Chapter 105

Ling Yuefeng was the last to enter, and he said furrowed brows: "Looks like we are very unfortunate this time. To have drawn Heaven Basin Secret Realm's harsh winter climate! This is the worst and most dangerous condition. However, this should be favorable to our friends from the <Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace>."

He tried to compliment Chu Yuechan's group but to no avail...

"Let's go!" Ling Yuefeng's words were unable to affect Chu Yuechan at all. Without making eye contact with anyone, amongst the fluttering cloaks, they had already left into the distance. Their figure soon changed into a strip of white in the winter sky...

Chu Yuechan feel really irritated by this smelly Ling Yuefeng... Can't he just leave her alone? Why does he keep acting like there's some sort of past between them? He's just like a cockroach that won't leave her be...

Ling Yuefeng helplessly looked towards the direction Chu Yuechan left in before floating up and said: "It is time that we left too. Let the younger generation choose where they want to go. They will have to depend on themselves for everything from now onwards."

Without saying a word to Ling Yun and Ling Jie, he vanished far into the winter sky as well. The regions that the older generation explored could not be compared to those that the younger generation did.

Ling Yun's eyes are also locked onto Xia Qingyue's figure and it took him a good while before he regained his thoughts back...

The rest of the elders did not object to what Ling Yuefeng had said and had only given at most, simple instructions before leaving in different directions and quickly disappearing from their line of sight. If they had stayed out of concern to protect the younger generation, it would cause more harm than good.

All that was left were the people of the younger generation. Among the younger generation, other than the disciples who had participated in the Ranking Tournament, there were other outstanding individuals...

Cang Yue wanted to tag along with Chu Yuechan's group but she knows that would be impossible... She's only a disciple candidate after all...

That's why she needed to try her luck in this place.

Unlike the other sects, Cang Yue's group decided to stick together... Yun Che also agreed that this is for the best...

Although Xia Yuanba cultivation is the highest of them all, he's still too innocent and naive to be left alone...

But unknown to them, Xia Yuanba is not that naive... He only trusts people he deemed trustworthy. If it's someone he doesn't trust then he won't listen to whatever they say.

Fen Juecheng's eyes started glistening seeing Cang Yue's group departing...

...

Chu Yuechan's group arrived in a secluded area and Issei re-appeared in front of them once again.

"Your instruction, Ise?" Chu Yuechan asked softly.

Issei thought for a moment: "...Yuechan and Yueli should stick together and junior sister Wushuang and Xuexin should go with Qingyue... This place is a great chance for all of you to enhance your combat strength. Just try your luck but don't risk your life for some unnecessary stuff... Don't be blinded by your greed. If you're in danger remember to use the protective charm I gave you, understand?"

"Yes!" They all answered in unison.

"Um, go ahead. Remember to be careful at all times and keep each other safe." Issei nodded at them and they paid their courtesy before they left...

Issei then searches around the area for a while... He found some rare herbs and plants with the help of the <Sky Poison Pearl>.

The pearl never felt so happy since this is the first time it could utilize another part of its power... To locate nearby rare herbs. It seems the profound beasts in this realm is quite different from the profound beasts in the Blue Wind Empire, they seem like your typical mindless beasts.

Although it's of no use for Issei, there's no harm in stockpiling some rare ingredients... Who knows, perhaps these herbs could be used for cooking and stuff...

And if not then he could just gift it to Semiramis, Kyou, and Kinou for their potion concoctions.

Jasmine and Xun'er become speechless seeing how easy Issei found those rare herbs... Some of them are not worth mentioning in their eyes but some are quite rare and it's quite hard to find it even in the upper realms...

The entire world had been covered with snow. The only thing that could be used to distinguish direction was that single icy mountain which reached into the clouds.

The other participants are feeling cold even though they already used their profound energy to keep themselves warm... Truly a place custom made for the <Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace>, they thought to themselves...

"The existence of this little world is really strange..." Jasmine muttered to herself.

"Hm? How so?" Issei asked back.

"This little world was indeed made by humans. Furthermore, its level of power is extremely high, and it must have existed for a very long time, so the appearance of a few heaven-grade treasures isn't strange… What's strange is that this kind of small-world shouldn't appear in this sort of location, because it's simply not something that can be created with the strength of this plane."

"The world is filled with mysteries... It's nothing weird seeing these kinds of places here and then. Maybe some God created this place in the past." Issei answered calmly.

He already traveled through quite a lot of worlds... He often found a standalone realm just like this place. Perhaps this place is created by this world God once...

Semiramis and Scathach had their own domain/realm even before he met them after all.

He never tried creating his own realm but it might be not so bad if he has the chance to do so later in the future.

"Perhaps..." Jasmine muttered uncertainly.

Issei walked around for another hour and he found another deposit of the <Purple Veined Divine Crystal>.

He used the same way to extract the Crystal but this time the size is at least twice as big from the first one. By rough estimation then this crystal should be weighing at least a 100kg.

Jasmine and Xun'er are confused just what is he doing... But then they are surprised seeing that Issei could also use some sort of profound art that enables him to control the <Earth/Nature>.

As far as they know, only the Wood Spirit Race from the upper realm could use <Nature> element...

As a whole, the <Nature> element is not very powerful to use in combat but they're really sought after in the upper realm since it could be used to nurture rare herbs and medicines.

But both Jasmine and Xun'er become even more flabbergasted seeing Issei suddenly fished out a huge lump of a purple-colored crystal from the ground beneath him...

""<Purple Veined Divine Crystal>!!!"" Both of them shouted at the same time.

Issei calmly put the crystal away into the <Sky Poison Pearl> space. The moment the crystal appeared in front of them, Jasmine and Xun'er felt a little bit surreal feeling... To think that he's capable of obtaining such an astronomical amount of this crystal this easily...

Jasmine bit her lips before she speaks towards Issei: "...Ise! Please lend me 70kg of this crystal!"

This is the first time Jasmine pleaded at Issei on her own accord... Usually, she needs to be forced a little before she does this.

"Hm? What do you need it for?" Issei asked curiously. For this little bratty princess to beg at him on her own accord then it must be quite an important matter.

"...I need it to reform mine and my mother's physical body. So please lend me 70kg of this crystal! I beg of you... I know this is too much to ask of you considering what you have done for us so far but I will surely repa-"

"Sure."

She begged Issei desperately since who knows when will they came across this huge amount of <Purple Veined Divine Crystal> once again.

But before she could finish her words, Issei has already agreed to her request.

"...Eh?" Jasmine let out a dumbfounded voice while Xun'er went into a daze...

"I said sure." Issei repeated his words nonchalantly.

"...W-Why are you so nonchalant about the whole situation?! Don't you know the worth of this purple crystal!?" Jasmine couldn't help but shout seeing how easily he gave up these purple crystal... They're not talking about a 1kg or 2kg here, but rather a whole 70kg of it!

Sure, in the upper realm, these purple crystals are the lowest in terms of rarity and profound currency... But to find a whole 100kg of them in this lower realm is simply unheard of...

They don't know about the 50kg of purple crystal that's residing inside the <Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace>. If they do then their reaction would be on a whole another level...

"I do. Grand Sect Mistress Feng Qianhui already informed me of it... Perhaps for most people, this <Purple Veined Divine Crystal> are very rare and useful but for me they're worthless" Issei said calmly towards the dumbfounded Jasmine.

The only reason Issei is collecting this crystal is because he wanted to give it away to the <Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace>. If not then he won't even bother to gather it.

"...Hmph, suit yourself... Don't say this princess doesn't warn you... And my words still stand... This princess will surely repay you when the time comes." Jasmine harrumphed to the side feeling irritated about the whole situation...

Xun'er smiled gently at her daughter.

"By the way... How do you create your new physical body from this crystal?" Issei asked feeling a little bit curious.

"Of course this is not all we need to reconstruct our physical body... We still need 8 more materials at the very least... And they are two stalks of <Netherworld Udumbara Flower> and six <Profound Beast Cores> no lower than that of the <Tyrant Profound Realm>" Jasmine said.

"Oh? What's this Udambara flower you're talking about?" Issei inquired further. He knows of the profound core but not this Udambara flower.

