Chapter 28: Amethyst Ice

Gazing at the densely packed crowd of cultivators both within and outside the valley, even Qin Shuang, who had witnessed much in his life, was taken aback. So many people had come—it was clear that the news of the arrival of the Five-Clawed Purple-Scaled Dragon had been deliberately spread. With a flicker of thought, Qin Shuang’s figure vanished from midair and reappeared among the crowd in the valley.

Near the center of the gathering stood a burly, scar-faced middle-aged man, surrounded by Bao Zhongxiong—Magui’s master—and several other imposing immortals, engaged in cheerful conversation.

“Lord Feng, when will the Five-Clawed Purple-Scaled Dragon appear? Do we all have a chance to earn the spirit beast’s favor?” One of the immortals beside Bao Zhongxiong asked expectantly, yearning for the opportunity that if he were chosen by the spirit beast, he might ascend in a single bound—surpassing Gold Immortal, Immortal Emperor, and becoming a divine being.

This burly man was none other than Feng Potian, the City Lord of Sky-Seal City, an eighth-level Gold Immortal and a notable figure on the Infinite Continent. With a calm glance around, a hint of pride flickered in his eyes as he thought to himself: It’s said these spirit beasts value powerful cultivators most. Of all those present, no one surpasses my cultivation. That spirit beast should have little choice.

Though pleased, he maintained a solemn expression, gazing authoritatively at the influential immortals of Sky-Seal City gathered around him. “According to the rumors, spirit beasts do not choose based on cultivation level, but rather through a mind-reading technique unique to them, to select the right candidate. From what I know, two spirit beasts have already found their chosen ones. So, you need not worry—in the presence of a spirit beast, all is decided by its will.”

A chorus of excitement erupted at his words. If what Feng Potian said was true, then everyone present had a chance to be chosen, and who could not be overjoyed?

Most cultivators had come merely to witness the spectacle, though, to be sure, each harbored a secret hope that fortune would fall from the heavens and land upon them. Yet with immortals, Gold Immortals, and even Immortal Emperors present, the dream of becoming a god seemed a distant fantasy.

Now, hearing Feng Potian’s words, even those who had only come to watch grew animated, eagerly discussing how they might win the spirit beast’s approval.

Standing in an inconspicuous corner, Qin Shuang listened to the excited chatter around him, and couldn’t help but feel surprised. “A mind-reading technique? So the spirit beast doesn’t choose based on cultivation? How strange!”

Shaking his head, Qin Shuang couldn’t fathom why the spirit beast’s recognition would depend on such a method, nor how Feng Potian had come by this information.

As the crowd buzzed with excitement and speculation, a deafening roar suddenly erupted from the sky. The sound wave rolled in from afar, startling everyone in both Sky-Seal City and the Heaven-Ice Valley.

With the force of the sound, a purple ray of light appeared above the valley. A body over a hundred meters long, clad in scales that shimmered with a noble purple sheen in the sunlight, exuded an aura of supreme majesty. As the dragon’s massive head swung from side to side, an overwhelming dragon’s might radiated from its body. Cultivators whose strength was below the Great Ascension stage could barely remain standing under the pressure, their faces pale with fright.

Though Qin Shuang had deliberately suppressed his cultivation to the Great Ascension level, his soul had already reached the peak of the ninth level—just a breath away from forming a Soul Gold Core and achieving the divine realm. To Qin Shuang, the spirit beast’s awe-inspiring presence was no more than a superficial threat. His soul level was a full grade above that of the Five-Clawed Purple-Scaled Dragon, and with a single glance, he saw through its true strength: the power of an eighth-level Immortal Emperor.

“Salutations to the Spirit Envoy!” someone cried, and the crowd in the valley immediately echoed the call, prostrating themselves on the ground. Only Qin Shuang, Feng Potian, and a few others remained standing. Qin Shuang’s face was calm, unconcerned, while Feng Potian and his companions, accustomed to Immortal Emperors, were prepared, though their faces turned pale, clearly suffering under the all-encompassing dragon’s might.

The dragon’s massive head nodded in satisfaction before its enormous eyes fixed on Qin Shuang and the others. Its mouth opened slightly, and a resonant voice boomed into their ears, “Why do you not bow? Do you not seek my approval, to ascend to the divine realm?”

