……

Meanwhile.

Basalt Ice Palace.

The howling cold wind swept through the snow peaks, seemingly eternal, adding a touch of desolation to this massive palace complex that appeared to be carved from ice crystals.

Snowflakes fell from the dense clouds, landing on the eaves and tiles that seemed to be cast from ice and snow, instantly merging with the entire structure.

From a distance, the world was a vast expanse of snow, desolate and lonely.

Only the fleeting corners of robes between the undulating buildings hinted at a touch of human warmth.

At the highest core of the architectural complex, there was a Basalt Ice Pavilion.

This was the famous retreat of the Ice Wave Master, where only core disciples were occasionally summoned to receive some guidance.

Without her summons, even direct disciples were not allowed to enter at will.

Today.

This Basalt Ice Pavilion seemed a bit different,

The intense blizzards that usually enveloped the surroundings seemed to have dissipated a lot, a ray of golden sunlight penetrated through the thick clouds, shining on the Basalt Ice Pavilion, making it gleam brilliantly.

……

Outside the main hall of the Basalt Ice Palace.

Apart from various functional buildings, the largest area was occupied by a plaza that resembled ice crystals.

On this plaza, several arenas were built. The largest and sturdiest one could withstand the battles of celestial realm cultivators without easily being destroyed.

The disciples of the Basalt Ice Palace would come to the arenas every day to exchange insights, verifying each other’s progress in the cultivation of Basalt martial arts.

Such a vigorous and diligent atmosphere was naturally quite different from the peaceful and harmonious Changchun Valley.

They were immersed in cultivation, passionate about fighting.

Because of this.

The Basalt Ice Palace was recognized as the strongest faction in the Purple Mansion Academy in terms of combat power.

Many outstanding young people wanted to join the Basalt Ice Palace, however, the Basalt Ice Palace was very strict in recruiting disciples, always preferring quality over quantity.

Over time, this resulted in the Basalt Ice Palace having fewer disciples, but they were all elites.

Because of this, the disciples of the Basalt Ice Palace were always proud and valued their identity very much. When looking at other factions and valleys, they naturally had a bit of condescending pride.

In front of an ordinary arena.

An outstanding disciple dressed in white was admonishing, assessing, and letting the new disciples spar with each other.

This year’s new disciples were only a dozen or so, but each of them was an elite among the younger generation. Each one had a medium-grade aptitude and had awakened a bloodline.

The most powerful one had a medium-grade A-level aptitude, just one step away from being top-grade.

Such outstanding disciples were bound to become core disciples in the future, and even had the chance to become direct disciples.

Although the Basalt Ice Palace mainly practiced the “Basalt Ice True Scripture”, it was not necessary to have a Basalt Ice bloodline.

Firstly, the heart methods in the academy were all-encompassing.

Secondly, as long as the bloodline did not conflict too much with the Basalt Ice attribute, the power of practicing the “Basalt Ice True Scripture” would not be inferior.

Even if there was a conflicting bloodline, there were other cultivation methods to practice.

When Ancestor Long Yan first joined the Basalt Ice faction, she awakened the Elemental Water bloodline, not the Basalt Ice bloodline.

Among this group of new disciples, there were two familiar faces.

One was a young man in white, with a somewhat shy temperament, who was Bilian’s younger uncle – Yuwen Jianye.

The other, who looked only sixteen or seventeen years old but was exceptionally tall and muscular, was Wang Zongsheng, the eighth generation male of the Wang’s Clan.

Because the two were quite familiar with each other, they naturally stood together.

They didn’t have a trace of arrogance in their hearts.

There was no way, all the people here had awakened their bloodline to the first level, so it wasn’t their turn to be arrogant.

“All disciples of our Basalt Ice Palace faction, we value bravery and diligence, striving for the best.” The outstanding disciple, whose strength had reached the Spiritual Platform realm, sternly reprimanded, “If anyone is complacent and lazy, they might as well choose the Changchun Valley faction. Do you understand?”

“We understand!”

The new disciples stood tall and answered loudly.

“Since you understand, if anyone makes a mistake, I will expel him.” The outstanding disciple reprimanded as usual.

At the same time.

Not far away, a few young men in white were passing by.

Each of them was handsome and powerful, like dragons among men.

The one leading them looked to be in his twenties. His face was cold, and he seemed to be surrounded by an icy aura at all times, as if he had merged with the ice and snow.

He was unfathomable and awe-inspiring.

The outstanding disciple’s eyes lit up when he saw this group of people, and he exclaimed, “It’s Ji Mingyu, Brother Mingyu.”

Then he saluted from a distance, “Greetings, Brother Mingyu.”

