Chapter 132 Ice Soul's Discourse on the Dao, Hidden Insights

Ice Soul Fairy sat upon her throne of ice, her aura seemingly merged with the entire Cold Abyss Palace and the boundless Cold Abyss below. She was pure, cold, and aloof, making it impossible for anyone to look directly at her. Her gaze swept indifferently across the hall, pausing briefly on Nightmare before moving on.

"This Dharma Assembly aims to facilitate an exchange of cultivation insights and verify the Great Dao with fellow Cultivators, in hopes of mutual encouragement," her voice was calm yet inherently authoritative. "This Palace will begin by offering some humble opinions on the Dao of Extreme Cold Nirvana."

She did not directly expound on profound Cultivation Techniques, but rather began by discussing the operation of the ice Law between heaven and earth and the comprehension of the true meaning of Nirvana. Her words were exquisite, profound yet easy to understand, often touching upon the essence of the Great Dao, causing many Demonic Path Cultivators present to listen entranced. Some even showed expressions of sudden enlightenment, clearly having benefited greatly.

It was a rare opportunity to hear a Late-Stage Transformation Spirit grandmaster preach. Even the unruly Blood Butcher temporarily reined in his ferocity and listened intently.

Nightmare also listened, his expression calm. Although the Dao of Extreme Cold Nirvana that Ice Soul Fairy spoke of differed in path from his Myriad Poisons Star Dao, the Great Dao was simple, and in some aspects, they shared common ground. Especially the exposition on the true meaning of "Nirvana" subtly resonated with his Nirvana Star Evil, which he created by fusing the Origin of star Nirvana, giving him some new insights.

[High-level Law information detected... Recording and analyzing... "Extreme Cold" Law database updated... Comprehension of "Nirvana" true meaning slightly increased...]

The System's notification sound quietly rang, assisting him in absorbing and digesting this knowledge.

Approximately an hour later, Ice Soul Fairy finished her sermon. The main hall fell silent, everyone immersed in the lingering charm of the Great Dao.

A moment later, bursts of praise and flattery erupted.

"Sect Master Ice Soul's Dao is profound and has enlightened us!"

"Listening to your words for a moment is better than a hundred years of cultivation!"

Ice Soul Fairy nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over everyone once more, finally landing on Nightmare. A faint, almost imperceptible curve seemed to appear at the corner of her lips: "I hear that although Palace Master Nightmare has just entered the Northern Region, his achievements are remarkable, and his cultivated Dao must be unique. I wonder if you would allow us to witness it, to broaden our horizons?"

As soon as these words were spoken, all eyes in the hall instantly refocused on Nightmare!

There was curiosity, anticipation, and even more schadenfreude and eagerness to watch the show.

To ask a Mid-stage Dao Replenishing Cultivator to speak after Ice Soul Fairy, a Late-Stage Transformation Spirit grandmaster? This was clearly putting him on the spot! If he spoke well, it would be expected, as Ice Soul Fairy had set a high standard; if he spoke even slightly less well, or his Dao differed too much from the mainstream Demonic Path, he would easily invite ridicule, or even have his Dao path questioned.

This seemingly casual invitation actually concealed hidden intentions.

Nightmare put down his ice marrow wine cup, raised his eyes to meet Ice Soul Fairy's gaze, his expression still calm, without the slightest hint of tension or refusal.

"Since Sect Master Ice Soul has invited me, This Sovereign will speak a few words."

His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying a unique coldness and confidence.

"There are three thousand Great Daos, all leading to the other shore. Poison can corrupt the Physical Body and erode the Divine Soul, yet when things reach an extreme, they reverse; when adversity reaches its peak, prosperity emerges. Within ultimate destruction, there also lies a chance for life. This is the principle of Reincarnation of all things."

He did not directly expound on a Cultivation Technique, but rather began by discussing the more fundamental dialectical relationship between "poison" and "life." His perspective was unconventional, yet it directly hit upon the essence, instantly attracting the attention of many.

"Stars hang in the sky, eternally desolate. Seemingly eternal, yet there are also stars rising and falling, star rivers rotating. Their power is immense and vast, pure and clean, yet the Evil Qi of stars can also annihilate all things."

He naturally transitioned from the Dao of "poison" to the Dao of "stars," connecting two seemingly unrelated power Systems.

"Therefore, This Sovereign's Dao takes the corrosive destruction of myriad poisons, embraces the vastness of the stars, and fuses the true meaning of Nirvana, transforming it for my own use. Poison is not poison, stars are not stars, Nirvana is not the end, only power."

His words were concise, yet contained a domineering and unique Dao charm. There was no exquisite Law exposition like Ice Soul Fairy's, but there was a magnificent spirit that pointed directly to the Origin of power, transforming all things for one's own use!

