The path led them to the deeper underground. There was no palace, just a huge door at the end of the passage.
A heavy silence descended over the world as they reached the entrance, two massive doors made of frosted jade standing tall before them, etched with ancient runes glowing in soft blue light.
Then, without touch or command, the doors began to open.
Creeeaaak—
A wash of chilling spiritual pressure poured forth like a tidal wave.
Shi Tian narrowed his eyes, summoning a barrier of Chaos Flame around both him and Shen Xiaoli. The flames clashed with the Yin Qi, keeping its oppressive cold at bay.
Inside the palace was a grand circular hall, its ceiling vanishing high into frost-covered darkness. Crystal pillars lined the perimeter, each encased in eternal ice and embedded with frozen images of women in regal postures—likely former guardians or chosen inheritors who failed the trial.
At the centre of the hall floated a giant ice lotus throne, suspended above a shimmering mirror-like pool of water, its surface glowing with mysterious light.
From that pool, an ethereal female figure slowly emerged.
Her hair was white as snow, cascading like silk down her translucent back. Her face was veiled in mist, but the elegance and pressure she exuded were unmistakable.
She was not alive.
She was a spiritual imprint—the final remnant of Empress Yao.
Her voice echoed again, this time clearly and with unquestionable majesty:
"After so long, someone with a strong Yin physique finally arrived. You who bear the Heavenly Yin Physique… you are destined to be tested."
She extended her hand, and in the next moment, a blizzard of light exploded outward, engulfing Shen Xiaoli.
Shi Tian stepped forward instinctively, but the spiritual imprint's gaze turned to him. "This trial is hers alone. You may not interfere."
Shi Tian nodded and stopped. He could feel the inviolable laws of this realm enforcing the trial. To break them might trigger the collapse of the palace—or worse.
Shen Xiaoli now stood alone on a platform surrounded by Around her, a dozen illusory figures appeared—each one resembling herself, yet with subtly different expressions, auras, and clothing.
Some looked arrogant. Some looked timid. Some were cold and indifferent.
"These are your fractured selves," the Empress's voice intoned. "To accept my inheritance, you must face them all… and accept who you are."
The clones attacked.
Each one wielded different techniques—ice needles, frost swords, frozen winds—and all targeted her vital points with precision. Shen Xiaoli's eyes remained steady as she raised her hands, spiritual energy condensing around her palms.
"Ice Lotus Palm!"
Frozen petals burst outward, crashing into the nearest clones and shattering three into mist.
But they regrouped and came again, endlessly.
Each blow they landed carried not just physical pain but emotional pressure. Her doubts. Her shame. Her fear. The Shi Clan was betrayed and destroyed. The memory of hiding her injuries, pretending to be strong. The guilt of dragging Shi Tian into this frozen realm…
She gritted her teeth.
"I am not weak…"
Her body shook, blood trickling from her lips as one clone impaled her shoulder with an icy spike. Another bound her legs with frost chains.
Then a voice whispered beside her ear—her own voice, low and mocking.
"You're just using him, aren't you? A wounded, broken girl clinging to a stronger man…"
"No!" she shouted, blasting the clone apart with a wave of frost energy.
Shi Tian watched in silence, his expression frowning as she staggered. He had seen many cultivators collapse in mental trials, but Shen Xiaoli held on, her gaze unwavering even as every clone sought to break her spirit.
Then, finally, she stood alone. All the clones were gone.
The Empress's imprint nodded.
"You have passed the Trial of the Self. You have a Heavenly Yin Physique, a perfect match for this inheritance. I hope you will grow and ascend to the immortal realm one day; maybe we will meet then."
She extended her hand.
A massive ice crystal lotus bloomed behind her, and within it lay a beautiful glowing orb—the Empress Yao's Inheritance Core, containing her techniques, experiences, and Dao insights.
"Go," she said gently. "Take it."
Shen Xiaoli stepped forward with a calm yet excited expression.
As her hand touched the core, a surge of spiritual light engulfed her, forming a cocoon of energy as the inheritance began to merge with her.
Shi Tian watched her silhouette inside the glowing lotus and smiled faintly.
This was her moment.
Outside the palace, the sky above the Ice Secret Realm began to change. The clouds parted, and beams of divine frost light shone down across the land.
A signal.
The inheritance of Empress Yao had found its successor.
...
The remnant of Empress Yao looked at Shi Tian; her expression was unreadable. She whispered softly, "I didn't expect to see the bearer of chaos flame in this mortal realm. It is weird. He has chaos physique as well as chaos flame; it is an anomaly."
"Boy, I don't have a suitable reward for you." The Empress Yao's will said to Shi Tian. "The inheritance I left behind is only suitable for women."
"It is alright." Shi Tian nodded with a smile. He was satisfied with Shen Xiaoli obtaining the inheritance; he didn't lack treasures. He already has a system that gives him various kinds of treasures daily.
He was more interested in Empress Yao's story. She mentioned the word 'Immortal World'. Did the immortal world really exist? He was sceptical about the legend of the immortal world. Turned out, it existed.
"Can you tell a bit more about the immortal world?" Shi Tian asked curiously.
"The immortal world is much more sinister and cruel. And there is no real immortility, immortals just live much longer. You will find after you will reach sufficient strength." The Empress Yao said slowly.