The Ice Heart Sect

Time passed.

Evening arrived.

In the Ancient Martial World, within the Ice Heart Sect...

Hum!

As the teleportation array shimmered, Leng Bingning's figure appeared in this place.

Perched on her shoulder was Gu Yan's avatar—a black raven.

At this moment, Gu Yan had already concealed his aura using special means, so even if someone spoke face-to-face with Leng Bingning, they wouldn’t be able to detect his presence.

The moment they entered the Ice Heart Sect, Leng Bingning sensed something amiss.

Gu Yan also remarked with a hint of intrigue, "There are energy fluctuations from another sect... It’s the White Phoenix Manor."

The White Phoenix Manor was one of the upper-tier sects in the Ancient Martial World.

Its leader, Bai Lin, was a mid-stage Grandmaster and had once been an ally of the Thunder Sect.

However... ever since the Thunder Sect’s leader, Lei Tian, died, the White Phoenix Manor had launched a sect annexation war against them.

The two warriors Leng Bingning had killed earlier were also from the White Phoenix Manor.

Now that they were here... it seemed...

"They’re here for you," Gu Yan said, glancing at Leng Bingning.

Her expression remained unchanged as she replied indifferently, "The White Phoenix Manor was also one of the forces that besieged the Leng Family back then."

"If they hadn’t come for me, I would have annihilated them sooner or later."

With that, she strode forward once more—her destination, the sect’s grand hall!

Hah, as expected of my formidable aunt.

Gu Yan chuckled inwardly. Since that’s the case, I’ll just add fuel to the fire.

The next second, he sent an order to Stone and the others in the Ancient Martial World:

[All members, annihilate the White Phoenix Manor.]

In an instant, the members of the Night Organization scattered across the Ancient Martial World froze in place.

"The master’s new order! Destroy the White Phoenix Manor!"

"Annihilate the White Phoenix Manor! Now!"

"Stop everything else—head to the White Phoenix Manor immediately!"

"Yes!"

Swish, swish, swish—

Countless dark figures vanished, leaving behind bewildered survivors who exchanged glances with their companions.

What had they just heard?

The White Phoenix Manor?

Had the White Phoenix Manor just saved their lives?

......

......

Inside the grand hall of the Ice Heart Sect...

"Hmph! Yu Mengbai, our White Phoenix Manor and your Ice Heart Sect have always kept to our own territories. So how do you explain what your precious disciple Leng Bingning has done?"

"The Ancient Martial World has always been a place where the strong prey on the weak. What business did she have interfering with our annexation of the Thunder Sect?"

"Now, my son is dead. Though his soul remains intact, do you know how rare the materials needed to craft a new body are? The Soulbinding Grass hasn’t been found in millennia! In what way is my son’s state any different from death?"

"Yu Mengbai, if you don’t give me an explanation, I swear I won’t let the Ice Heart Sect off easily!"

Bai Lin, leader of the White Phoenix Manor, stood in the grand hall, his voice icy as he berated the woman seated above him—a figure with crystalline hair and closed eyes.

This woman was none other than the Ice Heart Sect’s leader... Yu Mengbai!

A mid-stage Grandmaster, just one step away from mastering the Ice Heart Scripture to perfection!

After listening to his tirade, Yu Mengbai slowly opened her eyes and spoke, "Since things have come to this, what does Sect Leader Bai propose?"

Bai Lin sneered. "Hmph! I want Leng Bingning to pay with her life—a life for a life! I want her dead!"

The moment these words left his mouth, Yu Mengbai’s brows furrowed, and she coldly refused, "Impossible."

"Impossible? Fine! Then prepare for war between the White Phoenix Manor and the Ice Heart Sect!"

"Right now, the entire Ancient Martial World is embroiled in chaos because of the Night King’s actions. I’m sure your sect’s ‘pure and aloof’ fairies have long been coveted by many!"

"You’d better think carefully!"

Bai Lin’s face twisted with fury as he roared.

Following his outburst, the White Phoenix Manor disciples began hurling taunts.

"What’s with those ugly expressions? Is there anything wrong with our leader’s words? Stop acting so high and mighty!"

"Hah, exactly! I’ve long heard of Leng Bingning’s peerless beauty. Once we take over, we’ll make sure to savor her properly!"

Hearing such shameless remarks, the Ice Heart Sect disciples drew their swords in outrage.

"Disgusting!"

"You White Phoenix Manor scum have gone too far!"

"Bai Lin, you call yourself a Grandmaster, yet you speak like a common thug!"

