The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 832: Ice Palace, Jun Yinglian!

Ice Palace, Jun Yinglian! . . .

Indeed, Cha Eun Xiao had stolen a substantial number of spiritual stones, and as a result, he had been relentlessly pursued. These perilous circumstances, however, acted like a crucible, rapidly refining and advancing his cultivation. Each day, members of the sect that pursued him met their demise at the hands of Liu Changjun.

Being a first-class assassin, he had honed his skills, even if he was considered one of the weaker cultivators in the Qing-Yun Realm. His proficiency in the art of assassination and the ability to conceal his presence made him an elusive and formidable adversary.

The sect hunting him was not without its fair share of formidable cultivators, including two Dream Origin Stage practitioners who could end Liu Changjun with a single strike. Nonetheless, they belonged to a relatively minor sect in a secluded area. Liu Changjun's cultivation was considerably lower, but his expertise in the art of assassination surpassed theirs. Over time, he learned to avoid the two Dream Origin Stage cultivators and focused on surviving each day.

In an ironic twist, that sect had inadvertently become the catalyst for Liu Changjun's accelerated growth, paid for in the lives of their members.

On the other hand, the third assassin, Zhao Pingtian, was living a comparatively better life. Unlike Liu Changjun and Ning Biluo, Zhao Pingtian was not alone. He had the companionship of his wife, Rou-Er, who was a spirit. Thanks to the Soul Gathering Dan, she could manifest herself, although only as an ethereal, translucent figure.

Despite her limitations, Zhao Pingtian was content. The mere presence of a spirit was enough to strike fear into the hearts of most cultivators, who typically recoiled at the sight of an otherworldly entity.

Zhao Pingtian's newfound ally allowed him to navigate through trouble with ease, as human beings, including cultivators, were inherently wary of the unknown and the supernatural. Seeing a spirit was often enough to induce panic.

With Rou-Er's support, Zhao Pingtian felt nearly invincible, and his cultivation advanced swiftly. His experiences in the Qing-Yun Realm, however, rendered him cautious when dealing with real superior cultivators. Although he was making considerable progress, he was well aware of the limits of his power.

Despite their different experiences, the three assassins—Ning Biluo, Zhao Pingtian, and Liu Changjun—shared a common goal: self-improvement, all in preparation for the day they would be reunited with their mentor, Cha Xiao.

The martial arts Cha Xiao had imparted to them were of the highest quality even in the Qing-Yun Realm. As time passed, they continued to delve deeper into their training, uncovering the profound intricacies and boundless potential of these martial techniques.

The passage of time saw all three of them growing bolder and more formidable in their cultivation.

Meanwhile, in a different location, Bing Xinyue donned elegant white attire as she navigated a world cloaked in ice and snow. Her path led her to a cliff adorned with three prominent characters: "Thousand Zhang Ice." This was the legendary Thousand Zhang Ice mountain, a colossal formation composed entirely of ice.

Within this icy expanse lay a concealed palace, shrouded in mystery and awaiting her presence.

The location they had arrived at was none other than the Sky Ice Palace, a place perched at the extremities of the heavens, where a towering ice formation, over a thousand zhang tall, held within its frozen heart a magnificent palace.

Bing Xinyue, gazing through the clouds and fog, could see the palace gleaming with a kaleidoscope of colors beneath the sunlight, which brought a smile to her face. As she approached the palace, a middle-aged woman approached her humbly, ready to convey the news to the Prime Master.

Bing Xinyue expressed her gratitude and marveled at the privileges the disciples of the Misty Cloud Palace now enjoyed. With Xuan Bing's return and her newfound power, the entire world was once again in awe of the Misty Cloud Palace. Their disciples were now free from the mockery and trouble they had faced in the past.

In her previous visits, Bing Xinyue had often encountered people who teased and taunted her. However, this time, her journey to the Sky Ice Palace was surprisingly peaceful, devoid of any conflicts or disturbances. She couldn't help but feel a pang of surprise and even a hint of melancholy, as if she were no longer as captivating as before and no one cared to tease her anymore. Such were the complex emotions that women sometimes experienced: feeling bored and offended when people teased them, and feeling lost when they no longer did.

In the tranquil confines of the Sky Ice Palace, two exceptional beauties of the world sat facing each other. Bing Xinyue wore white attire, exuding warmth and a gentle smile, yet a tinge of sadness lingered between her eyes. Her companion, in plain-colored garments, sat in quiet elegance, projecting an aura of cold detachment.

This companion appeared distant and sorrowful, her eyes filled with grief.

"Sister Jun, you can't forget him, can you?" Bing Xinyue sighed, empathizing with her friend.

"Forget him? How could I?" Jun Yingliang's expression was marked by profound sadness, and her gaze shifted to the tomb outside her chamber, as if her heart were buried there with the man.

In response to Bing Xinyue's questions, Jun Yingliang addressed not only her companion but also herself. "Yue-Er, you wouldn't understand," she replied, her head gently shaking. "Only those who have truly loved and made great sacrifices for their love know how impossible it is to forget a beloved one."

"Perhaps when I die, I will forget him." Jun Yingliang's voice quivered with grief. "It has been 489 days since he left. Time passes so quickly. He has been gone for a year and a half... I wonder if he is lonely down there. What a heartless man. I wonder if he regrets how he treated me when he was alive... But it's too late now. He missed his chance... We both did."

Bing Xinyue listened with a heavy heart. As she echoed Jun Yingliang's words, she pondered, "Never in love... Only those who have truly loved and made great sacrifices for true love..."

[I don't understand? Really? I made sacrifices for love too! But... have I ever been truly loved?]

"The sect has placed my request on hold," Jun Yingliang sighed, her expression filled with disappointment. "But I no longer care. If they don't provide an official response in one more month, I'll leave of my own accord. I will leave a message, announcing my resignation as Prime Master. Carrying my sword, I will descend the mountain and seek vengeance in the martial world."

Bing Xinyue, filled with fear, implored, "Sister, please don't do that! How can you stand against the three major factions on your own? It's suicide!"