The Wish of the Dragon - Chapter 123

Chapter 123: 123




(AN: Big thanks to jonathan b and Rein for the donation! I hope all of you enjoy the chapter and stay safe. Don't let the corona virus defeat us! With that said, peace out girls scout!).

The girls' name was added to the examination name list of the first group. Mu Fengshu's gaze shifted as she gently pushed Li Mingcheng. "Go back and prepare for the exam. Even though there shouldn't be anyone who can surpass you in this group, you mustn't slack off. Hanfeng, get ready to begin."

"Yes, Hall Master," Ji Hanfeng respectfully replied.

After she finished, Mu Fengshu no longer lingered around and left with large strides.

When Li Mingcheng arrived at the testing ground, his eyes shone brightly the moment he saw Xia Qingyue's group. He slowly takes his time to get closer to their group and stand not far away from them.

The instant he stood still, he turned to them and said: "Ladies, we meet again." He flashed another 'gentlemanly' smile... but once again, the girls completely ignore him as if he doesn't exist.

His face started twitching quite a bit being ignored by them... he doesn't dare to say anything rude either since all of them have higher cultivation than him. For all he knows, they might be his senior sisters in the near future...

Even if his aunt is the hall master, he's not allowed to use her position as well since his aunt already warned him that she won't give him a special treatment even if he were to enter the palace.

But of course she will surely treat him a lot better than a normal disciple, that's a fact...

Then he noticed Issei standing not far away, he was about to mock him before his words got stuck on his throat when all of the girls had their eyes narrowed dangerously at him.

The combined pressure of a hundred Divine Origin Realm cultivation is not something that he can handle... The weakest of them all is at the 5th level Divine Origin Realm while he's only at the 3rd level...

He started to sweat profusely while a meek smile adorning his face, he hastily took some distance from them.

"Then Ise, please excuse us." Feng Qianhui said while she gives a deep bow at Issei. The other girls also followed suit...

"Um... Be careful." Issei nodded at them.

The other onlookers who saw this become confused just why did these girls seem to be treating this useles- ...Eh? wait...

They started to rub their eyes as hard as they could before they started to inspect Issei once again.

...D-D-Divine King Realm?! WHAT!!?

Wasn't he only at the peak level throne a few moments ago?! When did he become a Divine King!!! And it's not any Divine King Realm, but peak Divine King!

They feel like the world around them started to spin... they feel so shocked that they become utterly dumbfounded.

Xiaolan who stood nearby had a smug smile on her face as if she's the one who's being center of the attention... Hmph hmph! Did all of you see that? Master's guest is not a normal person at all!

Esdeath's group also let out a smirk seeing how ignorant these people are... Did they really think that their Master is some random joe they can find on the street? Heh, a bunch of ignorant fools...

They should be thankful that their Master is not a petty person or their lives would've been forfeited not long ago... Even their realm king won't be able to save them if their Master truly wanted to claim their lives...

There's immediately a commotion happening amongst the onlookers but Issei pays no heed to them.

When Mu Fengshu left, the face of Ji Hanfeng, who was in charge of the first group's examinations, changed from that of respect to sharp arrogance. He swept a glance through the entire group and then said gravely, "Be quiet! The preparations for the profound formation of the second round of examinations are complete. You may start at any time. However, before then, I have something I must remind you all of. Currently, your group has a total of ten thousand three hundred and twenty-three people but only one thousand will pass the second round! The remainders have no choice but to come again in five years."

He doesn't realize the reasoning behind the commotion and only thought that it's just them being rowdy for no apparent reason.

After his announcement, they shut their mouth instantly. Even though they're extremely baffled just how come Issei suddenly become a Divine King, they can't let this incident affect their performance on the upcoming trial.

When Ji Hanfeng's gaze swept onto Xia Qingyue's group, there's a glint of l.u.s.t flashed briefly on his eyes.

Only one out of ten people would be able to pass… and this was only the second round.

"And only one hundred from the thousand who enter the third round will pass." Ji Hanfeng extended a finger and said indifferently, "In other words, from the lot of you, only one out of a hundred will be able to enter Freezing Snow Hall. Freezing Snow Hall is not a place just anyone can join! You all may have been called geniuses within the Snow Song Realm or other places or were even hegemons in the lower realms but when you come here, you all must think it over. If you don't want to fail too miserably, put aside your former arrogance… because here, all that is a mere joke!"

"In addition, let me also give you guys some good news." Ji Hanfeng casually took out a crystal bottle. "There is always someone who achieves the best record and they will of course be rewarded. After all, trash should be tossed away while talents qualify to receive preferential treatment. And this year's reward, tsk tsk, could be counted as the greatest in ten thousand years. It is even something I would drool over."

Ji Hanfeng slowly grasped the jade bottle in his hand, his movements rather careful. He pitched slowly, "Jadefallen... Ice... Soul... Pellet!"

WHOOOA!!!

When the words "Jadefallen Ice Soul Pellet" came out, the profound practitioners who had been holding their breath involuntarily gasped.

"Ah? Jadefallen Ice Soul Pellet!?" Mu Xiaolan also let out a surprised gasp. "Why is the reward for this year's Freezing Snow Hall examination this excessive?"

"The Profound God Convention will be held in about thirty months." Mu Sushan, who just arrived said to Mu Xiaolan softly.

He seemed to be aware of the inside situation. He answered rather profoundly, "Anyone can tell that this Profound God Convention came about in quite an unusual manner. Every single king realm is also acting strangely. Something huge might be coming to the God Realm. As such, the Great Realm King personally issued an order to no longer be stingy with the sect's resources and use all our power to nurture our first-rate disciples of great talent. The reason why the 'Jadefallen Ice Soul Pellet' is the examination reward for Freezing Snow Hall this time around must have something to do with that."