It needs to be noted that Jasmine said "Reconstruct" and not create a brand new body or that would be weird considering she's not a <True God>. So Issei doesn't feel that surprised but his interest is still intrigued because of this.

"...The <Netherworld Udumbara Flower> is an object of Yin and evil. It only grows in dark and cold lands and it took an entire twenty-four years to only bloom once. The flower withers three days after blooming, thus one would have to wait twenty-four years later for it to bloom once more...

It is reputed to be the most terrifying flower in existence. Simply approaching the flower will cause one's body to be invaded by its powerful dark and sinister aura, damaging one's soul. At best, they would fall into a long-lasting coma. At worst, they would turn into the living dead. If one's profound strength is low, then they would immediately lose their life.

Its stem and leaves are of a purplish-black color and about three meters tall. The bloomed flower was of an extremely pretty and flirtatious bright purple color. On its petals lingered a light purple mist that carried the breath of the netherworld, and while that mist drifted, it still faintly lets out the crying and laughing sounds of the nether ghosts."

Jasmine explained while being a little confused... Sometimes he possesses a knowledge better than them but sometimes he doesn't know simple stuff such as this flower information.

This flower should exist even in this lower realm but he doesn't seem to know this at all...

"Hoo..." Now, this got Issei's attention.

From Jasmine's description, it's safe to say that this flower grows where its surrounding area is filled with <Darkness/Yin> element. And that's just what he needs... A place overflowing with one of the natural elements he needed to hasten his recovery rate.

Jasmine and Xun'er don't really want to depend on Issei to find these materials, they were planning to find it themselves when they have the capabilities to do so...

Jasmine's recovery rate is faster than Issei at least... She should recover around 4 to 5 more years give or take. This <Sky Poison Pearl> is really as strong as the legend says... She thought to herself.

And what is fortunate is that the current host of the <Sky Poison Pearl> is a strong individual and also a smart and wise one at that. If it was some idiot who's very weak but also someone who thinks with his lower half most of the time then perhaps her fate might be more unfortunate rather than fortunate...

Unknown to her, the <Sky Poison Pearl> purification capability has been increased by Issei's existence... Although the pearl hastens his recovery by a tiny bit, the one who gains the most advantage between the two exchanges is the pearl itself since it lodged itself inside the body of a <True Godking>.

The same goes for the <Mirror of Samsara>.

If their current "Relationship" goes on for a longer period of time then it won't be weird if they evolved... When that time comes then it won't be called a <Sky Poison Pearl> anymore but rather a <God Poison Pearl> or something similar.

One of the reasons why the <Seven Heavenly Profound Treasures> would choose Issei as their true master is also because of this.

Both Issei and Jasmine didn't say anything else after that... Issei continued his search but to his disappointment, there's nothing really worth it for him...

When Issei is searching for some treasures, he heard a weapon clashing sound from the distant. He decided to check into it.

In the midst of the endless snow, eight blurred silhouettes gradually grew clearer.

When Issei arrived at the scene, he saw Cang Yue's group fighting against four other people.

It looks like Cang Yue's group is on the losing side since their 4 assailants consist of two half step thrones, one earth, and one spirit realm practitioners.

Xia Yuanba is fighting against 1 of the throne while Qin Wushang is fighting against the other one. Yun Che is fighting against the earth realm and Cang Yue against the spirit realm practitioner.

But their condition is quite dire since there are wounds that could be found on their bodies.

Although, Cang Yue is not that injured probably because her opponent is taking it easy against her... It's safe to assume that she's their main target while Qin Wushang and the others are just a side dish for them.

Their assailants, if Issei is not mistaken, is from that Burning clan or whatever it's called and they are Fen Juecheng, his little brother Fen Jubei, and their supposed sect elder that he can't bother to remember.

As for the other half step throne cultivator, he doesn't know him but it seems that his name is Mu Tianbei from what he observed so far.

Qin Wushang and Xia Yuanba are getting desperate since there's nothing much they can do against a half step throne opponents.

"...Yuanba, go and take Princess Cang Yue and Yun Che away with you when I give you the signal... There's no hope for all of us to survive this predicament... At the very least you need to save the princess and yourself! I will hold them back as long as I could." Qin Wushang said in a low voice towards Yuanba who's beside him.

"No, Palace Qin! I won't leave you behind!" Xia Yuanba said while gritting his teeth.

"Heheh, you think you can run? So what if we kill you all here, there won't be any witness and no one will be able to find out the truth anyway... Isn't that right, elder Mu Tianbei?" The elder from the burning heaven clan said towards both of them in a mocking voice.

Mu Tianbei chuckled darkly at the elder words signaling his agreement with the elder words.

"Now Princess Cang Yue, you better come with me now and I can assure you that we won't make your friends suffer when we do kill them. We will give them a quick death!" Fen Juecheng grinned evilly towards Cang Yue who's currently being held back by Fen Juebi.

"I rather die than having to come with you!" Cang Yue shouted in a cold voice.

"Don't be like that, sister-in-law~. My elder brother will surely treat you kindly... And perhaps after he's done with you, I will also treat you very, gently~" Fen Juebi said towards Cang Yue in a teasing voice.

"Shameless!" She shouted with a red face caused by anger.

Yun Che wishes that he could help them but there's nothing he could do since his enemy is at the 4th level of <Earth Profound Realm>.

He could escape from here if he's on his own but he can't leave behind his friends just like that...

Just when they're getting really desperate about the whole situation they suddenly saw the whole scenery in front of their eyes changed instantly.

When they snap out of their daze, they found themselves standing behind a black-masked figure.

"Elder Ise!" Cang Yue said feeling pleasantly surprised seeing the figure she always dreamt of is standing in front of her. And not just her, even Qin Wushang and Xia Yuanba are feeling the same.

Only Yun Che is feeling taken aback for another reason: 'When did he...!'

He can't sense Issei's presence the whole time and he doesn't even know just what he did just now... All of them just suddenly appeared behind him without a sound.

It needs to be known that Yun Che always spread out his sense of the whole area to prepare himself for a sudden ambush... But he still doesn't realize just when did Issei arrived here!

He started having a cold sweat because if Issei wanted to kill him then he won't even know what happened until the end...

The same goes for Fen Juecheng's group...

"G-Greetings, senior... What brings you here?" The burning clan Elder said while cupping his fist towards Issei. Didn't Issei doesn't enter this heaven basin realm? Then why is he here?

He's confused about the whole situation...

"Are you alright?" Issei ignored the elder and asked Cang Yue's group.

"Y-Yes, I'm fine but..." Cang Yue answered in a relieved voice but then she felt sorry for Yuanba and the others. She's fine and no real harm has been done towards her other than exhaustion for overusing her profound energy but other than that then she's completely fine...

Seeing Issei ignored him, he felt anger rising inside him but he reels it in since he knows that Issei is stronger than all of them combined together... He gave a signal towards his accomplices.

Just when they're prepared to run, they heard Issei's voice.

"Stay." All of them inadvertently froze in their place. They tried to move their legs but to their horror, they couldn't!

It's like their whole body is frozen stiff on the spot. They know Issei won't let them off that easily since Xia Yuanba is the little brother of Xia Qingyue... And knowing their sect personality, if they do try to touch one of their own then they won't be able to avoid their sect wrath.

Even though Xia Yuanba is not the <Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace> disciple, he's still one of their sect member family members... So they tried to run away but they couldn't...

Issei then waved his hand towards Qin Wushang's group and a moment later, all of their wounds are closing at a visible rate much to their amazement.

"Wooaah! All of my wounds are closing on their own!" Xia Yuanba shouted in amazement.

While Yuanba and his friends are feeling amazed, the exact opposite of emotion could be found on Fen Juecheng's side... They are terrified.

They've never seen anyone capable of what Issei just did... With just 1 wave of his hand, he could heal all those injuries from other person's bodies?! Just how powerful is he!

"Your excellency! We know of our mistake. If you could just let us go this time then our <Burning Heaven Clan> will surely compensate you graciously." The Elder immediately tried to negotiate for their lives.

"The same goes from my side. The <Heavenly Spear Thunderfire Fortress> will surely compensate your excellency well." Mu Tianbei also chimed in with the elder words.

They said their respective sect's name hoping it will make Issei change his mind but...

