Chapter 591

Chapter 591: The Mantis Catches the Cicada

Divine Rhythm Crimson Fruit!

When Ye Yun learned this sacred medicine could heal soul injuries, he leaped up in wild excitement.

His entire purpose for coming to the Great Qin Empire was to find divine medicine for Su Ling. He’d pinned his hopes on the Saint’s Secret Vault containing such a treasure. Despite the arduous journey, he’d never faltered.

Now, seeing the Divine Rhythm Crimson Fruit before him, words couldn’t describe his joy.

Triumph!

Securing this fruit would make his entire expedition worthwhile.

"Calm yourself," the Ancestor of the Sword Path interjected like icy water dousing flames. "If it were easy to obtain, it wouldn’t be sacred medicine. See that Ice Frost Crystal Dragon? It’s an immortal beast matching the pinnacle of the Fifth Level of the Nascent Soul stage. Enhanced by this frozen environment, you stand no chance."

Ye Yun’s excitement faded. Right – the guardian ice dragon had to be defeated first. But if the creature truly possessed such power, his current cultivation made confrontation impossible.

Studying the Ice Frost Crystal Dragon, Ye Yun frowned. The beast didn’t attack, instead landing beside the fruit to glare coldly, ready to strike at any provocation.

Its strength surpassed even peak Fifth Level Nascent Soul experts. Direct combat was futile – only cunning remained.

Ye Yun suddenly smiled and stepped back, showing empty hands. "No threat here," his shrug declared.

High-level immortal beasts usually possessed human-like intelligence, like the Divine Feather Vulture King who’d gained wisdom after transcending beasthood through its Golden-winged Roc lineage. Yet this dragon only growled wordlessly.

"You expected conversation?" The Ancestor snorted. "It’s an ice phantom from the Ice Tower’s fourth layer array. Since when do projections speak?"

Ye Yun facepalmed. Of course – but how could a mere phantom rival peak Fifth Level Nascent Soul power?

"Why’s it so strong?" he muttered.

"Anything called ‘dragon’ defies mortal limits," the Ancestor retorted. "True dragons reach Earth Immortal realm. This is just a weakened shadow."

Ye Yun’s frown deepened. How then to claim the fruit? Abandoning it was unthinkable – Su Ling’s cure depended on this.

"Patience," the Ancestor advised. "Let others fight first. Those pursuing Nascent Soul elders will arrive soon."

"Wait for them to battle the dragon while we swoop in?" Ye Yun grasped the plan.

"Exactly! The Saint’s Secret Vault restricts all to peak Fifth Level Nascent Soul strength. Even three major powers’ elders would struggle alone against this beast."

"Earlier," the Ancestor added, "I sensed two approaching – one at peak Fifth Level Nascent Soul, another mere Fifth Level Golden Core."

Ye Yun blinked. "A Golden Core cultivator surviving this cold?"

The Ancestor scoffed. "You’re Second Level Golden Core yet endure. Why not others?"

Ye Yun chuckled awkwardly, "It’s not about talent—my physical strength is unmatched. Have you seen any Golden Core disciple with a tougher body than mine? None, absolutely none!"

The Ancestor of the Sword Path ignored him, extending his mental intent past the Ice Frost Crystal Dragon. The dragon abruptly raised its head, glaring fiercely at Ye Yun with low growls but made no move to attack.

It seemed the creature wouldn’t bother them as long as they didn’t provoke it or attempt to take the Divine Rhythm Crimson Fruit.

"I’ll search for a hiding spot. Those two on the Ice Platform won’t linger long. With a Fifth Level Nascent Soul expert among them, the Ice Crystal Beast stands no chance," the Ancestor said, his mental intent sweeping across the mountain.

Ye Yun acted swiftly, scouting for cover. Their combined mental intents soon located a concealed spot near the fruit.

In a flash, Ye Yun slipped into what appeared to be an ordinary crevice, perfectly hidden.

"Suppress your mental intent completely. I’ll teach you a trick to monitor the area around the fruit," the Ancestor murmured, transferring a technique to Ye Yun.

The method involved condensing true qi into a rune that relayed sights and sounds within dozens of zhang for three hours—ample time for their needs.

Ye Yun mastered it instantly, flicking the rune three feet from the fruit. The Ice Frost Crystal Dragon glanced at it but did nothing.

Ye Yun withdrew all traces of his presence, sealing every pore. The mountain wind erased his aura entirely, leaving him undetectable unless someone stood directly before him.

Half an hour later, footsteps echoed. Two figures entered the rune’s range.

Ye Yun nearly gasped. Leading was Master Hei Xu of the Xuan Yuan Sect—his cultivation suppressed to the Fifth Level of the Nascent Soul stage. Behind him stood Du Jianyin of the Jin Kingdom’s Du family, his snow-white sword radiating lethal intent.

Du Jianyin’s mere Fifth Level Golden Core cultivation shouldn’t have allowed him to traverse this frozen layer, yet here he stood. His aura had transformed since their last encounter in Thunder Falls Valley—he and his sword now seemed inseparable.

"One with the sword—the first step toward the Sword Path’s ultimate mysteries," the Ancestor muttered, awed.

Ye Yun’s understanding of sword dao was foundational, his style righteous and imposing. Du Jianyin’s was ruthlessly straightforward, prioritizing speed and lethality. Though Ye Yun progressed quickly, Du Jianyin’s methods were swifter, aiming for perfection.

"Master, that fruit ahead radiates abundant spiritual energy—a divine medicine?" Du Jianyin remarked.

Master Hei Xu’s voice trembled. "The Divine Rhythm Crimson Fruit! It elevates a Nascent Soul cultivator’s soul by one rank. Even at my peak, it would strengthen my Nascent Soul beyond Tian Yunzi’s!"

Du Jianyin’s eyes gleamed. "Master, consuming it yourself seems wasteful. Let me take it. If I grasp heart-sword unity, even saints would fear me!"

Master Hei Xu’s face darkened at the blunt demand. "We’ll refine it into pills. Each gets one."

Du Jianyin shrugged. "Or I’ll take the fruit if we find no other materials here."

As Du Jianyin neared the fruit, a mountain-like ice crystal shifted, roaring.

"Ice Frost Crystal Dragon?!" Master Hei Xu paled before scoffing. "A mere projection. It matches Fifth Level Nascent Soul strength—troublesome, but manageable."

"Then occupy it while I claim the fruit," Du Jianyin said flatly.

Master Hei Xu hesitated. If injured, he knew Du Jianyin would abandon him. Yet refusing might ruin their alliance.

"Attack together," Master Hei Xu finally growled.

Sword light flared as Du Jianyin drew his blade. Master Hei Xu’s hands swirled with dark energy.

"Underworld Hell, Evil Emperor’s Fist!"