"...However," Ji Hanfeng put away the jade bottle, swept his gaze toward Li Mingcheng as his expression immediately turn into pity... Before, this treasure should've gone to the latter considering his cultivation base and talent... but now...

He can only shake his head bitterly and then he set his gaze on Xia Qingyue's group: "In this group, unless there is some kind of huge accident, this Jadefallen Ice Soul Pellet will fall to... Junior sister Xia Qingyue or junior sister Chu Yuechan hands."

He flashed a smile at both of them... Both Xia Qingyue and Chu Yuechan have the highest cultivation base amongst the girls after all.

Countless gazes of admiration and envy shifted toward them. At the same time, the longing light in their eyes also quickly dimmed… Because they were well aware that both Xia Qingyue and Chu Yuechan stood out far too much in this examination group. No one could possibly compete with them both or even their friends... Even though Ji Hanfeng was quite blunt about it, everyone knew that it was not the least bit of an exaggeration.

There's no change that could be found in Qingyue and Yuechan's expression.

"Haha, as expected of Junior sister Xia Qingyue and Chu Yuechan. Not only is your innate talent extraordinary, but you both are also very calm even when you know that you might receive such treasure." He praised, nodding in approval. "From this day forth, all of you are sure to give Freezing Snow Hall an additional shine."

He speaks as if he already knows them from a long time ago... They clearly just met but he already started to act like they are close acquaintances with each other.

Truly a toad that doesn't know his place...

Ji Hanfeng's expression immediately became solemn. Then, he waved his hand. "Alright! The second round of examinations will begin now. Those who wish to enter Freezing Snow Hall, raise your spirits!"

Clang!!

Following the last of Ji Hanfeng's voice, a huge profound formation was activated. White profound light shone from below as a profound formation, that was around three kilometers wide, appeared beneath the feet of the examinees.

"The second round of the examination is called the 'Snowstorm Realm!'" Ji Hanfeng spoke without expression "Once the profound formation below your feet activates, you all will appear in a snowstorm world. That place is much colder than what you all can imagine. The storms there will make you lose all sense of direction, aside from the destination point."

"The destination point is only one hundred fifty kilometers ahead of you."

"All you have to do is withstand the cold and storm and reach the destination point. As long as you touch the destination point, you will be brought out by the profound formation."

"The first one thousand people that come out of the profound formation will be the ones who pass this round. As for the others…" Ji Hanfeng sneered, "You can all get the hell out."

After Ji Hanfeng finished his explanation, many of the participants sucked in a cold breath of air. At this moment, a young profound practitioner who stood at the front protested weakly, "But… but this isn't fair… in that kind of environment, those who cultivate ice attribute profound arts will have a huge advantage. Almost everyone in the Snow Song Realm cultivates ice profound arts but there are very few of us from the lower realms who cultivate ice profound arts… isn't… isn't this a bit too unfair to us?"

"Fair?" Ji Hanfeng strode forth with his eyes locked on the profound practitioner that spoke out. Once he came close, he suddenly reached out and grabbed him by the collar. Following a flash of blue light from his body, a layer of thick ice instantly spread to that young profound practitioner's entire body.

"Ah…" The young profound practitioner's eyes widened amidst his frightened groan. He subconsciously wanted to struggle but his profound strength and mobility were thoroughly sealed. He was not able to budge one inch and he was also quickly losing consciousness.

"Only the strong are qualified to speak of fairness." Ji Hanfeng narrowed his eyes and sneered, "If you want fairness, you can go seek it from those trashes who live on those lowly planets after heading back to your lower realm! You are not qualified to say that here!"

Bang!!!

That young profound practitioner was ruthlessly tossed to the ground by Ji Hanfeng. The surrounding profound practitioners quickly made way as ice crystals shattered while scattering through the air. Not a single one of them lent a helping hand. Ji Hanfeng turned around and said coldly, "All of the profound arts in our Divine Ice Phoenix Sect are of the ice attribute so it is naturally much more suitable for those who have a foundation in ice profound arts. In regards to this round of examinations, I've already finished what I have to say. Whoever wants to say any more useless words can get the hell out!"

All of the profound practitioners kept quiet out of fear, not a single one dared to speak out. As if he was scared dumb, that profound practitioner who had been tossed to the floor didn't get up for a long time.

"I will be sending you off to the Snowstorm Realm now, enjoy!"

Ji Hanfeng flicked a finger and the profound formation beneath them began to spin rapidly. Following a ray of white light that shot to the skies, all of the human figures there were swallowed within.

When Ji Hanfeng was about to say something at Issei's group, he becomes confused since they disappeared without him realizing it... when did they...

But soon he shook his head thinking that Issei's group must've left already... 'Hmph, that kind of trash truly doesn't belong here... but those girls around him... '

Ji Hanfeng licked his lips lecherously while he started to having indecent thoughts about Esdeath and the others...

Unknown to him, even Mu Sushan also doesn't realize when did Issei disappears.

He saw that Mu Xiaolan is still beside him then where did they go...?

"A-Ah, they said that they're going to go somewhere for a moment..." Mu Xiaolan who realizes Mu Sushan's gaze smiled wryly at the latter.

She was informed by Issei just now that he will be going somewhere for a moment and before she could say anything, they already disappeared right in front of her eyes...

She pouted a little for being left behind like this...

