Chapter 78: September's Icy Blossoms

After leaving the Valley of Resentment, Ge Qian not only obtained the "Soul Restoration Grass," but also acquired Sima Tu's storage pouch, which contained tens of thousands of spirit stones—a truly immense fortune. What delighted him most was gaining Liu Qian's insights into formations, and Red Plum’s advancement to a second-tier spirit of resentment, capable of acting independently, coordinating seamlessly with the Demon Gourd for containment.

Ge Qian felt his control over the Demon Gourd had grown more adept; he could now probe it with his divine sense, something previously impossible. Within it lay a separate space, spanning dozens of feet. With such a vast accumulation of resentment energy, Red Plum could not refine it all in a short time; part of it was stored within the gourd, while another portion was absorbed and refined by the blood-red placenta, which squirmed ceaselessly yet showed no outward change.

Yet Ge Qian knew the placenta was no ordinary object—its ability to devour and refine any darkness-aligned entity marked it as a formidable threat of heaven and earth. Thus, he used Red Plum as the spirit of the device to indirectly control it, avoiding entanglement in karma.

His next destination was the Cold Pool of Heavy Water, the closest to his current location.

After a day's hurried travel, Ge Qian suddenly stopped at a cliff thick with forest and strewn with bizarre rocks. "Swish, swish..." More than a dozen ice spikes shot towards him with blinding speed.

Without even glancing, Ge Qian’s body shimmered with spiritual light, a faint earthen-yellow shield appearing around him. The ice spikes struck with a clatter, only to be bounced far away.

Ahead, over a dozen late-stage first-tier Ice Mechanic Frogs crouched amid the frigid grass. Each was the size of a millstone, clad in emerald scales, exhaling chilling breaths that formed three-foot-long, razor-sharp ice spikes from their bellies—spikes capable of piercing superior defensive armor and shields.

Yet, such formidable ice spikes could not break through the layers of subtle shields.

Ge Qian nodded with satisfaction; the "Earth Spirit Pearl" was indeed a peerless artifact with extraordinary defensive power, and he had only activated a fraction of its true potential.

Another wave of ice spikes swept toward him in a blizzard, but the shield flickered, rebounding them once more.

Having tested the Earth Spirit Pearl’s might, Ge Qian did not wish to waste time on the Ice Mechanic Frogs. With a flick of his sleeve, he released a wisp of resentment energy, which writhed and transformed into Red Plum, a beauty as alluring as a poisonous blossom, floating in midair. Cradling the Demon Gourd, she unleashed a chilling black mist upon the frogs.

The frogs’ red eyes showed terror as they leaped frantically, trying to flee, but the black mist moved faster than lightning, endless and inexhaustible. Swept away by the mist like a raging wind, it returned to the Demon Gourd.

Not a single frog remained; only the land, ravaged and corroded by the black mist, was left scarred and desolate.

Red Plum patted the Demon Gourd gleefully and said, "Such foolish creatures, ignorant of their master’s power. How could they ever hope to oppose you?"

Ge Qian smiled faintly. "Their spiritual intelligence is low; they cannot judge, only instinctively defend their territory. Ahead should be the Cold Pool of Heavy Water, yes?"

Red Plum nodded, her body flickering as she moved to the center of the area covered in Chillleaf Grass. She said to Ge Qian, "Master, this is indeed the Cold Pool of Heavy Water. Its reputation is well earned—not only is the cold overwhelming, but the water’s pressure is immense. Without a rare treasure for protection, entering the pool would mean certain death."

Ge Qian employed Cloud-Stepping Technique and arrived in the blink of an eye. The pool wasn’t large, roughly ten feet across; rather than a pool, it resembled a deep well. Perhaps it earned its name from the ultra-heavy water and bone-chilling cold.

The second principal ingredient, the "September Ice Blossom," grew in the depths of this pool. It was said that this blossom favored high-pressure, heavy water. Its cold energy could freeze flames into sculptures instantly, lifelike and enduring.

However, the flower was difficult to cultivate. After blooming, it grew one petal per month; when nine petals closed, it reverted to cold energy, dispersing in the water. By chance, it might bloom again—thus the name "September Ice Blossom."

Ge Qian flicked his finger, sending a fist-sized fireball onto the pool’s surface. Instantly, the cold enveloped it, freezing it solid. The fireball fell into the water, shattered under the pressure, and vanished without a trace.

Red Plum frowned. "Master, this cold pool is so fierce; it’s no wonder there aren’t powerful guardian beasts here, nor do people venture near. Even as a second-tier spirit of resentment, I’d face grave danger entering the pool. Still, for your sake, I’ll try."

Red Plum knew her master was shrewd and full of cunning; if she wanted to stretch her legs and see the world, this was the perfect opportunity to prove herself.

Ge Qian shook his head. "You’ve just advanced to a second-tier spirit, and under this freezing pressure, your strength would be diminished. My body is strong, and I have artifacts for protection—it’s best I go myself. Guard this place well, lest other cultivators interfere with my plans. Any intruder is to be killed without mercy. Take these three Fire Python Talismans; keep them safe and don’t use them unless absolutely necessary. Each is a life-saving measure; once used, one fewer remains."

He tossed Red Plum the three talismans.

Red Plum took them, storing them in the Demon Gourd, and said gratefully, "Rest assured, Master. Anyone who comes to cause trouble will become nourishment for the Demon Gourd."

Ge Qian made his preparations, circulating the "Mountain-Shifting Art" to its utmost. Power surged through him; a layer of black light formed a protective membrane around his body, his dantian’s energy vortex spinning.

The earthen-yellow shield thickened instantly. Limbs crackled as he flexed, then he leaped into the cold pool.

The water barely rippled as it engulfed him.

Upon entering the Cold Pool of Heavy Water, countless frigid energies began freezing Ge Qian’s shield, forming thick frost. In addition, crushing pressure like a mountain weighed upon him, as if to pulverize any who entered.

Despite his layers of defenses and a body as tough as a peerless artifact, Ge Qian couldn’t help but shiver.

Still, he managed to withstand the assault, cautiously descending. Visibility was barely a yard; he dared not extend his divine sense, lest it be shattered and frozen.

He sank to a depth of a hundred feet—his limit. At this point, his spiritual power was nearly exhausted, his stamina barely sufficient.

He quickly took a handful of Marrow-Cleansing Pills, swallowing them all. Suddenly, tender leaves appeared in his dantian, wrapping around the pills, refining their energy. Pure, concentrated spiritual liquid dripped into his energy vortex.

Ge Qian’s body trembled; his spiritual power replenished instantly, and he was revitalized.

Only Ge Qian could defy the heavens in this way. Any other cultivator would have to meditate for several hours to recover.

Ge Qian knew he was taking a risk; he couldn’t truly control the miraculous tender leaves, relying on their instincts. There was always a sense of unease—what if one day the leaves failed to appear, and he exploded from within?

With his power restored, the shield grew stronger. He descended another half a yard, blood seeping from the corners of his mouth. At this depth, each additional foot doubled the pressure— even Ge Qian’s formidable body could barely withstand it.

Now he understood why all cultivators shied away from this cold pool. Suddenly, a yard ahead, two white blossoms shrouded in cold mist caught his eye.

Eight petals bloomed—an exceptional specimen among September Ice Blossoms. Each petal, upon blooming, would transform into pure cold energy, dispersing in the pool.

Ge Qian scrutinized them, confirming they matched the records perfectly. Joy flooded his heart, but he knew he must employ extraordinary means; any further descent would mean instant death.