Shi Yan leaned against a corner of the small boat, eyes closed the whole day, secretly recovering his vital essence. That Blood-Patterned Ring, in sealing the Profound Ice Chill Flame, had devoured all his internal power, leaving Shi Yan utterly drained, akin to an ordinary mortal who had never cultivated martial arts.

Fortunately, the foundation of all his cultivation remained intact, and his Martial Souls were unharmed. After cultivating silently on the boat for several days, Shi Yan managed to recondense a wisp of vital essence, quietly gathering the primal energy of heaven and earth, allowing that single wisp to gradually grow stronger.

In just a few short days, the mass of vital essence in his lower abdomen's Sea of Qi had taken considerable shape. Quietly circulating his power, Shi Yan gradually relaxed, knowing that with another ten days or half a month, his entire reservoir of vital essence would return to its former peak.

His bones and sinews were being tempered day and night by the nourishing influence of the cold energy, as wisps of chill constantly emanated from within the Blood-Patterned Ring. This pervasive cold energy flowed throughout his body, and a majority of it permeated his bones, marrow, blood, and meridians, conditioning his body to withstand the invasion of the cold without being affected.

The place where the cold energy was most concentrated turned out to be the very blood within him. Ever since that time during his cultivation breakthrough to the Second Heaven of Berserk Surge, when he accidentally merged the cold energy into his bloodstream, the nature of his blood seemed to undergo a subtle transformation; as it surged, a faint trace of cold energy leaked outwards, and the blood appeared to conceal a considerable amount of chill power.

Over three years, in the arduous struggle against the Profound Ice Chill Flame, his body had gradually adapted to the cold invasion, and the chill energy stored in his blood had also significantly intensified during that time. For these three years, he dared not relax for a single moment.

His mental focus remained acutely tense as he battled the soul of the Profound Ice Chill Flame, which, in turn, led him naturally to advance to the Second Heaven of the Hundred Calamities Realm, elevating his utilization of mental power and soul force to an entirely new level. Hiding in the corner of the small boat, Shi Yan maintained an indifferent expression, spending most of his time rigorously cultivating his vital essence.

He would also dedicate time to contemplating the shifts in his mental state, repeatedly reviewing the experiences from the three-year soul battle. This period of profound silence was immensely beneficial for his future progress, a fact he recognized, so he felt no disdain for being confined to such a humble vessel; instead, he welcomed the tranquility, dedicating his days to strenuous practice.

Occasionally, Shi Yan would sink his mental power into the Blood-Patterned Ring to observe the Profound Ice Chill Flame contained within. He found that despite the Flame's constant attempts to break free under the strange vortex entanglement, it remained unable to truly escape the ring’s confinement.

Slowly, Shi Yan’s anxiety subsided. He realized that the Blood-Patterned Ring was indeed mysterious, capable of suppressing one of the Heavenly Fires, the Profound Ice Chill Flame.

The Profound Ice Chill Flame was one of the Heavenly Fires, a primordial flame of cold energy existing since the world’s genesis, possessing an ancient, malevolent consciousness and a unique life form. If he could eradicate the Flame's dominant consciousness and integrate it into his Sea of Consciousness, it would fundamentally alter his mindscape, transforming him into an unparalleled powerhouse of that same tier.

Shi Yan harbored such a daring ambition, but alas, only martial artists in the Nirvana Nest Realm could truly form a Sea of Consciousness. The Sea of Consciousness offered infinite utility, allowing the wielder to unleash all manner of divine abilities; without it, fusing with the Profound Ice Chill Flame was nearly impossible—it would more likely lead to him being possessed.

To successfully merge with the Profound Ice Chill Flame, not only was the formation of the Sea of Consciousness necessary, but he also needed to gather nine kinds of supreme yang and heat-imbued rare materials. These nine treasures were required to relentlessly refine the Flame’s malevolent consciousness until it was nearly extinguished, creating an opportunity for him to integrate it.

The Sea of Consciousness and the rare treasures were indispensable; lacking either, Shi Yan dared not make any rash moves. The three-year soul war had given him a profound understanding of the Profound Ice Chill Flame's terror.

If it weren't for the myriad negative emotions housed within his acupoints and the miraculous assistance of the Blood-Patterned Ring, he likely wouldn't have withstood even three days before the Flame successfully possessed him. As the sun set, the moon and stars slowly ascended into the night sky.

Amidst the scattered stars, a barely visible stream of stellar power cascaded down from the Nine Heavens, absorbed particle by particle through Shi Yan’s pores, eventually gathering at the Star Martial Soul residing near his heart. The Star Martial Soul absorbed a portion of this stellar energy, and faint starlight began to flicker around his heart; Shi Yan once again felt the presence of sporadic stellar power.

Looking up, gazing at the vast expanse of stars, Shi Yan’s expression was cold, and a fierce curve touched his lips. Chen Feng, Zheng Yanqing, Dongfang He, Gu Jiange...

These four names cycled through his mind one by one. Shi Yan’s eyes grew icier, and a faint chill seemed to radiate from his body.

At the final moments on Moonroe Island, these four had attacked together, combining their efforts to thrust him into a deadly abyss. As his body plummeted into the cavern, he watched their myriad attacks converge.

If the Profound Ice Chill Flame hadn't instantaneously erected an ice block within the chasm, he would have been utterly obliterated by the four of them, leaving not even dregs behind. Especially Dongfang He and Gu Jiange, for harboring lustful thoughts toward Xia Xinyan—this fact fueled his hatred to the bone.

"Thump! Thump!

Thump!" Linda’s chestnut hair swayed as she lightly patted her shapely rear, suddenly emerging from beneath the boat’s hull. In the darkness, Linda’s beautiful eyes were bright as she gazed out over the deck.

