34: Burning Heaven Valley? You seem like quite the bed warmer!

Outside the mountain gate, that terrifying ice lotus, which had sealed a Peak Void Tribulation expert, reflected a cold and eerie light under the sun.

Before the ice lotus, Jiang Linfeng held Star Universe in his arms while Su Ningxue stood by his side holding a swaddle. Bathed in starlight and sunlight, the two looked like deities descending to the mortal realm, carrying a silent pressure sufficient to crush Souls!

"Where is the congratulatory gift?"

Those five words were like ice picks, stabbing ruthlessly into the hearts of Elder of Xiyun Sword Sect and Elder of Fentian Valley!

Elder of Xiyun Sword Sect's face turned ashen, and the veins on his temples throbbed. As an Elder of Xiyun Sword Sect, when had he ever been treated with such contempt?!

But as his gaze touched the ice lotus emitting the Aura of death, and met Jiang Linfeng's eyes—deep as a starry abyss and devoid of any ripples—a chill uncontrollably surged up his spine!

He did not doubt for a moment that if he dared to make even the slightest move, his end would be no better than the person inside the ice lotus!

"Giggle..." Su Mei's charming laughter broke the frozen air, but there was no longer any of her previous seductive composure in that laugh; instead, it carried a trace of imperceptible stiffness.

Her phoenix eyes darted around as she forcibly suppressed the alarm in her heart. Her full red lips curved into an even more enchanting arc, and with a sway of her waist, she took a step forward:

"Young Sect Master Jiang, please calm your anger~ I am Su Mei, an Elder of Fentian Valley. By order of our Valley Master, I have come specifically to congratulate your noble sect on the birth of your son. The birth of a Star Dao Body is truly a blessing for the North Region! As for the gift... naturally, there is one!"

She lightly clapped her jade-like hands, and a Fentian Valley Disciple behind her immediately presented a red jade treasure box.

The moment the treasure box opened, a burst of scorching and pure fire elemental energy gushed out! Inside the box, three longan-sized, entirely crimson Medicinal Pills with lava-like patterns flowing on their surfaces lay quietly, emitting a heart-palpitating, violent energy!

"This is my Fentian Valley's secret 'red sun burning heaven pill'!" Su Mei's voice carried a hint of pride. "black rank high-grade! It contains a trace of Solar True Fire Origin! Consuming it can temper the bones and strengthen the Foundation! Especially for fire-attribute Cultivators, it has the effect of a complete rebirth! This humble gift is a mere token of our respect; I hope Sect Master Jiang will kindly accept it!"

red sun burning heaven pill! black rank high-grade! Containing Solar True Fire Origin!

Even Elder of Xiyun Sword Sect had a flicker of greed in his eyes! This pill also had miraculous effects for a Sword Cultivator tempering their sword body!

Su Mei sneered inwardly. She didn't believe Jiang Linfeng wouldn't be tempted! This pill was precious enough to drive any Zhaoshen Realm Cultivator mad! She wanted to see if this unfathomable Sect Master Jiang truly had the confidence or was just putting on an act!

Everyone's gaze focused on Jiang Linfeng's face.

Jiang Linfeng's gaze calmly swept over the three crimson Medicinal Pills, his eyes showing no fluctuation, as if he were looking at three ordinary pebbles. In his arms, Star Universe seemed disturbed by the scorching Aura; his small brow furrowed slightly, and he let out a dissatisfied whimper.

"Trash." Jiang Linfeng's thin lips parted slightly as he spat out those two words.

"What?!" The charming smile on Su Mei's face instantly froze! An unbelievable rage erupted from her phoenix eyes! Trash?! Her Fentian Valley's secret treasure pill was actually called trash?!

Elder of Xiyun Sword Sect's pupils also shrank, his heart filled with horror! This man... what a big mouth!

