Chapter Fifty-Three: This Is a Treasure Found!

Chen Xiang first set up a mist array at the cave entrance. Many simple formations could be found in the comprehensive compendium of basic array techniques. Combined with his current status as an Earth-level Array Master, the formation he constructed, after some adjustments and repairs, possessed the strength of an initial Earth-level array. It was more than sufficient to trap cultivators below the Infant Transformation stage.

Although the Frozen Cave was bitterly cold and frigid beyond compare, it actually enhanced cultivation for those with ice and fire spiritual roots. Chen Xiang possessed both attributes, and immediately sensed the unusual activity of his spiritual roots. If he were to cultivate here, it would certainly yield twice the results with half the effort. Yet, since Chen Xiang upgraded without needing to cultivate himself, he felt indifferent.

The Frozen Cave was deep, and also had its own anti-flight restrictions—no flying allowed! Thus, Chen Xiang and his companion could only proceed on foot.

“Master, thank you!” Li Qiner suddenly murmured softly as they walked.

Chen Xiang turned to glance at her and burst into laughter. Li Qiner, wrapped in an electric blanket and wearing a bamboo hat, looked utterly comical. If one imagined her head with a sideways grin, she’d resemble a walking bedsheet joke!

Li Qiner was baffled by Chen Xiang’s sudden laughter. Had she said something wrong? It didn’t seem so—she had merely offered thanks.

Of course, Chen Xiang understood what she was thanking him for. Stifling his laughter, he replied solemnly, “Qiner, this is what I ought to do. Have you forgotten? We once promised to share the same bed and pillow! For you, I’d brave blades and flames without hesitation!”

Naturally, he left unsaid, “It’s so I can flirt with you in peace and walk to the pinnacle of life!”

“Mm, thank you,” Li Qiner echoed, paying no mind to his talk of braving dangers. Her attention lingered on those four words: “share the same bed.” She recalled how, back then, she’d said she was a wanderer with nowhere to go, and Chen Xiang had claimed the same, with heaven as his blanket and earth as his bed, inviting her to share the pillow. Thinking back, she still felt mortified by it!

After another half day’s journey, they finally reached the innermost depths of the Frozen Cave.

As expected, the Rainbow Eel had not deceived him—there were no restrictive arrays or demon beasts inside, only a pool of spring water.

In such a cold, frigid cave, the presence of a spring was extraordinary. Clearly, this spring was no ordinary water.

The spring pool was only a few meters wide, with many thick icicles above. The largest icicle was dripping water, which likely formed the pool below.

Chen Xiang approached the spring and dipped his hand into the water. Instantly, a bone-chilling cold froze his hand, leaving it utterly numb.

He quickly withdrew his hand, which shook uncontrollably, a thin layer of frost forming upon it.

“Master, are you all right?” Li Qiner hurried forward, concern in her voice.

Chen Xiang shook his head, saying, “I’m fine.” Spiritual power surged within him, activating his fire spiritual root and channeling fire energy into his palm. Yet the frost didn’t dissipate immediately, though it began to have some effect. Continued infusion of spiritual power was needed.

“What potent cold!” Chen Xiang exclaimed.

Suddenly, he had an idea and released his Crystal Flame, enveloping his hand completely.

The frost on his hand receded like a tide, while the cold within was absorbed by the Crystal Flame. He distinctly sensed the Crystal Flame grow slightly stronger.

“Incredible, this is a treasure!” Chen Xiang’s eyes lit up.

This chilling cold felt familiar—it was the same as the cold wind exhaled by the Rainbow Eel. The creature must have discovered this spring while imprisoned in the Frozen Cave, using it to cultivate. That explained the intense cold in its breath. As a seven-attribute beast with ice and water spiritual roots and a powerful constitution, it could certainly withstand such frigid conditions.

This was a great boon! Chen Xiang gazed at the spring with glowing eyes.

He wanted to immediately absorb the cold from the spring, but since he had yet to find the Millennial Cold Essence, he dared not touch anything just yet.

“System, do you know where the Millennial Cold Essence is?” Chen Xiang asked inwardly.

“Ding! System scan: Millennial Cold Essence exists beneath the Frozen Sky Spring. Collect now?”

“What?” Chen Xiang was stunned. It was hidden beneath the spring? Must it be so well concealed?

“Well, yes!” He had no other choice. Having just tested the spring’s power, venturing down to retrieve it would turn him into a popsicle.

“Ding! Congratulations, Host ‘Chen Xiang,’ Millennial Cold Essence collected successfully. Consumed 1,000 reputation points!”

Chen Xiang’s lips twitched, and he cursed, “Damn! It cost a thousand reputation points! Isn’t that excessive? Just collecting Millennial Cold Essence costs as much as a high-level Earth-grade martial skill. You’ll lose business this way, I’m telling you!”

Opening his pack, Chen Xiang was startled.

System, I apologize for my earlier words!

He saw a compartment displaying a jade marrow specimen, labeled Millennial Cold Essence, total: one pound!

Though one pound seemed little, Millennial Cold Essence was exceedingly precious. In the marketplace, one hundred drops cost ten thousand reputation points. One pound contained dozens of hundreds of drops, so the thousand-point collection fee was trivial in comparison!

Chen Xiang took a hundred drops, placed them in a jade vial, and handed it to Li Qiner.

“Qiner, this is Millennial Cold Essence. Quickly refine it to perfect your physique—I’ll start concocting pills!” Chen Xiang said.

“Ah? This… I…” Li Qiner was startled, even more so nervous. Finding Millennial Cold Essence so easily left her at a loss.

“No ‘this’ about it! Go on!” Chen Xiang shoved the jade vial into her hand.

“Alright… alright then!” Li Qiner nodded, no longer hesitating, and found a spot to sit cross-legged.

Watching her prepare, Chen Xiang felt a surge of excitement.

He returned to the spring. The system had detected this water as Frozen Sky Water—indeed, it possessed the power of the frozen heavens. Its temperature must be near absolute zero!

Chen Xiang wrapped his hand in Crystal Flame and plunged it into the Frozen Sky Water. Now that he’d found the Millennial Cold Essence, he couldn’t let such a great resource go unused.

As the Crystal Flame touched the spring, it erupted, the pale-white flames engulfing the entire pool.

Chen Xiang could clearly sense the Crystal Flame growing ever stronger, the cold it contained rising rapidly.

After half an hour, the Crystal Flame stopped absorbing cold. Chen Xiang finally withdrew it.

Satisfaction filled him as he examined the Crystal Flame, noting its increased whiteness and the cold it now emitted.

If he now unleashed his Fire Sea group attack skill, he felt confident he could wipe out an entire group of fifth-layer Nascent Soul cultivators!

Just then, a system prompt sounded, drawing Chen Xiang’s attention.

“Ding! Condensing Essence Water detected. Collect now?”

“To be continued…”