Chapter 570 : Ruins of the Frost Pavilion

"Found it."

Both of them felt a surge of joy. They traversed the void for several more days before finally arriving before the ruins of an ancient site.

Outside the ruins, countless Demonic Tribe [a collective term for demonic races and beasts], led by numerous Golden Core Demon King [powerful demonic beasts equivalent to the Golden Core realm], had surrounded the place completely. Towering above them all was a single Nascent Soul Demon Emperor [a supreme demonic entity of the Nascent Soul realm], dominating the heavens and earth as if waiting for something.

"Do not engage. Let us enter the ruins first."

Eldrin Chen spoke, then soared forth upon his Immortal Sword [a divine sword of immortal grade], shooting like a comet towards the depths of the ruins.

Though their journey had been hurried, Eldrin Chen had managed to briefly consult the limited records he carried to learn of the Frost Pavilion's origins.

The Frost Pavilion was an ancient lineage. Several Millennium ago, it had been a premier Nascent Soul Great Sect [a major sect powerful enough to produce Nascent Soul cultivators]. At its zenith, it was said to have boasted one cultivator at the Nascent Soul Great Perfection [the pinnacle stage of the Nascent Soul realm] and over a dozen Nascent Soul True Lord [honorific title for a Nascent Soul realm master].

Tragically, during the invasion of the Northern Abyssal Sea by the Demonic Tribe, Peng the Roc Demon Sage [a legendary demonic roc of immense power] struck with a single beat of its wings, shattering and sinking a three-hundred-thousand Li-length [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] expanse of snowy plains. The Frost Pavilion was utterly annihilated overnight, swallowed into the depths of the Eternal Frozen Glacier.

After the Demonic Tribe of the Northern Abyssal Sea eventually retreated, the territory once belonging to the Frost Pavilion was claimed by the Demon Emperor [a supreme ruler among demonic beings] under the command of the Primordial Ice Silkworm [an ancient, glacier-dwelling mythical beast of immense cold power].

Located deep within Demonic Tribe Territory and buried under glacial ice, the ruins of the Frost Pavilion were known in general location to many cultivators. Yet, for years, few dared to venture forth and explore them. Immerse yourself in the complete world at *audio-novel.com*.

Therefore, relatively speaking, a considerable number of treasures within the Frost Pavilion [a legendary, ice-encased ancient structure] remained preserved. This was precisely the reason why Lila had ventured here to explore for treasures.

Her ambition to forge a Heavenly Dao Nascent Soul [the pinnacle form of Nascent Soul, aligned with the Heavenly Dao] was an exceedingly arduous path. Setting aside the elusive Heavenly Dao Qi [a supreme-grade spiritual energy aligned with the Heavenly Dao], merely obtaining the Ice Vein Treasure Jade [a legendary jade formed within the heart of glacial veins] and three Ice Attribute Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [supreme-grade magical treasures of the ice element, capable of subduing demons] was far too rare; these were not items an ordinary Golden Core [the third major realm of cultivation] cultivator could ever hope to acquire.

Lila was simply too impoverished and lacked those heaven-defying strokes of fortune. Thus, her only recourse was to constantly seek perilous adventures. This was also why she had risked offending a Demon Emperor [a sovereign ruler among demonkind] and daringly slain nine Golden Core Demon King [powerful demonic beasts equivalent to the Golden Core realm] in succession.

This time, however, her whereabouts had been betrayed by someone close to her. Not only was she cornered by the Demon Emperor outside the Frost Pavilion, but she also fell victim to a hidden scheme plotted by others.

"*Clang—*"

A flash of sword light erupted. Eldrin Chen and his companion descended like twin comets, instantly piercing through countless Demon King [powerful demonic beasts] as they soared towards the depths of the subterranean ruins.

Hordes of Demon King sought to block their path, yet their faces paled before the lethal edge of the Demon-Subduing Immortal Sword [an immortal-grade sword renowned for vanquishing demons]. Even the Snow Eagle Demon Emperor [a sovereign demonic beast resembling a giant eagle of ice and snow] watched with frigid eyes, unconsciously reining in its instinct to strike with a beat of its wings.

"Two more Human Race True Lord [a title for powerful human cultivators, often at the Golden Core realm or above] have arrived. It seems this battle is beyond this emperor's ability to handle alone."

The Snow Eagle Demon Emperor's gaze turned icy. After a moment of silent contemplation, it finally sent out a message.

"Go and deliver a message to the Snow Ape Demon Emperor [a sovereign demonic beast, a giant ape of the frozen wastes] and the Icicle Demon Emperor [a sovereign demonic beast formed from sentient, razor-sharp ice]. Summon them here with all haste…"

Eldrin Chen flew for an unknowable length of time. The two of them pierced through layer upon layer of the Eternal Frozen Glacier, finally arriving before the subterranean ruins.

The Formation [a defensive or restrictive energy array] guarding these ruins was already damaged and incomplete. While it was enough to deter most Golden Core Cultivators, it could no longer bar the path of a Peerless True Lord like Eldrin Chen.

With a sharp *clang*, his sword-light pierced through the Formation and carried Eldrin Chen into the heart of the ruins.

The moment he stepped inside, Eldrin Chen's divine sense [a cultivator's spiritual perception] instantly swept through the void. He detected two powerful auras locked in a tense standoff tens of thousands of Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] away.

