After My Rebirth, I Ended Up Happily Ever After with the Saintess - Chapter 43

The dense fog still blanketed everything in the Secret Realm like an eternal curtain. Ye Li suppressed all her aura, moving cautiously towards the direction of the ancient ruined city, like a shadow in the mist. The terrifying encounter with the Black Water Profound Serpent made her even more vigilant; in this Secret Realm, opportunity often came hand-in-hand with deadly danger.

Along the way, she gathered a few more Yin-attribute spirit herbs rarely seen in the outside world and, relying on her keen spiritual sense, avoided a constantly shifting, eerie quicksand pit that could devour spiritual energy.

The closer she got to the ancient city area marked on the map, the thinner the surrounding fog seemed to become, but the energy fluctuations in the air grew increasingly chaotic and ancient. Broken giant stones and fragmented stelae began to appear sporadically, signifying the civilization that once existed here.

Suddenly, her nose twitched. An extremely pure, cold, and aloof exotic fragrance faintly drifted over from the mist ahead. This scent, when inhaled, actually caused the spiritual power of her Profound Nether Emperor Scripture (You Huan Di Jing) to slightly become active!

“What a potent spirit plant!” Ye Li’s heart stirred, and she immediately followed the scent, moving stealthily.

Passing through a stretch of collapsed ruins and broken walls, the sight before her caused her eyes to narrow.

Ahead was a relatively open ruined plaza. In the center of the plaza was a dry fountain pool. And right on the broken stone sculpture in the middle of that pool, a peculiar plant was growing!

The plant was about half a foot tall, entirely a translucent, crystal-clear ice-blue color, shaped like a miniature ice crystal jade tree. On its crown, three round, translucent fruits, the size of longans and resembling blue gemstones, had condensed! That alluring, cold, and aloof exotic fragrance emanated precisely from these three fruits!

“Ice Soul Spirit Fruit!” Ye Li recognized the item! This was an extremely rare Tier 2 Peak spirit fruit, containing incomparably pure extreme-cold energy. For cultivators practicing Ice-attribute cultivation methods, it was an invaluable treasure! Its worth even surpassed that of the three Ice Crystal Grass she had previously gathered!

However, where there is treasure, how can there be no one?

Almost simultaneously with Ye Li discovering the Ice Soul Spirit Fruit, a graceful figure silently emerged from the swirling mist on the other side.

The newcomer wore a water-blue Core Disciple (True Inheritance Disciple) uniform, her robes fluttering, her bearing peerless. Her face was as cold and clear as jade, and there was an innate sense of aloofness and nobility in her features. She was exquisitely beautiful, yet like a sculpture of ice and snow, making people hesitate to look directly at her. The spiritual power fluctuations emanating from her body were clearly at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage (Ning Mai Jing Zhong Qi), and her aura was incredibly solid, far surpassing others at the same level!

Ye Li’s pupils contracted—a Core Disciple! And judging by the emblem on her uniform, she was not from the Profound Cloud Sect (Xuan Yun Zong), but from… the Azure Water Pavilion (Bi Shui Ge)!

The Azure Water Pavilion and the Profound Cloud Sect were two of the three major sects in this region. Their relationship was subtle, involving both cooperation and competition.

The Azure Water Pavilion woman clearly spotted the Ice Soul Spirit Fruit immediately as well. A faint, hard-to-detect glimmer flashed in her cold eyes. Following that, her gaze also landed on Ye Li across from her.

The two pairs of eyes met in the air.

No words, no probing.

The moment their eyes met, both moved simultaneously!

Their target was the Ice Soul Spirit Fruit!

Ye Li executed her Phantom Shadow Steps (You Ying Bu) to the extreme. Her figure was like an arrow loosed from a bow, darting straight toward the pool!

The Azure Water Pavilion woman’s speed was equally astonishing. Her movement technique was elegant and agile, like a startled swan. She reached out her slender, jade-like fingers, aiming directly for the spirit fruit!

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The two figures reached the center of the pool almost at the same time!

Ye Li’s fingers came together like a sword, and a cold gust of wind from her finger-strike slashed directly towards the opponent’s wrist, intending to force her back and seize the spirit fruit!

The Azure Water Pavilion woman let out a cold snort, flicked her finger, and an incredibly condensed, water-blue sword qi shot out, arriving later but striking with precision against Ye Li’s finger-strike wind!

Chiii!

The ice-cold finger force and the sharp sword qi collided, creating a slight explosive sound! Both figures swayed slightly simultaneously—they were evenly matched!

Failing with one strike, both changed their moves rapidly!

Ye Li’s short sword was unsheathed at some unknown point, carrying a bone-chilling coldness, it cut an erratic arc towards the opponent’s waist!

