Chapter 552: Wu Gongzhu Makes a Move

It was the same as the Heavenly Mechanisms encountered in the Witch Soul Tomb.

Some professions, though not as famous as formation masters, created things that were no weaker than formations.

Otherwise, they couldn't have established their own schools and passed down their knowledge for so long without declining.

“There must be something affecting the mind and maintaining the alternating cold and heat in this room, creating such a realistic illusion!”

It wasn't a formation, yet it could produce such a realistic illusion, even making the soul and body unable to distinguish reality. There must be some treasure or special force maintaining it, just as formations require spiritual energy to operate.

“Flaw!”

Understanding the situation, his spirit returned to his body, and his fingers carefully traced the walls and floor of the Ice-Fire Room.

Before long, a book appeared in his mind.

“So that's it…”

After reading its contents, Zhang Xuan smiled slightly and understood.

“Source Fire Ice Plain: first, there must be Source Fire, then an Ice Plain. The fusion of the two produces such a strange phenomenon… According to the orientation, it should be here!”

He measured the room for a while, then went to a corner, made a fake, and tapped several points in sequence.

Crack!

With the sound of a mechanism opening, a hole appeared before him.

It was a pitch-black bottomless pit, of unknown depth.

“Let's go down and take a look!”

Others facing such an unfathomable pit would be unable to descend, but he possessed the Red Dust Heaven-Stepping Steps, allowing him to fly without fear.

He leaped straight down, descending for a while before flying to slow his speed, with little energy expenditure. After falling several thousand meters, he finally set foot on solid ground.

It was an underground cavern, extremely spacious, stretching beyond sight. Ahead was a small pool, only about two meters in diameter, but like the yin-yang fish of the Taiji, half flowed with boiling magma, half floated with ice.

The surrounding spiritual energy, stirred by it, was very active. The palace above was already excellent, but compared to here, it was several times inferior.

“Could this be the Yin-Yang Pool?”

His heart stirred.

Could this be the Yin-Yang Pool?

If not, how could there be such a strange thing, with yin and yang mutually generating, fire and cold alternating?

But… if it were, how could it be so small?

Two meters in diameter, probably only enough for one person to enter, two would be a bit crowded.

After all, cultivation is not bathing; without absolute trust, one cannot cultivate peacefully at such close quarters.

If the Yin-Yang Pool were only this size, the Ice Plain Palace wouldn't be so famous.

It had nurtured countless disciples who cultivated yin and yang and were quite powerful.

“Let's see what's going on…”

He approached and lightly touched the pool with his palm.

Whoosh!

A book appeared in his mind.

“Source Fire Ice Plain Mother Water: Created by the Ice Plain Palace people using special methods to seal the earth veins and generate Source Fire, then fused with a special substance [Ice Plain]. Very rare. Disadvantages: 1. Requires dedicated maintenance, otherwise easily damaged…”

The text was densely packed with content.

He finished reading the book's records.

“Indeed, it's not the Yin-Yang Pool… I thought I'd found it!”

He shook his head.

He thought he had directly found the Yin-Yang Pool, but it seemed not so simple. The Yin-Yang Pool was the most important thing in the Ice Plain Palace; how could he easily find it and enter without anyone guarding it?

According to the description in the Library of Heaven's Path, this thing called [Source Fire Ice Plain Mother Water] was created by the Ice Plain Palace people sealing the earth vein lava to generate Source Fire, then combining it with [Ice Plain].

As for what Ice Plain was, he originally thought it was just a plain covered in ice and snow, but now it seemed it should be a special substance like Source Fire.

A name for a special ice-attribute item.

“Earlier, Hall Master Kang said this place was originally a Flame Mountain, later turned into a snow-covered land… The root cause should be here.”

On the way here, Hall Master Kang had given a detailed introduction.

This place was a sea of fire, scorching hot, with no vegetation.

The Ice Plain Palace people transformed it into a land covered in heavy snow.

If he wasn't mistaken, this small pool was the cause.

The pool covered the earth vein that released heat and suppressed it with Ice Plain, preventing heat from dissipating. For such a high mountain, according to nature's laws, being covered by snow was only a matter of time.

