Chapter 349: Yellow Spring Earth Grudge Puppet—Emergence

A Nascent Soul cultivator's skeleton, especially one that's a product of the Yellow Springs Dao which gathers all of one's "Dao Fruit"—what a stroke of luck! Especially since Wang Yu is young and can make perfect use of it.

Several old devils at the late Nascent Soul stage looked at each other.

Blood Yuan remarked with emotion, "It seems that during this Blood Abyss trial, that Blood Infant Fruit should have been this child's. With the assistance of this Tier 4 puppet, no one would be his match."

Blood Spring also stroked his beard. "Who can truly explain matters of fortune and opportunity? This child has this kind of opportunity now, but it's hard to say if he'll encounter something suitable in the future."

Seeing his two elder brothers talking back and forth, Blood Axe, however, scoffed.

"You talk a good game, but I haven't seen you actually give any benefits. That dispelling talisman was still given by me. If both of you truly regret his talent, why not show it more clearly?"

"Well..."

"Third brother, you jest."

As the two old devils looked at each other, they both saw a hint of cunning in each other's eyes. They wouldn't do anything without a benefit. To cast a net meant to catch fish; to cast bait meant to catch birds. This was their nature.

Only Blood Axe, a sworn brother who had risen from obscurity with them and shared a bond of life and death, could speak so frankly. If there were a conflict of interest among the three, the outcome would be uncertain.

"Enough, enough, let's not talk about him anymore."

"Indeed. If Xie Xie'an follows the path we arranged for him, he should be able to condense a Nascent Soul within two sixty-year cycles using this opportunity. Then, perhaps, we can discern some clues."

The sounds from this Blood Cloud Forbidden Palace naturally could not be transmitted outside.

Inside the Cape Cliff Cave.

Wang Yu did not conceal it. He looked up at the sky as if sensing something. If he truly wanted to conceal it, he had many ways to block the soaring aura and the wondrous phenomena of its appearance. This act was also a test. Sometimes, not reacting is also a message.

The matter of the dispelling talisman falling from the sky confirmed that old monsters were watching the Blood Abyss. He didn't know if this happened in previous sessions, but this time, it was almost certainly because they had their eyes on Xie Xie'an. When he revealed such a trump card, there was still no reaction. This just goes to show that Jiang Mingxin's statement was correct, and the speculation was largely true: these old devils didn't consider him a threat.

This feeling of being predetermined paradoxically made Wang Yu feel relieved.

Now that he thought about it.

This time the Blood Abyss opened, and apart from the sect sending many from the master-disciple lineage, the number of geniuses from the family factions was actually not many, despite them being the most numerous faction. Looking at the whole scene, the geniuses hailed as the "Kirin of the So-and-so family" or "Heavenly Phoenix of the So-and-so clan" did not appear. Instead, it was mostly disciples from factions like the Blood Pavilion, which cultivated those with less talent, who were competing.

This situation could be described in two words: A scramble for scraps!

Even Lu Chenzhou was not tempted by this Blood Infant Fruit; his path was already arranged by the Sect Master. Those chosen prodigies did not need to compete. All sorts of opportunities and resources were easily within reach. Differences in status truly existed, and they became clearer the higher one ascended.

Understanding this point, Wang Yu didn't feel much about it. He was already climbing higher, and regardless of whether it was smooth or not, he needed to compete. He just needed to focus on the present.

As the pillar of light receded, the Yellow Springs Earth Grudge Puppet, completely transformed, was officially refined. It was exactly at the early Tier 4 stage. This Earth Grudge Puppet looked no different from a human. Its aura was just a bit deathly, with no vitality whatsoever. After putting a black robe on it, Wang Yu wanted to test its combat power, but it wasn't good for him to do it himself. So he thought about going out to find a few unlucky souls to test it on.

