Chapter 1011: Moon-Breaking Shadow Flick
As the Ice Phoenix bloodline entered his body, Yun Che felt as if an extremely pure and holy ice crystal had bloomed within him, radiating a cold and pristine radiance.
Compared to the Phoenix blood and Golden Crow blood, which had a very strong incinerating power, the Ice Phoenix blood was much quieter and gentler. It almost obediently followed the flow of Yun Che's profound energy, slowly traveling throughout his body like melting ice crystals, fusing bit by bit into his bloodline.
Yun Che opened his eyes, and a strange blue light flashed through them. Although it was only a single drop of Ice Phoenix source blood, he could clearly sense the change in his ice profound power.
He raised his palm, and a small ice ball condensed in his palm. Although it was still ice, compared to before, the ice ball in his hand seemed to possess life. Its aura and its radiance had undergone a qualitative change, just like his flames, now brimming with a strong divine path aura.
Without a doubt, having obtained the Ice Phoenix bloodline, his performance of the Ice God Divine Art — or rather, the Ice Phoenix God-Sealing Canon — would now be several times more powerful than before.
"Half a quarter of an hour."
Mu Xuanyin's icy voice sounded in Yun Che's ear.
Yun Che rose and said respectfully, "Thank you for the gift, Master."
"...Follow me."
Mu Xuanyin cast a glance at him, then turned around. Amid a blur of snow-white afterimages, she was already a hundred zhang away. Yun Che quickly followed.
The world was silent and soundless. There was only the endless falling snow and ice. There was no sign of human presence, nor any trace of other living beings. In a daze, Yun Che suddenly had a strange feeling... it seemed as if he and his Master were the only ones left in this world.
Yun Che followed Mu Xuanyin into the main hall.
It was not too surprising. Although the place before him was a "hall," its boundaries were nowhere in sight. Even the after-hall required guidance for profound energy circulation through the meridians.
She had just guided Yun Che's profound energy through one complete circulation... just once. And yet he had actually remembered every single detail without a single mistake. The momentary movement he had just executed took several breaths, was slow and clumsy in form, and left a deep ice shadow behind... but it was unmistakably the rudimentary form of Moon-Breaking Shadow Flick!
This was an ancient divine technique that none of the sect's elders or palace masters had been able to master in thousands or even tens of thousands of years. And yet he... relying only on the general formula she had given him and the profound energy circulation method she had demonstrated, had executed a clumsy but remarkably complete Moon-Breaking Shadow Flick.
In silence, deep within Mu Xuanyin's eyes, a hidden shock stirred. Her assessment and understanding of Yun Che underwent a great change. Previously, her impression of Yun Che had been basically limited to "Heavenly Poison Pearl" and "Evil God's Inheritance." At this moment, she realized with shock that, setting aside the Evil God's inheritance, Yun Che's own comprehension and his profound energy control ability were astonishingly high, to a degree that defied common sense.
History was repeating itself without anyone noticing. Back when Mo Li was teaching Yun Che, she had privately marveled at his incredible, almost incomprehensible learning ability. Now, Yun Che's second master after Mo Li found herself experiencing the same shock that Mo Li had felt back then.
Seeing that Mu Xuanyin remained silent for a long time, her icy countenance exuding a chilling aura, Yun Che thought she was disappointed. He said softly, "Master, just now... uh, that was just a small mistake made in haste. Give me one day's time, and I will surely satisfy you, Master. If not, I am willing to accept punishment."
"..." Mu Xuanyin turned around and said coldly, "It's good that you know. You still have a long way to go! Today, you will follow what I just taught and dedicate yourself to cultivating Moon-Breaking Shadow Flick. Do not be negligent. If there is still an ice shadow remaining after four hours... then you won't rest for the next three days!"
"Yes." Yun Che's face showed a slight grimace.
Having issued her strict order, Mu Xuanyin said nothing more and prepared to leave.
"Master!" Yun Che suddenly called out to stop her, then quickly took out the "congratulatory gift" brought by Yan Wancang and the other two: "This is from Sect Master Yan..."
"Didn't I say I was giving it to you!" Mu Xuanyin said coldly. "Hmph, wrapped inside is a Vermilion Bird jade. It is indeed invaluable. Keep it to play with!"
Vermilion Bird jade? I wonder if it's similar to Nine Suns jade? If so...
"Yes, Master." Yun Che said no more and carefully put it away. "Oh, and there is one more thing. Before the sect gathering, I happened to run into Senior Brother Hanyi. His Imperial Father's thousand-year birthday feast is in half a month. He asked me to invite you, Master, to attend."
"Hmph!" Mu Xuanyin did not turn her head, letting out an extremely cold snort. "A mere little nation lord, worthy of my presence? And... Che'er, remember this: Mu Hanyi has no right to be addressed by you as 'Senior Brother.' Do not make that mistake again."
With that, Mu Xuanyin's figure flickered and vanished before Yun Che's eyes like melting snowflakes.
"Phew!"
With Mu Xuanyin no longer by his side, the pressure on Yun Che's body and mind dropped sharply. He let out a long breath, then quickly focused his mind and devoted himself wholeheartedly to cultivating Moon-Breaking Shadow Flick.