Chapter 479 - 477: Patrol Envoy

The ice egg was finally about to shatter. The moment a thin crack appeared, a frigid aura gushed out, making the already cold space even colder.

The fissure gradually widened; it didn’t split open all at once. With each new crack that appeared, more cold energy poured out, intensifying the chill in the area.

"What in the world is going on?"

Immediately after, a group of people descended from above—it was Qing Deyun and the others. Unable to wait any longer, they had come down, only to stare in a daze at the enormous ice egg.

No one knew what this thing was, nor what would await them when it finally shattered. Had the two of them perished together, or were they both still alive?

Immediately, everyone fell silent, watching the scene unfold. The surrounding cold was bone-chilling, but they paid it no mind. While the frigid air was intense, it posed no real threat to them—it wasn’t the Yulan Sacred Fire, after all.

CRACK...

With another crisp crack, the icy shell shattered. Before the billowing white mist could disperse, two figures emerged from within.

The two were, without a doubt, Lin Xuan and Lin Xue. Dressed in white, they looked like a celestial couple as they walked out with smiles on their faces.

"Sorry to have kept you all waiting. We are perfectly fine," Lin Xuan said with a light smile, his voice full of joy.

They had been cultivating inside the ice shell for a full week. During that time, they had thoroughly absorbed the effects of Lin Xue’s Ice Yin Body. As time went on, the berserk power that had flooded Lin Xuan’s body was rapidly suppressed, a feat for which the Yulan Pearl was indispensable. Without the Yulan Pearl, it would have been incredibly difficult for Lin Xue to keep him in check.

After all, Lin Xue’s own Cultivation was insufficient, so her effect alone wasn’t particularly potent. When combined with the Yulan Pearl, however, it was a different story. The reason it was said that someone with her constitution should wait until the Spirit Pill Stage to give herself to another was that the effects would be most stable then. While not the most powerful, it would at least not negatively impact her own Cultivation.

Her Cultivation had indeed been affected, but it was within an acceptable range. And what did that matter compared to saving a life? The ’pristine’ state of her Ice Yin Body was gone, but she could compensate with Elixir Pills or achieve even greater effects once her Cultivation reached the Spirit Pill Stage.

Under the effects of the Ice Yin Body, Lin Xuan’s Cultivation skyrocketed, surging all the way to the Third Layer of the Spirit Pill Stage in a single burst! It was an explosive breakthrough, leaping two entire layers. This was partially thanks to the Ice Yin Body, but even more so due to the residual effects of the Essence Blood in his system.

He had managed to absorb at least some of it, and the results were quite apparent; otherwise, he never would have broken through to the Third Layer Spirit Pill Stage. Overall, not much else had changed. In just one short week, his body had completely recovered without a single lingering discomfort!

’What a miraculous Cultivation method... But this is a one-time boost.’ The effects would still be present in the future, but they wouldn’t be nearly as dramatic. If they were, he would have already soared straight into the Core Formation Stage. Still, it was certainly an easier path compared to normal Cultivation.

Otherwise, the Ice Yin Body wouldn’t be so alluring. Many powerful experts desired a partner with an Ice Yin Body to more easily advance their own Cultivation.

’It’s a shame my Cultivation has returned to normal.’ That previous power had been an illusion. ’If I want to be that terrifyingly strong again, my only option would be to create another Blood Pool.’ Of course, he would never do such a thing. Besides, the side effects were severe; if Lin Xue hadn’t helped him, he likely would have died.

Recalling the immense power he had wielded, Lin Xuan’s desire to grow stronger burned even brighter. ’That is true, absolute strength!’

"Sh-she’s really okay..." When Qing Piaoxue saw Lin Xue emerge unharmed with a gentle smile, tears instantly welled up in her eyes. It was a feeling of profound relief, like surviving a catastrophe.

Qing Piaoyun’s eyes were also red-rimmed. He couldn’t bear the thought of losing his disciple. He turned away, wiped a tear from his eye, and took a moment to compose himself.

"Master, I’m sorry to have worried you..." Lin Xue said as she approached. At the same time, her father, Lin Feng, walked over.

Lin Feng said nothing. He simply reached out and pulled his daughter into a tight embrace. Everything was understood without a word. All that mattered was that she was alive; nothing else needed to be said.

The eyes of the others filled with joyful surprise. This was the best possible outcome. Not only had they eliminated Xu Qianlong, but Lin Xuan was also completely fine. It was a happy ending for everyone!

There wasn’t much else to discuss. The immediate priority was to tend to their injuries and rest; everything else could wait. After they recovered, they would decide the fate of the Soaring Dragon Empire, though its leadership was now all but secured by Qingcheng Mansion.

With the Divine Seal Sect and the Royal Family eliminated, Qingcheng Mansion was the sole remaining power. The throne was now theirs to decide.

Just as they were heading out, Lin Xuan suddenly felt an incomparably powerful aura approaching from ahead. In the next instant, a Core Formation Stage expert came into view, flying toward them at incredible speed using Elemental Power Wings!

’Reinforcements?’ Lin Xuan’s pupils constricted. Their group was in no condition to fight. ’If more of them show up, we’ll be in trouble.’

"What is the meaning of this!" A detached, ethereal voice boomed from the sky, causing everyone to halt.

An elderly man then descended from the sky. His gaze was aloof as he looked down upon them, and a powerful aura blanketed the entire area.

"Lord Patrol Envoy!" When Qing Deyun got a clear look at the man, his expression immediately became one of deep respect. "We welcome you, Lord Patrol Envoy! May I ask what business brings you all this way?"

’Lord Patrol Envoy? What the hell is that?’

A bad feeling crept into Lin Xuan’s heart. This Lord Patrol Envoy certainly had the power to back up his attitude; his Cultivation was at least at the Fifth Layer of the Core Formation Stage. While not a sky-high level, it was by no means low.

The faces of those present who recognized his identity flickered with various emotions, but they all quickly settled on expressions of utmost respect, daring not to show anything else.

"’Lord Patrol Envoy’... What kind of title is that?" Lin Xuan asked, confused.

"He’s someone sent down by a Super Race to conduct patrols," Qing Deyun explained via a mental message, not daring to speak aloud. "Do not, under any circumstances, provoke him. None of us could handle the consequences!"

’Someone sent by a Super Race!’

Lin Xuan was taken aback. ’Why would a Super Race send someone down here? To patrol the various Empires?’ He immediately began to sift through the memories within his soul, hoping to find some information.

And he did. He found that these Patrol Envoys were indeed dispatched by the various Super Races. They belonged to a Neutral Faction and did not interfere in the affairs of the Empires. Their primary purpose was to assess the overall situation and determine whether an Empire was qualified to participate in the Empire War!

And what was the Empire War? It was a selection tournament for disciples—a recruitment trial for the Super Races, plain and simple. Across the Chenyuan Continent, the various Empires would send their most outstanding disciples to compete. Whoever took the top spot would earn the right to become a disciple of a Super Race!

It was as simple as that. If a disciple from an Empire successfully joined a Super Race, the status of their entire Empire would be elevated immensely!