Chapter 567 : Journey to the Frozen Sanctuary

The two waited at the Long River Holy Land for three days, finally reaching the appointed time for the Teleportation Formation [a magical array capable of instantaneously transporting people and objects across vast distances] to activate.

Eldrin Chen boarded the Teleportation Formation and observed that nearly two thousand cultivators were using it this time. Most were Violet Sanctum [the third major stage of cultivation, where one forms a core of spiritual power] and Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has successfully formed a Golden Core], with a dozen or so Infant Soul True Lord [the fourth major stage, where the cultivator's nascent soul is formed and housed within the Golden Core] seated among them.

After exchanging brief nods with the dozen or so Infant Soul True Lord, Eldrin Chen saw the Teleportation Formation erupt with a blindingly brilliant radiance.

In the next instant, mountains and rivers seemed to spin, stars shifted in the heavens, and in a single breath, it was as if they had been transported to a different Mortal Realm [the ordinary world inhabited by non-cultivators].

Stepping out from the Teleportation Formation, Eldrin Chen was immediately struck by an intensely frigid wave of icy spiritual energy [the vital energy that flows through all living things and the world, which cultivators absorb and refine].

Lifting his gaze, he beheld a world blanketed in pristine white snow. The mountains and rivers were veiled in a chilling, crystalline mist. Towering pavilions and halls were nestled among the mountain peaks, exuding an aura of majestic and profound power.

"The Polar North Holy Land, the Drifting Snow Palace,"

Exquisite Jiang murmured softly, revealing the origin of this sacred place.

The Far North Icy Plains were home to two Human Race Holy Lands. One was the Northern Plains Wang Immortal Clan, and the other was this Drifting Snow Palace.

The Drifting Snow Palace possessed an ancient lineage and was the undisputed hegemon of the Far North Icy Plains. Its sect boasted a full five Primordial Spirit Path Lord [the fifth major stage of cultivation, where one's Primordial Spirit is fully formed and can operate independently from the body]. The Mistress of Drifting Snow Palace herself was a peerless Path Lord at the Primordial Spirit Late Stage, ranking among the ten most powerful figures within the Purple Seal Realm Human Race. Experience the full epic at audio~novel.com.

This single lineage alone could rival more than half of the Human Race within the Eastern Region Great Wasteland, a testament to the staggering might and splendor of the Drifting Snow Palace.

After finishing her account of the Drifting Snow Palace, Exquisite Jiang's gaze turned frosty as she continued, "As for the Wang Clan of the Northern Plains, they are far inferior to the Drifting Snow Palace."

Noticing the shift in Exquisite Jiang's demeanor, Eldrin Chen could not help but ask, "You seem to harbor some resentment towards this Wang Clan."

"The previous Clan Patriarch of the Wang Clan fell to the Demonic Path [a corrupt and malevolent cultivation method that draws power from darkness and slaughter]."

Exquisite Jiang stated with icy clarity. During the last Demonic Abyss Cataclysm [a great calamity where demonic forces erupted from a chasm], she had been very young, so her understanding of events was fragmented, yet certain pivotal memories remained starkly clear.

It turned out that this Wang Immortal Clan had, a thousand years prior, boasted two Primordial Spirit [the spiritual core of a cultivator, representing a high level of power] cultivators. However, their former Clan Patriarch was seduced by an Outer Realm Demon God [a malevolent entity from beyond this world] and, in a moment of weakness, embraced the Demonic Path.

After his fall, Patriarch Wang treacherously turned on the Kiang Clan from behind, a betrayal that contributed significantly to the Human Race's crushing defeat during that Demonic Abyss Cataclysm.

Enraged by this act, Demon-Slayer Jiang [a title meaning 'Jiang the Demon Slayer'] slew Wang Old Demon in that fateful battle. Yet, even this act of vengeance could not reverse the tide of defeat, and he ultimately perished, passing away seated in meditation amidst the cataclysm.

One could say that the downfall of the Kiang Immortal Clan was due, at least in part—perhaps thirty percent—to that treacherous strike from Wang Old Demon.

Following the demise of Wang Old Demon, the Wang Immortal Clan still had one Path Lord [a master of a profound cultivation path] at the Primordial Spirit Early Stage guarding their legacy. Though their former peerless majesty had faded, they remained a glorious Path Lord Sacred Land [a holy land presided over by a Path Lord].

Upon hearing this, Eldrin Chen's gaze turned icy, and he could not suppress the chill in his voice as he said, "Since Patriarch Wang fell to demonic cultivation, leading to the collapse of the great tribulation back then, does that mean no one will hold him accountable now?"

"How could they be held accountable?"

Exquisite Jiang shook her head, her eyes cold. "The other members of the Wang Immortal Clan did not fall to demonic cultivation. Furthermore, they are protected by the most powerful Primordial Spirit Path Lord [a supreme cultivator whose spirit has reached its primordial state] in this realm. It is not so simple to pursue justice."

"Moreover, the hundreds of millions of the Human Race in the Far North Icy Plains still need the Wang Immortal Clan to stand guard over them."

As she spoke, Eldrin Chen felt a tremor in his heart, finding himself momentarily at a loss for words.

The environment of the Far North Icy Plains is harsh. Although the supreme holy land, the Drifting Snow Palace, stands guard there, the pressure it faces is immense.