"Everyone, be careful. We are nearly leaving the Sky Shuttle Archipelago.

I hear there are demonic beasts prowling nearby; everyone should stay alert…" On deck, a dozen or so martial artists were yawning, their spirits low. Although Kaman had frequently sought to cause trouble for Shi Yan these past two days, Linda’s protection had prevented him from finding a real opportunity to strike.

Hearing Linda announce the presence of demonic beasts nearby, Kaman suddenly stood up and shouted: "…Everyone keep your eyes peeled! If Linda says there are demonic beasts, there truly are.

Linda has traversed this route several times. Stop sleeping!

Get up, everyone…" Kaman paced back and forth on the deck, kicking the drowsy martial artists awake. As Kaman brawled noisily, he eventually approached Shi Yan’s corner.

He glanced at Shi Yan and barked, "You get up too…" As he spoke, Kaman lashed out with his foot. When kicking the others, he had exercised restraint, his force not being excessive.

However, the kick aimed at Shi Yan now carried a weight heavier than ten thousand mountains; though slow, it was exceptionally forceful. Shi Yan squinted slightly, immediately sensing that Kaman had infused considerable vital essence into this kick.

If he were actually struck by it, an ordinary person would surely suffer a severe injury. Shi Yan sneered inwardly.

Before Kaman’s kick landed, he suddenly stood up and swiftly moved toward Linda. "Bang…" Kaman’s kick landed instead on the large crate Shi Yan had been leaning against.

Under the force of his blow, the massive crate was shoved backward half a meter. Shi Yan’s expression darkened.

He stood to the side, watching Kaman silently. The surrounding martial artists secretly clicked their tongues, all feeling a degree of surprise but daring not voice any comment.

Kaman’s kick had clearly been augmented with vital essence; otherwise, the crate wouldn't have moved half a meter. These martial artists knew that the crate was filled with heavy Profound Rock—each piece much denser than ordinary stone.

If Kaman could shove the large crate this far, a direct hit on Shi Yan would likely shatter his bones. "Kaman, what are you trying to do?" Linda noticed the disturbance, her pretty face changing sharply.

She frowned and demanded fiercely, "Are you trying to commit murder? What offense did Shi Yan give you?

Must you strike so hard…" "I wasn't doing anything…" Kaman shrugged casually. "Shi Yan is also a martial artist, albeit a low-tier one, but he should be able to withstand my kick.

I was just testing him, seeing what realm he's actually in. This kick won't kill him, and besides, we still have a long way to Cloud Island.

If he does get injured, he can quietly nurse his wounds. This man’s origins are unknown; it’s best if he can't move, otherwise, we don't know what detrimental actions he might take.

Don't you agree…" Kaman looked at the surrounding martial artists and demanded, "This man’s background is a mystery, and we are on a mission. Allowing such a person to remain unrestrained on the boat—is it better for him to be crippled by injury, or active and vigorous?" Under his gaze, the surrounding martial artists displayed varied expressions.

Those friendly with Kaman nodded lightly. Those loyal to Linda remained silent, simply looking at her.

"How is his background unknown…" Linda snorted coldly. "Didn't he say he was a fisherman from a nearby island?" "If he were truly scum from a nearby island, why didn't you just drop him off at the nearest settlement?

Ships pass by those islands regularly; he could have easily taken another vessel back. Why cling to our boat…" Kaman sneered.

He wasn't brainless; after observing for some time, he had already perceived that Linda seemed to harbor ulterior motives in how she treated Shi Yan. He didn't know Linda intended to slowly uncover Shi Yan’s secrets; he simply assumed she was attracted to Shi Yan and was staging this little farce out of jealousy.

"He wanted to visit Cloud Island, is that not allowed…" Linda’s face darkened. She flipped her hair and glared at the martial artists on the boat.

"Are you all forgetting the current situation? Do you know who the mission leader is?

Do you know whose vessel this is? If you don't want to follow orders, you can all leave my ship after the mission ends…" "Sister Linda, please calm down!

Whatever you say goes; we listen to you completely." "Yes, Sister Linda, we aren't contradicting you at all…" "Sister Linda, I have followed you for so many years! Wherever you go, I go.

You must not drive me away…" Many martial artists who favored Linda rushed to swear fealty with forced smiles. Even those who initially felt Kaman’s actions were inappropriate looked distressed and quickly clasped their hands in entreaty when they saw Linda enraged.

Linda held considerable authority among the outer disciples of the Three Gods Sect, and her family belonged to one of the most formidable factions within the sect’s broader organization. Furthermore, Linda's own aptitude was outstanding, giving her a strong chance of becoming a core disciple of the Three Gods Sect.

Consequently, in the eyes of these people, Linda held far more weight than Kaman. Although Linda was usually gentle, when she became angry, no one dared to oppose her.

Even Kaman, seeing Linda's fury, said with a wry smile, "Is it worth such a fuss over an unknown boy?" "You better behave!" Linda glared at him and snapped, "Stay sharp and watch out for those demonic beasts…" "Puff! Puff!

Puff!" Just then, in the water ahead, splashes erupted, and several dark, fleeting shadows moved rapidly beneath the sea surface, charging toward the small boat from all directions. "There really are demonic beasts!" Linda’s pretty face shifted, and she couldn't help but cry out.

"Everyone be careful! This is my first time encountering demonic beasts here…" Shi Yan frowned slightly, gazing steadily at the sea, his demeanor impassive and unconcerned.

…(To be continued. For the rest of the story, please log in to Pi…Ba Jia Nbi M for more chapters, support the author, and read the genuine version!

Provided by the Qihang Update Group. Please support the original work!),, Zu Yue G You, You M.