Another Cliche Cultivation Story

The Ardent Region is a realm of bitter cold. As the three of them flew further and further north, there was a noticeable drop in temperature and the heavy snowfall made it harder to see. Just the journey here would’ve been difficult for anyone who came unprepared.

A gigantic iceberg the size of a mountain can be seen in the distance shrouded by a freezing mist. It was situated in the middle of the ocean, seemingly isolated from the rest of the world. An entire city was meticulously carved out from the ice, from the buildings to the roads.

This is the Ardent Yin Sect.

The trio floated in the air observing the scene in front of them.

Xia Lihua pointed toward four tall towers that visually stood out, “What are those places?”

“They’re the First, Second, and Third Yin Pavilion. It’s where the Pavilion Masters of the sect stay. They’re equivalent to the Hall Masters of the Arcane Mountain. As for the tower with the snowflake on top, that is the Core Yin Pavilion, it’s where the Sect Master resides.” Xiao Yueyin explained before letting out a sigh.

“Unfortunately, the First Yin Pavilion hasn’t been in use for a long time.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because the First Yin Pavilion Master, Senior Fang Yu, was seriously injured while she was on a mission outside, and she hasn’t woken up since. Due to her condition, she was moved to the Core Yin Pavilion so the Sect Master can look after her.”

“I see.” Xia Lihua nodded with an expression of understanding, “You called her Senior, is she in the Holy realm?”

“Yes. She’s at the Middle Stage of the Holy realm.”

“That’s odd. If I remembered correctly, Guo Xinyi is the Third Yin Pavilion Master but she’s only at the Eighth Life Destruction. How did she get her title with such a big disparity in strength?”

Xiao Yueyin shook her head, “It’s complicated but in summary, Xinyi inherited the position from the previous Third Yin Pavilion Master. Many people in the sect were naturally opposed to this but in the end, the decision came down to the Sect Master, and she allowed it.

“With the amount of pressure on her shoulders, Xinyi is determined to break through to the Ninth Life Destruction before advancing toward the Holy realm…”

She hesitated before looking at the man next to her.

“Ji Xian, I was wondering if… Ji Xian?”

“…”

“Ji Xian?”

“…”

Xia Lihua and Xiao Yueyin glanced at each other. Ji Xian has been silently looking at the snowfall for a while now. With the veil on his face, his expression was hard to make out but it was obvious something wasn’t right with him.

Seeing how he was in such a daze, Xia Lihua reached out her hand and gently stroked his face causing him to wake up from his stupor.

“What is it?” She asked softly.

“Ah… nothing. I just really like the snow, that’s all.” Ji Xian calmly smiled, “This place is… quite beautiful.”

“…”

Xia Lihua stared at him. Although he tried to hide it, she can tell something was on his mind.

His eyes… was that nostalgia?

She suddenly remembered that she doesn’t know anything about his past.

Seeing that Ji Xian didn’t want to tell her, she didn’t force it. She held his hand and tightened her grip, as though telling him that she’d be there for him when he needed it.

On the side, Xiao Yueyin quietly watched all this. When Xia Lihua grabbed Ji Xian’s hand, she subconsciously wanted to reach out and hold his other hand but she quickly stopped herself. She stared at their linked hands and a tinge of jealousy clenched at her heart.

Ji Xian shook his head and laughed before looking at her, “If you wanted to ask if you can teach Guo Xinyi about that method, then go for it. I trust you know what you’re doing.”

Xiao Yueyin nodded seriously, “Thank you.”

More than three months ago, when Ji Xian emerged from the Formatic located in the ocean after having dealt with the two Graha brothers and sealed the Chaos Tunnel, he advised her to not be in a rush to break through to the Holy realm and then he passed on some information to her before leaving.

What he gave Xiao Yueyin was a method on how to exercise a cultivator’s Will!

She had kept this method close at heart and hadn’t told anyone about it. Xiao Yueyin had plans to use this method to assist her in tackling the Tenth Life Destruction but now she no longer needs it. She has a different mindset, now. She was confident in herself. To her, the Life Destruction realm is nothing! Nothing can shake her Dao Heart, not even the Rejection!

“Then…” Xiao Yueyin fiddled with her fingers, “Can I get your help to make it?”

“Depends.” Ji Xian grinned and leaned forward, putting his face close to hers. “What will I get in return?”

Xiao Yueyin blushed, “I..uh..” She wanted to take a step back to distance herself but hesitated. Suddenly, the image of Xia Lihua appeared in her mind and she took a deep breath before straightening her back. She looked at Ji Xian and maintained eye contact with him while her lips curved into a sweet confident smile.

“If you’ll help, then I, the Dragon Saintess will owe you one!” She said haughtily.

Xia Lihua’s eyes widened when she saw the air around her change. She gently looked at Xiao Yueyin and subtly nodded in approval.

Ji Xian snickered, “That doesn’t mean much to me.”

“Then what do you want?”

“Hmm.” He looked at her up and down until she felt uncomfortable, “I want…”

Xiao Yueyin’s heart raced, but her expression didn’t change.

“Enough, Ji Xian. Stop teasing her.” Xia Lihua interrupted, “We’ve wasted enough time, let’s go.”

She grabbed Xiao Yueyin and pulled her away.

Ji Xian chuckled before following them.

A short while later, they landed before the entrance to the Ardent Yin Sect. In front of them was a tall gate that was connected to a thick wall made entirely of ice that encircles the sect. Even high-level sea beasts wouldn’t have any hopes of penetrating it with how sturdy it looks.

Unexpectedly, there was a group of scholarly-looking men also waiting in line to get in. Each of them has an assistant at their side carrying a medicinal box that was strapped to their shoulder.

Xiao Yueyin looked at them with a thoughtful expression, “Is it that time already…?”

When she saw Ji Xian and Xia Lihua looking at her, she explained, “Once a year, Senior Fang Yu’s injuries will suddenly worsen so the Sect Master would invite renowned doctors from all over Mortal Desolate to assist in relieving her pain.“

“Is that the Dragon Saintess?” A voice cried out in amazement not long after she finished speaking. It came from someone in the group of scholarly-looking men.

This wasn’t surprising. Xiao Yueyin wasn’t wearing a veil so her beautiful appearance was naturally exposed. Not to mention Xia Lihua was also standing next to her. With the combination of their lethal beauty, it was hard not to notice them.

The voice created a chain reaction causing everyone within the vicinity to look at their group.

One of the disciples guarding the gate approached them, “Saintess Yueyin?”

She was a little hesitant. Not many people have seen the Dragon Saintess’s face since she always hides it, and the black robe she was currently wearing didn’t seem to belong to the Arcane Mountain.

It was only when Xiao Yueyin flashed a badge with an image of two moving mountains was the disciple certain of her identity.

“Greetings, Saintess Yueyin.” The disciple respectfully bowed. Her actions caused an uproar.

“Holy crap! That was really the Dragon Saintess?” The voice from earlier cried out once more, “I was just guessing before!”