After Feng Yao left, Yun Xiao prepared to face the tribulation. Once again, it was an Upper Burying Heaven grade Calamity Source.

Another extreme challenge awaited him. But having succeeded before, his heart was steadier now.

"Others, when breaking through to the Second Baptism Realm, at most use an Upper Defying Heaven grade Calamity Source," Yun Xiao mused.

Yet, he had requested an Upper Burying Heaven grade Calamity Source—something only those in the Eighth Baptism Realm dared to use.

To the Ice Lineage Diva, of course, such a request was fitting for someone of his status as a Boundless Immortal.

If Yun Xiao couldn't bury the heavens, how could he be called a Boundless Immortal?

This precious Calamity Source was priceless. Yu Ji must have intended to use it herself. Yet, with just a single flying talisman from Yun Xiao, she sent it over immediately, showing her deep respect for him.

POP!

Yun Xiao gently opened the jade box, still carrying her fragrance.

Inside lay an ice-blue Calamity Source, shaped like an ice sword, exuding an intense, chilling yin energy.

In an instant, the surrounding temperature plummeted, and even the Extreme Yin Star seemed to grow colder.

"Deca-Yin Frost Fiend—a calamity of extreme yin. Not quite suitable for me, but it'll have to do," Yun Xiao mused.

Such a high-grade Calamity Source was rare even in the entire Extreme Yin Celestial Realm. Time was pressing; he couldn't afford to be choosy.

After all, in a place like the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm, which produced cold and yin attribute celestial energy, most were of this type.

"The power of the Three Lives Samsara Calamity is ethereal and solemn. If I integrate the Deca-Yin Frost Fiend Calamity, at the very least, my killing power in both swordsmanship and inscription magic will soar."

In short, this was a Calamity Source meant for killing. Yun Xiao imagined it might make his temperament lean toward coldness in the short term, but as long as he grew stronger, appearances didn't matter.

He took a deep breath. Then, without a moment's hesitation, he opened his mouth and swallowed the Deca-Yin Frost Fiend Calamity Source.

The act was as smooth as taking a sip of wine. It was a display of courage in facing the immortal path. The true self was the true self. At least in foundation, it was more ferocious than the body double or Blood Base.

Almost instantly after swallowing the Calamity Source, an ice-blue white mist surged over Yun Xiao's body, billowing fiercely.

Like a gust of icy wind sweeping through, Yun Xiao instantly transformed into an ice statue. Even his hair and Corona froze solid. His body lost all signs of life, becoming nothing more than a block of ice.

If the War Princess were here to witness this, she might have been scared to death.

This revealed the terrifying potency of an Upper Burying Heaven grade Calamity Source.

It seemed quiet on the outside, but inside Yun Xiao's body, a storm of annihilation was raging.

The Grand Assembly Arena was abuzz with excitement, drums and gongs echoing to the heavens, while this small ice cave plunged into eternal silence.

No one knew how much time had passed.

Suddenly, crackling sounds broke the stillness.

The human-shaped ice sculpture fractured, lines of fissures spreading across its surface.

From one of the cracks, Yun Xiao's eyes appeared, surging with frosty sword light. Then, a buzz echoed as the ice encasing his head shattered into dust, exploding outward. ṙÂ

His face emerged as if reborn after a tribulation—cold, heroic, exuding an extraordinary spirit.

His black hair whipped upward, each strand entwined with ice-blue threads of snow, dazzling to behold.

These ice-blue threads were the tribulation power of the Deca-Yin Frost Fiend Calamity!

A force that seemed beautiful but was, in truth, of utmost yin and coldness, born solely for destruction.

Even Yun Xiao's eyes were veiled with this icy mist. He lifted his gaze slightly, looking ahead. Wherever his eyes fell, frost and ice condensed.

Then, he stood up. The ice covering his body shattered completely. His near-perfect physique reappeared, blue frost swirling around him.

The twin calamities in his Dantian and Corona surged like a tidal wave of blue.

The powers of the Three Lives Samsara Calamity and Deca-Yin Frost Fiend Calamity had merged into one. Not only had they transformed Yun Xiao's tribulation power, but they had also altered the Primordial Sphere.

"Though I'm only at the Second Baptism Realm, the quality and destructiveness of my tribulation power are unmatched even in the Third Baptism Realm."

Truthfully, even this was an understatement! Yun Xiao possessed a Diva level quality of power. If not for being in the Second Baptism Realm, he could sweep across the Samsara Galaxy, killing at will.

For now, the 18 Stellar Rivers of the Samsara Galaxy were vast beyond measure.

"Though I've only roamed the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm for a couple of days, it feels like I haven't lifted a finger in centuries," Yun Xiao mused.

