The ice and snow howled, the cold wind biting to the bone, next to slabs of thick glacier ice, **Shi Yan, half his body still visible, trembled lightly. Standing in the icy wilderness for seven days and seven nights, feet planted on the hard ice, breath held, mind concentrated in deep contemplation, Shi Yan had gained considerably.

Deep within the earth, a minute fluctuation, infinitely fainter than the flutter of a butterfly’s wings, was something ordinary mortals could never detect; in a lifetime, they likely wouldn't even grasp such a subtle tremor. Yet, having cultivated the martial path for years, his essence, spirit, and mind far surpassing ordinary men, Shi Yan, through this period of rigorous spiritual stillness, genuinely sensed the ceaseless rhythm emanating from the heart of the earth.

Though exceedingly faint and almost imperceptible, after so long in silent communion, he finally felt it. As that almost inaudible ripple traveled from the soles of his feet into his Sea of Consciousness, Shi Yan experienced a profound, almost transcendental realization, as if breaking through the Sea of Suffering; even the Primordial Soul within his Sea of Consciousness seemed to ascend, instantly clear and unblemished, gently swaying with the earth’s rhythm, creating subtle ripples in the expanse of his mind.

Threads of his focus subconsciously sank into the ball of vital essence glowing in his lower abdomen, his spiritual sense immersing itself within. The ball of light, usually appearing only as a blinding gleam, suddenly became detailed and clear as it mirrored the undulations of the earth within his Sea of Consciousness.

His divine sense penetrated, and Shi Yan’s inner eye projected everything within the vital essence light-sphere into his mind, discerning even its most minute changes. A world glittering with crystalline light!

Lines of light, as bright and clear as crystal, saturated this strange, brilliant essence world. Countless crystalline beams branched out like a colossal, dense crystal tree stretching to touch the heavens; the trunk and branches of this giant tree were composed of crystal strands, each one shimmering with profoundly pure and potent vital essence.

His internal vision—to observe it was as simple as examining a pattern in his palm—allowed the world within the vital essence light-sphere to gradually imprint itself upon his mind, settling in his awareness. Shi Yan had never imagined that the state within the vital essence light-sphere could be so breathtakingly beautiful.

Every time he fought, he drew upon this essence, yet he never knew the wellspring of that power was such a magnificent, varied scene. His spirit sinking into the vision, he was suddenly overcome with emotion, genuinely delighted and moved by this magical, wondrous sight.

Innumerable crystalline branches interconnected, forming a gigantic, crystalline ancient tree. Silken threads of pure vital essence were stored within every shimmering branch, radiating a marvelous, brilliant glow.

However, this crystalline ancient tree bore no leaves, and even its roots were minute, bearing no fruit. It seemed this was merely the beginning, a nascent form, not yet having reached its peak stage… “Whoosh, whoosh!” Subtle waves stirred in the Sea of Consciousness, harmonizing with the earth's rhythm, seemingly affecting this strange, translucent ancient tree.

Simultaneously, the tree’s branches trembled lightly, and Shi Yan thought he heard a sound. With the ancient tree’s slight quiver, every crystalline branch lit up with a pure white glow.

Extremely dense vital essence transformed into beams of light, wandering restlessly within this bizarre, brilliant world. He subconsciously urged the vital essence forward.

Suddenly, his focus immersed in the vital essence light-sphere instantly perceived that the wandering beams of light within the crystalline ancient tree began to shoot towards the periphery. The next moment, Shi Yan noticed threads of pure vital essence spilling out from the vital essence light-sphere.

Within the crystal-bright ancient tree, each translucent branch, as it swayed gently, released streams of light. These beams projected outward, breaking free from the crystal tree, piercing through the magical, splendid world of the essence sphere, transforming into the vital essence—the very source of his fighting strength.

Everything was so clear and simple. In this brief moment of understanding, he knew the deep structure of the vital essence light-sphere, understood how the essence was stored, its configuration, and the manner and trajectory by which it was summoned… The enlightenment came so easily that before he could fully prepare, his body shuddered violently.

The rhythm echoing from the earth matched the fluctuations in his Sea of Consciousness, and the trembling frequency of the crystalline ancient tree within his vital essence light-sphere. His Primordial Soul ascended… With effortless ease, he stepped into the Triple Heaven Realm of Earthly Position.

At this juncture, as long as he stood firm and quieted his mind, he could easily perceive the earth’s deep rhythm. He extended his palm, mobilizing his vital essence, and condensed the Life Seal.

Seven dazzling handprints, flashing with crystalline light, formed suddenly at double their previous speed. With a momentum as ferocious as rupturing mountains, the Life Seal howled forth and struck a snow peak before him.

“Rumble!” A deafening roar erupted from the ice ridges of the snow peak. A sharp, piercing coldness was pulverized into icy dust beneath the Life Seal.

Blocks of ice the size of millstones spun under the cold, clear moonlight, plummeting down the mountain. Soon, sounds of shattering impact echoed from below.

The cold moon hung clear, and on the desolate, snowy mountain amidst the swirling ice shards, Shi Yan stood, clad only in a pair of blue shorts, his head bowed in deep contemplation of something. Yu Rou and Di Shan stood several thousand meters away, watching him with solemn expressions, making no move to disturb him.