“Brother Mingyu?”

The new disciples all looked over curiously.

Ji Mingyu and his group stopped in their tracks.

A warm smile appeared on his face. “So it’s Brother Kangde. You’ve worked hard to recruit new disciples. You should train them well first, and later I will take them to meet the various sects.”

“Yes, Brother Mingyu.” Zhou Kangde responded with a hint of excitement, “I will train them well, and make sure they don’t lose face for you, Brother Mingyu.”

After the encouragement, Ji Mingyu and his group temporarily left, heading towards the Xuanbing Hall, gradually disappearing into the distance.

Zhou Kangde watched them leave, and only after Ji Mingyu’s figure disappeared did he turn around with a proud face and say, “You all heard that. Keep your minds focused. In a couple of days, Brother Mingyu will take you around to gain some experience. This is a chance to make a good impression.”

“Brother Jianye, what does ‘gain some experience’ mean?” Wang Zongsheng asked in a low voice.

He joined the Xuanbing Sect not because he understood how powerful this sect was, but simply because of the words “Ancestor Long Yan”.

“It means to show off our strength in other sects.” Yuwen Jianye, who came from a distinguished family that had produced many disciples for the academy over the centuries, naturally understood this.

“Shut up.” Zhou Kangde scolded, “It’s not your turn to whisper when the elder brother is speaking. If you do it again, you will be severely punished!”

Wang Zongsheng and Yuwen Jianye shivered and quickly shut their mouths.

Then Zhou Kangde continued to instruct the newly admitted disciples.

……

Meanwhile.

Inside the Xuanbing Hall.

Ji Mingyu and his group stopped.

One of the core disciples said, “Brother Mingyu, the master has called us to meet him. Could it be that Sister Long Yan has returned?”

“Most likely.” Another core disciple also said, “Sister Long Yan has been away from the academy for sixty years. I heard that something happened at home. In recent years, the master has mentioned her several times.”

“If Sister Long Yan could return to the academy, the strength of our Xuanbing Hall would increase significantly.”

“That’s right. When Sister Long Yan was in her prime, I was just a new disciple. I learned a lot from following her.”

The two of them talked, their eyes filled with anticipation.

However, Ji Mingyu’s eyebrows slightly raised.

That Wang Long Yan had been away from the academy for sixty years, and he, Ji Mingyu, was only in his forties.

“I heard that Sister Long Yan was not very strong when she advanced to the mid-stage of the Spirit Platform Realm at the age of sixty.” Ji Mingyu’s eyes showed a hint of disdain, “But I will definitely advance to the mid-stage in three to five years.”

The other two older core disciples were slightly stunned, then laughed, “Brother Mingyu, you were born in the famous Ji’s Clan, of course you are stronger than Sister Long Yan.”

As they talked, they passed the guards and headed towards the Xuanbing Pavilion.

……

Meanwhile.

Inside the Xuanbing Pavilion.

A woman in palace attire sat high on the main seat.

She wore a white jade crown on her head, the jade was pure and flawless.

However, even under the snow-white jade, her skin was still as clear as jade, making it hard to tell whether the jade was whiter or her skin was fairer.

Her curvaceous body was wrapped in an ice-blue palace dress, which made her temperament as cold as a snow peak and as elegant as a snowflake.

This woman in palace attire was naturally the master of this place, the Ice Wave Master.

Behind her on the wall, there was a crystal long sword in its sheath.

That was her sword “Ice Wave”, made from the essence of ice and the spirit of endless snow mountains. The sword was as cold as ice, emitting endless chill.

Because of the existence of this Ice Wave sword, the entire Xuanbing Pavilion was filled with an invisible aura of solemnity.

It could be seen that once this sword was unsheathed, it would be unparalleled in sharpness.

And Ancestor Long Yan, wearing a Xuanbing silk skirt and a veil, sat below the Ice Wave Master.

Her ice-white hair was spread over her shoulders, completely different from the young girl of the past, but rather mature and tranquil, even with a touch of vicissitudes.

When she was at home, Ancestor Long Yan often dyed her hair black.

But for this trip to the academy, Wang Shouzhe repeatedly instructed her to show her white hair, especially when meeting the Ice Wave Master, she must not dye her hair.

In fact, with Ancestor Long Yan’s figure, temperament, and charm, her ice-white hair added even more goddess-like aura.

Sitting across from Ancestor Long Yan was a handsome man who looked like a young man. His demeanor was deep and profound, his cultivation unfathomable, showing that he was no ordinary person.

This man was none other than Fang You’an, who had previously spoken with the Ice Wave Master, one of her direct disciples.

