Chapter 352: Snow Ying's Truth, Sky Swallowing Ice Spirit Root

Furthermore, he was partly the reason for their arrival.

“Daoist Wang, Jiang Mingxin is dead.”

Wang Yu raised an eyebrow.

“Your Highness means to say I did it?”

“No.”

Yan Ling shook her head with a wry smile, her beautiful eyes fixed on him, as if observing his emotional shifts.

“The day before yesterday, Wei Hao, the True Disciple of Corpse Peak, admitted he was responsible for it. The news has already spread throughout the Blood Abyss.

“Even the Primal Unity Blood Fiend Gourd, which only core disciples can obtain, is in his possession. This clearly indicates his involvement.”

“Truly impressive,” Wang Yu replied perfunctorily, offering no further comment.

Yan Ling blinked and continued.

“Whether he lives or dies is of no concern to me. Daoist Wang, do you recall entrusting Alchemist Tantai with delivering a secret letter from Jiang Mingxin?”

“Indeed, I do.”

Yan Ling turned. She walked to the edge of the viewing platform, watching the howling wind and snow outside, and said, “After that secret letter, I established contact with Jiang Mingxin, and we agreed to cooperate on something. Daoist Wang, you know Wei Hao, don’t you?”

With the conversation at this point, Wang Yu largely understood Yan Ling's implication and immediately chuckled. “Yes, I do. Back when the conflict between Zhuyue State and Yunling State broke out at the border, Fellow Daoist Wei Hao stayed at Guiling for a few days to gather intelligence on the area.”

“That’s good then.” Yan Ling turned back, her eyes once again fixed on his, curving playfully. “In Jiang Mingxin’s storage ring, there’s a platinum-colored token inscribed with the character ‘Saint’. If Daoist Wang can retrieve it, I, Yan Ling, have a certain opportunity waiting for you.”

“Oh?” Wang Yu asked curiously, “Is that related to the cooperation you two had before?”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s discuss it once I’ve obtained it.”

Watching her leave, Wang Yu stroked his chin in thought.

When Jiang Mingxin was willing to pay a price and actively sought out Yan Ling, it indicated that Yan Ling possessed an indispensable 'attribute' that made her the only one capable of handling the matter. Otherwise, there would have been no need to look so far afield, as his Jiang family certainly had many talented individuals.

This time, Yan Ling actively approached Wang Yu, suggesting it wasn't something only he could do. Combined with the clue about Wei Hao, the issue was likely centered on that 'Saint' token. However, the fact that she wasn't afraid of him double-crossing her was worth pondering.

After a brief consideration, Wang Yu decided to seek out Wei Hao after leaving the Blood Abyss. This cooperation was currently optional, so there was no rush to finalize it.

After finding an unoccupied corner on Crimson Snow Mountain and restoring the Yellow Springs Earth Grudge Puppet to its peak condition, he hurriedly descended the mountain again. This time, he was searching for traces of demonic cultivators. This period of slaughtering and collecting the Blood Essence of Ten Thousand Spirits had taken him over a month. He only returned after filling the Primal Unity Blood Fiend Gourd, which led to another round of cultivation.

Ever since Yan Ling's return, an additional person had been frequently seen near the summit of Crimson Snow Mountain, often meditating with Wang Yu to absorb the Soul-Freezing Wind for cultivation, neither too close nor too far. Occasionally, after their cultivation sessions, they would exchange a few words. Sometimes, they would engage in small duels to test their growth. Life passed relatively peacefully, and this routine continued for nearly two years.

Until a cultivator, whom Wang Yu had completely forgotten about, nearly banished from his mind, appeared before him: Xue Ying!

Before entering, he had even thought of taking the opportunity to resolve this matter. After all, someone deliberately approaching him while harboring an old grudge was truly unsettling. If Xue Ying hadn't been perpetually residing on Cold Blood Peak, he would have long found an opportunity to act. It was simply that Wang Yu never bothered with evidence; his creed was to eliminate anyone immediately upon sensing malice.

Furthermore, it was true that he coveted Xue Ying's Heavenly Ice Spirit Root. Under these various factors, he couldn't help but entertain certain ideas.

She came to see Wang Yu with Yan Ling. The moment she saw him, Xue Ying "delightedly" approached, grabbed Wang Yu's arm, and pressed it firmly between her soft, ample bosom. Her voice was soft and delicate. “Brother Wang, Xue Ying has finally found you.”

Yan Ling's eye twitched at the side. It seemed she hadn't expected her younger sister Xue Ying to have such a side to her, and a hint of confusion appeared in her eyes. Wang Yu deliberately rubbed inward, and the immense pressure instantly made it difficult for Xue Ying to breathe, her neck flushing pink.

Yan Ling clearly misunderstood their relationship. Rubbing her forehead in resignation, she completely forgot what she was going to say and quietly walked away… Her presence wasn't needed here; she was quite perceptive in such matters.

Suddenly, only the two of them remained in this secluded spot. Wang Yu turned his head to look, seeing a hint of shyness and demureness in her delicate, glistening eyes, and inwardly sneered repeatedly.

