Chapter 183 – Hantan Snow Valley
Leading this team was an old, white-haired man with long beard. Not only was this man a Zhenling fifth layer powerhouse, he was also an experienced warrior!
He had served as the chief bodyguard to more than ten princes of the Imperial Wang clan and was now out to chase down Long Yu and Liu Yuan.
Long Ji had recently entered Zhenling fifth layer. He never had had enough time to practice his newfound strength. Moreover, he was too young. Had he been fighting with the old bodyguard, he stood absolutely no chance of winning against him.
The old bodyguard was not alone. He had brought a team of Zhenling third layer and Zhenling fourth layer bodyguards along with him. These bodyguards were some of the most powerful people the Wang clan had.
The Imperial Wang clan was as influential as the Zhentian sect itself. Each member of the team of bodyguards that accompanied the old bodyguard was almost as strong as the pavilion elders of the Zhentian sect, like Old black and Yu Shuiyun.
To deal with a Zhenling third layer expert like Long Yu, the old bodyguard believed himself to be more than sufficient.
Apart from the old bodyguard, some other people in the team also had a cultivation level of Zhenling fifth layer.
Among these people was the eldest son of the Prince of the Imperial Wang clan, Wang Yuanchen.
“Wang Tianzhuo was a strong lad. I still can’t believe it was this Long Yu who crippled him…”
Wang Yuanchen and the old bodyguard were talking to each other. Their faces bore ruthless expressions.
“He was alone, but this time we will go together. We will capture that boy alive and seize his heavenly tablet.”
The old bodyguard said thoughtfully.
“Old bodyguard, do you know where this boy and Liu Yuan are headed to?”
Wang Yuanchen had recently returned to the Imperial city to participate in the seven sects’ competition after spending a long time venturing out and enhancing his cultivation.
He received the news of Long Yu’s presence in the Imperial city as soon as he returned home. He wanted to kill Long Yu before the commencement of the seven sects’ competition.
“They must be headed to Hantan snow valley.”
The old bodyguard said with great confidence: “Both of them possess one half of the lunar tablet. Since the effect of the lunar tablet has a striking similarity with the environment of the Hantan snow valley, that place would greatly facilitate the comprehension of lunar principle.”
“Hantan snow valley.”
A sinister smile swept over Wang Yuanchen’s face: “Alright then! This Hantan snow valley will be the grave of Long Yu!”
……………..
Liu Yuan was leading the way while Long Yu followed her. Their destination really was Hantan snow valley.
The valley was surrounded by some low mountains. At the centre of the valley was situated the Hantan snow lake, which stayed frozen all around the year. This frozen lake made the surroundings even cooler.
The environment of the place was in fact quite similar to the effect of the lunar principle. Hence, the place would truly facilitate a quick comprehension of the lunar principle.
Although Liu Yuan was less talented than Long Yu, she had been successful in comprehending the lunar charm faster and better than Long Yu owing to this place.
There were no beasts in these mountains. The Tang kingdom was full of so many powerful martial artists that it was impossible for any beast to survive in this part of the kingdom for long.
If any beast dared to enter these mountains, it would basically court death!
Soon afterwards, Long Yu entered the sierra along with Liu Yuan. A wave of spine-chilling air touched his face.
“Hantan snow valley’s environment seems quite familiar.”
The cold air pulled Long Yu back to the reality. He had been completely consumed in the thoughts of devil magical plant.
There was no specific cure for the devil magical plant. They could only make sure that Liu Yuan’s father, who was acting like a lunatic, didn’t end up in trouble with anyone.
Had someone been bearing grudges for him since the days prior to the accident, why would they be waiting till now to settle the scores?
Therefore, Long Yu wasn’t too worried about the safety of Liu Yuan’s father.
What was more important to them at that time was to promote their strength so that they would be well prepared till the next time they face Long Ji.
Long Ji was already at Zhenling fifth layer!
Now Long Yu was sure that Yu Qianning of Qiansi Sect must also have stepped into Zhenling fifth layer by now.
Chu Chao Sheng had been preparing his own daughter as the ultimate weapon against all the other sects. If Yu Qianning won the seven sects competition, all the other sects would have to surrender their core laws to the Qiansi sect!
To defeat Yu Qianning, Long Yu needed to be stronger than her!
Meditating in Hantan snow valley was a golden opportunity for Long Yu. If he succeeded to enhance his comprehension of the lunar charm even by one level, he could experience a considerable increase in his overall strength.
“Come with me.”
Liu Yuan rushed along with Long Yu down the slope of a mountain amidst the frigid breeze that was flowing.
“This is Hantan snow valley.”
