56: Chapter 56 Escape from the Ghost Market, Undercurrents Rise Again

Yan Yang Hall!

These three words exploded in Lin Ye's ears like a thunderclap.

The other party being able to immediately mention that the Earth Heart Fire Essence was related to Yan Yang Hall clearly meant they had some understanding of the Secret Realm, or perhaps they were even participants or related forces!

Lin Ye's heart tightened, but his expression beneath the mask did not change in the slightest. He slowly turned his head to look at the person speaking.

It was a tall, thin person in grey robes, also wearing a black mask, with only a pair of slightly sinister eyes exposed, looking at him with a half-smile. The aura was obscure, making it difficult to accurately judge their cultivation level, but they were at least in the Late Stage of Qi Refining.

"Fellow Daoist, you are joking." Lin Ye's voice was calm, carrying a hint of just the right amount of confusion. "This item was obtained by chance in a geothermal crack; I do not know of any Yan Yang Hall. Since the Medicinal Pill has been exchanged, I have other urgent matters. Farewell."

Having said that, he did not give the other party a chance to speak, turned around, and left. His pace was neither fast nor slow, yet it carried an unquestionable decisiveness as he merged into the bustling crowd.

A flash of surprise crossed the grey-robed person's eyes; they seemed not to have expected Lin Ye to be so decisive. Watching Lin Ye's back disappear into the flow of people, they did not immediately pursue, but merely muttered to themselves: "Ice attribute spiritual energy... yet possessing Earth Heart Fire Essence... interesting."

Lin Ye moved quickly through the Nether Market, changing directions from time to time and using stalls and the crowd to conceal his figure. He could feel that at least two obscure gazes had swept over him intentionally or unintentionally after he left the stall.

He had been targeted.

Was it because of the Earth Heart Fire Essence, or because the other party already had designs on "survivors of Yan Yang Hall"?

He must leave the Nether Market immediately!

He stopped lingering and walked toward the exit of the Nether Market. Along the way, he casually bought a few of the most common "Speed Talismans" and "Concealment Talismans" from a stall selling miscellaneous goods, his movements natural, like an ordinary Loose Cultivator replenishing supplies.

After paying the exit fee, he quickly walked out of the valley shrouded in the Formation.

Outside was the dim street of the Nether Market. He did not return to the inn, but instead walked directly toward the outskirts of the market, an area with sparse crowds, while slapping a "Concealment Talisman" on his body to further suppress his aura.

After twisting and turning, confirming that no one was following him for the time being, he quickly returned to the inn, packed his few belongings (in fact, most were in his Storage Pouch), paid the room fee, and then quietly left through the back window of the inn, disappearing into the "slum area" on the outskirts of the market where the buildings were low and chaotic.

He wove through the slums like a flexible loach, finally slipping into a foul-smelling dead-end alley piled with trash. At the end of the alley, there was a drainage outlet leading underground, half-covered by broken wooden boards.

This was an almost forgotten exit he had noticed while wandering around earlier, said to lead to abandoned mine tunnels outside the market.

Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Ye lifted the wooden board and crawled in.

The drainage tunnel was filthy, but he could not care about that now. He held his breath and crawled forward along the narrow, damp passage.

After crawling for a full hour, a glimmer of light and fresh air finally appeared ahead. He crawled out of the drainage outlet and found himself deep within an abandoned mine cave.

Outside the mine cave was a desolate valley covered in rocks and withered trees, with sparse starlight in the night sky.

He had finally left that place of trouble, the Nether Market.

Lin Ye let out a long breath, but his mind did not relax. Would the grey-robed person and the forces behind them come after him? He had exposed the Earth Heart Fire Essence and was suspected of being related to Yan Yang Hall; he was likely already on some people's lists.

He must leave this area as soon as possible and find a safer place to digest his gains and improve his strength.

He took one of the "Ice-Fire Reconciliation Pills" he had just exchanged for.

The Medicinal Pill entered his abdomen and transformed into a gentle and balanced medicinal power, slowly flowing through his Meridians. This medicinal power seemed to carry a unique power of reconciliation, beginning to slowly soothe and fuse the conflict between the icy cold spiritual energy and the residual red-gold fire energy and pitch-black Evil Qi within his body.

