Free Web NovelChapter 115: Chapter 114: Land of Spirit Refining
Divine Abilities were the mark of a Condensing Vein Realm expert. Even upon breaking through to the Condensing Vein Realm, one would typically master only a single Martial Arts Divine Ability.
To master a Divine Ability before reaching the Condensing Vein Realm—especially an Innate Divine Ability with boundless potential—was an irresistible temptation for any Martial Artist.
If someone could succeed at Refining Spirit and master a Divine Ability, the title of this generation’s Elder would be theirs without dispute.
Qin Feng knew this, Du Pingxia knew this, and so did everyone else.
’I absolutely can’t let anyone else achieve Refining Spirit!’
...
The glacier was unnaturally cold. Towering, snow-covered mountains stood like sheer cliffs as the frigid wind howled.
A figure in a black robe appeared at the entrance to a hidden glacial valley. Qin Feng looked down at the map in his hand, then scanned the valley before him.
The valley was situated within a massive glacier, flanked by thick, deeply crevassed icebergs. A biting chill wafted out from within, so cold that even an Innate Martial Artist like him could not help but shiver.
An ordinary Martial Artist would have had their blood frozen in their veins by this wind, dying on the spot.
From the mouth of the valley, Qin Feng saw more than a dozen lavishly dressed young men and women pacing about impatiently. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
Leading them was none other than his ally, the Great Yan Princess, Du Pingxia.
"Brother Qin, you’re finally here!" Du Pingxia smiled as she saw the black-robed youth approaching from a distance.
"Brother Du, sorry to keep you waiting!" Qin Feng let out a breath. Finding this place had been difficult. The map was too simple, all the glacial terrain looked the same, and it was nearly impossible to get his bearings. It had taken him a long time to find this hidden valley.
"Well, if it isn’t Mr. Qin Feng. You sure are important, making all of us wait for you," a sarcastic voice suddenly piped up.
Behind Du Pingxia, a young man in green robes stared at Qin Feng with a look of displeasure. He was thin-lipped with an icy gaze, and he sized Qin Feng up and down with a hint of resentful jealousy.
"And this gentleman is...?" Qin Feng frowned, his gaze shifting to Du Pingxia.
Du Pingxia glanced at the young man in green, her delicate brows knitting together. A flash of displeasure crossed her eyes, but she kept a smile on her face as she pointed to him and said.
"Qin Feng, let me introduce you. This is Young Master Zhao, Zhao Mingcheng. Young Master Zhao comes from a Duke’s Family in Great Jin. His status is quite noble, and he is the peerless genius of the Zhao Family!"
"His current Cultivation is at the Late Stage of Martial Arts Eighth Layer Heaven, a true top-tier genius! He is one of the most promising contenders for the title of Elder among the new students of All Stars Academy!"
"He is also our ally on this venture and will be entering the Land of Spirit Refining with us!"
"I am unworthy of such praise, Princess, you flatter me!" Zhao Mingcheng stepped out from behind Du Pingxia. Though his words were humble, his expression was full of unconcealed arrogance, and his gaze toward the black-robed youth was particularly smug.
Then, Du Pingxia pulled Qin Feng forward to introduce him to the others. "This is Mr. Qin Feng. He may have been a latecomer, but he quickly rose to the top, clearing all Seven Palaces in a single go in just half a day! His combat power is truly unrivaled among those in his Realm!"
As Du Pingxia spoke, all eyes turned to Qin Feng, tinged with surprise. To be able to clear all Seven Palaces in one go within half a day was a feat of strength worthy of acknowledgment.
The young geniuses exchanged glances and gave slight nods, a silent acceptance of their new ally. But that was the extent of it.
After all, none of those gathered here were simple. Qin Feng’s achievements might have been eye-catching to the other students at All Stars Academy, but to this group, they were nothing special.
Tilting his head slightly, Qin Feng scanned the dozen or so young men and women, his eyes flickering with shock. He was only just now realizing that among the people gathered around Du Pingxia, even the weakest was at the Martial Arts Eighth Layer Heaven.
This was a group of more than a dozen geniuses at or above the Martial Arts Eighth Layer Heaven! The strongest had even broken through to the Martial Arts Ninth Layer Heaven! He, Qin Feng, was the only Martial Artist here at the Martial Arts Seventh Layer Heaven Realm.
