Cultivation Begins From The Desert-Chapter 737 - 721: Extreme Yang Fire Pool
"To part for centuries, and unexpectedly meet Fellow Daoist Ling in the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm once more, truly it's fate!"
"Indeed, Ling also did not expect to meet Fellow Daoist Zhou here!"
Inside a quiet room, Zhouyang and Ling Chao sat facing each other, their faces filled with emotion.
Neither of them imagined that their reunion would happen under such circumstances and in such a place.
"May I ask, is Fairy Yufeng well?"
After expressing his feelings, Ling Chao looked at Zhouyang with gleaming eyes and was the first to inquire about Jiang Yufeng's situation.
It seemed that even after successfully forming his Nascent Soul, he had never forgotten Jiang Yufeng's image.
"Feng'Er is currently cultivating with her mother in the Wilderness. I haven't seen her in decades, but with her mother by her side, I believe nothing should go wrong."
Zhouyang briefly pondered and chose not to reveal the issue of Jiang Yufeng's bloodline conflict, merely mentioning her cultivation with her mother in the Wilderness Jungle.
This could be considered not airing family grievances.
From his hesitant expression, Ling Chao also perceived that Zhouyang had something he could not easily disclose. Thus, upon hearing his words, Ling Chao did not inquire further, merely nodded and said, "I understand. I hope Fellow Daoist Zhou can relay a message to Fairy Yufeng for me: Once I finish handling matters in the Beiting Continent Cultivation Realm, I will travel to the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm. We may meet again then."
Hearing this, Zhouyang immediately smiled and said, "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Ling, I will certainly tell Feng'Er, and you are always welcome to visit my cave mansion."
It wasn't difficult to discern from Ling Chao's words that he still had feelings for Jiang Yufeng.
From Zhouyang's perspective, having such an outstanding cultivator with talent, background, and cultivation pursue his daughter was certainly not something he would refuse as a father.
Of course, whether the two of them could become Dao Companions depended on their own wishes. If Jiang Yufeng herself was unwilling, Zhouyang would never force his daughter.
Next, Zhouyang discussed the situation in the Beiting Continent Cultivation Realm with Ling Chao, generally informing him of the events that transpired since his arrival there so that Ling Chao could be prepared.
After hearing Zhouyang's discussion on the Beiting Continent Cultivation Realm situation, Ling Chao solemnly said at the time of parting, "When Fellow Daoist Zhou returns to the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, please be extra cautious. According to information obtained by my Donghua Immortal Palace, the Clan Leader of the Dragon Taming Family, Yu Long Xing Yu, has advanced to the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul Stage and hasn't shown himself for several years. I suspect he may have secretly come to the Beiting Continent Cultivation Realm!"
"I understand. Thank you, Fellow Daoist Ling, for informing me. I will be very cautious."
Zhouyang's expression tightened as he respectfully cupped his hands to Ling Chao in thanks.
After Ling Chao took his leave, leaving Zhouyang alone in the quiet room, his face immediately fell.
Zhouyang had many enemies throughout his life, but the deepest enmity was undoubtedly with the Dragon Taming Family.
Because of him, many direct members of the Dragon Taming Family perished, most of whom were Nascent Soul stage cultivators, including Yu Long Xing Yu's cousin, Yu Long Xing He, who also fell under Zhouyang's hand.
Such a great enmity, neither he nor Yu Long Xing Yu could possibly forget or let go.
"It's strange too. Yu Long Xing Yu, after all, suffered a serious loss of Primordial Qi due to using the Dragon Transformation Technique. How is it that just over a hundred years later, not only has he fully recovered, but he has also bravely advanced and broken through, reaching the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul? Could this be the Dragon Taming Family's foundation?"
Zhouyang murmured, eyes filled with puzzlement and doubt.
Though the Eighth-Layer and Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul are both Late-Stage Nascent Soul, advancing from the Eighth-Layer to the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul is much harder than progressing from Mid-Stage to Late-Stage Nascent Soul.
Yu Long Xing Yu, over a hundred years ago, had his Primordial Qi depleted and was significantly injured. Logically, in such a condition, there was no chance for him to advance to the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul.
Yet the fact now showed that he succeeded.
Zhouyang did not know how Yu Long Xing Yu achieved this, but he understood that since Yu Long Xing Yu had reached the "Half-Step True Immortal" stage at the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul, he would likely come to seek revenge.
Ling Chao's speculation that Yu Long Xing Yu had probably arrived at the Beiting Continent Cultivation Realm was something Zhouyang agreed with.
"Seems I need to prepare early. With my current strength, facing Yu Long Xing Yu, who wields a Tier Seven Immortal Artifact, the gap is indeed too large. It's unwise to confront him directly."
With a flash of determination in his eyes, Zhouyang immediately went to visit Master Cyan Yang.
Since Master Cyan Yang had also been involved in besieging the Dragon Taming Family back then, Yu Long Xing Yu might target him as well.
Zhouyang needed to remind him about this lest he fall victim to Yu Long Xing Yu's schemes unprepared.