"...What you just said before... Ah, that's right... 'So what if we kill you here? There won't be any witness and no one will be able to find out the truth anyway' wasn't it?" Issei said calmly.

Before they could retort to Issei's words, the power that's currently suppressing them started to intensify at a rapid rate causing Fen Juecheng's group to emit a blood-curdling shriek, as their five viscera and six bowels warped under the great pressure.

"P-Please wait, your excellency! Our sect Great Elder left a special soul imprint on our body. If we were to die, Our sect Great Elder will immediately know who killed us! At that time, you… You and everyone related to you will receive the wrath of the entire <Burning Heaven Clan>! Surely you don't want a full-scale war happening between our sect, don't you?!" The elder hurriedly shouted feeling desperate for their situation... Mu Tianlei also said the same thing as him.

The irony... A few seconds ago, it's them who are pressuring Cang Yue's group, but in a blink of an eye, it's their turn... Looks like Karma is at work today...

"Right… Right… You… You can't kill me! If you dare to kill me... Our sect Great Elder will know… You can't kill me!" Feng Juecheng and Juebi said gaining their confidence back thinking that Issei won't dare to kill them.

As the son of the Burning Heaven Clan Master, Fen Juecheng and Fen Juebi had never been trampled by anyone before. Moreover, this was the first time they had actually faced the menace of death. These kinds of people were often someone who fears death the most...

At this moment, Their face was a deathly white color, and their lips were ashen. Their whole body felt like they're being crushed by a giant mountain and even now their bones are cracking under the pressure coming from Issei.

"What they say are actually true. Detection imprints have indeed been left on their bodies. If they were to die, the person who left the imprint will immediately know who killed them." Jasmine said from within the pearl.

She reminded Issei just in case he doesn't know this... But knowing his strength then some measly clan like this burning chicken clan or whatever is not worthy of mentioning at all...

"Really?" Issei's calm voice doesn't change in the slightest.

"So you both are from the <Burning Heaven Clan> and the <Heavenly Spear Thunderfire Fortress>, right?" Issei asked both elders which they nodded profusely thinking that Issei maybe changed his mind.

"Hmm... I wonder if I should destroy your sect just like I did with the <Xiao Sect>..." Issei mused to himself feeling like making fun of them and as expected... Everyone's present had their face went stupefied and before long their body started trembling fiercely.

They might not know of Issei's subordinates but Jasmine and Xun'er both knew of Esdeath... So they don't find it weird knowing that Issei is the one who destroyed the <Xiao Sect>. Not that they care anyway about some weakling sect...

Fen Juecheng's party face went couldn't be any paler... They are utterly horrified after hearing Issei's words.

He's the one who's responsible for the destruction of the <Xiao Sect>!?

The <Xiao Sect> is not weaker than their own sect but they're destroyed in but a single day without any witnesses other than the sect remnant... But even they won't tell them what's the cause of their sect destruction. So it has always been a mystery for the other major sects...

But now they know... And the truth terrifies them to no end! How couldn't they?! The culprit is standing right in front of them! And when Issei released his cultivation realm, they're convinced...

A peak 10th level throne...

Even their sect Grand Sect Master is only at the 5th level throne... Their faces are like a dying ember after knowing the harsh truth...

What would their reaction be if they find out that Issei could easily break through to the peak of the <Sovereign Profound Realm> anytime he wanted to... Perhaps they would die of a heart attack right at this second...

Even Qin Wushang, Cang Yue, and Yun Che are feeling incredulous about the whole situation... Xia Yuanba doesn't really understand but he knows that Issei must be really amazing. He's feeling happy that his big sis sect is housing this kind of great person.

"And is this the Detection Imprints you mentioned?" On top of Issei's hand, there is four glowing charm and for the third time, they all are stupefied... That's because the detection imprint that was inside their body appeared at the top of Issei palm out of nowhere...

'Just how and when did he do that?!' This is what's on their mind after seeing it. There are 8(Actually 11 including Xiaotao, Jasmine, and Xun'er) people on the spot watching Issei every move but even then they still couldn't tell just when did he extracted those inscriptions from their body...

As far as they know, only the one who planted that imprint themselves could remove it...

But Jasmine could do the same as Issei but she couldn't do it that fast and even unnoticed like that... Even she who keeps her attention on Issei's body couldn't tell just when did he does that... Needless to say about these worms...

Issei doesn't really care if their sect found out about him killing Fen Juecheng's party or not... He just wants to avoid troublesome things from happening...

Unlike the <Xiao Sect>, their sect is not threatening to harm the <Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace> as a whole just yet. And this action of theirs is most likely coming from this Fen Juecheng's own idea and not his whole sect.

He won't kill his whole sect members just because of one bad egg.

The <Xiao Sect> must have already discussed their plan back then since their sect Grand Elder is the one who participates directly.

But the elder from the <Burning Heaven Clan> knew that their fate has been sealed... He can only smile bitterly blaming their bad luck for meeting Issei here...

Fen Juecheng and Fen Juebi's whole face had tears and snots streaming down their faces... Even an idiot could tell that there's no way they could survive today...

And before they could utter another word, they suddenly felt their vision went black...

The 4 of them instantly become encased in ice and then their bodies shattered into pieces...

Yun Che who saw this shuddered greatly and he swore to himself to never make an enemy out of Issei... He expanded all of his senses trying to at least see a glimpse just what Issei did but he got nothing... Other than from a wave from his hand and when he purposefully showed them his cultivation realm, he can't see nor sense any kind of profound energy leaving his body...

Truly a monster, he thought to himself...

...

<Heaven Basin Secret Realm>, northwest direction.

BOOM!!

The mountain was directly blown apart, revealing large chunks of soil and rocks that were buried under the snow and ice. According to the previous experiences of those who entered the <Heaven Basin Secret Realm>, some unusual stones tend to frequently be laid beneath the mountain.

However, after blowing the mountain apart, Fen Moli, the <Burning Heaven Clan> Great Elder did not advance. Instead, his entire body trembled and froze on the spot, and he wore an utterly confused expression.

The middle-aged man that was beside him immediately asked: "Great Elder, what's wrong?"

Fen Moli's expression slowly turned incomparably gloomy: "...The Detection Imprints I left inside Fen Juecheng and Fen Juebi... Disappeared without a trace..."

"What!?" The middle-aged man exclaimed. Not even two hours had passed since they entered the <Heaven Basin Secret Realm>. Before they even reaped any rewards, they had instead received such grievous news first: "How is that possible?!"

"...If I know then I won't be standing here like a fool!" Fen Moli shouted in frustration himself.

"I-It doesn't matter how it disappeared! What matters now is that we must search for them!" The middle-aged man said in worry.

This won't do! If they lose their two most precious successors at the same time then their sect will decline!

"...Um." Fen Moli agreed with his words but even after searching for a whole day, they still can't find a single trace of them...

At some point, they meet up with the group from the <Heavenly Spear Thunderfire Fortress>. It seems that they're also missing one of their sect elders...

Of course they won't be able to find them any longer... Their bodies have mixed with the snow and ice in this realm after all...

...

"...I thank your excellency for saving us." Qin Wushang is the first to snaps out of his daze and immediately said his gratitude towards Issei.

"A-Ah, thank you once again, Elder Ise." Cang Yue chimed in almost immediately.

She's not in a daze because of Issei's prowess but because she's dazed seeing his broad and dependable back...

She already knew of Issei's strength to a certain extent so she's not that surprised seeing his action.

Xia Yuanba and Yun Che also thanked Issei. While Xia Yuanba's words are pure without any emotion other than pure gratitude, Yun Che gratitude is laced with fear...

There's no helping it, humans tend to feel fear of the unknown especially true for Yun Che who has lived 2 lifetimes in a row... In his 2 lifetimes, he never saw this kind of showcase in power.

"Um." Issei only calmly nodded at their words and when he wanted to leave, Yun Che said he wanted to have a conversation with him.

"Excuse me, Elder Ise... May I speak with you in private?" Even now he's sweating a little feeling afraid that Issei would feel offended or some sort. But he just can't let his treasures gone without a trace just like that... He needs some answers especially since the pendant is supposedly the only clue that could lead him to his biological parents.

