The massive structures seemed to be hewn from ice, foggy mists swirling over them. They were stunningly beautiful, like a mortal realmâs heavenly paradise.
Mid-air, various pavilions appeared sprightly. Doors and windows were aplenty, not resembling sculptures, but rather like places once inhabited by people.
âWhatâ¦What place is this?â
âI didnât expect such a grand place to be within the Ice Cave. It seems to have been here for tens of thousands of years. Although a bit dilapidated, you can still see how magnificent it was in its prime.â
âCarving such a massive complex within this icy world is truly a work of divine craftsmanship. If it had been a common craftsman, even a hundred years would not have been enough to complete it.â
âLook! In the center, the largest structure looks like an open gateway to a grand hall!â
Everyone present was astonished, their discussion growing louder. Even the Ancient tribe members ahead looked terrified at the scene unfolding before them. Under the hushed whispers, a portion of them went towards Hua Youyue and the others.
âEveryone, this was originally the ancestral land of my Ancient tribe. We are going to hold the Heaven Opening ceremony, so please wait outside!â
His words were polite, but the elderly man of the Ancient tribe seemed arrogant. It appeared more like he was demanding rather than requesting.
Old Ghost Hei gave a sneer, saying to the elderly man, âElder of the Ancient tribe, just because you say we should leave doesnât mean we will. What if you enter this monument after we leave?â
âYes, how do we know youâre conducting the Heaven Opening ceremony or looking for heritage inside the ruins?â
âExactly, we wonât go. You want to open the heavens? Fine. Weâll stay here, watch you do it. Once you finish, when everything is settled, then we can discuss entering the ruins.â
âThis monument was found by all of us. What right do you have to ask us to leave? Your Ancient tribe is too arrogant!â
The crowd was filled with righteous indignation. All of them were dissatisfied with the elderly man from the Ancient tribe. Despite the accusations, no one intended to leave. Instead, they moved closer, ready for a battle at a momentâs notice.
Palace Master Liu and Peak Master Mo exchanged a glance. Peak Master Mo intervened, âElder, this monument just appeared and itâs already causing a commotion. The news mustâve reached the entire Northern Island by now, and everyone is rushing over. Asking us to leave now wonât stand.â
The old man snorted, âIt was merely a courtesy reminder from me. Itâs up to you to leave or stay!â
Palace Master Liu showed a half-smiling expression, âElder, you went a bit far with that, didnât you?â
âI have said all I have to say. You decide what to do next!â The old man gave a cold snort, glanced at Hua Youyue, and turned to speak to the people next to him âHas the Holy Woman returned?â
The young man beside him nodded, âThe Holy Woman just returned, butâ¦â
âBut what?â asked the old man, frowning.
âJunior Brother Fu seems to be seriously injured. He woke up just a while ago and fell into a trance. He locked himself in a cave and wouldnât come out. It seemed as if he had suffered a terrific blow.â
âOh?â The old man was taken aback. âYong Lin is level-headed and of good mentality, how could he have suffered such a blow?â
âThisâ¦â The young man glanced around and whispered, âItâs rumored that a foreign Tribulation Crossing Period Practitioner⦠stripped him of his clothesâ¦â
âBastard!â The old man turned furious, asking the young man, âIs this Tribulation Crossing Period Practitioner male or female?â
âItâsâ¦a man!â
âWhat?â The elder was stunned, then flew into a rage. He vented in the language of the Ancient tribe, his mustache and eyebrows quivering in anger. Finally, he snorted, âLetâs not worry about Yong Lin for now. Iâll visit him later. Ask the Holy Woman to come here. Weâll start the Heaven Opening Ceremony now.â
âElder, what aboutâ¦â
The elder snorted, âIgnore these people who donât know their limits!â
âYes!â
Among the crowd, Mo Xueling was looking at the old man with a sense of uncertainty. Especially after the old man turned back, her face changed. She said to Peak Master Mo beside her, âI have a disturbing feeling about that old man.â
Peak Master Mo, baffled, asked, âWhat kind of feeling?â
âHis aura seems filled with intense evil energy,â Mo Xueling hesitated to say.
