Chapter 904
Chapter 904
Having passed all three trials, the trial is over.
The cold voice seemed to carry a barely perceptible hint of approval: "Trial participant Fu Shaoping, you have passed all three trials with the highest evaluation. You are qualified to obtain the core inheritance of the 'Frost Soul Palace'."
At the end of the main hall, the last ice door suddenly burst open, revealing a small, quiet room behind it.
In the center of the quiet room stood an ice crystal coffin. Inside the coffin lay an old man dressed in an ancient contract robe, his face remarkably lifelike. In his hands, he held a scroll of ice-blue jade slip and an object the size of a palm, shaped like an ice crystal token.
Fu Shaoping stepped forward, first respectfully bowing to the coffin, and then carefully taking the jade slip and token.
The jade slip is the complete version of "Ancient Contract Script Examination"! It not only records thousands of ancient contract runes, but also provides a systematic explanation of the ancient contract system. Some of the content can even be corroborated with "General Outline of Contract Origins", making it invaluable.
The ice crystal token had an ancient character "契" engraved on the front and a miniature map of the ice field on the back, marked with three shimmering dots.
“This is… ‘Frost Soul Contract’? It seems to be a contract token as well, but it is not of the same origin as the ‘Contract’ fragment in my body.” Fu Shaoping sensed the icy contract power contained in the token. Although it was not as ancient and grand as the ‘Contract’ fragment, it was purer and more focused on ice-type contracts.
The icy voice rang out one last time: "This is a relic of my lord, the 'Frost Soul Venerable.' The 'Ancient Contract Text Examination' is a gift to those destined to form a contract. The 'Frost Soul Contract Token' can unlock three secret treasures left behind by the Venerable, containing some of his treasures and clues to his legacy. I hope that once you obtain it, you will use the contract wisely and not stray into evil ways."
As the sound faded, the entire Frost Soul Palace began to tremble slightly, and cracks appeared on the ice crystal walls.
“This place is about to collapse.” Fu Shaoping put away the jade slip and token, quickly left the meditation room, and returned along the way he came.
As he rushed out of the Frost Soul Palace gates, the entire palace collapsed with a roar, turning into a pile of ice crystal ruins, which were quickly covered by a blizzard and left no trace.
Fu Shaoping glanced back, a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex feeling of mixed emotions, including regret and nostalgia). This Frost Soul Venerable must have been a powerful cultivator in ancient times, but alas, time is merciless, leaving only this trial ruin, waiting for a destined person to come.
He has already exceeded his expectations for this trip. He not only obtained the "Ancient Contract Text Examination", but also the two secret techniques "Ice Soul Contract Calculation" and "Frost Soul Contract Slash", as well as a "Frost Soul Contract Token" that may point to even more opportunities.
"It's time to go back." Fu Shaoping determined the direction and flew towards Ice Soul City.
Three days later, at the Ice Soul Pavilion.
When Fu Shaoping handed over the rubbing of the "Ancient Inscription Examination" (a copy he made himself, with the most essential parts omitted) and an ancient inscription cultivation artifact he brought back from the Frost Soul Palace to the Pavilion Master, the Pavilion Master was both surprised and delighted. Not only did he pay the reward as promised, but he also gave Fu Shaoping an extra bottle of "Ice Soul Condensing Pill," which has a miraculous effect on stabilizing the Golden Core and nourishing the soul.
Fu Shaoping did not stay in Ice Soul City for long. After resting for a day, he set off back to the Star Gazing Platform.
He needs time to digest what he has gained from this trip and to attempt to break through to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm.
After returning to the observatory, Fu Shaoping went into seclusion again.
This time, he focused on integrating and comprehending the "Ancient Contract Text Study" and the "General Outline of Contract Origins," and attempted to combine the true meaning of the ice-type contract contained in the "Frost Soul Contract Order" with his own contract golden core.
Time passed slowly during the meditation.
Six months later, a clear, melodious buzzing sound came from the quiet room.
Fu Shaoping opened his eyes, his pupils filled with a mixture of golden and icy blue light. His aura was several times stronger than before he went into seclusion, and he had already broken through to the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm!
Moreover, his understanding of the contract principle has reached a new level. Under his coordination, the two fragments of the "contract order" are more closely connected. Although they are not completely integrated, they can already achieve "dual-core linkage" and their power has greatly increased.
"The 'Study of Ancient Contract Texts' is indeed profound, filling in many gaps in my knowledge. The Frost Soul Venerable's ice-type contract method has also given me new insights into the changes in contract attributes." Fu Shaoping stood up with satisfaction.
He took out the "Frost Soul Contract" and looked at the three points of light on the back.
The first point of light is located deeper in the Endless Ice Plains and is marked as "Ice Soul Spring"; the second point of light is located in the "Ancient Witch Mountain Range" in the eastern part of the Northern Territory and is marked as "Witch Pact Altar"; the third point of light is the most distant and is located in the "Heavenly Abyss Rift Valley" at the border between the Central Divine Continent and the Northern Territory and is marked as "Pact Source Stone".