Although it could not be eradicated, the hidden pain and stagnation were indeed reduced significantly, and the circulation of spiritual energy became smoother. His cultivation also faintly showed a trend of returning to Qi Refining Stage 5.

"This pill is indeed effective, but it needs to be taken continuously, and it treats the symptoms but not the root cause." Lin Ye pondered inwardly. To completely resolve the hidden dangers in his body, he would likely need higher-grade Medicinal Pills, or a deeper understanding of the Ice Soul Sword Art and the Blazing Sun True Explanation to truly reach the Realm of "Ice and Fire assisting each other."

He identified his direction and, according to the map, headed away from the Northern Underworld and toward the Central Plains inland.

This time, he was even more careful. He rested during the day and traveled at night, avoiding main roads and towns, and walking only through wild mountains and ridges. Occasionally, when encountering low-level Yao Beasts, he would hunt them for Materials, which was both training and a way to replenish resources.

A few days later, he entered a continuous mountain range called the "Black Wind Mountain Range." The Spiritual Qi here was thin, the Yao Beasts were not strong, and it was rarely visited by high-level Cultivators, making it perfect for hiding temporarily.

He carved out a simple Immortal Cave in the middle of a hidden cliff, set up rudimentary warning and concealment Formations, and began his closed-door cultivation.

Time passed in the Immortal Cave.

Lin Ye consumed all the "Ice-Fire Reconciliation Pills," combined with the cultivation of the Ice Soul Sword Art and the nourishment of the mystic yin true water aura (guided from the bone ring), he finally stabilized the conflicting foreign energies in his body, and his cultivation was completely restored to Qi Refining Stage 5. Moreover, as a blessing in disguise, his spiritual energy became more condensed and pure, and his understanding of the ice and fire attributes deepened by a level.

He began to comprehend the fragments of the Legacy from the Blazing Sun True Explanation in his mind.

Although he could not directly Cultivate this top-tier fire-attribute Cultivation Technique, the explanations in its general outline regarding the essence of "Fire" and the vitality of "Yang," as well as some insights into energy manipulation, spiritual energy conversion, and Formation Restrictions, all benefited him greatly. Especially a rough method within it about "using fire to refine the body and tempering the Foundation," although incomplete, gave him inspiration.

Combining this with the Body Refining essentials of the Mystic Jade Body, he attempted to guide the trace of subdued red-gold fire energy (from the Blazing Sun True Explanation imprint) within his body to slowly temper his Physical Body. The process was agonizing, like being roasted over a fire, but the results were surprisingly good. The Mystic Jade Body actually showed signs of breaking through to the third level under the dual tempering of ice and fire.

The ancient ring yuan sha and the bone ring also gradually regained their luster and functioned as normal under his continuous nourishment.

On this day, he finished his cultivation and spread out the underground world map he had obtained from the Nether Market.

The map showed that several thousand miles south of the Black Wind Mountain Range, he would enter the territory of the "Tianfeng Kingdom" in the Central Plains. The Tianfeng Kingdom was full of cultivation forces; the largest Sect was the "Lingyun Sword Sect," and there were also many small and medium-sized Sects, Families, and cities of Loose Cultivators.

"Perhaps it is time to go to a place with more people." Lin Ye pondered. Hiding in the mountains to Cultivate bitterly all the time meant a lack of resources and blocked information, making it difficult to improve quickly. Moreover, the hidden dangers in his body needed higher-level Medicinal Pills or Cultivation Techniques to resolve, so he had to make contact with the wider cultivation world.

"Tianyong City," where Loose Cultivators gathered in the Tianfeng Kingdom, was said to be large in scale, rich in products, and well-informed; it might be a good choice.

Moreover, it was far from the Northern Underworld, so it should be able to avoid most of the aftermath of the Yan Yang Hall incident.

Having made up his mind, Lin Ye ended his closed-door cultivation, left the Black Wind Mountain Range, and headed toward Tianyong City.

Half a month later, the dusty Lin Ye finally saw the towering silhouette of Tianyong City.

The city was built against the mountain, with city walls twenty zhang high, entirely built of huge blue-grey rocks, with runes flowing on them, emitting fluctuations of a powerful defensive Formation. The city gates were busy with traffic, with a constant stream of Cultivators and Mortals, far more prosperous and lively than Frost Snow City and the Nether Market.

After paying the entrance fee (two Low-Grade Spirit Stones), Lin Ye stepped into the city.

The wide streets were paved with bluestone slabs, clean and tidy. The shops on both sides were lined up like scales on a fish, with flags fluttering, selling various cultivation resources. The concentration of Spiritual Qi in the air was significantly higher than the outside world, making one feel refreshed.

Cultivators at the Qi Refinement Stage were everywhere, and Foundation Establishment Cultivators could also be seen occasionally, moving in a hurry.

Lin Ye first found a medium-sized inn called "Yuelai Inn" to stay in. It cost five Low-Grade Spirit Stones per day, but the environment was quiet and it had simple soundproofing and protective Formations.

After settling down, he began to familiarize himself with the environment in the city.

Tianyong City was divided into an Inner City and an Outer City. The Outer City was the commercial district and a place where low-level Cultivators and Mortals lived together; the Inner City was the base for major forces, rental areas for Advanced Immortal Caves, and the location of the City Lord's Mansion, which was isolated by Formations and difficult for ordinary Cultivators to enter.

Lin Ye lingered in the markets, teahouses, and task halls of the Outer City for several days, gaining a general understanding of the situation in Tianyong City and its surroundings.

Tianyong City was jointly managed by the City Lord's Mansion (backed by the Lingyun Sword Sect), Wanbao Tower (a large commercial firm spanning several kingdoms), Hundred Herbs Hall (a Medicinal Pill force), and the Divine Weapon Pavilion (an Artifact Refining force) to maintain Order. Private fights were prohibited in the city, but there were special "Life and Death Platforms" to resolve grudges.

The hot topics in the city recently, besides the competition for several newly discovered small Secret Realms and resource points in the surrounding area, were most notably the preliminary selection for the "Tianfeng Kingdom's Decennial Ascension Conference" to be held in Tianyong City in three months!

The so-called "Ascension Assembly" is a grand event jointly hosted by several major Sects of the Tianfeng Kingdom (with the Lingyun Sword Sect at the lead), aimed at recruiting Disciples with potential from across the country (including affiliated powers and Loose Cultivators).

Those under the age of twenty with a cultivation level of Qi Refining Stage 4 or above are eligible to sign up for the preliminary selection.

Those who pass the preliminary selection can enter the "Trial Secret Realm" established by the Sects for the final assessment; those who excel can join the major Sects and ascend to the heavens in one step.

For countless Loose Cultivators and children of cultivation Family, this is an excellent opportunity to change their destiny!

Lin Ye's heart stirred.

Joining a Sect certainly meant being bound by Sect rules, but it also meant more systematic Cultivation Technique Legacies, richer cultivation resources, a safer and more stable environment, and a massive backer.

For him, who was currently alone, harboring secrets, and in urgent need of resolving his cultivation hidden dangers, it seemed like a good choice.

Moreover, he was only seventeen this year, with a cultivation level of Qi Refining Stage 5 (which could be displayed as Stage 4 to the outside world), fully meeting the registration requirements.

The Lingyun Sword Sect was famous for its Sword Cultivators and possessed powerful sword technique Legacies; perhaps he could find a method to resolve the Sword Intent conflict within his body and perfect his own sword Dao.

"It's worth a try." Lin Ye decided secretly.

However, there were still three months until the preliminary selection.

He needed to improve his strength as much as possible during this time to ensure he could pass.

The preliminary selection in Tianyong City was said to be fiercely competitive; the number of Qi Refining Late Stage Cultivators signing up alone was not small.

He needed Spirit Stones and resources.

In the following days, Lin Ye began to frequently visit the Mission Hall, taking on tasks such as hunting specific Yao Beasts, collecting Spiritual Plants, and escorting merchant caravans (short-distance).

With his actual cultivation of Qi Refining Stage 5 (displaying Stage 4 externally), combined with the formidable Physical Body of the "Mystic Jade Body" and the spiritual power that had initially fused insights of ice and fire, completing these tasks was not difficult; it just required time and energy.

At the same time, he also kept an eye out in the market for information on Medicinal Pills or Cultivation Techniques that could assist in cultivation and harmonize the hidden dangers in his body.