This puppet, besides having Yellow Springs Dao divine abilities, also possessed the characteristics of a grudge puppet. It had faint spiritual intelligence and could absorb the resentment of living beings to operate its body. Secondly, it could absorb spiritual energy from heaven and earth for combat. Each time it was used, depending on the intensity of the battle, relying solely on spiritual energy for recovery might take three to five years. Thirdly, it could be recharged with spirit stones or magic power. If using low-grade spirit stones, one combat instance might cost a million of his assets. Even Wang Yu couldn't really afford to use it that way; it was best to power it with top-grade spirit stones. After all, this thing could self-recover. As for magic power, it was mainly activated using Wang Yu's magic power. It might be significantly weaker, but it wouldn't cost money and was best for deterrence. It should be good for bullying the weak.

Its power limit was unknown, but it was definitely stronger than a Pseudo-Nascent Soul cultivator like Huang Jiu. After all, it had truly reached the early Tier 4 stage, and even as a puppet, that made a difference.

"Let's go, Xueyu. If you don't have this fate, then try the Profound Ice Bed. If that doesn't work, I'll refine some spirit pills for you."

Xueyu was startled.

With the Yellow Springs Earth Grudge Puppet by his side, Wang Yu walked with an air of confidence. Its arrival was too crucial. Not only could it make Wang Yu worry-free in the Blood Abyss, but even after leaving, he would have no hidden worries. A mere Talisman Owl was utterly insignificant!

Half a month later.

The Blood Prison Icefield was visible in the distance. Here, the wind was fierce and the rain was cold. The ground was covered in red frost, and a crunching sound could be heard when stepping on it. Occasionally, exploding blood-red ice thorns, like blooming lotus flowers, could be seen everywhere in the Blood Prison Icefield.

According to Zhuo's intelligence. There were three opportunities here. First, ice-mutated blood beasts and demonic humans; the Myriad Spirit Blood Essence and Blood Beast Cores they produced should be most suitable for him. Second, the Soul-Freezing Wind on Mount Crimson Snow! The highest mountain in the Blood Prison Icefield, known as Mount Crimson Snow, was constantly swept by the Soul-Freezing Wind, which could freeze a person's soul to cracking. It served as a tempering effect and was one of the world's most extreme cold. It was the cultivation spot Wang Yu had chosen. Whether for the quality of his magic power or the growth of his divine abilities, he needed such an extremely cold place as an aid to his cultivation. Third, the Ice Blood Pool. It was rumored that this opportunity only formed within the mountain. It was a rare treasure in the form of a location and also a top-grade place for forming Golden Cores. Xueyu's opportunity lay in this.

Wang Yu was not in a hurry to go to Mount Crimson Snow to cultivate. He first needed to hunt a batch of demonic humans and blood beasts unique to the Blood Prison Icefield and collect sufficient resources before proceeding. Walking through the icy landscape, his pace was not fast. Primarily, he used his divine sense to explore the surroundings, unwilling to miss any opportunity, so his speed naturally couldn't be fast. In the howling cold wind, there was a mix of bloody scent. This was considered a characteristic of the place.

Half a month after entering the Blood Prison Icefield.

One day.

Among the corpses of ice-blood demonic humans scattered everywhere, Wang Yu waved his hand and put away a small ice coffin. The Myriad Spirit Blood Essence, emanating cold air, was already overflowing within it. The three-tailed snow fox beside him cried out a few times. It was asking when they would find the Ice Blood Pool. It got quite excited whenever it heard the word "pool," perhaps because its last transformation had occurred in a cold pool. It was perfectly normal to have such excitement.

Rubbing the fox's head, Wang Yu was about to playfully scold it, but his expression suddenly froze as he looked into the distance. It was an acquaintance, yet not quite. His heart stirred slightly. He put Xueyu into his spirit beast bag and hurried towards the turbulent location he sensed.