After a long, long while, as the bright moon slowly shifted and was about to vanish, Shi Yan calmly pulled on his dark blue combat attire and walked unhurriedly toward the mountain where the ice ridges had shattered. He placed one hand upon a sharp ice spike, quietly sensing.

“Hmm?” Yu Rou murmured softly, tossing away a snowball she had been kneading until it sparkled. “Master seems to have found something.

Shall we go take a look?” Di Shan nodded impassively, his ink-black, fiendish wings slowly unfurling to span five or six meters. As the wings gently stirred, Di Shan resembled a demon from the depths of hell, his pupils icy and sharp, radiating an aura of savage ruthlessness.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched Yu Rou’s lips. Her snow-white wings remained furled; with just a slight sway of her graceful, captivating figure, she vanished from the snow peak, reappearing moments later beside Shi Yan.

She bent low, leaning toward him, and asked softly, “Master, what did you discover?” Di Shan remained a short distance from Shi Yan, watching curiously as he held one hand against the ice ridge, his eyes closed in thought. Without lifting his head, maintaining his posture of concentration, Shi Yan closed his eyes and permitted the aura of the Profound Ice Cold Flame from his Blood-patterned Ring to seep into the ice spike, following the ice rock deeper into Snow Dragon Mountain.

The Profound Ice Cold Flame was a celestial fire possessing an ice-cold attribute, yet in this marvelous realm, it was not the sole entity possessing such coldness. Besides humans and various alien races, this mysterious continent harbored powerful, peculiar life forms akin to celestial fires.

Demonic beasts were merely one type, and the most common one at that. “It wasn't what I discovered,” Shi Yan finally said, frowning as he looked up at the curious Yu Rou and Di Shan.

He explained calmly, “It was the ice-cold celestial fire within my body. When I sent my divine sense into Snow Dragon Mountain, through the faint icy aura emanating from it in my mind, it detected an environment sharing a similar cold property…” Di Shan and Yu Rou showed signs of deep feeling.

“Clan Leader Di Shan, summon Yi Tian Mo, Zha Meng, and Ka Ba. The Yin Mei Clan possesses a deeper understanding of the soul than your Wing Clan.

If I indicate the direction, perhaps they can uncover something.” Shi Yan pondered gravely. “We may need to stay on Snow Dragon Island for some time.

During this period, we must be perfectly familiar with everything on the island; we cannot afford for anything unexpected to arise while we remain ignorant.” “Master, addressing me by my name is sufficient,” Di Shan said, bowing slightly before respectfully retreating. “You don’t need to be so formal with him,” Yu Rou smiled sweetly, straightening up and stepping back a few paces.

“I know Di Shan. Once he makes a decision, he will not regret it, even if the decision proves wrong; he will continue down that mistaken path.” She paused, then continued, “Therefore, since he has sworn fealty to you as Master, it will not change.

No matter how much you disappoint him in the future, as long as you live, his vow will not be broken; he will willingly accept the misfortune and never go back on his word. You can trust him completely.” A flash of surprising brightness crossed Shi Yan’s pupils, then he frowned slightly.

“The respect due to him must still be given. Although you serve me as Master and call me so, in my heart, Di Shan and Yi Tian Mo remain my elders.

This is true now, and it will remain so. Even if I surpass them one day, it will still be so.” Yu Rou’s beautiful eyes brightened, feeling a touch of emotion, and she nodded slowly, saying softly, “It seems our choice was indeed correct.

To be able to follow you is perhaps truly our good fortune.” Shi Yan shook his head and suddenly smiled lightly. “For now, I am merely a burden to you; there is nothing fortunate about it.

However, I will strive my best, hoping that in the future, you will not regret the decision you made today.” With that, Shi Yan withdrew the hand resting on the ice spike and sent a mental message to the Profound Ice Cold Flame: “Luo Yang?” “Below the mountain, there is an aura very similar to mine, but it is deeply hidden. If such a creature truly exists, it must be slumbering, its entire aura concealed, making it extremely hard to detect.

If I cannot leave this demonic ring, even I cannot pinpoint that fellow’s exact location…” The Profound Ice Cold Flame replied. Shi Yan’s brow lifted, moved.

“You mean, there really is something strange within this Snow Dragon Mountain?” “Possibly…” The Profound Ice Cold Flame hesitated before continuing, “There’s another possibility: that creature might have left long ago. The aura I sense could just be a lingering remnant.” “Whoosh!

Whoosh!” In the fierce cold wind, figures quietly manifested. Di Shan and the three commanders of the Yin Mei Clan gathered before Shi Yan.

Yi Tian Mo merely glanced at Shi Yan before his expression shifted, and he bowed respectfully, “Congratulations, Master, on another advancement, reaching the peak of the Earthly Position Realm. With your talent and perseverance, you have the potential to step into the Nirvana Nest Realm within two or three years.” Ka Ba and Zha Meng looked astonished, staring at Shi Yan for a moment before jointly offering their congratulations with surprise.

Shi Yan calmly waved to stop their flattery, pointed to the gleaming ice spike, and went straight to the point: “Something is wrong with this Snow Dragon Mountain. According to a celestial fire within my body, there might be an ice-cold life form residing here.

Your soul-sensing abilities are exceptionally strong; you might not have noticed before, but now, investigate thoroughly and see if there is truly something amiss.” “Understood.” Yi Tian Mo and the other two bowed their heads in assent, then simultaneously sat cross-legged on the snow, closing their eyes to sense.