Though he had no idea why Bing Yun had suddenly brought up this old story, Yang Kai felt she must have her reasons, so he didn't interrupt, listening quietly instead.
"After that, I eventually reached a high level of Cultivation and founded Ice Heart Valley in the Northern Region. I took in some disciples, and the valley gradually grew, reaching the scale it is today. But I never forgot the debt I owed him. Three thousand years ago, I left Ice Heart Valley, swearing that even if I had to search the entire Star Domain, I would find him and repay the kindness he showed me back then. At the very least, I had to thank him in person!" Bing Yun smiled faintly. "Those of us who walk the path of Cultivation should repay a drop of kindness with a gushing spring — let alone a debt as great as saving one's life."
"Unfortunately, before I could conduct a proper search, I accidentally fell into the Void Tranquility Secret Realm. I was trapped there for three thousand years, unable to escape until I met you."
Hearing this, Yang Kai finally understood that Bing Yun had actually been sealed inside the Void Tranquility Secret Realm for a full three thousand years. The realization startled him. Without the ability to advance her Cultivation inside the secret realm, that meant she had already been a third-level Emperor Realm expert three thousand years ago. If not for being stranded in the Void Tranquility Secret Realm, who knew — she might have touched the level of Great Emperor by now.
"Finding that man has been my lifelong wish, so no matter where he is, I will keep searching until I find him!" Bing Yun said, her expression resolute.
Yang Kai asked, "Then what about Ice Heart Valley…"
Bing Yun smiled gently. "Ice Heart Valley was founded by my own hand, but I cannot guard it forever. If my disciples have the ability to keep it thriving, then all the better. If they don't, then I can only let it decline. There is no sect under heaven that stands forever, and no noble house that prospers for eternity. It is simply the cycle of life and death, the way of the Heavenly Dao."
Yang Kai nodded in agreement. "Senior's words make perfect sense."
Bing Yun continued, "When I left Ice Heart Valley back then, I still had some lingering worries. So before my departure, I left something behind in the sect. It was an Artifact I had refined using a secret technique. I told a few disciples that if the sect ever faced a catastrophic threat it could not handle, they could use that Artifact to send me a message, and I would return as quickly as possible."
As she spoke, Bing Yun drew a jade token from her Space Ring and held it up in her palm. "Just moments ago, I felt the fluctuation of that Artifact!"
Yang Kai focused his gaze and saw that the jade token was emitting a faint, flickering glow — appearing and disappearing like the light of a firefly.
His expression changed. "Ice Heart Valley faces a threat of annihilation?"
Bing Yun shook her head. "I'm not entirely sure, but the sudden appearance of so many Emperor Realm cultivators in Ice Wheel City is already deeply abnormal. It is highly likely connected to the crisis the sect is facing!"
"Then what would Senior like me to do?" Yang Kai asked, looking at her. Bing Yun had said all this and produced the jade token — she clearly wanted his help with something.
Bing Yun said, "I still need two or three more days to recover. I can't leave just yet. I'd like to ask you to go to Ice Heart Valley and investigate in secret — find out what exactly has happened inside."
Yang Kai didn't even hesitate. "That's no problem. Since Senior has asked, I'll go. It's just that your sect is one of the most prominent in the Northern Region — it won't be easy to get inside, will it? If I accidentally trigger some kind of restriction or formation, then with my current strength…"
If he actually tripped a restriction or formation, Yang Kai would be treated like a rat crossing the street — with everyone out to get him. Even without Bing Yun, Ice Heart Valley would still have no shortage of Emperor Realm cultivators. With fists against so many hands, escape would be far from guaranteed.
"Don't worry about that. Take this token of mine — no restriction or formation will be able to stop you." As she spoke, Bing Yun produced another token. It was pure white and flawless, as though carved from the most beautiful jade in the world, without a single blemish. Engraved upon it was a large character — "Yun" — presumably Bing Yun's name.
Yang Kai reached out and took it.
Bing Yun then handed him the glowing jade token as well. "Bring this with you. You can use it to sense the location of the Artifact I left behind. When I departed back then, I placed it in the forbidden area of Ice Heart Valley. It should still be there."
"I understand." Yang Kai nodded solemnly and tucked both jade tokens into his Space Ring.
"Take this as well!" Bing Yun suddenly pressed something into his hand with grave seriousness.
Yang Kai's eyes lit up. "An Emperor's Last Pill!"
He was all too familiar with this pearl-like object — it was unmistakably an Emperor's Last Pill. He had previously obtained one left by the Time Emperor in the Four Seasons Land, only to use it in the Thousand Leaf Sect's secret realm. With a single strike, the power of time had flooded the battlefield, sending a third-level Emperor Realm Corpse Puppet tumbling in disarray. He himself had seized that opportunity to advance to the third level of the Dao Source Realm.
An Emperor's Last Pill contained a sealed full-power strike from an Emperor Realm expert. Even ordinary Emperor Realm cultivators couldn't produce one — it required an expert of at least the second level of the Emperor Realm, expending enormous effort and time to refine.
Such treasures were typically gifted by Emperor Realm experts to their juniors as life-saving tools. No Emperor Realm cultivator refined more than a handful — three in a lifetime was considered the absolute limit, as refining too many would negatively impact one's own foundation.
Yang Kai hadn't expected Bing Yun to be so generous — she had simply handed him an Emperor's Last Pill for protection.
Bing Yun said, "This was refined shortly after I first reached the third level of the Emperor Realm. A secret technique of mine is sealed within. Use it wisely!"