Mu Sushan nodded unsurely at her words. How did they disappear from his sight? He doesn't feel any movement at all and they just suddenly disappear... it seems that these guests are not simple as they seem...

...

The white light slowly dispersed and a bone-chilling wind came in from all directions. The girls opened their eyes and a world covered in snow appeared before them. It was snowy white from the sky to the ground with almost no other color in sight. There were other examinees in their surroundings. The place they were at was extremely cold but the atmosphere was especially quiet.

Just ahead of them, they kept hearing a howl so sharp that it was almost ear-piercing.

This was the Snowstorm Realm, Freezing Snow Hall's second round of examination. To be able to pass this round of examination, one would have to be one of the first one thousand people to go through the snowstorm and freezing wind and reach the finish line… The finish line was a hundred and fifty kilometers straight ahead of them.

A hundred and fifty kilometers was a relatively short distance to profound practitioners at their level and the details were very simple and straightforward. Even though the place they were at right now was very cold, it wasn't completely unbearable, not to mention any feeling of pressure.

But, this was an examination of the God Realm, how could it be as simple as it looked?

Whooosh!!!

The profound energy surrounding them was in turmoil, countless sounds of explosions burst out at the same instant.

Only a thousand people could pass this examination and the rest that numbered more than nine thousand would all be brutally eliminated. In addition, most of them were at a similar level of strength, so a split second of delay could result in two completely different destinies.

Because of this, none of the profound practitioners who entered the Snowstorm Realm was in the mood to admire the surrounding scenery like the girls. Instead, the first thing they did after they arrived was to confirm the direction of the finish line and utilized their profound energy to charge towards the snowstorm world in the north with their fastest speed.

More than ten thousand Divine Origin Realm profound practitioners released their energy at the same time, the power was so strong that it shocked heaven and earth. The flying snow and ice layers around were all kicked up harshly.

However, not everyone started rushing towards the finish line immediately. Instead, there were three people who stayed in place.

First is obviously the girls, and for the others, there's Li Mingcheng...

Li Mingcheng turned around and looked towards the girls with the same smirk from before. He knew better than anyone here what was ahead in the Snowstorm Realm...

"Ladies, how about we go together?" He tried to invite the girls.

"No need. We can take care of ourselves." Chu Yuechan said coldly.

Before he could react, the girls had already turned away and immediately flew ahead with a speed that makes everyone nearby them flabbergasted...

They need to be very careful in this realm but they just flew straight ahead without hesitation...

Unknown to them, this realm possesses no threat at all for the girls and they can easily go back and forth with their eyes closed if they wanted to.

They used their and they will never get lost even in this blizzard storm. The cold also doesn't affect them in the slightest... This test is basically like a walk in the park for them.

"..." Li Mingcheng's face became stiff and when he saw they leaving him behind, he can only grit his teeth in frustration.

Then he flew up into the air with a speed like lightning. Even though he had enough confidence, he didn't dare to be careless...

The temperature continued to go down and the strong wind had become a fierce wind. After going forward for a few kilometers, the surroundings suddenly became a snowstorm world and the wind had transformed into an incredibly terrifying storm wind.

The cold was freezing everyone's body and sealing their profound energy, the flying snow was blocking their vision and senses, and the storm wind was blowing them in many different directions… Under the combination of these three factors, it formed a world that was enough to cause the divine way profound practitioners to be desperate.

Of course the exception for all of this is Chu Yuechan and the others.

While the others are still struggling in the fierce storm, they have already reached the exit...

...

Clang!!

The profound formation in front of them suddenly flashed with white light, even the host of the examination, Ji Hanfeng, becomes dazed... so fast! It hasn't even been ten minutes yet and someone already reached the finish line?!

When he saw the figure of the first person who appeared... well, a group of people to be exact, he felt utterly shocked...

Even Mu Sushan feels the same way while Mu Xiaolan could already predict this to a certain extent so she doesn't feel too surprised.

He knows that Xia Qingyue's group will be the first to finish but he doesn't expect that they will be this fast!

But he reeled in his shock before he walked forward and laughed loudly, "This was indeed the expected result. After all, you ladies are a monstrous genius! Even though I tried to overestimate your time, the time you used was still a lot shorter than what I had predicted."

Ji Hanfeng's words were filled with flattery because with their natural talent alone, their position would definitely not be lower than his after they entered the Freezing Snow Hall.

The girls don't pay attention to his flattery and they started looking around for a specific figure that has cemented his position in their heart.

Mu Xiaolan who sensed their intention said weakly: "U-Umm, he said that he will be going somewhere for a moment... And congrats for passing the test..."

The girls who heard Mu Xiaolan's words nodded slightly. They feel a little disappointed that he's not here... they wanted him to praise them even though the test is very easy.

After the frozen cloud ladies had arrived and another twenty minutes have passed, the second profound practitioner who had completed the examination finally appeared. It is Li Mingcheng who has the second-highest cultivation amongst the participants...

He could only sigh wistfully since he's not the first person to finish the test... what can he do when the other party is much stronger than him...

Following after, the profound formation in front of them started flickering in a faster frequency, from a few dozen people to more than a hundred people… a few hundred people…

Many of the profound practitioners who passed the examination directly lay on the ground while taking big breaths, over the moon...

...

Issei went inside the to meet up with Jasmine and Xun'er. Esdeath and the others are increasing their cultivation realm at the moment... Since he's not in public, Issei took off his mask.

"You're leaving?" Issei asked with raised eyebrows at the frowning Jasmine.

"Um... I will be attending the upcoming Profound God Convention." Jasmine said softly: "When the convention starts, that might be the time I have my revenge!" She said coldly at the end.

