“The Thousand-Year Ice Soul Blood Lotus grows in the Blood Soul Cold Pool deep within the extreme northern Eternal Ice Plain of the Tenth Heaven. It requires absorbing a thousand years of cold poison and earthly vein blood energy to take shape. It blooms once every hundred years, with a flowering period of only three days…”
“The Earth Core Jade Marrow Milk is produced in the deepest earth core jade veins at the bottom of the Magma Demon Abyss in the Eleventh Heaven. Nourished by the purest earthly fire and earth spirits for ten thousand years, only then can a single drop form. It has the divine effect of consolidating the foundation, cultivating the origin, locking the soul, and stabilising the spirit…”
“The Nine Apertures Divine Soul Grass grows only in certain Netherworld Ancient Caves or Illusory Dream Secret Realms in the Twelfth Heaven that contain innate soul force. The grass has nine apertures and can naturally inhale and exhale soul force. It is a supreme treasure for stabilising and nourishing the divine soul…”
Each one was a peerless treasure capable of sparking bloody conflicts. The difficulty of obtaining them was imaginable.
Chen Ping set down the jade slip and looked at the Scarlet Cloud Demon Lord, whose face was full of expectation. He understood clearly.
The Scarlet Cloud Demon Lord was unfamiliar with people and places in the Tenth Heaven, and his strength here was not considered top-tier. Seeking these treasures would be like searching for a needle in a haystack, and it could even invite fatal disaster.
He had come to find him because he trusted his character and ability, as well as their relationship.
“Senior, do you want me to help you search for these medicinal ingredients?” Chen Ping asked.
“Exactly!”
The Scarlet Cloud Demon Lord said earnestly. “Chen Ping, I know this matter is difficult, no less than reaching the heavens! But I truly have no other options!”
“Ling Yue… she cannot wait much longer! As long as you are willing to help, I, Scarlet Cloud, swear here a great heart demon oath. In this life and this world, I will serve you loyally, go through fire and water without hesitation!”
“All my resources in the future will be at your disposal! I only beg… only beg to exchange for a sliver of hope for Ling Yue!”
With those words, this demonic path titan who had dominated the Ninth Heaven actually moved to bow deeply to Chen Ping!
Chen Ping quickly supported him.
He admired the love between the Scarlet Cloud Demon Lord and Immortal Lady Ling Yue, a bond that transcended orthodoxy and demonic paths, life and death.
Moreover, the Scarlet Cloud Demon Lord had assisted him multiple times over a long period.
Whether out of sentiment or reason, he ought to help with this favour.
“Senior, you need not do this. Based on our relationship alone, even if it costs me my life, I will help you.”
“However, my knowledge of the Tenth Heaven is also limited, especially regarding detailed information on such heavenly materials and earthly treasures…”
He pondered for a moment, then his eyes brightened. “But there is one person who might be able to provide us with some clues.”
“Who?” the Scarlet Cloud Demon Lord asked urgently.
“The Sect Master of the Profound Heaven Sword Sect, Ling Yunzi.”
Chen Ping said. “The Profound Heaven Sword Sect is a renowned orthodox sect with a long heritage in the Tenth Heaven. Their understanding of the geography, resources, and secrets of the Tenth Heaven must far exceed ours.”
“Especially regarding the Eternal Ice Plain where the Thousand-Year Ice Soul Blood Lotus is located, the Sword Sect may have records or even explorations.”
Hearing this, joy appeared on the Scarlet Cloud Demon Lord’s face. “That would be excellent! However… I am a demonic cultivator. If I rashly visit the Profound Heaven Sword Sect, I’m afraid…”
“No matter.”
Chen Ping waved his hand. “Sect Master Ling Yunzi is not a pedantic person, and I have just helped the Sword Sect escape calamity. He will give me this much face. There is no time to delay. Let us set off for the Profound Heaven Sword Sect now.”
Chen Ping’s injuries had basically stabilised, and his realm had preliminarily adapted. It was also the right time to discuss follow-up matters with Ling Yunzi.
