Chapter 380: Taming the Ice Flame Butterfly and Elder Yushu

The old man, though an itinerant cultivator from Taihu, specialized in stirring up trouble and deflecting it onto others.

He explained that he had discovered a nest of Ice Flame Butterflies in an ice crevice valley. Driven by malice, he used a special secret technique to lure these unusual insects into attacking cultivators training on the ice plain. His targets were mostly solitary individuals. Some attacks succeeded, others failed. If he found the situation unfavorable, he would produce the Ice Phoenix Legacy Token to distract his opponent and seize the chance to escape.

After the old man had recounted everything in detail, he saw Wang Yu's pitying gaze, and his heart involuntarily skipped a beat. Then he heard Wang Yu speak.

"I always thought Taihu was a blessed land for cultivators. But it seems even with your cultivation level, you resort to such high-risk activities?"

It wasn't that he disdained cultivators who made their fortunes through robbery. This path always involves high risk and high reward; one successful venture could yield all of an opponent's possessions. Wang Yu himself had engaged in such activities, but the issue was that the old man, already a Nascent Soul cultivator, was still willing to take such risks. Besides addiction, it implied there was no other alternative. He was forced by his environment!

The higher one's cultivation, the more one cherishes life. The youthful courage and determination to brave secret realms, challenge demonic beasts, and fight against stronger opponents would gradually wane. This wasn't to say their devotion to the Dao diminished, but rather they'd prefer more conservative methods for acquiring cultivation resources, generally avoiding dangerous situations.

The old man, after all, was a Nascent Soul cultivator. If he were in the Scarlet Kite Demonic Domain, whether in one of the Five Demonic Sects or commercial organizations like Jinmanlou or Tianbaoge, he could at least hold a high position. While rare opportunities and miraculous elixirs wouldn't be guaranteed, his basic cultivation needs could certainly be met. With time and proven loyalty, he could even advance further. This was the conservative development path typically chosen by high-level cultivators, who, with long lifespans, naturally didn't concern themselves with immediate gains or losses.

The old man's reply confirmed this point. He smiled bitterly and said, "There are simply too many cultivators in Taihu, and Primeval Spirit Stones are heavily controlled resources, forbidden for private trade among cultivators. All the fourth-tier spiritual veins are occupied by powerful families. They collude and are extremely exclusive. Some families even have strict rules detailing how long their clan members can cultivate in the spiritual veins each day."

The Taihu Spiritual Domain reportedly has a population exceeding ten billion. The sheer number of cultivators that could emerge from such a vast population was mind-boggling. In contrast, low and mid-tier resources in the Scarlet Kite Demonic Domain were almost overflowing. Given this, should he perhaps thank those who brought him to the Scarlet Kite domain?

His thoughts raced. Considering the teleportation ability possessed by all Nascent Soul cultivators, he wasn't entirely confident he could subdue the old man, and he preferred not to resort to violence if a resolution could be achieved through dialogue. He was also quite curious about the situation of high-level cultivators in Taihu. "So, you've been killing people on this ice plain and seizing their resources?"

"They forced my hand," the old man retorted, his emotions visibly surging as he spoke. "Taihu offers no room for itinerant cultivators to survive. I once stumbled upon an opportunity in the Qilin Secret Realm that described a hidden blessed land. When I finally located it, it was already occupied by the Blazing Sun Sect. Even when I used the blessed land's owner token to drive them out, it was only a fleeting victory…"

The subsequent outcome was obvious: he was forcefully suppressed by the Blazing Sun Sect, driven away, and had his owner's token confiscated.

Even hidden blessed lands could be found. This suggested that Taihu had exploited its own territory to the absolute limit. Without territorial expansion, civil war was the only option to thin out its excessively large cultivator population, especially with the Void Heaven Sword Sect looming above them. Order was maintained by absolute force, yet cultivators were beings who had transcended the mundane, considering themselves exceptional. Dissatisfied? Then fight!

It seemed then, that the war between the Taihu and Scarlet Kite domains might not merely be the result of a few divisive schemes, but rather an inevitable outcome due to Taihu's carrying capacity reaching its limit. They had entered a phase where war was unavoidable. This was an inevitable event, and from the old man's words, Wang Yu gained a deeper understanding of Taihu.

From a broader perspective, he felt that the Taihu cultivation world would be far stronger than Scarlet Kite's, potentially ten times its size. What would a war look like with such a numerical disparity? However, this would also be a carnival for demonic cultivators. Various blood and soul sacrifices would proliferate, and demonic treasures like the Ten Thousand Souls Banner would become widespread, giving rise to many formidable demonic magnates. The time had come to see how things would unfold.

With a clearer understanding of Taihu's situation, Wang Yu had no intention of fighting the old man and proposed a demand he believed the other party could accept.

"Pay 50 Primeval Spirit Stones, and this matter will be resolved."

As for the Ice Phoenix Legacy Token, it was very likely the old man's second trap, so Wang Yu didn't even inquire about it, demanding only Primeval Spirit Stones.