Long Yu continued following Liu Yuan. What he saw next seemed to him as if he had entered a kingdom of snow!
The Imperial city’s geographical location wasn’t quite towards the north. That was why it was far away from any hills, let alone any ice-capped mountains. Surprisingly, a place like Hantan snow valley existed near the Imperial city.
At the centre of this valley was a small lake that had been frozen for ages. It was from this frozen lake that the cold breeze was originating.
Hantan snow valley was a dangerous place to be at. If any martial artist who hadn’t stepped into the Zhenling realm yet tried to go inside the valley, he would surely die of the biting cold.
“The place where we are headed to is still far away.”
Liu Yuan smiled as she informed Long Yu.
“It is still far?”
Long Yu was surprised.
Since the moment he entered the valley, he had been feeling a new surge of energy running through his body. He was sure that this place was perfect for comprehending lunar charm!
However, now, Liu Yuan informed him that they were not there yet.
Seeing the confused expression on Long Yu’s face, Liu Yuan stepped forward and started walking on the surface of a frozen lake. Long Yu noticed that wherever she stepped, her steps created fissures on the surface of the lake!
“We have to enter this frozen lake and reach its bottom. The temperature is the lowest there, so that spot would be most suitable for comprehending the lunar principle.”
Liu Yuan smiled as she explained to Long Yu.
“Oh! I see.”
Long Yu was astonished. He realised that Liu Yuan’s intelligence equalled her beauty.
It seemed that the martial artists of Tian Yu continent stopped at nothing to enhance their strength.
As long as they could remain conscious, they could practice inside the frozen lake.
“Lunar tablet, take it out!”
Long Yu said as he took out his half of the lunar tablet and grabbed his Qian dragon spear in another hand to release numerous spear shadows. The frozen lake was soon split into several pieces and looked much like a spider web.
Long Yu’s Qian dragon spear had created a deep gulf at the centre of the lake.
Long Yu didn’t stop at this. He continued waving his spear and now displayed ‘kill ten thousand people’ skill to deepen the gulf further till it reached the bottom of the lake!
The gulf was as wide as needed to accommodate two people inside it.
At this moment, Liu Yuan also took out her half of the lunar tablet and was ready to slip inside the gulf with Long Yu.
Immediately, the two halves of the lunar tablet joined together, completing the lunar tablet.
As soon as the fusion of lunar tablet was completed, the tablet released a formidable amount of energy. Both Long Yu and Liu Yuan were extremely happy.
They were sure that comprehending the next level of lunar principle would enhance their strength manifold.
“I should be able to quickly comprehend the lunar principle here!”
Long Yu’s face beamed as he looked at Liu Yuan.
They both nodded and jumped inside the gulf at the centre of the lake together, along with the lunar tablet.
The fusion of the two halves of the lunar tablet had caused a sudden drop in the temperature.
The drop was so extensive that soon the gulf that Long Yu had created froze back into its original state, as if no human had ever entered the lake.
However, the temperature inside the lake hardly went through any change.
Long Yu and Liu Yuan were unable to move inside the gulf due to extremely low temperature.
Above Long Yu was a layer of ice almost eleven feet thick, so it was impossible for him to see anything. All he could see was a faint glow of the sun shining above them.
Such type of practice method was extremely dangerous!
Even the slightest negligence could exhaust their bodies of Xuan qi. If that happened, there would be no way out for them to break through the frozen lake and they might die while buried in ice.
Although Liu Yuan had had a prior experience with practicing at the bottom of the lake, the fusion of the two halves of the lunar tablet had increased the pressure being exerted upon her.
“I don’t think we will get a long time to practice here. But I’m sure that our practice would be more effective than ever.”
Liu Yuan thought to herself.
However, practising at the bottom of the frozen lake, these two people had no idea that they were being followed by another group of people who were there to kill them!
The old bodyguard and Wang Yuanchen were leading the team of other nine bodyguards and had now reached the Hantan snow valley.
“Where are they?”
The old bodyguard and Wang Yuanchen looked in all directions but couldn’t find a single sign of another human.
“The temperature is lower here. I’m sure they must be nearby. They can hide themselves but they cannot stop the influence of the lunar tablet from revealing itself.”
Wang Yuanchen’s complexion changed: “Search everywhere. If anyone finds their trail, immediately inform the others. Make sure they don’t escape.”
Each one of the nine bodyguards rushed in different directions to search for Long Yu and Liu Yuan.
None of them could ever imagine that Long Yu and Liu Yuan had entered the frozen lake and were now practising at the bottom of it!
Certainly, as the time would pass, they would realize where the two of them were hidden.
The clash of the two parties was inevitable!