Xun'er who's by her side could only sigh bitterly... It seems that the time has come... If possible she wanted to be the one to avenge her son, that way her daughter won't need to dirty her hand with the blood of her own father...

Even though their relationship with each other is almost nonexistent at this point, in the end, that man is still her father.

"And I still need to find my little sister... She must be worried about us." Jasmine's tone turned softer when she talks about her sister.

"Hmm, I see..." Issei nodded calmly.

Jasmine could ask his help if she wanted to and he will help her.

But he knows that Jasmine doesn't want to owe him any longer and she wanted to have her revenge with her own two hands. Jasmine also knows that with just a flick of his finger then he can easily destroy the whole if he wanted to but that's not what she wants...

Issei then took a step forward and stand in front of Jasmine.

"Wh-What?" Jasmine's cheeks blushed slightly seeing how close they are.

Issei smiled softly before he starts ruffling her hair.

Jasmine grumbled at this since she doesn't want to be treated like a child by him: "D-Don't treat me as if I'm a child!" She tried to shake his hand away but there's little to no force behind her action... She clearly doesn't really hate his touch...

"Heheh, you're still a little brat though." Issei said teasingly at the petite girl before him.

"Sh-Shut up! It's not my fault that my body won't grow! And do I need to remind you that I'm already nineteen years old!" Jasmine said with a pout.

So weird... She already turned nineteen years old but her body barely grow at all! How come? Her mother has a nice body so why won't her body grow just like her mother?!

"Well, just be careful okay? If you need my help then don't hesitate to ask. Remember to use the charm I gave you if you're in danger... I will surely save you when the time comes." Issei said gently after he stops ruffling her hair.

"...En." Jasmine nodded obediently hearing his words... a sweet honey-like feeling started to fill her entire being: "...I-I will come back to your side when I'm finished with my revenge." She said in a very small voice but Issei could hear her clearly.

"Ah... You're always welcome here... Both of you." Issei nodded at Jasmine then at Xun'er.

"Fufu, we're glad to hear that." Xun'er giggled while covering her mouth: "After all, somebody already stole something precious from us and we can't let that certain somebody get away with it~, am I right, dear?"

'And that something is our heart...' Xun'er added inside her mind.

Issei seems puzzled at Xun'er words... Stolen something? Who? And what is it?

Jasmine who heard her mother's words had her whole face reddened at a rapid pace.

During the past three years, she already found out that her mother also has feelings towards Issei. Jasmine was a bit surprised but not by much since she knows well just how potent the other party charm is...

This is fine as well. She was planning to introduce her little sister to Issei later on and if she wanted to then they can share him together.

At the very least, they better be first that cross the finish line! As long as the three of them work together then they should be able to capture his heart completely even if he's very dense! And as what the future hold for them... it is fine as long as they're first! Nothing else mattered after that.

When she thought until here, Jasmine steeled herself before she lifts her head up and stands on her tiptoe with her lips puckered slightly. She was planning to give Issei cheek a kiss...

But what happens next made the three of them froze on the spot.

"Jasmine, do you kno- umph!?"

Issei was about to ask Jasmine if she knows what Xun'er talk about... but this act of his made Jasmine plan goes wrong.

She accidentally kissed Issei on the lips instead of on his cheek!

It's as if time froze for the three of them...

Her jet black pair of eyes locked with Issei's wine-red eyes.

Jasmine is the first to snap out of her daze before she screamed out loud: "I-I-I-I!!! D-Don't misunderstand! Th-Th-This princess was only planning to give you a kiss on the cheek! This princess has absolutely no intention to give you a kiss on the lips! I-It's an accident!!!"

After she said that, she doesn't wait for Issei's response and immediately created a spatial rift before pulling Xun'er along with her.

Issei is still in a daze after being 'kissed' by Jasmine...

Nyarlathotep who notices the spike in his emotion narrowed her eyes... 'This won't do...'

She hastily comes out from his shadow and without saying anything, she immediately stole Issei's lips.

This broke Issei out of his daze. He hastily pushed away Nyarlathotep away from his body: "What the hell are you doing?"

She speaks with a sultry tone: "Awwhh~ you're giving another girl other than your own wife a kiss~ that calls for a punishment~" she licked her lips l.u.s.tfully at the end.

"You're not my wife." Issei said coldly.

"How cruel~" She faked a tear.

Issei then turned around before he sighs wryly. It looks like it is indeed his fault for suddenly turning his head like that... he just made things went awkward with Jasmine...

Nyarlathotep's body jerked slightly after Issei turned around.

'...Ufufufu~ how intriguing... It looks like while I'm trying to corrupt him, his body also does the same thing in return... albeit unconsciously...' She said with a grin: 'Ahhh~ so this is how it feels like... being corrupted by others... mmm~ fascinating...' she wrapped her arms around her body making her already voluptuous asset become more prominent...

If any men were to saw this then they would willingly throw away their lives with just a snap of her finger...

While Nyarlathotep is trying to corrupt Issei, his body also retaliate in the same manner. His love is also slowly 'corrupting' Nyarlathotep... and by the looks of it, she will be the one to lose if things go on like this... she needs to prepare a new plan...

...

At Jasmine's side, she's a distance away from the . She's standing in an entranced state while touching her dainty lips...

Inside her head, she keeps repeating that sweet taste of kissing him over and over again... she was completely lost while relishing her recent memories... kissing him feel so good and sweet that she might be addicted already...

"How does it feel, dear?"

"...It feels so sweet and addicting..."

"You want to do it again?"

