Chapter 1366 : Journey to the Icy Jade Sanctuary

Having decided on their destination, the two did not delay. They traversed the boundless sea, and after a year's journey, arrived at the outskirts of the Icy Jade Immortal Palace [a powerful sect of female cultivators known for their mastery of ice and jade-based arts].

Upon reaching the Icy Jade Sea Region, Eldrin Chen found the domain to be peaceful and serene, seemingly untouched by any terrible Great Tribulation [a cataclysmic, era-defining conflict between major powers]. The number of cultivators did not appear to have diminished significantly.

After making inquiries, he learned that the Icy Jade Immortal Palace had concluded their part in the Great Tribulation wars a full three thousand years prior.

As a Blessed Land [a region of exceptionally dense spiritual energy and natural fortune] ranked within the top hundred of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, the Icy Jade Immortal Palace possessed formidable Force Extreme [overwhelming martial strength and profound foundation]. Not situated at the heart of the Great Tribulation, they naturally faced little overwhelming pressure.

In this tribulation, the Icy Jade Immortal Palace spent less than ten thousand years to completely pacify the surrounding Demon Race [a race of beings that cultivate through demonic or bestial paths] incursions of the Great Tribulation, bringing their part of the conflict to an end.

Understanding this, Eldrin Chen immediately said to Exquisite Jiang, "Since there is no war here, let us pay a visit to the Icy Jade Immortal Palace."

With that, the two made their way to the gates of the immortal palace.

Eldrin Chen released a wisp of his aura and proclaimed in a clear voice, "This humble one is the Returning Abyss Path Master [a title meaning 'Master of the Path to the Returning Abyss'] from the Flowing Stream Hundred Seas. I have come today to pay my respects to your mountain. I request an audience with the fellow Daoists of the immortal palace."

Soon, a response came from within the Icy Jade Immortal Palace. Several female immortals of graceful bearing and transcendent beauty flew forth.

The one at their forefront wore robes of pristine white, her cultivation aura profound and unfathomable. She was unmistakably the Mistress of the Icy Jade Palace [the sovereign ruler of the Icy Jade Immortal Palace].

Upon seeing the two of them, she immediately offered a slight, smiling bow and inquired, "Might you two be the renowned Returning Abyss Path Master and Immortal Maiden Exquisite from the Returning Abyss Sea Region?"

"Indeed, we are."

Eldrin Chen returned the gesture with a clasped fist and a warm smile.

The Mistress of the Icy Jade Palace's eyes brightened upon hearing this. "I have heard tales of your peerless talents, how you turned the tide during the Great Tribulation and felled the Lord of Thousand Dragon Lake in a single, legendary battle," she said.

"To meet you today confirms it—you are truly Extraordinary."

"You honor us too much, Palace Mistress."

Eldrin Chen offered a modest smile, careful not to appear arrogant.

This Mistress of the Icy Jade Palace was no ordinary figure herself. Known as 'Jade Frost the Immortal Maiden,' she was a celebrated and peerless beauty of great renown within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea.

She stood shoulder-to-shoulder with figures like the Glazed Divine Lord and Immortal Maiden Verdant Flame, counted among the Ten Great Immortal Maidens of the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, where she held the seventh rank.

It was said her cultivation had not only reached the profound Eighth Level Earth Immortal realm, but she was also a supreme genius who had successfully opened her Seventh Heaven [the seventh of the nine foundational heavens within a cultivator's dantian, representing a pinnacle of early-stage potential].

Such a peerless immortal maiden naturally had many suitors within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea [a vast and perilous sea region in the immortal realm]. Among them were not a few Great Power Figure [a title for cultivators of immense power and status] who had reached the Earth Immortal Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Earth Immortal realm] or even the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm [a transitional state between Earth Immortal and Celestial Immortal].

After exchanging greetings, Jade Frost the Immortal Maiden led the two visitors into the reception Great Hall of her palace.

Following the customary pleasantries, Eldrin Chen stated their purpose directly: "To speak plainly, we have come today seeking to borrow the use of your Blessed Land [a land imbued with potent natural spiritual energies, ideal for cultivation] for our cultivation."

"I see,"

Jade Frost the Immortal Maiden nodded in understanding. As one of only three top-tier ice-attributed Blessed Land within the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea, the Icy Jade Immortal Palace's Blessed Land had long been a treasured cultivation site for Immortal [a general term for beings who have ascended to immortality] possessing the Ice Spiritual Root [an innate affinity for ice and water elemental spiritual energies].

Ice-attributed cultivation resources were exceedingly scarce in the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea. Ever since the founding of the Icy Jade Immortal Palace, Immortal with the Ice Spiritual Root had been seeking its aid every few years.

The Icy Jade Immortal Palace was more than willing to assist. They had specially constructed numerous cultivation grottoes for Immortal and leased them to those with the Ice Spiritual Root, amassing vast quantities of Immortal Source [a high-purity energy source used by immortals], Celestial Silver [a precious metal infused with celestial energy], and various rare Immortal Artifact [powerful enchanted tools and weapons used by immortals] in return.

