After My Rebirth, I Ended Up Happily Ever After with the Saintess - Chapter 63

The Phantom Pavilion’s intelligence network, like creeping vines in the dark, extended silently, and the investigation into the assassination lead proceeded cautiously. Ye Li, however, was single-minded, utilizing the newly acquired materials and resources exchanged with Sect contribution points, focusing all her energy on breaking through to the middle stage of the Pulse Condensation Realm.

On the tenth day of her secluded cultivation, just as she was about to touch the critical barrier of the middle stage, a communication talisman pierced through the array and hovered before her. It was not a Phantom Pavilion token, but an official notification from the Cloud Pill Peak’s Executor Hall.

Ye Li frowned slightly and split a wisp of spiritual sense to read the message. The content was somewhat unexpected: The Sect had discovered a newly emerged, unstable, micro-Secret Realm—the “Glacier Surge Realm”—located beneath the Ten Thousand Year Ice Plain at the junction of the Profound Cloud Sect and Azure Water Pavilion’s spheres of influence. The environment of this Secret Realm was extremely cold, and it was suspected to contain an ancient Ice-attributed cultivator’s immortal cave or special resources. However, due to the fragile nature of the Secret Realm’s space, it could only accommodate cultivators in the Pulse Condensation Realm and below, with a maximum limit of ten people. After consultation between the high-level officials of the two Sects, it was decided that each would send five elite disciples for a joint exploration, limited to five days. The gains would be based on individual ability, but information regarding the Secret Realm itself must be prioritized for recording and sharing.

The Sect had specifically named Ye Li, due to her recent impressive performance and compatible cultivation method attribute, as the leader of the Profound Cloud Sect’s exploration team. And the leader for the Azure Water Pavilion side, as expected, was none other than Qin Yixuan.

“Glacier Surge Realm… collaborating with Qin Yixuan again…” A flash of complexity crossed Ye Li’s eyes. The previous cooperation in the Cloud Mist Secret Realm began with rivalry and ended in a subtle reconciliation, but the process was not pleasant. The Sect’s forceful arrangement this time was clearly intended to leverage the strength of the two geniuses to maximize benefits for the Sect, while also having the intention of making these two geniuses “work together” further.

This was not a mission that could be easily refused. The exploration of a new Secret Realm meant opportunity, especially a Secret Realm suitable for Ice-attributed cultivators, which might hold treasures greatly beneficial to her cultivation of the Phantom Universe Emperor Scripture. But it also meant risk; she would not only face the unknown dangers of the Secret Realm but also have to be constantly wary of possible schemes from her “teammates.”

“So be it. A blessing cannot be avoided, a calamity cannot be escaped.” Ye Li quickly made a decision. With opportunity at hand, there was no reason to back down. As for Qin Yixuan… as long as their interests aligned, a temporary collaboration was acceptable.

She suppressed the thought of attempting to break through the bottleneck and left her seclusion to head to the Executor Hall. She received detailed Secret Realm information and a “Glacier Surge Talisman” as a token. The other four team members of the Sect had also been selected: Leng Ning from Sword Peak (Late Pulse Condensation, cold demeanor, fierce sword techniques), Huo Rong from Artifact Hall (Middle Pulse Condensation, skilled in Fire-attributed cultivation methods and artifact forging, used to counteract potential Ice-attributed dangers), Han Li from Beast Taming Peak (Early Pulse Condensation, carrying a snow ferret skilled in tracking across ice plains), and a female disciple from Formation Hall, Fang Lin (Middle Pulse Condensation, with good formation technique mastery).

This team configuration, balanced in offense, defense, exploration, and support, showed the Sect’s careful consideration.

Three days later, the five members of the Profound Cloud Sect traveled on a flying boat and arrived at the Secret Realm entrance located on the vast Ice Plain. It was a constantly rotating, icy-cold blue vortex, surrounded by a stabilization array jointly set up by the Elders of the two Sects.

The people from Azure Water Pavilion had already arrived. Qin Yixuan was still dressed in white, pristine and transcendent, standing in the ice and snow as if blending into the world of ice and snow. Behind her were four female disciples from Azure Water Pavilion, all with impressive aura, clearly carefully selected individuals.

The two groups met, and the atmosphere was subtle. On the Profound Cloud Sect’s side, Leng Ning stood with her sword held, expressionless; Huo Rong curiously sized up the opposing group; Han Li was a bit nervous; and Fang Lin silently observed the energy fluctuations of the Secret Realm entrance. On the Azure Water Pavilion’s side, most of the female disciples’ gazes were fixed on Ye Li, carrying a mix of scrutiny and a barely noticeable competitive edge.