The Azure Water Pavilion woman flipped her wrist, and a long sword, entirely azure and resembling autumn water, was already in her hand. The sword light flowed, seemingly slow but actually fast, perfectly deflecting Ye Li’s short sword!

Clang, clang, clang, clang!

In an instant, the two had exchanged over a dozen blows!

Sword light and finger shadows intertwined, with cold air and water vapor overflowing! The speed was dazzling!

Ye Li’s sword technique (or rather, finger technique essence employed with the sword) was bizarrely tricky, vicious, and sharp, attacking from unbelievable angles, containing the utmost coldness and destructive power.

Meanwhile, the Azure Water Pavilion woman’s sword technique was like continuous flowing water. It appeared gentle but had infinite reserve strength, with flawless defense. The occasional counter-attack was incredibly fierce, aimed straight at the vital points!

The two were surprisingly an equal match!

Ye Li was secretly alarmed. The opponent’s cultivation was clearly over a full major realm higher than hers (she was outwardly still at the Spirit Awakening Peak (Qi Ling Jing Dian Feng)). Her spiritual power was profound, her sword technique exquisite, and her combat experience was extremely rich—she was absolutely a genius among geniuses! If not for the superior quality of her Profound Nether Emperor Scripture’s spiritual power and her combat awareness far surpassing her peers, she would have likely already been defeated.

The Azure Water Pavilion woman’s astonishment was even greater! She was a Core Disciple of the Azure Water Pavilion, exceptionally talented, and had received attention since childhood, rarely meeting a match among those of the same generation! This Profound Cloud Sect female disciple, who supposedly only had Spirit Awakening stage cultivation (she naturally couldn’t see Ye Li’s true foundation), possessed spiritual power that was terrifyingly pure and condensed. Its extreme-cold attribute even faintly countered her water-attribute spiritual power! Moreover, her movement technique was ghostly, and her fighting style was seasoned and ruthless, completely unbefitting someone of her apparent age and cultivation level!

“When did the Profound Cloud Sect produce such a character?” Thoughts raced through the woman’s mind, yet the long sword in her hand did not slow down. Her sword momentum suddenly shifted, like a rushing river, an endless torrent enveloping Ye Li!

“Azure Water Sword Art – Flowing Cloud Style!”

Ye Li instantly felt immense pressure. The opponent’s sword momentum was like continuous waves, one after the other, constantly depleting her spiritual power and compressing her space to evade.

Her eyes turned cold, and she no longer held back. The Profound Nether Emperor Scripture was activated at full power. A chilling aura surged around her, and a layer of crystalline frost condensed on her short sword!

“Profound Nether Finger – Current Breaker!”

She actually used the short sword to execute the essence of her finger technique! She pointed her sword out, striking with unparalleled precision at the node where the opponent’s sword momentum was shifting!

Buzz!

The Azure Water Pavilion woman felt a jolt run through her sword. That continuous sword momentum was forcibly interrupted by this single point of extreme coldness and condensation, causing a slight moment of stagnation!

A good opportunity!

Ye Li was about to seize the chance to launch a fierce attack and grab the spirit fruit.

However, the Azure Water Pavilion woman was also extraordinary. Almost the instant her sword momentum was broken, her left hand had already formed a peculiar seal!

“Condense Water into Mirror!”

A smooth, mirror-like, ice-blue shield, formed from highly condensed water vapor, instantly appeared in front of her!

Ye Li’s short sword struck the water mirror, producing the sound of metal clashing! The water mirror violently rippled but did not shatter. Instead, it rebounded a portion of the force!

Both of them used the rebound force to retreat, pulling apart the distance again, facing each other across the air.

In the ruined plaza, only their slightly hurried breathing and the cold, exotic fragrance from the Ice Soul Spirit Fruit remained for a moment.

After this brief but intense exchange, both understood that the other was not to be trifled with. To defeat the opponent quickly and seize the spirit fruit was nearly impossible. It might lead to mutual injury, potentially attracting others’ greed or the dangers of the Secret Realm.

Ye Li’s gaze was icy as she carefully assessed the opponent, firmly committing her appearance and cultivation technique features to memory. Azure Water Pavilion, Core Disciple, Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, excellent sword technique, water mirror defense… A formidable opponent.

The Azure Water Pavilion woman also looked at Ye Li with a cold demeanor. The hostility in her eyes had not diminished, but there was also an indescribable scrutiny and curiosity. Profound Cloud Sect, Spirit Awakening Stage (questionable), bizarrely powerful Ice-attribute cultivation method, unpredictable movement technique, and superior combat awareness… She had never heard of such a person.

