Chapter 585

Chapter 585: Ice Treasure

Golden Core stage, second layer! And he’d directly reached the peak.

Ye Yun had absorbed nearly all the Ice Spirit Qi from the second layer, leaving only a faint trace. His body was further tempered by the violent ice crystals, leading him to break through and advance straight to the second layer of the Golden Core stage.

The true qi within him surged like tidal waves, multiplying his strength severalfold.

Ye Yun opened his eyes, brimming with joy. His delight wasn’t merely from reaching the peak of the Golden Core stage’s second layer—for him, advancing to this level had been inevitable.

What truly thrilled him was achieving this breakthrough without aid from the Heart of Immortals and Demons. The artifact hadn’t released its purest spiritual power during his ascent. Had that energy emerged, his true qi would’ve grown even purer and denser, boosting his power further.

A sharp glint flashed in Ye Yun’s eyes as icy light shot forth like tangible beams, carving twin arcs across the air.

He now stood before the burly man, gaze fixed on the ice platform.

“Well, senior?”

Ye Yun spoke gently, though a thread of excitement lingered in his tone.

The mist-formed man studied him in silence for a long moment.

Suddenly, thunderous laughter erupted, shaking the entire second layer as the air crackled.

“Well done, boy! I’d underestimated you. After waiting a thousand years, you’ve finally appeared. To think you’d absorb nearly all the Ice Spirit Qi from the Ice Tower’s second layer—even that old man couldn’t have foreseen such a monster emerging!” The man roared with mirth.

“Does this mean the ice platform and five treasures are mine?” Ye Yun asked.

The mist-man waved dismissively. “Naturally. These trifles are yours to claim.”

Heart racing, Ye Yun approached the platform. Five objects lay displayed:

1. A sapphire-blue ice crystal radiating bone-piercing coldness at a mere brush of mental intent.

2. A crystalline white pill wreathed in icy essence, as if housing frozen spirits.

The final three items appeared far more valuable:

3. A cicada-wing garment woven from unknown ice crystals—supple yet durable, radiating such intense cold that movement slowed merely by proximity.

4. A mirror forged from ice crystals. One glance froze Ye Yun’s soul momentarily. Without his grasp of Ice Element Law, this might have caused soul damage.

5. A three-inch ice dagger, white yet glowing faintly blue. When Ye Yun’s spirit perception touched it, the blade nearly injured his consciousness—an astonishing feat.

“Find these trinkets useful, young fellow?” The man chuckled at Ye Yun’s awe.

Ye Yun bowed deeply. “Each is extraordinary. Please enlighten me, senior.”

The man shrugged. “Nothing remarkable. The first is North Sea Ice Essence—refined from ten thousand blocks of North Sea Xuan Ice. It replenishes Ice Spirit Qi and contains embedded laws. Skilled in arrays? Use it as a core to create a Xuan Ice Formation. Even Fifth Level Nascent Soul stage cultivators would struggle to survive it.”

Ye Yun’s eyebrow rose. “Survive?”

“Escape, more precisely. Below Fifth Level Nascent Soul stage? Death. Fifth Level cultivators with deeper law comprehension might find an exit, but enduring the endless cold remains arduous.”

Ye Yun’s eyes narrowed. Formidable indeed—though crafting such a great formation currently exceeded his array knowledge.

“The pill?”

“Cleansing Heart Xuan Ice Pill. Useless to you now—it’s for Fourth Level Nascent Soul stage cultivators. When impacting the Fifth Level, it freezes Mental Demons, granting 20% higher breakthrough chance.” The man spoke as if discussing common herbs.

Ye Yun understood its true worth. Countless Ancestors languished eternally at Fourth Level Nascent Soul stage. Even Divine Grace Palace—one of the Great Qin Empire’s three major powers—boasted only six or seven Fifth Level Ancestors. This pill’s value was incalculable.

From this, it was clear how precious the Cleansing Heart Xuan Ice Pill—which boosted effectiveness by twenty percent—truly was. If auctioned, it would fetch an unimaginable price and stir violent chaos.

“This ice robe barely counts as a top-quality Immortal artifact. Its defense is mediocre, only able to withstand attacks from Fifth Level Nascent Soul cultivators. If faced with someone at the pinnacle of the Nascent Soul stage, even if the robe holds, the internal force alone would shatter you from within. This Spirit Ice Cicada Robe is somewhat lacking, but wear it anyway,” the mist-formed man said dismissively, shaking his head.

Ye Yun felt speechless. How could this be called “wear it anyway”? A robe that blocked Fifth Level Nascent Soul attacks was already incredible! And the man called it a borderline top-quality Immortal artifact?

What even was a top-quality Immortal artifact? Ye Yun had never seen one. Even high-grade Immortal artifacts were rare treasures. How could this “barely” top-quality robe compare?

But if mere defense against Fifth Level attacks didn’t justify the title, what did?

Noticing Ye Yun’s confusion, the man chuckled. “Defense alone isn’t enough. This robe has a hidden restriction. Channel Ice Spirit Qi, and it’ll release an invisible Icy Mist within ten zhang. The mist slows enemies’ movements. In battles between experts, even a slight delay can decide life or death.”

