Chapter 59 Spirit Tempering Heavenly Pool

A streak of icy blue light tore through the sky at an astonishing speed. Wrapped in Luo Li's magical energy, Xiao Ming felt the fierce wind howling past his ears, but his heart was filled with some surprise. He checked their direction again and realized this wasn't the route back to the Heavenly Demon Sect. Unable to hold back his confusion, he asked.

"Revered Master, where are we..." Xiao Ming couldn't help but voice his question. He wasn't worried that Luo Li would harm him, he was simply curious. After this aloof and proud Revered Master of his had just thunderously executed three Nascent Soul powerhouses, why wasn't she immediately returning to the Sect? Instead, she was taking him somewhere else. What was her purpose?

Luo Li's cool voice slowly sounded by his ear, seemingly still carrying a trace of lingering anger, but more than that, it held a complex, indescribable emotion. "Hmm, we're not returning to the Sect just yet. My Senior Sister... that is, the Vice Sect Master, sent a message the day before yesterday. Deep in the northwestern mountains, a Sect member accidentally discovered a newly emerged natural spiritual convergence point. The news hasn't fully spread yet."

She paused, as if weighing her words. "Rumors say there's a 'Spirit Refining Heaven Pool' there, formed by the convergence of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi and the essence of the earth's veins. Cultivators soaking in it can refine their spiritual power, cleanse their bone structure, and it's especially miraculous for stabilizing Realms, enhancing cultivation, and even improving the Aptitude of Yin-cold Cultivators."

Xiao Ming suddenly understood. So, the Vice Sect Master had inadvertently discovered this Opportunity and informed his Revered Master. Such a natural treasure that could improve a Cultivator's Aptitude was indeed more precious than any Medicinal Pill. Especially for a Cultivator like Luo Li who practiced Yin-attribute Cultivation Techniques, it was an encounter one could only hope for, not seek out. And since the news hadn't spread widely yet, it meant the competition would be relatively manageable. With his Revered Master's cultivation level, there was no need to be overly cautious.

Thinking this, Xiao Ming gave a slight nod, slowly setting his mind at ease.

Luo Li said no more, focusing on controlling the light streak as they shot towards the northwestern mountains at extreme speed.

...

Deep within the northwestern mountains at this moment, in a valley shrouded by thick mist.

The so-called "Spirit Refining Heaven Pool" was a natural stone pool only a few zhang square. The pool water was milky white, suffused with Spiritual Qi so dense it seemed almost tangible. Wispy strands of extreme cold and Yin energy seeped from the pool's bottom, covering the surrounding rocks with a thin layer of frost. Above the Heaven Pool, a small vortex of Spiritual Qi had even formed.

But the atmosphere by the poolside was tense as drawn swords. Roughly over twenty people stood scattered, vaguely divided into four factions, warily eyeing each other.

One faction consisted of three Cultivators wearing identical gray robes. The leader had a hooked nose and sinister, hawk-like eyes, his cultivation at the Peak Nascent Soul Stage. The two behind him were at the Golden Core Peak. Their robes were embroidered with ferocious ghost heads, their auras strange and eerie.

Another faction comprised five Cultivators dressed like Loose Cultivators, but two of them had deep, steady auras—they were actually at the Late Nascent Soul Stage. The other three were all at the Late Golden Core Stage. They had clearly formed a temporary Alliance, and their strength was not to be underestimated.

The third faction had the most people, about seven or eight, wearing a mishmash of clothing, resembling a team from some small local Family. Their leader was a ruddy-faced old man with cultivation at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, his eyes blazing as he stared at the Heaven Pool.

The final faction had only two people, one old and one young. The old man had white hair and beard, a withered face, and sat cross-legged on a bluestone with his eyes closed. His aura was faint, almost imperceptible—he was actually a Mid Spirit Severing stage old monster, a Loose Cultivator! The young man standing beside him also had cultivation at the Early Nascent Soul stage.

The arrival of Luo Li and Xiao Ming instantly shattered the valley's brief calm. Especially Luo Li's peerless beauty and the undisguised Soul Transformation Stage pressure she emanated caused everyone's expressions to change drastically.

"What... more people?"

