Chapter 36: The Second Ice Heart

“Should we wait until nightfall before going in?” Han Tianyue asked, standing at the outskirts of the Hanlin Academy and gazing at its majestic presence with a hint of doubt.

“The danger only increases after dark,” the elder advised, urging them to enter immediately.

“How should I get in? Will you use some magic again?” Han Tianyue pressed.

The elder glanced at the heavily guarded academy. Though wary of the consequences of falling asleep again and extending his dormant period, he nodded reluctantly. “Close your eyes. I will guide you in.”

“Spatial fragment!” Han Tianyue opened his eyes and found himself inside the Hanlin Academy. Surprised, he exclaimed, “You’re using spatial fragmentation? How do you even have such a skill? Aren’t you supposed to be from the Primordial Chaos?”

The elder chuckled at Han Tianyue’s confusion. “You mortals think that having spiritual energy means you can cultivate magic, or that a single elemental affinity leads to ultimate power. The truth is, single attributes are the most limiting. Next is the arrogance of believing one has superior spiritual roots. This stifles countless latent abilities. Though much slips my memory, I know that where I come from, people have no elemental attributes or spiritual roots. We rely on self-awareness, and as we encounter different bottlenecks in cultivation, we self-correct, evolving unique attributes and skills. You mortals merely follow the paths we have evolved—no matter how strong you become, you are just recreations, never grasping the true essence.”

“So you mean my Ice Soul isn’t anything special?” Han Tianyue knew his Ice Soul was ordinary, but it was unique among humans, so he felt pride.

“There are countless Ice Souls,” the elder said. “One day, you will understand.”

The elder trailed off, sensing a familiar presence approaching. A cold wind swept over them, and a young spirit materialized before Han Tianyue. “Have we met somewhere before?”

Han Tianyue looked at the spirit and said, “So you really exist!”

“I—” Before the spirit could speak, Han Tianyue interrupted, “If you want me to save your body, I promise I will.”

The spirit glanced at Han Tianyue and handed him an Ice Heart. “This is the deposit. I have more Ice Hearts once the mission succeeds.”

Han Tianyue accepted the Ice Heart and asked the elder, “If I swallow this, will the effects be like before?”

The elder shook his head. “Don’t worry. Your body and soul have adapted to the Ice Heart. This time, your system will accept it quickly.”

In the presence of the spirit, Han Tianyue swallowed the Ice Heart. Instantly, the spirit vanished, and the two Ice Hearts merged, intensifying the cold within Han Tianyue’s body.

“It’s me!” The elder rejoiced within Han Tianyue’s soul. The two identical elders fused into one. Looking at Han Tianyue, he said, “At last, I have regained part of my memory!”

After ingesting the Ice Heart, Han Tianyue wanted to enter the ring’s space to see how many dragons would awaken. But since he was still inside Hanlin Academy, he asked, “Should we try to rescue your—?”

The elder sneered, “With your current cultivation, it’s impossible to save my—. Leave quickly!”

Han Tianyue nodded.

The elder tore open space again, and Han Tianyue passed through, returning outside the Hanlin Academy.

For the teachers and students inside, nothing seemed amiss. But for Han Tianyue, this was yet another opportunity to grow stronger. The newly acquired Ice Heart fused with the dark ice pill in his body, forming a black, translucent ice orb. Its aura of death remained, but the chill grew even more biting.

Han Tianyue returned to where he had blinded An, saying, “Release my companions at once!”

The elder complied.

Suddenly, everyone returned from the Primordial Chaos into reality.

No one knew what had transpired, only hearing An’s anguished roar. Han Tianyue dashed toward Mao Xuanci.

Boka, Jin Qian, and the Demon Serpent arrived and supported the bloodied-eyed An.

“They escaped again, and one of our members is injured!” they lamented.

An howled fiercely, “Han Tianyue, I will never forgive you!”

Boka, Jin Qian, and the Demon Serpent gazed in the direction Han Tianyue had fled, thinking, “Just how powerful is this Han Tianyue?” Of course, they had no way to know.

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