Chapter 299: The Woman Who Could Fight a Spirit Beast Head-On
The Ice Condensing Saintess of the Ice Congealing Realm, although a Lord Attendant and not a naturally born legendary Spirit Master, had been chosen by a legendary being while still in the womb, a sort of… halfway case.
The Frozen Throne, a legendary-rank spirit beast, while wandering the world, had stopped at the Ice Congealing Realm, bestowed a token upon the Ice Condensing Saintess’s mother, and then… had her swallow it, forming a contract with the unborn child within.
Therefore, from birth, the Ice Condensing Saintess’s body temperature had been as cold as ice, her skin adorned with beautiful, ice flower patterns, a faint spirit energy already emanating from her, a sight that had shocked the entire Ice Congealing Realm.
She was a being between a Lord Attendant and a legendary Spirit Master, said to be able to manifest the Frozen Throne’s full power for ten seconds, an insurmountable force.
Countless opponents, having exhausted all their strength and resources, on the verge of victory against the Ice Condensing Saintess, would then witness her enter that state, their efforts instantly rendered meaningless.
Such examples were numerous. The Frozen Throne’s unique nature allowed the Ice Condensing Saintess to wield legendary power even at the Illumination Stage. As an infant, she had even driven away a Nether Traverse Stage elder of the Ice Congealing Realm who had mocked her cuteness.
With over a billion fans in the Ice Congealing Realm, her power attracting the attention of even passing legendary beings, the Ice Condensing Saintess was practically invincible.
The Yin Robe Saintess of the Yin Lake Palace, a Dual Soul Body, the Ice Condensing Saintess’s nemesis.
Their feud began when the Yin Robe Saintess’s childhood sweetheart and fiancé, after ten years together, fell in love with the Ice Condensing Saintess during a secret realm exploration.
At the time, the Yin Robe Saintess was a mere Illumination Stage weakling, her Dual Soul Body hindering her cultivation, her legendary companion spirit beast’s presence suppressed and hidden. She had no chance of winning her fiancé back, even suffering humiliation and mockery at the Ice Condensing Saintess’s hands, a classic “rejected underdog rises to power” storyline.
Her legendary companion, the Harmonious Voice, possessing no combat abilities and radiating an ordinary aura, had often led to questions about her status as a Lord Attendant. Even now, doubts lingered. She and the Ice Condensing Saintess lived in completely different worlds.
These were the stories of the two Saintesses, the Ice Condensing Saintess and the Yin Robe Saintess, two opposing extremes.
However, at this moment, regardless of their individual strengths, the aura radiating from the blue-haired, teardrop-eyed girl before them far surpassed their own.
Surpassing the Yin Robe Saintess was one thing, but even the Ice Condensing Saintess, who could wield a fraction of legendary power… this was unbelievable.
Standing at the edge of the Sword of the Clouds trial area, Gong Lianyue unleashed a torrent of water spirit energy, like a waterfall, crashing against the mist wall. Although not utilizing the spiral form, it still drilled through the barrier, its rapid erosion clearly visible.
“What is with this woman?”
“Is her spirit energy limitless?!”
The surrounding Spirit Masters, their faces pale with shock, watched in disbelief.
Such a massive outpouring of spirit energy… Her partner must be exhausted…
Perhaps this woman could even satisfy a spirit beast…
After thirty minutes of relentless bombardment, the mist wall before Gong Lianyue shattered with a bang, revealing a large opening.
Well, that was easy.
Gong Lianyue nodded calmly, unconcerned with the Sea Shadow Purple Smoke that had fled earlier.
Although an offensive type, the Sea Shadow Purple Smoke’s species wasn’t known for its strength. There hadn’t been a single titled legendary being among its kind, unlike the White Flower Moon-Treading Deer, which had produced two titled legendary beings out of three, with the third still developing.
Even an offensive type couldn’t compete with two titled legendary beings of the same species, the mysterious Nether Spring Narcissus, and the all-purpose Nether Princess Bai Xue. Contracting with it would only waste a valuable slot.
Unless it was an overlord-level legendary being, Gong Lianyue was only interested in support or possession-type spirit beasts.
Her current goal was to contract with one of the Ten Sacred Waters. They were the most compatible with her.
