After being chosen by the Ice Queen

...............

The door to the quiet room opened, and Su Wanqing walked out accompanied by Daoist Xuanming and Chief Chen, a faint glow still lingering around her.

"Senior Brother Gu..."

Commander Chen stepped forward: "Young Master Gu, Miss Su possesses the aura of a Holy Spirit and has been confirmed as an important relative of the Holy Maiden. She must immediately depart for the prefecture to receive further ceremonies and offerings from the Imperial Court and Longhu Mountain. This is a momentous occasion and in accordance with the laws of the Imperial Court. The Imperial Court will reward you for your meritorious service in escorting her. However, given the noble status of the Holy Maiden's relatives, her daily life and cultivation must adhere to regulations, and it may be inconvenient for her to have too much contact with unrelated people."

The words were tactful, but the meaning was clear: Su Wanqing and the others have been taken away, so Gu Yan, you should go back to where you came from, and at most you'll be given some reward money to get rid of them.

Gu Yan was silent for a moment: "Junior sister, this is your destiny and your responsibility. Go in peace. If you need me in the future, remember to use the token in your hand to find me."

Su Wan understood Gu Yan's meaning and nodded vigorously.

"Goodbye."

Su Wanqing boarded the prepared carriage, the curtains falling to block her view. Escorted by Commander Chen and his entourage, the carriage rumbled out of town, heading towards the unknown prefecture and Longhu Mountain.

Gu Yan walked to the entrance of the town, stopped, looked back at the town, and then looked at the faint outline of the mountains to the south.

Travel the world, searching for your way home.

Driving away snakes and swallowing pythons enhances one's strength.

The first stop was Cuiwei Ridge, home to the Blackwater King.

Gu Yan walked south along the mountain path. His figure flickered among the trees and forests, difficult for ordinary birds and beasts to detect.

He found a secluded cave, set up simple warning signs, and took out the thin blue shard to study with his divine sense.

"All things are impermanent, only time leaves its mark. Use your heart as a mirror to reflect the vast world, etch illusory images into your spirit, and cast mirages into your thoughts..."

It describes a method of spiritual visualization and the transformation between reality and illusion. It does not directly cultivate magical power, but focuses on tempering the mind and constructing a "mirage" in the sea of ​​consciousness where reality and illusion coexist, thereby nourishing the spirit.

Gu Yan was increasingly alarmed as he read on. The explanations of "illusion," "shadow," and "traces of time" in this technique were remarkably similar to those in the "Heart Source Meditation Method" he practiced.

The Mind Source Meditation Method is a foundational practice for practitioners, emphasizing "observing one's true nature and clarifying the source of life." It involves stabilizing the spirit and soul through quiet meditation, enhancing control over one's own power, and perceiving the flow of external energy. It is balanced and harmonious, a superior method for building a solid foundation.

The "Mirage Inscription Technique" goes to the other extreme. It's more like building a "mirage" on the solidified lake of the mind established by the "Mind Source Meditation Method." It actively constructs illusory scenes to nourish the soul and can even manipulate the perceptions of others.

Although the person who wrote the book seemed to have no ill intentions, the origin of this technique was unknown, and it even had some strange aspects.

"Let's wait until we return and consult Lin Xue before making any plans." Gu Yan suppressed his desire and put away the cyan sheet.

After resting, Gu Yan continued his journey. Three days later, following the approximate location described by Jin Bao, he arrived at the outskirts of Cuiwei Ridge.

Before me stretched rolling hills, lush forests, and a vibrant scene of life.

Gu Yan did not venture too far, but arrived at the meeting place he had agreed to meet with Jin Bao—a rock crevice half-hidden by vines outside the ridge.

He had barely stood still when a rustling sound came from deep within the crevice. Then, the pale golden velvet rat demon, Jinbao, cautiously poked its head out. Its large eyes lit up when it saw Gu Yan, and it stood up on its hind legs, folding its paws: "Immortal Master, you really came."

"Hmm." Gu Yan nodded. "How's the situation? Have you been able to pinpoint the exact location of the Blackwater King's lair, the surrounding guards, and his recent movements?"

"Don't worry, Immortal Master, Jinbao hasn't been idle these past few days." It turned around and made a few "squeaks" towards the crack in the rock.

Seven or eight common mountain rats of varying sizes and colors emerged from the cracks in the rocks, the nearby bushes, and the crevices in the mountain rocks. They gathered around, squatted quietly, and stared at Jinbao.

Jinbao squeaked a few more times. The other mice responded with soft chirps, one after another.

A moment later, "Immortal Master, I've found out. The Blackwater Demon's lair is in the Cold Mist Pool north of Falling Eagle Peak. There's a large cave hidden by vines by the pool, which is its dwelling. Usually, two large black-scaled snakes that are about to transform into demons guard the entrance, and several water monkeys that it has subdued patrol the pool. These past few days, the demon seems to have stayed at the bottom of the pool and hasn't come out much. An old turtle by the pool said that it seems to be refining a piece of cold iron essence that it stole from elsewhere, preparing to integrate it into its horn."

"You can actually control these rodents and communicate with other animals?"

Jinbao scratched its head, its tail swaying gently. "Reporting to the Immortal Master, this little demon is, after all, a proper demon who has gained intelligence and can speak human language. I'm considered an ancestor of those unintelligent members of my kind. There's a slight connection in my bloodline, so they're not that afraid of me. Simple communication is possible, but anything too complicated won't work. And it only works on ordinary rodents and a few timid small animals. It's useless against ferocious demons or those with high intelligence." It paused, then added, "I usually only use this ability to find tasty wild fruits and seeds and avoid danger. I never expected it could be of such help to the Immortal Master."

