Chapter 99

"Chou Chou, you mean that the Black-Clothed Asura Jiang Chen, who has recently risen to prominence and constantly opposes our Heaven and Earth Society, actually killed the Death Row Duo with a single sword strike to the throat?"

On the peak of Mount Tian Shan, in the main hall of the Heaven and Earth Society, the mighty and domineering leader who intimidated the northern martial arts world, Xiong Ba, sat on his dragon throne. With a calm voice, he said, "According to reports, three days ago, they found the bodies of the Death Row Duo at the predetermined ambush site. The wounds indicate that they were indeed killed with a single sword strike to the throat, which must have been the work of Jiang Chen."

"Hmm," Xiong Ba mused, "The Death Row Duo were once the famous Twin Dragons, ranking second among the top ten swordsmen in the world, both of them genuine innate experts. I didn't expect that even when they joined forces, they still couldn't match Jiang Chen. It seems this fellow's martial arts are truly formidable."

"Lord, you are wise," Wen Chouchou flattered, waving his fan. "It seems that Jiang Chen's martial arts are truly extraordinary. Only you, Lord, can subdue him."

"Is that so," Xiong Ba said indifferently. "This man has a mysterious background. As soon as he appeared, he began wreaking havoc in the martial arts world. Although he is not specifically targeting our Heaven and Earth Society, he dares to oppose us, and that cannot be tolerated. However, I am about to have a battle with the Sword Saint of Wu Shuang City, and I need to seclude myself to cultivate the Three-Part Unity Qi. I have no time to deal with him. Go to the forbidden area behind the First Tower and tell the Twelve Heavenly Pool Executioners to kill Jiang Chen."

"Yes," Wen Chouchou respectfully bowed and retreated. Although he had been in charge of the internal affairs of the Heaven and Earth Society for many years and was a trusted confidant of Xiong Ba, he knew that every day was like walking on thin ice. Despite his efforts to understand Xiong Ba's temperament, Xiong Ba's unpredictable moods and tendency to kill at a moment's notice made him fear for his life.

While the Heaven and Earth Society was mobilizing against Jiang Chen, Jiang Chen himself was diligently studying a newly acquired martial arts manual. The Iron Hand from the Iron Heart Island's Iron Smelting Sect, though named for iron, was actually a profound martial art that condensed the five elements. Once mastered, it could transform any object of the five elements into any desired form, even during combat, by melting the opponent's weapon.

However, this martial art was extremely difficult to cultivate. Not only did it require enduring great pain during practice, but it also caused physical damage to the practitioner. Unless it was cultivated to perfection, overuse could harm the practitioner.

Fortunately, Jiang Chen's internal martial arts were already at a very high level, and with the help of the Qilin blood, the Daoist cultivation techniques, and the true fire, he found it much easier to comprehend the Iron Hand. In just a few days, he had grasped the basics, and the special nature of his Immortal Devil Body allowed him to avoid the physical damage.

The initial mastery of the Iron Hand might not significantly increase his combat power, but it gave him an unexpected advantage. Using this martial art, he could continuously refine various metal essences and integrate them into the Red Qilin, allowing it to grow and become a supreme divine weapon surpassing the Snow Drink, Fire Qilin, and Hero.

"Phew," Jiang Chen exhaled deeply, waking from his meditation. The sun was high in the sky, and the morning purple qi had dissipated. Although he was still a bit short of condensing his spirit, it did not affect his good mood.

"Seeing the smile on your face, it seems the martial arts manual that Xiaoyu brought back is very useful to you," Dong Xiaoyu said from the shade of a tree, her tone more cheerful than usual.

"Yes, the power of the Iron Hand is no less than that of the Three-Part Unity of the Three Absolute Sect," Jiang Chen smiled. "Thanks to your help, I was able to obtain it so easily. If you have any wishes in the future, please let me know. As long as I can, I will not refuse."

"Really?" Dong Xiaoyu's eyes lit up, and a blush appeared on her cheeks. She shyly asked, "If Xiaoyu wants to spend a night of passion with you, would you agree?"

"Cough, cough..." Jiang Chen couldn't help but cough. Although he had often fantasized about such scenes, when the moment came, he found himself... a bit... timid.

"Um, can we talk about this later?" Despite Dong Xiaoyu's deep affection, Jiang Chen had no interest in a human-ghost romance at the moment, so he could only give a bitter smile.

