“If it’s only the old demon’s avatar, we might still have a chance. Releasing all the trapped cold energy on the island would overwhelm most ordinary demon beasts. However, most of the Ice Sea demon beasts are ice-attribute creatures and won’t fear this restriction,” the gray-haired elder voiced his concerns.
“No worries. We can use the treasure left by our sect’s founding ancestor to deal with the Ice Sea demon beasts. This treasure has been stored in our palace for tens of thousands of years, precisely for this day. With it, we only need to be wary of those few demon beasts above the ninth rank,” the beautiful woman replied with renewed calm.
Hearing this, Bai Yaoyi and the gray-haired elder exchanged glances, their eyes revealing sudden understanding.
“If the Palace Master hadn’t mentioned it, we might have forgotten about this treasure. Indeed, with it, the Ice Sea demon beasts would be useless even if they set foot on our island. It’s a pity, though, that it only seems effective against low-rank Ice Sea demon beasts. Otherwise, it would be a formidable weapon,” the gray-haired elder chuckled wryly.
“Enough! Even so, this demon horde is truly formidable, and our chances of holding out aren’t great. Have the low-rank disciples in the palace evacuate or disperse as quickly as possible. Only retain those who are truly useful to avoid unnecessary casualties.”
“Yes, Palace Master!” This time, Bai Yaoyi and the elder responded in unison.
Over the next few days, the seemingly tranquil Small Extreme Palace finally began to stir. A tense atmosphere, as if on the eve of battle, spread almost overnight.
Not only were most of the formations and restrictions activated, but numerous low-rank disciples also began evacuating from the palace, disappearing without a trace—no one knew where they had been relocated.
Two days after the conversation between the beautiful woman and Bai Mengxin, in a stone chamber within the Profound Jade Cave of the Ethereal Spirit Hall, Frost Li the Transcendent, who had been meditating, suddenly opened his eyes.
The Grand Elder of Small Extreme Palace glanced at the others seated in the room with closed eyes and said slowly, “Two days ago, I explained the key points and techniques to you all. Given your talents, mastering this secret technique in two days should be more than sufficient.”
Hearing this, Han Li and the others opened their eyes, their expressions varying.
“This humble monk has no issues and has fully comprehended the technique,” the monk replied with a smile.
“I grasped it half a day ago,” the old woman declared proudly.
“I have no problems either,” Han Li said calmly.
As for Bai Mengxin and the green-robed middle-aged man, naturally, they had nothing to add.
“Since you all say so, there’s no need to delay further. Let’s begin immediately! Breaking through this bottleneck could take anywhere from a few days to over a month. Regardless of success, I hope we can complete this technique in one go. To be honest, I’m still somewhat concerned about the situation outside the hall and wish to leave this place as soon as possible,” Frost Li the Transcendent said solemnly.
No one voiced any objections to his words.
Next, Frost Li and the other two retrieved stacks of pre-prepared formation flags and disks from their storage pouches and left the chamber to set up several intricate formations around the cave.
Though Han Li and the others didn’t need to assist, they naturally didn’t want to miss any opportunity to observe the secret technique. Activating their cold flames once more, they stepped out of the chamber and watched the three Small Extreme Palace cultivators’ every move with cold detachment.
Since the formation tools were already prepared, Frost Li and his companions worked swiftly. In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the formations were complete.
Several layers of formations centered around the pile of rubble, exuding an imposing aura, with faint runes flickering in the air.
Frost Li’s figure blurred as he levitated mid-air. After surveying the formations, he suddenly spun and flicked his fingers.
Dozens of spell incantations shot out, merging into the formations and vanishing as wisps of green smoke.
The entire formation emitted a low hum, with multicolored spiritual lights flashing. The Profound Jade Cold Energy that had permeated the cave floor seemed disturbed, scattering wildly like water splashing in hot oil.
Yet, the milky-white cold energy above the central boulder remained utterly still, unaffected.
“Excellent! While more Profound Jade Cold Energy is better, stability is crucial to maximize our chances of success,” Frost Li remarked with satisfaction as he hovered above the rubble.
