Conquering That Great Demon Lord [Xian Ni Fan Fiction] - Chapter 19: Cold Pond

Chapter 19: Cold Pond

Li Muwan: Soul Pearl? Is this the same as the Soul of Life you absorb?

Soul Pearl: Yes, but techniques and cultivation levels capable of extracting a cultivator’s Soul of Life are rare on this Cultivation Star. As for where these Souls of Life originate, that remains unknown.

Li Muwan: Do they seek these Souls of Life merely to enhance their cultivation?

Soul Pearl: A cultivator’s Soul of Life can not only boost cultivation levelif one obtains a cultivator’s Soul of Life, they can also reconstruct a physical body.

Li Muwan: Reconstruct a physical body?

Soul Pearl: Meaning that once a cultivator perishes with their Dao extinguished, if a trace of their Soul of Life remains in the world, they can use a Magical Artifact to reform their body. If one can gather all three spiritual souls and seven physical souls after dissipation, there exists a possibility of resurrection.

Li Muwan had never encountered any records about resurrection methods in ancient texts.

Li Muwan: If one dies from exhausted lifespan with their spirit completely dispersed, retrieving the Soul of Life would be useless. Only when both conditions are met is there a sliver of hope for resurrection.

Soul Pearl: It’s merely a faint possibilityno one has ever succeeded to date.

Soul Pearl: Therefore, one must defeat the Fiend and complete the mission to retrieve the Soul of Life before lifespan expires to turn danger into safety.

“Ancestor, Ancestor?” Wang Lin’s voice broke through, rousing Li Muwan.

Her originally radiant complexion had lost all color, pale and weary, her voice low as well, “What is it?””

“Let’s go. A great battle is likely imminent.” His hawk-like eyes remained coldly scanning their surroundings.

Li Muwan knew that with her strength and cultivation level, along with her sect’s backing, she shouldn’t wade into these troubled waters. Yet if she could obtain this Soul of Life, it might replace the one she herself lacked.

“Crimson Training Sect is offering a fourth-level cultivation nation’s Magical Artifact, the Chaos Heaven Ribbon, in exchange.”

“Chaos Heaven Ribbon? Legend says that’s a treasure that fell from the immortal realm to this Cultivation Star.”

“Limitless Sect is willing to offer a Primordial Qiankun Cauldron. This cauldron can contain all things and refine heaven and earth’s energies, capable of purifying impurities from all cultivation resources to extract pure essence.”

“This item is what our sect offers for exchangea Deciphering Talisman, inscribed with techniques by a Great Power from the immortal realm. If refined for personal use, it allows free teleportation anywhere within Vermilion Bird Star.”

“……”

So many Magical Artifacts, each priceless and unique. These sects were making such extravagant offers just for this trace of Soul of Life. Without another word, Wang Lin grabbed Li Muwan’s wrist and left the auction house.

While flying on his sword, he ponderedamong these sect treasures, that single Deciphering Talisman could connect with all teleportation arrays. If he could obtain it, returning to Zhao Country after successful Nascent Soul Formation would be effortless.

But currently his Clone’s cultivation was merely at the Foundation Establishment Stage, while those sects had numerous Core Formation and Nascent Soul Stage followers. He could only abandon such thoughts.

“Ancestor is also interested in this Soul of Life?” Wang Lin snapped out of his thoughts, looking down at Li Muwan flying on her sword to his left rear.

She was merely an elder from an external sect, yet enjoyed preferential treatment and respect in Cloud Heaven Sect, and could produce so many spirit stonesWang Lin already viewed her in a new light.

“We came here to purchase this Flood Dragon Leather Armor for defense, to gather spirit herbs in the Land of Immortal Remains. Ultimately, it’s all to improve our cultivation.” Li Muwan met his gaze directly. “That Soul of Life has equivalent effectsdon’t you want it?”

Wang Lin said, “Trading one’s life for it isn’t worth it.”

“No matter whose hands the Soul of Life falls into, the magical artifacts the sect just displayed alone are enough to make these cultivators slaughter each other and seize treasures by force.”

Li Muwan said, “I know. Once we pass the black market’s jurisdiction, these treasures changing owners is inevitable.”

