Chapter 22: The Frost Lotus

Not far off, Yu Sanniang heard the sounds of a fight, a smug smile appearing on her face. She thought those four fools must have caught their fish.

She rushed over eagerly, just in time to see Xu Yang slap the fat man to death.

Yu Sanniang was nearly scared stiff. It was Xu Yang! This wasn't a fish; this was the King of Hell himself.

And Xu Yang was even more formidable than she'd imagined—he had defeated four Golden Core cultivators with a single slap.

The more she thought about it, the more terrified she became. She turned to flee.

"No need to leave so soon, since you've already come."

Xu Yang's voice reached her, and when she turned around, she almost lost control of herself in fear—Xu Yang had somehow appeared right in front of her.

Xu Yang looked at her with a faint smile, though his eyes were piercingly cold.

"Those four—were they your minions?" Xu Yang asked.

Yu Sanniang's face froze, unsure how to answer. If her answer displeased Xu Yang, her head might not stay attached for long.

"Well… yes, but I absolutely didn't order them to rob you! That was their own decision," she said pitifully, instinctively using her charm technique, her gaze softening, her figure swaying seductively. Any ordinary man would've lost control instantly.

Unfortunately for her, she was facing Xu Yang, a ten-thousand-year-old monster.

"Enough! Save your tricks," Xu Yang said coldly, looking at her with disdain.

Only then did Yu Sanniang remember that illusion and charm techniques didn't work on Xu Yang. She had instinctively used her charm technique, but if Xu Yang saw it as a provocation, she'd be done for.

She hurriedly stopped, looking embarrassed.

"Let me warn you again: stay out of my way! Or else, suffer the consequences!"

Xu Yang turned to leave, heading toward where Fang Tian sword was located, ignoring her.

The only reason he spared her was that he didn't think she was behind this; Yu Sanniang didn't have the guts.

"Wait," she called out, hesitating as something occurred to her.

Xu Yang stopped and turned, asking, "What is it? Don't you want to stay as far away from me as possible?"

Yu Sanniang forced a smile. She certainly didn't want to be near this murderous god—it was too terrifying and dangerous.

But after some thought, she realized this could also be an opportunity.

If she could latch onto Xu Yang, even if he didn't promote her, just the knowledge of her connection to him would elevate her influence in Tianwu County considerably.

"Ancestor Xu, I know of a place within a secret realm that holds a Frost Lotus. It's guarded by a fierce beast, far beyond my ability to handle, but I'm willing to guide you there if you're interested."

The Frost Lotus—a treasure that would spark battles every time it appeared ten thousand years ago, with countless cultivators sacrificing themselves to fight for it.

There was one here in this secret realm!?

Xu Yang's interest was piqued—extremely piqued.

He had an unparalleled pill recipe that required the Frost Lotus as its primary ingredient, and he'd been looking for one. Now Yu Sanniang was practically delivering it into his hands.

Xu Yang found her less of a nuisance now.

"Where is it? Take me there," Xu Yang commanded.

"Alright, I'll lead the way right now," Yu Sanniang replied joyfully, hurrying ahead.

Ling Qingshu watched Yu Sanniang suspiciously, tugged on Le Yi's sleeve, and said, "Ancestor Xu, are we really going to follow her?"

"What else?"

"She seems untrustworthy. Could she be setting a trap for us?"

Xu Yang chuckled and replied, "Even if she tries to pull a trick, do you think I'd be afraid?"

Ling Qingshu thought about it; that made sense. With Ancestor Xu around, why fear any schemes from Yu Sanniang?

All plots and tricks were nothing but illusions in the face of absolute power.

If Yu Sanniang knew what Xu Yang and Ling Qingshu were thinking, she might cry. She truly just wanted to please Xu Yang—she didn't dare think of anything else.

...

Before long, Xu Yang followed Yu Sanniang up a snow-covered mountain peak.

Xu Yang vaguely remembered this peak. In the past, it was one of the core main peaks of the Tianfeng Sect, grand and majestic.

But today, only the peak itself remained unchanged; all other buildings were gone, with only occasional broken remnants visible under the snow.

"There it is, up ahead," Yu Sanniang pointed to the top of the nearby peak.

They were just a few minutes away and could already make out its outline.

"Someone's up there. Looks like someone beat us to it," Xu Yang said, glancing at the peak.

"What should we do?" Ling Qingshu frowned.

"The Frost Lotus is mine. Anyone who tries to take it… dies."

A powerful, nearly tangible killing intent emanated from Xu Yang. Though he spoke lightly, there was no room for doubt.

Ling Qingshu shivered. Just how many people had to die to create such killing intent?

Feeling his killing intent, Yu Sanniang's legs went weak, fear gripping her to her core.

They soon reached the peak.

Five Golden Core stage cultivators stood off against a beast with snow-white fur and pure black stripes on its back, resembling a leopard.

"A Bloodthirsty Demon Leopard?" Xu Yang was surprised.

The Bloodthirsty Demon Leopard had the strength of a half-step Nascent Soul stage and could kill cultivators, absorbing their blood essence to increase its power.

Generally, anyone facing a Bloodthirsty Demon Leopard was as good as dead.

Of course, now that he was here, things were different.

"You all should leave. I'll handle the Bloodthirsty Demon Leopard for you. No need to thank me—the Frost Lotus will be your thanks," Xu Yang said as he stepped forward.

The five Golden Core cultivators turned, curious to see who dared to speak so boldly.

When they saw that it was a mere Qi Refinement stage cultivator, they almost burst out laughing.

"What's this? A Qi Refinement stage cultivator in here? Is someone kidding me?"

"And there are two Golden Core cultivators as well."

"Two Golden Cores—so what? There are five of us and only two of them, hehe."

"Hehe."

The five Golden Core cultivators chatted carelessly, oblivious to their impending doom.

Xu Yang shook his head; it seemed they still didn't grasp the horror of the Bloodthirsty Demon Leopard.

Since they didn't need his help, Xu Yang stood aside, watching them coldly.

"You three, the Frost Lotus is ours. Don't even think about coveting it. Get lost."

Xu Yang shook his head and smiled. "No, the Frost Lotus is mine."

"What did you say? You, a Qi Refinement rookie, think you can take the Frost Lotus from the mouths of five Golden Core cultivators?"