His adoptive grandfather, Xiao Ying has already told him about his true identity, so he's very desperate wanting to know about the <Mirror of Samsara> whereabouts...

While the <Sky Poison Pearl> is entrusted to him by his Medical Master in his 2nd life...

Issei knows just what Yun Che wanted to talk about so he agreed to his request with a simple nod.

Cang Yue is curious just what they wanted to talk about but she won't pry into their business.

"Yun Che thanks elder for agreeing to this junior humble request." Yun Che cupped his fist in gratitude.

Then they both walked towards the distance not far away from Cang Yue's group location...

...

Yun Che took a deep breath before he started speaking: "...Elder Ise, the thing is... Have you seen my treasures? You see... I lost my treasures sometimes after I met you in the past... They both are very important to me and I'm not accusing you or anything, I just wanted to ask you and if you don't know of it then I understand... "

Issei doesn't say anything but he calmly extended his hand and on top of his palm, there are 2 items floating above it.

Yun Che's eyes went wide with excitement seeing the 2 items.

"Is this the treasures you're searching for?" Issei asked him calmly.

"Yes! Both of them are indeed the treasures that are entrusted to me by my biological parents and also my Master in medicinal arts and this junior will be eternally grateful if Elder could give it back to me." Yun Che acknowledged it almost instantaneously.

"Hmph! What a joke... Does he think the heavenly treasures are some sort of commodity someone weak as him could keep?" Jasmine's disdainful voice can be heard from within the <Sky Poison Pearl> but Yun Che couldn't hear it.

What she said is indeed the truth... If someone were to know someone as weak as Yun Che possesses 2 heavenly treasures then he won't even know how he dies when the time comes...

Sometimes, having riches in your hand could be a disaster instead of a blessing... And in this case, it's a disaster... Yun Che who's pathetically like an ant in the eyes of Jasmine is not worthy of having 2 heavenly treasures.

"I would give it back to you if I could but... Whether these 2 treasures are willing or not is a different story..." Issei said feeling a little sorry for Yun Che.

Even though these 2 treasures don't have their own consciousness but they have their own will... They couldn't speak but they can move to a certain extent and also choose their rightful Master...

Imagine an AI(Artificial Intelligence) that has been programmed to always find the best software to upgrade themselves. There's no way that said AI would willingly choose to downgrade themselves without proper programming.

Perhaps Yun Che is their past Master they approve of but because they met Issei here then the chance of them willingly return themselves to Yun Che's hand is not certain... Even if they do return to Yun Che, who knows if the 2 would be willing to utilize their power like they used to...

It's a well-known information in the upper realm that the <Seven Heavenly Profound Treasures> can choose their own Master. Unless their previously chosen Master dies or that person is a lot better than their previous host then they won't leave their current host.

And this is exactly what happened and also what Issei wanted to convey towards Yun Che but the latter doesn't understand what the former meant...

"...What do you mean, senior?" Yun Che's face went cold thinking that Issei is coveting his treasures and doesn't want to give it back...

Issei who saw Yun Che's expression narrowed his eyes himself.

"Don't think that I'm trying to trick you. If I wanted to, then I can kill you without even lifting a finger on the spot right here right now. There's no need for me to waste my time trying to explain things to you if I truly coveted your treasures." Issei responded back with a much more colder voice.

The hot-headed Yun Che instantly sobered... Right... If Issei really wanted to steal his treasures then there's no need for Issei to waste words with him. He can just kill him on the spot akin to a human stepping on an ant.

Their strength disparity is too far apart after all...

They're in the <Heaven Basin Secret Realm>... If someone truly dies here then there won't be a chance to find out just who's the culprit is just like that elder from the Burning clan said before...

Sure Cang Yue and the others are nearby but even if they do know of the truth, what can they do? This man in front of him is too powerful to even consider him as their enemy... And that's not taking the <Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace> that's supporting him into consideration...

Unknown to Yun Che, it's the other way around... It's not that the <Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace> that's supporting Issei but it's him supporting them instead...

"Junior apologize for his lack of manners... Can you please enlighten this junior by what senior meant just now?" Yun Che hastily apologizes while having a cold sweat.

"I meant what I said. These 2 treasures won't go back to you unless you're stronger than me... Even if I wanted to give it back, I couldn't do so. You can try taking them back on your own if you wanted to." Issei said towards Yun Che in a calm manner once more while extending his hand that contains the 2 treasures.

Yun Che felt suspicious of Issei's words but thinking about what just happened, he decided to do just that.

He tried grabbing towards the 2 treasures but his hand immediately phase through it like it was never there in the first place.

Yun Che becomes dumbstruck seeing this phenomenon and then he tried his best to grab into it... He utilizes all of his profound energy and strength but the result stays the same.

If he couldn't feel these 2 treasures presence then he might think that Issei is tricking him with illusions but he can clearly sense it right before him... It's right in front of him but it is out of reach from his hand at the same time: "Impossible! I won't believe I can't grab onto it!"

The frustration is unbearable for Yun Che. But no matter what he does, once again, the result stays the same...

'...Is what he just said is really the truth?!' Yun Che thought frustratingly inside his mind.

Finally, after a couple more tries, Yun Che gave up with a bitter sigh...

"...Is there really no other way, senior?" Yun Che tried asking Issei but he knows that the chance is quite slim...

"Sadly, as of right now, there's no other solution that I can think of." Issei shakes his head. Even if he could, he still couldn't give away the <Sky Poison Pearl> right now since Jasmine and Xun'er is residing within it.

"*Sigh*... Then Junior ask senior to hold onto it until the day I could take them back arrive... I hope senior can agree to my simple request. That pendant is the only clue for me to find my biological parents..." Yun Che said with a bitter feeling.

These 2 treasures were his... For 2 lifetime they were his... But on the 3rd lifetime, he lost it just like that... Is this karma at work? The price he needed to pay for living 3 lifetimes?

"Tch! This brat thinks too highly of himself! That day will never come!" Jasmine said in disdain once more from within the pearl.

Xun'er smiles wryly but she agrees to her daughter's words... Become stronger than Issei? She honestly can't see a sliver of a chance for that to happen... It's nothing but a pipe dream and they are completely sure of this outcome.

If they're suspicious whether Issei came from the upper realm or not, then they're 100% sure that this Yun Che came from the lower plane... His profound aura explains it all. It couldn't be more ordinary in their eyes.

"Very well..." Issei sighed to himself.

He knows the time when Yun Che could best him will never come... So right now it's just an empty promise between them.

"...In the meantime, you can hold on to this. Think of it as my recompensation for taking your treasures." Issei thought for a second before he took out 2 objects from the <GoB> and threw it towards Yun Che.

He took 2 treasures from Yun Che and he will compensate exactly 2 of the same level of treasures(At least in his opinion). Even though it's not his intention in the first place to "steal" the treasures from Yun Che, but he still owes Yun Che nevertheless.

Yun Che reflexively caught the 2 objects with his hands.

The first item is a golden colored light armor with some exotic black inscription on it. While the second item is a great sword that's colored pure white and along the blade, there's a golden runic symbol inscribed into it.

"This is...?" Yun Che went into a daze while holding the 2 objects...

"The armor is called <Kavacha>, it is a powerful armor that could block even the strike from a divine weapon. And since I saw you were using a greatsword in the tournament, I gave you the sword of <Kunwu>, it is able to slay gods, demons, and repel all elements to a certain extent." Issei introduced the 2 items for Yun Che.

He possesses quite a few legendary and divine artifact and even phantasmal artifact rarity inside the <GoB> but they can't help him with his recovery sadly... Not really surprising since he doesn't really need one until now and those kinds of artifacts which could assist the user with their regeneration and the like are already given away by him towards his wives, or he already dismantled them to fuse it with their wedding rings.

Sure there's still some left but it's inside the original <GoB> treasury and not his current pseudo <GoB>.

Besides, his current situation can't be fixed with a simple <Heal> spell and similar spells like that...

Jasmine who saw the 2 treasures had her mouth went wide agape... Even from inside the pearl she could feel the overflowing divine strength of those 2 treasures.

They might even on par or perhaps surpass the <Seven Heavenly Profound Treasures> in terms of strength alone... Perhaps only the ranked 1st heavenly treasure could rival these 2 artifacts...

