Ethan and the White Ring Snake immediately engaged in a fierce battle.In terms of speed, the White Ring Snake was extremely quick, comparable to Ethan. It was difficult to determine who was faster. Ethan slashed his blade towards the snake, but it seemed to dodge his strikes before they landed, as if it could predict the future.Ethan was getting impatient. Their speed was evenly matched, but the White Ring Snake's defense was poor. Ethan believed that if he could land one strike, he could surely cut the snake in two.But he just couldn't hit it!Whoosh!The two Ethan clones rushed over in an instant, surrounding the White Ring Snake in the middle. The three Ethans simultaneously attacked with their blades...Whoosh!The flashing blades sliced through the air as the White Ring Snake nimbly darted between them like lightning. But after a moment, even the snake was struggling to withstand the onslaught.Facing three blades at once for a short period was taxing, even for the agile serpe
"Hmm?"Ethan sensed something and glanced sideways.Several hundred yards away, the White Ring Snake was coiled atop the icy surface, head raised warily as it stared in their direction—clearly reluctant to relinquish the Lake Heartfruit."Heh, this White Ring Snake is interesting," Ethan chuckled, then covertly observed the serpent while pretending nothing was amiss."It...it still hasn't left?" Jasmine also noticed the lurking snake. Apprehension filled her beautiful eyes as she stuttered."Better that it hasn't." Ethan smiled faintly. "Otherwise, with no guide in this vast Extreme North Icefield, who knows how long it would take us to find the Grade Seven Water Spirit Flower?"Ethan was unconcerned. The White Ring Snake's venom was irksome, but with precautions, it posed no threat. Most crucial was its guidance.The Western Realms' Extreme North Icefield spanned over ten thousand miles. Even a Meridian Training cultivator would struggle to fully explore such vastness in a decade, le
"So many Water Spirit Flowers!" Ethan stared wide-eyed, utterly shocked by the sight. The blossoms blanketing the lake were snowy white, about the size of a face. Their bases were supported by green spirit leaves. Some had white petals and stamen, others one white leaf or two, five... The more leaves, the larger the flower. With but a glance, Ethan could ascertain they were Water Spirit Flowers.Water Spirit Flowers were ranked from one to nine leaves. More leaves indicated a higher grade, and they had the effects of dispelling evil and nourishing the spirit. Eating just one six-leaf or higher could eliminate a commoner's illnesses and grant them lifelong robust health.Grade Seven, Eight, and Nine Water Spirit Flowers were extremely rare. Especially the Grade Nine—that was scarce even among Rares. Grades one to five were common, often used for brewing tea by cultivators.Yet this lake was filled with Water Spirit Flowers! Too many to count at a single look. Most were grade five or a
That night, Ethan and Jasmine fled for hours until daybreak.As the eastern horizon lightened to a fishbelly white, they walked side by side along an icy beach over a thousand miles from the lake.Clutching the Grade Seven Water Spirit Flower, Ethan's expression hinted of a smile. In any case, obtaining it marked a big step towards saving his brother."Jasmine, do dragons still exist in this world?" Ethan asked.Other than her orphan status, he knew next to nothing about her. Over the past half year, his questions were always evaded. To Ethan, Jasmine remained an enigma."Dragons? Are they real?" Confusion filled Jasmine's beautiful eyes.Ethan had no reply.While walking, his gaze suddenly focused ahead.Twenty yards off, the White Ring Snake was coiled atop an icy boulder, head raised proudly like a haughty swan surveying its domain, glancing left and right, even twisting backward occasionally.It seemed unafraid of Ethan and Jasmine's slow approach, making no move to flee."Heh." E
Half a month later, at the core of the Extreme North Icefield.A cool breeze blew as the midday sun shone warmly. Unlike the Great Snowy Mountains, though the Extreme North Icefield was perpetually shrouded in ice, its interior was not severely cold. Occasionally, treasure seekers could be spotted at the feet of glaciers or icy beaches.On one such beach, Ethan lounged leisurely against an icy boulder, his head tilted back as he drank vodka.Though strong, the liquor tasted excellent in the icy climes, the heat flowing down his throat banishing the last touches of chill.Meanwhile, Jasmine had set up a bonfire nearby and was busy with wild cooking, determined to roast her own masterpiece chicken after tasting Ethan’s culinary skills a few days prior.Soot smeared her lovely face, but she paid it no mind, anxiously watching the charred fowl roasting over the flames, wisps of burnt aroma emanating outward.“Oh dear, ruined again.” Jasmine’s slender brows knitted as she flustered about.
"Hmm?" Ethan paused, gazing gravely at the black-clad youth blocking his path less than thirty feet ahead. What was with these Swords Sect disciples barring the exit?There were twenty Meridian Training experts here, all bearing the Swords Sect name. The Swords Sect was one of the nine supreme powers in the Primordial Chaos, boasting a heritage spanning hundreds of thousands of years. In the Western Realms, they were absolute overlords!This was evident from the twenty Meridian Training experts guarding the mountain gate here - ordinary Meridian Training masters able to establish a sect in a small county would be nothing but gatekeepers in the Swords Sect.A hint of strangeness flickered in the cold youth's eyes. His nose twitched slightly, yet his face remained impassive as he calmly stated, "Leave half your medicinal herbs behind, then you may leave."Leave half the herbs behind?Ethan frowned, his expression immediately darkening.The audacity of the Swords Sect truly knew no bound
"Be careful!" Over a dozen yards away, Jasmine cried out, worry flickering in her beautiful eyes. She bit her lip, stopping herself from intervening several times.Whoosh!Ethan's eyes flashed coldly. He decisively abandoned the burly tough opponent, rushing instead towards a lean, charcoal-skinned youth to the west.Spurt!All three blades pierced Ethan's body - one in his thigh, one chopping into his left shoulder nearly severing it, and the last from the dark youth stabbing straight into Ethan's lower abdomen."Heh..." Ethan licked his lips, blood gushing wildly, yet he completely ignored the three impaling blades. His body seemed unfazed by the pain as he flashed forward a step...Spurt!With Ethan's stride, the blade originally only two inches deep in his abdomen pierced right through! The bloody tip emerged from his back, intestines still speared on it.Yet Ethan didn't even frown. Moon-Slashing struck precisely, stabbing the dark youth's heart!The dark youth's expression chang
Ethan's expression was blank, but his hand imperceptibly grasped a small black bottle.It contained Fountain of Time diluted a hundredfold.He hadn't used it in the bloody battle with the Swords Sect disciples since it wasn't yet the final moment. Not because he was reluctant, but because Ethan wasn't confident he could wipe them all out in one go. If even one Swords Sect disciple escaped, it would bring endless trouble.But now?If Jasmine made a move, so would he!Ethan was very reluctant to see this happen. In truth, he still held Jasmine in high regard. After all, she had saved him at Ruoshui River. And through their time together, her personality had proven quite simple and guileless, their interactions smooth.However! If Jasmine attacked, Ethan would decisively hurl the black bottle at her. Even if it might not injure Jasmine given her Bone Sacrifice strength and their vast disparity, plus the many secrets of the blue bloods, Ethan had no absolute confidence of killing her!Yet