Early morning.
The Reverse Spirit Three Young Masters, for once, had gotten up bright and early. Seeing Wang Yu stretching and loosening his limbs in the courtyard, they clicked their tongues in admiration.
"Fourth Brother's perseverance is truly extraordinary, able to overcome human laziness. The firmness of your will is a model for our generation~"
"..." Wang Yu had to stop his movements, speechless inside. The praise was just too awkward. Even with a face as thick as a city wall, he found it a bit hard to take. He proactively asked, "Do my three elder brothers have business with this younger brother?"
Calling them 'elder brother' came naturally to him, not causing a shred of shame. In truth, the Reverse Spirit Three Young Masters were nearly three times his age, all being over a hundred years old. In the mortal world, you wouldn't call them 'elder brother'; you'd call them ancestors.
"Of course, we have good news for you." Zuoqiu Ming gracefully vaulted over the corridor railing and approached Wang Yu. "Regarding the conditions we agreed on yesterday, one of them can be fulfilled today. This is the Cold Blood Peak's
Wang Yu took the token, sensing it with his spiritual sense. It even had the route mapped out. This token was originally used to nurture True Disciples. Rumor had it that the top ten of each Cold Blood Peak inner sect competition, once they completed their True Disciple trial mission, would receive a large amount of resource rewards. This Cold Pool was one of them.
His "Cold Blood Spirit Ascension Art" had long been perfected, and his realm had broken through to Foundation Establishment. The art's effect of enhancing ice-attribute aptitude could actually be activated. Previously, in the wild, it wasn't convenient for prolonged cultivation and transformation. After returning, the deal with the Three Young Masters made him hold back upon hearing about the Cold Pool's effects. He planned to activate it while soaking in the Cold Pool, hoping the combination of the two would produce an unexpected, pleasant surprise.
"Thank you for your help, Brother Ming. I am naturally satisfied."
"Hahaha~ Glad you're satisfied. There's one more thing." Zuoqiu Ming patted Wang Yu's shoulder and, using his position to block the view, subtly pointed towards Yu Xing, whispering, "Old Yu lent you the Heavenly Enlightenment Cushion for five years. You have to return it to him when it's due. That thing is sect property. So, regarding the matter of being assigned externally to govern a city and establish a manor, how about we fulfill that in five years? Saves you from running back and forth."
—Reasonable!
Wang Yu wouldn't quibble over such a small matter. He smiled and said, "Not just five years, even ten is fine. I正好 (zhèng hǎo - happen to) need time to perfect my Foundation Establishment stage spells and secret curses. Even if you gave it to me now, I wouldn't be leaving for a while."
"That's good. Although that's the logic, it's still best to speak clearly to avoid any misunderstandings between us brothers."
"I, Wang, am not someone who is impatient for quick success, nor one with sinister schemes. You can rest assured."
All four immediately showed friendly smiles.
***
Three days after that, Wang Yu finally managed to contact Gu Zhengshun. He explicitly stated his desire to purchase a third-grade Corpse Refining left arm, preferably an armored corpse type, with a Divine Strength Corpse being best. Price was negotiable.
In his reply, Gu Zhengshun expressed difficulty, asking Wang Yu to give him a month to inquire and see what he could do. After all, third-grade refined corpses, regardless of type, were already considered powerful entities. Not only were they expensive, they were also relatively scarce and hard to obtain without the right channels and connections.
His relationship with Gu Zhengshun was微妙 (wēimiào - subtle), evolving from cooperation to conflict, then back to an uneasy peace. After returning to the sect, it became a transactional relationship. Wang Yu had offloaded many of his spoils through him. This contact was both to seek a third-grade corpse arm and to dispose of the large number of frozen corpses, spoils of war, etc., stored in his pouches. While storage pouches could hold many things, time still passed inside. Corpses would spoil if stored for too long; freezing them could preserve them for a long time. The most important thing was to ensure the spiritual energy and innate spiritual nature didn't dissipate, as only such corpses had value for recycling.
Being busy was fulfilling in its own way.
At noon that day, while Wang Yu was cross-legged, circulating his energy and attempting to absorb the Essence of the Noonday Sun, a flash of light emerged from the spirit beast pouch at his waist. It was the Snow Jade Fox. It had grown considerably, now about the size of a Shiba Inu. Its body was covered in snow-white fur, with icy blue patterns on the tip of its tail, ear edges, and forehead, making it both cute and mysterious.
"Yoyo~" It chirped after actively jumping out, its aura beginning to surge wildly.
"Breaking through?" Wang Yu was slightly surprised but didn't freeze. Instead, following a minor technique from a beast taming cultivation method he had acquired earlier, he formed a series of ice-attribute spirit seals and sent them into the Snow Jade Fox's body, assisting its breakthrough. This was one of the orthodox cultivation methods of beast tamers, using [Beast Taming Spirit Seals] to resonate with the spirit beast, mutually assisting each other's cultivation. It was a life-bound relationship on the cultivation path, both master-servant and akin to blood relatives. Therefore, when a beast taming cultivator fell, their spirit beasts would often continue to help their descendants. Of course, this was under normal circumstances; there were also unorthodox, exploitative methods.
With the help of Wang Yu's true essence, the bottleneck hindering the Snow Jade Fox's advancement broke with almost no effort.
"First-grade late stage, equivalent to about the seventh level of Qi Refining. You've picked a good time." The Snow Jade Fox shook its head, showing a happy smile. Although it couldn't understand Wang Yu's words, it could sense the意念 (yìniàn - intention, thought) he conveyed that good things were coming. It let out a happy sound and threw itself into his arms, rubbing against him.
