While they were talking, a pale dark blue glow suddenly emerged from the Ice Pce''s inner chambers.


    The glow nearly blended with the thick snowfall surrounding them.


    Witnessing this sight, Victor and Violet Seth''s expressions showed a sh of awe.


    "That''s the radiance of the Icy ss Heart," Victor remarked with some jealousy.


    Violet Seth nodded, saying, "Such a stunning shade..."


    "Once the Pce Master seeds in absorbing the Icy ss Heart, he''ll definitely reach the Martial Saint Realm!" Victor dered with excitement.


    "When that happens, our Ice Pce will certainly be the world''s top sect!"


    Violet Seth murmured, "Victor, does the Icy ss Heart really possess such power?"


    Victor responded calmly, "The Icy ss Heart emerges once every tens of thousands of years, the supreme ruler of all cold energies. Its strength goes beyond what we canprehend."


    "The Pce Master mentioned that it was through the Icy ss Heart that he sessfully advanced from Grandmaster to Half-step Martial Sage while producing an incredible number of strong cultivators!"


    "As long as the Icy ss Heart can be properly absorbed, there''d be no issue advancing to Martial Saint!"


    Violet Seth added, "The Pce Master will definitely be the first to reach the Martial Saint Realm!"


    ...


    The following day.


    I touched down at a nearby airport.


    I concealed my presence and appeared just like any regr person.


    Then, I pulled out my phone and dialed Violet Seth.


    "Where are you?" I asked.


    "Turn around," Violet Seth answered through the phone.


    I spun around and spotted Violet Seth''s form.


    Violet Seth looked around and said with some surprise, "Did you travel here alone?"


    "What did you expect?" I responded, lifting an eyebrow.


    Violet Seth seemed pleased and quietly let her energy flow to examine my body for power levels.


    "No improvement whatsoever?" Violet Seth smirked as she sensed my abilities.


    From what she could tell by my aura, I hadn''t seemed to change much since our previous meeting. At best, I was at Peak Form of Military Marquis Realm.


    Would someone at this strength level dare venture to the Ice Pce solo? Wasn''t that suicide?


    "Listen, Mason Raymond, you need to remove the mark in my divine sense once you take me to the Ice Pce," Violet Seth said.


    I looked at her and smiled, "Fine, once I reach the Ice Pce, I''ll free you."


    "Then let''s not dy. Let''s head out now," Violet Seth pressed eagerly.


    I nced at her without speaking and followed her into a vehicle.


    The car raced northward. As the vehicle traveled deeper, the weather around them grew more harsh.


    Massive snowkes nearly obscured their view, and the fierce wind felt like razors slicing their skin.


    After driving several more kilometers, the car came to a halt.


    "The car can''t continue from here," Violet Seth said.


    I calmly inquired, "Do you people in the Ice Pce actually live in such conditions?"


    "What do you think?" Violet Seth rolled her eyes dismissively.


    I kept quiet. I walked behind Violet Seth, heading on foot toward the Ice Pce.


    Between the heavy snow and fierce wind, their progress was sluggish.


    "I''ve heard there''s a treasure in your Ice Pce called ''Icy ss Heart''. I''m curious if that''s urate," I suddenly inquired.


    Violet Seth''s frame shook slightly; she lifted her eyebrows and said, "So, you''vee for the Icy ss Heart?"


    I didn''t try to hide anything and nodded, "More or less."


    "With your skill level, you dare desire the Icy ss Heart? Don''t you realize that half-step Martial Sages who arrive here end up as corpses?" Violet Seth mocked.


    Brushing off her ridicule, I grinned and said, "It appears that it''s real."


    Violet Seth noticed this and scoffed, "You humans are truly insatiable. You''ll face consequences for your pride eventually."


    I remained silent. I kept following Violet Seth.


    Before long, a massive pce emerged faintly through the blizzard.


    I halted and squinted, studying the fortress.


    "Is that the Ice Pce?" I asked softly.


    "That''s right," Violet Seth confirmed.


    "I''ve brought you here already. Based on our deal, you have to remove the mark in my divine sense," Violet Seth insisted.


    I nced at her and said, "What''s the hurry? Stay calm. After I handle my business here, I''ll naturally free you."


    "You can''t break your promise!" Violet Seth grew worried!


    If I found out about her ns, wouldn''t she be finished?


    "Mason Raymond, be honorable and erase the mark in my divine sense!" Violet Seth frantically grabbed my arm.


    My brow creased, I seized Violet Seth''s arm and said coldly, "Don''t interfere with me, or I''ll end you!"


    Sensing the killing intent radiating from me, Violet Seth''s expression shifted slightly.


    Though she felt bitter, she didn''t dare speak further.


    I released Violet Seth. I extended my divine sense, covering the surrounding area.


    Soon, I detected several strong presences.


    And the most powerful one was deep within the Ice Pce.


    "A being beyond the half-step Martial Sage..." I whispered quietly.


    This presence was strange; it appeared to be somewhere between half-step Martial Sage and Martial Saint!


    "Could someone be on the verge of bing a Martial Saint?" I suddenly felt an ominous feeling.


    That energy definitely exceeded the half-step Martial Sage level!


    Just as I was thinking, four figures emerged through the snowstorm.


    "Hehe, arriving at the Ice Pce by yourself...Should I admire your boldness, orbel you an idiot?" a voice called from ahead.


    I narrowed my gaze and said quietly, "Four half-step Martial Sages?"


    "It''s not my fault! I warned you not toe, but you refused to listen. Don''t hold me responsible!" Violet Seth waved her hands frantically.


    I ignored her, and stared coldly at these four half-step Martial Sages.


    "We were just nning to search for you, but who knew you''d deliver yourself to us!" Victor moved forward and sneered.


    "Tsk tsk, a simple Peak Form of Military Marquis dares to visit our Ice Pce looking for death?"


    "Boy, surrender that mask, and we might think about keeping your corpse whole."


    I looked at them and said, "Same offer for you. Give up the Icy ss Heart, and I''ll think about sparing you."


    "Looking for death!" Victor instantly flew into rage. Without wasting words, he immediately materialized in front of me, directing his fist toward my head!


    I calmly lifted my hand to counter the strike.


    But at that instant, my sight suddenly went ck, and my power vanished immediately!


    "Bang!"


    I wasunched backward, and blood gushed from my mouth!


    "Hahaha!" Victor roared withughter seeing this.


    "With such pathetic skills, you dare mess with our Ice Pce?"


    I wiped the blood from my lip, swearing, "Damn it, the pill''s side effects are kicking in right now of all times..."