Yin & Yang Pleasures of Cultivation

Darcel was full of confidence as he started to stimulate the Chaotic Energy within his soul space. 

Before coming to the Frozen Prison Domain, he and the girls performed some tests with Chaotic Energy. And upon repeated experiments, the trio realized they could actually gather their Chaotic Energy at a far faster rate than ever. 

Ever since they left the independent Mercenary realm, the trio didn't have a chance to have a proper fight again.

So as far in terms of their combat prowess, they could only make vague guesses. In terms of using their Qi energy and bloodline powers, things did get slower. Although, as they cultivate every day, it was slowly improving back to its once instantaneous rate.

But, it wasn't until now that the trio decided to see how well they could use Chaotic Energy now. 

And to their surprise, using Chaotic Energy felt far smoother. 

Specifically, within his soul's space, Darcel could feel the Chaotic Shard inside his soul's core activate whenever he wants to pull out Chaotic Energy. 

Now granted, Darcel wasn't entirely sure how much he could use in a proper fight. Nor did he know how powerful one attack from Chaotic Energy will be now. 

But he did find out he can combine Fruna's compass with Chaotic Energy. 

Precisely like the time he used it while in the Mercenary's independent realm, Darcel could easily detect treasures by his Chaotic Energy.

From both cultivation resources and Magical Energy treasures, Darcel could perceive it all. In fact, while practicing within Azog Ice Town, he detected countless powerful treasures just within the Mage's District. 

Darcel took a mental note of those treasures, keeping it in his mind for later when he and the girls become actual Mages. 

And in no time at all, Darcel smoothly combined a speck of Chaotic Energy with Fruna's compass.

A gray aura quickly covered the compass, prompting Aniela and Masami to cease their bickering and turned their attention over to him. They strolled right next to Darcel's side, eagerly anticipating the results.

Within only seconds, Darcel could perceive numerous powerful treasures all around the Frozen Prison Domain. 

Just from the general feel, it felt like there were even more treasures here than Azog Ice Town!

Darcel found it quite shocking since they were basically at the start of the Frozen Prison Domain. 

For a moment, Darcel considered if they should go out and take these powerful treasures. But at the exact moment he got the idea, he quickly pushed it down. 

With their current strength, there were simply too many unknown variables that can occur when attempting to seize a treasure.

Even though Darcel knows risks must be taken to grow powerful, he didn't want to get in over his head. When he, Aniela, and Masami grow more powerful, Darcel would feel far more assured wandering around here.

So, for now, Darcel focused on perceiving the Royal Mage Orb. 

Since he already had previous experience in Azog Ice Town, Darcel could actually sort out what was a Magical or cultivation treasure.

And upon doing the same process here, Darcel wrinkled his eyebrows. 

Out of all the treasure energy he perceived, there was only one of the Magical kind. And this Magical treasure had a very faint trance. 

If he follows this trail, Darcel is sure he will find the Magical treasure. The only concerning thought was the lack of any other Magical treasure energies. 

Considering this area's long history, Darcel couldn't help but find this suspicious.

Still, besides this Magical trail, he literally had no other options. Pushing down his cautions, for now, Darcel reopened his eyes and told the girls, 

"I have a trace. But….it's only a singular Magical trace. Since Siren Blade confirmed it before, this just has to be the orb. I have some concerns, but this is only our lead. Let's go and stick close together."

"Ehhh? Only one Magical treasure here? This is….more than suspicious. I'm sure that....no, actually, we all read that Mages had also experienced some success with treasures here?" Aniela promptly raised her concerns. 

"Meh, well, don't forget, those were all tales from years ago. Nobody really recorded anything recently. Or actually, those people just have no damn care to make recent updates. Either way, we have our lead; let's go!"

Masami simply focused on starting the journey rather than the suspicious. After all, even she realized nothing can be done unless they take the steps forward. 

Darcel and Aniela took a glance at the aggressively confident-looking fox girl before eventually nodding. They both understood her views quite well. 

Then, without any more words, the trio began their trek in the Frozen Prison Domain. 

Although, after walking only several meters in endless Ice ruins temples, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami all felt an even colder air shiver their bodies.

In that instance, black flames and blue flames danced within Aniela and Masami's eyes as they stimulated even more of their flaming essences.

A slight look of surprise was forming on Aniela's face as she muttered, "Seriously! It's like entering a whole new world! First, that ominous haunting spirit chill. And now, it's like we enter the depths of a frozen hell!" 