"H-How can you give that 2 treasures away just like that?! It doesn't make sense... He's just a weakling! There's no need for you to waste your time with him!" Jasmine scratched her head in exasperation.

Issei doesn't respond to her words which made her even more vexed...

Just what is going on inside this baddy head?! How can he give away these 2 divine treasures just like that!

Xun'er understands Issei's personality to a certain extent and she can understand just why Issei did this... He's not the type of person that is willing to owe someone a favor, that's why...

If he does owe someone a favor then he will immediately repay their favor when he has the chance... That's the kind of person Issei is...

Actually, Jasmine also understands this but understanding and willing to accept it is a different story...

Yun Che felt like he's dreaming... Just now he was devastated losing 2 treasures just like that but a moment later he received 2 treasures that could rival that said treasures...

"...Junior thanks senior for his benevolence." Yun Che bowed deeply towards Issei. He stored the treasures he just got into his storage ring lest it might attract unwanted attention.

"Um. Then I believe we're done here." Issei then walked towards the opposite direction while Yun Che sees him off. Soon, Issei disappears into the distance...

Now Issei doesn't really owe Yun Che a favor anymore. Their karma ties have been severed...

Yun Che then went back towards his own group but Cang Yue blatantly felt disappointed that Issei already left.

Yun Che who saw her lovelorn looks finally understand why his advances never seem to works against her... It seems that he's too late in the race, Yun Che thought bitterly inside his mind.

...

Issei continues to accumulate more and more treasures which made Jasmine and Xun'er become numb of his luck...

The weather in this realm is constantly in a snowstorm but that doesn't bother Issei in the slightest. He can see what's around him as clear as a day.

At this time, a tingling feeling suddenly came from Issei's left hand's palm. He immediately lifted up his left hand and discovered that his palm was currently flashing with a green brilliance that belonged to the <Sky Poison Pearl>.

This means that the <Sky Poison Pearl> has a reaction toward treasures.

And to make the <Sky Poison Pearl> react, it certainly wasn't just any ordinary treasure either.

Issei then followed the direction where the <Sky Poison Pearl> pinpointed.

The blizzard did not have any hint of stopping, and it was unknown just how long this blizzard had been going on. The ice and snow under their feet also thickened to an unimaginable extent.

The temperature of this place was frighteningly low. After walking for so long under this sky and earth of ice, in order to defend against the acute cold, a normal person's profound energy expenditure speed will also become extremely fast.

But Issei here is like having a stroll in the park... Even his clothes don't have a single piece of snow sticking to it. It's as if the snow intentionally avoids his body on their own...

After walking for a while, Issei saw a glowing blue flower in the distance.

It was an enormous lotus flower whose diameter was as long as five feet, it had an illusory blue colored jade-like flower stem and light blue flower petals that flowed with fluorescent brilliance. Yet its stamen was like a red-colored starry sky that had gathered together and flashed with a mysterious and eccentric light.

A lotus ought to bloom in the summer with a scorching sun, yet this lotus, had lofty bloomed within the blizzard. The wind howled and the falling snow flew about, so it would be difficult even for an ordinary person to stand upright under this kind of blizzard.

This lotus flower unyieldingly stood there, neither the petals or the stamen had the slightest of waver. It was as if none of its petals could possibly fall even if the blizzard was ten times stronger.

Under the snow, the entire land was even submerged underneath. Yet only this lotus flower was not covered. On the petals, even a trace of the drifting snow could not be seen. In this world of overwhelming blizzard and snow, it became the only, and also the most blinding existence.

Issei doesn't have any reaction when he saw this flower and so does Jasmine.

This flower is very rare in the lower realm. If those major sects took ahold of this flower location then they would do anything just to get their hands on it... Even those from the <Sacred Grounds> are no exception.

This flower is called <Emperor Awakening Heart Lotus>, it is said to be a sacred object gifted by the heavens and is also a kind of object which shouldn't exist in the mortal world because it opposes the heavens.

Just like its name implies, it says that after consuming the flower, it could make someone without any profound strength step into the <Earth Profound Realm> in a day's time. And if that someone has a very high talent then they could even reach the <Emperor Profound Realm>, hence its name... The <Emperor Awakening Heart Lotus>.

Furthermore, the power that's hidden inside the <Emperor Awakening Heart Lotus> is extremely gentle and absolutely would not cause a situation, where the person who consumed it cannot endure the change and become injured or some sort, to appear.

Now it might seem like it's nothing much but what if this flower is used early on when they're still but a child? A child at the age of 4-5 years old but already steps into the <Earth Profound Realm> or even the <Sky Profound Realm> and perhaps into the <Emperor Profound Realm>!

Just that imagination alone is extremely tempting for those major sects... If one could acquire it, one could climb to a height that others may not achieve even if they worked hard for their entire lives. The words "object that opposes the heavens", was not at all an exaggeration for it. And this kind of thing that breaks the balance too much, should indeed, not exist in this world.

The flower who sensed Issei's presence trembled slightly while its glow shines even brighter. It started fluttering amongst the blizzard and it's as if its leaves are inviting Issei to pluck it.

If the flower could grow legs then it would probably unroot itself and immediately flew towards Issei's hand on its own...

Jasmine and Xun'er who saw this phenomenon are not that confused anymore since they already knew about Issei being able to use a <Nature/Earth> element from before.

And besides, this is not the 1st time this kind of situation happened... Most of the rare herbs, plants, or flowers Issei acquired before this acts the same way as this flower before them...

Back then they're confused about this but now they completely understand...

They started to suspect if Issei possesses some sort of <Wood Spirit Race> bloodline or not...

But they won't be able to guess the real reason why Issei could freely use <Nature/Earth> element... It's because of the <Life Orb> from the Kalars race and also him possessing a high affinity with it in the first place...

And this is not taking Issei's past reincarnation which is Adan himself from the <Evenicle> world into consideration...

Issei then calmly pluck the flower up. It almost as if the flower shivered in utter joy being touched by Issei.

From discovery to approach, to successfully plucking it, the entire process was incredibly smooth. Let alone risks, even an obstacle did not exist. It was simple to the point that it was somewhat abnormal.

Issei then stored the flower inside the <GoB>.

[Xiaotao, go plant that flower along with the others] Issei sends a sound transmission towards Xiaotao that's residing inside the <GoB>.

Others might not be able to use sound transmission in this realm but bypassing this realm's law is very easy for Issei.

[Understood, Master] Xiaotao answered from within the <GoB>.

Issei already created a miniature <Garden of Avalon> within the <GoB>. So the rare herbs and flowers he achieved so far that he doesn't give away to the <Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace> are kept there by him.

Both the <Zinogre> and the <Narugakuruga> are "cultivating" right beside the Garden absorbing excess energy emitted by the rare plants.

The rare herbs and plants couldn't be any happier living inside the <GoB> because of it... They are nourished extremely well in here after all. It should've taken them hundreds, and even thousands of years to fully grow and transform themselves but by being here they don't need that long anymore...

Some of the rare herbs and flowers even already grew and even transformed... Take this <Emperor Awakening Heart Lotus> for example. In the near future, it will be able to transform itself and it won't be just called an <Emperor Awakening Heart Lotus> but it might be called the <Sovereign Awakening Heart Lotus> or even <Divine Awakening Heart Lotus> given a proper chance...

But it seems that this flower is not unguarded after all...

A severe winter descended upon the Heaven Basin, so it froze over. As for this profound beast that stood guard by the <Emperor Awakening Heart Lotus> side all year round, it had entered deep hibernation on the bottom of the Heaven Basin.

Since it did not sense Issei's approach, it was still fast asleep then. Well, even if it awakes then it's still won't be able to sense his presence anyway.

However, once the <Emperor Awakening Heart Lotus> had been plucked away, when its aura had completely disappeared, it had finally woken up, evoking a fury that surged to the skies.

BOOM!!! AWOOOOOOOOO!!!

A Huge heaven crashing earth splitting sound echoed from behind Issei, followed by a terrifying roar that was enough to burst heaven and earth.

Issei frowned a little when he heard this roar feeling a little annoyed because of how loud it is...

