu was also thoroughly drunk at this point; he had no desire to use his true qi to dispel the alcohol, as this long-lost intoxication allowed him to temporarily forget his pain. Hearing Su Yao's confession, in his daze, he felt as though the Su Yao before him had transformed into Zhang Junwan.
Staggering toward her, Lin Yu pulled Su Yao into a tight embrace and murmured, "Junwan, you've finally come to find me." Taken aback by this sudden hug, Su Yao felt a moment of panic, but feeling Lin Yu's warmth, a trace of sweetness welled up in her heart. Looking at the "Junwan" in his arms, Lin Yu's affection poured forth like a breached dike, and he leaned down to kiss her. Su Yao was startled at first, but then began to respond involuntarily.
Inside the bamboo cottage, the atmosphere gradually grew ambiguous. Outside the window, the bamboo leaves still rustled softly, as if singing for this pair of lovers. Inside, Lin Yu and Su Yao were immersed in each other's worlds, overflowing with passion. A night of clinging intimacy left them both physically and mentally exhausted, and they finally collapsed onto the cottage bed, falling fast asleep.
Chapter 393: Waking at Dawn, Sweetness and Responsibility
Early the next morning, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, spilling into the cottage. Lin Yu slowly blinked awake, his head still throbbing dully. When he saw the naked Su Yao lying beside him, he instantly snapped to full awareness, slapped his forehead, and felt a wave of remorse. "How did I get drunk again and pull off such a muddled stunt?"
Circulating his true qi, Lin Yu drove away the lingering alcohol from his body. Gazing at Su Yao's peaceful sleeping face, a kaleidoscope of complex emotions surged within him. At that moment, Su Yao also slowly opened her eyes. Seeing that Lin Yu was watching her, a blush bloomed across her face. Shyly hugging him, she said softly, "From now on, you aren't allowed to call me Senior Sister anymore. Also, if you have any sad secrets, you have to tell me so we can share them together."
A warm current rose in Lin Yu's chest as he looked at her. Nodding, he said, "All right, then I'll call you Yao'er from now on. Don't worry, I'll take responsibility for you." Hearing his words, happiness flickered in Su Yao's eyes, and the two of them smiled at one another.
Suddenly, Su Yao felt a wave of lightness ripple through her body. As she circulated her spiritual energy, she was pleasantly surprised to discover that the fire poison within her had been completely cleansed, and her cultivation even showed signs of an impending breakthrough. Excitedly, she said to Lin Yu, "Lin Yu, the fire poison in my body is gone, and it feels like I'm about to break through!" Happy for her as well, Lin Yu knew that such a crucial moment of breakthrough could not be missed, so he immediately said, "Yao'er, I'll take you to go into secluded cultivation right now so you can focus on your training in peace."
Taking Su Yao to a quiet, spirit-rich seclusion chamber within the sect, Lin Yu set up a protective array around it to ensure she would not be disturbed by the outside world during her closed-door training. Watching her enter the state of seclusion, Lin Yu turned and left; he needed to discuss the final two medicinal ingredients for the Nine-Color Nascent Soul with Murong Xue.
Chapter 394: Discussing Countermeasures, Mysterious Clues
Lin Yu arrived at Murong Xue's quarters. She was meditating when she sensed his approach and slowly opened her eyes. Lin Yu briefly recounted what had happened between him and Su Yao. Murong Xue frowned slightly, but looking into his sincere eyes, she let out a soft sigh. "Very well, as long as your heart holds a place for me, it's enough."
The two then shifted the topic to the materials for the Nine-Color Nascent Soul. Frowning, Lin Yu said, "Xue'er, we have already gathered most of the materials, but we have no leads whatsoever on the final two. The Nine-Color Nascent Soul is of paramount importance; we must find them as soon as possible." Pondering for a moment, Murong Xue said, "I once saw in an ancient text that there is an ingredient called 'Spiritual Rhinoceros Jade Marrow' that grows in the depths of the Ice Abyss in the extreme northern lands. It might be one of the materials we need. However, that Ice Abyss is fraught with danger, guarded by powerful ice-type demonic beasts."
