Category: The Saintess Has A Showdown

Chapter 173: Ice Soul Cold Star Breaks Through!!

–Snow Plume City

Facing the terrifying might of the Rage of the Seas, Snow Plume City teetered on the brink of destruction.

But at that moment, a blue-haired girl wearing a black crown descended, radiating a pure, yet despairing, water spirit energy that caused the Rage of the Seas to pause, as if stunned.

The girl’s demeanor was cold and aloof, her beauty breathtaking, her aura almost divine, yet the strange teardrop markings on her face seemed like a peculiar personal touch.

A small, pink, glowing butterfly fluttered beside her, seemingly conversing with her.

“I need a more elegant, elemental type. Don’t tell me the Sea Concubine Palace doesn’t even have a single Water Element?”

“An elemental vessel? How about this one?”

After a moment of thought, Gong Lianyue summoned a purple, crystalline, ice elemental figure.

Seeing the purple Ice Spirit, Sacred Water, Lover, was speechless. “A Water Element or an Ice Spirit is fine, but I didn’t expect you to actually send out a low-rank… huh?”

The pink figure’s words trailed off as it sensed the Ice Spirit’s unusual aura.

The next second, to its astonishment, a slender, purple leg emerged from the Ice Spirit’s mouth.

Like shedding its skin, a graceful, alluring, purple, elemental body emerged from the bulky form of the Ice Spirit.

The solid ice crystals melted into a flowing nebula, the tiny purple sparks on its surface shimmering, a true beauty among elemental spirit beasts.

Crack!

The Ice Spirit’s original body shattered, the ice fragments quickly reforming into two massive crystalline arms that floated beside the purple figure.

Long, flowing purple hair, like a waterfall of stars, cascaded down to its hips, an ethereal, breathtaking sight.

The Ice Soul Cold Star, a Saint-rank spirit beast!

“W… T… F…” the pink figure stammered, its eyes almost popping out of its head.

The Ice Soul Cold Star! This was its ideal vessel, the most desirable elemental spirit beast it could imagine.

Sacred Water, Lover, circled the purple elemental figure, then glanced at the blue-haired girl, finally believing her promise of letting it beat up Shui Yingge.

“Then lend me your spirit beast for a bit!!”

Swish!

Without hesitation, the pink figure zipped forward, colliding with the Ice Soul Cold Star’s ample bosom and merging with it, like a drop of water.

Pink light pulsed within the Ice Soul Cold Star’s translucent body, its flow visible from the outside.

A moment later, Sacred Water, Lover’s, aura vanished, completely absorbed into the Ice Soul Cold Star’s life core.

The Ice Soul Cold Star also fell silent, its icy eyes closing as if falling asleep.

---

“Rage of the Seas, what are you afraid of?! Crush this Dead Sea Stage trash!!”

A ferocious roar echoed from within the massive, crystalline giant.

Hearing the woman’s command, the Rage of the Seas, momentarily forgetting its confusion, raised its massive leg and stomped down.

Its terrifying weight, combined with a destructive hurricane, created a shockwave like a falling meteor.

It wasn’t using any techniques, simply relying on its superior rank and size to crush the insignificant ant below.

As the massive, crystalline foot descended, screams echoed throughout Snow Plume City, the city crumbling beneath the pressure, the hurricane’s force tearing everything apart.

Just as the Rage of the Seas’s attack was about to land, the icy eyes on the Ice Soul Cold Star’s wrists opened.

Boom!!!!

The next second, a pink aura erupted from the Ice Soul Cold Star, a violent shockwave that shook the surrounding sea for hundreds of kilometers.

An overwhelming surge of spirit energy dyed the sky pink, a reverse waterfall of power blasting the Rage of the Seas away.

Its nearly three-thousand-meter-tall body, thrown off balance, landed in the sea with a massive splash, its expression one of bewildered shock.

What had just happened…?

The Ice Soul Cold Star’s aura had completely transformed.

Two shimmering, pink, heart-shaped butterfly wings sprouted from its back, their delicate, translucent texture thinner than the finest silk stockings.

And most striking were the heart-shaped bubbles that constantly formed around its body, like cheap special effects from a mobile game.

A terrifying, seemingly endless wave of spirit energy spread outwards, a massive, illusory wheel gradually materializing behind the purple elemental figure.

A playful heart at the center of the pink wheel, surrounded by six smaller stars, two glowing pink, the other four dim, rotating slowly.

At this moment, Sacred Water, Lover, and the Ice Soul Cold Star had become one.

And the Ice Soul Cold Star’s rank had also ascended to a new level.

Gong Lianyue, wearing the black crown, felt a sudden tremor, sensing the massive surge of spirit energy within the Ice Soul Cold Star, a bottomless abyss of power.

A complete breakthrough, mind, body, and soul. The Ice Soul Cold Star was no longer the same.

Samsara Stage – Second Cycle!!!

“Alright, let me take a good look at this body~~~” Sacred Water, Lover’s excited voice echoed from within the Ice Soul Cold Star, like a child playing with a new toy.

A few seconds later, it paused, a puzzled tone in its voice.

“What? Your talent is still sealed?”

“Whatever, it doesn’t matter. It’s more than enough to deal with this big guy!”

“Here it comes!”

Seeing the Rage of the Seas struggling to get up, Sacred Water, Lover, assumed a battle stance.

The heart-shaped wings on the Ice Soul Cold Star’s back began to vibrate at an incredible, almost invisible speed, creating a faint breeze.

At the same time, a pink, illusory, egg-shaped barrier enveloped Gong Lianyue.

Perhaps as compensation for their inability to act independently, weapon-type spirit beasts possessed innate protective fields, their strength proportional to their spirit energy, consuming no energy to maintain.

Encased within the pink barrier, Gong Lianyue watched the unfolding battle.

The Ice Soul Cold Star and Sacred Water, Lover, were at the second cycle of the Samsara Stage. Against a Fifth Cycle, Broken Cycle opponent… what were their chances…?

---

Chapter 174: Slaying a Samsara Stage

For most creatures, the human body is as frail as a piece of plastic.

Smaller beasts tremble before larger beasts.

Low-rank spirit beasts cower beneath high-rank spirit beasts, while high-rank spirit beasts fear the aura of Saint-ranks.

However, after undergoing trials, battles, and evolution, reaching a certain level, spirit beasts shed their primal fear, challenging even stronger opponents.

The Rage of the Seas wasn’t unfamiliar with battling Saint-ranks. Having reached the powerful Broken Cycle stage, it no longer judged strength solely on aura; however, at this moment, the spirit energy radiating from this butterfly-winged Ice Spirit felt like a vortex, threatening to drag its very will into a dark, despairing abyss, its instincts screaming.

“Rage of the Seas, snap out of it! Use your battle technique!!”

For a Samsara Stage spirit beast to be so dazed mid-battle that it required its Spirit Master’s prompting… that was ridiculous.

Hearing its master’s voice, the crystalline giant snapped out of its fear-induced trance and roared, unleashing a torrent of spirit energy.

[Battle Technique – Sea-Burning Hammer]

Dense water spirit energy rapidly converged, forming a massive, illusory warhammer in the sky above, blotting out the sun.

The oppressive weight of the hammer made their scalps tingle. If it landed, Snow Plume City would be annihilated, reduced to dust.

Facing this terrifying power, the pink butterfly wings behind the Ice Soul Cold Star vibrated rapidly, creating a faint breeze.

“Here we go!!”

Sacred Water, Lover, its voice filled with excitement, echoed within the Ice Soul Cold Star, seemingly unconcerned by the incoming attack.

For an attachment-type spirit beast like Sacred Water, Lover, merging with a water-type elemental spirit beast was like a master swordsman finally wielding a blade.

[Sacred Water – Lover]
[Bloodline Talent: Limit Break (Combines the host’s and its own spirit energy)]
[Spirit Beast Battle Techniques: Flashing Wings – Love God – Kiss Mark – ∞]

Just then, the Rage of the Seas’s attack reached its peak.

The massive, water-formed hammer in the sky began to fall, hurtling towards Snow Plume City.

“Hahahaha, try and stop it if you can!”

Sensing the destructive power of the descending hammer, the woman within the Rage of the Seas laughed maniacally.

The Nine Nethers, the nine lineages of the Pool of Hidden Secrets.

These nine lineage masters alone could destroy most of the Sea Region’s factions!!!

Although far weaker than the Sun and Moon Realm Nine Nethers of a thousand years ago, they were more than enough to deal with the current Sea Region.

[Battle Technique – Flashing Wings]

Swish!

Time seemed to stop, spirit energy distorting.

As the pink, heart-shaped wings buzzed, a strange ripping sensation filled the air, the flow of spirit energy becoming chaotic and erratic.

The next second, the purple elemental figure, previously a kilometer away, instantly teleported two kilometers, appearing right before the Rage of the Seas.

The swirling water spirit energy around it surged, flowing in reverse, defying the natural order.

Seeing the Ice Soul Cold Star so close, a wave of terror washed over the Rage of the Seas, quickly suppressed by its master’s command.

“Ignore it! Continue the attack! Let’s see if she’s willing to let Snow Plume City be destroyed just to defeat you!!”

No matter what tricks the enemy used, if they couldn’t stop this attack, a display of pure power, they would win!

The terrifying hammer continued its descent, and the icy eyes on the Ice Soul Cold Star’s wrists curved upwards in a subtle arc.

The next second, a dense, purple, icy spirit energy spread outwards, forming a beautiful, mysterious star that enveloped the hammer.

A massive, transparent sphere, swirling with deep purple patterns, the surrounding air distorting and tearing.

[Battle Technique – Death Tribulation]

“Hahahahaha, useless! I can shatter that barrier with a single blow!!”

The Nine Nethers woman boasted, her voice filled with arrogant confidence.

Then, something unbelievable happened, a comical scene that would be recorded in the annals of Snow Plume City.

Just as the Sea-Burning Hammer was about to strike the star, two massive, heart-shaped, butterfly wings sprouted from its sides.

[Battle Technique – Flashing Wings]

Swish, swish————

The massive purple star vanished instantly, as if it had grown wings and flown away.

The next second, the Rage of the Seas’s vision was filled with purple light.

Without warning, the vanished star reappeared directly above the crystalline giant, a terrifying explosion of dust and debris.

The Nine Nethers woman’s eyes widened in horror as she looked up, watching the purple star and the Sea-Burning Hammer fall together.

Boom!!!

Boom, boom, boom!!!

A deafening roar shattered their eardrums and their vision, a violent tsunami spreading for dozens of kilometers.

The destructive shockwave, several times more powerful than a nuclear blast, was completely absorbed by the transparent purple star, saving Snow Plume City from annihilation. However, the Rage of the Seas, struck head-on, wasn’t so lucky. Its aura flickered and dimmed, then vanished completely.

“Hahaha, that’s hilarious!”

Not only Sacred Water, Lover, laughed, but even Gong Lianyue couldn’t help but smile inwardly.

So those heart-shaped butterfly wings could not only teleport the Ice Soul Cold Star, but also its battle techniques…?

Just then, a hysterical shriek echoed from the shattered ocean below.

“You think you’ve won, you little shit?! I still have another spirit beast!!”

A black-haired woman, her face pale and contorted, emerged from the shattered water, her soul core clearly injured by the Rage of the Seas’s death.

As her spirit energy surged, another massive spirit beast began to materialize.

However, they had had enough fun. The Sorrowful Saintess was in a hurry to return to the Sea Concubine Palace.

[Battle Technique – Love God]

Whoosh—

A magnificent, hundred-meter-long, heart-shaped scythe fell from the sky, grasped by the Ice Soul Cold Star’s two massive, crystalline arms.

The Love God Scythe, its design extravagant, heart-shaped bubbles constantly erupting from its blade, radiated a terrifying aura.

At this moment, the combined aura of the two merged spirit beasts reached its peak.

Aiming at the disheveled woman below, the Ice Soul Cold Star swung the Love God Scythe, a chilling wave of energy sweeping outwards, a long-range attack that sliced through the air.

And so, she was separated from her beloved…

Chapter 171: Gong Lianyue’s Darkening

–Snow Plume City, Loving Heart Spring Area

The spirit energy radiating from the small pink figure and the blue-haired girl surged like reverse waterfalls, clashing and swirling, dividing the world into two dreamlike realms of vibrant, almost overwhelming color.

Although weapon-type spirit beasts generally had lower combat power, Sacred Water, Lover, being at the Samsara Stage, a level above Gong Lianyue, possessed a ferocious aura that ordinary Spirit Masters couldn’t withstand.

A single tremor from it sent scores of weaker Spirit Masters and mortals collapsing like dominoes, the few remaining ones staring in terror, their hearts pounding.

Could this truly be the power of Loving Heart Spring, a mere high-rank spirit beast?

Meanwhile, a teardrop slid down the blue-haired girl’s cheek, revealing the six neatly arranged beauty marks beneath.

Gong Lianyue, her expression calm, gazed at the enraged, pink figure. Sacred Water, Lover, a weapon-type, attachment-type spirit beast… Let’s see what you’re capable of!

Boom!!!

The next second, a violent aura erupted, painting the sky pink.

The tiny figure, its butterfly wings buzzing, shot forward like a falling meteor, its speed beyond human comprehension, slamming into the space before the blue-haired girl.

The resulting shockwave sent nearby Spirit Masters tumbling, the surrounding snow and the lake itself ravaged.

The pink wave of energy, a near-instantaneous attack, reached Gong Lianyue.

Bang!

Barely a meter away from the blue-haired girl, the violent pink aura dissipated.

As the dust settled, Sacred Water, Lover, enveloped in a shimmering pink, egg-shaped barrier, was held firmly in a delicate, white hand.

A beautiful, silver-haired rabbit woman with a massive tail, as large as a small hill, stood before Gong Lianyue.

The Tyrant Demon Seed!

Its arm, veins bulging, its face contorted in a grimace, tightened its grip on the pink eggshell, which trembled violently, about to shatter.

[Battle Technique – Enhanced Leap]

A dense, silver spirit energy enveloped the rabbit woman’s left leg, the ground beneath her feet cracking and crumbling under the pressure, spiderweb-like fissures spreading outwards.

Her leg swelled, like a steel pipe filled with blood, its muscles hardening and bulging, its aura growing more terrifying.

Thud!!!!

The next second, the rabbit woman kicked, her foot arcing upwards like a falling axe, shattering the pink eggshell, along with its own arm, into a bloody, pulpy mess.

However, only its arm was injured. The pink figure had vanished.

After three seconds of silence, the onlookers murmured in confusion.

“…”
“…”

“Where did it go?”

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

Just as someone spoke, a deafening explosion echoed, a pink arc streaking across the sky, the entire area shaking violently.

A distant snow-capped mountain exploded, reduced to dust, a cloud of debris rising into the air.

A massive chasm, radiating a desolate aura, like the gaze of the abyss, appeared.

Silence, a terrifying, suffocating pressure. The Spirit Masters, their faces pale, were stunned. This was beyond their comprehension.

A single strike, shattering a mountain.

The Tyrant Demon Seed stood motionless for half a minute, then looked up. The small, pink figure, its eggshell barrier partially shattered, looked slightly disheveled.

Although the silver rabbit woman had lost an arm, its aura hadn’t weakened.

After all, for a rabbit, arms, like breasts, were merely unnecessary appendages. As long as its legs worked, it was fine.

[A Saint-rank, the Tyrant Demon Seed!!!]

