Chapter 737: The Ice Pavilion Lord's Ambition
Unnoticed, more than half a day had quietly passed.
As time flowed on, everyone present began to realize that the thunder slurry within the lake below was rapidly thinning. The lake's spiritual essence had nearly been exhausted.
In contrast, terrifying spiritual fluctuations were now rising from above the lake, emanating from the strange jade vessels hovering in the air.
"The Divine Spirit Liquid—it's formed!"
A cry of euphoria shattered the tense silence. The gathered elites turned sharply, and to their astonishment, the jade urn within the joint camp of the Asura Gate, Blood Shark Sect, and Ice Pavilion had ceased absorbing energy. From its neck surged a dazzling gold glow that spilled across the sky.
A wave of immense spiritual pressure pulsed outward—so intense that even Zhong Cang and his fellow Earth Sovereigns felt faint suppression press against their hearts.
Buzz!
At the same moment, golden light burst from the two other allied factions—the Barbarian Wilderness and Beast Dominion on one side, and the Dao Palace and Snow Valley on the other. Their own jade vessels had also succeeded at last, brilliant gold shining across the heavens.
The seven top powers of the Bloodrock Realm—now split into three alliances—had all obtained considerable rewards this day.
"Finally…"
Zhong Cang and his companions exchanged relieved smiles. The effort had paid off—they had their share of Divine Spirit Liquid at last.
But then the Blood Shark Lord sneered coldly. "That outsider… his artifact still hasn't finished. Hmph, foolish ambition. He's trying to condense perfect Divine Spirit Liquid—he'll fail for sure!"
"If he does, all the better," Zhong Cang growled. "Were it not for him, our three factions would've seized the largest share. Instead we're left with his scraps!"
Across the lake, many gazes turned instinctively toward Mo Yu. Among all the refining artifacts, his Thunder Dragon Heaven‑Shattering Seal absorbed the most essence. To some, it seemed excessive—perhaps dangerously so.
The Feng Emperor, however, watched with quiet intensity. The Divine Spirit Liquid was unimaginably precious to any Earth Sovereign, and Mo Yu's every movement held the attention of all.
Mo Yu himself remained calm. His eyes stayed fixed on the seal before him as it continued to draw the last currents of lightning essence from the lake below.
Finally, the thunder lake reached exhaustion. The last trickle of molten lightning spiraled upward and vanished into the dragon seal.
Then all fell silent. The Thunder Dragon Seal floated motionless, without a spark of light.
Zhong Cang and his allies exchanged looks of elation. Had he truly failed? The arrogant outsider's gamble come to nothing?
Boom!
Before the thought could settle, thunder exploded across the world. Every head snapped up—Mo Yu's seal had burst to life once more, erupting with searing golden lightning that tore through the clouds. Streams of golden arcs coiled like dragons, emanating oppressive, divine might.
Lightning blazed around the seal, condensing into a radiant core. Within that golden mist, something pulsed faintly—small, glowing, alive.
Thump.
A subtle sound echoed, yet the sky itself trembled as if responding to its heartbeat.
Every Earth Sovereign present stared wide‑eyed. Envy and shock filled their faces as they realized the truth—Mo Yu's Divine Spirit Liquid was unlike anything they had ever seen.
The sneers on Zhong Cang's and Ao Sha's faces froze, replaced by ashen fury. Their gazes locked onto Mo Yu like blades; hatred twisted their expressions.
In an instant, the Feng Emperor's aura flared as he enveloped Mo Yu in his protection. He could already sense the overwhelming energy of Mo Yu's refined spirit essence. Jealousy was inevitable—and with seven Earth Sovereigns nearby, caution was vital.
Mo Yu simply exhaled and raised his hand, the Thunder Dragon Seal returning to his palm, still glowing warmly. By chance and perseverance, he had succeeded.
"Hehe, not a bad haul, boy," the Feng Emperor said with a proud grin.
Mo Yu smiled faintly and willed the seal open. A beam of golden light erupted, bathing heaven and earth as a golden stream slowly rose from the dragon's open jaws.
The others gaped as the object emerged—not liquid, but a golden embryonic sphere, no larger than his palm, covered in intricate ancient runes. It pulsed like a living thing.
At its appearance, the very air thickened with spiritual power. Every breath drew lightning into their lungs, accelerating their internal energy flow. The sphere exuded essence so pure and concentrated that even a Ninth‑Grade Sovereign would fear refining it recklessly.
"So that's Divine Spirit Liquid?" the Feng Emperor muttered in awe. "I've never seen anything like it…"
"It's… Perfect‑Grade!"
