It was similar to the celestial designer mechanism he had encountered in the soul oracle tomb back then.
There were some occupations that were not as famous as formation masters, but the artifacts they created were in no way inferior to formations.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to establish their own lineage and pass it down for so long.
"There must be something that's affecting the mind and maintaining the alternating cold and heat in this room. That's why it gives people the illusion that this place is so real!"
Even though it wasn't a formation, it was still able to produce such a realistic illusion. Most likely, there was some kind of artifact or some kind of unique energy maintaining the illusion, just like how formations required spiritual energy to drive.
"Flaws!"
Understanding what was going on, Zhang Xuan returned his consciousness back to his physical body and touched the walls and floor of the Room of Ice and Fire.
Not too long later, a book materialized in the Library of Ice and Fire.
"I see …"
After reading through the contents of the letter, Zhang Xuan nodded in realization.
"The Origin Flame Glacier Plain requires an origin flame and a glacier. Only by combining the two can such a bizarre phenomenon occur … Based on the coordinates, it should be here!"
After surveying the room for a moment, Zhang Xuan walked over to a corner and created a fake. Then, he tapped on a few different locations.
Kacha!
With the sound of a mechanism being activated, a hole appeared before his eyes.
It was a pitch-black, bottomless abyss.
"Let's head down to take a look!"
It was impossible for others to dive into such a bottomless abyss even if they wanted to. However, Zhang Xuan had the Red Dust Heaven Ascending Steps, which granted him the ability to fly.
Thus, he leaped into the abyss. Every so often, he would fly to slow himself down, so he didn't expend too much of his stamina. After descending several thousand meters, he finally landed on solid ground.
It was an extremely spacious underground cavern, and one couldn't see the end of it. Just ahead of him was a lake with a diameter of around two meters. However, just like the Yin-Yang Fish in the Taiji Diagram, half of it was filled with boiling lava while the other half was filled with ice.
Under its influence, the spiritual energy in the surroundings was extremely lively. The palace he had been in previously was already a decent place, but compared to this place, it paled by several folds.
"Could this be the Yin-Yang Lake?"
Zhang Xuan thought.
Could this really be the Yin-Yang Lake?
If that wasn't the case, how could there be such a bizarre phenomenon where yin and yang interacted with fire and cold?
But … if that was the case, how could it be so small?
With a diameter of two meters, it was estimated that only one person would be able to enter. Two people would be slightly crowded.
After all, cultivation wasn't the same as taking a bath. It was impossible for him to have absolute trust in the other party, and it was impossible for him to cultivate peacefully at such a close distance.
If the Yin-Yang Lake was only this big, the Glacier Plain Court couldn't possibly be so famous.
He nurtured countless disciples who cultivated Yin Yang and were not weak at all.
"Let's see what's happening …"
Zhang Xuan walked forward and placed his palm on the surface of the lake.
Hu!
A book appeared in his mind.
"The Origin Flame Glacier Plain Source Water is something that the members of the Glacier Plain Court used a unique method to seal the Earth Vein and fuse it with the unique substance [Glacier Plain]. It's extremely rare. Weaknesses: 1. Requires maintenance by a dedicated person. Otherwise, it can be easily destroyed … "
It was densely packed with information.
He finished reading everything recorded in the book.
"It really isn't the Yin-Yang Lake … I thought I found it!"
He shook his head.
He thought that he had found the Yin-Yang Pond directly, but now it seemed that it was not that simple. The Yin-Yang Pond was the most important possession of the Glacier Plain Court, so how could he possibly find it so easily? Furthermore, how could there be no one guarding it?
Based on the description in the Library of Heaven's Path, the [Origin Flame Glacier Plain Source Water] was created by the members of the Glacier Plain Court by sealing the Earth Vein and fusing it with the [Glacier Plain] to form the Origin Flame.
As for what the Glacier Plain was, Zhang Xuan thought that it was just a plain of snow and ice. But from the looks of it now, it seemed to be something similar to the Origin Flame, a unique substance.
It was the name of a unique ice attribute substance.
"Pavilion Master Kang said that this was originally a mountain of flames, but it eventually turned into a land covered in snow … This should be the reason."
On the way here, Pavilion Master Kang had explained it in detail.
It was a sea of flames, and the heat was unbearable. Not a single blade of grass could grow here.
The members of the Glacier Plain Court had modified it into a land covered in snow.
If Zhang Xuan wasn't mistaken, this was the result of this small lake.
The lake covered the Earth Vein that was releasing heat, and using the Glacier Plain to suppress the heat, it was only a matter of time before the mountain was covered in snow.