The pink figure’s face darkened. Facing such a monstrous opponent, even with its higher rank, it had no chance of winning.

After a moment of silence, the rabbit woman’s massive tail began to shrink, and its severed arm regenerated, the flesh reforming, filled with a viscous, silver liquid.

The Closed Moon talent allowed it to freely convert between spirit energy and physical strength.

The size of its tail represented its spirit energy reserves. When it shrunk completely, it meant it was completely drained, but its physical strength would also reach its peak, a terrifying level of power.

[What to do? Fight or flee…?]

The pink figure panicked. If captured and tortured by Gong Lianyue, it would be a lifelong humiliation.

And without its master, it couldn’t use its weapon-type battle techniques, unless it activated its automatic control mode.

But what if it still lost?

Wouldn’t it be reduced to a plaything?

As the pink figure hesitated, a powerful aura approached.

---

Snow Plume City, Entrance Area

A massive waterspout, a swirling vortex a kilometer wide, almost covering the sky, slowly moved, creating a destructive current.

Within the towering waterspout, a three-thousand-meter-tall giant, clad in crystalline armor, gradually materialized.

Its colossal form pierced the sky, its every move creating massive tidal waves, like an ancient god.

“Roar!!!!!!!”

A deafening roar echoed, shaking the entire city, the terrifying spirit energy sending buildings and Spirit Masters flying.

A high-rank, Samsara Stage spirit beast—the Rage of the Seas!

The earth-shaking roar, like a hammer blow to the heart, threatened to annihilate Snow Plume City.

[Is this aura… Fourth Cycle, Broken Cycle, or Sixth Full Cycle…?]

The sudden appearance of this powerful spirit beast made the pink figure’s face harden, and Gong Lianyue’s heart sank.

A wild spirit beast attacking a city in this era?

She could only think of one possible origin for this Rage of the Seas: the Pool of Hidden Secrets!

But why send a Samsara Stage spirit beast to attack? The Snow Fairy Mansion had Nether Traverse Stage experts.

Wait, could it be that they were sending spirit beasts of varying strengths to different factions, based on their power levels…?

In that case, the Sea Concubine Palace would be facing more than just a Samsara Stage spirit beast.

[High-tier, below average. I’ll deal with you later. I need to check this out.]

Sacred Water, Lover, leaving a parting threat, turned to leave, then froze, turning back in disbelief.

The blue-haired girl was wearing a cold, dark crown, her swirling water spirit energy tainted with a deep, inky blackness.

“Help me resolve this situation. I’m in a hurry to return to the Sea Concubine Palace,” the girl’s cold, emotionless voice sent chills down the spines of every Spirit Master who heard it.

---

Chapter 172: The Saintess Arrives

Roar!!!

With the sea giant’s roar, monstrous waves surged, and the violent waterspout continued to demolish the surrounding buildings.

Its towering form loomed, almost blotting out the sky, threatening to drown Snow Plume City in a tsunami.

Panic and despair filled the city.

“Spirit Masters of the Snow Fairy Mansion, save us!!!”

“How can it be so massive? It’s also at the Samsara Stage!”

“Why is Snow Plume City under attack!?”

The terrified crowd scattered, while several Snow Fairy Mansion Spirit Masters, their faces grim, bravely faced the Rage of the Seas.

At this critical moment, the Snow Fairy Mansion Spirit Masters arrived!

Three Samsara Stage Spirit Masters, their faces pale, confronted the towering, crystalline giant, a chilling dread washing over them.

The woman leading them, suppressing her fear, shouted, “Attacking a Sea Region faction will result in your being hunted down by the entire Sea Region Alliance! Do you understand!?”

“If this is a misunderstanding, leave immediately! Otherwise, we will attack!”

“…”
“…”

Silence. Then, a strange laughter echoed from within the Rage of the Seas.

“Annihilate my entire clan?”

“Hahahahaha, hahaha—”

The mocking laughter continued for a long time before abruptly stopping, the voice turning cold and menacing.

“Snow Fairy Mansion… struggle all you want in this disaster.”

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

The Rage of the Seas’s aura erupted, a terrifying wave of spirit energy, like a tsunami, crashing down upon Snow Plume City.

The fifth stage of the Samsara Stage, the Broken Cycle!!!

At this stage, the spirit energy cycles weren’t visible, but the spirit beast’s size increased dramatically.

The three Snow Fairy Mansion women were sent flying. Their faces grim, they summoned their spirit beasts.

A high-rank, Samsara Stage Netherworld Sea Turtle, its body shrouded in a misty cloud, its size only half that of the crystalline giant.

A high-rank, Samsara Stage Illusionary Flowing Robe, like an ethereal garment of water, draped over the giant turtle’s shell.

A high-rank, Samsara Stage Ice Attendant Dual Swords – Sacred Puppet, a female puppet wielding two magnificent ice swords, a rare combat-type spirit beast, floating in the air.

A mid-rank, Samsara Stage Water Skeleton Greatsword, a ten-meter-long blade with wave patterns, strapped to the puppet’s back, like a hidden weapon.

A high-rank, Samsara Stage Mist Bewitching Melody, shrouding the three Snow Fairy Mansion women in a thick fog, their figures flickering.

A mid-rank, Samsara Stage Heavenly Image Gate, a massive stone gate, over a kilometer wide, separating the Rage of the Seas from Snow Plume City.

The Samsara Stage represented a qualitative change in spirit energy. Spirit beasts at this stage gained incredible power, and Spirit Masters could summon two spirit beasts simultaneously.

This meant it was a 6v1!

The dense water spirit energy in the air clashed and swirled, creating a massive, spectacular tidal wave.

A dismissive snort echoed from within the Rage of the Seas.

“I thought the Snow Fairy Mansion Master herself would come to greet me.”

“One Third Cycle, two Second Cycles. Is that all?”

“Pathetic!”

“Roar!!!!!”

The Rage of the Seas roared, a massive crystalline hand descending from the sky, creating a shockwave that rippled through the water below.

As the hand, a hundred meters above the ground, approached, the six spirit beasts below were crushed and distorted by the pressure, the ground beneath Snow Plume City cracking.

If that hand landed, the city would be annihilated.

The three Spirit Masters’ faces were filled with despair. The Snow Fairy Mansion’s sole Nether Traverse Stage ancestor was nowhere to be found, and their Palace Master was in seclusion. They were no match for this beast!

Although the Snow Fairy Mansion seemed weaker than the Sea Concubine Palace, the Gray Citadel’s ten subsidiary forces didn’t even have Nether Traverse Stage experts.

In both the Sea Region and the Wind Realm, a single Nether Traverse Stage expert could establish a top-tier faction.

And at this critical moment, their ancestor was absent, and their Sixth Full Cycle Palace Master had entered seclusion last month…

As the crystalline hand descended, the Spirit Masters within Snow Plume City screamed, facing certain doom.

Just then, a massive, jade-colored scorpion pincer, covered in dark green scales, emerged from the water and clashed with the descending hand.

The Iron Jade Ice Scorpion, Dead Sea Stage, 70 meters long, its right pincer 130 meters wide.

The Rage of the Seas, Samsara Stage, 2980 meters tall, its right arm 110 meters wide.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

A deafening roar, and the six immobilized Samsara Stage spirit beasts were sent flying, a massive wave erupting.

The violent shockwave rippled outwards, like a nuclear explosion, churning the sea.

A second later, both the scorpion’s pincer and the giant’s hand shattered, raining down like shimmering dust.

The Rage of the Seas stared down in disbelief at the tiny scorpion below.

Such a small, insignificant creature… what was with that arm?

“What the hell? Dead Sea Stage?” a shocked female voice echoed from within the Rage of the Seas.

“…”
“…”

Just then, the air solidified, a heavy, oppressive aura descending.

A powerful wave of water spirit energy, like the pure, primal aura of a Saint-rank, washed over Snow Plume City, transforming into a wave of despair.

Almost simultaneously, all the Spirit Masters present, including the Rage of the Seas, turned towards the source.

Floating in the sky above Snow Plume City, a blue-haired girl in a water-patterned robe, a crown of flowing black liquid on her head.

Six teardrops, neatly arranged on her face, her breathtakingly beautiful face cold and indifferent.

Under the watchful eyes of all, the blue-haired girl spoke,

“You said you could handle this.”

Beside the girl, a pink, glowing figure danced and spun, like a butterfly, leaving a trail of pink, heart-shaped bubbles.

Sacred Water, Lover.

“Just give me a suitable vessel, and I can take care of it in minutes!”

“But that biological scorpion won’t do. I hate violence! I need a more elegant, elemental type. Don’t tell me the Sea Concubine Palace doesn’t even have a single Water Element?”

Chapter 169: Sacred Water (Lover)

–Snow Fairy Mansion, Snow Plume City

A vast expanse of snow stretched for hundreds of kilometers, a boundless icy plain, glittering snow dust drifting through the air.

This was the upper district of Snow Plume City, similar to the Ice Plains of the Sea Concubine Palace, but larger and open to the public.

Girls in revealing outfits strolled about, not only Spirit Masters but even ordinary mortal women.

While the outer factions of the Sea Region had strictly separated the mortal and immortal realms for cultivation purposes, the Snow Fairy Mansion still maintained a mixed community.

Thud!

Thump, thump, thump!!

A massive Snow Bear lumbered across the snowy plain, its enormous paws creating tremors with each step, drawing the attention of passersby.

An ornate palanquin was strapped to its back. This was the so-called Snow Bear Carriage, a common sight in the Snow Fairy Mansion.

Gong Lianyue had to admit, the Snow Fairy Mansion was quite business-savvy.

A low-rank Snow Bear cost less than 50 spirit crystals, while a single ride on a Snow Bear Carriage cost one spirit crystal.

A Snow Bear could earn back its purchase price in just a few days. Quite a profitable investment.

If the Nine Great Factions didn’t only count new recruits from their subsidiary forces, the Snow Fairy Mansion, with its relaxed atmosphere and focus on leisure, would probably be the most popular destination.

[Ding, ding, ding, ding!!]

[Arriving at Loving Heart Spring Station.]

A strange, androgynous voice, emanating from a spirit artifact attached to its throat, announced their arrival.

As the four Snow Fairy Mansion girls stood up, Gong Lianyue also rose and slid down from the Snow Bear’s back.

Amidst the snowy landscape, a heart-shaped, pink lake shimmered, heart-shaped bubbles rising to the surface.

Nearly ten thousand visitors, mostly couples, crowded around the lake.

Loving Heart Spring, a high-rank spirit beast. It was said that making a wish to it would grant one true love.

Some came to pray, others to attempt to subdue it.

After all, it was a high-rank spirit beast. Subduing it would bring fame and recognition within the Snow Fairy Mansion!

Among the visitors, the most eye-catching was a girl kneeling before Loving Heart Spring, her body barely covered by two scraps of cloth.

The Pure Saintess of the Snow Fairy Mansion!

It was said she had been kneeling here for three years, her clothing becoming more revealing each year, now almost completely naked.

“Loving Heart Spring, please hear my plea!” The girl clasped her hands together, a holy, white light emanating from her body.

“I was orphaned before I was even born, my family scattered, diagnosed with over a hundred split personalities, suffering from depression and autism, my entire body covered in fractures, my face horribly disfigured, my cerebellum missing, my kidneys only thirty percent the size of a normal person’s, afflicted with a malignant uterine tumor, infertile, and having had sixteen abortions.”

“I…”

[But your appearance is only moderately above average. That makes it difficult for me.]

A strange voice, seemingly emanating from the depths of Loving Heart Spring, interrupted the Pure Saintess’s lament.

The Pure Saintess sighed. This was the same response she received every time, but she hadn’t given up.

“I am considered a beauty within the Snow Fairy Mansion. If I don’t meet your standards, then no woman in this world possibly could.”

Besides the Pure Saintess, other Spirit Masters who attempted to subdue Loving Heart Spring also received comments on their appearance.

They knew Loving Heart Spring’s rating system consisted of three tiers: low, mid, and high.

Each tier was further divided into four levels: below average, average, above average, and peak.

The highest rating for a mortal woman was “low-tier peak.” After all, their genes hadn’t been enhanced by spirit energy. There was a limit to their beauty.

For Spirit Masters, however, few were rated “low.” Most were “mid-tier.”

“Mid-tier above average” was already considered incredibly beautiful, beyond the comprehension of mortals, let alone the incredibly rare “peak” rating.

As for the “high” tier, it had never been given. People suspected it was a biased rating reserved for spirit beasts…

So, the Snow Fairy Mansion sent a group of their most beautiful spirit beasts for evaluation, but they all received “mid-tier” ratings.

This confused everyone. Just what level of beauty was required for a “high” rating?

[I can’t help it. I’m afraid of being constantly disgusted by your ugliness if we’re together.]

“…”
“…”

Hearing Loving Heart Spring’s words, the Pure Saintess’s eye twitched. She took a few deep breaths to calm herself.

A mere high-rank spirit beast, and yet so picky!

Just as she was about to continue, she was interrupted by a commotion nearby.

Several shocked gasps came from the opposite side of the lake, and the Pure Saintess frowned, turning to look.

A conservatively dressed, blue-haired girl was… feeding Loving Heart Spring…

These ignorant, uncultured village girls were so annoying!

Everyone here wore short skirts that barely covered their backsides, and yet she was wearing a dress that reached her knees, tossing peaches into Loving Heart Spring.

Loving Heart Spring never accepted offerings. Anyone who threw something in would have it thrown back at them.

Just this morning, someone had poured a bucket of milk into the lake, only to be drenched in it.

The Pure Saintess waited for the inevitable, but after more than ten seconds, the blue-haired girl continued feeding Loving Heart Spring, and the spirit beast, instead of retaliating, remained calm, as if digesting the offerings.

This strange phenomenon drew gasps of surprise. What was she feeding it? Why wasn’t Loving Heart Spring spitting it out?

“How is this possible…!?” the Pure Saintess gasped, her eyes wide with shock.

….

“Phew, it seems to be working~~~”

Kneeling opposite Loving Heart Spring, the blue-haired girl breathed a sigh of relief and continued tossing peaches into the lake.

Water Tangerine Peaches, Sacred Water (Lover)’s favorite food.

She had bought ten thousand of them, stored in her spatial bracelet, and was now methodically feeding them to the spirit beast.

Ignoring the surprised looks and curious whispers around her, Gong Lianyue continued, as if trying to fill Loving Heart Spring with peaches.

After feeding it more than a hundred, figuring the Snow Fairy Mansion higher-ups must have been alerted, she finally stopped and looked at Loving Heart Spring, her expression calm.

[Young lady, although these peaches are delicious, I can’t help it. Your appearance is only mid-tier…]

[Mid-tier… mid-tier… mid-tier—mid-tier… high!!!?]

Loving Heart Spring’s voice was filled with shock.

---

Chapter 170: Gong Lianyue’s Beauty Rating

[Young lady, although these peaches are delicious, I can’t help it. Your appearance is only mid-tier…]

[Mid-tier, mid-tier… mid-tier—mid-tier… high!!!?]

Loving Heart Spring’s voice was filled with disbelief. It couldn’t believe what it was seeing.

After a long pause, it finally stammered its revised assessment.

[High-tier, below average.]

At this moment, the important thing wasn’t the specific rating, but the fact that a human had actually reached the “high-tier” level!

Hearing the assessment, Gong Lianyue smiled faintly, not particularly surprised.

