573: Chapter 573 The Crisis of the Ice Cloud Palace Master

"Young Master Xiao, must you follow the Haotian Holy Maiden to the Spirit Realm?"

"Of course."

"I see!"

Water Cloud Comfort murmured to herself, those eyes that were as bright as starlight instantly dimming. "Who could refuse the temptation of a higher plane!"

Xiao Chen slowly stepped forward and reached out to hold those small hands; a slightly cool sensation spread through his palms.

Water Cloud Comfort suddenly looked up, her small hands trembling. Just as she wanted to pull back, they were tightly held by those warm hands.

"Are you willing to go to the Spirit Realm with me?"

Water Cloud Comfort's gaze froze. Looking into his deep pupils, the joy in her eyes lasted only a few breaths before she gave a soft sigh:

"But that Haotian Holy Maiden wants you to be her Cauldron. How could she allow you to bring other women?"

"I have my ways."

Water Cloud Comfort looked at the absolute confidence on his face, somewhat unable to understand. To a Spirit Realm Cultivator, how much say could a Cauldron have?

Xiao Chen smiled slightly. "You only need to answer me: are you willing?"

"Mhm, of course I am willing."

Water Cloud Comfort nodded heavily, starlight rekindling in her eyes.

"Very well. Call them all over; I'll take you all to a certain place."

"Now?"

"Mhm."

Water Cloud Comfort immediately took out a Jade Slip and sent a Soul Sound to the Seven Immortals of Jade Water.

A moment later, seven beautiful silhouettes flew down, appearing like exiled immortals descending to the world.

"Call him Husband."

Water Cloud Comfort's gaze swept over the Seven Immortals of Jade Water, her voice calm yet full of authority.

The Seven Immortals of Jade Water were first startled, looking at each other. It was Shui Yunxi, the leader, who first timidly called out:

"Hus...band."

The other six immortals of the Seven Immortals of Jade Water also hurried to bow. "Greetings, Husband."

"There is no need for such formality. I don't have that many rules here, and there's no need to bow. Don't think of yourselves as concubines either."

"Yes, Husband."

The women said in unison; Xiao Chen's words undoubtedly caused their final anxieties to dissipate into nothingness.

"You don't need to resist my Divine Thought. I will take you to a place now."

"Okay."

Xiao Chen immediately released his Divine Thought, guiding the eight women and instantly pulling them into the System Space.

As the scenery before them suddenly changed, their beautiful eyes seemed to freeze. The Spiritual Qi rushing toward them made it feel like a fairyland.

Water Cloud Comfort turned her head and stared blankly at Xiao Chen. "Where is this?"

"You can understand it as my mental space. The Spiritual Qi concentration here is five times that of the outside world, and the flow of time is reduced to one-tenth."

"In other words, cultivating here for one day is equivalent to fifty days outside. From now on, you can Cultivate here in peace."

"..." The women stood frozen in place, speechless for a long time.

Every word from Xiao Chen was like a divine sound from beyond the heavens, refreshing their understanding over and over again.

For a mental space to become a world of its own—that was a Divine Ability only possessed by the legendary great powers of the Immortal Realm!

But to be able to control the time flow and Spiritual Qi concentration within—even a great power of the Immortal Realm couldn't possibly achieve that.

After a long while, Water Cloud Comfort finally came to her senses and asked softly, "Do you have important matters to attend to next?"

"Mhm."

Xiao Chen nodded and looked toward the horizon, his gaze instantly becoming sharp. "Before leaving the Cangxuan Continent, there are still many things to resolve."

...

After exiting the System Space, Xiao Chen continued toward the Immortal Cave area of the Nine Heavens Sword Pavilion.

As soon as he appeared, everyone from the Nine Heavens Pavilion Master down to the Core Disciples bowed to welcome him, their faces full of joy.

"Greetings, Young Master Xiao."

"There is no need for such formality, everyone."

Xiao Chen said calmly, his gaze falling on Mu Wanxin. "Wanxin, are you willing to leave with me?"

"This concubine is willing."

Mu Wanxin responded with a bow without the slightest hesitation.