"Damn, so beautiful! It's the Heavenly Demon Sect's Fairy Luo Li!"

"Hah, what Fairy is there in the Demonic Path... just a demoness!"

Whispers and murmurs rose in the valley, naturally mixed with exclamations at Luo Li's beauty and some unsavory, vulgar remarks. Especially the several Golden Core Cultivators in the Loose Cultivator faction and a few of the younger members of the small Family looked at Luo Li with unconcealed lust and wicked thoughts in their eyes. If not for the unfathomable Soul Transformation Stage pressure emanating from her, they probably wouldn't have been able to restrain themselves.

However, the most brazen gaze came from the young man beside the Mid Spirit Severing stage old man.

This person looked to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with fair skin and an arrogant, lecherous air in his eyes, born from long-term indulgence and spoiling. His cultivation had already reached the Early Nascent Soul stage, making him a standout among his peers. At this moment, he was brazenly appraising Luo Li, his eyes sweeping over her cool, peerless face and her slender, graceful figure, the greed in his gaze completely undisguised.

"Ah! To think I'd encounter such a peerless beauty in this backwater..." he muttered to himself. Though his voice was soft, everyone present were Cultivators and heard him clearly. The white-haired old man beside him frowned almost imperceptibly but did not reprimand him. He merely opened his eyes a slit, gave Luo Li a faint glance, then closed them again, seemingly tacitly permitting the young man's insolence.

He naturally recognized who Luo Li was—the Peak Revered Master of the Heavenly Demon Sect's Heartless Peak. He'd heard she had recently broken through to the Spirit Severing Realm, making her strength not to be underestimated. But he felt confident that with his Mid Spirit Severing stage Realm, dealing with a Junior who had just entered Soul Transformation would be more than sufficient.

Feeling the numerous scorching gazes around her, Luo Li's face turned icy, her eyes indifferent as they swept over the crowd before finally settling on the Spirit Refining Heaven Pool.

She slightly parted her lips and said, "This place... my Heavenly Demon Sect claims it. I ask all of you to step aside."

Luo Li's voice was cool and pleasant but carried an indisputable authority, clearly reaching every corner of the valley.

As soon as these words were spoken, the valley fell silent for a moment before various reactions erupted.

The ruddy-faced old man from the small Family's expression changed, as if he wanted to say something. But after glancing at Luo Li's unfathomable aura and the other factions watching like tigers on the prowl, he ultimately held back, though his eyes flickered, scheming something.

Among the Loose Cultivator faction, the two Late Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators exchanged a glance, both seeing gravity and unwillingness in each other's eyes. One of them, a burly man with a scarred face, couldn't help but say in a deep voice, "Peak Master Luo, Heaven And Earth Treasures are meant to be shared by those who find them! Although your Heavenly Demon Sect is powerful, wanting to monopolize this Spirit Refining Heaven Pool is far too domineering, isn't it?"

The hooked-nosed old man also chimed in with a sinister tone, "That's right! My Sect was the first to discover this place. Now Peak Master Luo wants us to hand it over with just a few words? I'm afraid it's not that easy!"

Although they feared Luo Li's Soul Transformation Stage cultivation, they had strength in numbers. Plus, there was a Mid Spirit Severing stage Loose Cultivator old monster present. They might still have a chance to compete. Greed ultimately outweighed fear.

The most arrogant one was still the young man beside the Mid Spirit Severing stage old man. Seeing that Luo Li had ignored his earlier brazen gaze and hearing her "domineering" declaration, the part of his mind clouded by lust and arrogance grew even more feverish.

He took a step forward, a smile on his face that pretended to be suave but was actually frivolous, and cupped his hands. "This must be the Heavenly Demon Sect's Peak Master Luo? Meeting you truly surpasses the rumors. Peak Master Luo's grace is truly captivating! I am Situ Hao. My grandfather is Situ Ming, a Guest Elder of the Loose Cultivator Alliance." He first brought up his Family background, then stared intently at Luo Li, his tone carrying a strange meaning:

"Peak Master Luo wanting this Heaven Pool isn't necessarily something we can't discuss. It's just... for such a treasure, the Heavenly Demon Sect wanting to monopolize it seems a bit too greedy, doesn't it? Of course, if Peak Master Luo is willing to befriend me and have a deep 'discussion,' letting you use the spiritual pool first isn't impossible either... Hahaha!"

