Chapter 1202: Tomb Interior

The warning from Tongtian Zhi indicated the presence of a force within the Icebound Mausoleum capable of threatening Chen Mobai.

Chen Mobai's current power had reached the peak of the Soul Transformation stage; with no Void Refinement cultivators present, he was virtually invincible.

This implied that a sixth-tier power existed within the mausoleum.

Was it the sixth-tier grand formation left by True Monarch Suiyu?

Chen Mobai had examined the formation diagram in Han Xingzi's possession and knew the mausoleum was arranged according to the most formidable Three-Yin Annihilation Array of the Icy Lands. This array was originally a formation plate and banners left by Grand Ancestor Jiyin, an ascended cultivator.

It was precisely because True Monarch Suiyu had moved the Three-Yin Annihilation Array here that the sixth-tier ice spirit vein in the Icy Lands had collapsed.

However, with Chen Mobai's profound knowledge of formations, even if he were inside the array after studying the diagram, it would be impossible to trap him, let alone with his mastery of the Void Evasion Art.

Nevertheless, since Tongtian Zhi had issued a warning, caution was certainly warranted.

Chen Mobai, who had originally planned to enter the Icebound Mausoleum with his true body, decided to send his second avatar instead.

With this thought, a precious orb flew out from behind Chen Mobai's head, transforming instantly into another him.

Over the years, the cultivation of this second avatar had already reached the late stage of Soul Transformation.

Furthermore, after integrating with the Grand Dao of Light, this Pure Yang Pearl, as a spiritual artifact, was already a top-grade fifth-tier item. With the continuous influx of Grand Dao power, it was rapidly advancing towards the peak of the fifth-tier.

Following this trend, the Pure Yang Pearl would likely be the second item in the Pure Yang set to advance to the sixth-tier.

Chen Mobai looked forward to the day when his entire Pure Yang set would ascend to the sixth-tier.

At that moment, Chen Mobai's expression subtly shifted, and his true body vanished from its spot.

Shortly after, two streaks of icy spiritual light flew over from afar, landing on the mountaintop.

"I didn't expect Sect Master Chen to arrive so quickly."

As the spiritual light dissipated, Han Xingzi and Venerable Luoying were revealed. After exchanging greetings, the former spoke very politely, not realizing that the Chen Mobai before them was merely his second avatar.

"Is it just the two of you? I recall that your Jade Splinter Hall and Snow Mountain Sect should have several Nascent Soul cultivators."

Chen Mobai, seeing only two individuals, asked with a hint of surprise.

After all, according to Han Xingzi, the opening of this Icebound Mausoleum was considered a grand event for the Three Veins of the Icy Lands, and no Nascent Soul cultivator should be willing to miss it.

"During the last entry into the Icebound Mausoleum, our sect already lost a Nascent Soul cultivator. So this time, to prevent the Three Veins of the Icy Lands from losing more vital force, I decided that the other elders should not come. It also helps keep Sect Master Chen's whereabouts discreet."

Although Han Xingzi's words weren't explicit, Chen Mobai understood his meaning.

It seemed that exchanging the Dao Fruit for the Tongtian Holy Spirit Pill might cause opposition within the Three Veins of the Icy Lands, which was why the other Nascent Soul elders weren't informed.

After all, the Tongtian Holy Spirit Pill would undoubtedly go to Han Xingzi, but the Dao Fruit could potentially fall into others' hands.

Chen Mobai feigned ignorance regarding this.

"Open the gate. We'll go quickly and return swiftly."

As Chen Mobai spoke, the Azure Lumina Ice Heart Rope appeared on his arm, subtly concealing the intense Pure Yang True Qi of his second avatar.

"As you command!"

Han Xingzi nodded very politely, then offered up a talisman with black characters on a blue background.

The moment the talisman appeared, Chen Mobai felt a bone-chilling cold. The ice spiritual energy freely floating in the surrounding air began to whistle, transforming into streams of cold white light, which flowed into the talisman.

"This is our sect's inherited Profound Yin Talisman, also the key to entering and exiting the Icebound Mausoleum."

As Han Xingzi introduced it, the hand seal he was performing concluded. The dark patterns on the Profound Yin Talisman suddenly seemed to come alive, leaping from the blue paper and merging into the surrounding void.

Chen Mobai instantly perceived the power of the void beginning to vibrate intensely, and then an opening was carved out by the Profound Yin Talisman.

A terrifying cold current, cold enough to freeze the air itself, surged out from the void opening. Chen Mobai's Pure Yang Immortal Robe instantly glowed with a scorching fire, automatically resisting it. This indicated that the cold current was capable of freezing a fifth-tier physical body.

In contrast to his ease, Han Xingzi and Venerable Luoying couldn't help but shiver.

However, Chen Mobai noticed that under these circumstances, both of them actually sat on the ground and activated their cultivation techniques to absorb and refine the cold current, bit by bit.

It was likely due to their cultivation techniques sharing the same origin, which meant that this cold current, powerful enough to freeze Nascent Soul cultivators, was actually a resource for their advancement.

