The Fairy: From the Traveling Merchant

What is the connection to Chapter 1008?

Although Feng Wan accepted the "birdman's" advice and learned the prerequisite spells for the "Mysterious Maiden's" supernatural powers, her foundational cultivation method is still her own family's "Flying Snow Divine Sword Scripture".

While the "Nine Heavens Secret Sword Book" possessed remarkable magical power and had the potential to become a "foundation" after awakening the "Nine Heavens Immortal Body," Feng Wan wasn't stupid. How could she possibly use something given to her by that "birdman" as her foundation? At most, she would use it as a reference.

However, she had always been worried that her own cultivation technique was not deep enough. Even if she mastered "Snow Falls to Earth", it would be difficult to suppress the influence of "Mysterious Maiden". She wanted to find another inheritance that was compatible with "Flying Snow Divine Sword Scripture" and whose source was similar to "Mysterious Maiden". That's why she had kept enough spell slots and had not rushed to condense the Qi and refine evil.

The "Snow God Ice Crystal Sword" that Hongyue has taken out is exactly what she wanted.

Feng Wan couldn't help but ask, "Snow Goddess... is that the 'Snow Goddess' who is one of the four ancient goddesses?"

Because of their experience in the Sima Family Grotto, Ming Hongyue and Feng Wan later gained a deeper understanding of the "Spring God" and naturally learned about the story of the four ancient goddesses who disappeared along with the Star God.

“That’s right, it’s the ‘Snow Goddess’ you’re thinking of!” Ming Hongyue nodded and continued, “According to the information collected by the ‘Earth God’ in Mirror Village, this ancient goddess has not actually completely disappeared. During the ancient Tang Dynasty, she would occasionally appear in the far northern snowfield to test cultivators who accidentally wandered into the area and grant them opportunities.”

"And this 'Snow God Ice Crystal Sword' divine power was obtained by Fairy Mingguang, oh, that is, one of the admirers of that 'Earth Deity' after passing the test."

These words not only startled Feng Wan, but even Zhao Chen muttered to himself: No wonder he cultivated the "Five Emperors Paying Homage to the True Ones" divine power...

—Although he had copied all the books that Ming Hongyue had collected, he had not yet had time to look at them carefully.

Ming Hongyue then changed the subject, saying, "However, the evil energy required for 'Northern Darkness Cold Light,' one of the prerequisite spells for 'Snow God Ice Crystal Sword,' is extremely rare. Even I don't have any in my treasure vault."

"Northern Darkness Cold Light"? Zhao Chen's heart stirred, feeling that this spell sounded somewhat familiar. But then he remembered that this was the signature spell of Yi Shan, the "Azure Wave Fairy" in the "Worry-Free Cave Heaven". It was said to be the prerequisite for the "Ice Soul Divine Light", the highest achievement in the "Mysterious Sea Secret Manual" that she cultivated.

However, the "Mysterious Sea Manual" can only achieve a mid-grade divine power at most, so how could it have a prerequisite spell that is shared with the "Snow God Ice Crystal Sword"?

Hmm... "Worry-Free Cave Heaven" is the cave heaven of the Heavenly Demon Sect. All the cultivation techniques within it actually originate from Demon Cloud, and even from "Primordial Demon Lord". Perhaps the "Mysterious Sea Secret Scripture" is some kind of castrated version of demonic cultivation technique. That would make sense...

Since it's not uncommon in the Great Xia Dynasty for the same spell to be used as a component of multiple supernatural abilities—for example, the "Circular Light Reversal Technique" is a component of various "calculation" type supernatural abilities because it involves extremely profound laws—Zhao Chen didn't think much of it and simply interjected with a question:

What kind of malevolent energy is it?

Ming Hongyue didn't keep them in suspense and answered directly: "The Netherworld Ice Soul True Water Fiend... It is said that this kind of fiendish energy is only produced in a certain ancient ice sea in the underworld, and it is extremely rare."