A flash of determination crossed Lin Yu's eyes. "No matter how dangerous it is, we must try. What about the other ingredient?" Murong Xue shook her head. "The ancient text only mentioned that the other ingredient is related to a mysterious spiritual array; no specific information was recorded." Lin Yu activated his Immortal Eye, attempting to search the vast heavens and earth for clues, yet he found nothing.
Just then, a close friend of Lin Yu hurried over, bringing a mysterious piece of news. It was said that strange spiritual fluctuations had recently appeared within an ancient ruin of the Qingyun Sect, seemingly connected to a mysterious treasure. Lin Yu and Murong Xue exchanged glances, a spark of hope rising in their hearts—perhaps these ruins were linked to the materials for the Nine-Color Nascent Soul. They decided to head to the ruins immediately to investigate.
Chapter 395: Ruins Exploration, Danger Descends
Lin Yu and Murong Xue arrived before the ancient ruins of the Qingyun Sect. The heavy doors were tightly shut, carved all over with ancient runes that radiated a mysterious aura. Activating his Immortal Eye, Lin Yu observed the runes closely and discovered that they formed a complex array. He attempted to channel his spiritual energy into the runes in a specific sequence. As the energy poured in, the runes flared with light, and the heavy doors slowly swung open.
The two of them cautiously stepped into the ruins, and a stale, aged aura washed over them. The interior was dim, with faint lights glowing on the walls to illuminate the path forward. As they walked down the corridor, the walls on either side were covered in bizarre carvings depicting ancient battle scenes, mysterious sacrificial rites, and more.
Suddenly, a low roar echoed from the depths of the ruins, followed by a massive demonic beast lunging out from the darkness. Resembling a black panther, the beast was covered entirely in a layer of hard scales, its eyes glowing red as it radiated a formidable aura. Baring its bloody maw, it pounced toward Lin Yu and Murong Xue.
Quickly drawing his sword, Lin Yu channeled the power of ice and fire, unleashing a fierce swordsmanship technique. Murong Xue deployed her Ice Phoenix Formula, instantly filling the air with freezing cold in an attempt to lock down the beast's movements. The demonic beast possessed immense strength; its scales were incomparably hard, and the blows from Lin Yu's sword left only shallow marks. Moreover, its speed was blistering, making it difficult for Murong Xue's ice spells to hit their mark.
Amidst the fierce combat, Lin Yu noticed that the beast's belly was relatively vulnerable. Exchanging a glance with Murong Xue, the two decided to concentrate their strength on attacking its abdomen. Murong Xue cast an ice spell to temporarily freeze the beast in place, while Lin Yu unleashed his full power, driving his sword straight into the monster's belly. The beast let out an agonized roar, twisting its body frantically in an attempt to throw Lin Yu off. Gripping his sword tightly, Lin Yu continuously pumped spiritual energy into it, compounding the damage to the creature.
Chapter 396: Fierce Battle with the Beast, Ruins Treasure
Lin Yu and Murong Xue attacked the beast's abdomen with all their might. The creature thrashed in agony, yet its power remained formidable. Waving its claws, it whipped up a violent gale in an attempt to beat Lin Yu and Murong Xue back. Lin Yu executed the Myriad Illusions Birth Pupil Technique, generating multiple phantoms to confuse the beast while utilizing his Space Folding skill to rapidly shift positions and evade its attacks. Meanwhile, Murong Xue continuously cast ice spells from the sidelines, the freezing cold gradually encasing the beast's body and slowing its movements.
Through their tight coordination, the wound on the beast's belly grew ever wider, and blood gushed forth unceasingly. Finally, unable to hold on any longer, the demonic beast crashed heavily to the ground. Breathing a sigh of relief, Lin Yu and Murong Xue stepped forward to examine what the creature had been guarding, discovering a glowing box.
