The Shang Nation, located in the central-southwestern region of East Loong Continent, was slightly larger in scale than the Xia Nation where Lin Feng had grown up, though not significantly stronger. It had once boasted a Sixth-Grade Sect, but over time, it had declined. Now, the strongest within its borders were only two Fifth-Grade Sects.
The Profound Ice Palace was one of these two Fifth-Grade Sects of the Shang Nation. Situated in the northern part of the country, within a region perpetually blanketed by ice and snow, rumors spoke of an extremely rare Ice Spirit Vein buried deep beneath the earth, responsible for the unnaturally frigid climate. The mountain gate of the Profound Ice Palace was built directly atop this Ice Spirit Vein.
Nearly every cultivation sect had a cultivation city under its jurisdiction nearby, often bearing the sect's name. The Profound Ice Palace was no exception – Profound Ice City was the Fourth-Grade cultivation city it administered.
The once bustling and lively Profound Ice City now appeared desolate. Apart from its permanent residents, few low-level cultivators from outside remained. The outsiders who dared to stay now were mostly those with considerable strength, essentially all at the Golden Core stage or above.
By a window on the second floor of a teahouse on one of the city's streets, a young man dressed in white robes sipped his spirit tea while casually observing the street below.
This person was none other than Lin Feng.
After departing from Starry Sea's Dragon Pool City, he had arrived at Profound Ice City in just seven days, scarcely delaying except for essential rest.
Upon reaching Profound Ice City, Lin Feng decided to rest overnight before visiting the Profound Ice Palace, as evening was approaching. Arriving at the palace after dark wouldn't be a suitable time for a visit.
Emerging from the teleportation array, Lin Feng had first sought out this teahouse to rest. On his way, he had noticed the city seemed unusually quiet, which puzzled him, though he hadn't paid it much mind. However, after sitting in the teahouse for a while and catching fragments of conversation from the few occupied tables nearby, his brow gradually furrowed.
Key phrases drifted to his ears: Profound Ice Palace, Purple Flame Sect, Legacy Treasure, War… A sense of unease stirred within him. When a waiter came to clear the table next to his, Lin Feng couldn't help but call out to him.
"What? Isn't Senior here to witness the conflict between the Profound Ice Palace and the Purple Flame Sect?" The waiter looked surprised, countering Lin Feng's question with one of his own.
Lin Feng's eyebrow arched slightly. He shook his head. "I'm passing through on urgent business. I haven't been following the local situation. Give me the details." As he spoke, he extended his hand, offering two mid-grade spirit stones.
The waiter, only at the early Foundation Establishment stage, saw the spirit stones and his eyes immediately lit up. He scrambled to take them, his smile widening obsequiously. "Many thanks, Senior! Of course, this humble one will tell Senior everything he knows!"
He paused briefly, as if organizing his thoughts, then launched into an explanation. "Senior must be unaware. A major conflict has erupted between the two Fifth-Grade Sects of our Shang Nation, the Profound Ice Palace and the Purple Flame Sect. It's been raging for over half a month now. It started with threats, escalated to skirmishes, and grows fiercer by the day. Just three days ago, even the Sect Leaders themselves clashed! It looks like it could soon erupt into a full-scale sect war."
Lin Feng frowned. "Why are the two sects fighting?"
"Ah, that… The main reason is the Purple Flame Sect covets the Profound Ice Palace's Legacy Treasure, and the Profound Ice Palace naturally refuses to hand it over. So, they fight." The waiter elaborated, "The incident began when a group of Profound Ice Palace disciples, training in a dangerous area, encountered the Purple Flame Sect's Young Master, Cheng Feiwu. The two sides fought over a spirit material, and both parties retreated injured. But Young Master Cheng had rotten luck. Later, he actually ran into another cultivator who held a grudge against him. The man used a vile method to severely injure him. By the time he was brought back to the Purple Flame Sect, he was barely clinging to life."