The beast was around three hundred meters tall and white hair covered its entire body. It had a humanlike body and a vicious wolf-like head with scarlet red eyes.

(AN: Think of a humongous werewolf).

When it landed, it was like a small mountain that blocked a huge amount of light from the heavens, and the aura it released, was way more terrifying than over ten thousand mountains. In front of its huge body, any normal person was as insignificant as little flies.

...

In between two icy mountains, Ling Yuefeng finally found his first reward from an ancient forest that wasn't completely covered in ice and snow. Just as he was about to pluck that pitch-black <Reishi(Some type of mushroom)>, the sound of a profound beast suddenly echoed from the distance. The place it came from was very far away, so the sound wasn't very loud, but it indeed shook Ling Yuefeng's entire body. His face showed an incredibly shocked expression, and even his soul was unexpectedly trembled by the roar that originated from far away.

"This is… this is… the power of a Tyrant Profound Beast!" Ling Yuefeng looked in the distance and an uncontrollable fear loomed over his face.

"Inside the <Heaven Basin Secret Realm>, there was actually a Tyrant Profound Beast…"

"Wait! This cry is filled with anger! Could it be that someone stepped into its territory or provoked it?"

While thinking about these things, Ling Yuefeng's expression kept changing. The power that this sound contained could send him, a Throne, into deep fear. He felt that the owner of this sound could destroy him effortlessly. <Tyrant Profound Realm>... a level never before was seen in the <Blue Wind Empire>, because in the history of <Blue Wind Empire>, there never was a true Overlord(Tyrant). <Throne> was already the peak and limit of the <Blue Wind Empire>. Titles like <Overlord> and <Monarch> could exist only in the fantasies of Blue Wind profound practitioners. It was a level that they absolutely could not comprehend and imagine.

The person who offended this Tyrant Profound Beast, he would turn into dust particles in the blink of an eye... It was impossible for there to be a secondary outcome.

Ling Yuefeng subconsciously retreated two steps and then flew towards that roar in the distance. Right now, he could only deeply pray that the ones who offended this terrifying Tyrant Profound Beast wasn't a part of his <Heavenly Sword Villa>.

...

In the distance, Xia Qingyue and Chu Yuechan's group also heard of this tyrant profound beast but they're not that too concerned about it and they only stopped their movement for a second before they resumed their search for treasures.

Xia Qingyue's group has killed dozens of profound beasts ranging from the <Sky Profound Realm> and <Emperor Profound Realm> while Chu Yuechan's group managed to kill 1 Tyrant Profound Beast with Chu Yueli assistance. Even though the beast is only at the 1st level of <Tyrant Profound Realm> it's still an Overlord regardless.

It's not an easy fight but they still won in the end... Now they have 1 tyrant profound beast core in their possession. They wonder if their sect elder will be happy receiving this core...

Even if a sovereign beast pops out they still won't feel any fear... They have their sect elder protection after all.

...

Yun Che's group hastily followed suit of Ling Yuefeng's idea... As in running as far as possible from the source of the beast roar.

Cang Yue felt a little concerned thinking if Issei is the one who provoked this tyrant profound beast but soon she shakes her head wryly since even if Issei is the one who provoked it then it's the beast that should be worried, not the other way around... She won't believe that he will get done in by some measly tyrant profound beast.

...

That roar transmitted an extremely terrifying pressure and penetrative power into every corner of the Heaven Basin Secret Realm. It completely overwhelmed the most powerful experts of the top ten sects with shock and made each of them retreat from the source of the roar.

They simultaneously thought that death would be inevitable, but none of them could have imagined that the people who encountered this terrifying profound beast is even monstrous than the beast itself.

"It's a <Tyrant Profound Beast>..." Jasmine said feeling a little worried.

To think that they will meet another <Tyrant Profound Beast> this soon... It hasn't been that long since Jasmine said that she needed 6 of the Tyrant Beast Core for the reconstruction of their physical bodies.

But now, she's wondering if Issei could kill this profound beast since it's at the peak of the <Tyrant Profound Realm>.

They know that he has subordinates that's at the <Sovereign Profound Realm> but what about him... Is he powerful enough to kill this profound beast before him?

They don't judge Issei based on his cultivation realm any longer after all so they wanted to know just what is the true extent of his strength is...

But Jasmine is prepared to help Issei the moment she saw things go awry even if it will make her injury worsen.

Issei who was observing the beast becomes slightly astonished...

"ROAR!!!"

The giant beast lifted up its right arm and smashed downwards towards Issei. The sound of the wind that whistled produced by the beast is as if space itself ripped apart. If this fist were to hit anyone else then that person would become a meat paste, guaranteed.

Even a normal <Sovereign Profound Realm> practitioners wouldn't dare to take this fist head-on.

Boom!!!

Like a heavy hammer that came from heaven, it smashed the ground viciously, causing the entire Heaven Basin to vibrate. If it wasn't a state of severe winter right now, but a summer day instead, perhaps a great amount of the Heaven Basin's water would quake into the sky.

Jasmine gritted her teeth seeing Issei still standing without a care on the spot but what she saw next made her went into a daze...

The beast fist stopped dead in its track blocked by Issei's right hand... And he doesn't seem strained at all... In fact, it's beast that attacked him with his fist that's currently trembling. Most likely feeling the damage rebound from hitting a literal steel plate...

The beast doesn't seem to want to give up even though his attack just now failed miserably... But before it could follow up with another attack it felt like its vision goes blurry and the next thing it knows, it saw its lower body gushing a fountain of blood then its vision goes black completely...

*Thud!*

Its giant body dropped flat to the white ground rising a cloud of white snow particles into the air but that white ground soon becomes red because of the beast blood... Not a single drop of blood landed on Issei's body.

The beast body went twitching for a few seconds before it lays completely still...

Flawless... That's the only thing that went inside Xun'er and Jasmine's mind right now.

All they saw was Issei waving his left hand and the next thing they know the beast's body is split in two. Even they can't tell if Issei used any profound energy or not just now...

What Issei did was, he manipulated the wind around him and used that very same wind to create an invisible blade that cuts through the giant beast body like a piece of paper.

Unless Jasmine and Xun'er are proficient in the <Wind> element then there's no way they could tell what Issei just did... He purely used only the <Wind> element without a single ounce of profound energy in it... A pure unadulterated <Wind> manipulation.

Perhaps Jasmine could sense this if she's in her top condition but the current her is incapable of it...

Issei then walked towards the beast's body and waved his hand.

There are 2 objects that landed on his hand... The 1st object is the beast profound core but the 2nd object made both Jasmine and Xun'er utterly dumbfounded and then they become pleasantly surprised in the next second.

This object was a very small bead, at the size of an ordinary glass ball that sparkled all over like a sapphire. However, the rich rays of blue light it emitted was much stronger than a sapphire, making it shine like a little star. When Issei grabbed it, it seemed as though it had suddenly awakened from its slumber. Suddenly, it released an incredibly intense azure blue light that shrouded the surrounding area.

This thing is the same thing that he found inside the <Scarlet Dragon Mountain Range>, inside the Red Dragon's lair to be exact... It is the Heretic God seed! And judging by its color then it should be of a <Water Seed>.

""Heretic God Water Seed!!!"" They both exclaimed at the same time.

Issei put away the beast core inside the <Sky Poison Pearl> while he observed the <Water Seed> in his hand.

And just when he's about to store it into the pearl as well. A buzzing sound rang from within Xun'er mind but Issei could also hear it. An incredibly old and distant voice that felt like it came from an ancient era sounded.

"Successor of my powers… You are finally here… And greetings to you... O' Go*!@&-..."

Jasmine and Xun'er couldn't understand the end of the words said by this ancient voice but they decided to put that aside for now.

Issei is the culprit behind this obviously and they also realize this so they kind of used to this...

Xun'er quickly shut her eyes. As she concentrated her mind, she tried to respond: "You're… the Heretic God?"

"That's right… the seed in this Exc... Young man's hand… contains a fragment of my soul that I left behind… I waited many many years within this small world… and finally waited until your arrival…"

The Heretic God was about to say Issei's identity once again but he realized that Issei doesn't want his identity to be exposed towards them both so he changed the way he addressed Issei immediately... If someone of his caliber called even Issei with his "Excellency" then needless to say his identity would be exposed.