Cautiously opening the box, Lin Yu found a bead radiating multicolored light, its surface covered in mysterious runes that faintly emitted powerful spiritual fluctuations. Murong Xue said in surprise, "This bead doesn't look ordinary; it might be related to the materials for the Nine-Color Nascent Soul." Lin Yu activated his Immortal Eye to observe the bead closely, discovering that a special power seemed sealed within it, though he could not confirm whether this was the exact material they were searching for.
Just as they prepared to study the bead, a violent tremor suddenly rocked the ruins. The ground began to split, and fissures spread rapidly toward them. Sensing the danger, Lin Yu quickly grabbed Murong Xue and sprinted toward the exit. However, the cracks multiplied, and the exit was suddenly blocked by a massive falling boulder.
Trapped within the ruins, Lin Yu and Murong Xue watched as the surrounding walls collapsed and gigantic rocks rained down. Amidst this perilous environment, they sought a chance at survival. Lin Yu cast an Ice-Fire Shield to protect them both, while Murong Xue deployed an ice spell in an attempt to freeze the surrounding boulders, buying them precious time.
Chapter 397: Survival in Desperation, Mysterious Power
Trapped by the cascading boulders and splitting ground, Lin Yu and Murong Xue were driven into a desperate corner. Under the impact of the falling rocks, cracks began to web across Lin Yu's Ice-Fire Shield, threatening to shatter at any second. Although Murong Xue's ice spells temporarily froze some of the rubble, as time wore on, the ice began to melt away.
Gazing at the desperate situation, Lin Yu felt not the slightest bit of retreat in his heart. Activating his Immortal Eye, he sought a way to break the deadlock. Through the gaze of the Immortal Eye, he spotted a rune on the ruins' wall that flickered with a faint light, distinct from all the surrounding runes. Lin Yu guessed this might be the key to cracking their predicament.
Pulling Murong Xue along, he made his arduous way toward the glowing rune. Along the path, they dodged falling boulders and stepped across split earth. Finally, they reached the rune. Lin Yu channeled his spiritual energy into it; the rune flared brilliantly, and a mysterious power gushed forth from within. This power formed a protective dome around them, blocking every falling rock outside.
Seizing the moment, Lin Yu and Murong Xue surveyed their surroundings and discovered a hidden passage beneath the rune. Following it onward, the tunnel was filled with an ancient aura. After walking a short distance, the passage opened up into a massive stone chamber. In the center of the chamber sat a stone platform carved with runes that encircled a glowing indentation.
Stepping forward to examine the platform, Lin Yu noticed that the shape of the indentation was remarkably similar to the multicolored bead they had found outside the ruins. He placed the bead into the slot. The moment it made contact, the runes flared with blinding light, illuminating the entire chamber as bright as day. Immediately afterward, a formidable power surged from the platform, enveloping Lin Yu and Murong Xue.
Chapter 398: Awakening of Power, Clues Emerge
Enveloped by the powerful force, Lin Yu and Murong Xue felt wonderful changes occur within their bodies. The spiritual energy inside Lin Yu began to spin frantically, loosening his Peak Golden Core boundary and hinting at an impending breakthrough. Stimulated by this power, Murong Xue's Ice Phoenix Formula also grew more refined, and her freezing cold aura grew even more potent.
As time passed, the runes on the stone platform gradually faded, and the powerful force slowly dissipated. Lin Yu and Murong Xue slowly opened their eyes, excitement gleaming within them. Lin Yu was pleasantly surprised to find that he had successfully broken through to the Early Nascent Soul stage, achieving a qualitative leap in his strength. Murong Xue's Ice Phoenix Formula had likewise reached a new height, granting her even greater mastery over ice-type spells.
Just as they reveled in the joy of their breakthroughs, words suddenly appeared on the stone platform. Stepping forward to read them carefully, Lin Yu discovered that they were clues concerning the other material for the Nine-Color Nascent Soul. As it turned out, this material was named the "Chaos Spirit Crystal," and it grew within a mysterious Chaos Space. The method to enter this Chaos Space was concealed within an ancient classic of the Qingyun Sect.