The implication and disrespect in his words were blatant. The white-haired old man remained with his eyes closed, as if he hadn't heard, clearly tacitly permitting his Junior's words and actions. Perhaps he also wanted to use this to test Luo Li's bottom line and strength.

"Looking for death!"

This time, before Luo Li could react, Xiao Ming's eyes instantly turned cold as blades, his killing intent almost solidifying into substance! His Revered Master was like a bright moon in his heart, not to be desecrated! And if anyone was to desecrate her, it could only be him! This Situ Hao dared to be so insolent!

Seeing the Wicked Disciple beside her already seething with rage, the corner of Luo Li's mouth hooked up almost imperceptibly.

She didn't even glance at Situ Hao, as if he were just a buzzing fly. Luo Li's gaze remained calmly fixed on the Heaven Pool, but her delicate jade-like hand casually, gently flicked.

A condensed, icy blue palm print shot through the air, its speed surpassing everyone's perception, directly aimed at Situ Hao!

This strike wasn't aimed at taking his life, but at punishment! To slap his foul mouth!

"Hmph!" The white-haired old man who had been sitting with his eyes closed suddenly snapped them open, a sharp light bursting from his eyes! He hadn't expected Luo Li to act so decisively and ruthlessly, and to completely disregard him! With a cold snort, his withered hand shot out like lightning, fingers curled into a claw, tips swirling with gray-black Death Qi, accurately grabbing for that icy blue palm print! He was confident that with his Mid Spirit Severing stage cultivation, blocking a strike from this Junior who had just entered Soul Transformation would be effortless!

However, just as his hand was about to collide with the icy blue palm print, the print twisted as if it had a life of its own, vanishing into thin air. The next moment, it was already right in front of Situ Hao's face!

"What?!" Situ Ming's expression changed drastically. He wanted to dodge, but it was already too late!

*Slap!*

A crisp sound, like ice cracking.

"Argh—!" Situ Hao let out an extremely shrill, miserable scream, both hands clamping over his mouth as blood instantly gushed from between his fingers! He staggered back, his eyes filled with shock, fury, and pain. Looking at his mouth, his lips and most of his teeth had been cleanly smacked off by that icy blue palm print, leaving a horrifying, bloody gap! He wanted to scream, but could only produce a whistling, leaking sound!

Silence!

A deathly silence!

Everyone was stunned by this sudden attack!

A casual wave of the hand, and she slapped a Nascent Soul Cultivator, right under the nose of a Mid Spirit Severing stage powerhouse! What kind of strength and arrogance was this?

The white-haired old man finally snapped out of it, both shocked and furious. He abruptly stood up, the terrifying pressure of the Mid Spirit Severing stage erupting like a volcano, locking firmly onto Luo Li. "Junior! How dare you!"

Only then did Luo Li slowly turn her head, looking directly at the old man for the first time. Her cool peach-blossom eyes held not a single ripple, only endless ice. "Control your dog. If he dares to bark again, next time it will be his head that falls."

Her voice remained flat, yet it carried an incomparably domineering aura and killing intent that made even the white-haired old man's heart palpitate!

The white-haired old man's face turned ashen, his chest heaving violently. He stared fixedly at Luo Li, then looked at his grandson still wailing in pain, now disfigured. Killing intent surged within him! But he was, after all, an old hand in the Jianghu. From Luo Li's strange, unpredictable strike just now, he sensed a tremendous threat! This woman's control over power far exceeded that of an ordinary Early Spirit Severing Cultivator! If they truly fought, even if he could win, it would likely be a pyrrhic victory.

Weighing the pros and cons, the white-haired old man forcibly suppressed his fury, his voice hoarse. "Fine! What a Luo Li! What a Heavenly Demon Sect! I will remember today's events! Hao'er, let's go!" He knew that today, the Spirit Refining Heaven Pool was beyond their reach. Staying here any longer would only bring more humiliation, and they might even lose their lives.

With that, he intended to take Situ Hao and flee the valley.