"...Yes... I wanted to do it over and ov- Mother!!!"

Jasmine finally snaps out of her entranced state and shouted in embarrassment at her mother's teasing.

"Fufufu, so it feels so sweet and addicting? Mother is so envious~... oh and congrats for losing your first kiss dear~" Xun'er said with a knowing smile.

Jasmine pouted to the side with a reddened face.

Suddenly both of them sensed the presence they have been waiting for. Jasmine purposefully released a bit of her divine energy to let the other party knows of her location.

"She's here." Jasmine said coldly.

Xun'er also had her face turned cold. She hides her rabbit ears and restrained her aura so that she won't attract much attention to herself.

The old Xun'er is very weak... Her cultivation was only at the Divine Sovereign Realm. But now she's already at the late stage Divine Master Realm. That's how powerful Issei 'legacy' was... And it's only an incomplete legacy at that!

Jasmine also had her cultivation increased by one realm. But she also hides her real cultivation just like Xun'er did.

Following her words, the figure of a woman appeared high above the sky of Snow Song City and she was accompanied by a barely discernible odd fragrance.

The woman in the sky had a tall figure and was even taller than the average male. She was dressed in a jade-green silk gown which was seemingly translucent, and her coquettish jade body was rather discernible. The silk sleeves slipping over her arms and thighs were however completely transparent. Her pair of silky arms were smooth and crystal clear while her shoulders glistened brightly.

Half-wrapped in chiffon, the bosoms in front of her chest were enormous. Seemingly a large half of them were exposed, blatantly sandwiching a deep valley and the white l.u.s.ter they had led to people coveting and salivating for them.

Under the jade-green silk gown, her two beautiful slim, long legs were completely exposed, their creaminess was to the extent where people could lose control, wanting to hug and lick them.

With a flirtatious face and dark painted brows, her tiny, water hibiscus-like, red lips revealed a faint smile.

When comparing her facial appearance, she was far from the perfection and flawlessness of Xia Qingyue and the others. However, her entire body was emitting a demonic charm capable of taking away the souls of men. Her pair of eyes especially, looked as though they were carrying the water of autumn.

The corner of the charming woman's lips lightly arched upwards, the charming woman slowly turned around and looked towards Jasmine.

Within her beautiful eyes that flowing with green radiance, a strange dazzling light flashed past. Then, she faintly smiled. "Your highness, this servant finally managed to find you and lady Xun'er."

The way she addresses Xun'er was completely different from how she addresses Jasmine. It's clear that Xun'er position was very low within the Star God Realm...

"It's been three years, seeing that your highness is still safe and sound, this servant feels boundless joy from the depths of her heart."

"It's been three years, yet you're still so loathsome," compared to her flirtatiousness, Jasmine's voice was as cold as a frozen spring. Slowly, she muttered the other party's name. "Moonflower!"

People who had heard of the Twelve Star Gods of Star God Realm would be aware of the two most frightening existences that could strike them with terror just by conversing about them.

Among the two, was the Heavenly Poison Star God.

And presently, standing in front of Jasmine was this woman who was seemingly born to bewitch men, the Heavenly Poison Star God who carried the title "Moonflower of Hell"!

"Hehehehe…" Facing Jasmine's cold taunts, not only did Moonflower not become angry, she instead smiled tenderly and narrowed her charming eyes to observe Jasmine and Xun'er.

Twisting her waist like a water snake, she then appeared in front of Jasmine with speed comparable to teleportation. "Your highness and Lady Xun'er, it seems that you both have become more and more beautiful... Especially lady Xun'er. Her change is simply... mindblowing..."

"If my king were to know of this then he might love lady Xun'er even more than ever~. A few years ago, we had thought that you had encountered misfortune. My king was depressed for a long while, you know?"

"Depressed?" Coldness and ridicule could be seen from Jasmine and Xun'er face.

"And I smell some sweet and intoxicating fragrance from your highness body... This servant is wondering just who is the owner of this fragrance is... It doesn't belong to a woman, that's for sure~" Moonflower eyes flashed with a faint glint: "I wonder if he's someone from the ."

Moonflower said with a giggle. "It's no wonder your highness still did not die after being struck with the Absolute God Slaying Poison. You must've forcefully abandoned the body that was infected with the demonic poison and attached your soul onto someone else… If this servant isn't mistaken, that someone, should be the owner of this fragrance~"

"..." Jasmine doesn't say anything and only looks at Moonflower with a ridiculing eye.

Did she think that she could threaten her with her words? What a joke! Even if she by chance finds out about Issei then what can she do to him? Forget about killing him, she won't even be able to touch a single hair of his!

When the time comes, the one who will die is obvious. She won't even know how she dies if she were to offend him!

Seeing the ridicule look on Jasmine's face, Moonflower started to feel a little uneasy... was her guess wrong? Or was it something else?

"...But from the looks of it, your highness seems to have only reconstructed your body not too long ago and your god powers have only been restored by thirty percent. It's better this way as well, otherwise, this servant would have been troubled." Moonflower tilted her lips upwards, both her voice and expression were still as tender and frail. "If this servant had known about this, then I wouldn't have informed my king that I had discovered your highness beforehand."

"Hmph!" Jasmine scoffed at her words.

It's funny how fate works... before this, she would feel a bit tense whenever that person is mentioned. But now... she only thinks of him as a weakling!

It seems that because of her interaction with Issei, her worldly view has changed completely. A Divine Master peak? They're nothing but insects in her eyes now!

Her mother alone can easily step on those arrogant old foggies.