Xiao Chen nodded slightly and looked at Mu Xianli in the crowd again. "Xianli, what about you?"

"This concubine is also willing."

"Good."

With a wave of Xiao Chen's hand, over a hundred Magical Artifacts and a bulging bundle of Spirit Stones immediately appeared before him.

"Nine Heavens Pavilion Master, here are one hundred Golden Core Stage Magical Artifacts, thirty nascent soul grade magical artifacts, three spirit transformation stage artifacts, and one hundred million Spirit Stones."

"This... Young Master, this won't do..." Sui Hongsheng looked panicked and hurriedly declined.

Xiao Chen waved his hand dismissively. "Accept them. This can be considered a betrothal gift."

"Thank you, Young Master."

Sui Hongsheng bowed and put the items away, then asked, "After the Heavenly Pride Battle, will the Young Master follow the Haotian Holy Maiden to the Spirit Realm?"

"That's right."

Upon hearing this, everyone's hearts sank. Without Xiao Chen's deterrence, there was no way to guarantee the safety of the Nine Heavens Sword Pavilion.

"Nine Heavens Pavilion Master, I understand what's on your mind."

Xiao Chen glanced at him. "Before going to the Spirit Realm, I will sweep away all hidden dangers and arrange for Ghost to stay in the Cangxuan Continent. You can rest assured about your safety."

"Thank you for your concern, Young Master."

Everyone present showed faces full of joy.

...

At the same time, in the Immortal Cave area of the Ice Cloud Palace.

Bing Yuqiu, dressed in an ice-blue long dress, sat cross-legged on a prayer mat. Her brows were tightly furrowed, her body suddenly trembled, and a spray of blood shot out.

As it landed on the floor of the Cultivation Room, it instantly turned into a mass of blood-colored ice crystals, with frost rapidly spreading along the floor.

Beside her, Bing Xueer woke up from her meditation and turned pale with fright. She quickly ran over, placed her palm on Bing Yuqiu's back, and asked urgently:

"Revered Master, what's wrong?"

"I... the cold poison... has flared up."

Bing Xueer was at a loss for a moment, then suddenly remembered something. "I'll send a Soul Sound to Xiao Chen; he will definitely have a way."

"No!"

Bing Yuqiu interrupted coldly. "Quickly, go invite... the Ice Toad Holy Mother..."

"Oh!"

Bing Xueer quickly left the Immortal Cave. After having several Elders enter to look after her Revered Master, she flew toward the Ice Toad Holy Sect's area in a great hurry.

A moment later.

"Yo!"

The corners of Bing Wangchuan's mouth curled slightly as he crossed his arms. "Isn't this the Water Spirit Body who is about to head to the Spirit Realm? What wind blew you here today?"

Bing Xueer could naturally hear the sarcasm in his words, but her Revered Master's cold poison was an urgent matter, so she could only cup her hands in a salute:

"Senior Brother Wangchuan, I have come to request an audience with Senior Ice Toad Holy Mother. Please pass on the message, Senior Brother."

"I'm truly sorry, but Revered Master is currently in secluded cultivation and likely doesn't have time to see you. You should head back!"

"My Revered Master's cold poison has flared up. I beg you to pass on the message; I would be eternally grateful."

Bing Wangchuan noticed the anxiety on her face but chose to ignore it. "Oh my, a flare-up of cold poison is indeed very troublesome!"

"Please, Senior Brother Wangchuan, quickly report this to Senior Holy Mother." Bing Xueer was full of helplessness and could only give a deep bow.

"Then wait here."

Bing Wangchuan glanced at her and turned around slowly. "I'll go report to Revered Master now. As for whether she's willing or not, that's up to fate."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Wangchuan."

Bing Xueer hurriedly cupped her hands in thanks and breathed a sigh of relief, fearing that the other party was still holding a grudge over her past rejection.

However, after Bing Wangchuan's figure disappeared into the clouds and mist, he did not fly toward the Ice Toad Holy Mother's Immortal Cave. Instead, he stopped on the back of a mountain peak.

Lying on a stone chair with his legs crossed, he leisurely sipped tea.