Proud Sword Soaring Clouds

The decrepit Clan Leader of the Ice Sea Secret Race, however, showed no reaction. He gestured for the two to place Ling Xiao before the shrine, then waved them away.

After the two had left, the Great Clan Leader of the Ice Sea Secret Race knelt respectfully and said, "My God, the human has been brought!"

"Heh heh heh... You may leave as well!"

That scalp-tingling laughter rang out again. Ling Xiao heard it clearly this time and nearly forced himself awake from his deep sleep to see just what kind of monster it was. ’Is it the same as the Deep Sea Demon Chapter from the legends section of the Bestiary?!’

The white-haired, white-bearded Great Clan Leader of the Ice Sea Secret Race bowed and retreated, his heart pounding with excitement. ’In just a little while, I’ll witness the most thrilling moment in history!’

’Perhaps in just a few days, the people of the Ice Sea Secret Race will be able to cross the endless snow plains under the guidance of our god and enter human territory!’

’A world with actual greenery!’ the Great Clan Leader thought with immense excitement.

As the Stone Gate boomed shut, the nearly transparent shadow of the Deep Sea Demon Chapter appeared once more. It first circled the Divine Hall a few times. Ling Xiao felt an immense, oppressive force bind his entire body.

’What a cunning bastard!’ Ling Xiao cursed inwardly. ’Even facing a supposedly unconscious human, this freakishly powerful creature is being so cautious. No wonder the continental bestiary says that many Magical Beasts above the eighth rank have intellects superior to humans!’

"Heh heh heh heh!"

The Deep Sea Demon Chapter’s terrifying, shrill laughter echoed throughout the Divine Hall. It spoke in fluent human language, laughing maniacally. "It’s been ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! You foolish humans! Did you think that by destroying the body of the Great God of the Deep Sea Demon Chapter, I would be annihilated and turned to the dust of history? You were wrong! Utterly wrong! I became the god of the Ice Sea Secret Race, gaining the power of their faith to keep my soul strong! I bestowed boons upon them, created this little world for them! All of it... was to wait for this day! This human’s Spiritual Power is so much stronger than that batch from ten years ago! Hehehehe, I will finally see the light of day again! Humans of the Holy Sanctuary, wait for the frenzied revenge of the Great God of the Deep Sea Demon Chapter!"

Ling Xiao kept his eyes tightly shut, using a faint thread of Spiritual Power to release the treasure cauldron from his ring.

The cauldron, over half a meter tall, was incredibly heavy. It fell to the ground with a loud CLANG, its four legs smashing deep pits into the floor and kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Hm?"

The Deep Sea Demon Chapter’s shadow was startled, flickering far away through the air. Immediately after, a massive force pressed down on Ling Xiao!

Ling Xiao’s bones emitted a series of creaks and cracks. Beads of sweat instantly rolled down his forehead from the intense pain. It felt as if his tendons were being ripped and his bones disjointed!

’Dammit!’ Ling Xiao cursed inwardly. ’This perversely powerful and paranoid monster is so damn cautious!’

The cauldron sat on the ground, emanating a grim, cold aura as wisps of white mist rose from within.

"Cold Iron Essence?" the Deep Sea Demon Chapter’s sinister voice sounded, tinged with suspicion. "How did it get out? Could it be... that my immense Spiritual Power forced it out of this human’s ring?"

As it muttered to itself, it suddenly saw the human slowly sit up!

"Gah!" An angry shriek erupted from the Deep Sea Demon Chapter. An even greater force pressed down on Ling Xiao as the transparent shadow lunged at him, a formless mass of menace.

"You are indeed a powerful human! It seems the day has come for me, the Great God of the Deep Sea Demon Chapter, to see the light again!"

Blood trickled from the corner of Ling Xiao’s mouth. His bones were under so much pressure he could barely move, supported only by the Spiritual Power that flowed through his entire body. Biting the tip of his tongue, he spat a mouthful of hot blood into the air.

With a sharp cry, "Swift!" Ling Xiao’s body abruptly vanished from the spot, disappearing into the cauldron that was much smaller than he was.

