48: Chapter 48 The Ice Lotus Secret Realm, An Opportunity

In the ice cave, cold qi filled the air, and a faint blue light shimmered.

At the entrance of the ice cave, a pale blue light barrier rippled like water, separating the inside and outside into two worlds.

Outside the light barrier, Black Wind Fiend, Zhao Qian, Wang Mang, and the others fell to the ground in a sorry state, coughing up blood incessantly. The gazes they cast toward the inside of the light barrier were filled with shock, greed, and disbelief.

Their full-force assault as Wheel Sea Realm cultivators had been easily rebounded by that light barrier; the defensive power of this barrier was simply shocking!

Inside the light barrier, Ye Chen, Lin Qingxue, and the others stood by the cold pool, their minds equally shaken.

One second they were plunged into a desperate situation, and the next, they were saved by this sudden light barrier, and before their eyes appeared this dreamlike nine-petaled ice lotus.

This reversal came too quickly, too unreal.

"Th-this, what is going on?"

Lin Dong's mouth hung open as he looked at the lotus flower that was slowly rotating and emanating the aura of the Dao, then looked at the ferocious faces outside the light barrier, feeling as if he were in a dream.

Scarface and the other surviving guards of the Lin family also looked at each other, both relieved to have survived the disaster and uneasy about this bizarre situation.

Liu Yiyi and Chen Feng dared not even breathe loudly, huddled tightly together.

Ye Chen took a deep breath. The incomparably pure cold qi in the ice cave surged into his lungs, refreshing his spirit, and the injuries in his body seemed to lighten slightly.

His gaze was fixed on the ice lotus in the center of the cold pool, and the jade booklet in his Sea of Consciousness was emitting an unprecedented burning sensation.

The grey chain of light connecting to the ten thousand year profound ice was now incomparably bright, seemingly resonating with the ice lotus.

Was it this ice lotus that triggered the jade booklet? Or was it the jade booklet that guided him here?

"Heaven And Earth Treasure, Ten Thousand Year ice heart lotus. No, this aura is far beyond what is recorded."

Lin Qingxue's cold voice carried a hint of trembling. She cultivated the Profound Ice Art and had a keen sense for ice-attribute spiritual objects.

She could clearly feel the majestic vitality and indescribable Dao charm of heaven and earth contained within this lotus, far from what ordinary Heaven And Earth Treasure could compare to.

"This light barrier seems to be a protective barrier that it formed spontaneously."

Just then, the nine-petaled ice lotus trembled gently, and the outermost petal quietly fell off.

It turned into a soft stream of blue light that submerged into the center of Ye Chen's eyebrows!

"Ye Chen!" Lin Qingxue exclaimed.

Ye Chen's body shook, and he felt a cool, vast stream of information rush into his mind—not Cultivation Technique or formulas.

It was fragmented images and an obscure consciousness:

【Profound Ice Origin, Nirvana rebirth... Heaven And Earth Bridge. Legacy... Trial...】

In the images, ten-thousand-foot glaciers collapsed, volcanic fires erupted from the earth's core, stars were born and destroyed, and Chaos began.

Finally, it froze on a huge bridge spanning the void, woven from ice and fire!

One end of the bridge was connected to the phantom of that nine-petaled ice lotus!

At the same time, the jade pendant on his chest became scalding hot, and the jade booklet in his Sea of Consciousness shone brightly.

The phantom of the ice lotus slowly condensed beside the jade booklet, and a line of ancient characters appeared below:

【Bond Target: ice lotus Spirit (Chaos)】

【Bond Rank: Faint Glow (Grey)】

【Status: Asleep (Origin damaged)】

【Can attempt communication, accept preliminary trial, and obtain Origin Mark.】

ice lotus Spirit?

Chaos-level bond?

Ye Chen's heart was in turmoil.

This jade booklet could actually bind non-human Heaven And Earth Treasure?

And this bond Rank was far beyond Lin Qingxue's "Mutual Understanding"!

That consciousness continued to arrive, carrying a sense of ancient vicissitudes.

【Latecomer, you bear the profound ice... Nirvana intent. Fated, pass three trials... and you may obtain a wisp of My Origin... to help you Foundation Establishment. Also to help Me recover...】

The consciousness was intermittent, then dissipated.

The stream of light transformed by that petal merged into Ye Chen's limbs and bones, rapidly repairing his injuries, and leaving an extremely tiny, yet Chaos-aura-emitting blue lotus mark deep in his Dantian.

All of this happened in the blink of an eye. Outsiders only saw a petal merge into Ye Chen's body, followed by his aura surging.

His injuries recovered at a speed visible to the naked eye, and his cultivation even showed signs of improvement!

"Kid! What benefits did you get?!"

Outside the light barrier, Black Wind Fiend had sharp eyes. Seeing Ye Chen's change, his eyes turned red with jealousy, and he shouted sternly.

Zhao Qian, Wang Mang, and the others also stared fixedly at Ye Chen, wishing they could rush in and tear him to pieces.