This was similar to how a volcano was so hot that no one could approach it. Using a powerful means to seal the erupting lava, as time passed, the temperature would gradually fall.
"Since this lake is able to create an illusion, it must be able to affect one's soul. If my soul were to enter it, what would happen?"
A thought popped up in Zhang Xuan's mind.
Even though this lake wasn't the Yin-Yang Pond, he was certain that it would affect a cultivator's soul. Since that was the case … would it be more effective if he tried using his soul?
"I should give it a try!"
There was no need for him to hesitate. In any case, this was a test, so he couldn't make a decision on his own.
Sitting cross-legged on the spot, Zhang Xuan drew his Primordial Spirit out and headed straight for the lake.
Tzzzzzzz!
As soon as he entered the lake, the cold current and heat immediately gushed into his soul, making it feel as if his soul had fallen into a pot of boiling oil.
However, at the same time, his soul also became clearer and stronger.
"Not bad!"
Zhang Xuan nodded his head in satisfaction.
The Heaven's Path Soul Guiding Formula that Zhang Xuan was using allowed his soul to be extremely resilient and fearless of yin and yang, allowing him to devour such powerful energy freely. If it had been any other soul oracle, they would have already been melted by the searing heat of the water.
In fact... even a Consonant Spirit realm expert who cultivated zhenqi would find their physical body collapsing under the influence of the Interchanging Chilling Heat and Chilling Heat.
However, the soul was an intangible substance. It wasn't like porcelain or steel, which would expand and contract upon coming into contact with heat and cold, eventually shattering.
In other words, the Origin Flame Glacier Lake was a perfect environment for him to cultivate his soul. No one else would be able to achieve such a feat.
"Absorbing energy …"
Realizing this, Zhang Xuan chuckled heartily. Opening his mouth, the alternating hot and cold energy gushed into his soul.
Driving the Heaven's Path Soul Art furiously, Zhang Xuan's cultivation rose swiftly.
Kacha!
The sound of a wall shattering echoed. In just a few breaths, his soul cultivation had risen from Transcendent Mortal 2-dan pinnacle to Transcendent Mortal 3-dan primary stage.
On top of that, as he drove the Heaven's Path Soul Guiding Formula, the yin and yang energy beneath the lake was being extracted at a frenzied rate, causing his soul cultivation to rise at an even faster rate.
Transcendent Mortal 3-dan primary stage!
Transcendent Mortal 3-dan intermediate stage!
3-dan advanced stage!
…
After absorbing the yin and yang energy within the lake, Zhang Xuan's cultivation rose swiftly. In fact, the rate at which he was cultivating was at least two times faster than when he was absorbing spiritual energy.
"This lake is a mixture of yin and yang, cold and heat, and it complements the Heaven's Path Soul Art. That's why I'm improving so quickly …"
Zhang Xuan understood the reason for his rapid cultivation.
One begets two, two begets three, and three begets all living beings.
The Heaven's Path Soul Art was created by gathering innumerable cultivation techniques, and it harnessed the profound principles of the world. On the other hand, the lake before him was a mixture of yin and yang …
It was the combination of the two that allowed his cultivation to increase exponentially.
But even so, it wasn't of much use to him.
After all, even if he were to absorb spirit stones, he could still easily raise his cultivation by a realm within two hours. Even if he were to absorb spirit stones, he would only be able to raise his cultivation by a realm within an hour.
It wasn't as exaggerated as he thought it to be.
Of course, this was also due to his monstrous cultivation speed. If it were anyone else, they would surely wake up laughing in their dreams if their cultivation was raised exponentially.
Hong long!
After an unknown period of time, Zhang Xuan's soul energy jolted intensely, and he came to a stop.
Transcendent Mortal 4-dan pinnacle … he had reached it!
In less than two hours, his soul cultivation had risen from Transcendent Mortal 2-dan pinnacle to 4-dan pinnacle!
At Transcendent Mortal 4-dan Clarifying Turbidity realm, his strength rose from 800,000 ding to 1,000,000 ding.
At this cultivation stage, his strength would increase by 200,000 ding each time he advanced. In other words, at 4-dan pinnacle, just the strength of his soul would be 1,600,000 ding! (Clarifying Turbidity realm primary stage 1,000,000 ding intermediate stage 1,200,000 ding, advanced stage 1,400,000 ding, and pinnacle 1,600,000 ding.)
If he were to add 400,000 ding of zhenqi into the mix, he would be able to defeat Pavilion Master Kang easily!
Powerful!
Zhang Xuan didn't think that he would be able to raise his cultivation so swiftly.
However, since the soul oracle occupation had already gone extinct, it would be best to avoid using it as much as possible.
