C509 Statue

Starting is always the hardest part, and the path of cultivation is no exception. Once the first drop of vital blood coalesced, Woo Zhengyang's practice of the "Dragon Elephant Five Elements Technique" began to find its rhythm. The spirit liquid within and around his body continuously surged into his organs, refining them further.

However, producing a second drop of vital blood in a short time proved challenging. Each drop consumed an immense amount of energy and required the organs to be fully refined first. This process was similar to how spirit liquid only forms when spirit crystals are saturated. The initial drop of vital blood appeared easily because the organs were just beginning their refinement, making them quick to saturate. After forming that first drop, achieving saturation again demanded much more energy. As cultivation progressed, reaching saturation naturally became increasingly difficult.

Yet, once the first drop of vital blood was refined, even advancing to the Tendon Bone Stage, or beyond, would allow for further refinement of vital blood. That's when the true power of the Dragon Elephant would manifest.

The spirit liquid around him continued to diminish until the once dense lake became exceedingly thin, and still, Woo Zhengyang couldn't refine a second drop of vital blood.

Woo Zhengyang wasn't greedy. Without this spirit liquid, it would have taken him an unknown amount of time to truly enter the Inner Stage, let alone refine his vital essence. He had a hunch that this world might have more spirit pools like this one, and they would contain even more spirit liquid over time. Woo Zhengyang couldn't explain why he felt this way, as if he had been here before.

"You really broke through!" Situ Jingxiang exclaimed excitedly when she saw Woo Zhengyang open his eyes, almost as if she had achieved the breakthrough herself.

"I must thank you for your help!" Woo Zhengyang said, bowing slightly.

With Situ Jingxiang's level of cultivation, she could absorb the spirit liquid quickly. If she hadn't left to give him a chance, Woo Zhengyang might not have been able to refine even a drop of vital essence.

"It's nothing, really. The spirit liquid is good, but it's not enough for me to break through. Your cultivation level was too low. Entering the Inner Stage is necessary to establish yourself in this world. Besides, we're allies now, and your increased strength benefits me too."

Woo Zhengyang felt a bit embarrassed. He had been thinking that once he reached the Inner Stage, he wouldn't need protection anymore and could part ways with Situ Jingxiang. But it seemed she had no intention of leaving.

Since she had put it that way, Woo Zhengyang couldn't bring up the idea of separating. After all, his breakthrough was thanks to her support.

After all, becoming an ally with a master at the Tendon Bone Stage, especially one from the Heavenly Mirror Pavilion, is a dream come true for many. How could Woo Zhengyang pass up such an opportunity?

"Let's keep moving forward! There might be more spirit pools ahead!" Woo Zhengyang said, using his technique to dry his clothes.

"Exactly, I think so too. Since this world is made entirely of spirit crystals, there must be more spirit pools. Let's keep searching!"

Another half hour passed, and the two of them stopped simultaneously, looking ahead with a hint of suspicion.

It was an unremarkable wilderness, yet there stood a dozen or so sculptures. As they approached, they were suddenly taken aback.

They realized that inside these sculptures, there was a person in each one. Rather than sculptures, it was as if a layer of spirit crystal had been fused onto real people.

This reminded Woo Zhengyang of the women sealed by ice and fire in the Ice Crystal Fire Hall. Could these be living people too?

But if they were alive, why were they sealed in this desolate place? There was nothing special around.

"It seems this place was indeed modeled after the Ice Realm," Situ Jingxiang mused.

"What do you mean?" Woo Zhengyang asked.

"Legend has it that the ruler of the Ice Realm, known as the Ice Emperor, sealed many of his deceased acquaintances in ice. Some say those people are dead, while others believe a trace of their souls remains. The Ice Emperor sealed them to preserve that trace, hoping to revive them someday."

"Then what? Did those people come back to life... ah..." Woo Zhengyang asked, suddenly gasping.

As he got closer, he realized that all the figures within the crystal were women. And these women wore clothes he recognized—exactly like those worn by the woman who had introduced herself as Yun'er when he first arrived. Yun'er had said she was from the Hundred Flower Palace, so these women must be too. But why were they sealed here?

"What's wrong?" Situ Jingxiang asked.

"Nothing!" Woo Zhengyang replied, quickly scanning the dozen or so statues. He was terrified of finding Yun'er among them, which would truly frighten him.

"No one knows if those people came back to life, not even if the Ice Emperor is dead or alive," Situ Jingxiang sighed. "But the Ice Emperor sealed all kinds of people in the Ice Realm. Here, it's all women, and their clothing is so... revealing. I bet the creator of this Hundred Flower World was a real scoundrel."

"Uh-huh..." Woo Zhengyang mumbled, not really listening to what Situ Jingxiang was saying.

After circling around, he didn't find Yun'er among the statues, and he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"It seems there's nothing more here. Let's keep moving!" Situ Jingxiang urged.

Seeing those statues of women with their elegant postures made her think of herself and Woo Zhengyang in the spirit pool earlier. Even though they were clothed, she felt as if Woo Zhengyang had seen her completely. The thought made her blush, and she didn't want to linger any longer.

"Yeah, let's go!"

Woo Zhengyang also found the place unsettling. Whether the figures beneath the spirit crystals were alive or not, they gave off an eerie vibe.

They decided to continue in their original direction, curious about what lay beyond the realm of spirit crystals.

Just as they took their first steps, a sudden 'crack' echoed behind them, causing both to freeze in shock.

The sound came from behind, where only the statues stood, nothing else. Even Woo Zhengyang, who was rarely afraid, felt a chill run down his spine, as if doused in ice water.

Without hesitation, they both sprinted forward with all their might.

"Ah..."

Situ Jingxiang screamed in terror as she ran, quickly leaving Woo Zhengyang behind...