Soul Emperor Martial God

Led by a disciple of the sect,

A group of people continued on to the Cold Ice Pool.

Indeed, the deeper they went, the more terrifying the Cold Ice Aura became.

Toward the end, even those at the sixth and seventh layers of Mystic Breakthrough began to feel uncomfortable all over.

Seeing this, the sect disciple by their side suddenly chuckled.

He was there by the orders of an elder.

The Sword Sect Ice Pool had tremendous effect.

Opening it each time required the consumption of a great deal of high-grade Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

According to him, the purpose was to allow the Sword Masters and Sword Sect disciples to alleviate their fatigue.

Yet, using the Cold Ice Pool to relieve fatigue was unnecessary.

And not worth the vast amount of high-grade Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures it consumed.

In fact, this was a gift from the sect to the Sword Masters who were visiting for the first time.

However, receiving such a gift was naturally not so easy.

This trial of Cold Ice was merely a small test.

...

Before long, everyone had completely arrived at the Cold Ice Pool.

But at this moment, the surrounding cold aura disappeared in an instant.

The sect disciple explained, "There is a Prohibition around the Cold Ice Pool that can completely dissolve the cold aura."

"Inside the pool, there are also special concoctions prepared by the Sect Medicine Hall Elder to suppress the cold."

"Therefore, everyone can rest assured while soaking inside."

The Cold Ice Pool before them was very large.

Equivalent to a small lake.

Even if hundreds of people soaked in it simultaneously, it would not be crowded at all.

It is worth mentioning that

Cold Ice Pools in other Sword Sects could only be used for cultivation around the perimeter, utilizing the cold aura.

However, one can directly soak in the Sword Sect's Cold Ice Pool.

The effects of the two were, naturally, as different as heaven and earth.

At that moment, the sect disciple reminded them, "Only the 36 Sword Masters may enter the pool to soak."

"The other Sword Sect disciples will have to find a spot around the exterior of the Cold Ice Pool to meditate and cultivate."

This was the distinction between a Sword Master and a regular disciple.

Each opening of the Cold Ice Pool required investing a large quantity of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, consuming a substantial amount.

Furthermore, the more energy used,

The more will be needed for the next opening.

Naturally, ordinary Sword Sect disciples would not be allowed inside.

Of course, the Sword Sect Ice Pool was astonishingly effective.

Even if one only meditated around it, cultivating for one day here was equivalent to half a month outside.

The 36 Sword Masters entered the pool to soak.

The remaining disciples also began their meditation and cultivation.

The sect disciple nodded and said, "Everyone can peacefully cultivate here."

"In a day, I will come to wake you for the evaluation."

"We're grateful," everyone bowed in thanks.

...

The Cold Ice Pool emitted plumes of white vapor.

This was Cold Ice Earth Vein's cold air mixing with the power of high-grade Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

When no one was soaking inside,

This white vapor would drift around freely,

Gradually making the surrounding Spiritual Energy richer.

When someone was soaking, the vapor would automatically enter into the person's body,

Enhancing the soaker's Cultivation.

At the same time, the icy water inside the Cold Ice Pool

Could strengthen one's body.

And, the effect was the best during the first soak.

One day spent soaking inside could be worth months of cultivation.

The next time one soaked, the effect would not be as pronounced.

...

Among the 36 Sword Masters in the Cold Ice Pool,

5 or 6 were women, including Zhou Yueyao.

To avoid embarrassment, the remaining 30 Sword Masters considerately gathered to one side,

Leaving the other side to them,

Each occupying a half and keeping a separate distance.

Of course, the Cold Ice Pool was quite expansive.

Even with only half, there was more than enough room for 30 people.

Xiao Yi, not familiar with the other Sword Masters, swam independently to the farthest edge.

Within ten or so meters around him, there were no others.

However, just as he was preparing to start cultivating,

A figure quickly approached him.

It was Zhou Yueyao.

"Hey, are you Xiao Yi?" Zhou Yueyao blinked her big eyes and asked.

Xiao Yi feigned surprise and asked, "You know me?"

"Of course," Zhou Yueyao pouted and said, "Didn't the sect disciple just mention it?"

"I'm not deaf; how could I not know?"

"Oh, I see," Xiao Yi said with a smile.

"And you are?"

Xiao Yi, of course, knew who she was,

But as Xiao Yi himself, this was their first meeting.

Naturally, he had to inquire.

"I'm the Sword Master of Nine River, Zhou Yueyao," she said with a smile.

"Are you the one Yanran loves?"

"You're quite handsome."

"And strong, too."

"No wonder a proud girl like Yanran would fall for you."

Xiao Yi touched his nose awkwardly

And deliberately steered the conversation away, "We only have one day to soak in the Cold Ice Pool."

"You should hurry back to the other side to cultivate."

Zhou Yueyao said, "Not urgent, I came over to ask you something."

"I heard that Yanran's love for you was unrequited."

"What's the matter? Yanran comes from a good background, has high talent, and her beauty is unparalleled."

"Do you think a woman as extraordinary as her isn't worthy of you?"

"Do you have any idea how many talented young men are pursuing Yanran?"

"Just a few days ago, the Wanshan Sword Master, a genius well-known on the Flame Martial List, was desperately chasing her."