“The three secret treasures left behind by Venerable Frost Soul… perhaps they contain clues to purifying the evil energy of ‘Contract Pivot’, or treasures that can enhance my contract cultivation.” Fu Shaoping pondered.
Purifying the "Pillar of the Covenant" is the core of the century-long pact, and he must find a way to do so as soon as possible. Furthermore, enhancing his strength is the foundation for dealing with any crisis.
"Let's go check out the nearest 'Ice Soul Spring' first."
After Fu Shaoping emerged from seclusion, he explained the situation to Xing Yanzi and the others (omitting the specific details of the "Frost Soul Contract"), expressing his intention to travel and search for clues to purify the "Contract Pivot".
Xingyanzi and the others naturally supported him, but they reminded him to be careful of the remaining forces of the Dark Contract Organization.
Fu Shaoping embarked on his journey once again.
This time, his goal was clear: to explore the secrets left behind by the Frost Soul Venerable, while traveling through the Northern Territory to seek opportunities, improve his strength, and prepare for purifying the "Spiritual Pivot".
The century-long promise has only just begun.
Ahead lies the depths of an endless ice field, the unknown Ancient Witch Mountain Range, and the treacherous Heavenly Abyss Rift Valley.
But the path of contracts is inherently full of challenges.
Fu Shaoping's figure disappeared into the light of the teleportation array on the observatory.
His legend continues to be written.
Ice Soul Spring
Following the map on the back of the "Frost Soul Contract," Fu Shaoping flew deeper into the endless ice plains.
The deeper one goes, the harsher the environment becomes. The temperature drops low enough to freeze the flow of true essence, and the howling wind carries fine "ice energies" that can erode the protective aura and erode the soul. The occasional "ice soul storm" is something even Golden Core cultivators must avoid.
Fu Shaoping had to fully circulate his contract essence, combining it with the icy contract power emanating from the "Frost Soul Contract Order," to form a protective shield of pale gold and icy blue around his body, which was barely enough to withstand the attack.
Five days later, he arrived at a basin surrounded by countless enormous ice pillars. In the center of the basin was a spring about ten zhang in diameter, constantly gushing with icy blue water. Around the spring grew some ice-attribute spiritual herbs, their bodies crystal clear and emitting a faint spiritual light. "The Ice Soul Spring... this should be it." Fu Shaoping landed at the edge of the spring.
The spring water was icy cold, but the ice-attribute spiritual energy it contained was extremely pure. If a cultivator practicing ice-based techniques were here, they would surely achieve twice the results with half the effort. But for Fu Shaoping, the value of this place lay more in sensing the "Frost Soul Contract".
He took out the contract token and infused it with a trace of contractual power.
The contract trembled slightly, emitting a soft, icy blue beam of light that shot into the center of the spring.
"Gurgle—"
The water in the center of the spring began to swirl, forming a whirlpool. At the bottom of the whirlpool, an ice crystal platform slowly rose. On the platform were three items: an ice jade box, an ice-blue talisman, and a tattered animal hide map.
Fu Shaoping stepped forward, first checking for any restrictions, and only after confirming that it was safe did he remove the three items.
The ice-jade box felt icy cold to the touch. Upon opening it, inside was a nine-leafed grass, its entire body sculpted like an ice sculpture, radiating a pure, icy aura and abundant vitality—the "Ice Soul Nine-Leaf Grass." Legend has it that it possesses miraculous effects in purifying evil spirits, stabilizing the soul, and aiding in the condensation of a nascent soul! This item has long been extinct in the outside world and is priceless.
"It can be used for research on purifying the evil energy of 'Qi Shu', or for future use when attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage." Fu Shaoping carefully put it away.
That ice-blue talisman was an "Ice Soul Escape Talisman," which, once activated, allowed one to instantly travel thousands of miles away, its escape trajectory hidden within the icy aura, making it extremely difficult to track. It was an excellent life-saving item.
The last piece of animal hide map depicted a complex terrain and marked a location—"The Immortal Abode of the Frost Soul Venerable: Ice Soul Mystic Palace." Beside the map were a few lines of smaller text:
"I have devoted my life to the study of contracts, especially ice-based contracts and purification techniques. In my later years, I noticed the 'Contract Pivot' was acting strangely, with evil energy growing, fearing it would bring disaster to future generations. Therefore, I left three secret treasures, waiting for those destined to form contracts. Whoever obtains this map, if they have passed the Frost Soul Hall trial, can use the 'Frost Soul Contract Token' to travel to the Ice Soul Mystic Palace on the 'Day of the Polar Night' within a hundred years to unlock my final inheritance. Within it lies a method to purify evil contracts, which may resolve the calamity of the 'Contract Pivot.' Be careful, be careful."
Fu Shaoping was deeply shaken!
"The method to purify the evil pact! As expected!" He carefully read the map and instructions. The Ice Soul Mystic Palace is located beneath the "permafrost layer" at the very core of the Endless Ice Plains. The environment there is extreme, the space is unstable, and powerful Ice Soul Ancient Beasts reside there. Ordinary Golden Core cultivators dare not even set foot there.
