Chapter 1526: 83 Into the Abyss_3

Chapter 1526: Chapter 83 Into the Abyss_3

You Ping hesitated for a moment, recalling how he had been saved by the other party, and considering the man’s identity as a Jin Cultivator, he finally nodded and said:

“Tan Yue is indeed astute.”

The Ice Daoist maintained his usual indifferent expression, but as he looked towards You Ping, he sincerely requested:

“I must then ask Master You Ping to lend this humble one a helping hand.”

You Ping had already guessed what the Ice Daoist was considering and chuckled:

“No need for further words from Tan Yue, I will make the arrangements for you. However, Martial Uncle Zhao Jie is…somewhat stubborn and might not readily consent…to meet with Tan Yue.”

He pointed to the chessboard below.

The Ice Daoist glanced at the situation on the chessboard and gently set down his chess piece, shaking his head slightly:

“There’s no need, it has already ended.”

You Ping was taken aback and couldn’t help but look down at the chessboard. He inspected it three times before he finally grasped the subtle point.

His face revealed an expression of resignation as he set down his white piece, sighing repeatedly:

“Tan Yue has made me realize my shortcomings. Though Tan Yue’s chess strategy may lack conventional methods, it directly targets the critical points. Without moves yet victorious over those with moves, harboring peace yet filled with threats, as thoughts emerge, heaven and earth are overturned. I am far inferior, far indeed!”

The Ice Daoist’s expression remained calm.

His mind was pure and cool to the point of detachment, free of any disarraying thoughts, therefore he could act without restraint, unhindered in his expression, even though he was not adept at the subtle art of chess. But You Ping was the same, how could he be a match for the Ice Daoist.

After reflecting for a while, You Ping did not waste time and went personally to the vicinity of the Northern Ice Abyss.

When You Ping returned, he brought somewhat good news to the Ice Daoist:

“Martial Uncle Zhao Jie, remembering Tan Yue’s rescue, has agreed to meet with Tan Yue. Tan Yue can prepare, I will take you to him.”

The Ice Daoist was very straightforward:

“No preparation needed, let us go now.”

You Ping hesitated, then reminded from the side:

“Martial Uncle Zhao Jie is straightforward and fervent, but is also somewhat lacking in patience. If we cannot persuade him this time, I’m afraid afterwards…”

The Ice Daoist simply replied:

“Thank you for the guidance, Master.”

Seeing that the Ice Daoist seemed full of confidence, You Ping could only helplessly sigh:

“Very well, Tan Yue, please follow me.”

With that, he led the Ice Daoist away from the Underground Ice Temple.

The Underground Ice Temple was not far from the Northern Ice Abyss, thus it didn’t take long for the two to reach the vicinity of the Northern Ice Abyss.

Even though You Ping was a Nascent Soul Cultivator, the chill within the Northern Ice Abyss was more than he could bear, so he had to stop at a distance from the Ice Abyss.

He wanted to accompany the Ice Daoist further, but the Ice Daoist stopped him, forcing You Ping to retreat even further.

Inside the Ice Abyss, sensing the arrival of the two, the figure of a bare-chested monk slowly took form in midair.

Seeing You Ping forced to retreat, the bare-chested old monk couldn’t help but shake his head:

“All is void, after so much cultivation you still haven’t penetrated the essence of ‘form is emptiness’ and continue to be burdened by this ice disaster.”

You Ping, even though mustering all his mana to protect himself, was still white all over and shaking from cold.

Upon hearing this, he couldn’t even speak, only bringing his hands together in a prayer gesture, with a trace of shame crossing his eyes.

The Ice Daoist saw this scene and with a wave of his hand, the cold currents around You Ping immediately flowed into him.

You Ping instantly felt much better, and the frost on his body melted away.

However, the bare-chested old monk couldn’t help but frown and said:

“You’ve helped him temporarily, but you can’t help him for a lifetime. This path of self-enlightenment cannot truly be aided by another.”

The Ice Daoist maintained his cold demeanor, unfazed by the opponent being of the Immortal Ascension Realm, and indifferently replied:

“If nobody can help, then why speak of ‘Taoist Friend’? Taoist Friends are those who seek the Dao together. You lend me a hand, I help you advance, that’s all there is to it.”

Upon hearing these words, the bare-chested old monk was briefly taken aback, his brow furrowed, but ultimately he said no more.

And the revitalized You Ping, with a hint of warmth in his eyes, gave the Ice Daoist a bow with his hands together:

“Thank you, Tan Yue, for lending a hand.”

The Ice Daoist merely shook his head.

The bare-chested old monk then turned his attention to the Ice Daoist, sizing him up seriously, and finally said:

“Listening to You Ping, you wish to cultivate within this Ice Abyss?”

The Ice Daoist nodded and said:

“Exactly so, I request Master Zhao Jie’s permission.”

Upon hearing this, the bare-chested old monk ‘Zhao Jie’s’ expression became contemplative, his emotions unreadable, as he spoke in a low voice:

“You saved You Ping, karmic reward is due, I should allow you in. However, this place is where the Venerate resides, who once saved us all… Your deed of saving You Ping, I wish to repay separately.”

The Ice Daoist was unmoved and responded lightly:

“Master is mistaken. When I saved Master You Ping, it was out of true compassion for the deeds of Master Ci Wu and the great virtues of our predecessors, not for the rewards you speak of.”

“Moreover, how can saving lives be judged by quantity or ranked by importance?”

“If I save one person, I also save ten; one is emptiness, and ten are emptiness. Since all is void, although there is a difference in Cultivation Realm between me and the Venerate, what difference is there in our actions? Master distinguishes by this, showing you have not yet truly comprehended the Dao of ‘form is emptiness’.”

“This…”

Upon hearing the Ice Daoist’s words, You Ping’s face showed an anxious look.

This Jin Cultivator was really saying whatever unpleasant truth there was!

Although the logic was right, it was not palatable.

Seeing Martial Uncle Zhao Jie’s face darken, he hastily tried to smooth things over, shaking both from cold and apprehension: