Chapter 76: Beliefs and Pursuits
The news of a devilishly strong and handsome young man spread across the sect. Be it an Inner disciple or an outer one, they all talked about him.
The women fantasised him while the men envied him. He became the centre of attention to everyone.
If he was just so strong and young, there shouldn't be so much of an impact. However, his handsomeness is said to be off the charts, reaching the apex of perfection, causing everyone to wonder how he looked.
The Mystic Ice Sect was a vast area of various geographies surrounded by a huge Ice Wall. Inside it, there were several divisions.
The outermost region is the residence to the Outer disciples. They are around 10,000 of them.
All the large buildings for meetings are built in this area.
Going in, there is a taller and sturdier Ice Wall separating the Outer Region with the Inner Region.
As the name implies, this is the place for Inner disciples, and Many Elders. There are various high facilities for Inner disciples here such as special training centre, heavenly freezing centre etc.
Finally, there is a ordinary wall with large gates. No Inner disciple can enter this place without permission.
Unlike other plain areas of the Inner and Outer region, the Core region is filled with natural lakes, forests and mountains spanning hundreds of kilometres.
The profound energy in this area is incomparably dense and rich. This is the area for Core disciples and the Senior Elders including the Sect Master!
However, the Elders and Sect Master live deep inside the Ice mountains filled with denser profound energy.
Near a snow mountain, there is an elegant residence. In it, a Young Woman was sitting cross-legged on the bed. She emitted a sharp coldness less intense than the Sect Master but of a higher quality.
Her eyebrows were elegant and smooth. Her eyes showed coldness which could freeze a person's deep thoughts. In those eyes were icy blue pupils which shone with determination. Her face was so beautiful that describing it by the word "beautiful" was an understatement.
Her body, exquisite and slender yet exuding bone-chilling coldness. She was like an Ice Sculpture, stunningly beautiful yet chillingly cold, a Goddess overlooking the mortals!
"Ice Goddess" was her title and no one argued about it. The entire sect recognised this single person as a "Goddess" and regarded her as a being higher than their own except herself.
The Ice Goddess, Leng Yue Yan's cultivation improved by leaps and bounds. She felt an inexplicable sense of closeness with Ice. It was like the warm embrace of a mother.
She is now at the peak of Earth profound realm. This is the combined result of her hard work, comprehension, talent as well as the precious pills given by the sect master a few days ago.
She felt that she could reach the Sky Realm but wanted to stabilize her current cultivation. She would soon break through to Sky profound realm and once she does that, she could easily fight the cultivators a few levels higher than her own.
Her mind recalled the words again and again.
"If your heart is still alive. Then, do what it wants while being conscious of your actions. If you are going to die tomorrow, you have two choices. Either accept death fully or struggle for life completely."
A stranger's words evoked her innermost sentiments and determined her more than ever to fight against fate.
Previously, though she was trying to resist fate, in the deepest parts of her heart, she already gave up. She somehow felt that what she was doing would be futile. She is like a tree fighting a flood, bound to be drowned in spite of any resistance.
However, those words filled with wisdom gave her a glimmer of hope. Like finding a ray of light in endless darkness, she held onto it with all her life.
This resolve gave birth to determination and courage!
What she didn't know was, due to her resolve and determination, she was beginning to tread on the path she never would have imagined. Her fate began to change from a certain result to an uncertain outcome.
She was unaware that her life was going to be something she could never dream of. Two paths of life that should have never touched crossed their paths leading to a future of limitless possibilities.
Her cultivation got a little faster compared to the past. Though she didn't know the reason, she was grateful.
Recalling the recent news which reached her, a peerless handsome youth appeared in her mind. Unlike other females, his face didn't bring any major changes to her thoughts or feelings, because her heart was incomparably cold.
She knew that Sheng Tian has some relationship with Meng Xin, who was her only friend. So, as someone who received help from Meng Xin and was treated as a friend by her, she felt that she need to take care of him.
Yet, she didn't know what to do after she heard the news. He didn't need seem to need any support.