Qin Yixuan’s gaze met Ye Li’s in the air, still as calm and unperturbed as before, showing no hint of emotion.

“Junior Sister Ye, it’s been a while,” Qin Yixuan spoke first, her voice clear and cold, offering a greeting.

“Senior Sister Qin.” Ye Li slightly nodded, her tone equally flat, “The Secret Realm situation is unknown, and the time limit is tight. Should we first establish the exploration protocol?”

“That suits me perfectly,” Qin Yixuan agreed. “According to the agreement between the two Sects, during the exploration, both teams must act together to prevent mission failure due to internal friction. Regarding resources discovered, the principle is that the first discoverer takes them. If discovered simultaneously or difficult to divide, it can be decided through negotiation or based on strength. If danger is encountered, a coordinated response is required. Any important findings concerning the core of the Secret Realm must be shared. What do you think, Junior Sister Ye?”

“Acceptable.” Ye Li had no objection. This was the most basic framework for cooperation. “I suggest that upon entry, each of our sides sends one person ahead to scout, while the rest maintain a cautious distance. When an unknown area is encountered, Junior Sister Fang Lin and your side’s formation master should investigate first.”

“Agreed,” Qin Yixuan responded concisely.

With the plan decided, the ten people no longer delayed. They successively activated their Glacier Surge Talismans, transforming into ten streams of light, and plunged into the ice-blue vortex.

After a sensation of dizzying teleportation, an icy chill assaulted their faces. The group appeared in a world made of ice crystals. The sky was an eternal gray-blue, the ground was ancient, mirror-smooth cold ice, and massive ice pillars and mountains stood all around. The air was filled with pure but violent Ice-attributed spiritual energy.

“What dense ice spiritual energy!” Huo Rong frowned. His Fire-attributed cultivation method was significantly suppressed here.

Ye Li and Qin Yixuan, however, felt right at home. Especially Ye Li, whose Phantom Universe Emperor Scripture automatically accelerated its operation, greedily absorbing the surrounding cold energy.

“Although the spiritual energy here is dense, it harbors a violent nature; absorbing it requires caution,” Qin Yixuan warned, though it was unclear to whom she was speaking.

The group proceeded slowly according to the agreement, with Han Li from Beast Taming Peak (relying on his snow ferret) and an Azure Water Pavilion disciple skilled in Water-attributed sensing scouting ahead.

The Secret Realm was not large, but the terrain was complex, and their spiritual sense was disrupted by the freezing environment. Along the way, they encountered several waves of attacks from ice spirit beasts formed by pure ice spiritual energy, with strength roughly in the Early to Middle Pulse Condensation Realm. These ice spirit beasts lacked intelligence but were fearless of death, taking considerable effort to resolve. During this process, Ye Li’s Ice Soul Sealing Heaven Finger and Qin Yixuan’s exquisite Water-attributed techniques both demonstrated powerful might. Though the two had no verbal exchange, there was a subtle understanding between them, often enabling them to efficiently clear the threats.

They also discovered some scattered Ice-attributed spirit grasses and minerals, which were collected by the discoverer as agreed.

As they ventured deeper, the environment became increasingly severe, even giving rise to “Profound Ice Gale Wind” capable of freezing spiritual power. Fang Lin and the Azure Water Pavilion formation master worked together to set up a defensive array, which only barely resisted the wind.

On the third day, at the foot of a massive ice mountain, they discovered an ice-sealed cave entrance. Faint array fluctuations lingered at the entrance, suggesting it was a relic.

“This is very likely the core of the Secret Realm,” Qin Yixuan said after observation.

The group’s spirits lifted. They carefully broke through the remaining ice layer and array at the entrance and stepped inside. The interior was a downward-sloping ice crystal tunnel, its walls covered with ancient runes, exuding an air of antiquity.

At the end of the tunnel was a spacious ice chamber. In the center of the ice chamber was a translucent ice coffin, seemingly sealing something inside. Surrounding the ice coffin grew three completely azure lotus flowers radiating an alluring fragrance—precisely the “Profound Ice Jade Lotus” recorded in ancient texts, which has the effect of completely transforming the physique of an Ice-attributed cultivator!

And above the ice coffin, suspended a fist-sized, constantly rotating blue ice crystal, emanating extremely pure source cold energy, clearly the core energy source of the entire Secret Realm!