Although confident in her own beauty, she knew she couldn’t compare to the most stunning of the legendary spirit beasts.

High-tier, below average, wasn’t bad. It was a level beyond the reach of ordinary humans.

Whether there were even a hundred beings in existence rated “high-tier average,” “high-tier above average,” or “high-tier peak” was debatable.

“So, what do you say? Want to come with me?” Gong Lianyue tossed another Water Tangerine Peach into the lake.

Plop~~

The pink, succulent peach disappeared beneath the surface, eliciting another round of gasps.

Judging by the girl’s confident tone, did she actually have a chance of subduing Loving Heart Spring?

[No. I sense a repulsive aura. I won’t go with you.]

Loving Heart Spring refused without hesitation.

Its earlier surprise had simply been due to seeing a high-tier human for the first time.

Gong Lianyue had changed her appearance and discarded anything carrying the Sea Concubine Palace’s aura, but she had still been recognized. How frustrating.

Could it be because she and the Water Emperor shared a connection to the Sea Concubine’s Love Tablet…?

“Fine, suit yourself. But I’m curious about what a peak high-tier beauty looks like. Could you give me some examples?” Gong Lianyue changed her tone and switched to telepathic communication, preventing the other visitors from overhearing.

[No. Why should I tell you?]

Oh, this little thing was quite stubborn.

Gong Lianyue’s eyes darted around as she held up a finger, making a promise. “I have over nine thousand more of these peaches. If you tell me what a peak high-tier beauty looks like, I’ll give them all to you.”

[The Sea Breath Cradle, ranked seventh among the Ten Sacred Waters. Tsk~~ That figure… and that face… truly something else.]

[The Jade Concubine of the Waterfall Lake. No need to mention her. Everyone knows she’s a beauty, though her personality is a bit… vulgar.]

[The Heavenly Fan Maiden, the Snow Monarch, the Illusion Sea Concubine, the White Moon Lord, the Crimson Calamity… those are the ones I can think of right now…]_

“Wait, you’ve seen the Snow Monarch’s true face?” Gong Lianyue gasped, dumping more than a thousand peaches into Loving Heart Spring.

[Not exactly, but I can judge beauty just from their aura. I’m never wrong.]

“I see…” Gong Lianyue nodded as if suddenly understanding, then her expression hardened, her tone turning cold.

“Sacred Water, Lover, come with me. What are you waiting for?”

The blue-haired girl stood up, a powerful wave of spirit energy radiating from her body.

The dense, sea-blue spirit energy spread for several kilometers, sending the nearby visitors tumbling, their gazes fixed on her in shock.

[???]

[Heh, so you knew my true identity all along, pretending to be ignorant. You’re with that woman, aren’t you?]

[Well, give up. I will never follow a Sea Concubine Palace Spirit Master.]

[Do you think I can’t see? Your spirit beast slots are full. You just want to use me as a tool. You’re even worse than that woman!!!]

[She was at the peak of the Nether Traverse Stage when she came here, and you’re just barely at the Dead Sea Stage. Finally, a chance for revenge!!]

[Acting so arrogant just because you’re rated ‘high-tier below average.’ I’ll beat you down to ‘low-tier below average’!!]

As Sacred Water, Lover, seethed with childish rage, the entire lake began to tremble violently, churning like a whirlpool.

A graceful, pink, watery figure, riding a pink, heart-shaped droplet, rose from the lake.

Sacred Water, Lover. Its body was only the size of a human thumb, like a fairy, its delicate form endearing.

Two pairs of small, shimmering butterfly wings fluttered behind it, a beautiful and captivating sight.

“Loving Heart Spring has revealed its true form!?”

“Who is that girl? Her beauty has captivated Loving Heart Spring?”

Hearing the shocked cries, the Pure Saintess felt a pang of jealousy. This spirit beast, which she had been unable to subdue for three years, had been won over by this blue-haired girl in minutes.

And her appearance was only average…

The Pure Saintess continued to stare, unable to look away.

Mm, indeed average, average enough to… make one want to… remove her skirt… average.jpg (The Pure Saintess’s thoughts)

Meanwhile, facing Sacred Water, Lover’s furious outburst, the blue-haired girl’s hair danced wildly in the wind, her expression remaining calm.

“You misunderstand. I intend to contract with you as soon as I reach the Samsara Stage,” Gong Lianyue said, her tone flat and emotionless.

Weapon-type spirit beasts could be used without a contract, like the Water Element and the Shadowlurking Blade.

“If you agree, I promise to let you beat up that woman one day. However, if you continue to act like a spoiled child, I’ll have to discipline you first.”

A tense silence. The blue-haired girl’s indifferent tone infuriated Sacred Water, Lover.

A mere human Spirit Master… who did she think she was, speaking to a Saint-rank spirit beast like this?

Who was at the Samsara Stage, and who was at the Dead Sea Stage…?

And she had promised to let it beat up that woman, the Water Emperor of the Sea Region, the one it hated so much!

[Empty words, meaningless promises.]

The next second, a chilling aura erupted from the tiny pink figure, knocking unconscious all the mortals within a radius of several kilometers, their bodies scattered on the ground.

Even many of the Illumination and Dawn and Dusk Stage Spirit Masters collapsed, their faces filled with terror.

The Pure Saintess, barely able to stand, stared in disbelief at the clashing auras of the pink figure and the blue-haired girl.

Pink and blue spirit energy collided, dividing the world into two swirling masses of color.

Such power… how was this possible?

Even the current Palace Master of the Snow Fairy Mansion wasn’t this powerful!!!

Could this truly be the spirit energy of Loving Heart Spring, a mere high-rank spirit beast?

Chapter 167: The Tyrant Nether Empress, Upheaval in the Sea Region

“For a thousand years, I’ve pondered a single question.”

“How can humanity possibly defeat a legendary being?”

Above the Pool of Hidden Secrets palace, a woman in a dark robe stood in the air, a violent spirit energy, like a bottomless abyss, swirling around her.

The Nether Empress gazed at the endless azure sky, realizing she could no longer recall the color of the sky from a thousand years ago.

A thousand years frozen in ice… How long, how distant, how painful, how agonizing. In the mortal world, countless dynasties would have risen and fallen. Even for a Spirit Master in the Sea Region, it was an unimaginable length of time.

Defeating a legendary being?

It sounded like a distant dream.

The life level of a legendary being was on a completely different plane!

The limit for human Spirit Masters and Saint-rank spirit beasts was the Sun and Moon Realm. Throughout history, no non-legendary being had ever surpassed it. It was the ultimate peak of evolution for ordinary life.

However, the realm of legendary beings was different. They could reach even greater heights!

A realm unseen by humans, unattainable by humans, unnamable by humans.

Having never reached it, they couldn’t even comprehend it.

Legendary beings were born above mortals, human efforts as insignificant as dust.

There was no such thing as fairness in this world. The stars in the sky varied in brightness, the mountains and seas rose and fell. Those who sought to reach the realm of legends would only find despair.

“Phew~~~”

The woman loosened her long, black hair, exhaling a frosty mist, her eyes darkening.

After a thousand years of contemplation, she was finally close to the answer…

The Snow Monarch. This grudge, this hatred, she would have her revenge!

Whoosh—

A black vortex of water, like swirling ink, erupted behind the black-haired woman, engulfing the surrounding area.

The azure sky was instantly painted a dark, oppressive black, a terrifying aura approaching.

A few seconds later, several graceful figures emerged from the black vortex.

Their bodies alluring, their appearances stunning, their auras terrifyingly powerful.

Nine girls, dressed in strange attire, looked around curiously, their faces filled with wonder, like monkeys entering a bustling city for the first time.

All of them wore the Pool of Hidden Secrets’ distinctive black robes, the character [Nether] emblazoned on their backs.

“Is this the real world? The sky and the ocean are so beautiful!!”

“That woman passing by is so pretty!!!”

“Eh, why are there so many low-rank spirit beast auras?”

“Heh, I heard that outside Spirit Masters treat spirit beasts as friends and don’t just burn them for food.”

“By the way, Ancestor, is the Snow Monarch really that strong? Could it really freeze you for a thousand years with a single breath!?” The girls chattered excitedly. One of them tugged on the black-haired woman’s skirt.

“A single breath…?”

The black-haired woman’s expression turned distant. That hadn’t been a casual breath.

After breaking free from the ice, what puzzled her most was this: how had the Sea Region survived?

Day and night, every moment, whenever she recalled the Snow Monarch’s fury, she shuddered, her body drenched in a cold sweat.

Because of a mere Frost Snow Woman, a legendary being had been enraged to that extent?!

And yet, the Snow Monarch, in its fury, hadn’t destroyed the Sea Region?

Yes, if the Snow Monarch had truly unleashed its power, it could have frozen the entire Sea Region with a single breath. That… hadn’t even been an attack. Something had forced it to suppress its power and rage, limiting its attack to the Pool of Hidden Secrets.

There must have been something else in the Sea Region at that time, something that had stayed the Snow Monarch’s hand…

The answer to defeating the Snow Monarch… must lie within this mystery!

“…”
“…”

Just then, a girl covered in black, crescent moon tattoos abruptly opened her eyes, her chilling gaze fixed on a distant point.

“Ancestor, I sense four Sun and Moon Realm Spirit Masters approaching. They must be envoys from the Sea Region factions.”

“Very well. You may begin, Nine Nethers.”

As the Nether Empress spoke, the nine girls vanished instantly.

Like black meteors, they streaked across the sky towards various locations in the Sea Region, sonic booms echoing in their wake.

At the same time, four women with cold, elegant auras entered the Pool of Hidden Secrets’ territory.

The Ice Empress of the Ice Shield Palace.

Shui Yingge, the Water Emperor of the Sea Concubine Palace.

The Jade Emperor of the Cold Court.

The leader of the Sea Region Alliance, from the Winter Floating Sky.

They didn’t stop the departing girls. Their attention was focused on the black-haired woman.

This woman radiated an incredibly powerful spirit energy, beyond their comprehension.

This was a being from a thousand years ago, the Nether Empress of the Pool of Hidden Secrets…

Before the four women could speak, the Nether Empress shook her head, her expression cold. What were these insignificant creatures?

After a thousand years, had the Sea Region declined to the point where they no longer even had Sun and Moon Realm experts? Only these… flickering stars remained.

“Nether Empress, could you tell us the purpose of those nine girls?”

The leader of the Sea Region Alliance, from the Winter Floating Sky, asked anxiously. She had noticed their destinations seemed… strategic.

Based on their trajectories, they were heading towards the Winter Floating Sky, the Cold Court, the Sea Concubine Palace, the Ice Shield Palace, the Water Wish Pavilion, the Tide Pavilion, the Azure Stream Palace, the Snow Fairy Mansion, and the Jade Pot Palace, the nine major powers of the Sea Region.

The four Emperors exchanged uneasy glances.

The black-haired woman, her beautiful face expressionless, her deep eyes filled with indifference, slowly spoke.

“Before we talk, I must first assess whether the current Sea Region is even worthy of conversing with me.”

“Let’s see how many of your factions can withstand the Nine Nethers.”

“As for those who cannot… consider them casualties of a random spirit beast attack.”

“…”

“What?!?!”

The four women’s faces hardened.

Such arrogance, challenging all the Sea Region factions the moment she emerged?

And if a faction couldn’t defeat one of those girls, she would simply… annihilate them?

---

Chapter 168: Trick Gong Lianyue into Bed 100 Times in One Night?

The Nine Nethers, dispatched by the Nether Empress of the Pool of Hidden Secrets, were wreaking havoc across the Sea Region, targeting its major powers.

Having lost the protection of their Sun and Moon Realm experts, the Sea Region was about to face an unprecedented catastrophe.

However, at this very moment…

Tens of thousands of kilometers away from the Sea Concubine Palace, deep within the Sea Region, lay the territory of the Snow Fairy Mansion.

…

Snow Fairy Mansion, Snow Plume City

Snow Plume City, the most prosperous city within the Snow Fairy Mansion’s territory, attracted countless Spirit Masters every year, seeking leisure and relaxation.

Perpetually covered in snow, the city was a vast expanse of white, the temperature bitterly cold.

Unlike the tense atmosphere of the outer regions, there were no resource wars or power struggles here, only peace and laughter.

It was like a… beach resort… from Gong Lianyue’s previous life.

The young Spirit Masters here dressed… skimpily, their beauty renowned throughout the Sea Region.

The colder the weather, the less they wore.

“Phew~~~~”

Inside a large, snow bear-drawn carriage, a blue-haired girl with striking makeup exhaled a puff of frosty air.

She wore a short, white skirt, her soft blue hair styled in a bun, her slender, milky-white legs incredibly smooth and delicate, inviting a… certain kind of attention.

Squeezed inside the five-person carriage, Gong Lianyue felt a little nervous.

This was the first time she had dressed like this, the first time wearing a skirt that didn’t reach her knees. It felt… drafty.

Although uncomfortable, this was the fashion in the inner regions of the Sea Region. You wouldn’t find a single Spirit Master in a robe here. It would be considered out of place.

Thanks to this… peculiar custom, the Snow Fairy Mansion was among the weakest factions in the Sea Region, second only to the Jade Pot Palace, which had defected from the Storm Realm.

Gong Lianyue was determined to keep her identity a secret!

If anyone discovered that the Sorrowful Saintess was secretly dressed like this… her reputation would be ruined!

Ever since the Ice Soul Cold Star had released the seal on her body, Gong Lianyue’s figure had become… distractingly alluring.

Longer legs, larger breasts, a more mature and beautiful face…

Her appearance had captivated the other four girls in the carriage, the most… enthusiastic… of them practically drooling.

After a long, awkward silence, a girl with braided hair finally spoke.

“Um, are you also heading to Loving Heart Spring Station?”

“Loving Heart Spring Station…?”

Gong Lianyue paused, then nodded blankly.

She vaguely remembered seeing that name somewhere in the information she had gathered.

Her dazed expression delighted the other girls. With her naive, village girl appearance, they could easily trick her into bed a hundred times in one night.

“What’s your name, little sister?” a cute girl with twintails asked.

“Shui Qingyue,” the “village girl” Gong Lianyue replied honestly.

“We’re all apprentice members of the Snow Fairy Mansion, going to Loving Heart Spring for our qualification exam. Are you just sightseeing?”

“Mm…”

Hearing the smugness in the twintailed girl’s voice, Gong Lianyue didn’t have the heart to correct her.

The Snow Fairy Mansion’s Spirit Masters did hold a high status within the inner regions, attracting numerous gold diggers, creating a rather… unsavory atmosphere.

Simply by revealing their affiliation with the Snow Fairy Mansion, they could easily find… companionship…

Seeing Shui Qingyue’s indifferent expression, the twintailed girl was disappointed.

Truly a clueless village girl, not even understanding the prestige of the Snow Fairy Mansion!

The girls from the Snow Fairy Mansion began to chat amongst themselves.

“Last time I had dinner with the Saintess, I heard she’s been trying to subdue Loving Heart Spring for three years, dressing up and offering tributes every day, but it hasn’t responded.”

“I heard from Elder Xueyi’s private tutoring class that the Saintess’s current state of mind isn’t mature enough. If she advances further, she might be able to subdue Loving Heart Spring.”

“But if the Saintess subdues Loving Heart Spring, no one will come to visit anymore! My family’s carriage business will go bankrupt!!”

“Yeah, yeah, my family’s inn near Loving Heart Spring will also go out of business!!”