Deep within those icy plains resides an Primordial Era Ice Silkworm Demon Ancestor [an ancient demonic beast of immense power, born in the primordial era] that has lived for tens of thousands of years. Its bloodline is not inferior to that of the Nine Heavens Celestial Immortals and Demons, and its strength ranks among the top ten in this realm.

The depths of the Northern Plains are also home to two powerful Primordial Spirit Demonic Cultivator [demonic cultivators who have attained the Primordial Spirit realm]: Snow Soul Old Demon and Glacier Old Demon.

If that were all, it might be manageable. However, at the very edge of the Far North Icy Plains, within the North Sea of Darkness, lies the only major domain in this realm occupied by the Demon Race.

The Kunpeng Clan dominates the North Sea of Darkness. This single lineage boasts six Primordial Spirit Demon Ancestor [demonic beasts that have reached the Primordial Spirit realm]: three Kun-fish, two Peng-birds, and one true Kunpeng [a mythical creature that is both fish and bird]. The supreme powerhouse of this lineage is known as the Kunpeng Demon Sage, a being whose strength ranks among the top three of all Demon Ancestor in this realm.

The Kunpeng Lineage launches a war against the Far North Icy Plains every thousand years, seeking to seize that vast and frigid land for themselves.

Even the mighty Drifting Snow Palace feels immense pressure from the North Sea of Darkness, not to mention the ever-watchful threats of the Primordial Era Ice Silkworm and the Snow Soul Glacier. Naturally, they have no desire to see the Wang Immortal Clan utterly destroyed.

With this thought, Eldrin Chen sighed inwardly. The environment of the Northern Plains was simply too harsh; mortals struggled to thrive there, which kept the number of cultivators low. Consequently, the probability of a Path Lord emerging was naturally diminished.

It was only due to the Drifting Snow Palace's ancient heritage and the fact it had never suffered a Oblivion-level catastrophe that it possessed such profound reserves. Otherwise, it was doubtful the Northern Plains could boast six Path Lord standing guard.

If the Northern Plains were to decline like the Eastern Sea Cultivation World, left with only two or three Primordial Spirit Path Lord to defend it, they would likely be unable to withstand the Kunpeng Clan.

Pushing these thoughts aside, Eldrin Chen spoke, "Dwelling on this now is pointless. Our focus must be on cultivation. If we can one day Ascendant Immortal, suppressing mere Kunpeng will be trivial, and we can settle the old Karma with the Wang Clan." Support the author by reading on audio novel.com.

"Mm," Exquisite Jiang nodded. "Speaking of which, the Wang Clan is not entirely free of obligation. That lineage still owes my Kiang Clan two Primordial Spirit Pill [pills that can aid in forming or strengthening one's Primordial Spirit]. We shall see how they conduct themselves in the future."

Hearing this, Eldrin Chen did not rejoice but instead grew solemn. "In that case, when we travel to the icy plains, you must not reveal your surname."

"Mm," Exquisite Jiang agreed, understanding dawning. "Do not worry. I was very young then. Not only the Wang Immortal Clan, but even within the Eastern Sea, there are likely no more than three or five people still alive today who would recognize me."

Her words eased his concern. Eldrin Chen let out a soft breath and smiled. "Good. Then let us first seek out where Lila might be."

Eldrin Chen withdrew a Soul-Tracking Token of the fourth rank [a high-grade enchanted artifact used for locating individuals] and began to channel his spiritual energy into it, attempting to sense the location of Lila.

After a moment, Eldrin Chen stored the Soul-Tracking Token away once more, shaking his head with a bitter smile. "The distance is far too great. I could not sense her position."

This fourth-rank Soul-Tracking Token consisted of several linked pieces, master and child tokens, which could vaguely sense each other's locations. However, its efficacy failed beyond a distance of ten million Li-lengths [approximately five billion meters].

Since Lila's location remained undetectable, she was undoubtedly far beyond that immense range, making it impossible to pinpoint her whereabouts with confidence.

Seeing this, Exquisite Jiang let out a sigh upon hearing his words. "It seems we must still seek out the Frostmist Immortal Maiden [a title for a powerful female cultivator associated with ice and mist], then," she could only say.

"Indeed. Let us pay her a visit."

The two ascended to the Drifting Snow Palace [a palace or sect known for its association with drifting snow] and presented their Visiting Card [a formal card used to announce one's visit] along with a letter of introduction from Cosmos Heaven's Punishment.

The Golden Core Cultivator [a cultivator who has formed a Golden Core, the third major stage of cultivation] responsible for receiving guests examined the Visiting Card and glanced at the sealing runes upon the letter. A smile touched his lips. "So you are seniors from the Long River Holy Land. Please wait a moment. I shall go and inform our Patriarch [the supreme leader of a clan or sect] at once."

The Golden Core Cultivator departed swiftly and returned not long after. "Esteemed seniors, please follow me," he said.

"We trouble you."

Following the female cultivator at the Golden Core [the third major stage of cultivation, where one's spiritual power condenses into a solid, golden core] stage, the two of them flew across the void. Their journey was brief, and they soon found themselves standing within a vast and imposing ceremonial hall. For the best reading experience, visit audio-novel.com.