"Tch, whatever. Let's just sack it up and keep going." Masami had both of her warm and fuzzy fox tails wrapped around her waist as she spoke. 

Taking a look back at the girls, Darcel nodded his head once seeing them adjust to the sudden below zero freezing temperature.

As for Darcel, he similarly had to use an abundance of his flaming essence to deal with the cold. Additionally, Darcel forced past any remnants of cold air shivering his body, focusing entirely on the faint Magical treasure energy.

Without any further delays, Darcel began leading the girls on a specific trail. 

The trio cautiously walked through the Frozen Prison Domain, their eyes taking in every inch of their surroundings.

Now that they were up close, they could get a better image of the broken temples and buildings here. And as they expected, basically everything here appeared to be abandon for hundreds of years.

The crystal ice shine coating the buildings could only do so much to cover the deprecated remnants scattered around. 

When the trio narrowed their sights on some specific buildings, they could even see signs of fierce battles. Considering that numerous adventure groups come here to test their luck, it wasn't surprising to see leftover signs of collisions. 

Every footstep the trio took loudly reverberated in their general area. Things were eerily quiet in the Frozen Prison Domain. 

Trekking through seemingly eerie quiet areas wasn't anything new for Darcel, Aniela, and Masami. However, something about this place set its haunting vibe different from any other place the trio experienced.

All throughout their walks, the trio couldn't shake this nagging feeling that someone or something was watching. 

In response to this feeling, the trio vehemently expanded their Spirit Sense to their very limits.

However, nothing was detected by them. There wasn't even any flying beast soaring through the skies like that snow-white eagle. 

The longer they walked, the more assured the trio felt that it was the supposed haunting demon spirit watching them.

Truthfully, for hundreds of years, there hasn't really been any clear and concise evidence that factually proves the haunting demon spirit exists. After all, it's difficult to prove someone exists if they are already dead.

But fake or not, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami believed something was out there, and they needed to be at their utmost focus for anything. 

…. 

An hour soon passed. 

During this time, the trio just slightly picked up their pace. They already reached a few miles deep into the Frozen Prison Domain. 

And now, Darcel could more clearly perceive the Magical Energy treasure. At this rate, it won't be long before they end up finding it.

For a while now, Darcel had the thought to fly the rest of the way. There still hasn't been any sign of more flying beasts traveling in the air. Truly, it seemed like that snow-white eagle was just a chance encounter.

However, before Darcel could raise this question to the girls, he, Aniela, and Masami abruptly stopped. 

Once they finally reached a few miles in, the trio's Spirit Sense alerted them.

At the same time, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami snapped their gazes to the right, locking on to a specific ruined Ice temple. 

"Stop hiding already! Did you really think we wouldn't be able to detect you?" Masami loudly spoke without a hint of caution or fear. She actually felt relatively confident about the presence she's sensing. 

The confidence was shared with Darcel and Aniela. Compared to the enormous snow-white eagle, whoever this person was, gave only a slight sense of danger.

This person wasn't anywhere near as powerful as the snow-white eagle. 

But besides their power, what really caught the trio's attention was the fact this person didn't have any Qi energy or Qi aura.

Instead, they radiated a special kind of energy the trio could identify as Magical Power! This was a Mage! 

After experiencing that little test within the Siren Blood Mage group, Darcel, Aniela and Masami could at least clearly perceive the presence of Magical energy.

The trio wasn't aware of it, but within their dantians and soul's space, their half-formed Magical Cores gave them the ability to do so. 

"Ahhh….so it seems I've been found out already."

And like they were expecting, a man's voice sounded out, and a blue robe man came walking out of the ruined Ice temple. His hands were up in a non-aggression manner, and he had a small friendly smile gracing his lips. 

With this kind of look, this man already seemed to mean no harm. However, this didn't mean anything for the trio. 

In an instant, Darcel, Aniela, and Masami tensed their bodies, ready for the slightest sign of aggression.

With a calm gaze, the trio sized up this blue robe man. He looked ordinary in the face, but his blue robes had a unique design. It was obviously made out of high-quality materials, and streams of lightning bolts art ran down the robes.

Before either Darcel, Aniela, or Masami could ask another question, the blue robe man spoke again, 

"Been some time since a batch of cultivators came down this trail. But….aren't you three a little bit too weak?"