The conditions for unlocking the inheritance, besides passing the trials and possessing the contract token, also require finding the entrance to the Mystic Palace during the "Polar Night" – the three-month-long polar night period each year when the endless ice plains are completely dark.
There are about two years until the next polar night.
"Two years... is enough time for me to prepare and explore the other two hidden treasures." Fu Shaoping memorized the map and then destroyed it (the contents were already imprinted in his mind).
After carefully storing the Ice Soul Nine-Leaf Grass and the Escape Talisman, Fu Shaoping did not leave immediately. This Ice Soul Spring was rich in spiritual energy and contained the true meaning of the Ice-type Contract, which would greatly benefit him in consolidating his mid-stage Golden Core cultivation and comprehending the Ice-type Contract.
He set up a temporary cave dwelling next to the spring, laid out a concealment formation, and began his seclusion.
With the help of the spring's spiritual energy and his understanding of the "Ancient Contract Text Examination," Fu Shaoping thoroughly mastered the first three forms of the "Frost Soul Contract Slash" and attempted to integrate the true meaning of the ice-type contract into his own contract golden core. Although the attributes were not perfectly compatible, each additional variation meant an additional means of attack.
A month later, Fu Shaoping emerged from seclusion, his cultivation having improved even further, and his understanding of the ice-type contract had deepened.
Instead of returning to the observatory, he headed directly towards the location marked by the second secret treasure—the "Witchcraft Altar" in the "Ancient Witch Mountains".
The Ancient Witch Mountains are located in the eastern part of the Northern Territory. They are an ancient mountain range that stretches endlessly, shrouded in miasma, and rarely visited by humans. It is said to be the area where the ancient witch tribe lived, and many strange witchcraft relics and cursed places remain. Ordinary cultivators avoid it like the plague.
Half a month later, Fu Shaoping arrived at the outer edge of the Ancient Wushan Mountains.
The rolling mountains were shrouded in a gray-black miasma, and the air was filled with a mixture of decay and strange spices. The forests were eerily silent, with even the chirping of insects and birds being extremely rare.
Following the map's directions, Fu Shaoping flew towards a mountain peak deep within the mountains that resembled a skull.
The deeper one goes, the thicker the miasma becomes, and the more severely one's consciousness is suppressed. Strange totem poles and stone carvings begin to appear in the mountains and forests, carved with hideous ghosts and twisted runes, emanating an unsettling aura of curses.
“The remnants of witchcraft are strong here; we must be careful of curses and voodoo.” Fu Shaoping channeled the power of the contract into his eyes, activating his “Spellbreaker Eyes” to carefully observe the surrounding environment.
Suddenly, the ground beneath his feet rippled, and several jet-black "bone-corroding vines" covered in suckers burst forth from the earth, coiling around his feet! Thick venom flowed from the vines, emitting a foul stench.
"Contract Purification!" Fu Shaoping shouted, and the pale golden contract essence transformed into flames, instantly burning the Bone-Eating Vine to ashes.
But more attacks followed. Poisoned blowguns shot from the shadows, eerie witchcraft worms fell from the treetops, and rotting zombies crawled out of the ground…
"It seems the Ancient Witch Mountain Range doesn't welcome outsiders." Fu Shaoping's figure flashed, dodging most of the attacks, while simultaneously unleashing a series of contract incantations:
"Freeze!" "Retreat!" "Disperse!"
The power of the contract seemed to have an additional restraining effect on these evil spirits; the voodoo and venomous insects affected by the mantra became ineffective and dispersed.
He quickened his pace and sped toward Skull Mountain.
After an incense stick's time, he finally arrived at the foot of the mountain. At the base of the mountain, there was a cave entrance hidden by vines, from which ancient chanting and drumbeats could be faintly heard.
"The Shamanic Altar should be inside." Fu Shaoping focused his senses and, after confirming that there were no deadly traps at the entrance, slipped inside.
The cave passage wound downwards, with ancient shamanic dance patterns and contract runes carved on the stone walls on both sides (the shamanic tribe seems to have its own contract system, which appears to differ from the orthodox way of contract). A faint smell of incense and... blood wafted in the air.
After walking for about a hundred feet, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a huge underground cavern.
In the center of the cave, there was a huge altar made of bones, animal hides, and colorful stones. The altar was circular and divided into three layers, each layer holding different offerings: the bottom layer contained animal bones and grains, the middle layer contained blood-stained pottery and jade artifacts, and the top layer contained... three seated mummies.
The three mummies are dressed in ancient clothes and have withered faces, but each holds an item in its hands: the mummie on the left holds a scroll of animal hide, the mummie in the middle holds an obsidian token, and the mummie on the right holds a small bronze bell.
Around the altar, twelve "priests" dressed in animal skins and with their faces painted sat kneeling. Their eyes were closed, and they chanted incantations. As they chanted, the air above the altar distorted slightly, forming a blurry vortex composed of countless tiny contract runes.
"These priests... seem to still be alive, but their life force is extremely weak, as if their life force has been drained by the altar to maintain some kind of ritual?" Fu Shaoping observed for a moment, his heart filled with vigilance. (End of Chapter)