No, as long as the environment is suitable, it does not necessarily have to be in the "underworld" to produce it. As far as I know, the royal family of "Worry-Free Cave Heaven" can produce a small amount of "Ancient Ice Soul True Water Evil" every thousand years, and some should still remain now.

After a moment's thought, Zhao Chen nodded and said, "I know where to find them, and I should be able to get them."

Upon hearing this, Feng Wan breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't have many connections; even the Qi needed for "Snow Falling to Earth" was gathered for her by the young master and the princess, let alone the "Ancient Ice Soul True Water Qi," which she had never even heard of.

Ming Hongyue then put her arm around Feng Wan and said with a smile, "Your Young Master Chen treats you so well, aren't you going to do something to repay him?"

For some reason, Feng Wan was reminded of a scene from a picture scroll she had seen yesterday, and she was utterly embarrassed, stammering and unsure what to say. Seeing this, Zhao Chen waved his hand and said meaningfully, "There's no rush. You'll have your chance to 'repay' him later."

He paused, glanced at Ming Hongyue again, and said carefully, "Regarding the pollution in your soul, although I am now confident in clearing it, there is still a certain possibility of failure... If you want to be more sure, wait for me to cross the second ladder."

Ming Hongyue narrowed her eyes slightly and said without hesitation, "I'll wait for you!"

In the past, she would have taken the gamble at any cost, even if there was only a 10% or 20% chance of success. But now that there is hope, even if it's only 98% chance, she wants to play it safe.

Once people have a way out and some leverage, there's no need to gamble with their lives anymore.

In particular, those "pollutes" can no longer cause trouble or interfere with her cultivation. As long as she continues to grow stronger, she will be able to solve the problem sooner or later.

She thought to herself.

“After advancing to a higher level of supernatural power, I’m much more adept at dealing with ‘contamination.’ I’ll reinforce the seal within your mind later.” Zhao Chen thought for a moment, then added, “Actually, keeping that thing might actually be a good thing for you…”

"Good news?" Ming Hongyue was a little confused. She wanted to ask, but seeing Zhao Chen's inscrutable expression, she could only frown suspiciously and then asked, "What are your plans next?"

Zhao Chen replied, "I plan to go into seclusion for a few days to organize my gains and learn a few supernatural abilities to integrate into my 'Myriad Manifestations'... I was busy breaking through my supernatural abilities before, and then I came to keep your appointment, so I didn't have time to do these things."

"Then why don't we stay here at the manor? It's safe here and no one will bother us. Besides, we'll be staying here for about a week, so that should be enough time," Ming Hongyue said, extending an invitation.

The important figure in the delegation had to leave on business, and no one could discover Zhao Chen's existence... Besides, even if they did discover him, it wouldn't matter. Is it against the princess to keep a male concubine?

Zhao Chen didn't refuse. The environment here was indeed nice, and with a beautiful woman by his side, it was a perfect place for him to retreat into seclusion, as he liked to "enjoy life."

After chatting for a while, as night deepened and maids came to check on the situation at the bathhouse, Ming Hongyue and Feng Wan took their leave, while Zhao Chen chose a room in the rest room on one side of the bathhouse to stay temporarily.

Although it's called a lounge, it's actually more like a luxury suite, fully equipped with all kinds of home furnishings, and even has a training ground reinforced by a magic array.

However, the array in this rest room was only at the level of magic power, so Zhao Chen had to use the "Starry Night Stop" divine power to modify and enhance it.

After everything was prepared, Zhao Chen sat cross-legged on the soft couch and focused his mind on the "Old Star Raft". Before midnight, he used his "today's share" of the "Sky-Gazing and Earth-Measuring Taixiao Divine Mirror" great supernatural power.

Looking at the silver mirror that appeared before him, Zhao Chen directly asked with his divine sense:

What is the connection between Ming Hongyue and the ancient Fairy Mingguang?

(End of this chapter)