Sure enough, when Master Cyan Yang learned that Yu Long Xing Yu had advanced to the Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul, he was greatly shocked, and his face immediately filled with worry.
"This is troublesome!"
With a worried expression, he looked at Zhouyang, lips moving as though he wanted to speak but hesitated.
Seeing this, Zhouyang pondered for a moment and then understood Master Cyan Yang's concerns.
He quickly reassured him, "Don't worry, senior. Yu Long Xing Yu's primary target is still me. As long as I'm alive, he's unlikely to first attack other Nascent Soul stage cultivators of your sect. We must remember that he isn't a solitary figure; he has a large clan after all!"
The deterrent power of a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortal" cultivator is incredibly high, not to mention Yu Long Xing Yu possesses a Tier Seven Immortal Artifact.
Such a powerful figure, if he wishes to secretly hunt Nascent Soul cultivators of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, even someone like Wang Lingxiao, who wields the Tier Seven Immortal Artifact Red Sky Divine Spear and is a Late-Stage Nascent Soul cultivator, might not escape from Yu Long Xing Yu's grasp.
But as Zhouyang mentioned, Yu Long Xing Yu isn't alone. Unless he is confident he can destroy the Profound Sun Immortal Sect and Yuqing Daoist Sect outright, he risks the other sects' Nascent Soul cultivators, Wang Lingxiao and Master Yujing, retaliating against the Dragon Taming Family's other members in the Donghua Continent Cultivation Realm.
Hearing Zhouyang's comfort, Master Cyan Yang's expression slightly relaxed, although he shook his head and said, "Regardless, it's always better to be cautious. I will immediately inform the sect to be wary of this and not venture out unnecessarily!"
"Your concern is valid, Senior. When you send the message, please tell Guangcheng to stay within the mountains until I return. He should avoid meeting others easily, in case someone impersonates the Zhou Family or your sect members to capture him and use him against me."
"Naturally, I am counting on Guangcheng to enhance our sect's prestige in the future, so we cannot let anything happen to him."
After some discussion, Master Cyan Yang sent the information back to the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, and the two also began planning their exit from the Beiting Continent Cultivation Realm.
Three months later, Nie Yushuang personally escorted Xu Tianlin, Guo Huaiyang, Master Cyan Yang, and Shen Menglong, the four surviving Nascent Soul stage cultivators and eight Golden Core stage cultivators from the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, over a million miles out of the Beiting Continent Cultivation Realm.
At that time, Zhouyang was already amidst the vast icefield, heading towards a secret realm, unsure if it truly existed.
As it turned out, he had decided to leave alone three months before after learning about Yu Long Xing Yu from Ling Chao.
Two and a half months ago, after a secret discussion with Nie Yushuang, he left the base through an internal teleportation array of the Profound Nether Immortal Sect, concealing his identity and heading towards the Extreme North Icefield.
He didn't know what means Dragon-Taming Star Feather had to find him, but he thought it was likely an exotic treasure divine technique he had heard from Ling Chao called the "Seeking Truth Treasure Mirror".
So when Nie Yushuang was about to give him a few more treasures as thanks for his contribution during the demonic calamity, he proactively requested a treasure similar to the "Void Escape Talisman".
It happened that a major sect in the Beiting Continent cultivation realm had a treasure named "Void Profound Pearl" that could meet his needs.
Thus, Nie Yushuang vouched for him to borrow this item, allowing him to use it for three hundred years, to repay his assistance to the Beiting Continent cultivation realm.
Judging by the fact that Dragon-Taming Star Feather has not yet caught up with him, the "Void Profound Pearl" clearly played a role, successfully shielding him from their tracking methods.
"Zhou Lang, what if we can't find that so-called Extreme Yang Fire Pool? Are we to wander outside forever and not return home?" 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢
On the broad back of the "Water-Resistant Golden-Eyed Beast," Xiao Ying, who was released by Zhouyang from the "Dongxuan Pearl" to accompany him, gazed at the vast, endless white icefield with worry evident in her eyes.
Zhouyang did not hide the fact that Dragon-Taming Star Feather might be pursuing him from her, so she had been worried ever since learning about it.
What worried her the most, of course, was their son Zhou Guangcheng, far away in the Liuyun Continent cultivation realm.
"Ying'Er, don't think too much. I've already entrusted Master Cyan Yang to take care of Guangcheng. He is the future hope for the rise of the Profound Yang Immortal Sect. The Profound Yang Immortal Sect will certainly protect him well and won't give Dragon-Taming Star Feather a chance to capture him and threaten me!"
Zhouyang grasped his Dao companion's jade hand, pulling her into his arms, gently comforting his beloved.
Xiao Ying looked up at the man's handsome face, a flash of hesitation in her eyes, then as if making a decision, she spoke softly, "Zhou Lang, I have a suggestion, I don't know if I should say it."
"Is there anything we can't talk about between us? Speak freely."
Zhouyang looked at his Dao companion in surprise, smiling slightly, and encouraged her with his eyes to speak her mind.