Silence hung between the two, the atmosphere taut.

Finally, the Azure Water Pavilion woman spoke first, her voice as clear and cold as a spring striking jade: “Qin Yixuan, Azure Water Pavilion. What is your name, honored guest?” Although she was asking for a name, the arrogance and aloofness in her tone had not lessened.

“Ye Li, Profound Cloud Sect,” Ye Li’s reply was equally brief and devoid of emotion.

Qin Yixuan… Ye Li memorized the name.

Qin Yixuan’s gaze swept over the three Ice Soul Spirit Fruits, then looked at Ye Li, saying lightly, “There are three of these fruits. Our struggle will only benefit others. Why don’t we each take what we need?”

The proposal she made seemed fair, but the confidence in her eyes was as if she were certain the other party would accept. This was an arrogance based on strength.

Ye Li’s eyes flickered slightly. She naturally didn’t want to fight to the death with a Core Disciple here, wasting time and posing too great a risk. Taking what they needed was the best option for now. But she wouldn’t trust the other party completely either.

“Agreed,” Ye Li uttered a single word, while her body remained slightly tense, maintaining maximum vigilance.

Both approached the pool with extreme caution and speed, each swiftly picking one Ice Soul Spirit Fruit and quickly retreating.

The spirit fruit was ice-cold to the touch. Its pure energy fluctuations were intoxicating.

Only one remained.

Their eyes met again, and invisible sparks seemed to fly through the air.

Without any hesitation, both simultaneously lunged for the last spirit fruit!

Faster! More ruthless!

Clearly, neither wanted to give up this final treasure!

However, just as their fingers were about to simultaneously touch the last Ice Soul Spirit Fruit—

A sudden change occurred!

The ruined ground beneath their feet suddenly began to vibrate violently! As if some gigantic creature was about to awaken from the earth!

Rumble!

A deep, terrifying roar came from deep underground! The entire plaza instantly cracked with countless enormous fissures! A scorching, violent aura mixed with an ancient, deathly stillness surged skyward!

The stone sculpture upon which the Ice Soul Spirit Fruit was growing instantly collapsed and shattered! The last fruit also tumbled, looking as if it was about to fall into the bottomless fissure!

Ye Li and Qin Yixuan’s expressions changed simultaneously!

They no longer cared about fighting for the spirit fruit; survival was paramount!

The two, with an unspoken mutual understanding, simultaneously retreated rapidly, executing their movement techniques to the extreme, dodging the constantly cracking ground and flying boulders!

Boom!

With another loud crash, the center of the plaza completely collapsed, forming a massive black hole! Scorching air rushed out, seemingly mixed with a certain chilling roar!

“Go!”

Both shouted in a low voice almost at the same time, completely disregarding everything else. Like two streaks of lightning, they instantly shot into the thick fog in two different directions and disappeared.

The last Ice Soul Spirit Fruit ultimately fell into the endless, dark fissure, its whereabouts unknown.

The violent tremors lasted for over ten seconds before slowly subsiding. The ruined plaza was a mess, with a huge, bottomless pit in the center that radiated scorching heat and a deathly still aura.

The dense fog slowly closed in again, as if to completely conceal the brief but intense confrontation and the sudden geological upheaval.

Ye Li sped for several miles in the thick fog before slowly stopping. She looked back, her heart still pounding with lingering fear.

The aura emanating from underground just now was utterly terrifying, far beyond what a Tier 2 demonic beast could possess! This Secret Realm indeed concealed great danger!

She opened her palm. The ice-blue Ice Soul Spirit Fruit lay quietly within, radiating an enticing luster and energy.

Although she hadn’t managed to get all three, the harvest was already significant. Moreover…

The cold, peerlessly graceful figure with superior sword skills appeared in her mind.

“Qin Yixuan… Azure Water Pavilion…”

She muttered the name under her breath, a complex, hard-to-describe glint flashing in her eyes. It was a strong hostility that arose from meeting an equally matched opponent, combined with a subtle, hard-to-detect appreciation for a formidable powerhouse.

After this battle, she had a clearer understanding of the geniuses from the outside world.

Putting away the spirit fruit and suppressing the turbulent qi and blood, Ye Li identified her direction again and continued to move stealthily towards the depths of the ancient city.

Meanwhile, in the mist in another direction, Qin Yixuan also stopped. Looking at the Ice Soul Spirit Fruit in her hand, her cold eyes also sparkled with a pensive light.

“Ye Li… Profound Cloud Sect…”

She quietly repeated the name, firmly engraving it and the cold, battle-ready face in her mind.

The journey in the Secret Realm seemed to have become much more interesting.