"What a charmingly naive spirit beast. With you around, I needn't worry about being too lonely. There's no time like the present. I'll take you to the Cold Pool today."
Having made this impromptu decision, Wang Yu left the Enforcement Hall of the Evil God Market, instructing a few disciples to inform Zhuo Shouqing to take over his shift, as he was returning to Cold Blood Peak.
Although it wasn't his first time ascending the peak, the concentration of spiritual energy, the magnificent scenery, and the ultra-low temperature environment remained a coveted cultivation paradise for every ice-attribute cultivator. According to the rules, he needed to reach the Core Formation stage to qualify for opening a cave dwelling here, which was truly not easy.
"This way..." After ascending Cold Blood Peak, the guided route led him to a place he had never been before, seemingly moving upwards and towards a secluded corner at the back.
Soon, an octagonal, transparent white rock hall came into view. It wasn't large, with a pool of ice-blue cold water in the center, covered by a thin layer of mist. The surroundings were desolate and uninhabited, like an abandoned wilderness.
"Halt."
Suddenly, a figure appeared abruptly in front of him. The person wore a narrow-sleeved jacket with water patterns and an outer ice-silk robe. His face was aged, his hair a mix of black and white. His aura was unmistakably at the Core Formation stage. Wang Yu quickly saluted.
"This junior pays his respects to the Elder."
"Rise. Do you have a token?"
"I do."
After Wang Yu handed over the token, the Core Formation elder chuckled lightly. "So it's you who received Zuoqiu Ming's favor. Do you know the unique effects of this Cold Pool?"
"I have a rough idea."
The Core Formation elder, however, shook his head, turning around. "The Cold Pool is good, but a favor from the Zuoqiu family is even more valuable. If you give up now, I can negotiate terms with Zuoqiu Ming on your behalf. If you insist on entering, you will inevitably become involved in the power transition of a Nascent Soul family. The outcome... need I say more?"
Wang Yu frowned. This suddenly appearing obstruction, seemingly the guardian of the Cold Pool, had actually misunderstood something. Or perhaps the scenario he had imagined was completely different from reality. Did he think Zuoqiu Ming owed *him* a favor? As for being involved in a power transition, he was mentally prepared for that. If there was no chaos, how could lower-level cultivators climb up?
"Elder, there's no need to say more. This junior is determined to enter this Cold Pool."
The Core Formation elder fell silent upon hearing this, then spoke again. "If you give it up, I can give you three thousand mid-grade spirit stones, plus a second-grade high-tier spell. How about that?"
*Heh, so that's the plan.* Wang Yu immediately understood his scheme. He couldn't help but glance at the token the elder was clutching tightly. All this talk of 'for your own good' was nothing but a cover for coveting the opportunity of the Cold Pool baptism. He didn't dare offend Zuoqiu Ming, so he could only try to persuade Wang Yu to give up. How realistic!
The Cold Pool could enhance affinity with ice spiritual energy, equivalent to indirectly improving spiritual root aptitude, though not as comprehensively as the spiritual roots themselves. It was a treasure in its own right, quite valuable. Trying to exchange it for a Foundation Establishment spell and three thousand mid-grade spirit stones showed a lack of sincerity. Although Wang Yu was disgusted by his behavior, he didn't want to completely antagonize him either.
He cupped his hands and said, "Elder, you desire this Cold Pool baptism spot, presumably to secure it for your descendants, right?"
Having his scheme seen through, the man said disdainfully, "So what if I am? Just say whether you agree or not. I am 'Flying Snow True Person'. Have you heard this title? You should know my reputation."
"Hehe—" *This old fossil is putting on airs.* What Flying Snow, Flying Flower, just a nobody. Wang Yu's expression turned forceful. Without any客气 (kèqì - politeness), he said, "Elder Flying Snow, if you want it, go ask Zuoqiu Ming for it. If you think I'm an easy target, why not just seize it by force? At your age, still running around for your descendants. Aren't you afraid of making too many enemies and ending your line in your old age?!"
"You—!" Elder Flying Snow was momentarily speechless with anger.
Wang Yu observed the remaining vitality in his life force, judging the other to be at least seven or eight hundred years old. Although at the late Core Formation stage, he was only at the seventh layer, with absolutely no chance of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage in this lifetime, and even facing imminent death from old age.
Wang Yu pushed past the blocking old man, patted him on the shoulder, and a wisp of refined death energy, accumulated over many years, was imperceptibly transferred into Elder Flying Snow's body through the physical contact. Already short on lifespan, the aura of twilight and decay on him thickened even more. Unfortunately, he himself, long accustomed to this state, didn't even notice that wisp of death energy.
"Your time is short. Why make more enemies for your descendants?"
With these words, Wang Yu walked towards the Cold Pool, his eyes filled with icy killing intent. Death energy was one of the most potent methods against the elderly. He had never used this trump card before, both because he hadn't encountered the right person and lacked a suitable opportunity. Now that he had, it would become the last straw that broke the other party. Normally, he wouldn't be so ruthless, but... he, Wang Yu, absolutely would not accept threats!
Behind him, Elder Flying Snow seemed to tremble with anger, his body shaking a few times. In the end, he did not阻止 (stop/prevent) Wang Yu from entering the Cold Pool. He didn't have the courage, nor did he dare to seize it by force. He could only heave a despondent sigh, wondering why he felt exceptionally tired today.
*So tired... I really want to sleep.*
(End of Chapter)