Still pretending?

He leaned his head closer, pressing it against her cool, icy cheek. He whispered into her ear, “Xue Ying, no one’s here now, are they?”

Her shapely, delicate body instantly stiffened, realizing Wang Yu's underlying meaning. Her legs immediately intertwined and tightened, and one hand lightly stroked her abdomen. Her face flushed, she said, “You can do anything you want~”

“Then… shall we try?”

“Mmm~”

Opening his mouth, he exhaled a puff of black mist, seemingly mixed with endless malevolence. It instantly poured into Xue Ying’s body, forcing her to gasp for air, her eyes wide with terror.

“You… what are you trying to do?”

She seemed utterly unprepared for this outcome. As she struggled fiercely, a shadow suddenly fell over her, and she looked up. She saw a nine-story Glazed Ice Heart Pagoda suddenly descend upon her. The powerful suppressive force and the spirit-binding runes on the icy chains rendered her utterly powerless. Her heart instantly sank to rock bottom; she was in deep trouble.

She secretly cursed her misfortune. After hearing the rumors of the Blood Devil Sea, she shouldn't have considered using Wang Yu’s power. This time, she had truly become a fool who willingly walked into a trap.

Inside the bottom floor of the Glazed Ice Heart Pagoda, Wang Yu stood before the woman. After a long silence, he finally spoke. “Speak. Who exactly are you?”

Xue Ying stared blankly at him, her face a picture of indignant betrayal. She seemed utterly shocked that he was such a person; her acting was superb, yet it lacked a certain understanding of human nature, otherwise, he might have genuinely fallen for it.

“If you won’t speak, then I’ll have to force it out of you. Bear with it.”

With that, a dark vortex lit up behind Wang Yu. Black paper boats, each radiating the aura of a fourth-tier divine sense, swiftly glided out. This was the Soul-Rending Evil Boat Curse at the grand mastery level.

Such a terrifying aura almost made Xue Ying scream aloud.

“—No! I’ll speak! I’ll tell you everything, whatever you want to know.”

Numerous black paper boats hovered near Xue Ying’s delicate body. Wang Yu stepped forward, pinched her chin, and forcibly lifted her head. Staring into her eyes, he said, “How did you acquire your Heavenly Ice Spirit Root?”

“It’s natural! It’s innate!”

“Liar.”

Wang Yu’s eyes hardened. One by one, the black paper boats mercilessly pierced through Xue Ying’s body. The intense pain almost tore her soul apart. Parts of her memory began to erode. Immediately, cold sweat poured down her body, which uncontrollably began to convulse, and her eyes rolled back significantly. “—No!”

Fortunately, Wang Yu controlled the intensity of the Soul-Rending Evil Boat. This made him realize that he might need a specialized interrogation-type divine ability, as soul-searching secret arts weren't foolproof. A cultivator’s weaknesses in willpower were easier to exploit than restrictions placed in their minds. There were thousands of strategies, but attacking the heart was paramount.

The malevolent assault of the Soul-Rending Evil Boat briefly ceased. The memories extracted were insignificant, so Wang Yu continued to ask, “Tell me… how did you acquire your Heavenly Ice Spirit Root?”

“It was a rare treasure…”

Xue Ying gasped for breath, her pitiful appearance easily evoking sympathy. However, Wang Yu had spent sixty years as a corpse. While other aspects were hard to gauge, he had considerable control. Having once lost control, regaining it was simpler than imagined.

“What rare treasure?”

“Heavenly Frost Qi… it was so concentrated that it formed a liquid state. Just one drop elevated my original top-grade ice spirit root, evolving it to the supreme-grade level.”

“Heavenly Frost Qi?” Wang Yu frowned in thought. This was a legendary treasure, also known as Heavenly Frost Cold Qi, a divine item capable of helping cultivators with damaged spirit roots establish their foundation. Its grade was similar to the Endless Life Treasure Branch that Jin Miaoshan once brought out, but the Treasure Branch held greater significance, as there was a chance it could grow into an ancient tree of life. Its value to a faction far exceeded its value to an individual. Heavenly Frost Qi was slightly inferior, but it was also a rare natural wonder that had long been extinct. He wasn't sure if it could truly elevate a spirit root’s quality. However, there was indeed that possibility, let alone Heavenly Frost Qi concentrated into a liquid state. It was truly an incredibly rare treasure, and using it merely to upgrade a spirit root seemed a bit wasteful. If used to enhance magical artifacts or divine abilities… its effect would be far greater.

Thinking of this, Wang Yu immediately asked, “Where did you obtain it? Is there any left?”

Xue Ying gasped a few times and said, “It’s all used up. My great-grandfather discovered it as an opportunity in the Endless Ice Plains, in a place called Everfrost Mountain, which is said to have existed since ancient times.”

“Still not being honest.”

Seeing the deadly black paper boats about to assault her, Xue Ying panicked, “Everything I said is true, absolutely no falsehoods!”

