Chapter 64: The Tenfold Frozen Demonic Path

“Fellow cultivator, please proceed to the seventh trial,” the old man said calmly, his hands pressing down upon the strings of the zither.

Pang Yue nodded in acknowledgment and ascended the cliff.

Behind the old man, not far away, stood a gateway. Beyond it lay yet another grand hall.

Han Yu arrived silently, following Pang Yue into the final trial.

“What is the test in this round?” Pang Yue composed himself and looked at Han Yu.

Han Yu replied, “The demonic path is one of ruthlessness. If you wish to witness our sect’s legacy, you must enter the other halls and claim the heads of three cultivators as an offering to this temple. Then, the inheritance will reveal itself.”

Pang Yue paused, then understood.

“You’re simply afraid the orthodox sects might obtain your legacy, aren’t you?”

Han Yu smiled faintly. “Any cultivator who obtains our sect’s arts, should they lack a heart of utter detachment, will never be able to master them.”

Pang Yue chuckled coldly. “That’s not difficult. Just tell me how to get out.”

With a wave of her hand, Han Yu caused three portals to appear at the center of the hall.

“Please, fellow cultivator.”

Pang Yue’s figure blurred, transforming into a streak of sword light that vanished into one of the portals.

Before long, the sword light returned.

A cultivator’s severed head tumbled to the ground—it was an inner disciple of the Demon Sigil Sect’s Thunder Demon Hall.

The sword light shot into the second portal.

Moments later, it returned with another head.

Then, it entered the third portal.

This time, it was gone longer.

When the sword light came back, the head it brought was none other than that of Zhang Xiao, Pang Yue’s recent companion.

Zhang Xiao’s eyes were wide open, empty and lifeless, unable to find rest even in death. This man, who cherished beauty and grace, ultimately fell to the hands of one merciless in their destruction.

Pang Yue sheathed his sword light and looked again at Han Yu.

“Fairy, may I now behold your sect’s inheritance?”

Han Yu smiled softly. Without hesitation, she loosened her robes, letting her garments slip to the floor.

In the next instant, her jade-like fingers tapped gently, and the three Demon Sigil Sect disciples’ heads exploded simultaneously, transforming into blood mist that drifted toward her bare body.

The crimson mist touched her skin, white and lustrous as mutton fat jade, and immediately transformed into countless characters, each the size of a grain of rice, covering every inch of her flesh.

Together, these characters formed the Primordial Soul Dao of the ancient Nine Nether Demon Sect—the Tenfold Frost Demon Path!

In truth, the so-called inheritance had always been at Pang Yue’s side.

Pang Yue gazed intently at the markings upon Han Yu, frowning. This cultivation method was impossible to memorize; after seeing it, it left no trace in his mind.

Han Yu spoke, “Fellow cultivator, this legacy can only be comprehended. Whatever you grasp here, you will remember once you leave.”

“From this moment, you have three days.”

…

Outside the ruins.

The cliffs soared skyward, snow and wind swirling in the air.

Several figures appeared out of thin air.

Meng Zitao glanced around and smiled at one of the group, an old man with the bearing of an immortal sage.

“Senior Brother Hong, I didn’t expect to see you emerge as well.”

Hong Ren sighed and shook his head. “Fate has not favored me in this place. Junior Brother, which trial blocked your path?”

Meng Zitao gave a wry smile. “The fourth trial, the test of divine abilities. To think, they forbade the use of magic treasures—only magical tools were allowed…”

“And you, Senior Brother Hong?”

“The fifth trial. My skills at the board were lacking—I lost three games in succession,” Hong Ren replied, looking disheartened.

“In that case, we’d best seek our fortunes elsewhere before the cold wave descends,” Meng Zitao suggested.

Hong Ren nodded, about to agree, when he noticed Meng Zitao’s jade pendant flashing with red light and quickly called out, “Junior Brother Meng, your pendant…”

Meng Zitao looked down, his expression changing at once.

This jade pendant, bestowed by his family’s ancestor, could warn of danger and had saved him many times. But now, the red light flickered faster than ever before!

“This is bad!”

Meng Zitao scanned the surroundings, seeing only desolate wind and snow. The Demon Sigil Sect disciples who had emerged with them had already gone off in search of Ice Soul Snow Lotus and other treasures.

“There must be some change in the secret realm—we should leave at once!”

He muttered, then turned to Hong Ren. “Senior Brother Hong, this place is no longer safe. I plan to return to the outside world. What will you do?”

Hong Ren’s expression shifted slightly; after a moment’s thought, he said, “You have your ways of survival—even a Golden Core would not faze you. For you to be so wary, it must be a peril even I cannot face. I’ll go with you.”

“No treasure is worth risking one’s life for.”

With a chuckle, he made up his mind.

Meng Zitao nodded, looking at the sheer cliff with worry. “I only wonder about Ye Xue… Ah, we can’t worry about that now. Let’s get out first!”

Without further delay, the two performed secret arts and left the Frozen Domain, returning to an unnamed island in the Eastern Sea.

…

Three days later.

Pang Yue’s figure flickered and appeared atop a jade platform outside the palace.

Two others appeared alongside him—both women.

One possessed an air of regal grace, dressed in splendid robes, her beauty dazzling: this was Luo Qingyuan, a true disciple of the Flame Demon Hall.

The other shone with cold, peerless beauty—Ye Xue of the Ice Demon Hall, the most promising contender in this expedition.

After manifesting, Ye Xue’s exquisite face showed a trace of regret, her beautiful eyes lingering deeply on the great hall.

Luo Qingyuan, open and forthright by nature, smiled and said, “It seems only the three of us have gained the chance to comprehend the inheritance this time. How did you fare?”

Ye Xue frowned. “Three days is far too short to unravel such a profound technique. I managed at best to grasp half of it, enough to cultivate to the Golden Core realm.”

Luo Qingyuan exclaimed in admiration, “No wonder the Ice Demon Hall Master holds you in such esteem—my efforts only yielded thirty percent understanding.”

Both women turned to Pang Yue.

“I, too, only comprehended thirty percent—enough to reach the later stages of Foundation Establishment at most,” Pang Yue replied calmly.

Luo Qingyuan’s eyes sparkled as she laughed. “You passed all seven trials and already have the makings of a true disciple. When you return, you should apply for the true disciple assessment.”

“Thank you, Senior Sister. I’ll count on your guidance in the future,” Pang Yue said, bowing respectfully.

Luo Qingyuan asked, “With the mission over and seven or eight days until the cold wave arrives, will you two stay here to cultivate, or explore the secret realm?”

Ye Xue replied without hesitation, “I’ll remain here to organize my gains.”

Pang Yue considered—he had already gained much. Perhaps it would be best to take advantage of the abundant spiritual energy here and cultivate, saving a great deal of time.

“I’ll cultivate as well.”

Luo Qingyuan nodded. “Then I won’t disturb you. Until we meet again!”

With that, her figure flickered and she departed the ruins.

Ye Xue glanced at Pang Yue and said, “Do as you please, fellow Daoist,” then found a grassy spot, sat cross-legged, and took out a jade slip to study.

Pang Yue walked to the lake before the palace and chose a spot where the spiritual energy was thick.

Upon the lake, flowers bloomed ten feet tall, their lotus roots as large as boats.

The lotus leaves spread like a vast green carpet over the water.

Pang Yue alighted in the center of a giant lotus, silently organizing the fruits of his previous efforts.