As the four girls chatted, their gazes kept drifting towards the blue-haired girl.

Gong Lianyue, however, was lost in thought, completely missing their pointed remarks, much to their annoyance.

Loving Heart Spring, a high-rank, elemental, mysterious-type spirit beast.

It was said that this spirit beast could make two strangers fall in love.

Loving Heart Spring resided in the central area of Snow Plume City. Having remained unsubdued for hundreds of years, it had become a popular tourist attraction.

The Pure Saintess of the Snow Fairy Mansion, determined to subdue it, had spent three years dressing up and offering tributes, but to no avail.

This wasn’t surprising…

The Pure Saintess was unsuitable…

No, the entire Snow Fairy Mansion was clueless!

The information on wild Saint-ranks provided by the Sea Concubine Palace clearly stated:

[Saint-rank, Weapon-type, Attachment Type – Sacred Water (Lover)]

[Usually disguised as the high-rank Loving Heart Spring, residing in the Snow Fairy Mansion’s territory. Purpose and reason unknown. Favorite food: Water Tangerine Peach.]

[Shui Yingge, the current Palace Master of the Sea Concubine Palace, attempted to subdue it seven years ago, but after insulting its appearance, negotiations broke down, and she resorted to violence, injuring it.]

[Since then, Lover disappears whenever it senses a Sea Concubine Palace member, seemingly a display of… human-like sulking.]

After reading this information, Gong Lianyue was speechless.

A hidden Saint-rank right under their noses, and the Snow Fairy Mansion was completely oblivious!

And yet, the Sea Concubine Palace, tens of thousands of kilometers away, knew the truth about Loving Heart Spring…

In that case, she wouldn’t be so polite as to refuse this gift.

A Spirit Master could only summon a limited number of spirit beasts at once. Blindly pursuing powerful, offensive types wasn’t always the best strategy.

It was like playing a game without support or healers, a team of damage dealers charging in, only to be instantly wiped out by the boss.

This was why, among the three wild Saint-ranks, Gong Lianyue had chosen Sacred Water, Lover.

The other two water-type offensive spirit beasts couldn’t replace the Ice Soul Cold Star. Contracting with them would only waste a valuable slot.

Chapter 165: The Malice of a Legendary Being

–Waterfall Lake Wonderland

[Mission 99: Investigate the anomaly at the Sea Region’s Pool of Hidden Secrets. Reward: 100 exchange points.]
[Mission automatically completed and submitted. 100 exchange points awarded.]
[Total exchange points: 100]

“Huh?”

Within the vast, empty, white space, Gong Lianyue blinked in confusion.

She had just opened the mission list, and it had automatically been completed. Could this mission system track her experiences?

There wasn’t just an anomaly at the Pool of Hidden Secrets. The entire Pool of Hidden Secrets had emerged from its millennial ice prison, a faction and its people from a thousand years ago returning to the Sea Region!!

This would have a massive impact on the current state of the Sea Region, resources and territories redistributed, inevitably leading to a conflict between the Pool of Hidden Secrets and the Winter Floating Sky.

The Sea Concubine Palace hadn’t been affected yet, but if the Winter Floating Sky chose to retreat, the conflict would quickly spread to the other factions.

What puzzled Gong Lianyue was that the mission had been completed without her doing anything.

The Waterfall Lake Wonderland couldn’t possibly track her experiences. It must have already known about the situation with the Pool of Hidden Secrets, and since she was the only combat trial participant from the Sea Region at the moment, it had simply awarded her the points.

Having received 100 exchange points, Gong Lianyue checked the other Sea Region-related missions, but none were within her grasp.

[Mission 1: Obtain the legendary Shadowlurking Blade, Night’s Executioner. Reward: 500 million exchange points.]
[Mission 2: Uncover the true identity of the mysterious Water Element. Reward: 100 million exchange points.]
[Mission 3: Investigate the reason for the legendary being’s presence in the Cangsheng Palace. Reward: 40 million exchange points.]

The top three missions were all related to legendary beings, their rewards incredibly high, a stark contrast to the others.

Anything involving legendary beings, even something trivial, offered a significant increase in exchange points.

Flipping back and forth between the mission and exchange lists, Gong Lianyue pondered for a moment, then a chilling realization washed over her.

She sensed a certain malice from these missions. At first glance, there seemed to be no hidden agenda, but…

Uncovering the Water Element’s true identity was worth 100 million points, and hiring the Jade Concubine to act once also cost 100 million points.

This was designed to lure people into deadly situations for the reward, then have them spend it all just to survive!

Taking it a step further, perhaps the moment the Water Element’s true identity was revealed, if the Jade Concubine was confident enough, she would immediately seize the demonic blade, regardless of whether she had been hired or not.

This was a trap laid in plain sight, specifically for those arrogant enough to think they could meet the Water Element and escape with their lives!

She couldn’t completely trust the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, nor could she completely trust the Jade Concubine…

A sense of caution filled Gong Lianyue. She closed the mission list and turned towards the star-filled trial space, where the Tyrant Demon Seed was engaged in close combat with the Black Devouring Rabbit.

---

[Trial – Level 10]
[Opponent – Mid-rank Black Devouring Rabbit, Combat Talent: Ordinary]

A dreamlike battlefield, a beautiful sea of stars, surrounded by a hazy mist.

Having been defeated once, the rabbit was now more cautious, relying on its superior physical abilities to relentlessly pummel the black rabbit, which offered no resistance.

Its opponent possessed some unknown skill. A single mistake, and it could be defeated.

“Huff~~~”

The Black Devouring Rabbit’s face was covered in blood, its eyes bloodshot, a dense, bloody aura emanating from its mouth.

At the same time, the silver rabbit woman’s white foot, raised high above her head, slammed down like an axe, a silver crescent moon slash striking the black rabbit’s head.

Boom!!!

The terrifying impact cracked the surrounding space, but the Tyrant Demon Seed’s eyes widened in shock.

The Black Devouring Rabbit, which it had been effortlessly dominating just moments ago, was completely unharmed, its body enveloped in a black aura, its muscles swelling as if entering a demonic state.

“Wait, aren’t battle techniques forbidden…?” Gong Lianyue couldn’t help but exclaim.

Bang!

The next second, the Tyrant Demon Seed was sent flying by the enraged black rabbit’s punch, its body shattering into pieces.

[Failure]
[Battle Evaluation: How can a combat-type spirit beast have no martial arts techniques?]

Back in the main space, the Tyrant Demon Seed stared blankly ahead, its defeat baffling even Gong Lianyue.

The Tyrant Demon Seed had lost again, a strange and unexpected outcome, like encountering a bug in the game.

“Battle techniques are forbidden. What are these ‘martial arts techniques’?”

Before she could even finish speaking, the exchange list automatically opened, searching for the keyword [Martial Arts Techniques].

A long list of books appeared.

[Waterfall Lake Immortal Fist, ultimate martial arts technique, created by the Jade Concubine. Cost: 1 million exchange points.]
[Jade Peak Fist, advanced technique. Cost: 50,000 exchange points.]
[Mist Dust Fist, advanced technique. Cost: 30,000 exchange points.]
[Autumn Shattering Fist, advanced technique. Cost: 25,000 exchange points.]
[Flowing Light Fist, intermediate technique. Cost: 2000 exchange points.]
[Sword Crane Fist, intermediate technique. Cost: 1600 exchange points.]
[Ice Prayer Fist, intermediate technique. Cost: 1000 exchange points.]
[Torrential Rain Seventeen Fists, basic technique. Cost: 100 exchange points.]
[Tyrant God Fist, basic technique. Cost: 100 exchange points.]
[Water Killing Fist, basic technique. Cost: 100 exchange points.]

“…”
“…”

Utterly speechless, Gong Lianyue finally understood the Waterfall Lake Wonderland’s… malicious intent.

She remembered what martial arts techniques were. They were specialized combat skills for combat-type spirit beasts, unlike battle techniques, which were innate and instinctual. Martial arts techniques had to be learned, and there was no guarantee of success.

Combat-type spirit beasts were rare. Neither the Sea Region nor the Wind Realm had dedicated martial arts techniques for them. There simply wasn’t any demand. Besides exchanging for them in the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, there were practically no other ways to obtain them!

And now, with battle techniques and cultivation levels suppressed within the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, preventing Saint-ranks from crushing lower-ranked opponents, martial arts techniques had become crucial.

To challenge stronger opponents, spirit beasts in the trial had to constantly learn and improve their martial arts skills. At this rate, the final opponent on the 100th floor would probably require mastery of the Jade Concubine’s Waterfall Lake Immortal Fist!

One million exchange points… This was forcing combat-type trial participants to spend all their hard-earned points!

Learning martial arts techniques might make them stronger, but the Waterfall Lake Wonderland also gained valuable information and resources. A win-win for the Jade Concubine.

Legendary rank… truly deserving of the title…

---

Chapter 166: The Snow Monarch’s XP (2)

Even the cheapest basic martial arts technique manuals cost 100 exchange points!!

100 exchange points were equivalent to almost 200,000 spirit crystals. Gong Lianyue wasn’t about to spend that much without further investigation.

She needed to research the actual value of martial arts technique manuals, to see if the Waterfall Lake Wonderland’s prices were inflated.

Although the Sea Concubine Palace didn’t have any, perhaps other factions did.

And even if they didn’t, she wouldn’t necessarily buy from the Waterfall Lake Wonderland. She could simply forgo the trial rewards and earn points through missions.

After all, even if the Tyrant Demon Seed cleared the tenth level, the reward might not cover the cost of the manual. And even if it cleared the tenth level, it might not be able to clear the eleventh. And even if she bought a manual, the Tyrant Demon Seed might not be able to learn it.

Considering all these factors, Gong Lianyue decided to postpone her purchase and returned to reality.

Her consciousness left the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, returning to the Saintess Tower in the Sea Concubine Palace.

---

Sea Concubine Palace, Saintess Tower

The blue-haired girl sat before her vanity mirror, her beautiful, teardrop-stained face gazing out the window at the azure sky, like a caged bird.

Her journey to the Wind Realm was finally over. Gong Lianyue had returned the Swallow God and safely arrived back at the Sea Concubine Palace, her fame and reputation greatly enhanced.

However, the Storm Realm was now in chaos.

All their forces were mobilized to either subdue or negotiate with the Water Element, a do-or-die situation.

The Sea Region wasn’t peaceful either. The revival of the Pool of Hidden Secrets had caused a massive upheaval.

The various factions had sent representatives to investigate, but the situation remained unclear.

As her status and power increased, Gong Lianyue felt a growing sense of… insignificance.

She knew that as a mere Dead Sea Stage Spirit Master, she couldn’t offer much help to the Sea Concubine Palace.

“I can’t wait any longer…”

A sense of urgency filled Gong Lianyue as she pulled out a worn roll of parchment from her storage bracelet.

The characters on the parchment were complex and jumbled, a language no living being should be able to comprehend. This was the most difficult language in the spirit world, the language of humanoid spirit beasts!

She had obtained this ancient record, [The Mystery of Legends], from the third level of the Soul Prison Trial, the Dark Ages.

Gong Lianyue suspected the revived Pool of Hidden Secrets, filled with resentment, would definitely target the Snow Monarch again, potentially endangering the entire Sea Region. And the first legendary being mentioned in this scroll happened to be the Snow Monarch. Even if she couldn’t uncover its preferences, she needed to at least know how to avoid or deal with it.

She had refrained from reading it before the Wind Realm Overlord’s birthday celebration, afraid of injuring herself, but now, with ample resources for recovery, she had nothing to fear.

[Switch]

The next second, the water in the blue-haired girl’s eyes swirled like ripples.

Not a full rotation of her eyeballs, but her pupils spinning independently, the water droplets scattering and reforming into small whirlpools.

Her unfocused gaze gave her a slightly vacant, foolish appearance.

This was the Sorrowful Saintess’s third form, Natural Form!!

[See cover image for reference]

Because this form made her look foolish, Gong Lianyue never used it in public. It was her secret.

In this state, she could increase her affinity with spirit beasts and understand their languages!

The only drawback was a slight decrease in intelligence…

With her eyes in their Natural Form, the secrets and preferences of the Snow Monarch were revealed.

[First: The Snow Monarch]
[Titled Legendary Spirit Beast – Snow Monarch, the icy ruler walking the river of time, her true name lost, her existence unique, her frost eternal.]
[She walks in a pure white wedding dress, leaving behind a trail of shattered realms.]

Bang!

Just as she reached a crucial part, Gong Lianyue’s eyes exploded, shattering into water droplets.

The secrets of a legendary being were too much for her mortal eyes to bear. Just a few lines, and her eyes ached as if she hadn’t blinked in years.

After consuming a few Life Fruits, the girl lay on her bed, waiting for her eyes to regenerate.

Just as hair and nails regrew, her eyes quickly healed.

Fully recovered, Gong Lianyue switched back to Natural Form and continued reading.

[The Snow Monarch was a legendary being born before the fall of the mythical era, her lifespan estimated to be over 50,000 years, one of the oldest legendary beings in existence.]
[No one has ever seen the Snow Monarch’s true face beneath her mysterious wedding veil.]
[Snow Monarch is her title, but her true name is unknown. No similar being has ever appeared. The truth might lie with the Frost Snow Women.]

Bang!

“Again!!!”

[The Snow Monarch loves all things pure white. Her presence allows for no imperfection. All blemishes are frozen.]
[The most important things to the Snow Monarch are the Frost Snow Women, whom she considers her daughters or lovers. She will not tolerate any interference.]
[A legendary-rank spirit beast was once erased from history for injuring a Frost Snow Woman.]

Bang!

“Switch!!!”

[The Snow Monarch, always clad in a pure white wedding dress, travels the world with her Frost Snow Women.]
[The Illusion Sea Concubine, the Snow Monarch’s only friend, received a Frost Snow Woman as a wife.]
[The Snow Monarch once destroyed ten realms in anger after losing a Frost Snow Woman, then destroyed another ten realms in joy after finding her.]
[Warning: Never provoke a Frost Snow Woman/the Snow Monarch.]

Bang!

Repeating this process of forcing comprehension and recovery for more than an hour, the blue-haired girl, drenched in sweat, collapsed onto her bed, exhausted.

Having read the information about the Snow Monarch, a chilling dread filled Gong Lianyue, her already anxious heart even heavier.

She had contracted with a Frost Snow Woman without the Snow Monarch’s consent. What would happen to her…?

She herself, bound to the Frost Snow Woman, might not die, but the surrounding realms… They might be utterly destroyed!

Even legendary beings perished. What chance did a weak human Spirit Master like her have?

Gong Lianyue resolved that even if she encountered the Snow Monarch, she wouldn’t summon the Frost Snow Woman to plead for mercy, lest she anger the legendary being.

The information in this “Mystery of Legends” was truly terrifying…

By now, the meeting between the Pool of Hidden Secrets and the Sea Region factions should have begun, right?

T/N:

From now on, I’ll use “Pool of Hidden Secrets” instead of “Penetrating You Pool”

——

Both options are good, and there are even more options, but for now I think the first one fits better—or maybe the second, knowing the author style haha.

---

Chapter 163: The Water Emperor

–Sea Concubine Main Hall

Within the main hall, filled with dense water spirit energy, nine blue-haired women gathered, a scene resembling a family banquet.

Seated at the head of the long table was Shui Yingge, the Water Emperor, Palace Master of the Sea Concubine Palace. This was the first time Gong Lianyue had met her.

