Chapter 328: Hidden Circumstances (Please Subscribe)
Chapter 328: Hidden Circumstances (Please Subscribe)
“Mu Yu. . . ”
Xuanbing Shangren looked at Mu Yu, but most of his Divine Consciousness was scrutinizing Fang Xi. A hint of apprehension appeared in his eyes: “You actually invited a fellow Daoist for aid. . . Hmph, if we're talking about extensive connections, this old man is by no means inferior to your Profound Ice Palace. ”
“Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand. I merely came to the Profound Ice Palace to purchase spiritual items, and it was just a coincidence. . . Thus, I was invited by Fellow Daoist Mu to merely bear witness. ”
Fang Xi revealed a faint smile and replied loudly.
“Alright, since you're a witness, do you know that this Grand Elder of the Profound Ice Palace severely injured my sect's Young Sect Master, even destroying his Dao foundation? ” Xuanbing Shangren snorted coldly.
“Hmph. . . And isn't it because your Young Sect Master was despicable and shameless, committing a great taboo against me? ” Mu Yu's face turned as cold as ice. “If Fellow Daoist Xuanbing insists on pressing so hard, then this humble one can only accept the challenge. . . At that time, I shall indeed witness whether the Ice Fiend Arts of the Ice Fiend Sect are truly sharp! ”
“You. . . ”
Xuanbing Shangren's expression shifted slightly, but after glancing at Fang Xi, he finally held himself back, his face wavering uncertainly. He suddenly transmitted a secret message with his Divine Consciousness: “This matter is indeed Qing'er's fault. . . but this sect absolutely cannot let it go just like that. ”
“Fine. . . ”
Xuanbing Shangren's expression changed several times, and he finally revealed a wry smile: “It's also because this sect's Young Sect Master was ignorant, disturbing our kind neighbor. . . ”
“Many thanks for Venerable's understanding. . . ” Mu Yu also offered a frail, gentle bow.
For a moment, the originally tense, sword-drawn atmosphere actually eased quite a bit.
In the end, even at Fang Xi's suggestion, the three Core Formation cultivators entered the Profound Ice Palace together, enjoying tea and entertainment, and chatting about their cultivation experiences, appearing to enjoy themselves immensely as hosts and guests. . .
After three days, a streak of white light tore through the sky and departed.
Mu Yu smiled slightly and bowed slightly towards Fang Xi: “For the previous matter, many thanks to Fellow Daoist for your assistance. . . ”
Fang Xi gave a wry laugh: “I truly didn't exert any real effort; it was all due to Fellow Daoist Mu's strategic planning. . . ”
Relying on his powerful Divine Consciousness, he had secretly overheard some of the hidden Divine Consciousness transmissions between the two, feeling quite enlightened by it all.
“Alas. . . Fellow Daoist, you are after all a newly advanced Core Formation cultivator. You will know after a long time that we Core Formation cultivators are already high-rank cultivators, capable of longevity and prolonged existence. Why fight to the death over a mere trifle of benefit below? ”
Mu Yu's face held a hint of pride: “Although this humble one is a False Core, relying on formations and secret arts. . . even if I am no match for Xuanbing Shangren, I can still bring him immense trouble. The Ice Fiend Sect won't do anything drastic for a mere Young Sect Master. . . Of course, if that person had already advanced to mid-stage Core Formation, or if Fellow Daoist hadn't been here, things would be hard to say. At the very least, he wouldn't have let it go so easily. . . ”
“It certainly has been enlightening. ”
Fang Xi nodded, feeling quite moved. However, the benefits he gained by siding with the Profound Ice Palace already exceeded a piece of Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice, so he felt perfectly at ease accepting the spiritual item.
“Please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist. . . ”
Mu Yu took out a sound transmission talisman, spoke a few words, and the talisman transformed into a streak of flame, shooting out.
Not long after, a female cultivator with long hair cascading to her waist came in holding a jade box: “Greetings, Grand Elder. . . ”
“Mm, Jiang Ling, hand this Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice to Fellow Daoist Qing Yuzi. ”
Mu Yu continued to instruct.