"If it weren't for Purple Flame Yi Xiao coming to the rescue,"

"Yanran might have been spirited away."

"Uh..." Xiao Yi's face was full of embarrassment; he didn't know what to say.

"Uh what?" Zhou Yueyao said seriously.

"But rest assured, from what I've observed, Purple Flame Yi Xiao seems to be a guy who's only passionate about martial arts."

"That guy is very cold-hearted and doesn't like Yanran."

"I advise you to win Yanran over as soon as possible."

"Otherwise, if Purple Flame changes his mind one day,"

"Do you think you can outcompete Purple Flame?"

Zhou Yueyao's string of remarks left Xiao Yi helplessly speechless.

Xiao Yi was in a hurry to continue his cultivation and said casually, "Didn't you say that Purple Flame Yi Xiao is a cold-hearted guy?"

"Only passionate about martial arts."

"No woman would fall for him, especially not Yanran."

"Besides, there are rumors that he wears a mask, and under that mask, he could very well be an ugly monster."

"So, don't worry about it, just go and focus on your cultivation."

Xiao Yi was just speaking casually.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Yueyao suddenly became excited and said, "Who said that no woman would like him?"

"Hmph, even though he wears a mask."

"But with a woman's intuition, I am confident that the face beneath his mask."

"is certainly not worse than your pretty boy face."

"I'm sure he's very handsome."

As she spoke, Zhou Yueyao's face was flushed with rosy thoughts.

Xiao Yi shook his head, about to leave on his own.

Zhou Yueyao grabbed him, "Hey, don't avoid the issue."

"Don't you like a rare gem like Yanran?"

"Are you blind?"

Xiao Yi frowned, then a teasing smile appeared on his face.

"You'll find out soon enough if I'm blind or not."

Saying this, Xiao Yi sized up Zhou Yueyao.

"Wow, slender as a willow, fair-skinned and beautiful, not bad at all."

Xiao Yi laughed strangely.

Zhou Yueyao's brows furrowed, following Xiao Yi's gaze.

She then realized that her clothes had become soaked in the Cold Ice Pool and were clinging provocatively.

A large expanse of her fair skin, along with her white arms and graceful neck, was temptingly exposed.

"Ah!" Zhou Yueyao exclaimed, "Pervert!"

Then, she quickly mobilized the True Qi within her body to press down her clothes.

Afterward, she glared fiercely at him, "To think you look respectable but turn out to be nothing but a philanderer."

Having said that, Zhou Yueyao quickly departed.

One must not use True Qi while soaking in the Cold Ice Pool.

Otherwise, it would block the absorption of the power within the Cold Ice Pool.

Zhou Yueyao left.

The teasing expression on Xiao Yi's face disappeared in an instant.

His expression turned helpless.

He then swam to one side, closer to the edge.

He began to cultivate in earnest.

However, he was not absorbing the power of the Cold Ice Pool into his body.

Instead, he used it to repair the Blood Slaughter Sword.

Xiao Yi quietly took out the Blood Slaughter Sword.

In the Cold Ice Pool, he was at the edge, and no one could discover him.

He had thought it through.

Although the Sword Sect Ice Pool had an astonishing effect,

Most of the power would be absorbed by the Ice Phoenix Sword and wouldn't aid his own Cultivation.

Even if he cultivated here for a day, to fully form the Golden Core Embryo,

It would always take a long time, always waiting to accumulate tens of thousands of Pure Earth Origin Pills.

Therefore, after much consideration,

Xiao Yi decided to use this day's opportunity to cultivate in the Cold Ice Pool,

To restore the Blood Slaughter Sword back to a top-grade Spiritual Artifact.

This was the most direct method to enhance his strength at the moment.

Of course, Xiao Yi didn't know if a day would be enough.

That's why he was so anxious earlier; he didn't want to waste any time.

...

Xiao Yi immediately stimulated the Ice Phoenix Sword and Fire Control Beast within his body.

Both Martial Souls activated simultaneously,

Increasing the speed at which he absorbed the Cold Ice Pool's power.

At the same time,

The various Sword Masters in the Cold Ice Pool noticeably felt the pool's power diminish slightly.

However, they were all deep in meditation, deeply immersed in cultivation,

And subconsciously thought it was because there were too many of them, all Sword Masters, absorbing the power too quickly,

Causing the effect of the Cold Ice Pool to decrease gradually.

Xiao Yi absorbed the power cautiously.

...

A day later.

The Sect Disciples arrived as scheduled, waking everyone up.

Xiao Yi's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he withdrew the Blood Slaughter Sword.

At this moment, the Blood Slaughter Sword lay quietly inside the Qiankun Bag, its sword body flickering with Blood Light, eerily chilling.

It had been completely restored to a top-grade Spiritual Artifact.

"The Sword Sect Ice Pool is indeed powerful," Xiao Yi thought, pleasantly surprised.

Naturally, to restore the Blood Slaughter Sword, he had significantly reduced the soaking effect for the other 35 people.

At this moment,

The Sect Disciple announced loudly, "The assessment is about to begin."

"The specific rules will be explained by the elder."

"All Sword Masters, please follow me."

...

...