Chapter Thirty-Six: The Chill of the Frozen Soul and Possession

Chapter Thirty-Six: The Chill of the Icy Essence and Possession
Chapter Five: The Tiger Leaps and the Dragon Soars—The Profound Blade and the Spirit Sword Compete for Supremacy (Part Twelve)

Ye Hua was startled upon hearing that his opponent had reached the Sixth Realm of the Seven Treasures. He had not expected this unremarkable-looking man to possess such a high cultivation. Not daring to show the slightest negligence, he offered a slight bow with his fists clasped and said, “Brother, please.” With a wave of his hand, a long sword as lustrous as flowing water materialized before him—it was none other than the Moonlight Sword.

Zhang Xiao’s eyes turned cold at the sight, but without so much as a visible motion, a streak of light shot out like a silver ribbon with astonishing speed. Ye Hua’s figure retreated explosively; he raised the Moonlight Sword diagonally, summoning a force of attraction that barely managed to divert the incoming strike. Yet before he could feel relief, the gleam in the distance twisted sharply and shot back with even greater speed.

Ye Hua quickly wielded his sword, and before him appeared a curtain of light, at whose center swirled faint vortices generating waves of attractive force. Witnessing this, Zhang Xiao's eyes flashed with scorn. “Junior brother, your third level of the Four Noble Truths may as well be child’s play to me. Today, you will witness the gulf between our realms and techniques!”

A cruel smile flickered across Zhang Xiao’s face as he uttered a low command, “Heaven-Cleaving Frost!” Instantly, that ribbon of light blazed with ten thousand rays, exuding a biting chill. Ye Hua’s vision brightened; the Moonlight Sword in his grasp grew impossibly heavy, unable to resist the pull of Zhang Xiao’s weapon. With a cry of alarm, the ribbon struck him, and a surge of icy force sent him hurtling away.

“Junior brother!” came a cry of concern as a gentle power caught his body, slowing his flight and setting him down gently. At that moment, Ye Hua felt a torrent of cold energy rampaging within him, wreaking havoc, though a warm current arose to shield his vital organs. He opened his eyes to find Senior Brother Qingyu anxiously watching over him, his face flushed.

Ye Hua realized Qingyu must have intervened, worsening his own injuries by using his vital force. Forcing a faint smile, Ye Hua said, “Senior brother, I’m all right… I…” Seeing Ye Hua struggle to rise, Qingyu hastened to say, “Don’t move—you’ve been struck by the Icy Soul Frost Essence. Do not act rashly.” His gaze hardened as he looked toward their opponents. “How shameless to pit the Sixth Realm against the Fourth!”

After sending Ye Hua flying, Zhang Xiao’s face was full of pride. Behind him, Monk Zhixian and the disciples of Qixian Temple wore smug expressions, thinking to themselves, “This boy overestimated himself and deserved this humiliation!” But when Qingyu stepped forward, their faces turned cold again. “You injured my sixth junior brother—have you no shame? My match with this brother was friendly sparring; where’s the shame in that? Laughable!”

Qingyu’s anger surged, his face reddening as he nearly coughed blood, but he suppressed it. Ye Hua cried out, “Fourth Brother! Fourth Brother!” his face filled with worry. Qingyu knew full well that in his current state, he could barely hold out for a round if he tried to fight.

Seeing Qingyu’s condition, Zhang Xiao was elated. “Ha! Who would have thought that the famed Twin-Jade Swords of Bitaishan Monastery could be injured? Ha ha!” He advanced toward Ye Hua and Qingyu with a smile that belied his wariness. Qingyu’s reputation was well-earned—were it not for his recent battle with Zhang Xiao’s junior, Zhang Xiao would not stand a chance.

Ye Hua steadied Qingyu and helped him sit. Though reluctant, Qingyu could only wait for their brothers to return. He whispered, “Don’t rush forward. Let’s delay them and wait for help.” Ye Hua nodded slightly.

Seated, Qingyu watched Zhang Xiao approach. “May I ask your name, brother?”
“I am Zhang Xiao, third disciple of Qixian Temple. It’s no wonder you haven’t heard of a nobody like me.” At that, the silver light floating in the air faded, revealing a snowflake-shaped object, radiant and six-pointed—a formidable ice-type relic, though its material was unknown. It drifted ever closer.

Qingyu asked, “Brother Zhang, may I ask why your temple comes in such force?” He glanced at Monk Zhixian. “Uncle, why do you let your disciple spar with mine?” Zhang Xiao sneered, “Don’t think you can stall for time. You injured my junior; Qixian Temple demands justice! Enough talk!”

Monk Zhixian pressed his palms together. “Amitabha, Qingyu, you know the matter best. Why ask me?” Qingyu smiled faintly, “Uncle, your disciple—” Before he finished, Zhang Xiao’s face twisted into a malicious grin. “Auspicious Snow Envelops the World!” The silver snowflake began to spin, and a flurry of silver snow filled the sky, blanketing most of the heavens. The cold intensified and the wind howled.

Qingyu realized Zhang Xiao was preparing a powerful strike. If the move was completed, even uninjured, he might not withstand it.

He warned, “Be careful, junior brother!” But Ye Hua stood unmoving, seemingly oblivious. Qingyu tried to summon his Twin-Jade Swords, but as soon as he attempted to circulate his Buddhist force, agony wracked his body—his energy refused to move. He watched helplessly as the killing move descended, knowing that though their lives might be spared, they would be gravely injured. His heart ached for his junior, who suffered this ordeal alongside him.

“Junior brother, move! Quickly!” Qingyu cried, but Ye Hua remained still, eyes dazed.

“Ha! Don’t bother. Your junior’s vital force is crippled by my Icy Soul Frost Essence. He won’t die, but he’s as good as ruined. How could a Fourth Realm withstand my Icy Soul Frost Essence? Ha! Today you’ll see the might of Qixian Temple!” Zhang Xiao laughed wildly as the snowflakes whirled ever more fiercely, blanketing the sky and spiraling down toward Ye Hua and Qingyu.

Qingyu could only watch as the icy petals descended. But just as the snowflakes were about to touch them, they suddenly halted three feet above their heads, refusing to fall. Bewildered, Qingyu thought, “Could this villain have grown merciful? Impossible!” He glanced at Zhang Xiao, whose face was now flushed, sweat pouring from his brow as he exerted all his Buddhist force, clearly not intending to relent.

In the air, the snowflakes spun ever faster, emitting a faint grinding noise as if meeting an invisible barrier. No matter how they spun, they could not descend a hair’s breadth further. Qingyu’s face betrayed his astonishment. Gazing around, he saw that the snowflakes filled the heavens, save for a clear space three feet about himself and Ye Hua, as if an invisible net shielded them.

This was clearly a protective energy barrier. Not only was it beyond his own Sixth Realm, but even their senior at the Seventh would struggle to cast it. Only those who had broken through to the True Essence level could manifest such condensed inner power. “Who is secretly aiding us?” Qingyu wondered. “May I ask which senior is here? This junior pays his respects—would you reveal yourself?”

Monk Zhixian stepped forward, pressing his palms together, and his disciples whispered among themselves, all curious. Yet despite Zhixian’s repeated calls, no answer came. At last, irritation flickered in his heart and he fell silent.

Meanwhile, Zhang Xiao’s face had grown ever redder, his Buddhist force pushed to its limit, but still unable to penetrate the barrier. Seeing this, Monk Zhixian pointed forward, and the icy disc blazed with white light, spinning violently as the grinding sound intensified. It pressed down another half foot—then halted once more, unable to advance.