Chapter 96

Chapter 96: Ice Lake

Crossing the desert, a wide plain appeared. On that plain stood a landmark boulder.

Li Shuang paused near the boulder.

After the Heaven and Earth Furnace activated, its Treasure Appraisal function did not disappear; instead, the results became even clearer. Before this, Li Shuang could only judge an item’s value by how the progress bar moved. Now the Heaven and Earth Furnace gave a direct number called Value Points. This Value Points score was the furnace’s own way of calculating worth. In general, the richer an item’s spiritual power, the higher its Value Points. With this, finding resources became much easier for Li Shuang.

For several days, she circled the boulder, searching for resources while she waited.

Five days later, she had just slain a Demonic Beast and taken the Fourth Tier spirit herb it guarded. As soon as she put it away, her eyes flickered.

She turned, and joy flashed in her gaze. From behind her came a tired voice: “Junior Sister,” and there stood Liu Jun Cheng, dusty from travel.

It looked like he had gone through several fierce fights. He was a bit battered, but not badly hurt, and his overall condition seemed fine.

The tightness in Li Shuang’s chest eased. She asked: “Second Senior Brother, did you run into the Demon Clan this time?”

Before entering the secret realm, Li Shuang hadn’t known there would be trouble. She and Liu Jun Cheng had agreed to meet under this landmark boulder in the Inner Zone.

After that, they would go to the ice lake together. She had an Ice Spiritual Root, and the Lotus Seed in the lake would help her greatly. Besides that, there was another opportunity in the lake that would help Liu Jun Cheng, who had a Water Spiritual Root.

Last time she visited the ice lake, she had thought it was a pity Sheng Yuan wasn’t there. Sheng Yuan had a water Single Spiritual Root, and this chance would have meant a lot to him. But ten years had passed, and so much had changed. She no longer felt any regret about Sheng Yuan.

Liu Jun Cheng had Water-Wood Dual Spiritual Roots, and this chance mattered to him too. That was why Li Shuang had set their meeting here.

After they entered the secret realm, the Demon Clan caused chaos, and Li Shuang had worried about Liu Jun Cheng’s safety. Thankfully, both of them were fine.

Her expression looked calm as always, but deep concern showed in her eyes. Liu Jun Cheng was used to his Junior Sister’s cold face and warm heart. He said gently: “I ran into them once. Luckily, disciples from the six sects were nearby. We joined forces and drove the Demon Clan back. Because of them, many disciples don’t dare leave the Outer Zone. The six sects will probably harvest far less this time.”

Li Shuang looked a bit apologetic: “If I hadn’t asked to meet early, you wouldn’t have had to take this risk.”

Liu Jun Cheng gave her a helpless look: “Little Shuang, why are you taking the blame again? With or without the Demon Clan, I would have ventured into the Inner Zone. You’re sharing your chance with me. I owe you a huge favor, not the other way around. Don’t be so formal next time.”

A hint of doubt crossed Li Shuang’s clear eyes: [Is that really true?]

Seeing her like this made Liu Jun Cheng’s heart ache. When Li Shuang came to the Sword Sect, she was only a girl. Her habit of taking on every fault showed that, on Ling Xu Peak, people had pushed her to become that kind of person.

“Remember to live more freely from now on,” Liu Jun Cheng said before he could help himself.

Someone like Li Shuang looked icy on the outside, but anyone who truly knew her could see her gentle heart. Some would use that heart and trample it. Others would treasure it.

Li Shuang looked at his serious face and gave a small smile: “I understand. Second Senior Brother, there may be scattered resources nearby, but compared to the real chance, they are nothing. I’ll stand guard while you adjust to your best state, then we’ll set out at once.”

Seeing her bright spirit, Liu Jun Cheng couldn’t help but marvel: [This Supreme Unfeeling Art really defies the heavens.]

The secret realm had been open for a month. Most people already looked worn out. But Li Shuang’s cultivation method was special. Her spiritual power wasn’t abundant, yet it flowed without end, letting her stay near her peak almost all the time. Even if she took small wounds while fighting Demonic Beasts, her technique would naturally return her to her best state. She hardly needed extra meditation.

A heaven-defying art also had heaven-defying requirements. Liu Jun Cheng sighed inwardly. Even if someone offered him the Emotionless Path, he would rather not suffer the pain needed to enter it. Little Shuang had paid a terrible price to step through that door. As her Senior Brother, the one thing he could do was answer her with a sincere heart. Together with their friends, they would help her finally break free of the past.

Accepting her kindness, he said softly: “Alright, let me adjust for a while.”

He truly hadn’t found a safe place to rest along the way. With Li Shuang on guard, he took a pill and focused on recovering.

When he was ready, they set out.

More than ten days later, they reached the ice lake Li Shuang had spoken of, travel-worn and dusty.

Liu Jun Cheng stared at the lake, eyes widening in surprise. The lake stretched across the Core Zone and the Inner Zone. At each of the lake’s eight corners, a Demonic Beast stood guard.

In the very center, an Ice Lotus shone like it had been carved from snow and crystal.

They didn’t dare rush closer. Li Shuang whispered: “Second Senior Brother, each of these eight Demonic Beasts fights at the level of a Supreme Demonkin. Their power is at the Foundation Establishment Stage, but their bloodline gives them a boost. Even together, we may not beat one, much less all eight.”

Liu Jun Cheng nodded.

Li Shuang had a plan: “They each guard a direction. We can choose one side and slip in. If we don’t make too much noise, only the beast facing that way will react.”

She added: “Our target is the Demonic Beast in the southeast. It loves good wine. If we bribe it with proper liquor, it will let us pass. But we only get half a shichen, about one hour. If we’re not out by then, it will sound the alarm. All eight beasts will converge.”

“And if we touch the lotus in the center, all the guardians will be alarmed at once. No matter the time, the eight Demonic Beasts will surround us immediately.”