“Profound Ice Jade Lotus! And that ice crystal…” Everyone held their breath, their eyes showing a fervent light. These three Jade Lotuses and the ice crystal were treasures of incalculable value!

However, just as everyone’s attention was drawn by the treasures, an anomaly suddenly occurred!

The ancient runes on the walls of the ice chamber suddenly lit up! A powerful sealing force instantly enveloped the entire ice chamber! Simultaneously, the ground cracked open, and several Ice Crystal Guardians, composed of profound ice and radiating fluctuations of the Spirit Mansion Realm, rose up. Their eyes glowed scarlet, and they swung massive ice hammers, launching an attack on the group!

“A trap!” Qin Yixuan’s expression changed slightly. She let out a sharp cry, and a Water Curtain Sky Halo protected her team members.

Ye Li reacted incredibly fast. She executed the Universe Traceless Steps, narrowly avoiding the heavy blow of an ice hammer. Her Profound Ice Sword unsheathed, striking the Ice Crystal Guardian’s arm, but only leaving a shallow mark!

“These guardians have extremely strong defenses; we cannot fight them head-on! Focus on breaking the array first!” Ye Li calmly shouted.

Fang Lin and the Azure Water Pavilion formation master immediately tried to locate the array core, but the Ice Crystal Guardians’ attacks were like a torrential storm, preventing them from concentrating on array-breaking. Huo Rong’s Fire-attributed techniques were greatly weakened here, and Leng Ning’s sword energy could only barely stall the enemies. Han Li’s snow ferret was terrified and trembling.

The situation instantly turned critical!

“I’ll distract them, you two break the array as fast as possible!” A fierce look flashed in Ye Li’s eyes, and she held nothing back! Her figure darted like a phantom among the Ice Crystal Guardians. She continuously pointed her Ice Soul Sealing Heaven Finger. Although she couldn’t severely wound the guardians, the accompanying sealing power successfully disrupted their movements, buying precious time for the others.

Seeing this, Qin Yixuan also stopped holding back. She formed hand seals, and a massive ice-blue phoenix phantom emerged behind her, letting out a clear cry. It charged a guardian with extreme cold energy, temporarily freezing it!

The two women’s first true collaboration, though silent, exhibited astonishing synergy. One used ghostly footwork and sealing finger techniques to harass and distract, while the other employed large-scale, powerful control techniques to restrict the enemy.

Under their desperate cover, Fang Lin and the other formation master finally found the core of the array—it was the suspended blue ice crystal!

“Attack that ice crystal!” Fang Lin yelled.

All attacks immediately shifted towards the blue ice crystal! However, a powerful energy barrier surrounded the ice crystal. The group’s attacks only caused ripples on it.

“It’s not working! Not enough power!” Huo Rong exclaimed anxiously.

Seeing the Ice Crystal Guardians about to break free, Ye Li and Qin Yixuan exchanged a look, both seeing a hint of determination in the other’s eyes.

“Joint attack!” Qin Yixuan uttered two concise words.

Ye Li nodded. The next moment, both figures leaped simultaneously! Ye Li poured all her spiritual energy into the Profound Ice Sword, and the sword body erupted with a brilliant, deep-blue light! Qin Yixuan, on the other hand, guided the ice phoenix phantom, concentrating all its power into her fingertip, aiming at the ice crystal!

The ultimate cold energy of the Phantom Universe Emperor Scripture, combined with the Supreme Water-attributed Secret Art of the Azure Water Pavilion, struck the blue ice crystal’s barrier without reservation at this very moment!

Boom—!!!

A deafening roar! The barrier shattered instantly! The blue ice crystal vibrated violently, its light dimming. The surrounding Ice Crystal Guardians instantly froze, then crumbled into piles of ice fragments. The sealing array in the ice chamber also dissipated.

The crisis was averted! But Ye Li and Qin Yixuan also landed on the ground with pale faces and disordered breathing due to spiritual power exhaustion.

Silence fell in the ice chamber. The three Profound Ice Jade Lotuses grew quietly, and the blue ice crystal, now without its barrier, slowly drifted down.

How to divide the spoils became the most realistic issue facing both sides. The previous cooperative understanding seemed fragile in the face of immense profit.

Everyone’s gaze was fixed on Ye Li and Qin Yixuan. The attitude of these two leaders would determine the next course of action. Will it be a split? A fight? Or… another unexpected turn?

The relationship between the two women, due to this forced collaboration and joint combat against the enemy, seemed to have undergone an indescribable change, but the essence of competition had not changed. The core gains of this Ice Plain Secret Realm would be the touchstone to test this complex relationship.