Sharing this news with Murong Xue, the two decided to return to the Qingyun Sect immediately to search for that ancient classic. Leaving the stone chamber, they retraced their steps along the passage to the ruins' entrance. By then, the tremors inside the ruins had ceased, and they smoothly walked out. Back at the Qingyun Sect, Lin Yu and Murong Xue began combing the sect's Library Pavilion for the ancient tome detailing the entrance to the Chaos Space.
Chapter 399: Searching the Library Pavilion, Mysterious Old Man
Lin Yu and Murong Xue arrived at the Qingyun Sect's Library Pavilion. The pavilion was permeated with an antique aura, its shelves lined with countless ancient texts. As they searched everywhere, they found the sheer volume of books made the task akin to finding a needle in a haystack.
Activating his Immortal Eye, Lin Yu attempted to single out the special classic from the multitude of books. Through his observation, he spotted one ancient book radiating a faint light, distinct from all the others. Walking over, Lin Yu picked it up; the cover bore four characters: "Secrets of the Chaos Ruins."
Impatiently, Lin Yu and Murong Xue opened the book, which recorded that the entrance to the Chaos Space was located within a secluded valley behind the Qingyun Sect. However, entering the Chaos Space required a specific token, and the method for crafting this token was also recorded in the text. Just as they were studying the book closely, a figure slowly materialized behind them.
Sensing someone approaching, Lin Yu and Murong Xue whirled around to find an elderly man with hair as white as snow. With a profound gaze, the old man radiated a formidable aura. Looking at the ancient book in their hands, the old man smiled slightly. "I didn't expect you two to actually find this text. The Chaos Space is fraught with danger; are you certain you want to go?" Lin Yu nodded resolutely. "Senior, in order to find the materials for the Nine-Color Nascent Soul, we must try."
Seeing the determination in Lin Yu's eyes, the old man nodded slightly. "Very well, I can help you craft the token to enter the Chaos Space, but once you enter, you will have to rely entirely on yourselves." Lin Yu and Murong Xue quickly thanked the old man. Taking them to his residence, the old man set to work crafting the token. Under his meticulous craftsmanship, the token was soon completed. Taking the token and sensing the powerful force contained within it, Lin Yu's heart filled with anticipation.
Chapter 400: Heading to the Chaos Space, Entering Peril
Carrying the token crafted by the old man, Lin Yu and Murong Xue headed toward the secluded valley behind the Qingyun Sect. Swathed in clouds and mist, the valley radiated a mysterious aura. Following the small path through the valley, the surrounding scenery was dreamlike, as if they had stepped into a celestial realm.
After walking some distance, they reached the depths of the valley. At the very end stood a massive stone wall carved with countless runes. Taking out the token, Lin Yu followed the records in the ancient text and placed the token into the indentation on the stone wall. The moment it settled into place, the runes flared brilliantly, and the stone wall slowly opened, revealing a dark passage.
Exchanging a glance, Lin Yu and Murong Xue stepped into the passage with resolute gazes. The tunnel was dark and gloomy, with faint lights glowing on the walls to illuminate the path forward. They proceeded with extreme caution until, suddenly, a piercing whistle rang out. Countless sharp arrows shot out from the walls on both sides of the corridor, hurtling toward them.
Quickly drawing his sword, Lin Yu unleashed fierce swordsmanship, batting the incoming arrows away one after another. Murong Xue cast an ice-type spell, forming an ice shield before them to block a portion of the volleys. Cooperating seamlessly, the two of them made their arduous way forward amidst the barrage. Barely managing to cross the arrow-trap zone, they arrived at a massive stone chamber. In the center sat a huge stone platform radiating a mysterious glow.
Stepping forward, Lin Yu and Murong Xue found an indentation on the platform, surrounded by carved runes. Just as they began studying the slot and runes, the floor of the stone chamber suddenly began to shake. Countless massive pythons burst forth from beneath the earth, surrounding them in a tight circle. These pythons exuded a bizarre aura and spat venom from their jaws, a truly spine-chilling sight. Quickly assuming battle stances, Lin Yu and Murong Xue prepared to meet the onslaught of the pythons.