Qin Feng was inwardly shaken, his expression turning grim. These top-tier experts were even stronger than he had imagined.
This contest in the Land of Spirit Refining was truly shaping up to be a clash of titans.
Seeing how highly Du Pingxia seemed to regard the black-robed youth, Zhao Mingcheng curled his lip in disdain and sneered, "He’s just a Martial Artist at the Peak of Martial Arts Seventh Layer Heaven. So what if he’s unrivaled in his own Realm?"
Zhao Mingcheng shot Qin Feng a cold glare. "Qin Feng, don’t say I didn’t warn you. If you dare to drag us down, don’t blame me for being ruthless."
Qin Feng glanced at Zhao Mingcheng. ’This guy must have a death wish,’ he thought. ’I’ll be sure to grant it for him when I get the chance.’
Watching the two of them at each other’s throats, Du Pingxia felt a headache coming on and decided to simply ignore them.
The other young men and women looked on, some with indifference, some with disdain, others with cold smiles.
"Now that everyone is here, let’s move out!"
Du Pingxia said coolly, taking the lead and guiding the group into the depths of the valley.
The Land of Spirit Refining was located underground. The group navigated through deep fissures in the glacier. In an extreme environment like the Snowfield, the surface was already bone-chillingly cold; underground, the temperature dropped to a terrifying low.
Even the Innate Martial Artists could barely withstand it. They all had to circulate their Innate True Qi to shield themselves from the subterranean chill.
Du Pingxia took the lead at the front of the group, while Qin Feng, having the weakest Cultivation, brought up the rear.
They were surrounded by translucent glaciers, the Ice Crystals as tough as steel. Occasionally, Qin Feng could see Fierce Beasts perfectly preserved within the ice.
As they ventured deeper, the ruins of buildings began to appear within the ice. Some structures were grand and imposing, others small and intricate, all of it sealed in the cold, frozen so perfectly that even the dust on them seemed lifelike.
The journey through the ice fissures was uneventful. Relying on their Innate True Qi, the group easily withstood the corrosive chill, and treacherous terrain that would stop ordinary people was no obstacle for these Innate Martial Artists.
Gradually, a subterranean tunnel, wide enough for a horse-drawn carriage, appeared before them. It was pitch-black inside. Du Pingxia, at the head of the group, took out a Fire Radiance Crystal Stone.
The Fire Radiance Crystal Stone was a rare crystal found deep beneath a Ten Thousand Feet Volcano. Even in this dark and frigid environment, it emitted a warm, reddish glow.
The others at the front seemed to have come prepared, as they each took out their own Fire Radiance Crystal Stone. Qin Feng realized with some embarrassment that he was the only one who hadn’t brought one.
Noticing Qin Feng’s awkwardness, one of the youths in the group casually tossed him a Fire Radiance Crystal Stone. Zhao Mingcheng saw this and let out a derisive snicker.
The tunnel was very long. About two hours later, the group finally saw the exit, which opened onto an Iron Chain Bridge.
But they had run into a problem.
The other end of the Iron Chain Bridge was anchored to a menacing cliff face hundreds of yards away. Three iron chains stretched across the vast expanse, swaying precariously and groaning with a terrifying sound.
Below the Iron Chain Bridge was an unconquerable Abyss, a pitch-black chasm so deep you couldn’t see the bottom. It was a terrifying sight.
A frigid wind periodically gusted up from below. It howled past the bridge like the wailing of ghosts and demons, an utterly terrifying sound. The dark iron chains of the walkway were coated in a frightening layer of black ice.
Du Pingxia’s expression was grave as she pointed to the massive bridge. "Everyone, be careful. This is the Soul-Breaking Bridge. It was originally a natural chasm that served as a path to the Lingxu Sect’s Land of Spirit Refining. When it sank underground, it underwent a strange transformation. It now connects to a subterranean cavern that contains the Profound Ice Black Fiend, which periodically blows out the Profound Ice Black Killing Wind. This wind is extremely dangerous. If it hits you, your Qi and Blood will freeze solid, and you’ll almost certainly fall from the bridge! You won’t even leave a complete corpse behind!"