Lost in thought, the blue-haired, teardrop-eyed girl, under the awestruck gazes of the other Spirit Masters, stepped out of the mist-shrouded trial area.
Thirty minutes. Sword of the Clouds, cleared!
“How… how is this possible… a Samsara Stage… wild legendary being… !?”
Within the third trial area, the Tablet of the Clouds, a delicate woman in a black lace wedding dress stared in disbelief, her hand covering her mouth.
Before her stood a crimson, alluring flower woman, her fiery red hair radiating a terrifying aura.
Hong Xiaoqianyu, a legendary-rank spirit beast!
The Yin Robe Saintess trembled uncontrollably. They had promised a water-type cub. Where had this plant-type come from…?
Hong Xiaoqianyu, clearly sensing the Yin Robe Saintess’s… unique constitution, circled her, sniffing the air, its beautiful face almost touching the girl’s.
[Should I contract with her?]
A sudden voice in her mind startled the Yin Robe Saintess.
Although this flower woman was incredibly tempting, she couldn’t lose control. She had to stay calm.
The Harmonious Voice’s ability could only be used once in a lifetime. Once activated, her legendary contract would be transferred, making her a Lord Attendant to a new legendary being.
And to defeat the Ice Condensing Saintess, to break through the Frozen Throne’s ten seconds of invincibility, she needed a powerful, offensive spirit beast!
Hong Xiaoqianyu’s support abilities were impressive, but she needed an offensive type, nothing else.
In reality, the Harmonious Voice’s ability wasn’t true domination, but… seduction.
Offering herself as a tribute to a legendary being… Few would refuse such a gift, right?
Therefore, in preparation for this day, the Yin Robe Saintess had been diligently consuming five tons of… aphrodisiacs… per day, performing… hip exercises for 25 hours, and ensuring at least 10 hours of sleep, her body healthy and flawless.
Besides cultivation, she did everything.
Otherwise, even with rapid cultivation, being accidentally killed by her contracted spirit beast would be a joke. All these… extracurricular activities… were for her own survival.
And so, the Yin Robe Saintess endured, ignoring Hong Xiaoqianyu’s seductive presence, pretending to study the Tablet of the Clouds.
She hadn’t mentioned it, but there was another reason for rejecting Hong Xiaoqianyu: she had a phobia of… tentacles… on plant-type spirit beasts.
She could only gamble on that unseen water-type legendary being!
Chapter 300: The Sorrowful Saintess’s Past
–Endless Cloud Sea, Tablet of the Clouds
Within the misty expanse of the Endless Cloud Sea, a blank scroll, formed from swirling spirit energy, radiated a clean, ethereal aura.
The third trial, the Tablet of the Clouds. It was said to contain a hidden Lost Scroll, a test of a Spirit Master’s cultivation aptitude.
Starting from this level, it wasn’t a forced entry. If they found it too difficult, they could simply leave.
After all, the difficulty had increased significantly, a challenge even for the Heavy Rain Realm’s top geniuses.
Comprehending a Lost Scroll… for most Spirit Masters, it was a distant dream. Therefore, many skipped this trial entirely, unwilling to waste their time.
Within the Tablet of the Clouds trial area, the least populated of the five, a few Spirit Masters meditated, their eyes closed.
Among them, only the Yin Robe Saintess of the Yin Lake Palace seemed agitated, her face pale, her eyes squeezed shut, trying to ignore the red-haired spirit beast flitting around her.
The other Spirit Masters might not have recognized it, but she instantly knew its true name: Hong Xiaoqianyu, the legendary being of the Cangsheng Palace!!!
Just how desperate was the situation, that even the Cangsheng Palace had been invited to participate? And even more unbelievable, their legendary being was here in person!
“…”
“…”
After a long silence, the Yin Robe Saintess’s face twisted in anguish.
She wasn’t a true Lord Attendant. She couldn’t utilize her legendary spirit beast’s power in battle.
However, using the token bestowed by her legendary companion, the Harmonious Voice, she could forcefully form a contract with another legendary being, a once-in-a-lifetime ability.
Hong Xiaoqianyu was right here. With a single thought, she could form a contract with it, becoming a true Lord Attendant…
But it was a plant-type!!!