Ye Chen slowly opened his eyes, a flash of Chaos-colored blue light passing through his pupils.

He felt the surging power in his body and the mysterious mark in his Dantian, and his heart became clear.

This ice lotus—perhaps it should be called an ice lotus Spirit—seemed to have suffered heavy damage and had fallen into a deep slumber.

It sensed that he carried the Profound Ice Origin and Nirvana Concept, meeting certain conditions.

Therefore, it appeared and offered a "transaction"—passing its trial to obtain a wisp of the Origin Mark.

It could help him solidify his Dao foundation and also help it recover a bit of its Origin Qi.

Risks and opportunities coexisted!

This trial was definitely not simple, but once passed, the benefits would be immeasurable!

He looked at Lin Qingxue, who was full of worry beside him, gave her a reassuring look, and whispered,

"I'm fine, it seems I've encountered an Opportunity. This light barrier should be safe. You all rest here and do not approach the cold pool."

Seeing that his aura was stable and his eyes were clear, Lin Qingxue felt slightly relieved and nodded: "Be careful."

Ye Chen took a deep breath and walked towards the cold pool.

When he approached the edge of the pool, the ice lotus in the center of the cold pool trembled again. Among the remaining eight petals, three more fell off, turning into blue light that intertwined above the pool water.

It formed a rotating blue light gate that only allowed one person to pass through.

Inside the light gate was swirling mist, the scene unclear, but the spatial fluctuations and biting cold emanating from it made people's hearts palpitate.

"Brother Chen..."

Little Rain woke up, not knowing when, hiding behind Scarface, shouting timidly, her little face full of worry.

Ye Chen turned back and gave Little Rain and the others a comforting smile.

"Wait for me to return."

With that, he hesitated no longer and stepped into the blue light gate!

"Ye Chen!"

Lin Qingxue instinctively took a step forward, but the light gate closed and disappeared instantly after Ye Chen entered.

The ice cave returned to calm, leaving only the slowly rotating five-petaled ice lotus in the cold pool, and the enemies outside the light barrier who were covetous yet helpless.

"Damn it! That kid went in!" Wang Mang pounded on the light barrier, acting like a madman.

Zhao Qian's eyes flickered, and he whispered to a Guest Elder beside him who was skilled in Formation,

"Can you discern the reality of this light barrier?"

The Guest Elder observed for a long time, then smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"Grand Elder, the Formation power contained in this light barrier is extremely profound, far beyond my understanding. I fear... it is a power formed by heaven and earth itself, not something that can be broken by human effort."

Black Wind Fiend's face was gloomy as he sat down cross-legged.

"Wait! I don't believe this light barrier can exist forever! Or maybe that kid dies inside, and the light barrier dissipates on its own!"

Inside the light barrier, the Lin family members had complicated feelings, worried for Ye Chen, yet relieved by the temporary safety.

Lin Qingxue walked to the edge of the cold pool, looking at the ice lotus, feeling its vast aura, and prayed silently in her heart.

...

Ye Chen stepped into the light gate, feeling the world spinning, a powerful spatial force wrapping around his entire body.

A moment later, his feet touched solid ground, and he was already in a completely different place.

Before him was an endless world of ice and snow.

The sky was a permanent grey-blue, snowflakes as big as goose feathers swirled, and the cold wind was like a knife, scraping his face painfully.

Underfoot was thick Ten Thousand Year ice, and in the distance were continuous ice mountains. There were no signs of life, only deathly silence and extreme cold.

The temperature here was more than a hundred times lower than the ice cave outside!

With Ye Chen's current cultivation and his Profound Ice Physique, he felt a bone-chilling cold and had to circulate his True Essence to protect his body.

"Is this... the first trial?"

Ye Chen looked around, his spirit highly focused. The information from the jade booklet showed that there were three trials.

Just then, the wind and snow in front suddenly intensified, condensing into soldiers holding ice spears and wearing ice armor!

These soldiers had no facial features, their entire bodies were made of cold ice, blue flames jumped in their eyes, and they exuded cold killing intent.

Hundreds, thousands, densely packed, rushing toward Ye Chen like a tide!

The aura of each one was no weaker than the Fifth Level of Meridian Opening!

"Ice Spirit Guards?"

Ye Chen's eyes narrowed, and his ice scar sword was unsheathed instantly, "The first trial is a test of combat power? Then let's fight!"

He let out a long shout and took the initiative to rush into the Ice Spirit army! Sword light flashed, cold qi crisscrossed!

Every sword strike carried the Nirvana Concept, and the Ice Spirit soldiers shattered upon contact!

But these Ice Spirits seemed endless; one shattered, and two immediately condensed in the snow!

Furthermore, they coordinated tacitly, their offensive like a continuous tide!

Ye Chen pushed his movement technique to the limit, weaving through the thousands of troops, his swordsmanship getting faster and faster, and his application of the Nirvana Concept becoming more and more proficient.

The attacks of these Ice Spirits not only tested his strength but also honed his combat techniques and will!