This was like a volcano being too hot for anyone to approach; by using great means to seal the erupting magma, the temperature would naturally drop over time.

“This thing can create illusions, indicating it affects the soul… What if my witch soul enters it?”

An idea came to mind.

Although this thing wasn't the Yin-Yang Pool, it was certain to affect the cultivator's soul. In that case… would trying with his witch soul yield better results?

“Let's try!”

He acted on the impulse without hesitation; after all, it was part of the assessment, not an unauthorized decision.

He sat cross-legged on the spot, moved his spirit, and his witch soul left his body, flying straight toward the pool before him.

Sizzle sizzle sizzle!

Once inside, cold currents and heat surged into it, making his soul feel as if it had fallen into a cauldron of oil, enduring great torment.

However, along with the torment, his soul became clearer and stronger.

“Not bad!”

Zhang Xuan nodded with satisfaction.

He used the Heaven's Path Soul-Enticing Art, which made his soul fierce and unafraid of yin and yang, freely devouring such powerful energy. Any other witch soul master would probably be refined by the water's heat before even approaching.

Even… not only other witch soul masters, but even Harmonious Spirit realm experts who cultivated true energy would find their physical bodies easily shattered by such alternating heat and cold, unable to withstand it.

However, the soul was formless and immaterial, unlike porcelain or steel, which naturally contract and expand when encountering heat or cold, eventually leading to breakage.

In other words, this Source Fire Ice Plain Water was just right for him to cultivate his witch soul; no one else could do it.

“Absorb energy…”

Understanding this, he laughed heartily. The witch soul hovering above the pool opened its mouth wide, and the alternating cold and heat energy below immediately surged into it like a hurricane.

The Heaven's Path Witch Soul Art operated at full speed, causing his cultivation to change constantly.

Crack!

The sound of a barrier breaking rang out. In a few breaths, his soul power rose from the previous Mortal Transcendence Second Layer peak to Third Layer initial.

Moreover, as the art operated, the yin-yang power below continued to be wildly drawn, causing his witch soul to surge at an even faster rate.

Mortal Transcendence Third Layer initial!

Third Layer mid!

Third Layer late!

…

Absorbing the yin-yang power from the pool, his cultivation skyrocketed, even twice as fast as absorbing spiritual energy.

“This pool, with yin and yang intersecting, cold and heat clashing, complements the Heaven's Path art perfectly, hence the rapid progress…”

Zhang Xuan knew the reason for the fast cultivation speed.

The Great Way is one, one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, three gives birth to all things.

The Heaven's Path art was condensed from countless techniques, containing the principles of heaven and earth, while the pool before him was like the yin-yang changes of heaven and earth, the fusion of yin and yang qi…

The combination doubled his cultivation speed.

However, this doubling didn't have a huge effect on him.

After all, even when absorbing spirit stones, he could easily break through a major level in an hour; doubling it only meant he increased a major level in half an hour.

It wasn't as exaggerated as one might imagine.

Of course, this was also because his cultivation was too abnormal; for others, doubling their cultivation speed would make them laugh in their dreams.

Rumble!

After an unknown time, his soul power shook violently, and Zhang Xuan stopped.

Mortal Transcendence Fourth Layer peak… reached!

In less than an hour, his witch soul strength had risen from Mortal Transcendence Second Layer peak to Fourth Layer peak, a full two major levels!

Mortal Transcendence Fourth Layer, the Turbid Clarity realm, with power increasing from 800,000 cauldrons at the Yin-Yang realm to 1,000,000 cauldrons.

Each minor level in this stage added 200,000 cauldrons of power, meaning at the Fourth Layer peak, his witch soul alone possessed a full 1,600,000 cauldrons! (Turbid Clarity initial: 1,000,000; mid: 1,200,000; late: 1,400,000; peak: 1,600,000.)

Combined with his true energy of 400,000 cauldrons, with 2,000,000 cauldrons of power, even Hall Master Kang would be no match and could be easily defeated!

Powerful!

Such rapid cultivation increase was something he had never expected.

However, since the witch soul profession was already extinct, he should use this power as little as possible.

Otherwise, all kinds of trouble would come one after another, annoying him to death.