Li Muwan caught up with Wang Lin, flying alongside him. “You act decisively and remain calm in crises. With you on this journey to the Land of Immortal Remains, I can worry less.”

Wang Lin remained silent in contemplation, recalling how he used to protect her back in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation. Now with their roles reversed, it felt quite different.

There were no teleportation arrays in the Land of Immortal Remains, so the two could only travel by flying sword for several days.

The closer they got, the more Wang Lin could feel the cold energy within his body resonating with the chill emanating from the deep pool below.

“We’re here.” Li Muwan’s broad sword came to a halt beneath her feet.

The Land of Immortal Remains had five entrances total, and the one below them led to the Frost Pool Realm.

“This is the entrance to the Frost Pool Realm of the Land of Immortal Remains. The spiritual power fluctuations surrounding the pool entrance will intensify as cultivators enter,” Li Muwan explained. “Your cultivation level is low, so you should enter first and wait for me. The entrance strengthens its defenses when it senses spiritual power intrusion, which would drain our energy. I’ll cover the rear.”

“Can’t we enter together?” Wang Lin’s eyes showed confusion.

“We can, but we need to stay close.” Li Muwan suddenly turned back, smiling at him before taking his wrist and flying toward the entrance on her sword.

Wang Lin coughed lightly, feeling Li Muwan’s recent behavior had grown increasingly peculiar. Her sudden intimacy didn’t seem deliberate, and if he intentionally avoided it, it would only make things more awkward.

The feelings he had suppressed and concealed – he thought they would fade after two hundred years of wear, yet every time he encountered anything related to her, they resurfaced, tugging at the emotions he had buried deep.

Wang Lin unconsciously maneuvered his flying sword closer to Li Muwan. The entrance was an endless expanse of lush green vines brushing past them, through which they could vaguely see spirit beast nests woven from intertwined vines. The spirit beasts near the entrance generally had low cultivation levels and posed no threat.

Therefore, Li Muwan didn’t bother leaving much divine sense to investigate the area. The deeper they flew toward the entrance, the thicker the mist became, obscuring their vision ahead. This mist formed from the deep pool below before rising upward.

“There won’t be any light further in,” Wang Lin reminded.

Li Muwan slowed her flight speed. Another three thousand meters down would bring them to the first layer of the Deep Pool Realm. Each layer contained spirit beasts and immortal herbs of different cultivation levels forming their own ecosystems.

“According to ancient texts, the Blood Lotus Heart is located in the second layer of the Frost Pool Realm.”

“Mm.” Wang Lin acknowledged.

After another half hour of flying inward, a mirror-clear water surface came into view, reflecting both their figures.

“Where’s the entrance to the first layer?” Wang Lin asked.

Li Muwan scanned their surroundings. “The entrance is right beneath our feet.”

“This water surface is too calm.” Wang Lin’s divine sense felt uneasy.

“Most of what’s underwater are immortal herbs, with many low-level spirit beasts feeding on them. They won’t attack unless provoked,” Li Muwan explained. “If we enter the water, the immortal herbs and spirit beasts will form a natural maze that traps people in illusions, testing their mental fortitude and willpower. Those who cannot break free from the formation will be consumed by it.”

The two figures hovered above the water surface. Wang Lin asked, “Have you been here before?”

“Over a hundred years ago, before I joined the Cloud Heaven Sect, I came here to gather the required Immortal Herbs for refining pills. It was only after collecting many Spirit Herbs from ancient pill formulas that I was accepted as a disciple of the Cloud Heaven Sect.” Li Muwan spoke of the past with a light tone, yet her face couldn’t conceal her sorrow.

In the shadows where she couldn’t see him, Wang Lin’s heart ached faintly. He had originally thought she lived well in the Cloud Heaven Sect, but for her to establish herself there over these two centuries, she must have poured immense effort and dedication.

“Proof of allegiance,” he finally quipped lightly, masking those long-buried feelings with a jest.

Li Muwan chuckled softly, her amber eyes sparkling like stars, seemingly capable of melting even the ice beneath a frozen pond. “It’s rare to see you joke.”

“These Spirit Beasts resemble those I encountered before in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation. Have you ever been there?” Li Muwan raised an eyebrow with a smile, showing none of the aloofness expected of a sect elder.