The thick voice made Feng Potian, Bao Zhongxiong, and another Gold Immortal tremble from head to toe. No longer daring to stand their ground, they promptly knelt. “The City Lord of Sky-Seal City, Feng Potian, welcomes the Spirit Envoy!”

The Five-Clawed Purple-Scaled Dragon nodded, then glared at Qin Shuang, focusing the entirety of its immense pressure upon him. The ground within three meters of Qin Shuang sank half a meter, its surface polished and smooth, evidence that all the dragon’s might had been condensed upon his position.

Divine realm? Qin Shuang curled his lips in disdain, thinking, I doubt you realize that becoming a god is only the lowest tier in the divine world.

But on second thought, something felt off. Raising his head to meet the dragon’s gaze, Qin Shuang noticed a sly glint in the creature’s enormous eyes.

Strange. Qin Shuang was puzzled. The dragon’s pressure had no effect on him. In terms of soul, Qin Shuang surpassed it by an entire level; in raw power, he too was an eighth-level Immortal Emperor. If a true battle broke out, the outcome would be far from certain.

After a moment’s thought, Qin Shuang strode to the center of the valley, beneath the icy blade, hands clasped behind his back, and gazed calmly at the dragon. “A dignified Eighth-Level Immortal Emperor—can it be you cannot transform? Or are you merely showing us your might?”

With a thunderous roar, the Five-Clawed Purple-Scaled Dragon’s body suddenly erupted in dazzling light, and in an instant, transformed into a maiden of peerless beauty. Her clear eyes shone like water, her flawless features radiating a vibrant glow.

Qin Shuang was dumbfounded, as were all the cultivators in the valley. They stared in shock at the purple-clad maiden who gracefully approached Qin Shuang, mouths agape, thinking: Is this really the fierce dragon that just moments ago dominated the sky?

***

“I never expected to find such an outstanding man in the Infinite Continent. Truly, I am amazed!” The transformation from savage dragon to stunning beauty was too much for Qin Shuang to accept at once. It wasn’t until the girl’s clear, melodious voice reached his ears that he snapped out of his daze.

He scrutinized her in astonishment. Though Qin Shuang had seen beast transformations before in Misty City—even his uncle Hei Yu and Hou Fei were divine beasts by birth—it was the first time he had seen a beast take the form of a breathtaking young woman.

“My name is Zi Bing. And yours?” The maiden, now in human form, seemed much more reserved, standing with poise before Qin Shuang, observing him with keen interest.

Qin Shuang gave a wry smile. “Qin Shuang. I came here only to ask you—if I pass your test, will I have the chance to leave this Infinite Continent?”

Zi Bing tilted her head with an air of innocence that made it impossible to associate her with the ferocious dragon from moments before. This contrast drove Feng Potian and the others nearly to the point of spitting blood.

“Of course you can leave,” Zi Bing replied, surprised. “The Path to the Heavens will allow you to enter a higher realm of existence—does that not mean leaving this world?”

Qin Shuang nodded, though inwardly unimpressed. The Path to the Heavens—where did it lead? A higher realm was surely just the Divine World. Still, it suited him well enough; his soul was on the verge of forming the Soul Gold Core, and once completed, he would reach the divine realm.

Seeing Qin Shuang lost in thought, Zi Bing did not disturb him. With a gentle movement, she floated into the air, her voice ringing out across the valley: “By the mercy of the Divine King, knowing your arduous cultivation in the Infinite Continent, twelve spirit beasts including myself have been sent to select suitable candidates to ascend the Path to the Heavens and seek treasures to become divine beings.

“In this selection, cultivation level does not matter—there is only one criterion: my approval!”

She then addressed Qin Shuang directly, her words carrying to all present: “Your cultivation may surpass mine, but at most you are a Ninth-Level Immortal Emperor. Do not think that just because your power is greater, you will be chosen. Gaining my approval is far from easy!”

“Ninth-Level Immortal Emperor!” A collective gasp swept through the crowd. For immortals and cultivators, Immortal Emperors were beings to be revered, and a Ninth-Level Immortal Emperor was a supreme existence. No one had imagined that among those seeking the spirit beast's favor today, there was such a peerless figure.

Magui was the most astonished. His master, the Gold Immortal Bao Zhongxiong, had told him Qin Shuang was merely at the Great Ascension stage—yet in an instant, he had transformed into an Immortal Emperor of the highest tier.