Xun'er's heart stirred and then blurted out her thought: "...Could it be, that the small world that we're in right now is something you established back then?"

Not because of the beast strength or anything but rather because he sensed another "Element Seed" within its body.

The old voice gently said: "Correct… Young man, could you please give the <Water Seed> towards my successors...? And Successor of my powers... after you eat the <Water Seed>, relax your mind… steady your breathing… let me take a look at your memories… let me understand with the last bits of my power… what I can do for you… This soul residue of mine will soon disappear so you better hurry..."

Actually, it could maintain its existence for a longer period of time but he doesn't want to bother Issei more than needed.

Xun'er doesn't wait for Issei to put the <Water Seed> into the pearl and she exited the pearl instantly. Issei then gives the <Water Seed> to her.

"Thank you so much, Ise..." She bowed deeply towards Issei and there's an indescribable emotion that flashes through her eyes... This man before her just keeps creating miracle after miracle... Now she's not sure if she could repay him in this lifetime... But she decided to think about it later and ate the <Water Seed>.

Instantaneously, after Xun'er ate the <Water Seed>, her profound veins were suddenly put into a state of violent turmoil. The surface of her body suddenly emitted azure blue rays of light. Afterward, like a lump of azure blue flame, the surface of her body began to ignite.

Her black rabbit ears also stand upright making her look quite enchanting, that, coupled with the snowfall in the background, if someone were to saw her now then they would absolutely think of her as a Goddess of Winter...

The icy cold sensation completely disappeared. Xun'er closed her eyes and her entire body was full of unspeakable coziness.

During the frantic turmoil of her profound veins, a profound strength that seemed to have come out of nowhere rapidly surged forth.

The profound strength within her profound veins gradually increased and reached its capacity, yet it still did not stop...

A soft sound rang, and Xun'er heard a faint noise of something breaking. At this moment, the sensation that a hurdle had been directly overcome was transmitted from her profound veins. The blue rays of light that had shined for a long time over her body had also finally burned out at this time.

During that split second, Xun'er clearly felt as though her profound veins had evolved. The profound strength it held condensed into such a density that she could hardly believe. Her perception of her own body and her surroundings also changed immensely. Her entire body, soul, and profound veins were all suddenly reborn and became anew...

Xun'er raised her head and slowly exhaled. A sudden surge of profound strength, many times more tyrannical than what she had before dispersed from her body! Her cultivation increased at a rapid rate... From the <Emperor Profound Realm> 1st level to the peak of the <Emperor Profound Realm> in one go and only when it reaches the 1st level of the <Tyrant Profound Realm> that it finally stopped...

Xun'er silently inspected her interior and she saw her originally crystal-like body so vividly that it seemed as if it was see-through. Her original profound veins which were as crimson as flames were now transformed into a mix of scarlet and blue. Each of her fifty-four profound entrances all flickered alternatively in blue and scarlet rays of light. Not only her profound veins, even her channels, plasma, and cells all had a hint of an azure blue to them now.

The scarlet and the blue colors weren't completely separate, but they weren't completely fused either. They were somewhere in between, all mixed up in a mess without repelling each other in the mess, without intruding upon each other's independent existences.

When she ate the fire seed back then, Xun'er's profound veins gained a fire attribute and gained the ultimate affinity with the fire element. She was also able to control <Fire> element to a certain degree, and could not be harmed by fire in any shape or form.

Now that she has consumed the water seed, Xun'er's profound veins gained both water and fire attributes. In nature, water and fire were two incompatible elements, but these two attributes coexisted perfectly within the Heretic God's Profound Veins.

Even Issei's normal <Fire> and <Water> element won't be able to harm her but that's if Issei doesn't combine his <Fire> and <Water> element with his aura or other elements...

His <Dragon Breath> are not pure fire so if Xun'er got hit by it then she won't be able to resist it since it's not a normal fire... It's a flame breath that's combined with his Dragon aura which created a unique element which is called the <Dragon> element.

After Xun'er finished the process of absorbing the <Water Seed>, the Heretic God then used its divine sense to prod her memory...

"So it's like this... You're from the upper realm... And your hatred towards those that harmed your daughter and even killed your son runs deep... Very well... I shall assist you to reach the peak and that way you will have the strength to take revenge with your own hands... I'll use the final bits of my power to fulfill this wish of yours... And I can also send you all to a special place as a reward for this young man... Do you want to?" The Heretic God finished reading her memories and said gently.

Issei raised his eyebrows when he heard the Heretic God words.

"Oh? What place?" Issei asked.

"...This place contains a zone that's filled with one of the natural elements that you needed the most to help you recover from your... 'Injuries'..." The Heretic God said after a small hesitation.

"..." Issei narrowed his eyes after hearing the Heretic God's words. He can sense that he has some hidden intent by sending him to this "Special" place...

But the fact that he needed to see if this place really has something he needed or not still remains... Although, from the looks of it, this place should really quite special so he might as well check it.

While Issei is arranging his thoughts about this, both Xun'er and Jasmine become astonished hearing that Issei is currently injured as well... They wanted to ask but decided not to in the end... At least Xun'er does while Jasmine wanted to investigate this further.

"Very well... I agree with your proposal" Issei finally agreed to the Heretic God proposal.

"Good... You can only stay for twenty-four hours over there… After twenty-four hours… You will be taken back to this small world… Is what I wanted to say but since your <Space> law attainment is very high then I can't really put a restriction on you... So it's up to you when you wanted to return... I will just give you the coordinates for this realm instead..."

"Um." Issei nodded calmly.

The old voice then disappeared. Xun'er went inside the pearl after giving Issei her thanks once again...

There's a blue portal appeared in front of Issei and then he stepped into the portal disappearing from the <Heaven Basin Secret Realm>... But before Issei completely disappears, Xun'er heard a few more words left behind by the Heretic God.

'Never make this person as your enemy... And if possible, follow and serve him as your Master...' After that, the voice disappeared while Xun'er went silent...

...

A wave of cool and refreshing air mixed with the faint scent of flowers and the fragrance of soil assailed their nostrils.

Xun'er and Jasmine both exited the pearl to see just what kind of place they currently at.

Dark green grass, a small running river, and trees of various height and width were unevenly distributed everywhere. This was the scene that they saw after they opened their eyes.

This was a place that didn't seem to be visited by many people, and it didn't seem to be anything special.

They don't know just what kind of place is this but as far as they could tell there doesn't seem anything special about it... Issei started to wonder just what kind of "Zone" the Heretic God talking about.

But it shouldn't be that far from their current location, right?

"...You're currently injured?" Jasmine who stands beside him asked in a low voice. She really couldn't tell that Issei is injured or not...

Xun'er is also wondering about the same thing.

"Hmm, yes. You could say that my current condition is not at my peak just like you" Issei answered her question calmly.

"...How injured are you currently? You seem quite healthy in my eyes... Is it internal injuries? It can't be... I don't sense any abnormality on your internal organs..." Jasmine asked him once again while inspecting him at the same time.

Others might not be able to tell, but both Xun'er and Issei knows that she's feeling worried about his condition.

Issei smiled softly under his mask and give her head a pat.

"Hey! This princess already told you that you're not allowed to touch this princess's head!" Although she said that, she doesn't seem to have any intention to really stop or avoid his touch.

"No need to worry, I'm not in any kind of danger at all. At least, if compared to your condition then my situation is a lot better..." Issei said softly while still patting her head.

What he said is not wrong. His injury is not that fatal like Jasmine.

If Issei overused his power then he will just get slightly weaker and weaker with his skills being unusable in the process while Jasmine, on the other hand, might die because her poison will flare up whenever she overexerted her strength.

"H-Humph! W-Who's worried about you! This princess just doesn't want to be implicated by your injuries! Don't forget that you're the master of the <Sky Poison Pearl>. If something were to happen to you then this princess would also suffer the same consequences!" Her small face went a little red and she hastily swung her head to the side to avoid his line of sight.

Xun'er giggled lightly at her daughter which made the latter's face become another shade redder.

"Save me... Save me…"

When they're still goofing around, an urgent cry for help echoed from nearby. This was the cry of a young girl with an empty voice that sounded like it originated from a remote valley spring.