The two did not delay further. Chen Ping swept his sleeve, taking the Scarlet Cloud Demon Lord with him. They transformed into a swift streak of light and flew towards the Myriad Swords Mountain Range where the Profound Heaven Sword Sect was located.
…
Profound Heaven Sword Sect. After several days of restoration, though traces of the great battle could still be seen, the sect’s order had been restored. The mountain-protecting grand formation was being urgently repaired, radiating a vigorous vitality born from surviving calamity.
When Chen Ping arrived at the mountain gate with the Scarlet Cloud Demon Lord, it immediately alerted the guarding disciples.
But upon recognising Chen Ping, the disciples all showed expressions of reverence and excitement. They quickly paid respectful salutes and reported inside.
Soon, Ling Yunzi, having received the news, personally came out to welcome them at the gate.
His injuries were not yet healed, his complexion still somewhat pale, but his spirit was acceptable. Seeing Chen Ping return safely, he revealed a joyful smile.
“Senior Chen! Your safe return is truly wonderful!”
Ling Yunzi cupped his hands and said. His gaze then turned with slight puzzlement to the Scarlet Cloud Demon Lord beside Chen Ping, whose aura was profound and clearly that of a demonic cultivator. “This fellow Daoist is?”
“Sect Master Ling, this is Daoist Scarlet Cloud, an old acquaintance of mine from the Ninth Heaven.”
Chen Ping introduced simply, without detailing the Scarlet Cloud Demon Lord’s background to avoid unnecessary trouble. “We have come this time because there is a matter we wish to consult Sect Master Ling about.”
Seeing that he was Chen Ping’s acquaintance, though a demonic cultivator, Ling Yunzi still politely cupped his hands. “So it is Daoist Scarlet Cloud. It is a pleasure to meet you. Senior Chen and Daoist Scarlet Cloud may speak freely. Ling will answer whatever he knows.”
The three entered the main hall and took seats as host and guests.
Chen Ping got straight to the point. He informed Ling Yunzi about the Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Body Remoulding Pill that the Scarlet Cloud Demon Lord needed, as well as the core ingredient, the Thousand-Year Ice Soul Blood Lotus, and showed the jade slip recording the pill formula.
After listening, Ling Yunzi’s expression became solemn.
He accepted the jade slip and carefully examined the description of the Thousand-Year Ice Soul Blood Lotus. His brows furrowed slightly.
“The Thousand-Year Ice Soul Blood Lotus… our Profound Heaven Sword Sect’s records do indeed mention this item.”
Ling Yunzi spoke slowly. “As the pill formula states, it grows only in the Blood Soul Cold Pool at the very core of the extreme northern Eternal Ice Plain.”
“That ‘Eternal Ice Plain’ is one of the renowned forbidden lands of the Tenth Heaven. It is perpetually bitterly cold, with astral winds like blades and an extremely harsh environment. Ordinary Celestial Immortal realm cultivators venturing deep into it would face nine deaths and one life.”
“And that Blood Soul Cold Pool is one of the most dangerous and mysterious restricted areas within the ice plain. It is said that the pool’s water is extraordinarily frigid and contains strange blood poison capable of eroding spiritual power and the divine soul. Unknown powerful ferocious beasts may lurk within the pool as well.”
“Daoist Scarlet Cloud, forgive Ling for being blunt. Obtaining this ‘Thousand-Year Ice Soul Blood Lotus’ is extremely difficult and extraordinarily perilous.”
“Moreover, it blooms only once every hundred years, with an extremely short flowering period. If the timing is wrong, even reaching the cold pool would yield nothing.”
“Our sect’s records note that about three hundred years ago, an Eighth Grade Celestial Immortal senior once ventured deep into the ice plain and seemingly discovered traces of the Blood Soul Cold Pool. But in the end, he returned gravely injured without obtaining the blood lotus and even damaged his Dao foundation.”