One day, he saw a long-term task with generous rewards in the Mission Hall:

"Recruiting Cultivators at or above the Qi Refining Middle Stage who are proficient in ice-attribute or water-attribute Cultivation Techniques and have a certain understanding of Restrictions to assist in exploring the underwater ruins of 'Green Wave Pool'. The mission period is about one month; rewards are negotiable and will be distributed based on exploration contribution. Publisher: Wanbao Tower."

Green Wave Pool?

Lin Ye remembered the markings on the map; it was a deep pool located about three hundred miles northwest of Tianyong City.

It was said to connect to underground rivers and often produced water-attribute spiritual items, but it was also frequently haunted by water Yao Beasts.

Proficient in ice-attribute Cultivation Techniques?

His "Ice Soul Sword Art" was just right.

A certain understanding of Restrictions?

From the Blazing Sun True Explanation Legacy and many adventures, he could be considered to know a little bit.

More importantly, Wanbao Tower had a good reputation, generous rewards, and it was a team operation, which was relatively safe.

Perhaps he could take this task; he could earn Spirit Stones, hone himself in actual combat, and use the water environment to Cultivate the "Ice Soul Sword Art."

He walked to the mission reception desk and indicated his intention to accept.

The Wanbao Tower deacon responsible for reception was a smiling fat man with a cultivation level of Qi Refining Stage 8.

He looked Lin Ye up and down and asked: "How should I address you, Fellow Daoist? What is your cultivation level? Are you proficient in ice or water-attribute Cultivation Techniques?"

"I am Lin Han, Qi Refining Stage 4. The Cultivation Technique I practice is indeed an ice-attribute one." Lin Ye gave his alias and slightly released a trace of pure icy spiritual power.

The fat deacon felt the pure cold energy, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, and he nodded: "Fellow Daoist Lin's spiritual power is pure, which meets the requirements.

However, this exploration carries certain risks.

You must sign a contract, obey arrangements, and not hide any findings.

Have you considered this clearly?"

"Understood." Lin Ye nodded.

"Good.

Three days later at the hour of Chen, gather at 'Juxian Tower' in the west of the city.

At that time, a manager from my Wanbao Tower will make unified arrangements.

This is the deposit, twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones." The fat deacon handed over a small pouch and a contract Jade Slip.

Lin Ye checked the contract, confirmed it was correct, signed it, pressed his fingerprint, and accepted the Spirit Stones.

Three days later, at the hour of Chen.

Lin Ye arrived at Juxian Tower in the west of the city on time.

Over a dozen people had already gathered in front of the building, most with cultivation levels between Qi Refining Stages 4 and 6.

They sized each other up, and the atmosphere was slightly dull.

Soon, a cold-faced middle-aged man wearing Wanbao Tower attire walked out.

His aura was clearly at the Peak of Qi Refining Stage 9.

"My surname is Zhao, and I am the Team Leader for this exploration.

Since everyone has arrived, before we set off, I need to make a few rules clear..." Team Leader Zhao's voice was cold and hard as he announced a series of operational discipline and distribution plans.

Lin Ye listened silently, his gaze sweeping over the other team members.

There was a burly man with a large saber on his back, a thin man with a sinister face and shifty eyes, and two women who had come together and seemed familiar with each other... A motley crew, each with their own thoughts.

Hopefully, this exploration will go smoothly.

The group left Tianyong City, riding a carriage provided by Wanbao Tower and pulled by a domesticated first-tier Yao Beast called a "Wind-Walking Beast," galloping towards the Green Wave Pool in the northwest.

Two days later, the convoy arrived at Green Wave Pool.

The surface of the pool was vast, the water a deep green, calm and ripple-free, exuding a profound chill.

The surrounding mountains and forests were silent, with even the sounds of birds and beasts being rare.

Team Leader Zhao directed everyone to set up camp and began making preparations before entering the water—distributing Water-Avoiding Talismans, detection Magical Artifacts, etc.

"The underwater terrain of Green Wave Pool is complex, with numerous undercurrents, and it is inhabited by many first-tier water Yao Beasts, such as Green Water Crocodiles and Cold Ice Toads.

