Chapter 570 : Ruins of the Frost Snow Pavilion

"Found it."

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

Outside the ruins, countless Demon Race [a race of beings with demonic bloodlines and powers], led by numerous Golden Core Demon King [powerful demonic beasts that have condensed a Golden Core], had surrounded the place, sealing it tight as a drum. Towering over the scene was a single Infant Soul Demon Emperor [a supreme demonic beast whose power rivals that of a human cultivator who has formed an Infant Soul], its presence dominating heaven and earth as if waiting for something.

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

Eldrin Chen spoke, then shot forward astride his Immortal Sword [a sword of immense power, often wielded by high-level cultivators], a streak of light hurtling deep into the heart of the ruins.

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

The Frost Snow Pavilion had a long history. Roughly several thousand years ago, it was a top-tier Infant Soul Great Sect [a major cultivation sect powerful enough to have cultivators at the Infant Soul realm]. At its peak, it was said to have boasted a cultivator at the Great Perfection of Infant Soul [the pinnacle stage of the Infant Soul realm] and over a dozen Infant Soul True Lord [cultivators who have successfully formed their Infant Soul and earned the title of True Lord].

Tragically, during the invasion of the North Sea of Darkness [a vast, demon-infested northern sea] by the Demon Race, the Kunpeng Demon Sage [a legendary, monstrously powerful demonic bird-fish hybrid] unleashed a single flap of its wings. The blow shattered and sank three hundred thousand Li-lengths [one Li-length equals five hundred meters] of snowy plains. In a single night, the Frost Snow Pavilion was utterly annihilated, swallowed whole as the land plunged into the depths of the Eternal Frozen Glacier [a legendary, perpetually frozen glacial region].

Later, the Demon Race forces from the North Sea of Darkness withdrew, but the territory once belonging to the Frost Snow Pavilion was subsequently occupied by Demon Emperor [titles for supremely powerful demonic rulers] under the command of the Primordial Era Ice Silkworm [an ancient, primordial demonic beast of immense cold].

Located deep within Demon Race Territory [lands controlled and inhabited by the Demon Race] and buried beneath glacial ice, the approximate location of the Frost Snow Pavilion ruins was known to many cultivators. Yet, for years, few dared to venture forth and explore them. This chapter appears courtesy of audi novel.com.

Therefore, relatively speaking, quite a few treasures remained preserved within the Frost Snow Pavilion [a legendary sect known for its ice and snow cultivation arts], which was precisely the reason Lila had ventured here to explore for treasures.

Her aspiration to forge a Heavenly Path Infant Soul [the nascent soul stage aligned with the Heavenly Path, a pinnacle achievement] was an exceedingly arduous path. Setting aside the elusive Heavenly Path Energy [a supreme spiritual energy aligned with the Heavenly Path], merely obtaining the Ice Vein Precious Jade [a rare jade formed within glacial veins] and three ice-attribute Demon-Subduing Supreme Treasure [supreme-grade magical artifacts specifically designed to suppress demons] was far too difficult; these were not items an ordinary Golden Core [the Golden Core stage of cultivation] cultivator could ever hope to acquire.

Lila was simply too short on resources and lacked any heaven-defying serendipity. Thus, her only recourse was to constantly seek out 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 [demon kings possessing power equivalent to the Golden Core stage] in succession.

This time, however, her whereabouts had been leaked by someone close to her. Not only was she ambushed by the Demon Emperor just outside the Frost Snow 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 swarms of Demon King [demonic beings of significant power, often equivalent to the Golden Core stage] as they soared towards the depths of the subterranean ruins.

Hordes of Demon King sought to block their path, but faced with the lethal edge of the Demon-Slaying Immortal Sword [a legendary sword famed for its potency against demonic beings], their expressions twisted in terror. Even the Snow Eagle Demon Emperor [a sovereign demonic entity in the form of a giant snow eagle] watched with icy eyes, unconsciously reining in its instinct to spread its wings and strike.

"Two more Human Race True Lord [a high-ranking title for powerful human cultivators, often at the Nascent Soul stage or beyond]... It seems this battle is beyond this Emperor's ability to handle alone."

The Snow Eagle Demon Emperor's gaze turned frigid. 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 entity in the form of a colossal snow ape] and the Ice Spike Demon Emperor [a sovereign demonic entity embodying piercing glacial spikes]. Summon them here with all haste…"

Eldrin Chen flew for an unknowable duration, the two of them piercing through layer upon layer of the Eternal Frozen Glacier, until they finally arrived before the subterranean ruins.

The Formation [a mystical energy barrier or array] guarding these ruins was already damaged and incomplete. While formidable enough to deter most Golden Core Cultivator [cultivators who have condensed their spiritual energy into a solid Golden Core], it could not withstand a Peerless True Lord [a title for a cultivator of exceptional power at the Nascent Soul stage] of Eldrin Chen's caliber.