From a distance, Feng Yuanzi's eyes widened as realization struck. "He's refined a Perfect‑Grade Divine Spirit Liquid!" he shouted in shock.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Divine Spirit Liquid alone was priceless—but a Perfect‑Grade specimen? That was beyond measure.
"Damn it!" Zhong Cang snarled. "A Perfect‑Grade Spirit Liquid!"
The golden embryo in Mo Yu's hand outshone their own dim, unevenly refined spirit liquids—like polished gold beside dull clay. The gap was humiliating.
Standing slightly apart, the Ice Pavilion Lord's eyes flickered with greed. A deep glint passed within them as he shifted his gaze toward the remaining six Earth Sovereigns, his calm expression giving way to a sharp, ambitious smile.
"Gentlemen," he said smoothly, "I have a proposal—care to hear it?"
The others looked up, puzzled. "Ice Pavilion Lord, what are you playing at?" Zhong Cang asked coldly.
He smiled faintly, voice deceptively gentle yet steeped in authority. "The Bloodrock Realm has been divided far too long. I say it's time to unite—combine our strength, rise together, and make our realm truly stand among the Northern powers. Who among you will support me?"
The bold declaration froze everyone. Even Zhong Cang's face darkened. "What nonsense are you spouting?"
Their alliance had always been one of convenience; none would bow to another. The audacity of proclaiming leadership stunned them all.
From afar, even Feng Yuanzi and the Snow Valley Mistress stared incredulously. The Ice Pavilion Lord had always been the quiet one among the seven. Now he wanted to unify them? Where did he find the confidence?
"Hmph. Are you insane? We're all equals here—Lower Earth Sovereigns. Why should we bend the knee to you?" scoffed the Barbarian Wilderness Sect master, arms crossed.
At that, the Ice Pavilion Lord's eyes narrowed, his smile twisting strangely. "So," he said softly, "you mean my strength is lacking?"
No one responded, but silence was answer enough.
The corners of his lips curled upward into a faintly sinister grin. Then, suddenly, his expression hardened, his voice booming like thunder. "In that case," he shouted, "I'll show you my true strength!"
The explosion of his aura shook the air. Even Mo Yu looked sharply to him, startled by the ferocity that erupted.
The Ice Pavilion Lord spread his arms, his face contorting with eerie delight. His eyes darkened, turning completely black. From his body surged clouds of inky darkness that consumed the sky.
The oppressive black miasma shattered space wherever it spread. Within it pulsed an energy foreign to this world—cold, corrupt, and impossibly vile.
Standing in the midst of that darkness, the Ice Pavilion Lord drew it in. He inhaled deeply, and streams of black energy poured into his body. His aura swelled to monstrous heights, climbing far beyond its former limits.
In only a few breaths, his power had risen dangerously close to that of an Upper Earth Sovereign.
The others recoiled, their faces paling as they felt the chilling corruption in that energy. It was not spiritual power—it was something alien, devouring.
"What is this? That energy… it's not of this world!"
"It's too twisted—its corruption seeps into the air itself!"
"Where did he even find such power?" came the frantic whispers among the Sovereigns, exchanged through urgent voice transmissions.
Feng Yuanzi's aged eyes narrowed dangerously as revelation struck. "That's no spiritual energy," he said gravely. "It's power from the Outer Evil Clans! The Ice Pavilion Lord has gone mad—he's embraced their corruption!"
"What?! Outer Evil power?"
The others gasped. Even Mo Yu's expression shifted.
"Yes!" Feng Yuanzi's voice deepened. "It must be the remnant force of the Frozen Demon Emperor! The Thunder Saint Sect was destroyed by the Evil Clans long ago, and legend says the Frozen Demon Emperor was sealed beneath these very seas!"
Realization spread like wildfire. "This place—the Thunder Saint's Sovereign Sea. If something were sealed, its depths would be the perfect prison."
He continued, glaring at the trembling heavens. "I saw the Ice Pavilion Lord sneaking into the depths earlier. I didn't know why… until now. He must have broken the seal and absorbed the Demon Emperor's remaining power!"
Zhong Cang and the others exchanged fearful glances. They finally understood—the quiet Ice Pavilion Lord had been the most dangerous among them all.
"Hehe… so you finally understand," came the darkly amused voice above. Wreathed in shadow, the Ice Pavilion Lord smiled—a smile now utterly sinister.
"The Frozen Demon Emperor is long dead," he said, "but his power remains. Dangerous, yes… yet not enough to consume me. Once I master it completely, I will take that final step—to become a true Upper Earth Sovereign!"
His gaze turned downward, locking on Mo Yu, venom glinting in his eyes.
"Outsider," he said with a slow, wicked grin. "Hand over your Divine Spirit Liquid, and I'll spare your life. When I unify the Bloodrock Realm, you may have a place at my side."
(END CHAPTER)
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