Leng Yue Yan, the Ice Goddess, was perplexed for the first time. Shaking her head, she slowly got up from her cultivation abode. She is one of the Legendary Core disciple!
To become a Core Disciple is extremely difficult.
The direct and ruthless way is to achieve the Sky Realm before the age of 22.
The second way is to have a definite surety to achieve Sky Realm and an abnormal battle power; typically able to fight at least two sub-realms above their own within the same Major Realm.
For example, fighting a cultivator at the 4th level of Earth Realm being at the only 2nd level of Earth Realm or below.
The ones who are selected in this way could become a Core disciple only after they reach the Earth Realm. This is by no means an easy feat and only a handful of people were able to achieve it.
The third way is Uniqueness.
If a disciple has a rare constitution or rare profound veins, then he/she will be taken under a Senior Elder and be nurtured. If their future prospects meet the standards, he/she would be a core disciple after they reach the Earth Realm.
The fourth and Indirect way is to become the disciples of the Senior Elders. This way, though the disciples don't get selected directly, they would have a clear advantage over others in resources, guidance, and training. They could try to meet one of the conditions and become a core disciple.
Leng Yue Yan, the Ice Goddesses-was probably the most talented person in the Sect! She had a rare constitution which inclined towards Ice Profound Energy. Her battle power is abnormal and could easily contend against someone three sub-realms higher than her own, tying with one at four sub-realms higher. She was unanimously selected as a core disciple!
It made many jealous of her talent. Countless women envied her while men lusted after her beauty.
Yet, she is like a snow peak; aloof, cold and beyond reach.
However, the same talent became her doom. She had only two years left! This, of course, made many people happy. After all, a core disciple less means more power and resources for the existing ones.
That didn't waver her heart. It only made her more stubborn. However, the sparks of war against fate were lit by Sheng Tian's words.
A great victory becomes great only when extraordinary obstacles are cleared!
Difficulties carry with them an equivalent seed of opportunities!
She slowly walked out of her residence. No one talked to her after that day. It could be even be said that even those who did talk to her for pretense till then backed off. None of them gave a helping hand or a word of encouragement.
Driven by the will to live life and be the master of her own fate, she waded against the inevitable.
Her heart is peaceful, but her life is not.
***** **** *****
Red Star Continent:
At a far far away place from Mystic Ice Sect:
"Supreme Lord, all the herbs are collected." an Old Man kneeled on the ground as he spoke with reverence and fanaticism towards the person sitting in the high leveled chair.
"Hm" A figure; covered in black robes, was sitting majestically on the chair. He nodded and said with with pure irony "Nine Yin Death Grass, Nine Yin Frost Grass, Nine Yin Inferno Grass, Nine Yin Glow Grass. Four herbs from four corners of the continent. All we did was to give some benefits and these greedy humans didn't hesitate to kill each other for some benefits.
So what is the difference when we kill them? Do they think they are at a higher moral standing just because we are the one who started the war?
Pathetic. If enough benefits are given, countless humans won't even hesitate to kill their kin.
A wife replaced by a heavenly beauty, cultivation resources at a level they never imagined, manuals which are very profound, treasures that can bring a bloodbath.
In front of these temptations, Who won't act like a greedy dog and do whatever they could to achieve them? In fact, aren't the current humans doing the same thing right now?
And all they do is talk about morals and principles! Cowardly Hypocrites! Sooner or Later, this world needs to be cleaned off the filth.
We will begin our plan soon. Though the two Supreme commanders gone, it won't change the outcome. The end result has been long since decided when we woke up."
His life is driven by ambition, lust for power and sovereignty over life.
His life could have been peaceful, but his heart didn't let him have it.
***** ****** ******
At a place near the centre of the continent:
"Xin'er, you broke through again. Well done." A beautiful middle-aged woman with calm temperament smiled.