Otherwise, all kinds of trouble would come one after another, and it would be extremely annoying.
"Time to return!"
Reaching the limit of his cultivation, Zhang Xuan stopped. His soul returned to his body, and with a slight jolt, he stood up.
Looking at the lake before him, he realized that the water which had been a mixture of yin and yang a moment ago was no different from an ordinary stream. The yin and yang energy contained within it had been sapped dry by him.
At the same time, his soul was also twice as large as that of an ordinary Transcendent Mortal 4-dan pinnacle soul oracle. Once it left his body, it would grow to a height of more than three zhang.
"I didn't think that it would be more than two hours already. I should head out first!"
Calculating the time, Zhang Xuan felt a little awkward.
One had to leave the Room of Ice and Fire within two hours in order to obtain the opportunity to enter the Yin-Yang Lake. Given that he had spent more than two hours here, even if he were to head out now, it was unlikely that he would be able to clear the examination.
Pavilion Master Kang had gone through so much trouble, even giving up on his student to allow him to enter... Zhang Xuan wondered if he would faint on the spot upon seeing this sight.
"Forget it, I shouldn't think too much into it!"
Zhang Xuan was already satisfied with the massive growth in his soul cultivation and cultivation. Thus, he couldn't be bothered to think too much into it. Activating the Red Dust Heaven Ascending Steps, he leaped into the air.
His zhenqi cultivation had reached Transcendent Mortal 2-dan advanced stage. Compared to when he first learned this technique, he could only last a few breaths in midair. However, at this moment, he could fly for more than ten minutes.
A distance of several thousand meters wasn't too difficult for him.
Ten breaths later, he returned to the Room of Ice and Fire, and tapping on the floor a few times, the mechanism closed.
After confirming that there was no mistake, Zhang Xuan tidied up his clothes, pushed open the door, and walked out.
The moment he walked out of the room, he saw Court Chief Wu, Pavilion Master Kang, and the others rushing to the door anxiously. It seemed like they would barge in if he didn't appear soon.
"Zhang Shi, are you fine..."
Pavilion Master Kang asked worriedly.
"I'm fine!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.
"Then you..." Ruohuan gongzi was perplexed. Since he was fine, why didn't he come out earlier? Now that he had exceeded two hours, he was no longer qualified to enter the Yin-Yang Lake...
Court Chief Wu was also curious about the matter.
Even though Ruohuan gongzi and Zhao Ya had managed to leave the room within the stipulated time, they were in a sorry state. On the other hand, not only was Zhang Shi completely uninjured, his clothes were as smooth as new, no different from when he first entered the room...
What was going on?
Usually, such a situation would only occur on geniuses who had managed to overcome the illusory world a long time ago. Otherwise, even if one's physical body was fine, one's clothes would still be unable to withstand the assault of yin and yang energy.
"Oh, I felt that the yin and yang energy in the room wasn't too bad, so I decided to cultivate a little. However, in my excitement, I forgot about the time..."
Zhang Xuan said awkwardly.
He couldn't speak of the matter regarding the soul oracles. Thus, even though what he said was the truth, he only brushed it off lightly. However, when the crowd heard those words, their bodies trembled, and they nearly spurted blood.
To cultivate in a place as challenging as the Room of Ice and Fire?
Others would only think about how they could persevere after entering the Room of Ice and Fire. Yet, this fellow actually thought that it was a good place and forgot about the time while cultivating...
Are you for real?
"The Room of Ice and Fire has a unique mechanism that plunges one into an illusory world... How can one cultivate?"
Court Chief Wu frowned.
"It was just a fluke..." Zhang Xuan shook his head and changed the topic. "Can I be considered to have passed the test?"
"Only by walking out of the Room of Ice and Fire within two hours can you be considered to have passed the test. Even if you forgot about the time while cultivating, you can only be considered to have failed the test..."
Court Chief Wu shook her head.
Even though she wanted Zhang Xuan to succeed... she couldn't break the rules of the Glacier Plain Court.
Regardless of the reason, if he were to walk out of the Yin-Yang Lake after two hours, it would be considered as a failure.
"Alright then..."
Zhang Xuan shook his head.
He had already guessed that this would be the result when he knew that the time limit had exceeded two hours. However, he didn't have much expectations for the Yin-Yang Lake in the first place. On top of that, his soul cultivation had improved tremendously, so he wasn't too disappointed.
"I'm willing to give my slot to teacher..."
Zhao Ya said anxiously.
"There's no need for that!"
Seeing the other party in such a state, Zhang Xuan waved his hands. "The Yin-Yang Lake isn't of much use to me. On the other hand, you possess the Pure Yin Body. As long as you cultivate diligently, you'll be able to undergo an astonishing metamorphosis."
