Chapter 209: The Snow-covered Path to Power
The Ranking Tournament of the Blue Wind Empire had come to a thrilling close, with its results rippling through not just the Empire but across the entire continent. The Blue Wind Imperial Family and Frozen Cloud Asgard stood victorious, followed closely by the prestigious Heavenly Sword Villa, the mysterious Xiao Sect, and the fiercely proud Burning Heaven Clan. Yet, the names that had ignited the most whispers, not only within the Empire but throughout the Six Nations, were those of Yun Che and Xia Qingyue.
Though both were only seventeen, their reputations had exploded in every corner of the Blue Wind Empire. Their names were no longer confined to the imperial court or sect circles; they were subjects of legends. Yun Che, the boy from the most humble of origins, whose mysterious rise had defied all odds, was heralded as a genius beyond measure. His duel with Xia Qingyue, however, was the most talked-about event—described as a divine battle, with their every move and strike becoming the subject of exaggerated tales. These stories only grew wilder as they traveled from one city to another, culminating in Yun Che being dubbed a "monster" trained under the Great Genius Raja, the 18-year-old Sky Profound Realm genius.
Unbeknownst to Raja, his growing fame had reached far beyond the Blue Wind Empire, as he remained unaware of the attention he was garnering. After the tournament, he had retreated to the Heavenly Sword Villa, his place of temporary residence, to recover from the exhausting battles. He found solace in the peace that surrounded him, unaware of the whispers circulating about him.
Meanwhile, the most elite sects of the Blue Wind Empire had begun preparations for entering the Heaven Basin Secret Realm, a place of immense danger and unimaginable treasures. Only the top ten sects, now reduced to the final few, would take part in this expedition, setting the stage for a new chapter in their storied histories.
Ling Yuefeng, the leader of Heavenly Sword Villa, had been particularly troubled by their performance in the Ranking Tournament. For years, Heavenly Sword Villa had held the title of the strongest sect in the Blue Wind Empire, but now they had been dethroned. The loss gnawed at him, and his thoughts were clouded with doubt. His wife, Xuanyuan Yufeng, however, attempted to console him. She reminded him of the great legacy their sect had built and the continued strength of their disciples. Yet, Ling Yuefeng's mind was elsewhere. He feared he might lose the chance to recruit Raja, the enigmatic young genius, into their sect—an opportunity he could not afford to miss.
"I must see him," Ling Yuefeng muttered to himself, a sense of urgency creeping into his voice.
Xuanyuan Yufeng noticed the intensity in his expression and became worried. She had a bad feeling about his sudden departure southeast. "What are you planning?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Ling Yuefeng, however, did not go to Raja's Place instead he flew toward another destination, heading for Frozen Cloud Asgard.
As Ling Yuefeng approached the Frozen Cloud Asgard, he redirected his flight towards the residence of Chu Yuechan. His heart pounded in his chest, as the memories of his past infatuation with her resurfaced. He had always held a deep, unspoken love for her, but despite his efforts, she had rejected him. Now, in this quiet moment, he hoped for closure.
He arrived silently, observing Chu Yuechan's room from a distance, before attempting to send a voice transmission. "Yuechan, it has been many years. Could we meet once more?"
Inside her room, Chu Yuechan's icy voice responded almost immediately. "There is no need. I have no interest in meeting you again."
Ling Yuefeng's heart sank, but he forced himself to speak. "I've never forgotten you... and I must see your face one last time before I can finally move on." His voice softened with regret, a mixture of longing and sadness.
Chu Yuechan's response was cold and unfeeling. "The past means nothing. There is no reason for us to meet again."
The weight of her words hit him like a cold gust of wind. She had no intention of revisiting their past, and her indifference cut deeper than any rejection he had ever faced. Ling Yuefeng, though heartbroken, left quietly, reflecting on the past he could never forget—his unrequited love for the woman who had always remained beyond his reach.
As Ling Yuefeng departed, unaware of the eavesdropping Xuanyuan Yufeng, the latter's expression twisted in anger. Hidden by Ling Kun's protective powers, Xuanyuan Yufeng had overheard the entire conversation, and her rage was palpable.
"How dare he still harbor feelings for her after all these years?" she seethed. "After everything we've built together..."
Ling Kun, ever the voice of reason, tried to calm her. "You must not confront him. He only sought to fulfill a long-held wish—to see her once more. Let him be."