One could say that leasing cultivation grottoes to Ice Spiritual Root Immortal had consistently been one of the Icy Jade Immortal Palace's greatest sources of income.

Therefore, Eldrin Chen's arrival to lease a cultivation site came as no surprise to her.

A faint smile graced her lips as she spoke, "If Fellow Daoist wishes to lease a grotto for cultivation, we are naturally willing to accommodate."

"I will have someone prepare an eighth-rank cave abode for you to use as your cultivation site shortly. How does that sound?"

Seeing Jade Frost the Immortal Maiden agree so readily, Eldrin Chen felt a surge of delight in his heart.

However, an ordinary eighth-rank cave abode would certainly be insufficient for Eldrin Chen's cultivation needs. Thus, he spoke up, "To be perfectly honest, I intend to temper my physical body using an ice vein. A standard eighth-rank cultivation site will not suffice."

"I wonder if it would be possible to lease the core area of the Earth Vein [the primary spiritual artery of a land] for my cultivation for a period of time?"

"This..."

Upon hearing this, the several Earth Immortal Patriarch [patriarchs who have attained the Earth Immortal realm] of the Icy Jade Immortal Palace all slightly furrowed their brows.

The core of that Earth Vein was the cultivation ground for their Supreme Elder [the highest-ranking elders] within the Blessed Land [a land imbued with potent spiritual energy].

Much like Eldrin Chen's Stellar Glazed Boundary [a powerful defensive formation] or even his Returning Abyss Blessed Land, such core areas of a Blessed Land were rarely accessible for cultivation except to one's own kin or a select few deeply trusted friends.

This kind of core area within a Blessed Land was often a cultivation resource that could not be purchased with wealth alone.

Seeing their reaction, Eldrin Chen understood the concerns of the Icy Jade Immortal Palace elders. He immediately cupped his hands and said, "To speak plainly, this cultivation session is of utmost importance to me."

"If you all are willing to lease it to me for cultivation, I am not only prepared to offer a generous price but also willing to owe you a personal favor."

Upon hearing this, before the other several Earth Immortal Patriarch could respond, Jade Frost the Immortal Maiden's eyes gleamed slightly as she said, "A high price is unnecessary."

"You may pay the standard rate. Consider it a gesture of friendship."

Seeing this, Eldrin Chen immediately replied with a smile, "Then I offer my sincere thanks."

Jade Frost the Immortal Maiden said nothing more, simply leading Eldrin Chen into the depths of the Blessed Land [a land imbued with potent spiritual energy, far superior to ordinary spiritual veins].

Watching Eldrin Chen and Exquisite Jiang enter, an Earth Immortal [a cultivator who has ascended to the Earth Immortal realm, possessing immense power and longevity] from the Icy Jade Immortal Palace asked, "Palace Master, how can we allow outsiders to enter the core of our Blessed Land so freely?"

"I know what you wish to say."

Jade Frost the Immortal Maiden interrupted her, then shook her head. "Although this man is not familiar to us, his innate talent is truly Extraordinary."

"It is said that Returning Abyss Path Master has already entered the Forbidden Domain [a legendary, near-mythical stage of cultivation that transcends ordinary limits], making him the most prodigious talent the Western Essence Divine Abyss Sea has seen in a million years."

"From what we witnessed today, it seems not only he, but his consort as well has stepped into this realm."

Jade Frost the Immortal Maiden spoke with measured gravity, "Such a figure, provided he does not fall prematurely, will most likely cultivate the Primordial Unity Foundation in the future, becoming an existence of at least the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm."

"For such a person, if there is enmity, he must be strangled in the cradle. If there is none, it is wise to foster goodwill."

"We bear him no grudge. By letting him owe us a favor today, perhaps when the Path Tribulation descends a million years hence, it will prove to be of no small use."

Upon hearing this, the several Earth Immortal fell into a contemplative silence.

Jade Frost the Immortal Maiden's reasoning was sound. A supreme prodigy destined for at least the Half-Step Celestial Immortal Realm, with the potential to even reach the domain of a Celestial Immortal Great Power, was indeed worthy of their goodwill.

Meanwhile, Eldrin Chen had already stepped into the heart of the Blessed Land.

He was unaware of the conversation between Jade Frost the Immortal Maiden and the others outside. Yet, having been exceptionally permitted to cultivate within the core Blessed Land of the Icy Jade Immortal Palace, he had already committed this debt of gratitude to memory.

The moment he entered the Blessed Land, a powerful surge of Profound Ice Energy [a deep, frigate spiritual energy] washed over him. The extreme cold was so intense it sent a bone-chilling shiver through Eldrin Chen's entire body.

Yet, instead of alarm, Eldrin Chen felt a surge of joy. This piercing cold that seeped into his very marrow, cold enough for even him to find difficult to bear, proved it was potent enough to temper his physical body.

Without a moment's delay, he settled into a meditative posture within the Blessed Land and began to actively channel the extreme cold energy, drawing it into himself.