Chapter 642

Chapter 642: Golden Ling’er

However, Ye Yun had already made plans. Since ice and fire could not coexist, he would let the fire python—on the verge of transforming into a dragon, or rather, one already bearing the shadow of a fire dragon—taste the power of Ice Spirit Qi.

“Truly troublesome, but there will be no next time.” When the two separated again, cold winds swirled around Ye Yun’s hands. The icy aura intensified until the fire dragon sensed the threat. Ye Yun smiled coldly and uttered, “Ice Spirit Divine Palm!”

The dragon roared, claws slashing as if in final defiance. The unwillingness in its eyes faded into resignation. The massive crimson body was struck by a colossal ice palm. As the dragon collapsed, Ye Yun opened his eyes and exhaled softly.

“Is it done?” The Ancestor of the Sword Path scanned Ye Yun with spirit perception. His true qi was nearly depleted, and his Ice Spirit Qi teetered on exhaustion. With Ye Yun’s nod, the Ancestor waved his sleeve, summoning a tempest that split the magma sea encircling them.

“Let us leave. You’ve gained twenty-seven top-quality Immortal artifacts and one supreme Immortal artifact—a grand haul.” The Ancestor smiled approvingly. Though Ye Yun could now slay Nascent Soul stage cultivators with ease, suppressing a supreme Immortal artifact alone proved his soul’s strength.

“Let’s go.” Ye Yun examined the artifacts within him. Amidst swirling flames, a crimson whip blazed brightest, its aura rivaling a Seventh Level Nascent Soul expert.

“A remarkable harvest. In the Extreme Southern Fire Domain, you’ve secured two treasures, outpacing most. Next, beyond the Nine Whiskers, lies the twenty-seven. The choice is yours.”

The scorched landscape shifted, far preferable to the magma depths. Ye Yun teleported repeatedly using spatial laws until he neared the edge of the Extreme Southern Fire Domain. Relief softened his stern expression. “Without your aid, Ancestor, this would have ended poorly.”

The Ancestor chuckled. “Had I not used my soul power to suppress that supreme Immortal artifact, you’d be dead. It’s been ages since I felt such thrill—like my first steps into cultivation!”

Ye Yun focused on replenishing his true qi. Immortal Spirit Stones were expendable, but failure to claim the Nine Whiskers’ secrets might undermine his standing in the Xumi Treasure.

His rivals here included Du Jianyin, Jun Ruolan, and the black-clad man from the Time and Space Hall, whose Supreme Sword of Inquiry unsettled him. Unbeknownst to Ye Yun, slaying Lanshan and seizing the Stagnation Stone had drawn Du Jianyin, fresh from escaping the reverse time array’s slow realm. Their clash forced Du Jianyin to expend a trump card, killing Lantian.

This incident seeded mental demons in Zhang Yanhua, Moon Goddess Palace’s top disciple, shaking his unshakable resolve. Had Ye Yun known, he might have regretted missing a life-and-death duel with such a foe—a chance to hone his Sword Path will. But absorbed in refining Immortal Spirit Stones, he remained oblivious.

Within him, Ice, Fire, and Thunder Spirit Qi coexisted without conflict. As he prepared to advance, the clamor of battle intruded like thunder, disrupting his focus.

Ye Yun opened his eyes, signaling the Ancestor to withdraw the Deceptive Array. Four figures clashed below, their struggle meaningless to him—until a jade-green fruit caught his eye.

“A Soul Fruit. Not rare, but nourishes the soul,” the Ancestor remarked.

Ye Yun’s gaze sharpened. “Beneficial to the soul…” White light enveloped him, and he materialized among the four.

Their shock gave way to wary retreat. Ye Yun plucked the fruit, icy eyes sweeping over them. A violet-haired man at the Fourth Level Nascent Soul stage, adorned with an orchid, bowed. “Senior, we found this first. Do not force Jin An to act.”

“Yes, it’s ours!” A girl’s voice protested behind Ye Yun. As he turned, a golden arrow shot toward his face.

“Die, thief!” A brawny man snarled, chest branded with a black blade. His mid-grade Immortal artifact, Celestial Falling Meteor Arrow, halted inches from Ye Yun’s face, frozen by an ice barrier.

With a wave, Ye Yun encased the man in ice. A sword flash ended him. “Any other objections?”

The survivors fell silent. The girl bit her tongue, stifling defiance. Ye Yun pocketed the fruit and eyed Jin An. “Well?”

Jin An bowed, masking resentment. “None, Senior.”

“I do not steal. That fool struck first—you saw.” Ye Yun’s tone was calm.

Before Jin An could reply, the girl giggled, “Exactly! He attacked you! We owe you our lives!” She bowed, green daggers glinting at her chest. “So, Senior, could you entrust the fruit to me? Or offer compensation?”

“Ling’er, silence!” Jin An hissed.

The Ancestor chuckled. “Clever girl. Compensate her—she amuses me.”

Ye Yun produced three Immortal Spirit Stones. “Three top-tier stones.”

The girl pouted. “It’s worth ten!”

“Three,” Ye Yun repeated, tossing them to Jin An.

She huffed. “Honest to a fault!”

Jin An pulled her back. “Forgive her impertinence, Senior.”

“A child’s folly.” Ye Yun turned to leave.

“Senior!” Ling’er called. “Traveling alone to the Frost Land? Let us join you!”

Ye Yun paused. Most fled his presence—her eagerness was curious. Vanity aside, he wondered her motive.