"Aurora the Frost-Souled, you truly are the one this True Lord has set his sights upon."

"To comprehend the legacy of the Frost Pavilion in a mere three months... such talent is something even I have rarely witnessed in my lifetime."

Deep within the ruins, a man with an icy countenance gazed ahead, a cruel smirk flashing in his eyes.

Not far before him, a woman of breathtaking beauty, her figure graceful and perfect, sat with her eyes downcast. She was clad in pristine white robes.

This was none other than Lila. At this moment, her face pale, Lila was channeling her power into an Icicle Pagoda [an enchanted artifact in the form of a pagoda made of ice]. She was continuously deflecting the man's assaults, stubbornly preventing him from breaching her defenses.

Seeing that her opponent could not overcome her, Lila let out a cold laugh, her voice laced with sarcasm. "The Formation here amplifies my power. With this pagoda deployed, I am impervious to all techniques."

"Give up. With your level of incompetence, you could never breach the defenses of the Frost Soul Jade Condensing Pagoda."

"You—" Tengyun the Cloudrider's face turned cold, his gaze turning savage. "A fine Frost Soul Jade Condensing Pagoda indeed. Truly worthy of being a Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure [a top-tier enchanted artifact]. I cannot overcome it."

"However, though this is unexpected, I came here today specifically for you. Did you think I would not come fully prepared?"

"You—"

Only then did Lila realize something was wrong. She felt her face flush hot, and an uncontrollable fire of desire began to burn within her body once more.

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Seeing her discover the anomaly, Tengyun the Cloudrider let out a hearty laugh. He produced a pink-colored treasure banner, a sinister smile twisting his features as he spoke. "This treasure is called the Six Desires Mortal Dust Banner [a banner that unleashes the six worldly desires to ensnare cultivators]. It is a Special Spiritual Treasure [an artifact with unique, often insidious properties] from among the Extraterrestrial Heavenly Demon [demonic beings from beyond this world], specifically crafted by the Desire Demon Clan [a clan of demons who feed on and manipulate mortal desires]."

"Although the material of the Six Desires Mortal Dust Banner is fragile, it can release the Qi [the vital energy] of the Six Desires from the Mortal Realm. This Qi can ignite a cultivator's Mana [the refined spiritual energy used to power techniques], transforming it into raw desire. The purer a cultivator's Mana is, the harder it becomes to suppress."

"Moreover, it is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. There is no way to defend against it or expel it. By the time you realize what's happening, it is already too late to escape its clutches."

Tengyun the Cloudrider laughed with greedy, unrestrained delight, his covetous gaze fixed upon the beauty before him whose eyes were now glazed with confusion. His heart burned with a fierce, possessive heat.

If he could obtain this family today, he would not only gain a peerlessly talented Dual Cultivation Furnace Cauldron [a cultivation partner used in certain dual cultivation arts to enhance cultivation speed], but also acquire that priceless Heavenly Dao Qi [a primordial strand of Qi embodying the Heavenly Dao, immensely beneficial for cultivation].

Thinking of this, Tengyun the Cloudrider sneered coldly and said, "Fair maiden, years ago when you snatched the Heavenly Dao Qi from my grasp, I vowed to make you my exclusive plaything."

"I never imagined that today I would not only obtain you but also inherit the legacy of the Frost Pavilion [a sect or organization specializing in ice and frost-based cultivation arts]. Truly, my destined opportunity has arrived."

"Rest assured, I have cultivated the dual cultivation art, the Ancient Scroll of Six Desires [an ancient scripture detailing arts that harness the six base desires for cultivation]. I will surely make you experience ecstasy beyond compare, transforming you into a cherished treasure upon my bed henceforth."

"How dare you!"

Suddenly, the peerlessly beautiful woman's gaze cleared in an instant, brimming with unveiled killing intent.

Clutching the Frost Snow Jade Condensing Pagoda [a magical pagoda artifact that condenses frost and snow energy], she steadied her mind with great effort and declared, "Then let us perish together."

As she spoke, Lila prepared to forcibly activate the Frost Soul Jade Condensing Pagoda, intending to detonate the subterranean ice veins using this Formation Tool [a specialized magical treasure designed to anchor and power formations] of Superior Grade Spiritual Treasure [the highest grade of Spiritual Treasure, possessing immense power] caliber.

In that moment, the mountains shook and the earth trembled; the entire glacier, frozen since time immemorial, began to quake violently.

"No!"

The countenance of Tengyun the Cloudrider shifted to one of profound horror. The subterranean ice vein beneath the Frost Pavilion was of the Fifth Rank High Grade tier. Already grievously wounded and rendered dangerously unstable, if it were to be detonated now, it would erupt with cataclysmic force.

Trapped deep within the earth, with no path of escape, they would be the first to be annihilated by the unleashed, boundless power of the Earth Vein [the spiritual energy currents flowing through the planet's crust].

At this final, desperate moment, Lila gritted her teeth, mustering her will to unleash her final gambit.

"Eldrin, how I hate that I cannot walk the final steps of the path with you."

She whispered the lament to herself. Yet, in that very instant, a familiar aura surged from the distance, causing her heart to tremble with sudden, fierce hope.

"*Screech—*"

A sword radiance of unparalleled brilliance cleaved through the air. It carried an intent to kill that was absolute and unforgiving, a will of steel, and it shot straight for the head of Tengyun the Cloudrider. Continue reading this story at audio-novel.com.