With a sharp *clang*, his sword radiance pierced through the Formation, and he was carried into the heart of the ruins.

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

"..."

"Immortal Maiden Frost Soul, you truly live up to being someone this True Lord [a title for a Nascent Soul stage cultivator] has taken notice of."

"To comprehend the legacy of the Frost Snow 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 flickering in his eyes.

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

This was none other than Lila. At this moment, her face pale, Lila was channeling her energy into a crystalline pagoda of ice. The treasure continuously deflected the man's assaults, forming an unbreakable defense.

Seeing that his opponent could do nothing to harm him, Lila let out a cold sneer and spoke with a hint of mockery, "This place is enhanced by a Formation [a mystical array that channels and amplifies energies]. As long as I maintain this pagoda, all techniques are rendered useless against me."

"Give up. A waste like you could never hope to breach the defenses of the Frost Soul Jade-Condensing Pagoda [a superior-grade spiritual treasure renowned for its impenetrable icy barrier]."

"You—!" The Soaring Cloud True Lord [a cultivator of the True Lord realm] turned livid, his expression twisting into a snarl. "What a formidable Frost Soul Jade-Condensing Pagoda. Truly worthy of being a Superior Spiritual Treasure [the highest grade of enchanted artifacts]. I cannot overcome it."

"However, though this is unexpected, I came here today specifically for you. Did you think I would arrive unprepared?"

"You—!"

Only then did Lila realize something was amiss. A flush crept across her face as an uncontrollable, burning desire ignited within her body. Enjoyed this chapter? Read more at audio-novel.com.

"Finally noticed, have you?"

The Soaring Cloud True Lord laughed heartily upon seeing her discover the anomaly. He produced a pink-hued Treasure Banner [a type of magical banner artifact] and spoke with a vicious grin, "This treasure is called the Six Desires Mortal Dust Banner [a banner that emanates the essence of worldly desires]. It is a special Spiritual Treasure [an enchanted artifact] from the Desire Demon Tribe [a tribe of demons that feed on and manipulate mortal desires] among the Outer Realm Heavenly Demon [powerful demons from realms beyond this one]."

"Although the material of the Six Desires Mortal Dust Banner is fragile, it can release the Six Desires [the six fundamental worldly desires: sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and thought] essence of the Mortal Dust [the mundane, desire-filled world of mortals]. This essence can ignite a cultivator's spiritual energy, transforming it into raw desire. The purer and more refined a cultivator's energy is, the harder it becomes to suppress."

"Moreover, it is colorless, odorless, and utterly undetectable. It offers no means of defense or expulsion. By the time you realize its presence, it is already too late to escape its clutches."

Soaring Cloud True Lord laughed with boundless greed, his gaze covetous as he stared at the dazed beauty before him, his heart burning with intense desire.

If he could obtain this family today, he would not only gain a peerless cultivation furnace [a partner used in dual cultivation techniques] of exceptional talent, but also that priceless Heavenly Path Energy.

Thinking of this, Soaring Cloud True Lord sneered and said, "My beauty, years ago you snatched the Heavenly Path Energy from my grasp. I swore then that I would make you my personal plaything."

"I never imagined that today I would not only get you, but also the legacy of the Frost Snow Pavilion in one fell swoop. Truly, my destined opportunity has arrived."

"Do not worry. I have cultivated the dual cultivation art Ancient Scroll of Six Desires. I will surely make you experience ecstasy beyond compare, transforming you into a cherished treasure upon my bed from this day forth."

"How dare you!"

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

Clutching the Frost Soul Jade-Condensing Pagoda, she steeled her will and declared, "Then let us perish together!"

As she spoke, Lila prepared to forcibly activate the Frost Soul Jade-Condensing Pagoda. Her intent was to use this Formation Artifact [a treasure designed to anchor and power formations], a Superior Spiritual Treasure-grade artifact, to detonate the subterranean ice veins.

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

"No!"

The Soaring Cloud True Lord's face contorted in utter horror. The underground ice vein beneath the Frost Snow Pavilion was of the Fifth Rank High-Grade and, already critically damaged and unstable, would erupt catastrophically if detonated.

Trapped deep underground, they would have nowhere to flee and would be the first to be annihilated by the unleashed fury of the Earth Vein's boundless power [the immense, foundational energy currents that flow through the world].

At the final moment, Lila gritted her teeth, mustering her spirit to initiate her final gambit.

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

She murmured to herself. Yet, in that very instant, a familiar aura swept in from the distance, causing her heart to tremble with sudden, desperate hope.

"*Screech—*"

A sword light of blinding brilliance cleaved through the air. It carried an intent to kill that was absolute and unforgiving, striking directly for the head of the Soaring Cloud True Lord. Original publication: audio-novel . com - The source of this chapter.