"It contains a trace of Solar True Fire residue that is messy and cluttered beyond compare. The pill poison has not been purified, and the fire element is violent. Consuming it would injure the internal organs and damage the Foundation." Jiang Linfeng's voice was flat, yet like the sharpest scalpel, it instantly analyzed the flaws of the red sun burning heaven pill to the core. "How can such an inferior pill be called black rank high-grade? Fentian Valley's alchemy Dao... is nothing more than this."

"You...!" Su Mei was so angry her whole body trembled, her full chest heaving violently, and her golden-red curly hair moved without wind like burning flames! Her Fentian Valley was famous in the North Region for its mastery of both alchemy and fire; when had they ever suffered such humiliation?! "Jiang Linfeng! Do not make baseless accusations! You have insulted my Fentian Valley's alchemy Dao; today, you must give us an explanation!"

"An explanation?" The corner of Jiang Linfeng's mouth curled into a cold arc, his gaze like lightning piercing straight at Su Mei. "This seat would like to ask, is your Fentian Valley... here to congratulate? Or are you here... to test me?!"

Boom!

An even more majestic and vast pressure erupted! It was no longer just pure Star Chaos, but also mixed with a trace of supreme will originating from the very source of life! Like an ancient divine mountain, it slammed down upon Su Mei!

Su Mei's expression changed drastically! She felt an irresistible force suddenly descend! The flames burning around her were instantly suppressed until they were dim and lusterless! The Fentian True Yuan within her body, which Fentian Valley was so proud of, seemed to have met its nemesis; it went on a wild rampage, almost turning back to consume her! She groaned and retreated three steps in a row before barely stabilizing herself. Her beautiful face was completely drained of blood, and her eyes were filled with absolute terror!

With just a single look! A single display of Aura! He had actually caused her, a Void Tribulation Realm Early Stage Elder of Fentian Valley, to almost lose her mind?!

"Sect Master Jiang, please calm your anger!" Elder of Xiyun Sword Sect's heart pounded wildly as he hurriedly stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Elder Su simply misspoke; she had absolutely no intention of offending you! My Xiyun Sword Sect has also prepared a humble gift!" He didn't dare to try any more testing and quickly signaled the Disciple behind him to present a narrow jade box.

The jade box opened, and a clear sword cry rang out! Inside the box lay a spiritual sword that was entirely deep blue, its blade flowing with a water-like luster. Its Sword Intent was restrained, yet it exuded a bone-piercing sharpness!

"This is my Xiyun Sword Sect's 'Water-Parting Sword,' a black rank Medium Grade Spiritual Artifact! Its edge is sharp enough to split waves and cut through currents! We present it to the Young Sect Master as a token of our goodwill!"

A black rank Medium Grade spiritual sword! It was worth a fortune! Elder of Xiyun Sword Sect's heart bled, but at this moment, saving his life was more important!

Jiang Linfeng's gaze swept over the Water-Parting Sword, still showing no ripples. In his arms, Star Universe seemed more interested in that sword cry, reaching out his small hand and babbling as he tried to grab it.

"The sword embryo is acceptable, but the Sword Intent is cluttered and its spirituality is clouded." Jiang Linfeng commented indifferently. "Xiyun Sword Sect's sword-forging techniques... also need improvement."

Elder of Xiyun Sword Sect's mouth twitched, but he didn't dare to argue. He could only force a smile and say, "Sect Master Jiang has a Dharma Eye as keen as a torch... I am impressed, truly impressed..."

Su Mei had also suppressed her churning blood by now, her expression shifting. She stared fixedly at Jiang Linfeng, her phoenix eyes a mix of anger and suspicion, but more than that... it was an indescribable... curiosity and... a trace of heat that even she hadn't noticed? This man... was too strong! Too overbearing! And too... mysterious! That power that suppressed her Fentian True Yuan... what exactly was it?!