"Watching his son dying, and unable to immediately find a cure, the Purple Flame Sect Leader thought of the Profound Ice Palace's legacy treasure – the Profound Ice Immortal Casket. Rumors say this magic treasure is a replica of an ancient Immortal Artifact. Though a replica, it's still at the Dao Artifact level, possessing unique powers. It's said that as long as someone has a breath left, sealing them inside the casket can preserve their life. The Purple Flame Sect Leader wants to use this treasure to keep his son alive, buying time until he finds a cure."
"However, how could anyone demand a sect's legacy treasure so brazenly? Moreover, the Purple Flame Sect's attitude was aggressive from the start. They even blamed Cheng Feiwu's plight on the Profound Ice Palace, claiming that if their disciples hadn't injured him first, his enemy wouldn't have finished him off – that's pure sophistry! Naturally, the Profound Ice Palace wouldn't submit. There was barely any negotiation before things broke down."
"Initially, there were constant minor clashes. Then it escalated. Now, the Purple Flame Sect has almost mobilized its entire force, surrounding the Profound Ice Palace. They've even issued an ultimatum: surrender the Profound Ice Immortal Casket or face annihilation. If it weren't for the initial mediation efforts by several other sects and forces, a full war might have already erupted. But now, seeing that mediation is truly impossible, those factions, fearing the flames might spread to them, have all withdrawn to watch the spectacle."
"The longer this drags on, the more precarious Young Master Cheng's life becomes. The Purple Flame Sect Leader is nearly mad with desperation. A few days ago, he personally went to the Profound Ice Forest and killed the Level 5 Demon Beast, the Phoenix-Tailed Ice Roc, which the Profound Ice Palace used to guard their rear flank. Finally, the Profound Ice Palace's Sect Leader, Bai Honglin, couldn't bear it any longer and led his people out to fight. The two Sect Leaders clashed in hundreds of exchanges, both ultimately withdrawing injured, though I heard Sect Leader Bai suffered heavier wounds…"
"Now, the situation has almost reached a breaking point. Either the Profound Ice Palace yields and hands over the Profound Ice Immortal Casket, or the two sects engage in a war of annihilation…"
...
Emerging from the teahouse, Lin Feng's expression had turned somber. He hadn't expected to walk into such trouble. Should he still proceed with his original plan and visit the Profound Ice Palace now? Or should he wait on the sidelines until this matter was resolved?
Yet, judging by the waiter's account, the Profound Ice Palace's situation wasn't optimistic. What if they really did go to war and the Purple Flame Sect destroyed them?!
The mere thought sent a pang of anxiety through Lin Feng's heart. He thought urgently, "No… I must go to the Profound Ice Palace immediately!"
His mind made up, he turned and entered a nearby shop, purchasing a map jade slip of the Shang Nation. Then, he hurriedly left Profound Ice City. Once outside the city walls, he immediately summoned his flying sword and shot through the air towards the direction of the Profound Ice Palace.
...
This wasn't the Starry Sea. He didn't need to fear exposing his identity. Therefore, Lin Feng didn't even bother with disguise techniques or concealing his cultivation level. He traveled directly using his Crimson Soul Flying Sword. His escape light streaked across the sky like a meteor. In less than half a day, the Profound Ice Mountain Range, home to the Profound Ice Palace, appeared before his eyes.
As he neared the mountain gate and was considering where to land, a development forced him to stop abruptly – several divine senses swept over him, bold and unceremonious. A group of cultivators blocked his path ahead.
Lin Feng initially thought they might be Profound Ice Palace mountain-guarding disciples. But when he landed opposite them and saw their uniform deep purple magic robes, adorned with a purple flame emblem on the chest, he knew he was mistaken. Their appearance screamed Purple Flame Sect.
Lin Feng recalled the waiter's words about the Purple Flame Sect surrounding the Profound Ice Palace. It seemed that was indeed true.
The five Purple Flame Sect disciples opposite were also sizing Lin Feng up. The middle-aged cultivator leading them took a step forward, his face expressionless. "Who are you? What is your purpose here?"
Knowing they were from the Purple Flame Sect, Lin Feng felt not an ounce of goodwill towards them. Moreover, they were merely a few Golden Core cultivators. He had no patience for idle talk. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as his Nascent Soul pressure surged out, enveloping them. He snorted coldly, "You dare interrogate me?! Move aside!!"