Chen Mobai perceived that as they refined the cold current, their True Qi and vital essence became even purer.

Even the elixirs' residual toxins originally in their bodies were gradually frozen and precipitated out by the cold current.

A thought sparked in Chen Mobai's mind. His true body, hidden nearby, took out a Spirit Sealing Tube and collected a stream of the cold current, intending to analyze it with the Grand Dao of Primordial Chaos when he had time in the future.

After a full day and night, the cold current finally dissipated completely.

Han Xingzi and Venerable Luoying simultaneously opened their eyes and rose, bowing to Chen Mobai, who stood not far away: "Thank you, Sect Master Chen, for protecting us."

It was because of Chen Mobai's good reputation, coupled with the preciousness of the Pure Yin cold current, that the two dared to refine it directly in front of him.

"Although your cultivation hasn't advanced, your foundations have become much more profound."

Chen Mobai said with some curiosity. Han Xingzi did not hide anything and explained the reason.

It turned out that if the Three-Yin Annihilation Array was established over an ice spirit vein, it would continuously refine ice spiritual energy into Pure Yin cold currents. This was the purest form of Pure Yin spiritual energy, containing profound mysteries of creation. However, only those who practiced the corresponding cultivation techniques could refine and utilize it.

The reason the Icy Lands were once considered a Sacred Land was precisely because of this kind of fortuitous opportunity.

The Nascent Soul cultivators of their sect could rely on the Pure Yin cold currents to purify their True Qi and vital essence, eliminate the effects of residual toxins, and thus rapidly advance their cultivation.

"I see. So, True Monarch Suiyu was rather selfish to take the Three-Yin Annihilation Array for his own Void Refinement cultivation."

Although Han Xingzi and Venerable Luoying also thought the same, they dared not agree and could only awkwardly change the subject: "Sect Master Chen, the portal to the Icebound Mausoleum has opened. Shall we enter?"

Chen Mobai looked at the opening, which had been unsealed and stabilized by the Profound Yin Talisman, nodded, and stepped in first.

Witnessing this, Han Xingzi and Venerable Luoying were inwardly impressed and followed closely behind.

After the three had entered, the opening sustained by the Profound Yin Talisman suddenly contracted and vanished.

Chen Mobai's true body stepped out from the void. Gazing at the vanished point, he understood all the crucial details.

The Profound Yin Talisman remained in its original spot, which was also the entrance to the Icebound Mausoleum. In the future, if they needed to exit, it would only be possible from this very place.

Chen Mobai's eyes flickered with spiritual light, seeing through the true nature of the Profound Yin Talisman.

This was a low-grade sixth-tier spiritual talisman. Besides opening the Icebound Mausoleum, it had other functions, but if activated, it would be consumed.

In comparison, the Three Veins of the Icy Lands would definitely prefer to preserve this spiritual talisman to allow long-term access to the Icebound Mausoleum.

After examining the Profound Yin Talisman, Chen Mobai began to perceive his surroundings using the Void Evasion Art. Before long, he discerned a void membrane.

He had a feeling that with just one step, he could enter the Icebound Mausoleum without the Profound Yin Talisman's activation.

However, given Tongtian Zhi's warning, Chen Mobai certainly wouldn't enter with his true body.

It was better to let his second avatar thoroughly explore it.

Upon entering the Icebound Mausoleum, Chen Mobai felt as if he were stepping on air, his body continuously falling downwards. He activated the flame patterns on his Pure Yang Immortal Robe, transforming them into a fiery dragon that carried him, stopping him mid-air.

The temperature here was much lower than that of the snowy mountains outside. Ordinary creatures would likely be frozen solid the moment they entered.

Chen Mobai looked around and found himself standing on a lake surface resembling a giant mirror. The surface was smooth and pristine, clearly frozen, reflecting the surrounding snowy mountains, blue sky, and white clouds, imparting a unique sense of purity.

"Sect Master Chen, this is Mirror Lake, the outermost part of the Icebound Mausoleum. On the shores of Mirror Lake is a snowfield forest, where numerous precious medicinal herbs, exotic flowers, and strange fruits grow. This was originally our most valuable medicinal field in the Icy Lands, but after it was transformed into a mausoleum, one can only enter once every 120 years, and each person can only take a small amount. On several occasions, Nascent Soul cultivators from the Three Veins of the Icy Lands took too much and were then unable to leave this place."

"After passing through the snowfield forest, you'll reach Snow Cloud Mountain, where the mausoleum is located. The highest peak, Snow Cloud Summit, is where our Grand Ancestor failed his Void Refinement and passed away."

"To reach Snow Cloud Summit, you must pass through a series of ice caves called Ethereal Rainbow Caverns. These caverns contain mysterious mists, and it was there that a senior from our sect obtained a long-lost secret art of the Icy Lands."

"After passing through the ice caves, you can ascend towards Snow Cloud Summit along the Crystal Waterfall, because flying is forbidden within the mausoleum..."

Han Xingzi, standing on the frozen surface of Mirror Lake, stopped there. Seeing Chen Mobai floating in mid-air atop his fiery dragon, he swallowed hard and retracted his words.