"The gifts... this seat shall accept." Jiang Linfeng finally spoke, his voice flat but carrying an unquestionable majesty. "Go back and tell your Sect Master and Valley Master that Qingyun Sect is about to be rebuilt, and everything is waiting to be done. If they have the heart, they should just send some Spirit Medicine, Ore, and Formation Materials. If they send more indecent people to test me again..." His gaze swept over the ice lotus, his killing intent cold. "This block of ice... is still missing a companion!"

Elder of Xiyun Sword Sect and Su Mei both shuddered! Indecent people?! This was clearly a veiled insult! But they didn't dare to speak their anger!

"Yes! Yes! We will certainly convey Sect Master Jiang's words!" The two hurriedly bowed in agreement and didn't dare to stay a moment longer, leading their Disciples away in a panicked retreat like stray dogs.

Looking at the backs of the two groups fleeing in embarrassment, Su Ningxue held the swaddle, her deer-like eyes sparkling with admiration. The Sect Master... was too amazing! With just a few words, he scared off two Void Tribulation Realm Elders!

[Ding! Su Ningxue's intimacy +5! (Current 105%! Intimacy overflow!)]

[Reward obtained: Ice Soul Origin Essence x1! Star Insight Fragments x2!]

[Hint: The Fusion degree between the target's Ice Soul Origin and Star Dao Rhyme has deepened! You may attempt to guide Dual Cultivation...]

Jiang Linfeng felt the pure Ice Soul Origin Essence and Star insights pouring into his Sea of Consciousness, and the corner of his mouth curved imperceptibly. He turned his gaze to Su Ningxue beside him; the girl's cheeks were flushed, and her deer-like eyes looked at him with shy adoration, her gaze almost ready to melt into water.

"Ningxue."

"Ah? Yes! Sect Master!" Su Ningxue hurriedly responded, her heart beating like a drum.

"The fire of Fentian Valley... seems quite vigorous?" Jiang Linfeng's gaze fell on her with a hint of playfulness. "Your Ice Soul Origin has just stabilized and needs some external stimulation... perhaps it can help you take a step further?"

Su Ningxue was instantly stunned! The fire of Fentian Valley... external stimulation... the Sect Master... did the Sect Master mean...?! Her cheeks instantly turned completely red, like a ripe peach, even her small earlobes were red enough to bleed. Her deer-like eyes were watery, filled with an indescribable expectation amidst her shyness. Her voice was as thin as a mosquito's wing, almost melting into the wind:

"This... this Disciple... will follow whatever the Sect Master... arranges..."

Deep in the endless void, at the traveling palace of the Ice Soul Divine Palace.

Ning Yudie sat cross-legged on a profound ice jade platform, the ice soul divine talisman flowing with light. In her ice-blue pupils, a scene was clearly reflected—outside the mountain gate, Jiang Linfeng held Star Universe, while the Ice Soul girl beside him was shy and full of admiration; and the alarm, curiosity, and... trace of heat in the phoenix eyes of that enchanting woman from Fentian Valley!

"Hmph! A bunch of shameless vile maids!" A cold snort of anger exploded in the ice palace! Ning Yudie fiercely waved her jade hand!

Boom!

An exquisite ice sculpture carved from ten-thousand-year profound ice in front of her instantly shattered! It turned into a sky full of ice crystal powder!

Her beautiful face was a sheet of ice, her chest heaving slightly. Deep in her ice-blue pupils, that heat, like a frozen volcano... surged wildly! The look in that vixen's eyes from Fentian Valley... and the way that little Ice Soul wench looked as if she were ready to be plucked... caused a surge of unprecedented irritation and... violence to rise in her heart!

"Jiang Linfeng! You are truly something!" Ning Yudie gritted her silver teeth, the light of the ice soul divine talisman flaring up. A more terrifying chill spread out, freezing the entire ice palace with a thick layer of ice!

"When this seat recovers... I will definitely... freeze you... along with those vile maids... together! You shall never be reincarnated!"

However, deep within her cold killing intent, a trace of an even more burning thought that she hadn't even noticed herself... quietly sprouted like a poisonous vine—

"He... seems... to really like... bed-warmers?"