A young cultivator, wearing a light blue carefree scarf and an octagram-embroidered robe with a diagonal opening, had well-defined facial features, with long eyebrows, round eyes, and a fair, somewhat delicate complexion. At this moment, his hair was disheveled, his body was ragged from being cut by sharp weapons, and he was in a very sorry state. His escape posture was also rather comical, with a bit of a scramble-and-crawl demeanor. The pursuer was only one person, wielding a gray sword artifact and cackling, telling him not to run.

"Heh heh heh, little pretty boy... stop running! Otherwise, don't blame your senior brother for being ruthless. We are both fellow disciples; your senior brother just wants to let you experience the joys of boy-love, so why fear it!"

Hearing this, the pursued cultivator ran even faster. He wished his parents had given him two more legs, but the more a person feared something, the more it happened. Just then, the gray sword magic treasure suddenly split into three. It violently pinned the round-eyed cultivator to the bloody snow from three positions: both armpits and below the crotch. His robes fluttered, and he nearly had his "root of life" severed.

"My innocence... ruined!"

At this critical moment, a gray death ray shot from a distance. This light-type divine ability was already incredibly fast, and the pursuer's attention was fully on the male cultivator in front of him, making it difficult for him to detect the true nature of this powerful divine sense. For a moment, he was caught off guard and completely enveloped by the death ray. His eyes visibly dimmed, with only the vitality of his physical body remaining. Wang Yu had actually finished him off with a single brilliant move. Thinking about it, it made sense. A soul-path divine ability driven by early Tier 4 divine sense—Soul-Shattering Death Ray! If it didn't have such power, that would be strange. He was just a Core Formation stage Layer 5 cultivator and a scoundrel from Evil Sword Peak. It was satisfying to eliminate him.

The youth, trembling all over and pressing his backside firmly against the ground, his eyes wide with terror, stared in horror at the limp figure beneath his crotch. He quickly kicked him away and shakily stood up.

Then Wang Yu's teasing voice rang out. "Junior Brother Song, please don't spoil my spoils of war."

The youth looked back, and a great weight lifted from his heart. "So it was Senior Brother Wang... Elder Wang, thank you for saving me."

"Why be so formal?"

Wang Yu's attitude was amiable. After putting away the spoils, he then exchanged pleasantries with him. This person was named Song Yun, the direct grandson of Elder Yushu. He was only about 140 or 150 years old, yet had already cultivated to the Core Formation Layer 3, and was greatly favored by his elders. Elder Yushu had guarded the Jade Scroll Hall of Cold Blood Peak for many years. Although his cultivation was only at the peak of Core Formation, he was considered the most likely person at Cold Blood Peak to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. It was said he guarded the Jade Scroll Hall, but in reality, he was in secluded cultivation. Back then, when Wang Yu had just returned to the sect and was replacing his jade scroll and lighting his soul lamp, an elder from Evil Sword Peak had come to demand an explanation for Luo Chen's death and pressure him to apologize with a humble plea. They didn't directly act, partly because Elder Yushu was present. Everyone from the outer peaks recognized Elder Yushu's potential. It was clear he was no ordinary person. Therefore, when Wang Yu later moved among the higher echelons of Cold Blood Peak, he specifically went to Elder Yushu and thus got to know Song Yun. Among the backgrounds he sought, Blood-Eyed Demonic Dragon and Lord Lei Hou were both grand cultivators of the outer peaks, unable to participate in the internal power transitions of Cold Blood Peak. Considering that his contract with the Three Rebellious Spirits would end after leaving the Blood Abyss, he decisively took action after discovering that it was Song Yun who was in danger.

"We are of similar age; just call me Senior Brother."

"Etiquette cannot be discarded."

Song Yun finally recovered his wits, but his temperament was quite stubborn. It was unclear if he genuinely stuck to principles or if he was wise acting foolish. Not getting too deeply involved with Wang Yu, in the current struggle between the two Zhuos, was actually a prudent move for self-preservation. Even if Elder Yushu had great promise, he had not yet broken through. This direct grandson of his was quite interesting.