The very moment Ling Xiao’s body entered the cauldron, three words suddenly appeared in his mind, as if projected right before his eyes!

"Urgently Cold Cauldron!"

’So this treasure cauldron is called the Urgently Cold Cauldron!’ With a thought from Ling Xiao, the Array inside the cauldron suddenly activated! Ling Xiao’s body seemed to shrink countless times over, vanishing within the vessel.

"Aaaah!" The illusory shadow of the Deep Sea Demon Chapter let out a shrill scream and dove headfirst into the Urgently Cold Cauldron, yelling, "Human, you can’t escape! Don’t even think of insulting the intelligence of the Great God of the Deep Sea Demon Chapter with such a moronic trick! As long as you willingly let me possess your body, this god can fulfill all your wishes!"

"Dream on!"

Ling Xiao’s voice came coldly from within the cauldron, tinged with mockery. "Why don’t you, O Great God of the Deep Sea Demon Chapter, have a taste of the feast I’ve prepared for you!"

As he spoke, a brilliant light erupted from within the Urgently Cold Cauldron. The Soul Refining Array activated, instantly devouring a tenth of the Deep Sea Demon Chapter’s power!

"Courting death!"

The Deep Sea Demon Chapter flew into a rage. Confused and furious at the inexplicable loss of its power, it darted about violently inside the cauldron, trying to fly out of the opening.

But just then, the space above it suddenly went dark. With a DONG, a huge lid flew from out of nowhere and sealed the Urgently Cold Cauldron perfectly shut.

The power of the Deep Sea Demon Chapter in its rage was terrifying. It sent the cauldron flying from the ground to crash into the ceiling of the Divine Hall, blasting a huge hole before it fell back to the floor. Then, it began flying wildly around the Divine Hall, smashing everything to pieces. From the outside, it sounded as if the world was ending within.

Standing outside, the smile on the face of the Ice Sea Secret Race’s Clan Leader grew even more brilliant. He believed that this time, the Great God of the Deep Sea Demon Chapter would surely succeed in being reborn through the human’s body!

Ling Xiao’s body was hidden in a space within the Urgently Cold Cauldron. He was inwardly stunned by the immense power of the Deep Sea Demon Chapter; the pressure was so great he was finding it difficult to fully command the Array!

Those fifth-rank Magic Beast Crystal Cores were merely a catalyst to trigger the reaction of the Urgently Cold Cauldron!

The most important element, however, was the refining Cultivation Technique that Ling Xiao had chanted!

Ling Xiao was using his own life as the price, using his body as a furnace, to personally refine the Deep Sea Demon Chapter! The danger involved was, therefore, immense.

Ling Xiao’s face twisted violently, his features contorting so much they seemed to have shifted position. Blood began to ooze from his seven orifices. The immense power was causing his body to break down.

At the same time, the arrogant voice of the Deep Sea Demon Chapter rang out: "Human, I don’t know what method this is you’re using, and while it may have temporarily trapped me, it can’t possibly kill me! And you... you’re in here too. As long as I keep striking this space with my immense power, it will eventually collapse! Hmph hmph, to think you could trap me to death with something made from mere Cold Iron Essence! You underestimate me, the Great God of the Deep Sea Demon Chapter! Besides, with your level of strength, it’s impossible for you to kill me! The most realistic option is for you to come out right now and willingly accept my soul! Otherwise... after I get your memories, I will kill everyone you care about! Did you hear me? EVERYONE!!"

"Old monster! You first need... to survive... this ordeal... before you talk!" Ling Xiao said coldly, gritting his teeth with extreme difficulty.

"Fine! Then I will let you witness the Magical Power of the Great God of the Deep Sea Demon Chapter! You pitiful human whelp, you have successfully angered me! I’ve decided not to show you even a shred of mercy! I will turn you into dust! Even if it means I have to wait another ten thousand years..."

The Deep Sea Demon Chapter could clearly feel this strange space restricting its power, and what’s more, it was continuously devouring its strength. This terrified it!

So, it decided it couldn’t let this continue. It had to kill this human!

Because experience told it that human cunning was unmatched by any other species!