Chapter 735

Chapter 735: Black Tiger

"It should be Water Spirit Bugs, recorded in ancient texts. They’re said to be specially cultivated by those practicing Water Spirit Qi, absorbing surrounding water energy. With certain secret techniques, this energy can transfer into one’s body. Some small sects still use them now – major sect disciples like us don’t care much about Immortal Spirit Stones," Shui Yingying explained.

"Actually, Ling’er treasures these Immortal Spirit Stones. They’re hard to obtain," Shui Lingling said, eyeing the bugs that dissolved into murky water upon death with disgust. "But using these bugs for cultivation feels… revolting."

"Only you major sect disciples undervalue Immortal Spirit Stones. A top-tier Immortal Spirit Stone would send small sect members into ecstasy," Ye Yun chuckled, declining Shui Lingling’s offer to use star power. He flicked an ice shard from his fingertip toward the shadowy ground, instantly freezing it into crystalline terrain.

"Solved so quickly? Ling’er wanted to help!" The azure stars behind Shui Lingling dimmed as she stepped onto the ice, which cracked like spiderwebs. Hearing distant rushing water, she asked, "Why do I still hear flowing water?"

"That’s problematic." Ye Yun lazily turned toward roaring water sounds echoing through wall gaps. Using spirit perception, he observed: "Shouldn’t be this excessive for a Heavenly Immortal inheritance. If earlier bugs were a stream, this is river-to-sea scale."

Countless Water Spirit Bugs emitted oppressive energy, instinctively sensing observation despite lacking mental power detection. Violent waves formed terrifying images in Ye Yun’s consciousness – facing this horde alone would prove difficult.

"Wonder if it’ll submit now." Ye Yun opened his Storage Treasure. The Ice Python lunged out, tail thrashing desperately. "Eager to regain your true form?"

"Hssss!" The serpent’s scarlet tongue flickered pleadingly, its sky-blue eyes begging forgiveness. Separation from its original body had caused unbearable solitude.

"Complete a task for me, and I’ll restore you." Ye Yun smiled as the python circled him excitedly. "But you’ll judge the outcome."

"Hss?" The python tilted its head. Born as a tool, it knew no other existence.

"You’ll understand." Ye Yun touched its head, mental power flowing through. Their eyes synchronized – purple-red flames with crimson halos erupted, fueled by Ice Spirit Qi. A colossal azure draconic figure materialized within the inferno.

"This supreme Immortal artifact rivals Ling’er’s Snowy City!" Shui Lingling gasped as Ye Yun tossed his Ice Spirit dagger. The serpent swallowed it whole, scales blazing with icy radiance. Towering Ice Spirit Qi erupted through the earth.

"Stronger than expected. Snowy City’s spirit might struggle against this." The dragon’s majestic form radiated dominance, though its lowered head remembered being forcibly separated from its original body.

"You know why you’re here. Clear those Water Spirit Bugs." Ye Yun smirked as the serpent’s haughtiness lasted mere seconds. "Numerous, but manageable for you."

"Hsss!" The python proudly lashed its earth-shaking tail at Shui Lingling’s awestruck gaze. Ye Yun fired crimson flames into its body. "Insurance. Unnecessary if you succeed."

Noticing Ye Yun’s pallor, Shui Yingying asked as the python charged forward: "Why weaken suddenly? Does the artifact drain spiritual power?"

"Precaution." Ye Yun activated Cleansing Immortal Heart Technique, replenishing Immortal spirit energy. Condensing Sea of Heavenly Fire had drained him – compressing vast Fire Spirit Qi exhausted his true qi.

He mentally shrugged. With abundant Immortal Spirit Stones, recovery was simple. Still, he preferred natural recuperation. Constant depletion-repletion cycles strained even his Sun and Moon Dual Souls-enhanced body.

"This little snake’s effective! It’s eliminated a fifth already. Total eradication in one incense stick’s time," remarked the Ancestor of the Sword Path’s voice in Ye Yun’s mind, surprised by the artifact spirit’s efficiency.

"Expected. Failure would trigger Sea of Heavenly Fire within it." Ye Yun watched the python slaughter millions per strike, impenetrable scales deflecting bug assaults.

He pitied the bugs but felt relief – born human, not constrained by fragile insect forms. "Strength and weakness… comprehending this may elevate my state." Closing his eyes, he sensed an intangible gateway opening within.

"Are mortals merely wretched?" The Ancestor noted Ye Yun’s fleeting coldness but stayed silent. Cultivation paths were personal.

"Ye Yun, what now?" Shui Lingling asked as the python rampaged.

"Wait. Something big approaches." As Ye Yun spoke, a massive Black Tiger burst from the frozen ground, water patterns rippling across its dark form. His eyes gleamed with interest.

This must be the guardian spirit of this realm. The aura it emitted alone reached the second layer of the Earth Immortal realm. If it absorbed all these Water Spirit Bug corpses, it might even advance to the Fourth Level. However, this still required verification, so Ye Yun refrained from jumping to conclusions.