Since the other party didn't want to deepen their connection, Wang Yu didn't insist. "The one chasing Junior Brother Song must have been a fellow disciple from Evil Sword Peak, right? What happened?"

Speaking of this, Song Yun also sighed. "Troubles come from speaking too much, and worries arise from being too assertive! I merely couldn't stand it and mumbled a few words. This beast chased me for three thousand li! Chasing me all the way from the Blood Demon Sea to the Blood Prison Icefield. Luckily, I encountered Elder Wang; otherwise, my life would have been over..."

"Oh?" Wang Yu's eyes narrowed. "Junior Brother Song, in the Blood Demon Sea, have you ever heard of my name?"

"Well... no, I haven't." Song Yun gave an embarrassed smile, feeling a bit ashamed and unsure how to explain. He looked like he wanted to comfort Wang Yu but couldn't find the words. He was quite expressive. Seeing this, he indeed spoke the truth.

"Junior Brother Song, running towards the Blood Prison Icefield, you were probably looking for reinforcements, right? Many people have died in the Blood Demon Sea. With your cultivation, you'd better not go back there."

"Heh heh, Elder Wang is right."

Since they had met, they would continue their journey together. Mainly, Wang Yu wanted to ask where the fellow disciples from Cold Blood Peak were cultivating. He had no other intentions, just to avoid conflicts. He had attracted enough attention; it was better to lie low.

Song Yun, however, enthusiastically pointed him in many directions. Then he hesitated. "A life-saving grace must be repaid. Given Elder Wang's status, he probably wouldn't care for a reward like spirit stones. Song Yun is quite familiar with the Blood Prison Icefield. How about I point out some opportunities in this area to the Elder?"

The opportunities in this place that needed guidance would be the Ice Blood Pool. Judging by Elder Yushu's status, Song Yun might indeed know something from him. Since the Ice Blood Pool was a type of spiritual land opportunity, that place should be usable multiple times. Feeling the stirring in his spirit beast bag, Wang Yu patted it, signaling Xueyu to calm down.

"I don't really have a direction anyway, so let's hear what insights Junior Brother Song has."

Song Yun thought for a moment and pointed northeast. "I believe in that direction, there is a unique peak resembling a husband-gazing stone. The stone cave is three zhang deep. Start with the Bagua Steps from the Xun position, and after walking three circles, you can find an Ice Blood Pool. What do you think, Elder Wang?"

"Good, then I'll listen to your advice!"

Hearing this, Song Yun gave a simple, honest smile. "It was just a playful remark. Since you agree, then Song Yun will take his leave now. After Elder Wang has gained something, please come to Mount Crimson Snow for an exchange."

"That would be excellent."

Wang Yu didn't suspect the other party was lying to him. There was no need. The information was so detailed that unless one was an idiot, one wouldn't fail to understand Song Yun's meaning. He was grateful for the life-saving kindness but didn't want to deepen the relationship, so he hinted at it, and the talk of exchange was purely polite.

Such an unexpected incident occurred. Wang Yu didn't think much of it. If he couldn't find it himself, he could also ask Yan Ling to share one or two Ice Blood Pool opportunity locations. Just as he said before, this was a type of spiritual land opportunity; unless there were vast geological changes, its location wouldn't easily change. Cold Blood Peak cultivators always seized the Blood Prison Icefield whenever trials opened, so they naturally possessed the most relevant intelligence. It wouldn't even be surprising if they had fully mapped it out. Yan Ling certainly knew the locations of more Ice Blood Pools, so even if he hadn't met Song Yun, he likely would have obtained them anyway.

This three-tailed snow fox also followed the right person in Wang Yu. Otherwise, how could it have so many opportunities fed to it? It's just a fox that wins by doing nothing; he'd definitely have to discipline it someday, just to vent his playful frustration.

"Hmph hmph—"

After moving only a few hundred li northeast, that peculiar mountain peak resembling a husband-gazing stone immediately came into view.

"One thousand nine hundred meters, truly tall."

(End of Chapter)