"Fifty pieces? That could buy a top-grade Nascent Soul artifact! Fellow Daoist, aren't you being overly greedy?"

Primeval Spirit Stones were rarely used for direct transactions. Typically, around ten pieces could sustain a cycle: by burying depleted Primeval Spirit Stones within a fourth-tier spiritual vein, they would be replenished with refined spiritual energy within about ten years. Therefore, theoretically, only ten Primeval Spirit Stones and a fourth-tier spiritual vein were needed to satisfy the daily cultivation needs of an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. Seeing the old man's strong reaction, Wang Yu said, exasperated, "Or, you could try to bargain?"

Wang Yu had noted the old man's past successes and presumed he possessed a significant number of Primeval Spirit Stones, prompting him to demand an exorbitant amount and seize a large share. Hearing this, the old man was thoroughly embarrassed. He had no desire to engage Wang Yu in combat; paying a price for his aggression was only natural. After pondering for a moment, he began, "Ten pieces... I can only give you ten…"

Before he could finish, Wang Yu, who had just seemed so approachable, was now enveloped in blood mist, the crimson glow from his eyes sweeping across the old man's face. It made the old man feel as though he stood amidst a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, his heart pounding with terror.

"How much?"

"Twelve! I also have three depleted Primeval Spirit Stones that I'll include as compensation, Fellow Daoist. Is that acceptable?"

Just like that, the terrifying aura vanished instantly. As if nothing had happened, Wang Yu extended his hand to receive them. If he had possessed a way to block teleportation, he wouldn't have been so amenable.

Primeval Spirit Stones resembled prismatic stones imbued with starlight. They shimmered with brilliant colors, looking truly extraordinary. Just a single whiff of the pure spiritual energy contained within made his magical power surge.

"—Farewell!"

Painfully handing over the compensation, the old man fled from the summit of Silver Frost Mountain without a backward glance. Wang Yu watched silently, feeling a twinge of regret but knowing it wasn't the time to cause further complications.

Next, Wang Yu took ten pairs of Ice Flame Butterflies from his Human Seed Bag. Both the Five Poisons Scripture and the Gu-Dun Transformation Elixir contained methods for enslaving creatures. Moreover, there were countless secret arts for cultivation. He hadn't needed them before but had dabbled in the methods. Now, with the Ice Flame Butterflies, he could cultivate a batch to serve as a symbolic representation of his Ice Devil Child identity. This would help differentiate it from his main body.

As for whether to use the Immaculate Jade Toad on the Ice Flame Butterflies, that required careful consideration. Aside from being immune to all poisons, the Jade Toad could also enhance a rare insect's bloodline once. Among Gu-type creations, it was considered top-tier. This might also be why the Immaculate Jade Toad hadn't laid eggs for so long, coupled with its low upkeep—it could survive on just a bit of poison. He hadn't refined it hastily. However, Ice Flame Butterflies were ancient, rare insects ranked even higher than the Immaculate Jade Toad, so whether it would have an effect was another question entirely!

He simply branded them with his divine sense mark and then used the Spirit-Driving Seal technique to implant a seed. This completed the initial subjugation, ensuring they would no longer attack him. However, true domestication and control would only be possible from the egg stage.

He selected several ice-attributed treasures from his Sea Heart Ring. He placed them all into the Human Seed Bag, instructing Xueyu to look after them. Ideally, she should use the Fox Clan's Charm Arts to induce the Ice Flame Butterflies into mating. Of course, that was easier said than done. Whether Xueyu could actually achieve it remained to be seen.

Over half a month later, Wang Yu, who had been unexpectedly delayed by this matter, was quite satisfied with the results of the Fox Clan's Charm Arts. The paired Ice Flame Butterflies died after laying eggs. On average, each laid a hundred eggs. Ten pairs yielded over a thousand, and a few more breeding cycles would be sufficient. Cultivating these small insects, however, would require resources, so he would raise them slowly.

The young insects, before they formed cocoons, could be fed ice. While seemingly easy to raise, they actually consumed cold energy. The Endless Ice Plain's abundance of ancient permafrost made it simple to extract what was needed for their sustenance. No wonder these almost extinct Ice Flame Butterflies could be found here. Outside this region, they would not be so easy to raise.

Next, leaving Silver Frost Mountain, Wang Yu followed his route map towards the Frozen Demon Sealing Ground. He had expected this to be a solitary journey of transformation. However, he encountered an acquaintance. This acquaintance was Elder Yushu. This route was a safe passage passed down from Cold Blood Peak, rarely encountering disasters like ice storms or ice beasts, making it relatively secure. Meeting Elder Yushu surprised him, yet he also found it quite logical. After all, wasn't he himself the one who had prompted Elder Yushu to come to the ice plain?! Song Yun had a ninety percent chance of dying in the chaotic battle of the Blood Demon Sea for the Blood Infant Fruit, and this... was actually for Elder Yushu's sake. It was like an egg hitting a rock; the outcome could only be described as tragic.