Hua Youyue nodded in agreement, âThe people of the Ancient Tribe mostly carry this deadly aura. It has something to do with their cultivation methods.â âWhy is that?â Palace Master Liu asked curiously from the crowd.
Hua Youyue lightly furrowed her brows, âTheir cultivation methods involve tempering the body and are excessively aggressive, so the evil aura on their bodies increases over time.â
âNo wonder thatâs the case!â Old Ghost Hei looked surprised at the ancient tribespeople and snorted coldly, âTruly a group of barbaric people!â
While the group was talking, the old man from the Ancient Tribe had returned to his people. Rows of people were moving back and forth in front of the ice sculpture, which was very lifelike, mapping out some kind of glyph.
The ice sculpture was incredibly realistic and lifelike, especially the pale blue aura circulating within it. The overwhelming ominous aura it was giving off was so chilling and horrifying.
If Yang Zhen were here, he would definitely notice that the resemblance between the ice sculpture and Little Ice was uncanny. However, Little Ice had a more icy and pure look, while the sculpture gave off an eerie vibe.
Old Ghost Hei and the others looked at the busy Ancient Tribe members and marveled at their surprise. âTrue to their name as an ancient race with a long legacy. Even just this one prohibition far surpasses us.â
Shang Yao nodded, âFor so many years, even though we knew there was a female ice sculpture in the Ice Cave of the North Garden, we didnât know it was the saintess of the Ancient Tribe. No one has been able to approach within ten feet of the ice sculpture, yet they can move freely around it.â
Old Ghost Hei snorted, âNow Iâm not so interested in their so-called opening of the heavens. I just want to enter the relics once they have completed their task.â
Shang Yao looked shocked and looked at the relic, âI didnât expect that the tremendous aura erupting from the North Gardenâs Ice Cave was actually caused by this Ice Palace Cluster. Itâs truly a remarkable piece of craftsmanship. I canât imagine what terrifying presence this relic might have.â
Palace Master Liu and Peak Master Mo exchanged glances, âIt most likely existed even before the Ancient Tribe chose this location as their ancestral land?â
A shudder ran through everyoneâs body at their words.
The Ancient Tribe members were likewise shocked at the sight of the Ice Palace Cluster, apparently unaware of its existence as well. Thus, it was as Liu Palace Master had said, this mysterious Ice Palace Cluster had been here even before the Ancient Tribe had settled on this location.
âHowever, we donât know exactly when the Saintess of the Ancient Tribe chose this place as her ancestral land!â Everyone was filled with regrets.
What a magnificent era that must have been, one that we could not even touch let alone see with our own eyes.
Meanwhile, True Chicken and the Cat had stealthily infiltrated the Ice Cave, but they were unsure of their next move.
âDamn it, there are so many forks in the road here, which way should we go?â Tomcat was completely lost as he looked at the array of caves before him.
Yang Zhen took a deep breath and said, âNow itâs time for this Sao Saint to step up.â
âDo you have a plan?â Monkey and Chicken asked eagerly.
Yang Zhen nodded, then he yanked a feather off Chickenâs tail.
âOuch???? !â
Chicken squawked and shot him a furious glance, ready to scratch at him at any moment.
âDonât be so stingy!â Yang Zhen rolled his eyes and held the feather in his hand. After swaying it around, he blew it forward, and the feather started to drift gently to the ground.
âDamn boy, so your plan was this?â The cat was dumbfounded and completely bewildered.
Yang Zhen looked smug, âNever underestimate this method, itâs scientifically reliable.â
âWhat scientific justification?â Monkey and Chicken clearly hadnât heard of this before.
âThe first law of Nicholas Yang!â Yang Zhen assured them with utmost seriousness.