As with the core treasures of any sect, they must naturally be carried only by the top experts. Otherwise, if the bearer were to fall in battle, such a treasure would easily fall into enemy hands. No sect would ever overlook this possibility. After all, such treasures represent the sect's profound heritage and ultimate trump card. Unless absolutely necessary, they would never be lightly used.
It was said that the Ten Thousand Swords Gourd was extremely domineering. Sword cultivators could continuously pour sword energy and sword light into it, accumulating vast reserves. At a given moment, all of it could be released in a terrifying eruption. Moreover, the gourd could nurture the sword energy within, strengthening it over time and even allowing it to undergo massive transformations.
"Apparently, the Vajra Sect has also sent someone—an entire group of monks. One of them, a great monk, carries a Golden Bell on his back and is heading straight for the Suspended Ice Mountain. It's said that this bell is called the Indestructible Golden Bell, capable of both defense and offense. Its terrifying power lies in its resonating chimes that can shatter mountains and rivers. That monk is said to be a Buddhist cultivator comparable to the Dharma Phase Realm."
The news that monks bearing golden bells were heading for the Suspended Ice Mountain quickly spread.
Monks were no strangers to the human race. In fact, many people in Dayi had once been monks, though most had since returned to secular life. Dayi harbored a subtle rejection toward Buddhism and its clergy.
The doctrines of Buddhism were deemed harmful to the human spirit. Teachings such as "lay down the butcher's knife and instantly become a Buddha," or "suffer in this life for blessings in the next," were seen as corroding the will and bloodline of the human people. The notion of instant salvation by hiding in a monastery and declaring repentance was in direct defiance of Dayi's laws. Could such a person truly become a Buddha, while those innocents they slaughtered simply die in vain? This injustice was intolerable.
Hence, within the Dayi Dynasty, monks were not held in high regard. Ordinary citizens were not allowed to build temples freely, and worship was strictly regulated.
Many sects from the human race had joined the Icebreaking Alliance. Even though no formal alliance had been declared, it was clear that their sole purpose was to deal with the Ice Queen.
The Queen, of course, was aware of their gathering.
However, she made no move to intervene, allowing these powerful cultivators to continue to gather freely.
"The Myriad Beast King Court has made a move as well. From the Golden Behemoth Clan, an elder has taken the clan's treasure, the Heaven-Rending Claw, to join the alliance. That elder is said to be no less powerful than the Behemoth King himself. Standing on the ground, he is nearly invincible. With the Heaven-Rending Claw, he could tear dragons and phoenixes apart."
The actions of the Myriad Beast King Court drew immense attention. With even the Behemoths involved, other beastman tribes began to summon their own heritage-level experts.
The Minotaur Tribe sent out a top warrior bearing a massive totem pillar. The Elephant Men followed suit, with one elder carrying a miraculous banana treasure tree on his shoulder.
Although the number of participants wasn't large, every single one was a powerhouse, each carrying a powerful artifact. It was clear: in such a battle, ordinary warriors were of no use and might even become liabilities, falling easily in the chaotic slaughter.
At the royal palace of Dayi:
"Husband, are we truly not going to join this war?" Cai Yan asked, seated beside Yi Tianxing. "This alliance is massive. Many foreign tribes are bringing out their deepest foundations. If they succeed in killing the Ice Queen, they may turn their weapons toward Dayi next. Would they really let such an opportunity pass?"
Since Dayi had not joined the alliance, nearly all of the allied forces were already hostile toward Dayi. If the Ice Queen were defeated, Dayi might become the next target.
"No matter," Yi Tianxing said calmly. "Do they think Dayi can be shaken so easily? If they could threaten us, they would have attacked long ago. Even if they do succeed in killing the Ice Queen, how many of them would survive intact? And Dayi is no soft persimmon to be squeezed."
Though he acknowledged the risk, it was one he could manage.
"What now, then? Are we just going to watch from the sidelines?" Yao Yue asked curiously.
The Ice Queen had openly challenged the world. It was a bold declaration of war.
"No need. We'll just wait for the news," Yi Tianxing replied with a faint smile.
Let the wind and snow rage outside—he would remain unmoved, as steady as a mountain.
And so three more days passed.
On the night of the tenth day after the Ice Queen's declaration, a fierce battle erupted at the Suspended Ice Mountain.
A massive golden bell swung wildly atop the icy peaks, sending out resounding chimes. The terrifying sound waves caused tremors throughout the mountain, sending huge chunks of ice tumbling down. Golden light bathed the night sky, sweeping in all directions.
The sound of war horns, accompanied by wind and thunder, summoned gales as sharp as blades and lightning storms like falling rain, engulfing the entire mountain.
Countless sword lights tore through the void, forming dreadful vortexes that seemed capable of annihilating everything.
The savage sounds of battle echoed across the Suspended Ice Mountain. Even from ten thousand miles away, one could see the divine phenomena flooding the sky—so shocking that words failed. The battle lasted a full three hours.
In the end, a few divine lights desperately fled in all directions—each seemingly wishing they had more legs to run with.
The next day, news spread like wildfire.
"We lost. The Icebreaking Alliance attacked the Suspended Ice Mountain—and was utterly defeated. So many experts died. Every race suffered losses. It's said that once they entered the mountain, it was an easy path straight to the Ice Queen. But the moment battle began, some were frozen on the spot, others were shredded by sword light erupting from the Ice Throne."
"She's too strong. The Behemoth elder used the Heaven-Rending Claw, but couldn't even scratch the Frozen Throne. His golden blood painted the mountain red."
"The Winged Clan's chieftain made it back, but both his legs were severed. He had to abandon them while frozen, using his Thunder-Wind Horn to escape. His body is crippled."
"The Supreme Elder of the Spirit Sword Sect perished. His lifebound flying sword was shattered before the Ice Throne. Only the Ten Thousand Swords Gourd returned to the sect, now cracked and half-frozen."
"Three thousand strong entered that battlefield. Fewer than a hundred came back alive. Less than one in ten. And throughout the entire battle, the Ice Queen never even left her Frozen Throne. Some say the throne is a divine artifact birthed by the disaster itself, capable of both attack and defense, and able to freeze anything."
Rumors spread like a storm.
The scale of the defeat left surrounding factions utterly stunned.
Three thousand elite cultivators, many with powerful treasures, could not shake the Ice Queen. Some claimed she wasn't even injured. The power she unleashed far surpassed the Dharma Phase Realm, and her true depth remained unknown.
No one had expected such a disastrous outcome.
She had become like a goddess of winter, impossible to harm, impossible to reach—only to be revered from afar.
Of course, rumors were still just rumors. Only those who had truly entered the Suspended Ice Mountain knew the real details. The rest could only speculate based on fragmented information.
When the news reached Dayi, shock and awe swept the land.
Many felt an overwhelming sense of relief—thankfully, Dayi had not joined the alliance. Otherwise, they might have suffered heavy losses.
"What a terrifying Ice Queen. She truly had the strength to back her words. But if she thinks she can make Dayi submit—she's dreaming," Yi Tianxing murmured.
He could not help but feel a sense of urgency.
With such overwhelming power, she would not likely spare Dayi. There was less than twenty days before her proclaimed deadline. When the time came, she would surely turn her attention to them.
"I must break through," Yi Tianxing thought. "Only by elevating my cultivation can I face what's coming. The Ice Queen will not be easy to deal with."
His foundation was already solid. The only obstacle was his own will to ascend.
"But before I make that breakthrough, I need to test the Ice Queen's true depth..."