After leaving the Blood Abyss, Wang Yu had immediately informed Yushu, and then the elder had vanished, with no further news. Now, it seemed he had come directly to the Endless Ice Plain. —A desperate gamble!

Elder Yushu sought to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, and Frozen Demonic Qi was an indispensable component. Their meeting on the same route here suggested Elder Yushu's unfortunate timing. To have set off years earlier and still not reached his destination, he must have encountered many obstacles along the way.

As he pondered, Wang Yu slowly approached, hailing him in advance. "Fellow Daoist, where are you headed?"

At that moment, the wind and snow were heavy, and the world was filled with howling gales, making visibility quite poor. The sudden, clear voice was strikingly distinct. Elder Yushu turned and saw a young boy whose robes fluttered in the wind. He almost thought it was an illusion. He rubbed his eyes and then chuckled awkwardly. "My name is Yushu. May I ask Fellow Daoist's name?"

When traveling, one's standing was determined by cultivation, not age. At first glance, this was just a five-year-old child. However, to move freely through the winds and snow imbued with such extreme cold energy, his cultivation couldn't be lower than Yushu's. Thus, Yushu's greeting was far more casual than he would be at home. His current journey was for a breakthrough, so he had no desire to stir up trouble.

Coincidentally, Wang Yu felt the same way. He even hoped Elder Yushu would successfully break through; it would mean one more natural ally on Cold Blood Peak. He still possessed extra Infant Transformation Pills. Giving them away for free was out of the question, and if it were a trade, Yushu likely wouldn't have anything valuable enough to tempt him. Moreover, Yushu had been stuck at this stage for decades, lacking the spiritual resources needed for a breakthrough. It was improbable that the death of his grandson would suddenly provide them, so he was most likely attempting a direct breakthrough. Failure would inevitably lead to death; there was no other outcome. Song Yun's death had helped solidify Yushu's Dao heart.

Wang Yu's primary reason for approaching Yushu now was to inquire about recent changes in the Endless Ice Plain. The elder had arrived decades earlier but had made such slow progress, which surely had a cause. The old and the young exchanged glances, and Wang Yu was the first to chuckle.

"Outsiders call me Ice Devil. Fellow Daoist may address me as such."

Upon hearing this, Yushu nodded slowly. "Ice Devil Fellow Daoist, I presume you are also an ice-path cultivator, often active on this ice plain?"

Wang Yu harbored no ill will towards Yushu, but that didn't mean Yushu wasn't wary of him. So, Wang Yu went straight to the point. "There's no need to probe. I am not an ice-race creature. Fellow Daoist Yushu, judging by your direction, are you heading towards the Ancient Demon Sealing Ground? Have you encountered any trouble along the way? Perhaps the Ice Race?" Wang Yu observed Elder Yushu's facial expressions. He posed three questions in quick succession.

As a matter of fact, he had indeed encountered trouble. Elder Yushu's expression shifted repeatedly. He hadn't expected this sudden 'Ice Devil' to know so many secrets, and he hadn't heard of any outstanding junior ice-path cultivator rising in Scarlet Kite. Could it be an old monster, then? But in a child's body... he had truly never encountered such a thing. He scoured his memories but found no recollection. He then chuckled awkwardly and replied, "It seems Fellow Daoist has guessed correctly. In that case, I shouldn't conceal it."

Yushu pointed into the darkness ahead and said, "There's a sleeping giant beast there. Its entire body is like ice crystals, resembling both an elephant and a tiger. It must be an ice-race creature, and its strength is formidable. The place where it lies dormant completely blocks the path. I've been repeatedly thwarted by it and am currently trying to find a way to bypass it."

As for why he couldn't simply fly, one only had to look at the thick black clouds above. The perpetual blizzards grew more intense and terrifying with altitude, and some Nascent Soul cultivators couldn't even endure that extreme cold. This was true even for cultivators like them who practiced ice-path cultivation methods and possessed strong resistance. As for burrowing underground, the permafrost of the ice plain would quickly teach one a lesson. Not only was it impossibly hard, but the extreme cold energy hidden within could also freeze cultivators solid. No wonder the Endless Ice Plain was described as a perilous region that even Nascent Soul cultivators struggled to traverse; virtually every movement was restricted.

Yushu's approach was straightforward. Simply bypass this obstacle. Judging by the time he left his sect, he likely wasn't aware of the recent changes or the impending war. That's why he was leisurely taking a detour. However, this single obstacle couldn't possibly account for decades of delay.

Wang Yu immediately frowned and inquired, "Have you encountered similar obstacles on the path you've traveled before, Fellow Daoist?"

"A few, but they were mostly minor. Taking a little more time is far better than risking my life by forcing a passage."

His reasoning was sound, but something felt distinctly off. It felt as if someone had orchestrated these encounters. Could the Nine Evil Sword Monarch have anticipated his impending Nascent Soul formation? Impossible! His revealed cultivation had consistently been late-stage Core Formation, or the seventh layer. That was, in fact, his true realm. His recent rapid progress couldn't have been predicted.

"So... the Ice Race?"