Her waist-length blue hair was similar to the Six Concubines’. Her appearance wasn’t particularly stunning, but her aura was cold and aloof, almost inhuman. A small, white fox, its eyes curiously scanning the surroundings, was coiled around her neck.

Shui Yingge wore a unique, flowing robe, specially made for the Sea Concubine Palace, similar in style to the Saintess’s, but more regal and elegant, clearly a superior version.

She had left the word “boring” on the Sea Concubine’s Love Tablet, a testament to her aloof personality.

Another unfamiliar woman, a dignified matron with her hair in a bun, looked to be in her thirties. In reality, Nether Traverse Stage Spirit Masters could maintain their youthful appearance for thousands of years. She was likely a centuries-old monster.

The warden of the Cold Shark Prison. For years, she had single-handedly suppressed numerous enemy Spirit Masters and spirit beasts, her strength on par with the Water Emperor.

The Water Emperor, the Warden, the Six Concubines, and the Saintess. At this moment, the highest-ranking members of the Sea Concubine Palace were all gathered here.

“Saintess, the ransom has been confirmed. Twenty percent will be transferred to you, along with the agreed-upon 5000 contribution points.”

“Also, the incident with the Four Guardians was an unforeseen circumstance, a failure on our part. If you have any requests, the Sea Concubine Palace will do its best to fulfill them within reason.”

Shui Yingge nodded, her expression unchanged, and put away the spatial ring.

Of the one million spirit crystals, 200,000 would go to Gong Lianyue, worth about 100,000 contribution points.

That was enough to buy 100 Tyrant Blood Pills or 50 stalks of Blazing Soul Grass. However, in the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, Blazing Soul Grass only cost 1 exchange point, practically worthless.

The Saint-Breaking Pill, on the other hand, cost 10 million exchange points, a thousand times more expensive than Blazing Soul Grass.

Anything related to Saint-ranks was incredibly valuable.

No, it was more accurate to say that the Saint-Breaking Pill was beyond the reach of ordinary human Spirit Masters!

“Requests…?”

Gong Lianyue pondered. The Sea Concubine Palace had really screwed her over this time.

Who would have thought the Windchaser Emperor would so brazenly side with the Shadowcandle Temple? If she hadn’t been so ridiculously overpowered, she would have died.

However, this trip to the Wind Realm had also resulted in incredible gains: breaking through to the Dead Sea Stage, contracting the Frost Snow Woman, contracting the Tyrant Demon Seed, collecting Moonlight Grass, gaining access to the Waterfall Lake Wonderland… a series of fortunate encounters.

And the Water Emperor… she was surprisingly… gentle, more reliable than the Six Concubines…

“I want the Cold Court’s Lost Scroll.”

After a moment of hesitation, Gong Lianyue spoke.

The Steel Moon Chapter had significantly impacted her spirit energy. Combined with the Cold Court’s Flower Moon Chapter, her power would surely increase dramatically.

For a chance to study the Flower Moon Chapter, there was no point in hiding her strength any longer.

She had to become stronger, no matter the cost, to retrieve the Water Element.

As Gong Lianyue finished speaking, the surrounding water spirit energy stirred.

“What did you see in the Ice Shield Palace’s Lost Scroll!?”

The Warden, her beautiful, mature face creased with a frown, asked, her tone incredulous.

If she remembered correctly, the Sorrowful Saintess had only examined it once. How could she have possibly gleaned anything from it?

“The true name of the Lost Scroll: The Steel Moon Chapter of the Heavenly Full Cold Moon.”

Gong Lianyue channeled the silver Steel Moon within her, releasing a heavy, oppressive aura.

Sensing this powerful spirit energy, the expressions of both the Water Emperor and the Warden turned serious, while the Six Concubines stared in shock.

Gong Lianyue was only at the Dead Sea Stage, yet her aura far surpassed that of an ordinary Samsara Stage Spirit Master.

As expected of one who had been favored by a legendary being…

“Although I regret to say this, the Cold Court likely won’t agree. Our exchange of information with the Ice Shield Palace regarding the Lost Scroll has been exposed. If we ask to borrow theirs now, they will surely guess the reason.”

“The Cold Court is notoriously selfish. They won’t agree.”

After a long silence, Shui Yingge said helplessly.

If possible, she also wanted the Sorrowful Saintess to master the Lost Scroll, strengthening the Sea Concubine Palace’s high-end combat power.

Unfortunately, the Cold Court was not only selfish but also stubborn.

Unless the Water Element personally appeared before them, they wouldn’t agree. They had to see it to believe it.

Gong Lianyue wasn’t discouraged. She hadn’t expected to obtain the Lost Scroll anyway.

“Then I want a detailed report on all known wild Saint-rank spirit beasts in the Sea Region.”

“Granted.”

Shui Yingge immediately agreed, and Shui Qinghou smiled, a look of relief on her face.

The Sorrowful Saintess, possessing four or five Saint-ranks, a former Lord Attendant, was finally ready to reveal her true power, no longer hiding, no longer running.

Every faction kept records of wild Saint-rank spirit beast sightings, like the Ice Shield Palace’s Seven-Foot Sword Princess Flower, regularly sending younger members to attempt to contract with them.

Few wild Saint-rank spirit beasts submitted after being defeated. If their appearance or personality didn’t appeal to them, they would rather die than be controlled.

Too weak, and they wouldn’t be considered.

Too strong, and they would feel humiliated.

This was why Saint-rank spirit beasts were so difficult to contract. Even the Winter Floating Sky, the strongest faction, only had four Saint-rank Spirit Masters.

But with the Sorrowful Saintess, things were different!

She would enter a period of rapid growth, like those legendary figures in history, leading the Sea Concubine Palace to a new golden age.

“By the way, has there been any activity at the former site of the Pool of Hidden Secrets?” Suddenly remembering this, Gong Lianyue asked.

“That area is currently patrolled by the Winter Floating Sky. Why?” Shui Qinghou asked, puzzled.

“Nothing. I just felt a strange aura there when I passed by.”

Gong Lianyue shook her head, offering a vague excuse.

She had wanted to report the mission from the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, but the situation there was still unclear.

Bang!

Suddenly, the main hall doors burst open.

A senior instructor rushed in, her face pale, her voice trembling as she met the gazes of the high-ranking officials. “Palace Master, there’s been an incident at the former site of the Pool of Hidden Secrets!!!”

---

Chapter 164: The Pool of Hidden Secrets Revived

A thousand years ago, a peerless woman rose within the Sea Region’s Pool of Hidden Secrets.

Her beauty was breathtaking, her aura cold and alluring, her power unmatched. In just ten years, she rose from the Illumination Stage to the Sun and Moon Realm, leading the then-declining Pool of Hidden Secrets to the pinnacle of the Sea Region. She was known as the Nether Empress.

Her influence spanned ten realms, her combat power unparalleled, her wives as numerous as the stars.

The Wind Realm? A bunch of barbarians.

The Cang Realm? Easily crushed.

The Fire Metropolis? Boiled in a pot.

The Sea Region? A marriage agency.

Even legendary beings had offered themselves to her, only to be rejected without hesitation.

She would surpass the legendary rank through her own power. She wouldn’t become a Lord Attendant. Only then could she prove her existence was truly special.

However, when that thing appeared before her, she finally understood.

Humans could never surpass legendary beings, neither in terms of their life level nor the number of their wives…

Watching everything she had built crumble, buried beneath the eternal frost and snow, she swore a blood oath.

Just one. If she survived, she would dedicate her life to slaying a legendary being, to prove the meaning of her existence.

The Snow Monarch!!!

---

Sea Region, Pool of Hidden Secrets

This area, where the Snow Monarch had once annihilated the Pool of Hidden Secrets, was now a desolate wasteland.

Ice and snow covered everything, no survivors.

After a thousand years, the terrifying ice world had sunk to the depths of the ocean, yet it showed no signs of melting.

But now, the ocean currents began to swirl and churn, a massive abyss opening up.

A terrifying, chilling aura spread outwards, and the Winter Floating Sky Spirit Masters stationed here felt a sudden, inexplicable dread.

“What’s happening?”

A woman muttered, her expression strange. As she looked down, her eyes widened in disbelief.

From the depths of the abyss, a crystal-encased palace slowly rose, carried upwards by a torrent of water, returning to the surface.

A massive palace, its surface shimmering with an amber, jade-like luster, a large plaque bearing the characters [Pool of Hidden Secrets] on its front.

“Snow Monarch!!!!!”

A furious roar echoed, shaking the surrounding sea, violent waves pushing the water outwards.

The Winter Floating Sky woman, her body trembling, blood trickling from her orifices, her spirit energy fluctuating uncontrollably, stared in horror.

What level of Spirit Master was this, a single roar injuring her soul core?!

Above the Pool of Hidden Secrets palace, a woman in a black robe stood in the air, her chaotic spirit energy almost tearing the sky apart, the force of its outward expansion pushing back the seawater.

With her aura alone, in the Sea Region, where ninety-nine point nine-nine-nine-nine-nine percent of the world was water, she had created a massive void!

The woman’s long, dark, almost green hair was styled in an ancient fashion. Her face was beautiful, her eyes deep and world-weary, her expression a strange mix of laughter and tears, the character [Nether] on the back of her robe fluttering in the wind.

“Hahahahaha, Snow Monarch! My Pool of Hidden Secrets, after a thousand years, hundreds of generations, have finally broken free from your icy prison! How pathetic, how truly pitiful!!!”

The woman’s laughter was interspersed with sobs, a mixture of joy and sorrow, rage and grief.

What use was the Sun and Moon Realm?

What use was being the strongest?

Before a legendary being, they were all insignificant ants!

Her laughter subsided, her gaze turning cold and indifferent as she looked towards the distant horizon.

“What year is it? And who rules the Sea Region now?”

As the black-haired woman’s voice echoed, the Winter Floating Sky woman felt a chill run down her spine.

She knew the question was directed at her, yet the woman’s gaze hadn’t even fallen upon her.

No one was worthy of her attention…

This woman… must be the Nether Empress of the Pool of Hidden Secrets!

“Your Highness, it has been 1123 years since the fall of the Pool of Hidden Secrets. The current ruler of the Sea Region is the Winter Floating Sky.”

“The Winter Floating Sky?”

Hearing the trembling reply, the black-haired woman frowned.

The Winter Floating Sky had been the lowest-ranked faction back then. How had they risen to become the ruler of the Sea Region?

Shui Yuerong of the Sea Concubine Palace, with her beauty and potential, rivaling even her own, should have led her faction to the top.

Whatever, it didn’t matter who ruled the Sea Region now. It would soon change.

“The Pool of Hidden Secrets will once again stand at the pinnacle of the Sea Region. Go and tell them that.”

“This is now the territory of the Pool of Hidden Secrets. Outsiders are forbidden from entering without permission.”

Swish!

As the Nether Empress spoke, the world before the Winter Floating Sky woman vanished.

A dizzying sensation, the world turning upside down, the air itself tearing, making her want to vomit.

The woman looked around, her face pale. She was no longer in the same area.

She had been instantly transported more than ten kilometers away, expelled from the Pool of Hidden Secrets’ territory, a feat of almost divine power.

Was this… the Water Heart Separation, a Saint-rank technique?

She truly was the Nether Empress. The Pool of Hidden Secrets had returned!

Terror filled the woman’s heart as she hurried back to the Winter Floating Sky to report.

And so, news of the Pool of Hidden Secrets’ revival spread throughout the Sea Region.

---

Sea Concubine Palace

“Palace Master, there’s been an incident at the former site of the Pool of Hidden Secrets!!!” a senior instructor rushed into the main hall, her voice filled with panic.

“The Pool of Hidden Secrets has reappeared, the Nether Empress revived! She claims she will once again rule the Sea Region!!”

“What!?”

Shockwaves rippled through the hall. Someone from a thousand years ago… revived?

This wouldn’t only affect the current power structure of the Sea Region, but it might also involve the Snow Monarch.

Imprisoned in ice for a thousand years… the Nether Empress’s hatred must be immeasurable…

“Wait, wasn’t the Pool of Hidden Secrets destroyed by the Snow Monarch? How did they survive?” Gong Lianyue asked, her face puzzled, voicing everyone’s thoughts.

The Sorrowful Saintess herself was a Lord Attendant. She understood the power of legendary beings and would naturally question this.

How could the Pool of Hidden Secrets have survived the Snow Monarch’s attack?

And after a thousand years… This was highly unusual.

“Um, well, according to the reports, the Nether Empress and the Pool of Hidden Secrets spent a thousand years breaking free from the Snow Monarch’s ice prison. They seem… relatively unharmed,” the senior instructor stammered nervously.

“…”
“…”

“I see.”

“So it was just… pity~~~”

Chapter 161: Return to the Sea Region

–Sea Concubine Palace, Entrance Ceremony

Today was the annual entrance ceremony of the Sea Concubine Palace. The palace was bustling with activity, far more lively than usual.

The entrance ceremony was similar to the Gray Citadel’s disciple recruitment, but there were key differences.

Firstly, ordinary Spirit Masters couldn’t directly enter the Sea Concubine Palace. They had to be recommended by a subsidiary force, and only those with exceptional aptitude were eligible.

Secondly, the Sea Concubine Palace instructors didn’t choose their disciples. Instead, they offered courses for the new members to choose from, similar to university course selection.

After completing a series of designated courses, fulfilling certain advancement requirements, and reaching a specific cultivation level, they could become instructors. This process usually took three to five years!

Of course, there were also those who couldn’t reach the Dead Sea Stage even after seventy or eighty years. They would be assigned to subsidiary forces, guarding the spirit crystal mines. If they had no grand ambitions, they could marry, have children, and live a peaceful life.

“There are many promising newcomers this time…”

“Of course. The number of applicants to the Sea Concubine Palace has increased threefold, exceeding even the Cold Court and the Winter Floating Sky!”

Two women in instructor uniforms walked towards the Sea Dou Hall, their arms filled with stacks of new member profiles.

Incredibly, the number of talented individuals choosing the Sea Concubine Palace this year was even greater than that of the Winter Floating Sky, the leading power of the Sea Region Alliance.

Ever since the Sorrowful Saintess’s Water Element’s true nature was revealed, the Sea Concubine Palace had been flooded with visitors, bustling with activity every day.

Sea Concubine Palace – 1080 new recruits.
Winter Floating Sky – 847 new recruits.
Cold Court – 611 new recruits.
Ice Shield Palace – 609 new recruits.
Water Wish Pavilion – 300+ new recruits.
Tide Pavilion – 200+ new recruits.
Azure Stream Palace – 200+ new recruits.
Snow Fairy Mansion – 182 new recruits.
Jade Pot Palace – 9 new recruits.

The Sea Concubine Palace’s influence was now subtly surpassing even the Winter Floating Sky!

The allure of a legendary being was beyond imagination, the ultimate dream of every Spirit Master.

The Water Element, wielding a demonic blade, devastating the Wind Realm, with only the Sorrowful Saintess unharmed. The implications were clear.

The Sea Concubine Palace was likely under the protection of a legendary being!

And Gong Lianyue, the Sorrowful Saintess, was the key…

Meanwhile, within the Sea Dou Hall, the entrance ceremony was underway, nearly a thousand new Spirit Masters gathered.

Three of the Six Concubines were present, including Shui Qinghou, the Chief Concubine, who was looking around, bored.

“Are there any particularly talented newcomers this time?”