Fang Xi paid no mind to the female cultivator, took the jade box, and upon opening it, a wave of cold qi immediately spilled out.
The air around them seemed to grow colder, and even the jade box itself was covered in a layer of white frost.
A layer of greenish-blue radiance appeared on Fang Xi's palm, and he nonchalantly continued to open the box, revealing a piece of profound ice within: “Not bad. . . it truly is Ten-Thousand-Year Profound Ice! ”
He nodded, his expression one of great satisfaction.
With this item, he could sufficiently preserve the vitality of the 'Illusory Extinction Heart Orchid' for a hundred years.
“Jiang Ling, take this Senior Qing Yuzi to the library to choose a secret art. . . Make sure to treat him carefully. ”
Mu Yu continued to instruct.
“As you command! ”
Jiang Ling respectfully assented, and bowed to Fang Xi again: “Senior Qing Yuzi, please. . . ”
“Many thanks. ”
Fang Xi bid farewell to Mu Yu and walked out of the hall.
Not until his figure disappeared did Mu Yu's face suddenly turn cold, like profound ice that had not melted for ten thousand years.
With a wave of her hand, the restrictions of a third-order formation automatically manifested a white light barrier, sealing off the entire hall.
“Who would have thought. . . an uninvited Core Formation cultivator would appear. . . ”
“Fine, because this person showed up, it spared me from exposing my true strength. . . It's not bad. ”
Mu Yu murmured, and a bluish-black color actually flashed between her brows.
She fell silent for a moment, and fluorescent light flickered in her hand as a six-sided ice mirror appeared.
The mirror's surface glowed brightly. After continuous flickering, a chilling voice emanated from it: “Fellow Daoist Mu. . . you finally contacted me. ”
“Previously, things changed, and some minor troubles arose. Fortunately, they have all been resolved. ” Mu Yu replied with an unchanged expression: “That person's whereabouts. . . have you ascertained them? ”
“Of course, Profound Yin Old Demon will appear in the 'Netherworld Market' next month. . . It's just that this person is, after all, a Core Formation Elder of the Red Blood Cult, and has profound cultivation. Are you truly prepared? ”
The sinister voice replied.
“You actually found me; don't you already have a foolproof plan? As for preparation? Hehe. . . Even if this person's cultivation is profound, as long as I'm willing to give up this life of mine, relying on that 'Blood Devil Soul Extermination Art', I will definitely be able to drag Profound Yin Old Demon along with me. ”
Mu Yu mentioned Profound Yin Old Demon, a deep hatred surfaced on her face.“Hehe. . . Our organization naturally knows Fellow Daoist Mu's resolve. After all, when your Grand Dao was yet unformed back then, you were actually by that Profound Yin Old Demon. . . ”
The voice in the mirror carried a hint of mockery, then immediately turned serious: “We can guarantee that after you make your move, no one will be able to trace it back to Profound Ice Palace. But Profound Ice Palace only has one Grand Elder, Fellow Daoist. . . Once Fellow Daoist leaves, will you truly not make any other arrangements? You should know, within our organization, there are also several Core Formation Daoists who can join Profound Ice Palace as rogue cultivators and escort your sect for a hundred years. . . ”
“No need. At this moment, I have my own plans. ”
Mu Yu flatly refused and crushed the ice mirror in her hand.
The crystal-clear hall once again fell into dead silence. After a long while, a grinding, teeth-clenched voice finally resounded: “Profound Yin Old Demon. . . ”
...
‘That Mu Yu, though she's a False Core, seems to be hiding something. . . ’
On the other side, Fang Xi followed Jiang Ling, walking within the Profound Ice Palace, purple light flickering within his eyes as he pondered.