The atmosphere immediately fell silent. Seeing the black paper boats halt, she quietly let out a sigh of relief.

“Let’s change the question: Why did you try to harm me?”

“Me?” Xue Ying looked incredulous, then glanced down at herself, as if to say, 'Someone like me, trying to harm you? You must be joking.’

“You deliberately approached me; wasn’t that to harm me?”

Xue Ying said pitifully, “Wang Yu… you’ve misunderstood. I just like you, that’s all. You’re overreacting.”

Though she said this, Xue Ying knew very well in her heart. If she truly spoke the truth, she would undoubtedly die today. No matter how beautiful she was, she wouldn't be able to survive at this man’s hands. Demonic cultivators’ attitude towards their enemies was always to cut the grass and root out the weeds, eliminating future troubles forever.

Her purpose in approaching Wang Yu was very simple. Years ago, the pinnacle of her bloodline, her great-grandfather True Master Feixue, unexpectedly passed away at the entrance of the Cold Pool. As his direct heir, she immediately rushed over. She sensed something was amiss: the death energy in her great-grandfather’s body was too dense, and his body had stiffened despite not being dead for long. The decomposition was also very rapid. This did not conform to common sense. The meticulous Xue Ying secretly began an investigation. The prime suspect was Wang Yu, who had entered the Cold Pool at that time; this information was easily verifiable. However, it was their first meeting, and there was no animosity between them. Moreover, True Master Feixue had indeed reached the age of natural passing, so no one was suspicious, making it appear to be just a minor accident. She inherited her great-grandfather’s storage ring and obtained a portion of liquid Heavenly Frost Qi from it—an inheritance he hadn't even had time to pass on to her. This indicated that True Master Feixue believed he still had time before his demise. Realizing this greatly deepened her suspicion.

Years passed. She eventually pinpointed Lord Wang as the culprit. So, after he returned to the sect, she deliberately orchestrated their 'chance' encounter outside the Cold Blood Dao Field.

Revenge was her objective. But it was certainly not the only one!

This matter absolutely could not be revealed, so even if she endured more painful torment, she would never speak. Yet, Wang Yu’s next words sent cold sweat down her back.

“It seems you've guessed that Feixue died by my hand.”

Xue Ying said with difficulty, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. My great-grandfather passed away naturally.”

“No.” Wang Yu shook his head. “I guessed that you guessed. No evidence is needed; this suspicion is enough. Back then, your great-grandfather coveted the Cold Pool Token in my possession. He must have been trying to get it for you, so you could use the Heavenly Frost Qi in the Cold Pool for optimal effect. You kill me, I kill you—when will this cycle of vengeance ever end?”

As his words fell, an Asura Blood Sea unfurled around Wang Yu, terrifying killing intent soaring into the sky. A blood-red fist print slammed towards Xue Ying’s consciousness. A single tear fell from her exquisite face. She had nothing left to say.

The descending Asura Killer Fist paused for an instant before finally striking. An invisible shattering sound echoed, and Xue Ying’s consciousness was utterly destroyed. The demonic seed planted within her swiftly absorbed these fragments of consciousness, growing at an astonishing rate. Within a few breaths, it matured, reaching the standard for the demonic embryo to devour.

With a gentle inhale, Wang Yu completely devoured a vast amount of vital essence, along with the Heavenly Ice Spirit Root. Within the demonic embryo, the mutated water spirit root's ice-attributed radiance rapidly expanded, merging with the black Heavenly Yin Spirit Root, becoming indistinguishable. In an instant, Wang Yu’s affinity for ice-attributed power in the world surged, and the might of ice-based divine abilities and spells in his hands underwent a qualitative leap.

Ice, Yin, Gold, and Fire—all had reached the Heavenly Spirit Root level. Only the Wood and Earth spirit roots remained. Although these were rare, they were not unheard of within the Reverse Spirit Blood Sect; typically, each of the nine peaks had one or two Heavenly Spirit Roots. If he truly couldn't find them or found it difficult to act, Fu Xiao, having accumulated resources for so many years longer than him, might have acquired Heavenly Spirit Root aptitudes of other attributes, which would also be a worthwhile gain to look forward to.

Looking at Xue Ying’s withered corpse, her soul gradually dissipated. Wang Yu thought for a moment and decided not to further search her soul and extract all remaining value. This was enough. Leaving her soul the possibility of reincarnation was the only remaining kindness.

After putting away the Glazed Ice Heart Pagoda, Wang Yu paused, his expression surprised. Because Yan Ling was standing on a distant small hillside, quietly staring at him.

“Ahem—” Wang Yu began, “Your Highness Yan Ling, she had an old grudge with me and deliberately approached this Wang fellow…”

“No need to explain to me.”

This matter was difficult to clarify. After all, it was a well-known fact that he cultivated the Demonic Embryo Secret Incantation. Only Yan Ling herself knew what she thought.

“Very well.”

Xue Ying’s storage ring was retrieved by Wang Yu. Her withered corpse, consumed by the Ice Dragon Flame, gradually turned to dust and scattered with the wind.

Another old matter concluded.