“Hmm, let me see. Look over there, the one with green hair,” Shui Qiu’e, the Fifth Concubine, pointed at a girl in the crowd.

Her delicate features stood out among the new recruits, her flawless face so smooth and tender it seemed to glow, a cute pink bow adorning her hair.

Luo Sanba, cousin of Luo Kuxin, the Wrathful Saintess of the Ice Shield Palace. It was said she had been driven out by her jealous cousin for being more beautiful, wandering for years before joining the Sea Concubine Palace.

Her companion spirit beast was suspected to be the high-rank, plant-type Ice Fragrance Flower.

“And that blue-haired girl over there, with stars in her eyes. Her name is Shui Puxing. She’s from the same water lineage as you and me, practically our niece~~”

“And that white-haired girl with the fox tail, a human-beast hybrid, daughter of the Snow Fox clan.”

These three girls were the most eye-catching among the new recruits, both in terms of their cultivation level and their appearance.

The white-haired girl with the fluffy fox tail had a cold, emotionless expression, while the blue-haired girl’s eyes shimmered with stars, as if everything she saw sparkled, a comical sight.

They were likely the top candidates for the next Saintess. Each Saintess’s term was short, only one or two years.

Once Gong Lianyue stepped down, they would take her place.

“It’s a shame the Saintess isn’t teaching any courses…” the blue-haired girl with stars in her eyes said, her tone slightly disappointed, though her expression remained unchanged.

“Of course not. She hasn’t returned from the Wind Realm yet. She won’t be here today.” Hearing the mention of the Sorrowful Saintess, the Snow Fox girl’s ears twitched, and she spoke, a rare occurrence.

According to the Ice Shield Palace’s report, the Sorrowful Saintess was returning today, but even at top speed, it would still take two or three days to reach the Sea Concubine Palace.

“She’s almost here!”

Luo Sanba suddenly interjected, drawing curious glances, but no one paid her any attention.

This girl was always spouting nonsense. They were used to it.

“Y-You… you don’t believe me? I bet you! Loser dies! What do you say?!” Seeing their dismissive expressions, Luo Sanba shouted angrily.

“Fine, I’ll bet you. My mom is the Snow Fox Princess!” the Snow Fox girl, annoyed by Luo Sanba’s constant antics, declared, revealing her background.

“My mom is the Vice Palace Master of the Seventh Palace of Ice!” Luo Sanba retorted.

“…”
“…”

Hearing their wager, the onlookers quickly backed away.

The Snow Fox Princess was the companion spirit beast of the current Palace Master of the Sea Concubine Palace, Shui Yingge, the Water Emperor.

And the Vice Palace Master of the Seventh Palace of Ice was the wife of the Ice Empress.

This bet… involved the lives of Sun and Moon Realm Spirit Masters’ family members! They hadn’t expected these girls to have such powerful connections…

Bang!

The next second, a figure fell from the sky, landing in the center of the Sea Dou Hall, creating a cloud of dust.

A powerful aura filled the air. Shui Qinghou and Shui Qiu’e, their expressions turning to shock, stared intently at the shadowy figure within the dust cloud.

A massive, pure white rabbit with floppy ears, its soft, long ears dragging on the ground, an adorably fluffy creature.

And on the back of this white rabbit sat a blue-haired, teardrop-eyed girl in a water-colored robe.

Although her appearance and figure had changed drastically, the six neatly arranged teardrop beauty marks were unmistakable.

Gong Lianyue, the Sorrowful Saintess!

Although her teardrop eyes were cold and indifferent, Gong Lianyue felt like she was about to vomit.

The Tyrant Demon Seed had leaped across thousands of miles, crossing half the Wind Realm and the Sea Region in mere minutes, returning to the Sea Concubine Palace, a hellish journey.

It had even bypassed several ambushes along the way, their attackers not even catching a glimpse of her, returning safely.

“Aaaaaah, it’s the Sorrowful Saintess!!”

“My god, she’s even more beautiful than the rumors say!!”

“Saintess, I love you!!!!!”

The Tyrant Demon Seed was instantly surrounded. Gong Lianyue looked around in confusion. News of her exploits in the Wind Realm had just started spreading. It shouldn’t have reached the Sea Region so quickly.

She didn’t realize she had become so popular.

“You lose!” Luo Sanba said smugly, then realized the Snow Fox girl was gone.

She looked around and found the girl at the foot of the white rabbit, her fox tail swaying as she tried to squeeze closer.

The Snow Fox girl’s eyes were filled with hearts. She was clearly a fan of the Sorrowful Saintess!

She hadn’t expected the Snow Foxes, who considered themselves the most beautiful beings in existence, to also have… idols…

---

Chapter 162: You Pigs, Get Out of My Way!!!

–Sea Concubine Palace, Sea Dou Hall

“Saintess, I love you!!!!!”

“Aaaaah, I’m ovulating!!”

The Tyrant Demon Seed’s fluffy body was surrounded by a dense crowd, making it difficult for Shui Qinghou and the others to even get close.

And among the crowd were many beautiful, high-ranking Spirit Masters, usually surrounded by admirers themselves.

Especially that mixed-blood girl from the Snow Fox clan, her eyes filled with hearts, her screams louder than childbirth.

Truly, only the strong were worthy of beauty. The Sorrowful Saintess’s fame and status now rivaled even the Sun and Moon Realm Emperors of the Sea Region.

“Ahem, excuse me, everyone, please make way. I have things to do.”

Gong Lianyue coughed politely, trying to reason with them.

However, her voice was drowned out by the girls’ frantic screams, a mere ripple in the ocean of their excitement.

The Tyrant Demon Seed, overwhelmed and terrified, cowered, allowing the girls to paw and grope it freely.

From their excited chatter and shouts, Gong Lianyue finally understood. News of the Water Element’s actions had reached them.

And the rumors seemed to have become even more exaggerated. The Water Element had simply slashed at the spirit beasts in the Yin Tomb, but now it was being said that it had single-handedly destroyed the entire Wind Realm, leaving no survivors…

“Excuse me, please step aside. Thank you!”

“Please, I need to get through!”

“…”
“…”

No matter what Gong Lianyue said, it was useless. Her teardrop eyes deepened, the ice-blue hue intensifying, like swirling vortexes.

Her expression hardened, like an empress suppressing her anger. This was her fourth form, Rage Form.

“You pigs, get out of my way! You’re blocking the path!!!”

A single, sharp shout, and silence fell upon the Sea Dou Hall, the frantic screams ceasing instantly.

The blue-haired girl’s beautiful face was cold and indifferent as she scanned the crowd.

Those who met her icy gaze quickly backed away, clearing a path.

How could the Sorrowful Saintess be so fierce? This was completely different from their impression of her!

The Tyrant Demon Seed, smoothing its ruffled fur, carried Gong Lianyue out of the crowd, walking towards the exit with a dignified air.

However, before they could even reach the exit, another wave of ear-splitting screams erupted, even louder than before.

“Aaaaah, the Saintess is so domineering! I can’t take it!!!”

“I’m about to lay an egg!!!”

“I’m in love! This pig is pregnant!!”

“Saintess, please step on my head and insult me!”

“Saintess, don’t ride that smelly rabbit! Ride me!”

“Saintess, where are you going? We haven’t signed the marriage certificate yet!”

The deafening screams echoed like a tsunami. Gong Lianyue, utterly speechless, quickened her pace, leaving the Sea Dou Hall.

Fortunately, the Tyrant Demon Seed couldn’t understand human language. Otherwise, it would have been driven mad.

This generation of Sea Concubine Palace members was truly terrifying, lacking the purity and composure of her own generation.

—

Three women waited for her at the entrance to the Sea Dou Hall:

Shui Qinghou, Shui Qiu’e, and a young woman with blue twintails, Quan Zhiliang, the Sixth Concubine.

“Let’s talk as we walk. The Palace Master is waiting for you,” Shui Qinghou said softly, her expression gentle.

Gong Lianyue nodded, and the four of them walked towards the main hall.

After several months apart, her figure had developed, almost on par with the Six Concubines. Walking together, they looked like sisters.

Of course, she still couldn’t compare to Bai He or the Wrathful Saintess’s clone, whose… assets… were the size of watermelons, probably three or four kilograms each, too large to even hold with two hands.

Halfway there, Gong Lianyue suddenly remembered something and asked, “Teacher, do you know the true purpose of the Sea Region Alliance’s Saintess selection?”

She had noticed something strange during her trip to the Wind Realm.

The Wind Realm also chose Saintesses, but there were no ceremonies or designated procedures. Whoever was strongest became the Saintess.

Taking turns being Saintess, your turn next.

The Sea Region, on the other hand, had complex and formal procedures, even a Sea Concubine’s Love Tablet recording the messages of past Saintesses.

Therefore, the Sea Region’s Saintess selection must have a different, more significant meaning.

Otherwise, the Wind Realm wouldn’t bother trying to disrupt it…

“Um, well, that, that, um~~~” Shui Qinghou stammered and groaned, then looked helplessly at Shui Qiu’e.

“Are you stupid? The Desireless Saintess of the Winter Floating Sky has been chosen. There’s no harm in telling her now,” Shui Qiu’e said, exasperated.

“Fine…”

“It is said that every Saintess of the Sea Region Alliance is summoned to a mysterious space upon their selection, where they come into contact with a special artifact and are imbued with a portion of its aura. Of course, I haven’t been there, so I don’t know the details.”

“When all ten Water Saintesses have made contact, the residual aura on the artifact will become incredibly powerful, even attracting legendary beings…”

“This aura dissipates after two or three years. If no water-type legendary being appears and forms a contract, it means… failure.”

“But I think it’s useless. It hasn’t worked once in thousands of years!”

“Shhh, be careful! What if the Palace Master hears you!” Quan Zhiliang quickly hushed Shui Qinghou, afraid of being implicated.

So that was it…

Gong Lianyue finally understood the purpose of the Saintess selection. It was to make all ten Saintesses of the Sea Region Alliance into potential Lord Attendants!

Every Lord Attendant possessed incredible abilities or a unique destiny, practically defying the natural order, a mortal accompanying a god.

Since a single Saintess wasn’t enough to attract a legendary being, they would combine the auras of ten Saintesses!

Unfortunately, this method hadn’t worked once in thousands of years.

Not only did Shui Qinghou show no remorse, but she even added,

The Ice Shield Palace had recently proposed abandoning the tradition, while most other factions were still holding onto hope, thinking, “Maybe this generation of Saintesses will be different.”

Not to mention the Sorrowful Saintess, who was already a Lord Attendant, the blind, deaf, mute, and lame Desireless Saintess of the Winter Floating Sky, and the immortal Wrathful Saintess of the Ice Shield Palace. The combination of their unique traits might actually attract a specific water-type legendary being.

The Narcissus Jade Ring Sea, a legendary-rank, biological, all-purpose, water-attribute, plant-type spirit beast.

Of course, that was just wishful thinking. Whenever the Wrathful Saintess was involved, Gong Lianyue had no hope.

 

Chapter 159: Confronting the Sun and Moon Realm

Within the maze of the fourth level of the Soul Prison Trial, the Tower of Heaven, any spirit beast team passing through this area would encounter a strange ice coffin.

Some were scared off by its aura, while others recklessly attacked it, but it remained undamaged.

After about ten minutes, the 25th floor of the Tower of Heaven was cleared, concluding this session of the trial.

[Congratulations on clearing the fourth level of the Soul Prison Trial, first stage (1/4).]
[Note: In the next session, all injuries and statuses will be fully restored. Spirit beasts that were defeated cannot re-enter.]

Swish!

With a flash of white light, the spirit beasts’ surroundings vanished, the Soul Prison Trial’s secret realm disappearing.

Everyone returned to their respective masters.

—

Storm Realm, Gray Citadel

Almost the instant Gong Lianyue and the Tyrant Demon Seed returned from the Waterfall Lake Wonderland, the Frost Snow Woman and her team also returned from the Soul Prison Trial.

Gong Lianyue learned the rules of this trial through her spirit beasts’ shared consciousness.

A complete wipeout meant temporary disqualification, while surviving, even by hiding, guaranteed rewards.

If even a single spirit beast survived to the end, the rewards and evaluation would be multiplied.

Although she didn’t know what had happened inside, they seemed disheartened, only the Frost Snow Woman remaining.

It seemed not only the Tyrant Demon Seed, but the others had also suffered…

Only the Ice Soul Cold Star, disguised as the Ice Spirit, was still happily munching on its ice.

“What’s wrong? What are you thinking about?”

Seeing the Frost Snow Woman’s troubled expression, Gong Lianyue gently stroked her soft, white hair.

The Frost Snow Woman hesitated. She wanted to mention that the green-haired spirit beast was also in the Soul Prison Trial, and not just the obvious green and red ones.

That little blue flower that had appeared at the end… it probably also belonged to that woman.

But she didn’t know Luo Kuxin’s name and didn’t know how to explain.

Besides, the blue-haired girl’s touch was rather pleasant, so she simply rolled over, enjoying the caress.

Human hair wasn’t particularly sensitive, but for humanoid spirit beasts, it was like being petted.

Even the usually reliable and intelligent Frost Snow Woman forgot to report the appearance of the legendary spirit beast.

This was crucial information that could affect the entire Soul Prison Trial!

Even if they managed to avoid it this time, what if they encountered it again…?

Whatever, they had survived this time. She would worry about tomorrow’s problems tomorrow.

Three days after the Soul Prison Trial ended, it was time to return the Swallow God.

During this time, the name of Gong Lianyue, the Sorrowful Saintess, had spread throughout the Storm Realm like a tornado.

Everyone knew of this woman who had formed a contract with a legendary being, now alone in the Wind Realm to return a hostage.

After the legendary Water Element’s rampage and subsequent departure, the Shadowcandle Temple didn’t dare to interfere.

Compared to that Water Element, the Swallow God was just a helpless infant, not a threat.

---

Three days passed.

The time for the exchange arrived. Beneath a tower at the edge of the Gray Citadel, shrouded in shadows…

A black-haired woman in a black python robe stood silently, radiating a strange, deathly aura. Although she stood there in plain sight, the passersby seemed to ignore her, walking past without even noticing her.

Her appearance wasn’t stunning, but she possessed a certain rustic charm, the kind that grew on you.

The spirit energy around her was calm and subdued, so much so that it was impossible to discern her cultivation level.

One of the three Emperors of the Wind Realm, a Sun and Moon Realm Spirit Master, the Shadow Emperor!

She had been injured while trying to intercept the Water Element, two of her spirit beasts dead, one injured. Her aura was slightly weakened, her face pale.

That was why she had come here personally, to observe this girl who had formed a contract with a legendary being, to see what kind of monster she was, whether three-headed and six-armed, or something even stranger.

“Emperor, she has left her residence.”

“Mm.”

The woman in the python robe closed her eyes, vaguely recalling her encounter with a Sun and Moon Realm expert hundreds of years ago, when she was still at the Dead Sea Stage.

She had been so terrified, she could barely speak, her body trembling.

And then, she became the Saintess of the Gray Citadel…

“She’s here!”

Sensing a trace of water spirit energy amidst the dense wind spirit energy, the woman in the python robe opened her eyes, a shadowy aura instantly enveloping the entire Gray Citadel.

A terrifying pressure, far exceeding that of an ordinary Saint-rank, assaulted the minds of all the Spirit Masters present, a deafening roar echoing.

Boom!

An oppressive weight, like a collapsing star, erupted from her, a wave of spirit energy spreading outwards.