Especially as he spoke, his fingertips unconsciously toyed with a wisp of gray-white Qi. This Qi sometimes emitted a chilling sense of corrosive death, and at other times, tiny specks of starlight appeared and vanished. Two completely different forces perfectly blended, emitting a strange oppressive sensation that made all the Deity Transformation Cultivators present cast sidelong glances!

It was precisely the Nirvana Star Evil!

Although it was just a minuscule wisp, the terrifying Dao charm it contained made several Mid-stage Dao Replenishing Cultivators present feel their scalps tingle! Even Ice Soul Fairy, seated at the head, had a fleeting, almost imperceptible glint in her beautiful eyes.

Blood Butcher's eyes gleamed with even greater greed and ferocity, as if he had seen an peerless treasure.

Nightmare did not speak much. After a few brief words, displaying a hint of the essence of his power, he stopped abruptly and picked up his wine cup again, as if he had merely mentioned an insignificant matter.

However, within the main hall, a strange silence had fallen.

Many Demonic Path Cultivators who had initially looked on with disdain now had solemn expressions. Although Nightmare's cultivated Dao was vastly different from theirs, even somewhat unorthodox, the essence of the power he displayed could not be faked. Its level was extremely high, and its potential limitless!

This person's ability to kill Ouyang Shuo was definitely not a fluke!

"What a 'Poison is not poison, stars are not stars, Nirvana is not the end, only power'!" After a moment, Ice Soul Fairy was the first to speak, her voice carrying a hint of admiration. "Palace Master Nightmare's Dao is innovative and truly unique, admirable."

As soon as she spoke, the silence was broken. Others, whether sincerely or not, also chimed in with agreement.

"Palace Master Nightmare's discourse is profound!"

"Unheard of, unseen! Today truly opened my eyes!"

Nightmare nodded slightly in response, not saying much more.

After this brief "discussion on Dao," his status in everyone's hearts had unconsciously risen considerably. No one dared to underestimate him anymore simply because his cultivation was "only" Mid-stage Dao Replenishing.

Ice Soul Fairy's gaze shifted, and she smiled casually, saying: "Palace Master's Dao seems to have a deep connection with this place. Beneath my Nirvana Cold Abyss, within the ten-thousand-zhang deep cold abyss, a type of extreme cold Evil Qi is nurtured. It seems to share a similar marvelous effect with the power Palace Master just displayed, and may even be beneficial to your Dao. It's just a pity that at the core of that extreme cold Evil Qi, there are 'Nine Nether Gang Winds' and spatial rifts, making it extremely perilous. Even I dare not easily venture deep within."

Her words were soft, as if she were merely casually mentioning it, sharing an interesting anecdote.

But Nightmare instantly detected the probing and... temptation within them.

Extreme cold Evil Qi? Could it complement Nirvana Star Evil? Or even be stronger?

This was clearly hinting that there was something good beneath the Cold Abyss, but it was fraught with danger, testing if he dared to go and if he had the ability to obtain it.

At the same time, the rule fragment within Nightmare's body actually trembled slightly, seemingly generating a faint resonance with the place Ice Soul Fairy mentioned!

Nightmare sneered inwardly, but his expression remained calm, merely saying indifferently: "Oh? Is that so? That is indeed interesting. Thank you, Sect Master, for informing me."

He showed neither eagerness nor fear, his reaction so bland that Ice Soul Fairy was somewhat unsure how to gauge him.

Ice Soul Fairy looked at him deeply, smiled, and said no more, turning instead to converse with the other Deity Transformation Cultivators.

The Dharma Assembly continued, with everyone drinking and discussing the Dao. The atmosphere seemed harmonious, but beneath the surface, undercurrents surged.

Nightmare could feel at least four or five powerful Divine Sense, overtly or covertly, constantly lingering around him. Besides Blood Butcher's undisguised greed, there seemed to be one or two other more subtle, yet equally ill-intentioned gazes.

This Cold Abyss Dharma Assembly was indeed a banquet with ill intentions.

However, he was genuinely interested in the place of extreme cold Evil Qi that Ice Soul Fairy mentioned.

The resonance from the rule fragment was definitely not groundless.

There, perhaps, was truly something he needed.

After three rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became even more subtle.

Suddenly, the withered old man who had been sitting silently in the corner slowly raised his head, his cloudy eyes looking at Nightmare, and spoke in a hoarse voice:

"Palace Master Nightmare... I have a question. I heard that Palace Master... is proficient in Formation? And can even counter-control the Sky Patrol Alliance's Nine Heavens Star Locking Grand Array?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere, which had just somewhat relaxed, instantly tightened again!

Everyone's gaze focused over!

This old man seemed unremarkable, but everyone present knew that he was an extremely ancient Loose Cultivator from the Northern Region, known as "Old Man Gui Zhen." His attainments in the Dao of Formation were unfathomable; it was said that he once used a Formation to trap and kill a Deity Transformation Cultivator!

His sudden question now clearly indicated malicious intent!

Nightmare looked at Old Man Gui Zhen, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Is the main event finally about to begin?