Our target is a ruin at the bottom of the pool that is suspected to be the entrance to an ancient Cultivator's separate dwelling.

According to previous investigations, there are residual Restrictions at the entrance that require the cooperation of those proficient in water and ice-attribute spiritual power to break." Team Leader Zhao said in a deep voice.

"Lin Han, Wang Kui, you two practice ice-attribute Cultivation Techniques, so you will be responsible for the left side's Restriction nodes.

Li Qing, Old Sun, you two are responsible for the right side..." Team Leader Zhao began to assign tasks.

Lin Ye and the burly man named Wang Kui were assigned to a group.

Wang Kui was at Qi Refining Stage 5; his personality seemed straightforward, but a sharp glint flashed in the depths of his eyes from time to time.

After preparations were complete, led by Team Leader Zhao, everyone took Water-Avoiding Pills, activated their Water-Avoiding Talismans, and jumped into the icy pool water one after another.

Underwater visibility was very low, and the light was dim.

Everyone followed the previously rehearsed Formation and dived slowly.

Lin Ye circulated his "Ice Soul Sword Art," feeling like a fish in water, his perception and control of the water flow far exceeding others.

As he dived, he vigilantly observed his surroundings.

The pool was bottomless, and the pressure was increasing.

Dark shadows swam by in the distance from time to time; they were water Yao Beasts, but they seemed deterred by the number of people and did not attack immediately.

After diving about a hundred zhang, the outline of collapsed buildings vaguely appeared in front, seemingly a palace ruin sunken to the bottom of the water.

In the center of the ruins, there was a half-hidden stone door covered in water plants and shellfish, with faint runes flickering on it.

"That's it! Prepare to break the Restriction!" Team Leader Zhao transmitted his voice.

Everyone took their positions.

Lin Ye and Wang Kui came to the left side of the stone door, where there was a node with relatively dense runes.

According to the method taught by Team Leader Zhao, the two began to slowly inject their icy spiritual power into the node.

Everything seemed to be going very smoothly.

However, just as the Restriction light began to fluctuate and the stone door slowly opened a crack—

A sudden change occurred!

Deep in the ruins, in that dark expanse of water, two huge, scarlet "lanterns" suddenly lit up!

Immediately following, a violent, ferocious, and terrifying aura far exceeding that of a first-tier Yao Beast swept over like a volcanic eruption!

Whoosh—!

The water surged wildly, and the outline of a behemoth slowly emerged from the darkness.

It was a giant python over ten zhang long, covered in dark blue scales, with a single horn on its head!

The aura it emitted had actually reached the Middle Stage of the second tier, equivalent to a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Cultivator!

"It's a second-tier Yao Beast, 'Green Water Profound Dragon'! Damn it! The intelligence was wrong! How could it be here?!" Team Leader Zhao exclaimed in shock, his face turning pale instantly.

The other team members were even more terrified, their souls flying away and spirits scattering.

The Green Water Profound Dragon's scarlet vertical pupils coldly swept over the intruders, its huge mouth opened to reveal sharp teeth, and a powerful suction force came, stirring the pool water to form a terrifying whirlpool!

"Run! Run quickly!" Someone shouted, and everyone immediately fell into chaos, all desperately swimming upwards.

However, in front of a second-tier Yao Beast, the speed of Qi Refining Cultivators was like child's play.

The Green Water Profound Dragon whipped its huge tail, creating a violent current, instantly smashing two slow-fleeing team members into blood mist!

Immediately after, it sucked with its giant mouth, and the terrifying suction force swallowed three or four team members along with a large amount of pool water into its belly!

The moment Wang Kui screamed and fled, Lin Ye made the wisest choice—he did not flee upwards, but instead charged with all his might towards the bottom, towards the stone door that had just opened a crack!

Above was a dead end; only behind the stone door might there be a glimmer of survival!

He pushed his "Mystic Jade Body" and icy spiritual power to the limit, like an arrow-fish, charging against the suction of the whirlpool towards the crack in the stone door!

The Green Water Profound Dragon seemed to perceive his intention, its scarlet vertical pupils turned, and a condensed dark blue water arrow shot towards Lin Ye's back, arriving first despite being fired later!

The shadow of death instantly enveloped him.