Then, a blue-haired girl, her hair swaying gently in the wind, appeared.

Six teardrops, neatly arranged on her face, like tears, flowed from her shimmering eyes, staining her cheeks.

The girl wore a water-patterned robe, the special uniform of the Sea Concubine Palace, her thighs wrapped in smooth, white silk, the water spirit energy around her undisturbed by the terrifying pressure.

Most striking was the black crown on her head, radiating a chilling aura that seemed to defy the world, impenetrable even by the Shadow Emperor’s spirit energy.

Wearing the black crown, Gong Lianyue had transformed into a Holy Water Body, entering a strange, isolated state, sensing only the flow of water, oblivious to everything else.

The blue-haired, teardrop-eyed girl walked towards the woman in the python robe, stopping less than half a meter away.

The next second, the woman in the python robe trembled slightly.

This Sorrowful Saintess… she looked just like that Water Element! It startled her.

Even more terrifying, the water spirit energy flowing around the blue-haired girl was completely undisturbed by her Sun and Moon Realm aura…

“Hand over the ransom list.”

Hearing the Sorrowful Saintess’s cold, commanding tone, the Shadow Emperor fell silent.

To speak to a Realm Emperor like this… She was a monster. An ordinary human Spirit Master wouldn’t even dare.

Was this the quality of someone chosen by a legendary being…?

---

Chapter 160: Subduing the Water Element!!

“Hand over the ransom list.”

Hearing the Sorrowful Saintess’s cold, commanding tone, the Shadow Emperor fell silent for a moment.

She was beginning to understand why she hadn’t been chosen by the Shadowlurking Blade, Night’s Executioner, all those years ago.

Unafraid of a legendary being, unflinching before a Sun and Moon Realm expert… was this the quality required of one chosen by a legendary being…?

The Shadow Emperor’s feelings were complex. This teardrop-eyed girl before her might one day reach a level beyond her reach.

Meanwhile, Gong Lianyue’s expression remained unchanged, her heart calm.

This woman, wearing the Gray Citadel higher-ups’ special uniform, was clearly a high-ranking official, at least at the Vice Palace Master level. She must be trying to intimidate her.

Unfortunately for her, the Holy Water Body was the purest and most sacred of constitutions, impervious to all external spirit energy. Even a peak Nether Traverse Stage expert couldn’t affect her.

Therefore, Gong Lianyue repeated her demand. If they had any objections, they could take it up with the Water Element.

After a long silence, the woman in the python robe handed over a spatial ring, a specially made storage artifact.

Gong Lianyue accepted it and, channeling her spirit energy, checked its contents against the ransom list.

–1 million spirit crystals.
10 high-rank spirit beast eggs.
500 stalks of Wind Realm high-grade medicinal herbs (excluding Moonlight Grass).
10 pieces of Wind Iron Stone.
Gray Citadel Spirit Technique (Wind Call).
Gray Citadel Spirit Technique (Shadowstep).

Besides these, there were some items Gong Lianyue didn’t recognize and a few miscellaneous spirit artifacts.

To ransom a single Saint-rank, the Gray Citadel was willing to pay such a hefty price. Although painful, it wasn’t crippling.

After confirming everything, Gong Lianyue nodded and summoned He Daoqi, the Swallow God, from her stone bracelet.

However, she had discreetly removed the restraints beforehand, eliminating any… incriminating evidence.

After all, if the Gray Citadel higher-ups saw their Saintess in such a… state, they would be furious.

The black-haired girl, imprisoned for nearly a hundred chapters, finally saw the light of day. She didn’t cry or show any emotion, simply hiding behind the woman in the python robe, remaining silent.

Gong Lianyue’s expression turned strange. The two women’s facial features were somewhat similar. Could they be mother and daughter?

That would be awkward…

“Are you alright?” the woman in the python robe asked, turning to He Daoqi.

“Yes.”

He Daoqi nodded, her expression unchanged, her eyes, both pupils and whites, a deep, unreadable black.

She could sense that in this short time, the Sorrowful Saintess had grown even stronger, reaching a level beyond her comprehension.

Wearing the black crown, radiating a holy yet deathly aura, her water spirit energy unfathomable.

Normally, for a hostage exchange, the welcoming party would be a Vice Palace Master or a chief senior instructor.

However, the presence of this woman in the python robe indicated that the Sorrowful Saintess had caused a major incident during the Overlord’s birthday celebration, shaking the entire Wind Realm.

He Daoqi remained silent, waiting for an explanation.

Meanwhile, Gong Lianyue was slightly puzzled.

After being imprisoned and tortured for so long, didn’t she feel any resentment…?

Regardless, she was relieved.

The Swallow God had been returned, her mission complete. She could finally return to the Sea Region.

But before leaving, she would purchase a large quantity of Moonlight Grass. It was so cheap here in the Wind Realm. It would be a waste not to.

The woman in the python robe and He Daoqi watched as the blue-haired girl walked away, making no move to stop her.

“Emperor, what did the Sorrowful Saintess do at the Overlord’s birthday celebration?” He Daoqi asked after a moment.

“She’s a Lord Attendant. Her legendary spirit beast stole the Shadowlurking Blade, Night’s Executioner, during the celebration.”

“…”

“!!!”

Even though He Daoqi had been prepared, she was still shocked.

If the words “legendary spirit beast” were replaced with anything else, the weight of that statement wouldn’t be nearly as heavy, as terrifying.

It was precisely because it was a legendary being that the Sun and Moon Realm Emperor had abandoned all thoughts of revenge and retribution, speaking so calmly.

Not just because she didn’t dare to retaliate, but because it would be pointless.

A Lord Attendant couldn’t control a legendary being, nor could they influence its actions. The Water Element stealing the Shadowlurking Blade had nothing to do with the Sorrowful Saintess.

And even if it did, it wasn’t something outsiders could interfere with.

Based on millennia of experience, human Spirit Masters had learned a few things about legendary beings.

They could disrespect them, insult them, even attack them. As long as the legendary being was in a good mood and didn’t notice their insignificant presence, they would survive.

After all, a legendary being’s aura was so vast and powerful that even a Sun and Moon Realm or Saint-rank Spirit Master was like a speck of dust before them, easily overlooked.

However, there was one action that guaranteed death: obstructing a legendary being’s will.

Never, ever, stand in a legendary being’s way.

If you do, you will be noticed.

And if you are noticed, you will die…

He Daoqi fell silent for a long time. She hadn’t expected the Sorrowful Saintess to be connected to a legendary being.

“In three months, the Wind Realm will assemble a force to attack the Cangsheng Palace, to either subdue or negotiate with the Water Element before it reaches the Samsara Stage.”

“If negotiations fail, the Wind Realm will face either annihilation or a pyrrhic victory…”

Hearing the woman’s words, He Daoqi’s eyes dimmed.

What the Wind Realm was about to do was precisely what they had been warned against—opposing a legendary being.

Failure meant certain death.

But without the Wind Realm Overlord, even if they did nothing, the Storm Realm would eventually be conquered by the surrounding realms. Their destruction was inevitable.

This Water Element was a newly born legendary being, still at the Dead Sea Stage. There was a chance they could win.

And the Shadowlurking Blade, Night’s Executioner, wouldn’t be easily controlled. It would surely offer guidance and assistance at critical moments…

---

Meanwhile, oblivious to the Wind Realm’s predicament, Gong Lianyue, having gathered her spoils, prepared to return to the Sea Region.

After enduring countless trials and tribulations in the Storm Realm, it was finally time to go home!

Chapter 157: Encountering a Legendary

The Soul Prison Trial, in the current era, was like a myth, its origins and purpose shrouded in mystery, as if it had appeared out of thin air.

Initially, some speculated it was a secret realm created by a mythical spirit beast.

But this theory was quickly debunked when a mythical spirit beast emerged from the Soul Prison Trial…

This earth-shattering event triggered a contracting frenzy. Countless legendary Realm Overlords and even titled legendary beings rushed to form contracts with promising human Spirit Masters, preparing for the next Soul Prison Trial.

However, it was all for naught. The Soul Prison Trial didn’t accept legendary spirit beasts. They were all rejected.

Some legendary spirit beasts, enraged, even killed their Spirit Masters, suffering severe injuries as a result. Others waited patiently for their contractors to die of old age, their existence never revealed. There was even a legendary spirit beast that experienced a dramatic, star-crossed love affair with a human, their story immortalized in a classic novel.

After the initial frenzy, most spirit beasts gave up on the Soul Prison Trial, leaving only a small number still secretly researching it.

To this day, the secrets of the Soul Prison Trial remained unsolved.

---

Soul Prison Trial, Fourth Level, Tower of Heaven, 21st Floor.

This level consisted of four sessions, each 25 floors representing a round of battles, with a week-long break in between for recovery.

Only four more floors remained in this round, and at this critical juncture, the Frost Snow Woman and her team encountered another group.

A scorching heat, like an inferno, filled the area, burning steam billowing outwards, as five crimson spirit beasts emerged from the flames.

The most formidable force in this Soul Prison Trial, the fire-type team led by the Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa, had encountered the Frost Snow Woman’s team.

The Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa, a Saint-rank biological offensive type.

The Hellfire Princess, a Saint-rank elemental support type.

The Thousand Star Blazing Flame, a high-rank weapon-type possession type.

The Nether Fire Shroud, a high-rank weapon-type armor type.

The Fire Spirit, a low-rank elemental all-purpose type.

The two teams, water and fire, faced each other, a strange, awkward tension in the air.

The most out-of-place among them were the Ice Spirit and the Fire Spirit, dwarfed by the other, more powerful spirit beasts.

Water and fire were inherently opposing elements. A clash was inevitable.

The opposing team had also noticed the number of Saint-ranks on their side. The Hellfire Princess, a beautiful woman with fiery red hair, frowned, seemingly wary.

However, if it came to a fight, she wasn’t afraid.

Because…

“They have five Saint-ranks,” the Fire Spirit suddenly said, looking at the Ice Spirit.

Hearing this, the eyes of both the Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa and the Hellfire Princess widened in disbelief.

“Where’s the rabbit?” the Fire Spirit asked, glancing around.

“It got lost,” the Frost Snow Woman replied coldly.

The opposing team had clearly recognized them as the Sorrowful Saintess Gong Lianyue’s spirit beasts.

This meant they knew the Ice Spirit was actually the Ice Soul Cold Star, and the little Snow Fox was the legendary Blood Garden Phoenix Stage.

Conversely, knowing the current situation in the Wind Realm, and with such a powerful fire-type team, they must be from the nearby Sun-Seizing Divine Metropolis.

The Sun-Seizing Divine Metropolis, the Infernal Saintess…

And it seemed the Fire Spirit was the leader, which was unusual for a low-rank spirit beast to be giving orders to Saint-ranks.

“There’s something… unusual… in this group. Although you have many Saint-ranks, be careful.”

“I suggest you split up soon. You don’t want to be wiped out all at once.”

After saying this, the Fire Spirit, its crystalline body floating, drifted past the Frost Snow Woman and her team, without looking back.

The other fire-type spirit beasts, albeit hesitantly, also passed through the area where the little fox and its two… admirers… were engaged in their… activities, both sides surprisingly avoiding conflict.

“Eh?”

Seeing them leave, the pink flower and the green vine swayed in confusion, seemingly unable to comprehend their decision to avoid a fight.

The Frost Snow Woman watched them disappear, her expression still wary, not moving.

---

A few minutes later, with no sign of pursuit, the Frost Snow Woman finally relaxed and signaled for her team to move on.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

Suddenly, a massive explosion of fire engulfed the maze for several kilometers.

The scorching flames almost incinerated the entire level, the terrifying heat boiling and burning, clearly the Fire Spirit and its team engaged in battle.

However, in less than half a second, the flames died down.

Swish—

A battered Fire Spirit, its body half-destroyed, its appearance disheveled, came flying towards them.

The Saint-rank auras of the Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa and the Hellfire Princess were gone, as if they had vanished into thin air.

[Run.]

The Fire Spirit fled without looking back, its panicked message echoing in the Frost Snow Woman’s mind.

The Frost Snow Woman’s cold expression flickered. How could anyone defeat a Saint-rank team so quickly?

Even ten Saint-ranks couldn’t have defeated them so effortlessly…

Whoosh—

Without warning, the Frost Snow Woman’s shroud-like robe dissolved into a white, viscous liquid, her snow-white skin exposed, bathed in a faint purple light, a sight that stunned the three plant-type spirit beasts.

This humanoid spirit beast, so shameless, stripping naked in public!

Covered in the shimmering purple light, the Frost Snow Woman glanced gratefully at the Ice Spirit, then turned towards the shadows ahead, her expression serious.

She hadn’t deliberately removed her clothes. They had been melted away by something. And just as her own body was about to melt, the Ice Soul Cold Star had shielded her.

[Death Tribulation]

The purple starlight clashed with the white water, the starlight fading, being consumed and assimilated by the water.

A beautiful, white-haired woman with antlers emerged from the shadows. She was clearly the one who had annihilated the Fire Spirit’s team.

The Frost Snow Woman froze.

Sensing a familiar aura, she recalled a memory from her youth.

The Snow Monarch had once taken her to this woman’s birthday celebration…

A legendary-rank spirit beast… in the Soul Prison Trial…!!!

---

Chapter 158: The Most Ferocious Clan

Logically, legendary-rank spirit beasts shouldn’t be able to enter the Soul Prison Trial.

However, at this moment, the Frost Snow Woman was certain she wasn’t mistaken. She had seen this woman from afar once before!!

Her features as delicate as snow, her white hair shimmering like fireflies, her grayish-white eyes devoid of emotion.

Branches and leaves sprouted from her head, her icy antlers like a crown, a regal, winter queen.

[Legendary-rank – White Flower Moon-Treading Deer]

No, not her. It must have been one of her kin…

Even with the Frost Snow Woman’s limited intelligence, she understood. Although the same species, they weren’t the same individual.

The White Flower Moon-Treading Deer, a biological type with dual water and moon attributes, one of the top three most ferocious legendary spirit beasts, an unstoppable force.

Ten thousand years ago, two titled White Flower Moon-Treading Deer had existed simultaneously: the Cold Deer King and the Illusion Sea Concubine.

The Cold Deer King, having devoured the moons of countless realms, causing them to vanish from the sky, was hunted down and killed by enraged Spirit Masters and spirit beasts.

The Illusion Sea Concubine, however, was still alive. It was her birthday celebration that the Frost Snow Woman had attended with the Snow Monarch!

And the one before them now… was a newly born White Flower Moon-Treading Deer!

After all, the Illusion Sea Concubine’s power was beyond human comprehension, while this White Flower Moon-Treading Deer was only at the Dawn and Dusk Stage.

Why could a legendary-rank spirit beast enter the Soul Prison Trial…?

There was no time to ponder. A legendary being stood right before them.

For Gong Lianyue’s sake, they couldn’t be defeated here!

Whoosh, whoosh—

Waves of white water surged, the Ice Soul Cold Star’s purple star rapidly eroding, about to shatter.

Just then, the Iron Jade Ice Scorpion lashed out, its massive, scale-covered pincer striking the white-haired, antlered woman.

[Jade Shatter]
[Nether Stone]

Boom!

A violent explosion, a deafening roar, the shockwave clearing a path through the white water, reaching the antlered woman.

However, the blast passed right through her, as if she were a ghost.