"Also, I have a piece of good news that I must definitely inform your highness immediately," Moonflower said with a gleeful smile. "The new inheritor of the Heavenly Wolf Star God has already appeared."

"Heavenly Wolf Star God…" Jasmine suddenly raised her head. "Who is it!?"

Heavenly Wolf Star God was the Star God power her brother inherited back then, so she had some special feelings towards the power of the Heavenly Wolf Star God.

A Star God powers definitely could not be inherited by just anyone. There were extremely high requirements for the inheritors. Aptitude, physique, compatibility, none of these three did not carry extreme requirements. After a generation of Star God had fallen, finding the next suitable inheritor would usually require several hundred or even several thousand years.

Presently, it had only been less than ten years since her brother had fallen, yet a new inheritor had already appeared in such a short span of time.

"That person is…" Moonflower's face revealed a mysterious smile. "Princess Caizhi."

"..." Jasmine's body suddenly shook as though she was struck by lightning. "What did you say!?"

"Your highness, you heard it correctly. It's Princess Caizhi." Seemingly very satisfied with Jasmine's reaction, Moonflower's smile grew even more pleased. "Also, the compatibility between Princess Caizhi and the Heavenly Wolf Star God power has achieved a perfect degree never before seen in history. As expected of…"

"Shut up!!!"

Jasmine clenched her two fists, her two fragile arms were even trembling slightly without end. Even her aura had turned chaotic…

Princess Caizhi is her little sister. Jasmine knows her well... she wouldn't feel happy after inheriting the Heavenly Wolf Star God...

Jasmine's breathing grew hurried.

Even Xun'er feels the same way... but as her mother, she can't let herself feel disheartened like this: "Take us back now, Moonflower." she said coldly.

Moonflower raised her eyebrows at Xun'er cold words since back then she never used this kind of tone before. In her eyes, Xun'er is nothing but a frail lady...

"Now that's obedient of you, lady Xun'er." Moonflower's smile was like a flower. "Seeing your and your highness returning safely, my king will definitely be overjoyed."

"Let's go!" Jasmine said after heaving a deep breath.

Along with the Moonflower seductive laugh, the three of them disappear from the ...

...

When Issei returned to the examination hall, the girls have already undergone the third test. Mu Xiaolan sigh in relief seeing that Issei is finally back...

The final examination is called the .

In the Ice Profound Realm, all participants will be attacked by strong profound beasts. The longer they all stay in there, the more profound beasts they will encounter! And since the space is restricted, they can only fight. There is nowhere to run...

In the Ice Profound Realm, once you have died, you will be teleported out immediately and there will be no second chances. But they do not need to be worried, the only thing that dies in the Ice Profound Realm is their 'projection.' No matter how brutally you die in there, you won't really die, there won't even be a scratch.

In other words, they just need to stay there as long as possible.

A full one hundred breaths had passed since the previous examinee had been ejected but the profound formation showed no other movement... There has been a lot of them who failed the test and some already passed the time limit.

But most of them are still waiting to see who will come first. It's no surprise that the one who will stand out the most is Xia Qingyue's group but who will be first amongst them?

Li Mingcheng already exited not long ago and once again, he can only sigh bitterly seeing that he's not first... well, nobody will blame him since the other party is much stronger than him. Ji Hanfeng also thought the same as him...

"As expected of them, to actually persevere so long without dying," quietly exclaimed a profound practitioner who had passed the exam. They had all just recently experienced the terror of the Ice Profound Realm trial. Each Winterfrost Direwolf was a nightmarish existence.

"It's expected that they will be able to last this long. After all, they definitely have that kind of strength. But who will come out first among their group?"

"It's probably that woman who's named Xia Qingyue or Chu Yuechan that will come out as first. After all, they have the highest cultivation."

"Indeed..."

The rest of them nodded at the last statement.

Soon one by one the girls finally exited the formation... Starting from the weakest of them all who was only at the middle stage of Divine Origin Realm.

But even though they finish their test, there's no visible exhaustion on their eyes.

They who saw Issei standing nearby had their eyes shone brightly before they hurriedly scurry over to his side.

Ji Hanfeng and Li Mingcheng who saw this wanted to spat in disdain but their face went dumbstruck when they sensed Issei current cultivation realm.

D-Divine King Realm?!

Their reaction is the same as the previous people who found out about his 'new' cultivation realm.

Even Mu Sushan also felt amazed by this sight... was it his misconception when he first sensed his cultivation? It shouldn't be...

But after he started to inspect Issei once more, he becomes horrified since according to his estimation, Issei is only twenty-four years of age! Heavens!

The shock that Mu Sushan feels cannot be described into words... Is he really someone from the lower realm?!

Next who exited the test are Chu Yueli, Feng Qianhui, Gong Yuxian, Murong Qianxue, Cang Yue, and the rest of the girls...

The one who still hasn't come out is Xia Qingyue and Chu Yuechan...

After waiting for a while longer... Under the awed gazes of the other participants... Xia Qingyue and Chu Yuechan finally exited the formation... but both of them exited at the same time!

At this moment, Ji Hanfeng walked towards them while laughing loudly, "Hahahaha, Junior sister Qingyue and junior sister Yuechan, you both are indeed the most talented genius among all of us!"

"We are not that close, so I would prefer if you stop calling us in such a familiar manner." Chu Yuechan said coldly.

Ji Hanfeng's body stiffens on the spot before he gives a weak smile: "My mistake, my mistake..." He can only grip his fist tightly to endure the humiliation that he feels right now...

Then both of them joined the rest of the group who welcomed them with congratulatory words. There is no envy nor jealousy among them and they feel happy for Xia Qingyue and Chu Yuechan splendid performance.