"Very good." Gu Yan rarely praised him. "Could you ask for more details, such as the specific route to the Cold Mist Pool, the gaps between guard shifts, the extent to which the Blackwater King has refined his skills, and when he might emerge from seclusion?"

"Please wait a moment, Immortal Master. I'll send my men to investigate again, keeping a close watch!" It turned around and squeaked at the group of rats. The rats quickly dispersed and disappeared among the grass, trees, and rocks.

While Jinbao was gathering intelligence, Gu Yan once again introspected and adjusted his state. A faint, yearning hum emanated from behind him, and the afterimage of Orochi stirred subtly. The Blackwater King, a serpent-dragon hybrid, was excellent nourishment.

About an hour later, the scattered mice returned one after another. Jinbao gathered the information and reported to Gu Yan: "Immortal Master, I've found out. The two guardian snakes change shifts every six hours, with a gap of about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea between shifts, during which only the water monkeys patrol. The cold air at the bottom of the pool has been getting stronger these past few days. The old turtle said that the evil demon's refining sounds are intermittent, so it's probably reached a critical point and should emerge from seclusion by tomorrow or the day after at the latest."

Gu Yan's eyes narrowed. Tonight was the time. He would strike when the guards were lax during the crucial stage of the refining process.

"Jinbao, you stay here to provide backup. You don't need to go to the pool," Gu Yan instructed. The battle that was about to begin was beyond the little monster's capabilities.

"Careful, Immortal Master!" Although Jinbao wanted to see its enemy brought to justice, it knew that going with it would only be a hindrance, so it obediently nodded. "That evil demon's horn can emit black water light, which is a tainted magic weapon. Its tail is very strong and can also spray poisonous mist."

Gu Yan noted it down and said no more. With a swift movement, he sped off towards Falling Eagle Peak.

Night fell over Cuiwei Ridge, a thin layer of white mist shrouding the Cold Mist Pool. The pool's water was pitch black, its depths unfathomable, emanating a chilling aura. A cave several meters high beside the pool was concealed by vines, and two thick, long black shadows could be seen coiled at its entrance—the two large, black-scaled serpents. Their auras were far more powerful than the previous dog demons, approaching the peak of demonic cultivation. Several water ghosts, their eyes glowing green and resembling monkeys or apes, listlessly patrolled the pool's edge.

Gu Yan lay in wait in the woods by the pool, silently calculating the time.

As midnight approached, another hissing sound came from inside the cave, and two large snakes took turns swimming out of the cave to meet the guards at the entrance.

The grayish-white blade flashed silently, like lightning tearing through the night.

【Candle Shadow - Obscured Light Slash】

After his advancement, Huiming possessed the [Demon Power Devouring] characteristic, which was particularly effective against demonic beasts. With a single strike, a black-scaled serpent locked in combat was sliced ​​in half at its seven-inch mark before it could react, spewing out blood and releasing its demonic energy, which was then greedily absorbed by Huiming's blade. Another serpent roared in shock and anger, its jaws agape, but Gu Yan's figure was already close like a ghost, his blade flashing upwards, precisely slicing through its vulnerable jaw.

He made a grasping motion with his left hand, and a wisp of pure Yin energy transformed into an invisible, chilling needle, shooting towards the several water monkeys that pounced on him. The water monkeys froze, and white frost instantly formed on their bodies.

In the blink of an eye, the threat at the cave entrance had vanished.

Without pausing, Gu Yan flashed into the cave. The cave passage wound downwards, damp and cold, with a pungent, fishy smell. Several lesser demons, sensing the commotion, rushed towards him, but Gu Yan killed them all with a single stroke, their demonic power becoming nourishment for Huiming.

The passage suddenly opened up into a vast underground cavern, at the center of which was a deep pool of water connected to the Cold Mist Pool outside. Piles of white bones and glittering ores lay along the pool's edge. At that moment, the pool water churned violently, and a massive black shadow slowly rose from the water.

It was a strange snake over five zhang long, its entire body covered in jet-black scales. Two fleshy bulges appeared on its neck, and a single spiraling black horn on its head shimmered with an eerie light. Its upper body was slightly raised, revealing part of its chest covered with sparse black scales, already showing some human-like features.

"Hiss—who dares to disturb this great king's peaceful cultivation?!"

The Blackwater King, a serpent-dragon hybrid, has firmly established himself at the threshold of becoming a humanoid demon. His demonic power is solid and surging, far surpassing that of the previous spirits. The pressure he exerts on Gu Yan is more than ten times greater than that of the dog demon!

Gu Yan gripped the Obscure Light tightly, and the energy of the Candlelight surged within his body. He could feel the unprecedentedly strong desire emanating from the remnant of the Eight-Headed Serpent within him.

Gu Yan took the initiative, his figure flashing like lightning, heading straight for the Blackwater King's vital point. The obscure blade flickered with gray-white light, carrying the intent to slay evil and a special attack against demons.

The Blackwater King roared, its thick, long snake tail sweeping across like a steel whip, bringing with it a fierce howl and a foul, poisonous mist. At the same time, a flash of black light appeared on its single horn, and a condensed black water arrow shot swiftly towards Gu Yan's face.