The moment these words were uttered—

"You dare?!"

The dignity of a Grandmaster could not be insulted!

A murderous glint flashed in Bai Lin’s eyes.

Boom!

A surge of energy erupted, crashing toward the offending disciple.

If struck, the disciple would be obliterated on the spot!

Yu Mengbai’s gaze sharpened. With a flick of her wrist, she released her own energy to intercept.

Boom!

The two forces collided, exploding into a violent shockwave that rippled through the hall.

Having done this, Yu Mengbai rose to her feet, her voice frosty as she addressed Bai Lin below.

"Sect Leader Bai, are you truly intent on war?"

Bai Lin smirked. "My Li’er is dead. Either Leng Bingning dies, or we go to war!"

Yet—

Before Yu Mengbai could respond—

"Heh."

A chilling laugh, laden with boundless killing intent, echoed from outside.

In the next instant, the temperature inside the hall plummeted.

Crack—!

Ice crystals spread across the floor and walls in the blink of an eye.

At the same time, the White Phoenix Manor disciples gasped in horror as they stared at their own bodies.

"L-Leader! Our bodies...!"

"Leader, save us!"

"Leader...!"

This was... the Ice Heart Scripture?!

Bai Lin’s pupils constricted. His face twisted with fury as he whirled toward the hall’s entrance and bellowed, "Leng Bingning, how dare you?!"

The response he received was a voice colder than the deepest winter.

"Why wouldn’t I dare?"

Bang!

With those words, the White Phoenix Manor disciples froze solid—then shattered into countless shards of ice.

"Senior Sister!"

"Senior Sister is back!"

"Senior Sister!"

Yu Mengbai watched as Leng Bingning stood at the entrance, effortlessly annihilating the White Phoenix Manor disciples with a mere gesture.

A wry smile tugged at her lips.

Now... war was inevitable.

Leng Bingning strode forward, her expression as cold as ice.

She looked at Bai Lin, who stood in the center of the hall, his face flushed with rage, his chest heaving violently.

Calmly, she stated, "I was the one who killed your men."

"If you want war, then let there be war."

"Y-You... Fine! Fine!"

Bai Lin was so enraged he could barely think straight.

He glared at Leng Bingning, then at Yu Mengbai on the dais, and nodded slowly.

"Fine. The Ice Heart Sect is truly something else!"

"In that case—"

"Prepare for the flames of war to consume this place!"

With that, he brushed past Leng Bingning and stormed out of the hall.

Watching his retreating figure—

Hum!

Leng Bingning gathered frost energy in her palm, her gaze icy as she stared at his back.

She had no fear of Bai Lin, but... if she struck now, the other Ice Heart Sect disciples would inevitably be caught in the crossfire.

Forget it.

Gu Yan, however, saw through her thoughts and chuckled.

"No rush. The moment he steps foot back in the White Phoenix Manor, he won’t last a second."

Truly, the sister of Qingqiu.

Her decisiveness was admirable.

Hearing this, Leng Bingning dispersed her energy, her expression softening slightly.

Hmph, not bad for a brother-in-law.

"Senior Sister!"

"Senior Sister, waaah!"

"Senior Sister, we were so scared!"

The incident was over.

A group of disciples crowded around.

The Ice Heart Sect's cultivation techniques were unique, so they only accepted female disciples.

As the Holy Maiden of the Ice Heart Sect, Leng Bingning held extremely high prestige.

"It's alright now, everyone."

Leng Bingning comforted them one by one. In her eyes, these disciples were like younger sisters to her.

At that moment, Yu Mengbai approached. She looked at Leng Bingning, her voice calm but laced with concern: "The Bai Feng Manor is about to go to war."

"You’ve just returned—go back and rest properly..."

As she spoke, Yu Mengbai noticed the little girl Leng Bingning was holding. "And this is?"

Leng Bingning glanced first at the raven perched on her shoulder.

Noticing her gaze, the bird tilted its head curiously.

Oh?

So they really can’t see Gu Yan?

Heh, interesting.

With that thought, Leng Bingning replied, "Master, this is a girl I rescued from Bai Feng Manor."

"I’d like to keep her."

Hearing this, Yu Mengbai understood the situation completely.

She nodded. "I see."

Then, she placed a hand on the girl’s head to examine her.

Confirming that the child was unharmed,

she smiled at Leng Bingning and said, "In that case, you’ll be responsible for guiding her cultivation."

Leng Bingning clasped her hands in acknowledgment. "Understood."