"Sure, of course," Dong Xiaoyu seemed to have anticipated this, and she smiled, exuding a captivating charm. "Actually, as long as I can help you, I am already very happy."

Jiang Chen said awkwardly, "It's not that I don't understand the sentiment, but you should know my aspirations. Since we are partners, we will have a long time together. If we develop feelings in the future, I won't resist. Please understand."

Dong Xiaoyu smiled and asked, "Lord, is this... a promise from you?"

"Sure, if you say so," Jiang Chen said, raising his hand slightly. With a roar, the Red Qilin sword leaped into his palm.

"Where are we going next?" Dong Xiaoyu asked, her face beaming with joy, clearly satisfied with Jiang Chen's answer.

"Next: Hero Wang's Manor, Target: Ice Essence," Jiang Chen hesitated for a moment before giving his answer. Time was running out, and he needed to make the most beneficial choice.

"Hero Wang's Manor, Ice Essence?" Dong Xiaoyu asked curiously, "What is this Ice Essence?"

Jiang Chen countered, "Xiaoyu, have you heard the story of Nüwa repairing the sky?"

"Of course," Dong Xiaoyu replied solemnly, "In ancient times, Gonggong and Zhuanxu fought for the throne. Gonggong lost and, in anger, struck the Buzhou Mountain, causing the sky pillar to break and the earth to collapse. Nüwa used the five-colored stones to repair the sky and the turtle's legs to support the four corners."

"Very good, it seems you are well-read," Jiang Chen smiled. "To explain the origin of the Ice Essence, we must start with Nüwa repairing the sky. After Nüwa used the stones to repair the sky, four stones were left over, named Ice Essence, White Dew, Black Cold, and Divine Stone."

"Ah," Dong Xiaoyu exclaimed in disbelief, "Lord, you mean the Ice Essence is one of the legendary stones left over from Nüwa repairing the sky?"

"Exactly," Jiang Chen smiled. "The four stones left over from Nüwa repairing the sky each have unique properties. The Divine Stone is the most powerful and mysterious, currently placed in the Leifeng Pagoda to suppress the great calamity. The White Dew is the coldest substance in the world, capable of turning air into ice and freezing the ground. It is said to have been found by the Nie family and forged into the world's first treasure sword, the Snow Drink."

"Then what about the Black Cold?" Dong Xiaoyu asked curiously. "If the White Dew is the coldest, what about the Black Cold?"

"Compared to the White Dew, the Black Cold is the opposite extreme. Unlike the White Dew, which emits coldness to turn air into ice, the Black Cold absorbs all power and turns it into its own. A hundred years ago, it was found by the Sword Forging Family, the Sword Revering Manor, and split into two, forging two supreme divine swords that have yet to be revealed."

"And the Ice Essence?" Dong Xiaoyu asked, full of curiosity. "Since the four stones left over from Nüwa repairing the sky each have unique properties, what is special about the Ice Essence?"

"Ice Essence," Jiang Chen smiled. "It is a completely transparent crystal, clear and dazzling, the most beautiful of the four stones. It has a cooling property, and the holder can remain unaffected by the passage of time. Currently, the Hero Wang's Manor uses the Ice Essence to preserve the remains of their ancestors, preventing them from decaying, so that future generations can pay respects."

Dong Xiaoyu said disappointedly, "So, it seems the Ice Essence is the least useful of the four stones left over from Nüwa repairing the sky."

"Not necessarily," Jiang Chen smiled. "For the living, the Ice Essence is indeed useless, but for you, it's different. Imagine if you could refine the Ice Essence, your ghostly form would greatly improve, and you might even be able to withstand the sun."

"Ah," Dong Xiaoyu exclaimed joyfully, "That's right. According to your reasoning, if the Ice Essence can preserve a corpse from decay, it might also preserve a soul from destruction."

"Time waits for no one, let's set off now," Jiang Chen said, already determining the direction and stepping forward. In one step, he was already dozens of yards away.

"Lord, wait for me," Dong Xiaoyu called out, her body faintly materializing into a wisp of green smoke. She flipped in the air and headed straight for the contract symbol on Jiang Chen's left arm. In the blink of an eye, the human and ghost disappeared at the end of the road...

...