It contained deep terror and fear. Then, the sound of chaotic footsteps grew closer.

Issei instantly looked towards the source of the sound and found a little girl who wore yellow clothes quickly fleeing his way. From her petite and exquisite body, she should only be around twelve years old. However, she had clearly already established the foundations of profound strength since her running speed wasn't slow at all.

Behind her, three men in black calmly and unhurriedly chased her as they teasingly laughed: "Hey hey, you can run all you want. Let's see how far you can run once you run out of strength…"

"Plop"… The weary little girl fell on the ground. She struggled for a bit, but she couldn't get up. Her tears already filled her eyes and clenched her teeth, but she stubbornly did not want to let the tears flow out.

Behind her, three men in black calmly and unhurriedly walked over. The man in the middle extended his hand, grabbed towards her and laughed recklessly: "Su Ling'er, run again, keep running... Go on... Run, hahaha…!"

After the black-clothed man grabbed onto the little girl's clothes, he instantly picked her small body up and said with a sinister smile. "This sure is a stubborn little brat, to actually be able to run so far… Hehe, now that his daughter has landed in our hands, I really want to see if old man Su Huangshan will still be as obstinate!"

"You… You bad people! M-My father will definitely save me, and then beat all of you down!" Even though the little girl's eyes were filled with fear, she did not cry. Stubbornly holding back her tears, she struggled and shouted in the black-clothed man's hands.

"Hahahaha!" The black-clothed man laughed out wildly. "Then that will really be the best outcome, I really hope to have him here! I really want to see if that Su Huangshan… Keuhk!"

Before the black-clothed man's words fell, he felt like his throat went tight being gripped by someone who just suddenly appeared right in front of him and the little girl he was holding disappeared.

"Ah!" The frightened little girl let out a shriek and subconsciously hugged onto the man who just snatched her from the bad guy's arm.

"Close your eyes... It will be over soon." She heard a gentle voice resounding beside her ears and she subconsciously followed these words and closed her eyes tightly.

"Wh-Who are... *Crack!*" The man in black companions was about to shout something but the next moment their voice stopped without any indication...

When the little girl opened her eyes once more, the 3 men who were chasing after her disappeared without a trace... And if one looks closely on the ground, they will see some pieces of red ices scattered here and there... But it soon also disappears into nothingness...

"It's fine now. You're safe... All of the bad guys already gone" The gentle voice resounded once again and she looks up only to see a black mask right in front of her face.

She was feeling a little afraid of seeing this mask but the gentle voice manages to calm down her nerves...

She looked at Issei strangely, blinked her eyes, and politely said. "Big brother, thank you for saving Ling'er… Big brother, you're so incredible, you instantly made all of the bad guys disappeared, just as… You're just as incredible as Ling'er father!"

"Oh really?"

"Mn!" The little girl nodded.

Issei keeps speaking at her with a gentle tone and that made the small girl have a favorable impression of him.

Seeing her current expression, it seemed that her fear earlier had completely disappeared, and she no longer needed him to console her. She tilted her head. "Big brother, why are you wearing a mask?"

"Hm? Ah, it's nothing really... Big brother just felt a little shy being gazed by other people" Issei said.

"Oh..." The girl nodded understandingly: "Ling'er also sometimes felt shy whenever people look at her. Big brother's idea is great! Next time Ling'er will also look for a mask to cover her face so that way Ling'er won't feel shy anymore if people are gazing at Ling'er."

Issei smiled wryly at her words.

"But... There's just us here right now, big brother... So you don't have to feel shy right?" Su Ling'er said.

"Well... Okay then." Issei thought for a second and then he took off his mask.

Su Ling'er face went blank for a few seconds after seeing his face but soon she shouted in awe: "Big brother, you're so pretty!"

Issei's mouth started twitching a lot... Pretty? He's not a girl alright...

"Err, thank you..."

"Big brother by far is the prettiest person Ling'er has ever seen!"

"Umm, Ling'er... Can you not call big brother pretty?"

"Eh? Why not?"

"The word pretty is for girls and big brother is obviously a man, so..."

"Ah, really...? Ling'er understand! Then... Then... Big brother, you're so beautiful!" She said with the same cheerful voice.

"..." Issei finally gave up... There's no helping it... Su Ling'er is still a kid after all. So she still hasn't learned more words to describe people's appearance.

She must've learned from her father when he's praising her being pretty and beautiful or whatnot.

Issei then put her down...

"Oh, right! What's your name, big brother? Ling'er name is Su Ling'er, I am 12 years old this year!" She asked for Issei's name while introducing herself with a huge grin. It seemed as though, to her, reaching twelve years old was a very incredible achievement.

"Big brother's name is Ise. Nice to meet you, Ling'er." Issei pats her head gently.

"Ise?" The little girl blinked her eyes and said softly: "Such a strange name but it's also quite simple and great sounding at the same time..." After Ise reported his name, the little girl suddenly entered into a state of deep thought and nodded, again and again, appreciating his name as if she somehow understand just what his name means...

Issei smiled wryly thinking what's so special about his name... It's just a common name back in his world...

"Ah, big brother! Will you become friends with Ling'er?" She finally stopped her "thoughts" and asked Issei with a hopeful voice.

"Sure." Issei agreed easily.

"Really!? Yay! Ling'er finally has a friend of her own!" She started feeling very joyful. Little Ling'er smiled, revealing two little pearl-like canine teeth and two cute little dimples on her cheeks.

Issei felt a little bit sad seeing how a girl at her age doesn't have any friends... But he keeps his gentle smile all the time not letting his true thoughts shown...

Issei then asked Su Ling'er. "Ling'er, where's your home? Is it far away from here? Why were those people trying to capture you?"

Ling'er's small hand moved away from her cheek, and she pointed to the north. "My home is over there. It's not too far away from here. At first, Father was supposed to bring me out to play today but while we were walking, a lot of black-clothed people suddenly appeared. Father began fighting with those black-clothed people, and told me to quickly run away… So I kept running, and after running quite far away, suddenly, those three bad people from earlier appeared and chased after me together… If big brother did not save me, I might have already been captured by them. Uuu… I don't know what happened to Father either, but since Father is so strong, he's definitely able to beat up all those bad people."

When she spoke of her Father, little Ling'er's eyes were filled with adoration and did not carry too much worry. Evidently, she trusted her Father very much.

Because of sprinting for a long time, and even tripping down heavily in the end, little Ling'er's shoes were already completely filled with dirt. The corners of her skirt were dirtied by a large amount, and there was even a big bruise on her small leg as well.

Issei pity her even more and then he walked next to Ling'er, he picked up her small slim leg and gently asked. "Ling'er, did you fall and injure yourself? Does it hurt?"

"A little… But it's already not that painful anymore." When Issei picked her small leg up, pain clearly flashed through her expression. However, it was hurriedly replaced with a smile that could move everyone's hearts. It was as if she was trying to console Issei instead.

Issei immediately cured her leg which amazes her a lot: "...Eh!? It's really not painful anymore!"

Then he also cleaned her shoes and clothes. By the time he's done, her clothes look brand new and there's not a single spot of dirt that could be found on her body.

She then gazes at Issei with eyes filled with adoration: "Big brother, you're so amazing!"

Issei smiled gently at her: "Ling'er, can you tell me where I am? I came from a place very far away, so I don't even know where this place is."

"A place very far away?" The little girl had an expression of astonishment, but then, she excitedly said. "It's no wonder big brother Ise is not the least bit old, yet is as incredible as Father. Big brother must have come from those incredible places in those legends, right? Ling'er Father has already told Ling'er, in those incredible places, there are many very incredible people, and there are people that are even more incredible than Father… Ah! Oh right, I almost forgot to answer big brother Ise's question…"

Ling'er stretched out her hand and pointed to the distance. "My home is called the <Grandwake Clan>, and it's at the bottom of the tallest mountain over there. That mountain is called <Grandwake Mountain>. Big brother Ise, have you ever heard of that mountain? Father told me that our home's mountain is very famous in the <Azure Cloud Continent>, you know."

"Mn, I see... Then Ling'er do you know a special place/environment that's considered very very dangerous by your father?" Issei nodded at her words and then asked her...