‘Observing her demeanor. . . she might have cultivated some powerful demonic secret art. ’
‘However, this is none of my business. . . It's rather the interactions between Core Formation cultivators in the Yuan Kingdom that are truly eye-opening. ’
‘As for the Ice Fiend Sect, if their Young Sect Master dies, they'll just replace him. To be able to exchange for such a large profit, it's indeed quite good. . . And this is also based on a consideration of strength; you can't just directly wage war against an enemy of similar power, can you? ’
Fang Xi felt he had learned quite a lot.
The number of Core Formation sects in the Yuan Kingdom was far greater than in the Three Kingdoms. If one didn't have a trump card, sufficient foresight and experience, and patience, even a Core Formation force could be overthrown in a single day.
From this, how many schemes and stratagems, ruthless heroes, and heroic beauties emerged. . . It truly would take three days and three nights to tell.
“Senior Qing Yuzi, the Ice Jade Cavern ahead is where our Profound Ice Palace's Scripture Pavilion is located. . . ”
Jiang Ling led Fang Xi to the front of a cavern. Above the cavern, there was a magnificent aurora display.
“This Heaven Origin Aurora. . . is also one of the eight scenic spots of our Profound Ice Palace. What does Senior think of it? ”
Jiang Ling saw that Fang Xi seemed quite interested in the aurora, and introduced it further.
“Splendid and varied, quite excellent. . . ”
Fang Xi commented briefly and had Jiang Ling go ahead to handle the handover.
Not long after, the girl returned and handed Fang Xi a token: “With this token, Senior can freely browse the first half of the secret arts in the Scripture Pavilion. This is also a special privilege granted to Senior by our Grand Elder. . . ”
“Many thanks! ”
Fang Xi casually took the token, which resembled carved ice, hung it on his waist, and entered the Ice Jade Cavern.
Inside the Ice Jade Cavern, the cold qi was biting.
A layer of green light appeared on Fang Xi's body, and he was utterly fearless, wandering among the rows of half-frozen bookshelves.
“Hmm? This Profound Ice Palace indeed has a deep foundation. . . and they have quite some insights into ice-attribute secret arts. ”
He picked up a few jade slips, and with a quick sweep of his Divine Consciousness, his originally nonchalant attitude became serious.
Immediately after, Fang Xi picked up a jade slip and examined it carefully.
Although only half of the ice-attribute secret art was recorded within, it was still quite enlightening to him.
...
Without him realizing, time had flown by in a flash.
Three days later, Fang Xi transformed into a long azure rainbow and departed from the Profound Ice Palace.
Inside his storage bag, a jade slip emitting cold qi lay quietly.
And a hint of joy surfaced on Fang Xi's face: “Who would have thought. . . that Profound Ice Palace actually had such a secret art? When combined together, it could greatly extend the duration of the ice seal by several decades. . . ”
...
Outside Profound Ice Palace, Mu Yu stood with her hands clasped behind her back, watching Fang Xi disappear into the distance, with a group of high-ranking palace members behind her.
After a long while, the woman slowly spoke: “What kind of secret art did that Qing Yuzi exchange for? ”
“Reporting to Grand Elder, it is an 'Ice Breath Art'. . . ”
The many Foundation Establishment cultivators exchanged glances, and in the end, it was the Profound Ice Palace Master, a beautiful woman in a white ruqun, who respectfully replied.
“Ice Breath Art. . . ”
Mu Yu looked thoughtful: “This art is mostly used by us ice spirit root cultivators when severely injured, to ice-seal ourselves and await rescue. Could it be that this person has some heavily injured relative? Forget it. . . This is none of our business. This person has finally left, and I should also depart now. After I leave, you all are to tightly seal the palace gates. If a major event occurs, then act according to the previous plan. . . ”
“Grand Elder. . . Your entire being is tied to the Profound Ice Palace's thousand-year foundation. Please do not act impulsively. ”
The beautiful woman in the ruqun suddenly bowed gracefully, her voice trembling: “Must it be this way? ”
“It must be done! ”
Mu Yu snorted coldly, swept her sleeve, sending out a streak of white light. Brilliance flashed all around, and after the light dissipated, her figure had also vanished without a trace. . .
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