But Xuanyuan Yufeng's fury only grew. The pain of Ling Yuefeng's emotional attachment to Chu Yuechan after so many years of marriage and family hurt her deeply. It felt like betrayal, and her emotions swirled into hatred.
"He still loves her. How could he—after everything?" Xuanyuan Yufeng's voice was low, filled with a venomous resolve. She was determined to protect her son from the same fate and would take drastic measures if necessary.
Ling Kun, ever pragmatic, offered a suggestion. "We can seek the Ninth Elder's help. Together, we can destroy Frozen Cloud Asgard, and no one will know the Mighty Heavenly Sword Region's involvement. We can make them pay for their insolence."
Xuanyuan Yufeng, though still seething, understood the need for caution. With a cold nod, she agreed. The wheels of revenge had begun to turn.
Meanwhile, the preparations for the Heaven Basin Secret Realm had begun. The top ten sects gathered at the entrance, a powerful vortex swirling in the air, signaling the beginning of their perilous journey. Only fifty representatives could enter, with each sect allowed to send five disciples.
Among the group, as the Blue Wind Imperial Family's representative, Qin Wushang, stood in his place. Ling Yuefeng made a cold announcement, stating the rules of the realm: only fifty could enter, and those who perished would never return.
As the vortex began to open, the atmosphere thickened with anticipation. The moment had arrived.
The entrance to the Heaven Basin Secret Realm revealed itself, a massive spatial vortex surrounded by powerful air currents. Ling Yuefeng, who had remained calm up until this point, gave his final warnings: the realm was filled with danger, and the deeper one ventured, the greater the risk.
But for those like Raja, Yun Che, and the others, this was an opportunity—a chance to unlock secrets, gain power, and explore the unknown.
Raja stepped forward, his expression unreadable as he entered the Secret Realm alongside Yun Che. To their shock, the environment before them was not the warm, temperate setting they had expected. Instead, they were greeted by a blizzard so fierce that the landscape appeared entirely white.
"This is... the harshest winter environment," Raja muttered, a frown crossing his face.
Ling Yuefeng, from a distance, commented that the cold environment would benefit the disciples from Frozen Cloud Asgard, who were accustomed to such conditions. Meanwhile, Chu Yuechan, unfazed by the snow and cold, took the lead, guiding her disciples into the storm.
The younger generation now faced the reality of their journey. Disciples from the top sects, including Xiao Kuangyu and Fen Juecheng, were left to explore independently. Raja, ever cautious, instructed Yun Che, Lingxi and Qingyue to stay together while he ventured elsewhere and meet them before Evening. Raja, knowing the dangers of the realm, created Vivre Cards for each of them, assuring them they would meet again in Half day.
As he delved deeper into the snowy expanse, Raja Combining his Sky Posion Pearl, Almighty View Skill and Maya(System), Mapping the Whole Basin for Treasures.e.
Raja's Sky Poison Pearl suddenly reacted. Something was nearby, a treasure that pulsed with energy. Guided by his system, Raja pressed forward, eager to uncover the secrets of the Heaven Basin.
Maya (system), his loyal guide, pointed the way: the Emperor Awakening Heart Lotus—a rare and invaluable treasure. It was said to hold the power to elevate anyone, regardless of their profound strength, to the Earth Profound Realm.
The lotus stood out in the blizzard, glowing brightly against the whiteness of the snow. But as Raja approached, Jasmine, who had been resting in his dimension, woke up, sensing the rarity of the treasure.
"Be cautious, Raja. This treasure is bound to be guarded by a powerful beast," Jasmine warned.
Despite the danger, Raja moved forward, confident in his abilities. With the Sky Poison Pearl in hand, he harvested the lotus, but as he did, a powerful roar echoed through the air.
The Tyrant Profound Beast had awoken.
As the beast stirred, Ling Yuefeng, who had been scouring the realm for treasures, heard the deafening roar. His heart skipped a beat. The beast was beyond anything the disciples of the Blue Wind Empire could handle. He feared for their lives and quickly flew toward the source of the sound, hoping to prevent further disaster.
Meanwhile, Raja stood firm, facing the colossal creature with glowing red eyes. The battle had just begun.
A Tyrant Profound Beast emerges, a colossal creature covered in white fur with a wolf-like head and glowing red eyes, standing at about 300 meters tall.
The beast's aura is overwhelmingly powerful, dwarfing Raja, But he also released his Absolute Dragon Haki. Tyrant Profound Beast felt Absolute fear from the Raja's Haki and try to resist the Dragon Will but couldn't.