Chapter 22: Ice Soul Snow Lotus

Not far away, Yu Sanniang heard the sounds of fighting. A smug smile appeared on her face; she assumed those four deadbeats had found the "fish."

She immediately rushed over in a panic. Just as she arrived, she saw Xu Yang kill the fat man with a single slap. Yu Sanniang nearly collapsed in terror. It was Xu Yang! This was no "fish," this was the King of Hell!

Moreover, Xu Yang was even more powerful than she had imagined. Those were four Core Formation stage cultivators, and Xu Yang had killed one with a single slap. The more Yu Sanniang thought about it, the more terrified she became. She turned to flee.

"Since you're here, why rush off?"

Xu Yang's voice reached her. Yu Sanniang turned her head and instantly froze in terror; Xu Yang had somehow appeared right in front of her. Xu Yang looked at Yu Sanniang with a half-smile, but his eyes revealed a bone-chilling coldness.

"Those four, they were your devotees, weren't they?" Xu Yang asked.

Yu Sanniang's expression stiffened. For a moment, she didn't know how to answer. If her reply wasn't to Xu Yang's liking, her head would likely be separated from her body.

"Although... that's the case, I absolutely didn't tell them to rob you! That was entirely their own idea," Yu Sanniang said pitifully. As she spoke, she unconsciously employed her charm magic, her eyes fluttering and her lithe body swaying gracefully. Any ordinary man would have lost control long ago.

Unfortunately, Yu Sanniang was facing Xu Yang, an old monster who had lived for a hundred thousand years.

"Alright, cut it out," Xu Yang said coldly, looking at Yu Sanniang's alluring display with disdain. Only then did Yu Sanniang remember that illusions and charm magic were useless against Xu Yang. She had unconsciously used her charm magic just now; if Xu Yang deemed it a provocation, she would be finished. She quickly withdrew her charm magic, her face flushed with embarrassment.

"I'm warning you one more time: don't provoke me! Otherwise, you'll bear the consequences yourself!"

After saying this coldly, Xu Yang ignored Yu Sanniang and turned to walk in the direction of the Fangtian Sword. He let Yu Sanniang go because he believed this matter had nothing to do with her, and she wouldn't have dared.

"Wait," Yu Sanniang called out, suddenly remembering something and hesitating for a moment.

Xu Yang stopped and turned, asking, "Why are you calling me? Don't you want to stay far away from me?"

Yu Sanniang gave a bitter smile. Of course, she didn't want to stay with Xu Yang, this god of death; it was too terrifying and dangerous. However, after a moment's thought, she realized this could also be an opportunity. If she could cling to Xu Yang, even if she wasn't directly promoted by him, just the knowledge of her connection with him would significantly increase her standing and influence in Tianwu Commandery.

"Ancestor Xu, I know of an Ice Soul Snow Lotus in the secret realm. It's guarded by a powerful demonic beast that I can't defeat, but I'm willing to lead you there. Are you interested, Your Excellency?"

Ten thousand years ago, the appearance of an Ice Soul Snow Lotus would inevitably trigger a massive war, with countless cultivators battling fiercely over it, trampling on blood. And there's one in this secret realm?!

Xu Yang expressed interest, very much so. He possessed a heaven-defying elixir recipe that required the Ice Soul Snow Lotus as a main ingredient. He was just looking for one, and Yu Sanniang delivered it right into his hands. Xu Yang no longer found Yu Sanniang quite so annoying.

"Where is it? Take me there," Xu Yang commanded.

"Yes, I'll lead the way immediately, Your Excellency." Yu Sanniang was overjoyed and quickly took the lead.

Ling Qingshu looked at Yu Sanniang with suspicion. She subtly tugged at Xu Yang's sleeve and asked, "Ancestor Xu, should we really follow her?"

"Why not?"

"She's ill-intentioned. What if she sets a trap for us?"

Hearing this, Xu Yang chuckled lightly. "With her? Even if she tries any tricks, do you think I'd be afraid?"

Ling Qingshu thought for a moment and realized he was right. With the Ancestor present, why would they fear Yu Sanniang's schemes? All schemes and plots were mere theatrics in the face of absolute power. If Yu Sanniang knew what Xu Yang and Ling Qingshu were thinking, she would probably burst into tears. She truly just wanted to curry favor with Xu Yang; she wouldn't dare harbor any other mischievous thoughts.

***

Soon, Xu Yang followed Yu Sanniang up a snow-covered mountain peak. Xu Yang had some memory of this mountain peak. Back then, it was one of Tianfeng Sect's core main peaks, majestic in its grandeur with magnificent architecture. Today, however, aside from the mountain peak itself remaining unchanged, all the other structures were gone. Only occasional ruins and broken walls could be seen beneath the pristine white snow.

"Your Excellency, it's just ahead," Yu Sanniang said, pointing to the summit of a peak in front of them. The summit was only a few minutes' walk away, and its outline was already vaguely visible.

"Someone's up there; they've beaten us to it," Xu Yang said after a glance at the peak.

"What should we do then?" Ling Qingshu frowned.

"I am determined to get the Ice Soul Snow Lotus. Whoever dares to snatch it will be killed."

A dense, almost tangible killing intent emanated from Xu Yang. Though his tone was faint, it brooked no dispute. Ling Qingshu instinctively recoiled. How many people must one have killed to possess such a potent killing intent? Feeling Xu Yang's killing intent, Yu Sanniang's legs turned to jelly, and a deep-seated fear swept through her entire body.

Soon, they reached the summit. Five Core Formation stage cultivators were confronting a leopard-like demonic beast with glistening snow-white fur and pure black stripes on its back.

"A Bloodthirsty Demonic Leopard?" Xu Yang paused.

The Bloodthirsty Demonic Leopard possessed the strength of a half-step Nascent Soul cultivator, and it could kill cultivators to absorb their vital essence and increase its power. Cultivators targeted by a Bloodthirsty Demonic Leopard were, generally speaking, doomed. And those five Core Formation cultivators couldn't confront the Bloodthirsty Demonic Leopard head-on; they were certainly doomed.

Of course, now that he was here, the situation was naturally different.

"You few, hurry and leave. I'll deal with the Bloodthirsty Demonic Leopard for you. No need to thank me; just consider the Ice Soul Snow Lotus as your gratitude," Xu Yang said as he stepped forward.

The five Core Formation cultivators heard this and simultaneously turned, wanting to see who dared to speak with such arrogance. Seeing it was merely a small Qi Condensation stage cultivator, they almost burst out laughing on the spot.

"What's this? There's actually a Qi Condensation cultivator here? Are they joking with me?"

"But there are two Core Formation cultivators as well."

"So what if there are two Core Formation cultivators? We're five, they're two, hehe."

"Hehe."

The five Core Formation cultivators discussed casually, completely unaware that their deaths were imminent. Xu Yang shook his head. It seemed they still hadn't grasped the terror of the Bloodthirsty Demonic Leopard. Since they didn't need help, Xu Yang simply watched them coldly from the side.

"You three, the Ice Soul Snow Lotus is ours. Don't even think about coveting it; now scram."

Xu Yang shook his head and said with a smile, "No, the Ice Soul Snow Lotus is mine."

"What do you mean? You, a mere Qi Condensation rookie, think you can snatch food from the tiger's mouth, from us five Core Formation cultivators?"