Half of the antlered woman’s body dissolved into water, then reformed, her expression unchanged as she continued walking.

Whoosh~~~~

As she approached, a suffocating pressure descended, the white water surging even more violently.

She wasn’t even attacking, but these weaker beings couldn’t withstand her presence, their bodies dissolving upon contact.

Her grayish-white eyes reflected nothing, as if she didn’t even register the presence of these lesser beings.

So this… was a legendary being…?

And she was only at the Dawn and Dusk Stage!!!

Any spirit beast witnessing this would surely despair, convinced that a legendary being was an insurmountable foe.

Just then, the antlered woman bumped into something hard and collapsed to the ground, clutching her forehead in confusion.

A purple, star-shaped barrier, its watery surface rippling, had stopped her.

The white water’s corrosive power hadn’t been faster than her walking speed, so she had collided with the barrier, caught off guard.

Her grayish-white eyes finally focused, reflecting the forms of the spirit beasts before her, their species and appearances now clear.

Boom!!!!

As if in response to her gaze, the white water surged, threatening to engulf everything.

The Ice Soul Cold Star calmly created ten more Death Tribulations within its existing Death Tribulation. Although it couldn’t completely stop the white water, it prevented their immediate annihilation.

“Hmph…”

Seeing this, the antlered woman frowned, displeased.

She extended a slender finger and drew an illusory full moon in the air.

As a pure, unblemished moonlight enveloped the area, silence fell, no shockwave, no tremors, no sound, an eerie stillness.

The next second, like a splash of water, like the blooming of moonlight, the surrounding maze vanished.

The walls and floor within a radius of several dozen kilometers evaporated, a terrifying wave of spirit energy, like a nuclear blast, spreading outwards, the lingering water continuing to spread, dissolving everything in its path.

Within half a minute, nothing remained within sight, the entire maze destroyed.

The Iron Jade Ice Scorpion and the three plant-type spirit beasts on its back were effortlessly dissolved by the water, their auras vanishing.

Even the Ice Soul Cold Star’s Death Tribulation couldn’t protect them, instantly vaporized.

Gong Lianyue and Luo Kuxin’s team had been completely annihilated!

---

A few seconds later, the white-haired, antlered woman stood up, shaking her beautiful, icy antlers.

Just as the White Flower Moon-Treading Deer was about to leave, it paused, a puzzled expression on its face.

A strange ice coffin, radiating a chilling aura, lay nearby.

Made of some unknown material, it was completely undamaged by her devastating attack.

She approached the coffin and examined it for a long time, then shook her head.

“The Snow Monarch’s coffin?”

“I can’t do anything about this right now…”

Recognizing the coffin’s origin, the antlered woman didn’t even bother trying to open it, turning to leave.

The Snow Monarch’s ice was beyond the comprehension of ordinary beings, unbreakable even by fellow legendary-rank spirit beasts.

As the antlered woman’s terrifying aura faded, the Frost Snow Woman remained hidden within the coffin, determined to stay there until the 100th level.

She was the only spirit beast left. Another death would result in a complete wipeout, delaying Gong Lianyue’s progress.

Just then, a small, ice-blue flower, bouncing on its stem, hurried over from the shadows.

It frantically tapped and nudged the coffin lid with its petals, until it became dizzy and almost fell over.

Sensing the ice-blue flower’s presence, the Frost Snow Woman inside the Ice Coffin paused, a strange expression on her face.

She silently opened the coffin lid a crack, allowing the grateful flower to slip inside, then closed it tightly, her aura disappearing once more.

Chapter 155: Reactions of the Saint-Ranks

–Soul Prison Trial, Fourth Level, Tower of Heaven

[Rule: Within this hundred-level tower, all spirit beasts will engage in free-for-all combat. When a certain number of spirit beasts are defeated on each level, all remaining spirit beasts will automatically ascend to the next level.]
[There is no elimination in this trial, but the Spirit Master will be temporarily frozen from participating in the Soul Prison Trial. The earlier their team is completely defeated, the longer the freeze duration. A complete defeat on the first level will result in a one-year delay.]
[Also, the higher the level reached upon defeat, the greater the reward for the Spirit Master.]

The rules were transmitted to all the spirit beasts via the common spirit beast language. Upon understanding them, a large number of spirit beasts immediately retreated, distancing themselves from the Saint-ranks.

The Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa, the Hundred-Eyed Ghost Bride, the Abyssal Bloodbone Jiao, the Libra Fighting Swallow, and the Frost Snow Woman were all beings to be avoided.

As the area around the Saint-ranks cleared, their respective teams became apparent.

The Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa’s team was unsurprisingly composed of fire-attribute, offensive types. The Hundred-Eyed Ghost Bride’s team was a group of… unsettling ghostly beings.

The Abyssal Bloodbone Jiao… its teammates seemed to have been swallowed whole, their auras present, but their forms invisible.

The Libra Fighting Swallow stood alone, as expected of a combat-type spirit beast, a lone wolf.

The Frost Snow Woman’s team was a group of ice-type spirit beasts. Since the little fox had chosen a Snow Fox form today, it was naturally mistaken for one of them.

The Frost Snow Woman, the Ice Spirit, the Iron Jade Ice Scorpion, and a Snow Fox. Their master must be a cold and ruthless woman.

“Chirp!”

However, with the other spirit beasts dispersed, the little fox’s aura was exposed.

The pink flower and the green vine, like grotesque monsters, rushed towards it, drooling, clinging to it, and engaging in a… public display of affection.

“…”
“…”

Gong Lianyue’s other three spirit beasts were familiar with these two plant-types and didn’t interfere.

In fact, two more Saint-rank spirit beasts significantly increased their chances of survival.

[Prepare yourselves. The battle will begin in ten seconds.]

As the cold voice echoed in their minds, all the spirit beasts assumed battle stances, some even charging their attacks. Only the little fox looked nauseous and unwell.

It was about to be suffocated by the earthy scent of the plant-type spirit beasts, yet it couldn’t escape the embrace of the Misty Heart Lotus and the Seven-Foot Sword Princess Flower.

And these teammates had mistaken them for allies. How confusing!

[Battle begin!]

[Battle concluded. 100 spirit beasts defeated. Remaining spirit beasts, ascend to the next level.]

Before the announcement even finished, the spirit beasts’ surroundings shifted, and they found themselves in a complex maze.

The first level of the Tower of Heaven had ended in an instant, and they had automatically ascended to the second level.

Eh? So fast?

Had 100 spirit beasts already been defeated in that brief moment?

Almost all the spirit beasts were bewildered, completely unsure of what had just happened.

---

The Saint-rank Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa, a massive, fiery skeleton, and its team of five fire-type spirit beasts exchanged grim looks.

“Did you see that? What just happened!?”

“No, I didn’t sense anything, just a sudden chill.”

“Be careful from now on. Split up after level 80. For our master’s sake, we can’t be easily defeated!”

The Desolate Fire Netherworld Rakshasa remained silent. Although its body burned like hellfire, its heart was filled with ice.

Something… unsettling… had entered this Soul Prison Trial.

---

The Saint-rank Abyssal Bloodbone Jiao.

Its massive, kilometer-long body had shrunk to the size of an ant, carefully hidden within the maze.

Under a microscope, one could see its trembling form, its emotions fluctuating wildly.

Although a massive biological-type beast, its dynamic vision was so sharp that, even thousands of years ago, as a wild spirit beast, it could easily track the White Moon Lord’s interdimensional leaps.

And yet, just now, it had seen nothing, unable to even react…

---

The Saint-rank Hundred-Eyed Ghost Bride, a beautiful female ghost in purple mourning clothes. Although her appearance was captivating, grotesque eyeballs constantly emerged from her robes.

Surrounded by a group of strange, ghostly spirit beasts, the Hundred-Eyed Ghost Bride wept softly.

Then, the other ghost-type spirit beasts also began to wail, their expressions filled with terror.

Swish, swish, swish!

The Hundred-Eyed Ghost Bride flicked its sleeve, scattering hundreds of eyeballs, which froze in midair.

The eyeballs converged, forming a massive, fleshy orb, a blurry black and white image, like an old television screen, appearing within its pupil.

The image showed the first level of the tower, a moment before the battle began.

Click—

The image flickered, skipping to the next level, as if a section had been cut out, nothing in between.

The Hundred-Eyed Ghost Bride’s expression turned grim. It radiated a powerful spirit energy that enveloped the fleshy eyeball.

This time, the image slowed down, the flickering delayed, but the scene remained unchanged.

Still unwilling to give up, the Hundred-Eyed Ghost Bride’s spirit energy surged, a terrifying purple aura almost filling half the maze, scaring the weaker spirit beasts witless.

The image slowed down even further, thousands of times slower, the eyeballs on its robe all opening, staring intently at the screen.

Finally, it saw it!

With a certain humanoid spirit beast as the epicenter, a hundred spirit beasts within its vicinity instantly melted.

A woman with snow-white hair and antlers, her hair shimmering like fireflies, her eyes, both the whites and the pupils, a uniform grayish-white, a disturbing and unsettling sight.

Branches and leaves sprouted from her head, her icy antlers like a crown, a regal, winter queen.

And her long, slender legs, bent at the knees like a quadruped, clearly mimicking the stance of her true form.

Seeing this antlered woman, the Hundred-Eyed Ghost Bride froze, a chilling dread filling its heart, unable to speak.

---

All the Saint-rank teams were startled by what had just happened, except for one.

Four ice-type spirit beasts and two plant-type spirit beasts chatted and laughed, seemingly oblivious to the events that had just transpired.

---

Chapter 156: The Antlered Woman

–Soul Prison Trial, Fourth Level, Tower of Heaven

While the first level, a free-for-all area, had ended almost instantly, the subsequent levels each lasted four or five minutes.

After all, the tower’s maze was quite large. Encounters were infrequent, and the early battles were mostly tentative, neither side fully committing.

As they ascended, the maze became more complex and expansive, allowing for various spirit beast types, ranks, and battle techniques to come into play.

With the Spirit Masters absent, this was a test of the lead spirit beast’s command and judgment.

Tens of thousands of spirit beasts battled within the maze. Having reached the seventh level, Gong Lianyue’s spirit beasts, however, hadn’t even heard a single sound.

The Frost Snow Woman’s Saint-rank aura was simply too terrifying. Enemy spirit beasts fled the moment they sensed it from hundreds of meters away.

Not just her team, but the other Saint-rank teams were also likely enjoying a leisurely stroll.

At this moment, the Frost Snow Woman’s team was wandering aimlessly, their thoughts elsewhere.

[Iron Jade Ice Scorpion: I want to fight!]
[Frost Snow Woman: I wonder if we can reach the 100th floor.]
[Ice Soul Cold Star: …]
[Nine-Colored Cloud Dream Flower: Chirp chirp, help!!!]
[Misty Heart Lotus: ?????]
[Seven-Foot Sword Princess Flower: ?????]

Boom!!!!

Suddenly, the wall and floor before them exploded, a cloud of dust and debris erupting.

As the dust settled, the six spirit beasts stared in disbelief, as if stunned.

Before them stood a massive, black ape, over a hundred meters tall, with four terrifying arms, a demonic figure.

A high-rank, Arm-Smashing Demon Ape!!!

And in its hands, it held another high-rank spirit beast, the weapon-type Dragon Emperor Battle Axes.

Four heavy, sharp axes, each with a dragon-head design, were gripped tightly in its massive hands, radiating a violent aura. This was the combined power of two high-rank spirit beasts!

Spirit Masters with weapon-type spirit beasts usually had to reach the Samsara Stage to utilize their full potential. Only in the hands of another spirit beast could a weapon-type spirit beast unleash its true power. A Spirit Master’s frail body was simply too weak.

Like He Daoqi of the Gray Citadel. Although her Swallow God’s aura was terrifying, among the highest ranked in the Wind Realm, she could only manage a few swings before collapsing from exhaustion.

Therefore, upon reaching the Samsara Stage, a Spirit Master could summon two spirit beasts simultaneously, one to wield the weapon-type spirit beast, creating a synergistic effect far greater than the sum of their individual strengths. It wasn’t 1 + 1, but 1 * 1!!!!

Now, within the Soul Prison Trial, free from its Spirit Master’s limitations, the Arm-Smashing Demon Ape swung the Dragon Emperor Battle Axes with ferocious abandon.

“I’m not afraid of any Saint-rank spirit beast, especially a weak, support-type!”

“I’ll kill you all!!”

Its furious roar echoed through the maze. Seeing the six spirit beasts’ stunned expressions, the Demon Ape grinned smugly.

It wished its master would hurry up and reach the Samsara Stage so it could unleash its full power and… engage in some intimate activities with its beloved, instead of relying on telepathic communication within the spirit space.

It lovingly stroked the axes’ handles, causing them to tremble slightly.

“…”
“…”

The Frost Snow Woman and her team exchanged glances, still seemingly unable to comprehend the situation.

They had sensed the ape’s aura, but they hadn’t expected it to attack, to challenge a Saint-rank.

If there were only one Saint-rank present, the Frost Snow Woman, then the ape’s actions could be attributed to recklessness, not stupidity.

But, buddy, did you know how many Saint-ranks were here…?

As they hesitated, the four-armed ape raised its axes high above its head and swung down.

It was confident that with its strength, regardless of whether it hit its target directly, even the aftershock would be enough to cripple, if not kill, anyone caught in the blast.

Boom!

Boom!!

Boom, boom, boom!!!

The four axes slammed down, the surrounding structures crumbling into dust, the terrifying force pulverizing everything within a hundred-meter radius.

Wherever this spirit beast came from, its fighting spirit was undeniable.

However, after only three strikes, the ape could no longer hold the axes. Not only were the blades shattered, but its fists were also covered in blood.

It stared down in horror. As the dust settled, a massive, ice-green figure was revealed.

The Iron Jade Ice Scorpion stood motionless, its body covered in a smooth, jade-like film, like a frozen fossil.

[Battle Technique – Jade Shatter]

Its perfectly tempered body was unscathed, not a single scratch, its shimmering, crystalline armor glowing beautifully.

The other spirit beasts, shielded behind it, hadn’t even moved.

Thud!

The ape’s four arms, twisted and broken, fell limply to its sides, the axes clattering to the ground.

Its face contorted in shock and fear, its eyes widening and contracting, its mind reeling.

How was this possible? Not only had its attack failed to penetrate the scorpion’s defenses, but the mere recoil had crippled it!

Such incredible durability…

[Battle concluded. 100 spirit beasts defeated. Remaining spirit beasts, ascend to the next level.]

[Current level: Eighth.]

Just as despair filled the Arm-Smashing Demon Ape, its surroundings shifted, and it was transported to a new area.

The seventh level had ended!

“Hahaha, the heavens are on my side! I’ll have my revenge when my injuries heal!”

The ape, having learned nothing, picked up the four axes with its mouth and swallowed them, its face filled with a delusional glee.

It must have been an off day. There was no way it could lose to a mere scorpion. It would crush them all next time.

A single loss meant nothing. It would eventually defeat these Saint-ranks!

Whoosh—

The next second, the Arm-Smashing Demon Ape froze, its movements ceasing.

Then, almost instantly, both it and the Dragon Emperor Battle Axes within its stomach dissolved into a puddle of white, viscous liquid.

A chilling winter aura filled the maze. A woman with snow-white hair and antlers, her gray eyes cold and indifferent, walked past.

“Let’s see what kind of monster this Soul Prison Trial is, that even mythical beings can’t identify its true nature.”