"Disciple thanks Master. If you didn't tell me about the herb, I would have never gotten the reward to use the special gathering formations to cultivate. And because of your persuasion, I could even practice for extra time." a Young Woman who looked like a fairy bowed her head and spoke with gratitude.
"No, It was all based on your efforts. You were the only one who brought the Yin Frost Grass. So, your reward was also increased naturally. I didn't do anything." the middle-aged woman waved her hands. Even if she was responsible, she would not admit it.
"Go, your martial uncle is waiting for you to exit seclusion. He wants to take you to an auction. You know how much he dotes on you. Go greet him quickly." she gently said.
"Hmm." Meng Xin lightly nodded and took her leave.
She knew that she is blessed to have such people doting her.
But her dream to reach Snow Moon continent never wavered. The longer she cultivated, the more determined she got.
In Life, there are some responsibilities you should never back off from! Even if it means giving up your life for them.
A promise to keep, a dream to realize and a responsibility to uphold!
She could have lived an easier life, but she chose to hold onto her beliefs and face the dangers!
Her life is peaceful, but her heart is not.
***** ***** *****
In the Core region of Mystic Ice Sect:
One of the grandest abodes:
Two men and a woman, all young, sat on luxurious seats.
The first young man was with ordinary looks, yet his eyes shone with a brilliance hard to catch in the same generation.
The other young man had a very handsome face. His eyes looked sluggish but there was a hidden glint of cunningness in them.
The only female, the young woman wore a veil to cover most of her face.
Yet the pair of phoenix eyes with her elegant eyebrows told volumes of the stunning beauty underneath. Her eyes shone with coldness and disdain which were deeply concealed by calmness. She had a slim waist, a well-developed chest and looked hot.
The handsome young man started speaking "Qi Yue, Xu Tian, have you decided?" his tone was provocative as if he was testing their courage.
The young woman replied in an indifferent manner "You don't need to try provocating us. I am going to ruin her personally." her eyes shone with extreme coldness.
"I am going to be clear about this, Shi Yan and Qi Yue. I only want the treasures on her body, even the manuals she has, all of them." the ordinary young man spoke faintly.
"You..." the other two people looked at him with a cold gaze. But as soon as they did so, they recovered their composure.
Shi Yan replied "Of course, I only want her Vital Yin. I heard with her physique, it does wonders."
Qi Yue swayed her long black hair arrogantly "I only want her corpse intact. Don't ask me anything else. Do what you want."
Xu Tian laughed merrily "It's settled then. This expedition would be the fall of the Ice Goddess."
"Haha" the sounds of laughter filled the room as the three young people began their scheme.
***** **** *****
In his residence, Sheng Tian woke up from cultivation.
He was trying to advance in the Body Cultivation. Celestial Body Tome is undoubtedly the best cultivation technique he has ever seen, even far surpassing the Heavenly Sword Arts!
But his cultivation progress was pitiful.
Despite cultivating it for a week, he only managed to reach the third level of the First Realm in Body Cultivation—Branch of Skies.
Usually, when a cultivator embarks on the path of body cultivation, they would start having an illusory stem sprouting from their heart.
Yet, Sheng Tian had none. However his Body defense, muscle and bone strength along with speed increased. So, he bit the bullet and cultivated diligently.
Xiao Lian was outside in the courtyard. She wore a pale green bracelet. On her snow-white wrist, it seemed especially eye-catching.
It was one of the nine inheritance treasures he received. It can hide the aura of any person from beings at OverLord level.
To let Xiao Lian have her freedom and not be discovered by those Old guys, Sheng Tian had to rack his brains before this treasure popped up in his head.
He slowly walked up to her and stood next to her. Without turning to her, he said looking straight at the Snowman she made. "I honestly didn't think that you would be still into this." his tone had a teasing touch implying that she was still acting like a kid.
Xiao Lian looked at his teasing face, snorted coldly and said: "Says a guy who likes harem novels."
"Hey, what's wrong with liking a genre? That doesn't make me childish." he righteously defended himself.