He didn't know how long he had been killing; Ye Chen was covered in blood, his True Essence was greatly consumed, but his eyes were getting brighter.

When he slashed the last Ice Spirit general under his sword, the surrounding wind and snow suddenly stopped.

In the center of the ice and snow world, a small ice platform appeared, and a drop of crystal clear blue liquid emitting source cold qi floated on it.

【Passed the first trial 'Ice Spirit Battle Array', reward: one drop of Profound Ice Origin Liquid.】

A cold consciousness sounded.

Ye Chen did not hesitate, stepped forward, and absorbed the drop of liquid into his body.

As the liquid entered his body, it instantly turned into incomparably pure Profound Ice Origin, merging into his Meridians, Dantian, and even his Soul!

The quality of his Profound Ice True Essence instantly improved, his cultivation was completely stabilized at the Peak of the Fifth Level, and his control over cold qi reached a new height!

His Physical Body and Meridians also became tougher under the scouring of the Origin Liquid!

"What pure Origin!" Ye Chen was overjoyed. This reward was too generous!

Before he could catch his breath, the surrounding scene changed again!

The ice and snow world disappeared, replaced by a void of darkness.

In the darkness, countless illusions were born.

There was the temptation of power over the world, the lingering affection of a Beauty, the pleasure of an enemy begging for mercy on their knees, the fear of losing all cultivation...

Seven emotions and six desires, Heart Demon sprouted.

"The second trial, Heart Demon illusion?"

Ye Chen firmly guarded his heart and mind, the jade booklet in his Sea of Consciousness emitting clear light, protecting the clarity of his spirit.

He had experienced two lifetimes, and his Dao Heart was firm; these illusions, though realistic, were difficult to shake his foundation.

He was like a rock, motionless amidst the sea of desire and Heart Demon, constantly cutting away distracting thoughts, clearly seeing his original heart.

He did not know how much time had passed, but the illusions dissipated. In the darkness, a point of spiritual light appeared and submerged into his eyebrows.

Immediately, he felt his Divine Soul condense, his spirit clear, and his understanding of his own path became clearer.

【Passed the second trial 'Heart Demon tempering the heart', reward: one Divine Soul baptism.】

Immediately after, the third trial arrived!

In the void darkness, a looming bridge phantom woven from ice and fire appeared!

It was exactly the same as the image seen before! The bridge looked calm, but it emitted a contradictory aura of destruction and creation.

"Heaven And Earth Bridge? The third trial is to walk across this bridge?"

Ye Chen stared at the bridge, feeling a huge crisis.

This bridge was by no means a physical entity, but a manifestation of Law!

One wrong step could lead to eternal damnation!

He adjusted his breathing, brought his state to the Peak, the black tortoise armor faintly appeared, and he gripped the ice scar sword tightly.

Then, he stepped onto the bridge deck!

"Boom!"

The moment he stepped onto the bridge deck, on the left was endless freezing, capable of freezing the Soul!

On the right was heaven-defying flames, capable of burning everything!

The two extreme forces of ice and fire crushed toward him like millstones!

Not only did he have to endure the pain of the Physical Body, but he also had to resist the erosion of the power of Law!

"Ah—!"

Ye Chen let out a painful roar, feeling that his body and Soul were about to be torn apart and crushed!

He frantically circulated his Cultivation Technique, his Profound Ice True Essence resisting the flames, and the Origin Liquid and jade booklet power he had just absorbed resisting the severe cold.

The Nirvana Concept sublimated between life and death, attempting to balance these two forces!

Every step was like walking through a mountain of knives and a sea of fire!

His skin cracked, and blood froze or evaporated as soon as it flowed out!

His Meridians felt like they were being pierced by countless red-hot iron needles!

But he gritted his teeth, his eyes crazy and firm, and relying on his tenacious will and understanding of the Nirvana Concept, he moved forward step by step!

He did not know how long he walked, it felt as long as a century.

When he finally crossed the end of the bridge and fell on the "other side", he was like someone fished out of blood.

His aura was extremely weak, but his eyes were as bright as stars!

He had succeeded! He had passed the three trials!

Above the cold pool, the ice lotus shone brightly, and of the last five petals, one more fell off, turning into a solid Chaos-colored stream of light, injecting into Ye Chen's body.

At the same time, an ancient mark slowly took shape deep in his Soul.

【Passed the final trial 'Heaven And Earth Bridge', reward: ice lotus Origin Mark (prototype). Acknowledging your potential, granting a contract to help Me recover, and also to help you ascend to the Dao...】

Ye Chen's consciousness sank into darkness, but the corner of his mouth curled into an arc.

Inside the ice cave, the light of the ice lotus in the cold pool gradually restrained, leaving only four petals. The pale blue light barrier also rippled slightly.

Lin Qingxue seemed to sense something and looked up at the cold pool abruptly.

Outside the light barrier, Black Wind Fiend and the others also stood up suddenly.

Ye Chen, was he about to come out?