“Return!”

Having reached his limit, Zhang Xuan stopped, his soul returned to his body, and he stood up with a light shake.

He looked at the pool before him; the once yin-yang intertwined water now seemed no different from ordinary stream water, the yin-yang qi within it completely drained by him.

His soul was also twice as large as a normal Mortal Transcendence Fourth Layer peak witch soul master; once it left his body, it would be over three meters tall, hard for two ordinary people to match.

“I didn't expect it to be over an hour; let's go out first!”

Calculating the time, Zhang Xuan felt a bit embarrassed.

The Ice-Fire Room assessment required leaving within an hour to qualify for the Yin-Yang Pool. He had messed around for over an hour; even if he went out now, he probably wouldn't pass.

Hall Master Kang had worked so hard, even willing to give up his own students to let him enter… He wondered if seeing this scene would make him faint on the spot.

“Forget it, I won't think too much!”

With greatly increased soul power and cultivation, he was already satisfied. He stopped dwelling on it, activated the Red Dust Heaven-Stepping Steps, stepped lightly in the void, and flew straight upward.

His true energy cultivation had reached Mortal Transcendence Second Layer late, much stronger than when he first learned this technique. Back then, he could only stay in the air for a few breaths before falling; now, he could fly for over ten minutes.

A distance of several thousand meters was not difficult for him.

After a dozen breaths, he returned to the Ice-Fire Room, tapped a few spots where he had been, and the mechanism on the ground closed.

After confirming everything was in order, he straightened his clothes and pushed the door open to leave.

As he stepped out, he saw Wu Gongzhu, Hall Master Kang, and the others anxiously waiting at the door, looking as if they would rush in if he didn't appear soon.

“Master Zhang, are you alright…”

Hall Master Kang looked at him with concern.

“I'm fine,” Zhang Xuan shook his head.

“Then you…” Ruohuan Gongzi looked puzzled. Since he was fine, why didn't he come out earlier? Now, having exceeded an hour, he had lost the qualification to enter the Yin-Yang Pool…

Wu Gongzhu was also curious.

Earlier, both Ruohuan Gongzi and Zhao Ya had come out within the time limit but were somewhat disheveled. This Master Zhang, however, was not only uninjured but his clothes were as smooth as new, as if he had just gone in…

What was going on?

This situation usually only occurred with geniuses who broke the illusion very early; otherwise, indulging in the illusion and being attacked by yin-yang power would damage even the clothes, even if the body was unharmed.

“Oh, I felt the yin-yang power in the room was quite good, so I cultivated a bit. I got carried away and forgot the time…”

Zhang Xuan said awkwardly.

He couldn't mention the witch soul matter, so he glossed over the truth. However, when the others heard this, they nearly staggered and spat blood.

Cultivating in… a place like the Ice-Fire Room, which was meant to test people?

Others entered thinking only of how to endure, but this guy actually found it a good place and cultivated until he forgot the time…

Was that true?

“The Ice-Fire Room has special mechanisms that trap one in an illusion upon entry… How could one cultivate?”

Wu Gongzhu frowned.

“It was just a fluke…” Zhang Xuan shook his head, not dwelling on the matter, and changed the subject: “Does this count as passing?”

“The Ice-Fire Room assessment requires leaving within an hour to pass. You… even if you cultivated and forgot the time, coming out after an hour means you fail…”

Wu Gongzhu shook her head.

Although she wanted this person to succeed, the rules of the Ice Plain Palace could not be broken.

Coming out after an hour, regardless of the reason, counted as failure, with no qualification to enter the Yin-Yang Pool.

“Alright…”

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

He had guessed this result when he knew he had exceeded an hour. However, he hadn't had high hopes for the Yin-Yang Pool, and with his soul power greatly improved, he wasn't too disappointed.

“I am willing to give my spot to Teacher…”

Zhao Ya said anxiously.

“No need!”

Seeing her like this, Zhang Xuan waved his hand: “To be honest, the Yin-Yang Pool isn't very useful for me. For you, with your pure yin constitution, cultivating there will bring an astonishing transformation.”

“But…”

“What? Don't you listen to your teacher anymore?” Zhang Xuan frowned.