"Elder Ise." They greeted Issei with a polar opposite tone compared to how they speak with Ji Hanfeng...

The male onlookers could only send an envious gaze at Issei for being treated in such manner by so many heavenly beauties...

On the other hand, the female onlookers become very curious just why did these girls treat Issei in such manner... they started wondering just what kind of face that he possess below that mask of his...

Ji Hanfeng faked a cough before he loudly announced, "Very good, the examinations for our group are all completed at this point. First let's congratulate all the junior brothers and sisters. After going through three rounds of examination, you have all qualified to become disciples of Freezing Snow Hall. After receiving the Ice Phoenix Engraved Jade that will belong to you later, you will all officially be our Freezing Snow Hall's disciples. I wish you all to achieve great things from now on, make our ancestors proud!"

"And, as the first place of the examination this time, as well as the most talented new disciple among our group..." Ji Hanfeng raised his palms and slowly picked up the . Everyone's eyes were attracted beneath the dreamy blue light and stuck on it like a magnet. All of their eyes revealed a deep desire and envy, especially Li Mingcheng...

Ji Hanfeng becomes a little confused just who should he give this pellet to... both Xia Qingyue and Chu Yuechan exited the formation at the exact time after all...

"Qingyue, go and get it." Chu Yuechan said softly.

"Qingyue understand." Xia Qingyue nodded and walk forward to receive the jade.

Before Ji Hanfeng could even react, Xia Qingyue takes the pellet unceremoniously.

His face started twitching for the umpteenth time seeing this...

But what she did next made all of them become dumbfounded yet again.

"Elder Ise... Please." Xia Qingyue without any hesitation presented the pellet to him as if the pellet doesn't worth a single penny in her eyes...

"Hm? You can keep it. I have no need for it." Issei said calmly.

"But..."

"Qingyue, be obedient and keep it... you should know that I really don't need it," Issei said with a sigh.

"...Qingyue understand." She said feeling a little disappointed that it seems that even this kind of item from the upper realm isn't up to his liking either.

"Don't look so disappointed will you?" Issei said with a wry smile under his mask: "I'm happy that you wanted to give it to me but it's better if you use it for yourself. And I'm proud of all of you for being able to pass the test."

Xia Qingyue and the others smiled sweetly at his praise. Nothing else matters as long as they can receive his praise...

"What happened? Isn't the test over yet? Why is everyone being so quiet?"

Mu Fengshu who went away a while ago returned with a frown.

Mu Fengshu looked around and saw Li Mingcheng giving her a bitter smile. It seems that her nephew is able to pass the test but he couldn't get the first place.

Well, no matter... as long as he's able to pass the test then it's fine.

Then he saw Xia Qingyue's group is encircling Issei. Just like the other before, she was about to ridicule Issei but her words got stuck on her throat. Her eyes shrunk instantly after she sensed Issei cultivation.

"I believe the test has already finished."

A snow-white figure slowly descended from high above, its waistband fluttering in the air. A peerlessly beautiful snowy face that could overturn worlds appeared and even caused the surrounding light to lose its splendor. A pure, clean, frosty aura lightly enveloped everyone's souls, causing them to become stupefied. It was as though a fairy had landed in the mortal realm.

"Master!" Mu Xiaolan shouted in pleasant surprise when she saw the celestial figure fluttering down from up above.

"Palace Master… Bingyun!" A Freezing Snow Hall disciple softly exclaimed.

Upon hearing the name Palace Master Bingyun, all of the surrounding new disciples widened their eyes. To profound practitioners born in the Snow Song Realm, Ice Phoenix Realm's thirty-six Ice Phoenix Palace Masters were figures of legend. Never did they expect themselves to be fortunate enough to see an Ice Phoenix Palace Master on the day they were about to become a member of Freezing Snow Hall

"Mu… Bing… Yun!?" Mu Fengshu raised her head, her brows pinching together as deep shock and incredibility surfaced in her eyes.

A thousand years ago, her cultivation was much weaker than Mu Bingyun's. Within those thousand years, however, under the flame poison's erosion not only was it possible for Mu Bingyun to die at any given moment, but her profound strength had also weakened to not even one-tenth of her original power. During these thousand years, Mu Fengshu worked night and day to progress in her cultivation. Though she still was not on par with the Mu Bingyun of a thousand years ago, she had grown to the point where she could easily defeat the flame poisoned Mu Bingyun.

But now... she can tell that the current Mu Bingyun has returned to her peak strength!

As though she was supported by a gentle breeze, Mu Bingyun landed lightly, standing beside Issei's group and Mu Xiaolan. Her appearance was like the emergence of a shining soft glow of light.

Mu Bingyun glanced at Issei and gave the latter a gentle nod: "Since we're done here, then let's go... From now on, I will accept all of you as an official disciple of Ice Phoenix Palace. You will join my thirty-sixth palace."

After she said that, she extended a pure white hand and gently waved it in the girls' direction.

Following the flash of blue light, a sky blue jade was embedded onto the front of their shoulder.

The sky blue color was the Ice Phoenix Engraved Jade which proved that they are the Ice Phoenix Palace disciple! Distinctly engraved on top of it was their respective name.

The main hall went so quiet that even the drop of a needle could be heard. The only sound that could be heard was the gulping sound made by many throats. Extremely envious gazes rigidly locked onto the Ice Phoenix Engraved Jade on the girls' shoulder… Being able to enter Freezing Snow Hall was already so difficult that it would bring honor to their ancestors. As for Ice Phoenix Palace, that was a divine palace almost none of them dared to dream of entering!