Born for battle, his hands itched after his breakthrough. Letting Feng Yao handle everything up front wasn't cutting it; he'd have to sweep across the realms himself to feel truly satisfied.

The Grand Assembly Arena—conquest and dominion—was his chance.

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Yun Xiao's eyes shimmered with icy tribulation power, his face impassive. He listened to the cacophony of chatter and laughter surrounding the Grand Assembly Arena, his desire for battle surging.

This was the focal point of the entire Samsara Galaxy.

Back in the Celestial Court, Yun Xiao had heard conversations of the Grand Assembly of Myriad Sects from behind the Taiji Gate. Now, he was finally here at the hottest spot where tens of thousands of geniuses gathered.

"Yun Xiao!"

As his battle intent peaked, Feng Yao's tall and graceful figure slipped into his accommodations.

"Ah..." She unexpectedly met Yun Xiao's innately icy gaze and jolted. A layer of frost formed over her chest, freezing her in place.

Yun Xiao's eyes now carried the power of ice, proof he'd refined another Upper Burying Heaven grade Calamity Source.

Feng Yao was accustomed to his peculiarities. So, she wasn't too shocked. But freezing her chest with a glance—what was that about?

"Where are you looking?!" she exclaimed, both embarrassed and annoyed.

"I'm only this tall, and I don't make a habit of looking up at people," Yun Xiao replied matter-of-factly.

"You're impossible!" Feng Yao rolled her eyes and turned away to gather herself. But as soon as she did, her waist and hips froze over.

"Didn't you say you don't make it a habit of looking up?" she said, biting her lip.

"I didn't look up."

"You...!"

Seeing her exasperation, Yun Xiao couldn't help but smile. He couldn't deny it—teasing her was one of life's great pleasures. He withdrew his icy gaze and asked, "Alright, did you need something?"

Feeling her body return to normal, Feng Yao huffed softly. "It's nothing major; it's been taken care of."

"Stop pretending—you definitely have something to say," Yun Xiao said.

He knew her too well; if there was nothing, she wouldn't be so hesitant.

Feng Yao felt a warm glow in her heart at how well he understood her. And Yun Xiao hadn't been using the Mortal Dust Devil Seed to peek into her thoughts lately, which made her feel respected.

She sat down beside him, bending gracefully. "Just now, the daughters of the Sea Lineage Diva received an invitation."

"Oh? And then?" Yun Xiao stood before her, staring at her enchanting face. As he spoke, he reached out and grabbed the pair of blood-red dragon horns atop her head. The horns were crystalline and delicate, pleasant to the touch.

"Hey! Let go, let go!" Feng Yao exclaimed, her entire body flushing as if she'd drunk too much, red to the point of steaming.

"Such a strong reaction?" Yun Xiao noted her difficulty in speaking, marveling at how exceptional she was. Having these dragon horns was one thing, but a tongue twice the length of a normal person's? That was irresistible.

"Who sent the invitation? What's next?" Yun Xiao brought the conversation back on track.

Feng Yao tried to steady her pounding heart; her voice still trembled. She didn't dare meet his gaze. "It's said to be from a force called the Southern Divine Dragon Realm. Their Young Dragon Lord is celebrating his birthday today and is hosting a banquet on the Heavenly Deity Star Street, inviting our nine participants from the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm."

"Southern Divine Dragon Realm? They're the main rivals of the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm, aren't they? The ones trying to seize the Harmony Divine Palace's spot in the Heavenly Deity Alliance. I've heard they're an extremely male-centric celestial sect, the opposite of the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm," Yun Xiao said calmly.

Of course, the Southern Divine Dragon Realm couldn't reproduce through the Divine Spring. Their world did have women, but the status of the women there was abysmally low, treated almost like livestock.

"Yes, that's them," Feng Yao replied.

"So this so-called birthday banquet is obviously a setup against us," Yun Xiao said.

"There's no fear of them making a move. The Grand Assembly of Myriad Sects has rules. The Heavenly Deity Star Street is a place where harming others is forbidden. Violators will be disqualified from participating and might even face imprisonment," Feng Yao explained.

"So, are the Sea Lineage Diva's daughters going?" Yun Xiao asked.

Feng Yao shook her head. "They're not that bored. They consulted the Sea Lineage Diva, who said that trying to make connections now is meaningless for the Extreme Yin Celestial Realm. No matter how we present ourselves, we can't change the world's perception of us. So we don't need to accept any invitations and should focus on preparing for the battles in the Grand Assembly Arena."

"Oh? Then I missed a chance to stir up trouble with our opponents," Yun Xiao laughed.

"Indeed!" Feng Yao blinked, then said softly, "But I'd like to give you that opportunity."

"What do you mean?" Yun Xiao was puzzled.

Feng Yao reached out, grasped his arm, and with a playful sparkle in her eyes, said, "I want to go shopping."

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