Meanwhile, Han Li’s gaze fell upon five towering light pillars that had emerged from the rubble under the formation’s power.
These pillars, glowing in purple, red, white, black, and yellow, were clearly condensed from pure spiritual energy, encircling the boulder. Delicate strands of radiance connected them, making them seem like a single entity.
Seeing the formation complete, Han Li’s eyes flickered. Without a word, a cyan light enveloped him as he transformed into a streak of light, landing atop the purple pillar.
The others were no slower, each taking their positions on the remaining pillars. After exchanging glances, they sat cross-legged.
Han Li followed suit.
Inside his body, spiritual energy began circulating according to the secret technique’s instructions, causing the Purple Apex Flames around him to grow increasingly radiant.
Suddenly, Han Li uttered a low chant, altering his hand seals.
A purple glow emerged beneath him, coalescing into a lotus flower about ten feet wide. The lotus, translucent and vibrant, shimmered like cicada wings.
Simultaneously, his Purple Apex Flames surged as if stimulated.
Han Li’s eyebrows rose slightly in surprise.
Frost Li’s technique hadn’t mentioned that these formations could amplify cold flames—an unexpected boon. If he could learn this formation’s setup, it might prove invaluable in the future.
However, Han Li soon noticed that while the flames intensified, his spiritual energy consumption doubled.
It seemed this method had its drawbacks.
Glancing at the others, he saw similar lotus blossoms beneath them, their cold flames likewise surging.
Han Li’s gaze shifted toward the cave wall, where his strand of Lunar True Fire lay hidden, silently absorbing the surrounding cold energy, unnoticed.
Thankfully, the Ethereal Spirit Hall’s restrictions prevented spiritual sense detection, or he wouldn’t have dared release the sentient flame.
Before he could withdraw his gaze, Frost Li’s voice echoed from above: “It seems your cold flames have reached a sufficient level to sustain this for a while. That puts my mind at ease. I’ll now enter the Profound Jade Cold Energy. All of you, begin channeling your flames as discussed.”
With that, Frost Li’s body, wreathed in Dry Blue Ice Flames, floated above the milky-white cold mass and slowly descended.
Amidst rumbling clashes, blue flames and white light intertwined before Frost Li vanished into the cold mass.
Somehow, he managed to harmonize the Dry Blue Ice Flames and Profound Jade Cold Energy, creating a milky-white barrier around himself.
At the same time, the green-robed man and Bai Mengxin each produced a pale-blue formation disk. With practiced movements, they activated it, summoning a five-colored light screen that enveloped everyone.
Outside the screen, a fierce white hurricane erupted, obscuring everything within from view.
Meanwhile, the disturbed cold energy elsewhere in the cave gradually settled—except for a certain crimson flame hidden in a corner, still devouring the cold light.
Days passed, and the hurricane over the rubble never ceased. Beyond its howling, no other sounds emerged.
Seven or eight days later, outside North Dark Island, countless demon beasts finally appeared in full force, splitting into two groups to attack from both the inland and the Ice Sea.
Their demonic aura and killing intent blotted the skies.
Nearby minor sects and families panicked, fleeing their homes to escape the island’s vicinity.
Small Extreme Palace, alerted to the massive invasion, immediately activated the restrictions over the island’s Heavenly Yuan Yin Vein’s cold eye. The island’s temperature plummeted, and blizzards raged across the land.
The inland forces, led by the Ten Thousand Demon Valley, were prepared. Seeing this, they stationed low-rank demon beasts outside to slowly deplete the island’s cold energy reserves while sending dozens of seventh-rank and above beasts in organized teams onto the island.
The Ice Sea demon beasts, largely unfazed by the cold, marched straight in, splitting into countless small groups to assault the palace.
Though North Dark Island wasn’t vast, the demon beasts seemed to vanish into its icy wilderness upon entry.
Small Extreme Palace’s high-rank cultivators wouldn’t let them approach the ice city easily. With formations, restrictions, and boundless cold energy, a bloody slaughter soon unfolded across the island.
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