Yin & Yang Pleasures of Cultivation

Chapter 282: Frozen Prison Domain

High in the slightly gray-colored skies of the Icy Cloud Province, three masked figures were flying with great haste. 

No other creature or being was around these figures as they had chosen a secluded route to take for their destination.

These masked figures were Darcel, Aniela, and Masami. 

Since leaving Azog Ice Town, a day has passed. And for all this time, the trio didn't take any breaks while flying towards the Frozen Prison Domain.

With everything already prepared, they had zero reasons to delay their journey any further. They wanted to become Mages as soon as possible; wasting any time for pit stops or further planning would be useless.

And because of their fierce determination, the trio crossed thousands of miles in a mere day. 

For a while now, the scenery mainly stayed the same while flying towards the Frozen Prison Domain.

But when they were finally a few dozen miles from the Frozen Prison Domain, the trio witnessed several changes in scenery and the atmosphere. 

"Fuu.this place is always cold. But here? It's like a bone-piercing freeze!" Aniela loudly exclaimed, feeling an icy shiver rattling her whole body. 

Considering she is in the Innate Core realm, her physical body should have far better protection against environmental hazards. Additionally, she also has the black flame essence in her soul, which helps provide continuous warmth. 

As of now, any previous freezing area in the Plunged Tundra would be a simple breeze.

However, once finally near the Frozen Prison Domain, Aniela couldn't ignore this freezing chill. For the first time in a long while, she had to stimulate her black flaming essence to heat up her body.

"Not only a bone piercing freeze but also.I mean, just what is this? I know there's Ice all over the Province, but this is like the beginning to a frozen wonderland." 

Masami spoke her remarks next while also heating up her body with her fox flames. And as she commented, the scenery was slowly morphing into an endless Iceland. 

While in the skies, the trio could spot Ice particles flowing into the wind, appearing similar to drops of snow. There were also clouds made entirely out of Ice. Releasing from the Ice clouds were streams of Ice particles as well. 

And tossing their gazes to the ground, there was barely any sign of snow.

Nearly the whole ground transformed into a shiny blue crystal Ice. And there wasn't any split on this Ice, making everything appear as one long Icy road. 

Darcel was the only one who had the most subdued reaction. He calmly gazed around the scenery, attempting to note anything particularly out of place. 

Because of the legends surrounding this area, Darcel wanted to ensure they wouldn't get taken off guard by anything.

Even as his Spirit Sense can detect most things, it wasn't invincible. For a mythical demon spirit that is supposedly haunting this area, it wouldn't be surprising if there were things that can hide from his Spirit Sense.

However, despite his precautions, Darcel still didn't sense or see anything worthy of concern. He, just like the girls, only needed to stimulate his black flaming essence for protection against the cold.

And at that moment, he was just about to speak his own remarks. But right then, an ominous chill, colder than temperature, swept through him, Aniela and Masami. 

"This!" 

In that instance, Aniela and Masami quickly flashed right next to Darcel. Their minds were on high alert as they darted their eyes all around the skies. 

Without slowing their flying speeds, Aniela asked first, "That sensation.no mistake there. It's the haunting spirit!"

"It just has to be. No way in hell we should just ignore a chill like that! Something is around here." Masami readily agreed with Aniela, her eyes moving around like a hawk. 

If it was just any foreboding feeling, Aniela and Masami's reactions could be seen as exaggerated.

But Darcel could understand why they're acting this way. The last haunting feeling they experienced led them down a cruel road. Even as there were probably zero chances of escaping that road, the fact still stands none of them treated that ominous feeling seriously.

And even before the yellow-eyed woman, there was that Parasol Organization scientist who nearly ended up killing them. 

However, there was a critical difference between those ominous feelings and this apparent dreadful sensation.

In the brief moment that ominous chill swept through them, Darcel felt as if it came from the environment itself. This feeling wasn't anything instinctual but rather something that came from a source.

Darcel couldn't deny he was feeling the same amount of worry as the girls. However, he still kept calm and focus. To ease the girl's tension a bit, Darcel said, 

"It most likely is that spirit. But going off from recent info, nothing will outright attack us. Just make sure to keep a tight vigilance."

"Right." Aniela and Masami simultaneously nodded their heads. 

With their attention more sharper than ever, the trio increased their speed towards the Frozen Prison Domain.

The trio split the air apart, reaching the final stretch of miles within just a few minutes. 

Then, soon enough, a magnificent sight was revealed to the trio. Darcel, Aniela, and Masami's eyes briefly lit up, taking in the Iceland below them.

"Hue~, this Ice has such a beautiful crystal shine! Better than anything I've seen from this Province." Aniela praised as her eyes brightly sparkled. 