To Wang Lin, she seemed more like the timid little junior sister from the Sea of Demonic Cultivation days, who used to follow him around calling him “Senior Brother” with naive reverence.

Wang Lin shook his head.

“I spent several years in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation in my youth,” Li Muwan continued unprompted. “That place holds important memories for me, though everything has changed now – the seas have mulberry fields, and fleeting life is but a dream.”

When she turned back, her gaze met Wang Lin’s.

Wang Lin lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable.

A pang of sadness flashed through Li Muwan’s heart as she lamented silently: What must this fiend do to finally acknowledge me?

After a long moment, she collected herself and spoke seriously, “The Blood Lotus Heart we need to gather is on the second level, which means we must pass through the first level. There’s danger of getting lost in illusions – are you prepared?”

Wang Lin nodded. “Mm.”

No sooner had he spoken than Li Muwan pulled Wang Lin underwater while holding their breath. Instantly, Spirit Herbs frantically broke through the water’s surface, tightly wrapping around their bodies into a cocoon-like shape.

Seeing this, Wang Lin struggled, but the spiritual vines only tightened further, eliminating what little distance remained between them.

With her forehead pressed against his chest, Li Muwan gasped, “Wang Lin, don’t use Spiritual Power, or they’ll only tighten more.”

Feeling the warmth of the person against his chest, Wang Lin slowly lowered his joined fingers. A giant bubble enveloped both them and the vines, though the oxygen within was steadily depleting. If this continued for long, they would surely suffocate.

Li Muwan formed hand seals to open her Storage Bag and quickly retrieved two Elixirs. Just then, the vines tightened again, eliminating the last bit of safe distance between them.

Pressed tightly together – where initially only their foreheads had touched, now their entire bodies were flush against each other. With her cheek rubbing against the fabric of his disciple robes, she could feel the firmness of Wang Lin’s chest, and undoubtedly he could feel her softness in return.

“Take this Elixir,” Li Muwan said with feigned nonchalance. “It will help you hold your breath underwater for seven days.”

Wang Lin looked down but could only see the top of her head, her face completely buried in his chest. Li Muwan didn’t dare look up at him either.

Their anxious hearts gradually calmed in the chill of the frozen pond environment. After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the vines, sensing no Spiritual Power intrusion, finally loosened.

Freed at last, they acted as if nothing had happened, each glancing away. Wang Lin’s expression remained cold as he asked in a deep voice, “What’s the purpose of this giant bubble?”

“These are bubbles expelled by underwater Spirit Beasts,” Li Muwan explained. “They’re coated with a thin layer of Spiritual Energy that helps us move underwater.”

Unable to use their cultivation, they could only rely on water currents to push the bubble forward – a process that would require considerable time.

“There are underwater currents here, the only passage to the second layer,” Li Muwan explained once more. As the water pushed them forward, the warmth permeating the bubble gradually intensified, only to be swiftly dispelled by the chilling air.

“The illusion our ancestor mentioned hasn’t appeared yet,” Wang Lin frowned. The pace was unbearably slow, but whenever he considered using his Spiritual Power, the Spirit herbs beneath the water would grow restless.

From the ethereal, seabed-like groves of Spirit herbs emerged several Spirit Beasts, resembling the legendary ancient Kun but only the size of an adult human. The beasts circled the bubble, playfully flicking their tails as if treating it like a water ball.

Each time they were tossed upward, the two struggled to maintain their balance. Forbidden from using Spiritual Power, they could only rely on their instincts to steady themselves. The Spirit Beasts, growing more playful, increased the force of their tail swings. Li Muwan lost her balance and tumbled into Wang Lin, who caught her with an outstretched arm. Her disheveled bangs framed her face, enhancing her delicate charm.

Unable to employ any Magical Arts or Spiritual Power, Wang Lin was as vulnerable as any mortal. His mind was unsettled, and he clung to rationality through sheer will.

Li Muwan, steadied by his grip on her arms, initially felt a flush of shyness but soon forgot it, her attention wholly captured by the Spirit Beasts. Observing them up close, her eyes sparkled as she traced their forms in the air with her finger.

Wang Lin couldn’t decipher what she was doing, but from her profile, he could see she was smiling.

