Shen Xiaoli was currently enveloped in a cocoon of blue light. She rose into the air, suspended, her entire body surrounded by swirling ice petals.
Shi Tian watched from a distance. Empress Yao stopped speaking to Shi Tian and placed her attention on Shen Xiaoli.
The process took time. Half an hour passed as Shen Xiaoli's aura shifted and grew. The ice accepted her, wrapped around her—not in rejection, but reverence.
Then—
Crack!
The cocoon shattered.
Shen Xiaoli floated down, her body wrapped in a flowing white robe. Her skin glowed with a faint blue sheen, her eyes deeper and colder, yet serene. Snowflakes gathered around her without melting.
Her aura had climbed an entire big realm, from the spirit lord realm to the fourth layer of the spirit king realm.
But more than that—there was something regal, divine, about her now.
Shi Tian smirked. "So… Empress Xiaoli, huh?"
She gave him a rare smile. "Don't push it."
He chuckled. "Alright, alright."
The inheritance is complete; here, take these things as well." The Empress Yao's will said as she made a move, a storage ring appeared in the hall in front of Shen Xiaoli. Shen Xiaoli expressed her gratitude as she accepted the storage ring.
"Now inheritance is gone, this secret realm will be destroyed soon. I will send you." The Empress Yao said lightly. After that, she waved her hand, and a light enveloped Shi Tian and Shen Xiaoli. Their figures flickered and soon disappeared from the hall.
As they left, the palace began to shake.
Cracks appeared in the walls of ice, and a high-pitched hum echoed through the chamber. The legacy had been claimed. The secret realm had fulfilled its purpose.
Somewhere in the mountain range...
A blinding flash erupted in the middle of a green mountain range near a bustling city. Two figures tumbled out of the collapsing space, landing softly on a cliff edge.
Shi Tian got up first and looked around. They were on the peak of a green mountain, contrasting with the ice world.
No danger.
Shen Xiaoli followed, slightly stunned. "We're… out?"
He nodded. "Looks like we were sent near a city."
Below them, they could already see lights glowing from afar—a prosperous city, surrounded by spiritual fields and bustling cultivators.
"Do you recognise the city?" Shi Tian asked curiously. She was more familiar with the world than he was.
"No!" Shen Xiaoli replied.
"Let's go rest and find out our current location." He said.
Shi Tian and Shen Xiaoli stood on a cliff overlooking the city, both cloaked in the subtle glow of freshly stabilised cultivation. After days of brutal battles and a realm's worth of danger, the sight of civilisation brought a rare peace to their hearts.
"Let's go," Shi Tian said softly, adjusting his robe as his spear returned to the storage ring. "We need rest… and information."
Shen Xiaoli nodded. "And maybe a bath," she added with a gentle smile. Her silver-blue robes were still stained from their previous fights, and strands of her hair glowed faintly with residual frost essence.
Two soared down the cliff, landing quietly just outside the northern gate of the city. A tall stone plaque stood near the entrance, etched with spiritual runes:
"Jade River City – Under the Rule of the Nine Rivers Sect"
Several guards in silver armour stood outside, all with some cultivation, their postures alert. But as Shi Tian and Shen Xiaoli approached, the aura they radiated made the guards instinctively straighten and step aside.
"Honoured guests", one of them said with a bow, "please, enter freely. The city welcomes all cultivators."
Shi Tian nodded calmly.
Once inside, the two were met by a city bustling with life.
Spiritual herbs were being auctioned in open markets. Flying swords zipped through the sky from one tower to another, ferrying messengers and goods. It was the first time Shi Tian had seen such a busy and developed city after coming to this world. Red Sun City was like a town compared to this city."
"This city is quite well developed." Shi Tian commented as he glanced around curiously.
"Mmm. We should find an inn first," Shen Xiaoli said, glancing around.
Not long after, they found themselves in front of a luxurious spiritual inn named:
"Heavenly Fragrance Pavilion"
A gentle female voice welcomed them as they entered.
Inside, the building radiated warmth. The attendants moved about quietly, offering tea and cleaning up after the many cultivators who came and went.
Shi Tian booked two rooms on the top floor—connected by a hidden hallway.
Just as they settled into their suite, Shen Xiaoli dropped onto the spiritual bed, finally letting out a long breath. "This… feels like paradise after that damned Ice Wolf Valley."
Shi Tian chuckled and ordered a few meals. "I want to eat something good first. The meals in the hall seem tasty; I am ordering some."
"Okay!" Shen Xiaoli nodded.
As they ate, the world outside the window shifted into evening.
Soft light filtered through the translucent spirit glass, revealing the city skyline lit with glowing lanterns. The sounds of laughter, auctions, and occasional beast roars echoed faintly in the distance.
After a short rest, Shi Tian stepped out to explore, while Shen Xiaoli entered the bathing chamber for a long, relaxing soak.
Turned out this city was quite famous in this region. The countless cultivators gathered here, drawn by its rare minerals, ancient auction houses, and proximity to a few secret realms.
Furthermore, this city was not governed by any kingdom or empire, but it was governed by a strong sect, the Nine River Sect. Nine River Sect was a first-grade sect with a strong background and power.
Shi Tian had never heard of the Nine River Sect; he knew most of the top-level sects in the eastern continent, as his clan was also one of the top forces in the past.
After asking around for a while, Shi Tian found out their current location; it turned out they were teleported a huge distance away from the Red Sun Kingdom. If he wanted to return home, it might take up to a few weeks.
"It is problematic; if I don't return soon, Mother and others will start to get worried. Let's inform the mother first; it will calm her down." Shi Tian muttered as he took out the communication talisman and sent a message to his mother.