Being able to enter Ice Phoenix Palace required one to enter the Divine Soul Realm before the age of forty to qualify to participate in the examination… and that was only being able to qualify for the examination.

Concessions like Mu Xiaolan, who had entered the Divine Origin Realm below the age of twenty were very few in number.

However, though they were shocked, almost nobody on the scene felt that this was unacceptable.

Because they had all seen their prowess with their own eyes...

The reason why most girls here qualified to enter the palace was because of Issei tempering with their body...

They do not only look younger such as Feng Qianhui and Gong Yuxian but their age as well. The side bonus from Issei... And when the girls found out about this, they almost drowned Issei in their soft bodies... Thankfully Issei is not a normal man or he would've lost it back then.

Not that the girls would resist him if he truly lost control of himself though...

"Wait a minute!" Mu Fengshu hollered.

"Who allows you to take all of them away?! There's a limit of how greedy can you be!" She said in a spiteful manner.

Xia Qingyue group is extremely talented. It would be her palace lost if she just let them go like this...

"Hm? Oh, you're right..." Mu Bingyun look at Mu Fengshu before she changed her gaze back towards the girls: "Are you girls willing to enter my palace? Or do you prefer entering Mu Fengshu palace instead?"

"We choose the thirty-sixth palace." The girls answered at the same time without hesitation. There's no way the girls would be entering Mu Fengshu palace since she insulted their sect elder beforehand.

"There you have it." Mu Bingyun said offhandedly to Mu Fengshu.

"Mu Bingyun, you…" Facing Mu Bingyun, who had suddenly become strong after being weak for a thousand years, Mu Fengshu was somewhat at a loss.

"It has been a thousand years," Mu Bingyun lamented pensively. None would know what kinds of changes had happened unless they felt it for themselves. "Mu Fengshu, I was well aware of what you thought and did all those years. I always thought that I owed you so I never exposed or investigated anything. Even though the Great Realm King wished to punish you, I would obstruct her for you."

Mu Fengshu suddenly lifted her head, her gaze full of shock.

"Many years have passed and the 'debt' I owed you has already been repaid. I will no longer owe you from now on. The Great Realm King has long found a purification method for the flame poison in my body and I have completely recovered. More than half my profound strength has been restored and I will soon revive the Thirty Sixth Ice Phoenix Palace. If you want an 'explanation,' you can come over to the Thirty Sixth Ice Phoenix Palace to find me."

"Also, if sinister deeds surface once more after today, I will no longer feign ignorance… I won't forgive them! And I know that you have insulted my guest. Go apologize to him now!"

When Mu Bingyun's voice fell, her icy eyes that had been watching Mu Fengshu the entire time flashed with a deep blue light.

This flash of blue light appeared for a split second but Mu Fengshu felt as though she had been struck by lightning. She retreated in panic as her complexion instantly went pale. Her pupils enlarged and her lips gaped but she was rendered speechless for a long time.

A thousand years of silence and illness caused the members of Divine Ice Phoenix Sect to slowly forget that she was the strongest, most prestigious and highest ranked Ice Phoenix Palace Master and had received the most admiration and respect from all disciples of the sect.

At that time, Mu Fengshu had always been respectful before her and would never do anything rash. Furthermore, she had respected her from the bottom of her soul.

Within her violently shivering eyes, she clearly saw that the Palace Master Bingyun that had been silent for a millennium… had returned.

Mu Fengshu took a deep breath and only hesitate for a second before she bowed her head at Issei's direction: "...I'm sorry." she said in a small voice.

It was indeed her mistake for insulting Issei back then... but it's not really her fault since he was only at the peak level throne before! He must've hidden his true cultivation from her! There's no way someone who was only at the peak level Emperor Profound Realm would suddenly become a Divine King Realm in a short amount of time!

Issei only gives a silent nod at her words...

"Ise, Xiaolan, girls, let's go." Mu Bingyun turned around to lead them away from this place.

"Yes, Master." Mu Xiaolan happily replied while shedding tears of emotion.

"Hahahaha," Mu Sushan erupted in loud laughter, seeming to be in an extremely good mood: "It looks like our sect and even realm will truly rise from now on!"

He was so happy for the new addition of their sect... it is truly a good day!

Mu Fengshu scoffed before she flicked her sleeve and flew away...

...

On their way to their destination, Mu Bingyun said softly towards Issei: "Thank you for not killing Mu Fengshu..."

"Don't mind it." Issei responded without a care.

Her intuition is telling her that Issei could easily kill Mu Fengshu if he wanted to but thankfully he's not a petty person... if not... their sect will lose a Divine Sovereign cultivator just like that...

At their current state, every single disciple is very valuable...

Even if Issei's current cultivation is at the Divine King Realm, she's willing to bet that this is still not his true strength.

"Where did your companions go?" Mu Bingyun asked about Esdeath and the others.

"They're in a safe place," Issei said dismissively.

Mu Bingyun nodded and doesn't ask anything anymore...

"Hehe, now all of you truly become my junior sisters!" Mu Xiaolan said with a giggle.

It probably won't be long before they overtake your position though... Mu Bingyun thought inwardly...

Freezing Snow City was enormous. Not only were there one hundred and eight Freezing Snow Halls, but there were also numerous places for cultivation, training, healing, meditation and going into seclusion. Mu Bingyun traveled extremely fast but she still used a long time to fly through Freezing Snow City.

The further north she traveled, the colder the air became. It was also there that the ice-cold suppression which always existed became even more heavy and endless. The outline of Ice Phoenix City then gradually emerged in their field of view...