Clearly, the restriction on flying here only applied to cultivators below the Soul Transformation stage.

"In that case, I'll do as the Romans do."

After hearing this, Chen Mobai dispersed the fiery dragon and descended onto the lake surface.

In fact, the scrolls of the Daoist Virtue Sect documented these events. Back then, Soul Transformation cultivators from the three great Sacred Lands used the Heaven-and-Earth Xuanji Instrument to find this place. Then, a Soul Transformation cultivator from the Grand Void Ethereal Palace led them into the mausoleum. However, as they approached Snow Cloud Summit, they discovered a terrifying power, capable of freezing all things, engulfing the area.

It was this power that made them retreat in the face of difficulty.

After all, True Monarch Suiyu was a cultivator close to ascension, and the power he left before his death might well be enough to claim the life of a Soul Transformation cultivator.

Although Chen Mobai's second avatar carried a sixth-tier Primal Yang Sword, it would certainly be best if he could obtain the Dao Fruit without resorting to force. Moreover, this was someone else's territory, so it was better to be polite.

"Sect Master Chen, please follow us."

Han Xingzi, seeing that Chen Mobai apparently had no intention of directly flying them to Snow Cloud Summit, was slightly disappointed but still mustered his spirits and headed towards the snowfield forest on the shore of Mirror Lake.

Stepping onto Mirror Lake, Chen Mobai noticed schools of crystal-clear spirit fish swimming beneath the frozen surface, following their footsteps. Han Xingzi introduced them as Cold Fish, explaining that they were delicious with tender, smooth flesh and were an excellent spiritual item for cultivators practicing ice-attribute techniques.

"My Jade Splinter Hall also cultivates these. If Sect Master Chen desires them, after we leave, I will send a hundred of them to you via my disciples."

Han Xingzi said generously. Chen Mobai nodded slightly, thinking that these might enhance ice spirit roots and could be taken back for his daughter and Yan Bingxuan to try.

As they spoke, the three had already crossed Mirror Lake and approached the dense forest on its shore. The trees here were tall and straight, their branches covered in thick snow, appearing from a distance like rows of silver-clad giants. Occasionally, they could also spot snow rabbits, snow foxes, and snow deer.

Chen Mobai's gaze swept over the area, revealing snow-white lotus flowers and translucent fruits resembling ice crystals. All of these exuded a fifth-tier aura, clearly being spiritual items over ten thousand years old.

"Sect Master Chen, each person who enters may take one fifth-tier item, three fourth-tier items, and ten third-tier items... Given your distinguished status, please take your pick first."

Han Xingzi spoke to him, explaining that this was a rule the Three Veins of the Icy Lands had discovered over thousands of years.

"In that case, I won't stand on ceremony."

If Han Xingzi hadn't mentioned it, Chen Mobai, as a paragon of virtue, definitely wouldn't have taken anything. But since the hosts had given their permission, he smiled and took one fifth-tier snow-white lotus, three fourth-tier crystal fruits, and other spiritual items.

These items, once taken back to the Immortal Sect and refined into elixirs by Yuanxu, would be enough for Yan Bingxuan, Chen Xiaohei, and others to cultivate to the Nascent Soul stage.

Especially the fifth-tier snow lotus, whose medicinal properties would be too potent for them; it might need to be refined petal by petal.

With Han Xingzi leading the way, they easily bypassed the formation restrictions within the snowfield forest and arrived at the majestic snowy mountains at its end.

Chen Mobai saw the highest Snow Cloud Summit, enveloped in thick clouds, as if a mysterious giant guarded it from above. At the mountainside, there was also a waterfall composed of pure white ice crystals. As the water fell, it condensed into transparent icicles in mid-air, which, upon hitting the ground, resembled the Milky Way descending to the mortal realm, incredibly beautiful.

Snow Cloud Summit was surrounded by continuous snowy mountains, so if one wished to go there without flying, they would need to pass through a series of ice caves within the mountains.

After Chen Mobai followed Han Xingzi and Venerable Luoying inside, they soon discovered a fork in the path.

"Sect Master Chen, these three cave entrances represent the Three-Yin Dao Fruits, and inside them are our sect's related inheritances. What one gains depends entirely on fortune and comprehension."

"I will go to the Taiyin Cave on the left, and my junior sister will take the Xuan Yin Cave in the middle."

"Sect Master Chen can walk with us, or you can take the Shaoyin Cave alone, but eventually, all paths lead out to the waterfall in front of Snow Cloud Summit."

Han Xingzi, fearing Chen Mobai might misunderstand that they were trying to ditch him using this opportunity, pointed to the three branching cave entrances and explained.

"Then let's split up and each take a path."

Chen Mobai considered it and thought that with his comprehension, he could definitely fully grasp the inheritances of the Icy Lands. Splitting up would prevent Han Xingzi and Venerable Luoying from suffering a shattered Dao Heart.

"Understood. We'll see you again before Snow Cloud Summit."

Having said this, Han Xingzi stepped first into the leftmost cave entrance. Venerable Luoying offered Chen Mobai a slight bow and also disappeared into the middle cave entrance.