"Che, making a Snowman is a manifestation of creativity, data calculation, and construction. It is similar to building a house, just that it is a bit simple." she claimed her own righteousness proudly.
Sheng Tian used his spirt sense to check the Snowman. Immediately, his jaw hung down.
He saw that it was constructed with high precision. There are no deviating or extra curves. It is perfectly symmetrical. It is also aesthetic. And it is stable enough to not fall by a heavy wind.
'What the fuck?' Is this still child's play? This girl is really...
"You..."Sheng Tian didn't know what to say when a snowball smashed his face. A charming laughter rang out which was filled with pure joy and a childlike naivety.
Removing the snow off, he saw Xiao Lian running away. Since she sealed her powers, although she could run faster, she limited herself to the average human level and ran as fast as she could.
Sheng Tian revealed a kind of smile which was missing for a long time, the smile unaware of the world's mechanisms and is full of pureness. The smile of childhood!
He too limited his power to average human level and chased after her with a big snowball.
Xiao Lian looked back and opened her mouth into a big "O". This guy is not playing a game, he seems to try to go to war! Why is that snowball so big? She prepared her weapons and got ready to face him in the battlefield!
Sheng Tian and Xiao Lian were only tens of meters away and Sheng Tian started his counter attack.
Xiao Lian soon found cover and hid behind a tree and Sheng Tian did the same. Both of them were glaring at each other. There is a stiff atmosphere in the air.
"Su" a snowball hit Sheng Tian directly in the chest. Trading a hit for five, Sheng Tian threw five of the snow balls simultaneously. Even though his body is limited, his mind is at its zenith. He calculated all the best shots he could take.
"Su" "Su" "Su" three snowballs hit Xiao Lian on the face, breast and the last one on her butt when she turned around to hide.
"Haha," Sheng Tian fell down and laughed hard on the floor as he saw the marvelous and unforgettable scene.
He never got to slap her butt, but now he did. Even though he didn't touch her directly, it was still him who indirectly slapped her butt.
'I finally spanked her! Let's see if she won't be disciplined under my intensive spanking! I bet she would ask for more!' he thought
Xiao Lian got ashamed. She quickly ran up to him and yelled " You unscrupulous, dishonest, disrespectful, shameless pervert!"
Sheng Tian looked at her with a wronged expression which quickly turned mischevious as he pulled her down.
*Thud* She fell down on the snow next to him.
"What are you trying to do by bringing down this Young Lady?" Xiao Lian became a little vigilant as she covered her chest and looked at him like he was a pervert as she acted like a weak woman.
Sheng Tian felt incredulous and said "Missy, I just wanted to enjoy the scene together, alright. Do I look like a pervert to you?"
Almost instantly, "Yes" she replied.
Sheng Tian felt his lips twitch. All of a sudden, he held her hand and whispered into her ear blowing hot air "Then so be it. But I am only interested in holding your hand, right now. Don't try to seduce me, you naughty girl."
"Hmph, who is trying to seduce you? Go look at yourself." she said but didn't move her hand away.
Peacefully, they lay on the snow side by side holding hands as they enjoyed the snowscape.
They stayed in the snow enjoying the beautiful vista.
After a long while, Sheng Tian's attention turned to the warmth he felt from her hand in the cold snow.
A bit curious, he said "Xiao Lian, aren't you in your soul form? How come your hand is warm like a real physical body?"
Xiao Lian held his hand tighter and turned to him "Seeing that you have grown up a little, I will educate your tiny brain a bit.
Like special physical constitutions, there are also special soul constitutions. It's just, they are too rare in comparison. Physiques can be innate or imparted. My Soul has a very rare constitution. It can be as good as a Physical body along with its other special attributes. However, I cannot practice Body Cultivation in this form."she held her head high, acting a bit arrogant and proud.
Sheng Tian nodded in understanding. Looking at her smug smile, he asked with a perverted smile "Do you have periods then?"
The rest is .....history~
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
_Transcendent
_Transcendent RIP Sheng: I am gonna miss you buddy.
-- Gift
received