Ye Yun’s eyes lit up. Slowing opponents in combat? That effect was beyond valuable.

No wonder it edged into top-tier status. To Ye Yun, this was already an extraordinary treasure.

“The fourth item is the Ice Light Mirror, a high-grade Immortal artifact. Simple to use: refine it with essence blood, then activate with Ice Spirit Qi. Its icy light can slow Fifth Level Nascent Soul cultivators. Those below Fifth Level get frozen solid—one tap shatters them. Satisfied, boy?”

Ye Yun nodded eagerly. “Extremely.”

The mist-man’s humor amused him. How could he not be satisfied? With this mirror and the robe, he could fight—or flee—Fifth Level Nascent Soul Ancestors.

“The last item’s interesting. A high-grade Immortal artifact, but with growth potential.” The man gestured at the three-inch ice dagger.

“Growth potential?”

“It hasn’t reached its limit. Feed it heavenly materials, and its quality can rise to top-tier. Maybe even surpass.”

Ye Yun’s breath hitched. A growable artifact? Its power must be immense.

Recalling his mental probe earlier, he asked, “Senior, does this dagger harm souls?”

The man’s eyes sharpened. “Sharp intuition. Yes, this Ice Energy War Soul Dagger targets souls. At your current strength, only Fifth Level Nascent Souls or higher might survive a strike. Reach Nascent Soul yourself, and it could wound Seventh Level or pinnacle foes.”

Ye Yun steadied his racing heart. A soul-striking blade? Even Nascent Soul Ancestors would falter, their power halved.

“My deepest thanks, Senior!” Ye Yun bowed earnestly. These treasures multiplied his combat strength severalfold.

Now at the Golden Core stage’s second layer peak, with these artifacts, he could truly challenge Nascent Soul Ancestors.

“I’ve waited millennia for someone to pass the second layer’s trials. My duty ends here,” the man said, waving lazily.

“Senior, where do you hail from? Your spirit alone surpasses the Great Qin Empire’s three power leaders.”

The man scoffed. “Great Qin’s a backwater. Only seven or eight Earth Immortals in millennia? Their Nascent Souls are insects.”

Ye Yun’s gaze flickered. This man dismissed even peak Nascent Souls—only Earth Immortals earned his notice.

“May I know your name, Senior? If fate allows, I’ll repay this kindness.”

The man grinned. “Seeking me? Heard of Lingxiao City?”

“Zhongzhou’s Lingxiao City?”

Surprise flashed across the man’s face. “A Golden Core brat knows Zhongzhou? Impressive. Find me there—Ling Tianyu. My name echoes through its streets.”

Ye Yun committed it to memory. Lingxiao City—Tongtong’s tales had long ignited his longing. A cultivation holy land.

“Farewell.” The man smiled. “You’re no chosen child, yet your fortune’s vast. I sense a secret within you—one that’d drive Earth Immortals mad if revealed. Guard it well, or we’ll never meet again.”

Ye Yun’s lips twitched slightly. Though his expression remained calm, turmoil raged within him. Had Ling Tianyu discovered the Heart of Immortals and Demons? Impossible – Ye Yun refused to believe anyone could resist such temptation.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior. I’ll remember it." Ye Yun bowed again.

"Enough formalities. The Ice Tower has nine layers. With your strength, you might reach the fourth layer – no higher. Farewell." The mist-formed Ling Tianyu suddenly collapsed inward, vanishing with a soft pop. No trace remained of his spatial departure, revealing terrifying power.

Most shockingly, this had merely been a fragment of Ling Tianyu’s consciousness. How powerful must his true form be?

After a long pause, Ye Yun stored the five ice-element treasures and ice platform in his Thunder Sound Metamorphosis ring. He glanced upward, seeking descending stairs.

Creak!

A staircase materialized before him.

Ye Yun climbed slowly, taking half an incense stick’s time to reach the third layer. Instead of biting cold, he found empty void devoid of spiritual energy.

Stopping short, Ye Yun frowned.

"How peculiar." His gaze swept surroundings extending beyond sight – no walls, no ice platforms, only endless space.

"Be cautious," warned the Ancestor of the Sword Path. The ancient being had hidden deep within Ye Yun’s soul when Ling Tianyu appeared, sensing danger.

Now releasing his mental intent, the Ancestor muttered, "Nothing visible… yet danger surrounds us."

Ye Yun nodded, sharing the unease.

"Fine hiding earlier, Brother Jian. What’s Ling Tianyu’s true cultivation?"

"An Earth Immortal realm saint at minimum," the Ancestor snorted. "No Nascent Soul youngster could make me feel threatened."

"Can you sense your treasure now?"

After prolonged searching, the Ancestor grumbled, "It flickers within the Ice Tower – sometimes near, sometimes far, never settling."

"Then we’ll find it." Ye Yun summoned lightning around his Purple Shadow Sword. "First, let’s explore this layer."

After walking an hour straight, Ye Yun froze – he hadn’t moved from the staircase.

No backtracking. No progress made.

A spatial array!

Ye Yun’s spatial law sensitivity had failed him. His brows knitted as true energy surged, forming restrictions.

"Reveal the spatial laws!"

The void exploded with light. A colossal spatial array emerged, fracturing space into countless shimmering shards.