"But..."
"Why? Are you disobeying teacher's words now? "Zhang Xuan frowned.
"No, it's just that..."
"There's no 'but'! Since you're willing to listen to me, follow Court Chief Wu to the Yin-Yang Lake and cultivate diligently to awaken your unique constitution! "
Interrupting her words, Zhang Xuan turned to the front and said, "Court Chief, since I'm not qualified to enter the Yin-Yang Lake, you should bring Zhao Ya and Ruohuan gongzi over. Pavilion Master Kang and I will wait here..."
"Un!"
Seeing that Zhang Shi didn't insist on going over despite failing the test, Court Chief Wu heaved a sigh of relief. Beckoning, she said, "The two of you, follow me."
"Yes..."
Seeing that her teacher was infuriated, Zhao Ya didn't dare to say anything. She quickly followed behind Court Chief Wu, and Ruohuan gongzi followed closely behind as well. Before leaving, he glanced at Zhang Shi with admiration in his eyes.
He didn't pester the other party endlessly, nor did he rely on their friendship to force Court Chief Wu to break the rules. As expected of a person that even his teacher admired, he possessed the demeanor and courage that a master teacher should have.
"Zhang Shi, this opportunity... is truly a pity!"
Seeing the trio leave, Pavilion Master Kang couldn't help but sigh.
The Yin-Yang Lake was a place where cold and heat clashed with one another. It was extremely beneficial to Origin Energy realm and Yin-Yang realm cultivators. Otherwise, he wouldn't have paid such a huge price just to invite a master teacher who had passed the selection.
Pavilion Master Kang thought that with Zhang Shi's capability, he would surely be able to clear the selection. But who could have known that... he would fail!
If he could enter the Yin-Yang Lake, given Zhang Shi's performance in the selection round, his chances of rising to the top ten in the Master Teacher Tournament would be much higher.
But now... he was only at Transcendent Mortal 2-dan primary stage. It was nigh impossible for him to succeed!
Before leaving Myriad Kingdom City, Zhang Xuan had already reached Transcendent Mortal 2-dan advanced stage. However, he had been displaying it as primary stage, or else it would have been too conspicuous. As such, even Pavilion Master Kang wasn't aware that his cultivation had risen by several small realms.
"Actually, it's nothing much..."
Zhang Xuan shook his head. "Since the Glacier Plain Court has its rules, a failure is a failure. If Pavilion Master Kang wishes for me to raise my cultivation, why don't you bring me some middle-tier spirit stones? I'm willing to use... an item of equivalent value to exchange for them."
To someone like him who had grasped the Heaven's Path Divine Art, middle-tier spirit stones were more useful than the Yin-Yang Lake.
As long as he had sufficient spirit stones, raising his cultivation was a walk in the park.
"Middle-tier spirit stones?" Pavilion Master Kang was taken aback. "I have a few of those. If you need them, I can give them to you directly..."
As the head of Mingshi Tang, he had accumulated quite a number of middle-tier spirit stones over the years. However, he needed them for his own cultivation as well, so he didn't have much left.
But... as long as Zhang Shi could get a good placing in the Master Teacher Tournament, so what if he were to go bankrupt?
Mingshi Tang of Myriad Kingdom City carried too much of his honor and effort. If he could break the previous record and get into the top ten, putting aside spending money, even if he were to die on the spot, he would be able to face his ancestors calmly.
"Give them to me?"
Zhang Xuan was taken aback for a moment before understanding the other party's thoughts. Impressed, he said, "Pavilion Master Kang is being too polite. Don't worry, I won't take your spirit stones for free..."
The other party might be a noble person, but he couldn't just take the other party's spirit stones for free.
Just as he was about to offer the other party some pointers to help him achieve a breakthrough to Consonant Spirit realm, he suddenly felt a violent aura surging into the heavens. It seemed like a powerful expert had lost control of his emotions and released his cultivation.
"It's Court Chief Wu... This is bad!"
Sensing this aura, Pavilion Master Kang and Zhang Xuan narrowed their eyes.
They were extremely familiar with this aura — it belonged to Court Chief Wu.
Why would that fellow suddenly release such a powerful aura at this moment?
Could it be that... she was intending to harm Ruohuan gongzi and Zhao Ya?
She was a Transcendent Mortal 5-dan expert. Even if the latter were to work together, they wouldn't stand a chance against her!
The difference in their cultivation was simply too great!
"Let's go over to take a look!"
Their faces warped in shock, and they hurriedly rushed in the direction of the aura.
(Two-in-one as usual. There will be updates during the day. Seeking monthly tickets at the start of the month!)
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