Just a few miles below them was what could only be called endless Ice ruin temples.

For what seemed like hundreds of miles was countless amounts of parts of ruined temples or temples that were surprisingly still intact. And throughout this whole area, everything was coated in a beautiful crystal shine.

Despite everything being remnants of tattered destruction, the crystal shine transformed it all into a sight for the ages. 

As the trio scanned around the area, Darcel was attempting to find any sign of life.

However, everything still seemed like a complete ghost town. 

Recalling what he knows about this place, it was said that there would be the occasional adventure group trying to test their luck here.

Seeing nobody was here now, Darcel felt like they were slightly lucky to be alone. At least this way, they won't have any distractions. 

But right when Darcel believed they would have a decent start, a sudden sense of crisis struck him.

"Hm?!" 

Darcel, Aniela, and Masami stopped flying, snapping their gazes right up in front of them. Their Spirit Senses detected an incredibly dangerous aura shooting right at them.

At the moment the trio sensed the dangerous aura, the wind immediately whipped up into chaotic furry. 

The air pressure rapidly increased to a point where the trio was starting to find it difficult to breathe.

Without any hesitation, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami simultaneously released nearly all of their base state energy. As a result, their powers surged, causing the air pressure to lessen. 

However, the danger they perceived from the aura didn't lessen at all.

"To the ground now!" 

Darcel didn't want to bother with pointless fights, directing the girls to dodge as well. And, of course, Aniela and Masami held no disagreement, already feeling on edge from the ominous chill from before.

In just a second, Darcel, Aniela and Masami turned into streaks of light as they shot off towards the ground. 

As they rapidly drew close to the ground, a massive shadow covered over the trio.

Darcel, Aniela, and Masami immediately tensed up. They didn't stop flying, but we're waiting for any sudden attack. However, nothing came blasting towards them. 

Within just a few seconds, the trio touched down on the ground. Upon landing, they promptly threw their gazes to the skies. 

Their eyes narrowed as they witnessed one of the most massive Spirit Monsters they ever saw in their lives. 

It was an enormous snow-white eagle that elegantly flowed through the skies. But, more important than its appearance, the trio took primary notice of its aura. 

"Fifth level Heavenly King!" They all subconsciously muttered. 

The first being they met in quite a while, and it's already something they wouldn't be able to face in a head-on collision. 

Thankfully, the beast seemed to not have paid any attention to the trio. It continued to fly right over them, quickly disappearing into crystal Ice clouds. 

"Tch! Hopefully, this isn't telling for what's to come in this haunted domain." Masami remarked while never taking her eyes off the enormous snow-white eagle. 

"Well, at least it seemed less hostile than all the other wild beasts we encountered. Moreover." Aniela began glancing her eyes around where they landed.

They were actually on the outskirts of the Frozen Prison Domain. And still, she didn't see anyone around. 

Feeling a little bit of tension leave her body, Aniela continued to say, "We really chose a great day to come! Nobody here? We can just swiftly come in and out of here." 

"Indeed. Now come on, let's just walk from here on out. Just in case any other beast comes from the skies."

Darcel spoke next. He was about to continue into the Frozen Prison Domain when Masami had suddenly tugged on his sleeve. 

Her expression was questioning as she asked, "So how should we use Fruna's compass? I know you said you would just take the lead but, I feel like my Chaotic Energy could get this whatever mage orb too." 

"The Royal Orb Sami. And Darcy, I'm sure my Chaotic Energy could do it. It's been some time since I took the lead!"

Aniela immediately spoke up, feeling a slightly competitive spirit rise up within her. 

In response, Masami glared and snorted at her, saying, "It's always either you two leading! Well, mostly Darcel, but still! I want to-"

"Next time Masami, you can take the lead. But for now, I want this to be done fast, and I have the most experience with sensing Magic out of all of us."

Darcel interrupted Masami while taking out Fruna's compass. 

Aniela and Masami wanted to argue further, but against Darcel, they naturally felt weak to his words.

In an attempt to keep face, Masami crossed her arms, acting like she doesn't care, saying, "Hmph. At least I will be next then." 

For a brief moment, a mischievous light crossed Aniela's eyes when seeing the slight victorious smirk on Masami's.

But she quickly remembers their situation and suppressed herself. Although she couldn't stop herself from saying, "Hmmm~ ok~. Little Sami does need her attention."

"Tch! Like you're any different from me. You just like to keep up that calm facade to entice him!" 

"Hue~? Do I? I'm just using my natural charms like always, though?"

As the girls fell into their banter, Darcel wryly smiled before focusing on Fruna's compass. Then, with a thought, he began revolving his Chaotic Energy, directing it towards Fruna's compass.