“My homeland was originally a volcanic region. I’ve never seen the ocean since childhood, and underwater Spirit Beasts like theseI’ve only encountered them a few times in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation,” Li Muwan turned to him with a radiant smile. “Wang Lin, have you ever seen them?”

“Never,” Wang Lin’s gaze drifted absently toward the beasts. He found nothing particularly remarkable about them.

Li Muwan couldn’t help remarking, “You’re such an uninteresting person.”

Wang Lin fell silent for a moment but said nothing further. He had always been uninteresting, after all.

Li Muwan returned to the matter at hand. “The illusion I mentioned will only appear once we enter the second layer’s entrance. As for what form it will take, the Ancient Books don’t specify, but the odds of survival are slim.”

“Is the Blood Lotus Heart that important?” Wang Lin had long wanted to ask. For her to venture alone to gather a Blood Lotus, what grade of spirit pill was she planning to refine?

“It is important,” Li Muwan hesitated, holding back her words. Only the Longevity Pill refined from the Blood Lotus Heart could extend the lifespan of those whose Soul of Life was deficient and nearing exhaustion.

This was the only method she had discovered over years of scouring Ancient Books and records related to the Soul of Lifethe sole way to delay the inevitable. If not for this Longevity Pill, she might have long heeded the Soul Pearl’s suggestion and replaced the Fiend entirely.

“The second layer is the Seventeenth Grade of Earth Yin, highly corrosive to the human body. Once we enter, stay close to me,” Li Muwan instructed.

The Seventeenth Grade of Earth Yin! That would suffice for Wang Lin’s Frost Pill cultivation.

“We’ll have to wait a bit longer to reach the hidden current passage. If not for these Spirit Beasts emerging to play, we might have been drifting here for several more days,” Li Muwan’s gaze remained fixed on the beasts. Suddenly curious, she tilted her head and observed, “These Spirit Beasts are the same species as those I saw in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation.”

Wang Lin felt rather indifferent inwardly. She could stare at jellyfish in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation for hours, and she had been watching these Spirit Beasts for dayshow was she not bored?

“Once, I also watched Spirit Beasts swim across the sea surface with an old friend. The process of the Sea of Mist forming was as fleeting as a fleeting flower,” her voice, clear and gentle, carried a layer of sorrow.

After hearing her mention it repeatedly, Wang Lin asked with a calm expression, “Ancestor Master seems to deeply cherish memories of old acquaintances.”

Li Muwan’s eyes curved as she let out a soft laugh. “Two hundred years have passed through countless vicissitudes. All old acquaintances are gone nowthose from the past won’t return, but new ones will come.”

She withdrew her gaze and let it rest on Wang Lin’s features. His face was elegant and handsome, carrying less sinister aura compared to Ma Liang.

Li Muwan didn’t know which version was the real him.

That self-mocking tone, seemingly detached yet actually unresolved, struck Wang Lin’s heart. Since their reunion, Li Muwan had been conveying one message: she cherished their time together in the Sea of Demonic Cultivation, and her feelings hadn’t faded over two hundred years.

She still remembered him as Ma Liang!

Wang Lin shook his head, dismissing the unreal and unreliable thought.

[Soul Pearl: “Those from the past won’t return, but new ones will comewhy don’t you just switch to pursuing a different Fiend?”]

[Li Muwan: “I’m currently carrying out my mission.”]

[Soul Pearl: “I can’t detect any Fiend energy from this person. You don’t have much lifespan left to waste. Rather than gambling on whether he’s the Fiend, you should switch targets sooner.”]

[Li Muwan: “I’m not gambling. It’s him.”]

Unbeknownst to them, within the Inkstone Stone that the Soul Pearl couldn’t detect, the favorability rating was sharply rising.

The water bubbles gradually approached the undercurrenta place even Spirit Beasts and Immortal Herbs would avoid.

Since no Immortal Herbs grew here, they could channel Spiritual Power to summon the Flying Sword and enter the second layer.

Wang Lin pulled Li Muwan along and directed his Divine Sense into the entrance. Through turbulent fluctuations, their bodies seemed to lose balance and became immobile.

Li Muwan only saw a blurry peach forest before her eyes. Deep within that peach grove, a pair of elegant figures appeared somewhat familiar, yet she couldn’t see them clearly.