"True, but I still think that Ice Python will win. Though I dislike admitting it, if the supreme Immortal artifact’s spirit manifests fully with enough elemental spiritual power, it might challenge even a seventh-level Earth Immortal," Shui Lingling said, having sensed the extraordinary quality of Ye Yun’s supreme Immortal artifact. It clearly stood at the peak of all known supreme Immortal artifacts. Even her Deceptive Array, when powered by a single supreme Immortal artifact, likely couldn’t match that Ice Python.

Unlike the three spectators behind them, the Ice Python seethed with irritation. It had initially thought this would be a simple slaughter of weaklings, but before it could rejoice, the Black Tiger appeared, glaring menacingly. Judging by the Black Tiger’s aura, the Ice Python believed it could easily crush the beast if it accessed the near-limitless top-tier Immortal Spirit Stones in Ye Yun’s Storage Treasure.

The Ice Python almost missed its time inside Ye Yun’s Storage Treasure, where Immortal spirit energy had condensed into liquid. There, it could lazily strengthen itself even while sleeping. Now, forced out by Ye Yun’s mental power, it fought purely for survival.

"Hsss!" The Ice Python stared at the roaring Black Tiger with contempt. It knew its own capabilities—with sufficient immortal spirit power, it could crush even a seventh-level Earth Immortal cultivator. Why fear a mere second-level Earth Immortal tiger?

Yet seeing Ye Yun withhold additional immortal spirit power, the Ice Python grumbled internally. You summon me to fight, then refuse to assist? Any misstep might lead to its suppression. Its current spiritual power came from sporadic energy absorption in the Storage Treasure. The cushy environment had made it complacent, leaving its reserves embarrassingly low.

"I’ll soon absorb these Water Spirit Bugs’ energy. If things turn sour, I’ll intervene," Ye Yun mused, noting the Black Tiger’s wariness toward the Ice Python. The tiger clearly recognized its inferiority, hence its focus on devouring the bugs.

"Ye Yun, shouldn’t we help the little snake? Ling’er thinks that tiger’s scheming," Shui Lingling said. Her Stellar Body detected hidden dark energy within the Water Spirit-infused Black Tiger, and its sly eyes unsettled her.

"A tiger acting so sneaky is downright shameful," Shui Lingling scoffed, watching it gulp puddles from the ground.

The Ice Python watched disdainfully as the Black Tiger consumed water tainted with its Ice Spirit Qi. The python had deliberately allowed the foolish tiger to expose weaknesses while secretly planting traps.

Emboldened by the Ice Python’s stillness, the Black Tiger roared arrogantly as its power swelled. It thrilled at this unexpected feast—ordinarily forbidden from attacking Water Spirit Bugs, it now gorged on their frozen remains.

When the Black Tiger glanced smugly at Ye Yun, it fantasized about devouring him next. The pure primordial energy within Ye Yun’s fragile body surpassed anything it had encountered except its master’s.

*Gulp!* After swallowing the last droplet, the Black Tiger lifted its head haughtily—only to freeze as countless icy blades erupted inside its body. The Ice Python’s hidden Ice Spirit Qi ravaged its insides, filling the tiger with agonized regret.

It had fallen for the python’s trap, consuming tainted bugs that now spelled its doom.

"Hsss!" The Ice Python prepared to finish the writhing tiger when a white-lit figure caught its eye—a humanoid spirit prostrating meekly nearby. The Black Tiger followed its gaze to Ye Yun, momentarily cowed.

What fear did this Nascent Soul-stage weakling inspire? The Black Tiger had planned to eat Ye Yun after defeating the python, but the Ice Python’s submissive posture gave pause. Perhaps this human held hidden venomous potency?

Yet the tiger’s dull intelligence couldn’t abandon its hunger. Seeing its greed, Ye Yun chuckled—this beast truly chose targets poorly.

"Hsss!" The Ice Python coiled obediently by Ye Yun’s feet. Watching the Black Tiger’s avarice, it inwardly mocked: *My master sparing you? More likely, he’ll let me eat you.* Shrinking to a crystalline serpent, it slithered onto Ye Yun’s shoulder.

"Roar!" The Black Tiger growled defiantly. Killing it was impossible—as leader of these Water Spirits, its master’s altered Heavenly Immortal rules guaranteed protection.

"True, I can’t kill you. Your master’s rewritten celestial laws puzzle me," Ye Yun remarked coolly.

Though barely comprehending, the Black Tiger recognized Ye Yun’s resignation. It roared through the pain, demanding relief from the internal ice blades.

"Vile creature! Acting tough because it’s unkillable?" Shui Lingling glared at its jet-black eyes. "Shall we let this agony continue until you yield?"

The Black Tiger wavered. Endless pain versus humiliating surrender? It roared again, indecisive.

"Just clear our path. Attempt tricks, and the pain continues," Ye Yun said, eyeing the tunnel behind the tiger. "It won’t cripple you, but discomfort is guaranteed."

The Black Tiger glared as Ye Yun retreated. Pretending fierceness, it roared until Ye Yun departed, then slunk into refilled waterways, restoring the dried riverbed to stillness.

Watching the Black Tiger revert to water spirit form, Ye Yun frowned slightly. While insignificant, its ability to rival his Ice Dagger intrigued him.