Encouraged, Xiao Ying put down her worries and immediately said, "If we can't find the Extreme Yang Fire Pool, Zhou Lang, you might as well take me and Guangcheng to recluse at 'Donglai Immortal Island' until your cultivation strength can contend with Dragon-Taming Star Feather, before coming out again."
She remembered Zhouyang mentioning that "Donglai Immortal Island" was protected by a Tier Seven Immortal Array. Even a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal would have difficulty reaching the island. Once hidden inside, Dragon-Taming Star Feather would no longer pose a threat to their family.
However, she was also aware that if Zhouyang did this, the Zhou family would be in danger.
Dragon-Taming Star Feather, unable to deal with Zhouyang, might directly target the Zhou family to force him out of hiding to save them.
That was the source of her previous hesitation.
Originally, she thought that after voicing her thoughts, even if Zhouyang didn't scold her, he would certainly be enraged and refuse.
But to her surprise and touched her heart, Zhouyang, after hearing her words, merely looked at her gently and said, "Ying'Er, your suggestion is good. I promise you, once we return to the Liuyun Continent cultivation realm, I'll send you and Guangcheng to 'Donglai Immortal Island' for secluded cultivation."
"What about you, Zhou Lang? Won't you come with us?"
Xiao Ying looked at her beloved with excitement, her eyes full of pleading.
"I'm sorry, I can't abandon the Zhou family. I won't let the entire Zhou family be destroyed because of something caused by me alone!"
Zhouyang shook his head regretfully, speaking in a low voice to express his decision.
Xiao Ying's eyes instantly dimmed. She had predicted this outcome; she just didn't want to believe it until she heard it from Zhouyang's mouth.
Now, hearing it, she gave up hope.
Seeing her dream shattered, she remained silent for a moment, then looked up at Zhouyang again with a determined voice, "If you don't go, I won't go either. I will stay by your side till the end. Even if it means dying, I wish to die before you!"
"Hahaha, it seems for the sake of Ying'Er, I, Zhouyang, really have to keep myself alive!"
Zhouyang laughed heartily, extending a large hand to pull his beloved into his arms, speaking boldly and confidently, "Don't worry, a mere Dragon-Taming Star Feather can't harm me, Zhouyang. I have a plan for this matter. Ying'Er, leave this to me."
His confidence had a special influence on Xiao Ying, quickly easing her mood under his reassurance.
For the next three years or so, Zhouyang continuously searched for the location of the Extreme Yang Fire Pool deep within the Extreme North Icefield.
Efforts were not in vain. Following Nie Yushuang's clues, he finally discovered the possible location of the Extreme Yang Fire Pool, deep within the icefield, millions of miles away from the Beiting Continent cultivation realm.
The so-called Extreme Yang Fire Pool is essentially a fire pool where the fire attribute spiritual qi is extremely pure and active.
The Extreme North Icefield is covered by snow and ice year-round, with the most dense ice attribute spiritual qi, followed by wind attribute and water attribute qi, and lastly fire attribute qi.
The deeper you journey into the icefield, the more pronounced this ice-strong fire-weak phenomenon becomes. To the point where Zhouyang found himself, the fire attribute spiritual qi was already so feeble that he, even with his Nascent Soul Stage cultivation, could barely sense it.
In such places, cultivators like him using fire attribute techniques would find the effect of refining Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to restore magical power less than one-tenth of that within the Fire Birch Mountain cave.
Moreover, the cold here is intense enough to challenge Purple Mansion Stage fire attribute cultivators.
Even the "Bingyi People," naturally suited to cold environments, wouldn't settle here.
Only a few robust beings like the Icefield Demonic Beasts, and exceptional cultivators like Zhouyang, could survive long term in such conditions.
However, precisely because the cold is so intense that it has reached a level of "Yin Reaches Yang," it nurtures the formation of a special existence like the Extreme Yang Fire Pool.
The pure and dense fire attribute qi inside the Extreme Yang Fire Pool is the result of years of fire attribute qi in the Extreme North Icefield being suppressed and driven away by the cold, gradually gathering in one place for warmth.
The fire pool before Zhouyang, with a diameter of less than five hundred feet, may have been nurtured for thousands, if not tens of thousands of years!
The best feature of the Extreme Yang Fire Pool is that the fire attribute qi accumulated inside, refined by the cold of the icefield, is free of impurities and doesn't carry the fire poison evil qi found in subterranean magma lakes, making it easy for cultivators to absorb and refine.
Under these circumstances, as long as the fire attribute qi inside doesn't deplete, the cultivation efficiency for a fire attribute cultivator like Zhouyang would be ten, even dozens of times that in a place like the Fire Birch Mountain cave!
"Wonderful, the years spent toiling back and forth in this icy wasteland have not been wasted. With this pool's aid, not only is my promotion to the third layer of the Nascent Soul assured, but I might also advance to nearly the Mid-Stage Nascent Soul level!"
Zhouyang's face blossomed with joy. He immediately had the Water-Resistant Golden-Eyed Beast and his external incarnation stand guard and then eagerly jumped into the fire pool to cultivate.
