679: Origin of Abyssal Ice

Origin of Abyssal Ice

It didn't take long for him to come out of the house, carrying a few books and scrolls. He walked out slowly and as carefully as he could, trying to keep everything balanced. Entering the mansion, he entered a large dining room where Yuan and Ming Yue were waiting.  2

They were both seated, enjoying some tea and there was a third cup waiting for him as well. 

He sat down and placed everything on the table before spreading it all out. 

Both women watched him do so before Yuan stood up, putting a hand on her husband's shoulder as she walked by him. 

"Dear, I'm going to be in the kitchen, cooking dinner. The two of you can talk as much as you want."

She smiled and glanced over at Ming Yue before leaving the room. 

With just the two of them in the room, there was a rather awkward silence before he cleared his throat. 

"Ah, uh, where should we begin? What do you need to know about the Abyssal Ice?" he asked. 

Ming Yue didn't hesitate in her response. 

"Anything that can lead me to its location, whatever information that you have I would like."

Hearing this, there was a smile on his face before he opened one of the book enthusiastically. 

"Truthfully, there isn't much about Abyssal Ice but the knowledge that is available describes it as an item of pure Yin energy, There have only been a few cases where people have found it in the past few thousand years. It is said that Abyssal Ice is almost as thin as paper. And yet, its color is very deep and dark blue. Some say that despite the thickness, it is impossible to see through it. Rather it resembled the depths of the ocean, hence its name."

He moved to another book, flipping several pages before stopping and showing her the page. 

Ming Yue leaned in to look, holding the book. 

The page itself had no words but a rough drawing of what she could only believe to be Abyssal Ice. It looked like a splotch of ink, the edge of it was barely lighter than the center though that was how people would normally see it. 

However, the young woman felt that it was far more complex than that. There was depth to it, a darkness that she felt like she could fall into. Seconds later, she blinked, looking away from the drawing before facing Wo Long. 

"Senior, this drawing... who drew it?" she asked, giving it back to him. 

He turned it over, seeing it while answering. 

"This is one of the only records of Abyssal Ice. Hundreds of years ago, there was an expert of the Ice Dao looking for something to help him break through to the Heaven Realm. Whilst wandering the mountains, he chanced upon a frozen lake that seemed more like a pit leading down to darkness below. Noticing the raw power that came from it, he believed that it was the piece he was looking for. And so, he broke it, trying to obtain just a piece."

The old man spoke with a shine in his eye. He must've read this same story hundreds of times and yet, he still spoke with a sense of wonder and awe.

"Knowing that it was no normal ice, he struck with half his strength, enough to make the ground shake. But there was barely a crack on the surface. Seeing this, he gathered all his strength, pulled out his weapon, a spear, and stabbed into the ice. It was then that the ice cracked, spreading to the edge of the lake. It was then that he realized that it was actually a thin sheet of ice as he took a piece out. Beneath it is now what we know as the Mountain's Ink."

Ming Yue raised a brow. 

"That lake in the center? That was where the Abyssal Ice is?" 

He nodded before explaining.

"Unfortunately, when he broke the ice, what he didn't take melted away."

"Then... is there any chance that more could be found in the lake? Are there other places that may have it?" she asked him. 

Wo Long showed a mix of emotions on his face, sadness as well as helplessness.

"That's what I've been trying to find out for years. Among other things, Abyssal Ice has eluded me. It is naturally formed where Yin Energy collects and of the entire Xue Mountains, there's only one other point that is similar to the Mountain's Ink, maybe even greater. However, it is also the most dangerous area as well, teeing with monsters. Few dare to enter and even my wife has reservations about going there."

He then grabbed one of the scrolls, unfurling it to reveal a map of the mountains. There were two dots, one where the Mountain's Ink was and another further east, nearing the edge of the continent. 

"It's there? But that area is..."

Wo Long nodded, with an ominous look. 

"Yes, it is the territory of Frostflame Bears. They're terrifying beasts that could turn part of the continent into ice if allowed to. With white fur and towering at the height of two meters, their physical prowess is enough to dominate Earth Realm Cultivators. Sky Realm Cultivators would have plenty of trouble if they were to take on the beast's Frost Breath. Even a touch is enough to freeze a part of their body and if you aren't careful, they could freeze your meridians as well", he warned. 

And then, Yuan returned, carrying a tray that held several dishes. Behind her was an attendant who carried plates, spoons, and silver chopsticks. 

"That is why I told you to give up on it. It is simply too dangerous for someone like you. Many strong individuals have formed groups just to fight them, and few survived. I was part of one such group and I'd advise that you take a different path", said the elderly woman. 

She placed the dishes down while the attendant set down the plates and utensils. As they finished, Yuan handed the tray to the attendant before sitting down with the two. 

"Please, have some."

Ming Yue looked down grabbing the chopsticks and filling her plate.

Another attendant came by, setting down bowls full of food for Hei Yue and Xiao Yin. 

As everyone started to eat, Ming Yue went on to ask about the other option. 

"What about the Mountain's Ink? Is it possible to dive into the depths to see?" 

Just as Wo Long opened his mouth to speak, Yuan answered for him. 

"It is possible to dive down. After all, for those cultivating the Ice Dao, they must venture deeper to strengthen and temper themselves. But no one knows just how deep the lake goes. I, for one, have tried to see if there was a bottom but I never found it. As for Abyssal Ice, I did not find any when I was below there."

"This..."

Ming Yue was at a loss for words. Neither option seemed very feasible for her. She didn't cultivate the Ice Dao so going into the Mountain's Ink wouldn't work. What depth would she even be able to reach? On the other hand. if she were to encounter the Frostflame Bear, death was almost certain. 

"Is there another option?" she wondered to herself. 

The young woman was silent, thinking about her next move before Yuan broke her out of that state. 

"Save it for another day, you should eat first and take a step back. The answer may come to you then", she told her. 

Ming Yue nodded and started to eat, enjoying the taste of Yuan's cooking. During this, she furrowed her brows, realizing something. 

"How do you know all of this? Not even the Archives of Heaven's Gate has this knowledge."

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