“No, it's just…”

“No 'just'! Since you listen, go with Wu Gongzhu to the Yin-Yang Pool and cultivate well, striving to activate your constitution!”

Interrupting her, Zhang Xuan looked ahead: “Gongzhu, since I'm not qualified for the Yin-Yang Pool, please take Zhao Ya and Ruohuan Gongzi there. Hall Master Kang and I will wait here…”

“Mm.”

Seeing that Master Zhang didn't insist on going despite failing, Wu Gongzhu breathed a sigh of relief and called out: “You two, follow me.”

“Yes…”

Seeing her teacher angry, Zhao Ya dared not say more and followed Wu Gongzhu. Ruohuan Gongzi also followed, casting a look of admiration at Master Zhang as he left.

Passing meant passing, failing meant failing—no fuss, no relying on favors to make Wu Gongzhu break the rules. Truly worthy of being someone admired by his teacher, with the demeanor and decisiveness of a renowned master.

“Master Zhang, this opportunity… what a pity!”

Seeing the three leave, Hall Master Kang couldn't help but sigh.

The Yin-Yang Pool, with its clashing cold and heat, was extremely beneficial for cultivators at the Origin Energy and Yin-Yang realms. Otherwise, they wouldn't have gone to such lengths to bring in a selected master.

Originally, he thought Master Zhang would definitely pass the assessment, but who knew… he failed!

If he could enter the Yin-Yang Pool, with his performance in the selection, his chances of standing out and breaking into the top ten in the master competition would greatly increase.

But now… with only Mortal Transcendence Second Layer initial, success was almost impossible!

Before leaving the Ten Thousand Kingdoms City, Zhang Xuan had already broken through to Mortal Transcendence Second Layer late, but he always displayed it as initial to avoid being too conspicuous. Thus, even Hall Master Kang didn't know his strength had increased by several minor levels.

“It's nothing really…”

Zhang Xuan shook his head: “Since the Ice Plain Palace has rules, failure is failure; there's no need to dwell on it. If Hall Master Kang wants my cultivation to improve, it would be better to find more mid-grade spirit stones. I can exchange them for items of equivalent value.”

For him, who had mastered the Heaven's Path art, the Yin-Yang Pool or any heavenly treasures were not as useful as mid-grade spirit stones.

With enough spirit stones, improving cultivation was simple.

“Mid-grade spirit stones?” Hall Master Kang was startled: “I have a few. If they're useful to you, I can give them to you directly…”

As the hall master of the Master Teacher Hall, he had accumulated quite a few mid-grade spirit stones over the years, but he also needed them for his own cultivation and had consumed many. If he were to give them away, he wouldn't have many left.

But… if Master Zhang could achieve a ranking in the master competition, even going bankrupt would be worth it!

The Ten Thousand Kingdoms City Master Teacher Hall carried too much of his honor and effort. If he could break the previous record and produce a top-ten candidate, even if he spent all his money or died immediately, he could face his ancestors with a clear conscience.

“Give them to me?”

Zhang Xuan was taken aback, then understood the other's thoughts and silently admired him: “Hall Master Kang is too kind. Rest assured, I won't take your spirit stones for nothing…”

The other party had high integrity, but he couldn't take things for free without reciprocating.

Just as he was considering helping him with guidance later to find a way for him to break through to the Harmonious Spirit realm, he suddenly felt a violent aura shooting into the sky, as if a super-strong expert couldn't contain their anger and released their cultivation.

“It's Wu Gongzhu… Damn!”

Feeling this power, Hall Master Kang and Zhang Xuan's pupils constricted simultaneously.

They were very familiar with this aura—it was Wu Gongzhu's.

Why would she suddenly release such a powerful aura without restraint at this moment?

Could it be… that she intended to harm Ruohuan Gongzi and Zhao Ya?

She was a Fifth Layer Mortal Transformation powerhouse; if she truly made a move against the two of them, even combined, they would have absolutely no power to resist!

The gap in cultivation was too great!

"Let's go check it out!"

Their expressions changed, and with a low cry, the two of them simultaneously dashed straight toward the direction from which the aura emanated.