The Yin Robe Saintess was torn. What if the Heavy Rain Realm’s water-type legendary being wasn’t an offensive type? What if Hong Xiaoqianyu’s… tentacles… weren’t actually that bad…?
“Sigh~~~”
With a sigh of resignation, the black-haired girl stood up and walked out of the Tablet of the Clouds trial area, disappearing from Hong Xiaoqianyu’s sight.
To defeat the Ice Condensing Saintess, to win back her beloved, she needed an offensive legendary spirit beast. She couldn’t be swayed by this temptation.
That had been close. She had almost given in…
Just as the Yin Robe Saintess stepped out of the scroll’s illusory world, a blue-haired, teardrop-eyed girl walked past her, her flowing, water-like hair passing through her body, her clothes, her very being.
The Yin Robe Saintess froze for a moment, then turned sharply, her hand clutching her chest, her eyes wide with disbelief.
“！！！！？？？”
“What the…?”
That woman’s hair… it had passed right through her?
And that face, those teardrop eyes… although just a fleeting glimpse, the image was burned into her memory.
It was like stumbling upon an incredibly beautiful and alluring image online, accidentally refreshing the page, and then desperately trying to find it again, only to realize she had automatically exited the trial area, disqualified, unable to return.
The Yin Robe Saintess hesitated for a moment, then turned and left, dejected.
No sane person would waste time like this, just for another glance, especially during such a crucial moment.
Tablet of the Clouds
After the Yin Robe Saintess left, the few remaining Spirit Masters continued their meditation, attempting to decipher the secrets of the scroll.
Those who wasted their time on the Lost Scroll were truly dedicated, their focus unwavering, undisturbed by the comings and goings of others.
At this moment, the blue-haired, teardrop-eyed girl, entering the scroll’s world, flicked the water from her hair and saw Hong Xiaoqianyu wandering about, bored.
Despite her elegant, dignified appearance, Hong Xiaoqianyu had no interest in battle or cultivation, spending her days grazing in the Sea Concubine Palace’s herb garden, her favorite snack being the Misty Heart Lotus, which she had already… consumed… several times.
She certainly wouldn’t be interested in a Lost Scroll.
Seeing the blue-haired girl, Hong Xiaoqianyu quickly approached, blinking at her with wide, innocent eyes, her gaze fixed on the fox head peeking out from the girl’s cleavage.
Gong Lianyue pulled out the little fox and handed it to the red-haired flower woman.
“Take her exploring. Make sure she clears at least three trials.”
“Okay!”
Hong Xiaoqianyu nodded, then happily carried the listless Nine-Colored Cloud Dream Flower away.
With Hong Xiaoqianyu gone, the scroll’s space became quiet, and Gong Lianyue sat down in a corner.
Many Spirit Masters had given up on this Lost Scroll, but Gong Lianyue had successfully deciphered two before: the Steel Moon Chapter of the Heavenly Full Cold Moon and the Soul Tears Chapter of the Tears of Repose.
Therefore, she wouldn’t miss any opportunity to study a Lost Scroll.
“Let’s see what secrets this one holds!!”
Gong Lianyue’s spirit energy, a pure, azure stream, surged, connecting with the blank scroll, her consciousness sinking into its depths.
Every Lost Scroll was different, each chapter requiring a different cultivation method.
The Steel Moon Chapter required resilience and mental fortitude, the Soul Tears Chapter required assimilation and comprehension. What would this one require?
As the blank scroll enveloped her mind, images began to appear.
Her swirling spirit energy gradually calmed, and she fell into a deep sleep.
After an unknown amount of time, she awoke within a dream, a strange, ethereal world, viewed from a detached, third-person perspective, its illusory nature readily apparent.
Her consciousness drifted through a sea of clouds, then suddenly plunged downwards, entering a familiar ocean.
A boundless expanse of clear, blue water, a world almost entirely made of water. The Sea Region!
Somehow, within this Endless Cloud Sea trial, her consciousness, after a brief detour, had returned to the familiar Sea Region.
Gong Lianyue knew this was an illusory world created by the Lost Scroll, but she didn’t understand its connection to the Sea Region.
A few seconds later, her question was answered.
From her omniscient perspective, she saw a small, blue-haired girl playing in the mud outside an ordinary village.
And on the girl’s cheeks were six strange, teardrop-shaped beauty marks!
