Wang Jianqiang originally planned to search along the way, hoping to "borrow" a few Foundation Establishment Pills from unlucky cultivators so Wang Yuyao could also complete her breakthrough.
But whether because everyone had already rushed to the core region, or simply because his luck was abysmal,by the time they arrived at the core zone, not a single shadow of another cultivator had been seen.
"So this is the Cold Pool?"
At the very heart of the secret realm,Wang Jianqiang, Wang Yuyao, and Ye Qingxue looked ahead.
A hundred feet away lay a pool about thirty feet across.
Its water was crystalline, wreathed in mist.
Yet this was no steam—it was pure cold aura condensed into fog.
Even standing a hundred feet away, the three already struggled to endure.
"Take these."
Wang Jianqiang produced three Cold Pearls.Keeping one for himself, he handed the other two to Wang Yuyao and Ye Qingxue.
Along the journey, they had slain many native beasts,and these pearls had already been refined to their highest grade.
Once the pearls were held, the biting chill vanished instantly.
Glancing at the cyan bird on his shoulder, Wang Jianqiang said,"Little Chick, wait outside."
That was the name he had given it—"Little Chick."
At first, the bird had fiercely resisted such a ridiculous name,but in the end, it couldn't overcome Wang Jianqiang's tyranny.
At his command, the little chick gave a very humanlike nod.
It hated the aura of the Cold Pool;were it not for following Wang Jianqiang, it would never have come near.
Now, freed of duty, it flew without hesitation to a distant ice peak.
The three leapt into the Cold Pool.
They dove deeper and deeper.
The pool seemed bottomless. Even after half a day of descent, no end was in sight.
Fortunately, the Cold Pearls not only blocked the freezing power,but also allowed them to breathe underwater,even nullifying the crushing weight of the water.
Without them, they would long since have been flattened or drowned—after all, they were not Core Formation cultivators capable of holding their breath for days.
Another full day passed before they finally reached the pool's bottom.
It widened as it deepened, like a great trumpet's bell.
At the bottom stretched a vast space,as if an entire small world lay hidden here.
Wang Jianqiang frowned.
He had thought the pool's scale limited;searching for Foundation Establishment pill ingredients should have been simple.
But he had never expected such immensity.
He turned to the two women."I need to gather ingredients for Foundation Pills. Do either of you know where to look?"
Ye Qingxue considered a moment."I can find them."
His eyes lit up. He couldn't resist praising her—"Xiaoxue, truly remarkable. Not only capable, but… capable."
Her face flushed red. Pretending not to hear,she withdrew a palm-sized compass and oriented herself.
"Follow me."
Without waiting, she set off.
Wang Jianqiang and Wang Yuyao immediately followed.
…
Several days later, a vast square of green stone appeared before them.
The slabs were ancient, broken, exuding desolation.
At its center stood a pitch-black stone stele.
Around it, dozens of cultivators clashed in chaotic battle.
"They're fighting over meditation mats," Ye Qingxue observed with certainty.
"Mats?"
Wang Jianqiang and Wang Yuyao swept their gazes about.
Beside the stele, eighteen high platforms had been built.Some still bore worn meditation mats.
The battles were concentrated around the mats.
"What use are they?" Wang Jianqiang asked.
"They are keys to the Medicine Garden," Ye Qingxue explained."Sit upon one, connect to the stele with your spiritual sense,and you will be transported within."
"The Medicine Garden?"
"It is a space where countless spiritual herbs grow.Legend says it was left behind by an ancient power."
"Does it contain ingredients for Foundation Establishment Pills?"
"Yes, and many other precious herbs besides." She nodded.
His eyes gleamed.
But instead of rushing in,he carefully observed the ongoing battles.
Disciples from all four great sects were present,many of them top-ten ranked.
Yet strangely, the foremost disciples of each sect were absent.
Could they not have found the place?
Impossible. One missing, maybe—but all of them? Too much coincidence.
Ye Qingxue seemed to guess his doubt."There are eighteen platforms, hence eighteen mats.
Now only eight remain.
The other ten must have already been taken."
"So the top disciples of the four sects have already entered the Garden?"Wang Jianqiang understood at last.
No wonder the strongest were unseen—they were already inside.
"Come. Let's seize some spots as well."
He spoke to the two women, then advanced toward one of the high platforms.
At its base, seven figures were locked in combat.
An explosion sent one cultivator flying.
Furious, he rushed back—only to notice a bent, decaying figure approaching.
"Old man, half in the grave, and you dare come adventuring?"
He sneered, murderous intent surging.
Beaten moments ago, he was itching to vent.This frail elder seemed the perfect target.
Wang Jianqiang, approaching the platform, saw him charge.
His expression didn't change. He didn't even raise a hand.
"Yuyao. He's yours."
At his calm words,a magnificent flying sword of crystalline ice shot forth from behind him.
Pfft!
The attacker froze mid-step, chest pierced clean through.
Crack—crack—
Frost instantly consumed his body,and he shattered into dozens of icy fragments upon hitting the ground.
Though brief, the sudden eruption of killing cold drew the attention of the six still battling.
Two disciples of the Hehuan Sect spotted Wang Jianqiang and gaped.
"It's Trash Wang!"
"He actually made it into the Cold Pool—and here, no less!"
Then they noticed Wang Yuyao at his side.
"So it's thanks to her… no wonder."
"Still, what is she thinking, dragging along such dead weight?"
They didn't voice such thoughts aloud.Instead, they called out to her:
"Wang Yuyao! Join us in claiming this mat.
When we enter the Garden, we'll share the spoils."
The other four—two from Ten Thousand Sword Sect, two from Zhengyang Sect—immediately looked grim.
If Hehuan Sect gained an extra ally,the balance would tip sharply against them.
But Wang Jianqiang only smiled."Sorry. We're not interested in sharing. We'll take it all."
His words darkened the faces of the Hehuan Sect pair."Trash Wang, what gives you the right? You think you get a say here?"
Their taunts had barely ended when a cold voice cut in:
"His decision… is mine as well.
And besides—your mouths are far too foul.Allow me to tear them apart for you."
A surge of icy aura exploded outward.
The two men's faces blanched in terror.