The ice-white hair naturally attracted the attention of the Ice Wave Master.

She stared at it for a good half an incense stick’s time before she asked indifferently, “Long Yan, what’s the matter with your white hair?”

Ancestor Long Yan replied calmly, “Master, for about fifty years, I have been fighting against the Yin Sha poison, and my hair turned white unknowingly.”Although her tone was calm, the content of her words made both the Ice Ripple Elder and Fang You’an look at her sideways.

Fifty years, constantly resisting the poison of Yinsha. The torment and agony involved were enough to make one’s scalp numb just thinking about it.

They could hardly imagine how difficult these years had been for Long Yan.

Fang You’an’s face remained unchanged, a hint of fierceness flashed in his eyes, then he said lightly, “In the future, if you encounter disciples of the Yinsha Sect again, I will kill a few more for you to vent your anger.”

His actual age was much older than Long Yan, equivalent to watching her grow up. If it hadn’t been for the rules of the academy, he would have helped her long ago.

“Thank you, Brother You’an.” Long Yan’s voice was flat, seemingly devoid of joy or sorrow.

“Hmph!” The killing intent in the eyes of the Ice Ripple Elder intensified, “My disciple Long Yan has spent fifty years entangled with the poison of Yinsha, and only reluctantly absorbed it. If anyone dares to say more, don’t blame me, Ice Ripple, for being ruthless.”

“Master, I think although Sister Long Yan has suffered this great calamity, it has tempered her heart, which has allowed her to accumulate slowly and add more potential.” Fang You’an comforted, “In this way, she might have a chance to break through to the Purple Mansion Realm.”

As they were talking.

A young man’s voice suddenly came from outside the Xuanbing Pavilion: “Disciple Ji Mingyu and others, pay respects to the master.”

The sharp look in the eyes of the Ice Ripple Elder eased slightly.

“Come in.”

As she spoke, the Ice Ripple Elder said to Long Yan with a pleased look, “Mingyu is a core disciple I accepted later, not inferior to you back then.”

Then.

Ji Mingyu and others came in, those who should bow bowed, those who should exchange pleasantries did so.

Especially Ji Mingyu, with his elegant demeanor and courteous manners, he praised Long Yan with a bow, calling her “senior sister” quite affectionately.

However, a hint of disdain flashed in the depths of his eyes.

This Long Yan was already over a hundred and twenty years old, and had just barely reached the late stage of the Spirit Platform Realm, her talent was nothing more than mediocre.

As for him, Ji Mingyu, he was confident that he could reach the late stage of the Spirit Platform Realm by the age of ninety at most!

By the time he was over a hundred and twenty years old, he would be planning to break through to the Heavenly Man Realm.

What he was most worried about was whether Long Yan’s return to the sect would affect his future breakthrough to become a direct disciple.

Although they were all disciples of the master, the status and resources available to direct disciples and core disciples were vastly different.

……

“Mingyu.” After a brief familiarity, the Ice Ripple Elder instructed, “This time the academy’s traditional competition, I deliberately postponed it by one day. Tomorrow you will take the new disciples to each peak and valley to gain some experience.”

“Yes, Master.”

Ji Mingyu’s spirits lifted, thinking to himself that it seemed the master still valued him more.

However, the Ice Ripple Elder then said, “Long Yan, you go with them tomorrow. You don’t need to take action, just show your face around and greet the elders of each peak and vein, announcing that Long Yan is returning to the sect.”

“Yes, Master.”

Long Yan bowed in acknowledgment.

The smile on Ji Mingyu’s face faltered for a moment, and he instantly understood why the master had postponed the tradition by one day. It turned out that she was paving the way for Long Yan.

Could it be that the master wanted to take her as a direct disciple?

A surge of anger rose in his heart. Why?

At this moment.

From the sky outside the Xuanbing Hall, a hearty laughter of an old man came, “Is the Ice Ripple Elder here? I, Changchun, have brought the new disciples to visit your hall.” The voice sounded casual, but it couldn’t hide the triumphant tone.

What? Changchun Valley is coming to our Xuanbing Hall for a visit?

There were only six people in the Xuanbing Hall, but at this moment, their faces were all strange. Did they hear it wrong?

Long Yan was also surprised.

She remembered that when she was a core disciple in the Xuanbing Hall, she was the one leading the team to visit Changchun Valley. How could the situation have reversed in just sixty years?

Could it be that this Brother Mingyu was not up to par?

Long Yan looked at Ji Mingyu with questioning eyes.

Ji Mingyu was naturally shocked. Facing Long Yan’s gaze, he felt wronged for no reason.