The Ice Body Palace's private cultivation chamber was carved from a single massive ice crystal that had never known warmth, its walls inscribed with formations that concentrated absolute cold energy for advanced constitutional rebuilding. Xue Wuming had invited Wei Liang and Zhang Wuji to observe his bloodline inheritance techniques, unaware that his generous sharing was providing detailed intelligence for his eventual consumption.
"The Ancient Ice Dragon bloodline operates through fundamental principle integration rather than simple elemental manipulation," Xue Wuming explained as frost patterns danced around his form. "My constitutional rebuilding has progressed to the point where I embody winter itself rather than merely controlling cold qi."
Fascinating methodology, Wei Liang observed, memorizing every detail of Xue Wuming's technique demonstration. Bloodline inheritance that reconstructs the practitioner's essential nature to match mythological archetypes. The Ancient Ice Dragon legacy has achieved remarkable constitutional integration.
Zhang Wuji documented the explanation with academic enthusiasm, his notes capturing theoretical frameworks that could revolutionize cultivation understanding. "Young Master Xue, your bloodline techniques suggest that constitutional rebuilding can transcend normal physical limitations entirely. How does one achieve such fundamental transformation?"
Continue gathering intelligence, Scholar Zhang, Wei Liang thought approvingly. Every insight about bloodline inheritance increases both our understanding and Xue Wuming's value as a consumption target.
"The process requires abandoning human limitations," Xue Wuming replied, his constitutional abilities creating visible changes in the chamber's atmospheric conditions. "Traditional cultivation enhances existing capabilities, but true bloodline inheritance rebuilds the practitioner from foundational principles upward."
Perfect alignment with demonic body cultivation methodology, Wei Liang realized. His techniques operate through constitutional reconstruction rather than mere enhancement. The Ancient Ice Dragon inheritance would integrate excellently with my advancement toward higher demonic body rankings.
As Xue Wuming's demonstration progressed, Wei Liang observed how the bloodline techniques created effects that defied normal cultivation principles. The young man wasn't manipulating ice qi—he was generating absolute cold through his mere existence, his constitutional rebuilding having transformed him into a living manifestation of winter itself.
Ancient Ice Dragon Ascension—Primordial Winter Avatar!
Xue Wuming's form began changing as his ultimate technique activated, his human appearance giving way to something that embodied archetypal winter. Skin became translucent ice that pulsed with inner light, eyes transformed into frozen stars that reflected infinite depth, while his presence created environmental changes that turned the already cold chamber into a fragment of primordial winter.
Remarkable constitutional achievement, Wei Liang acknowledged as the temperature dropped beyond normal measurement. He's achieved true transformation rather than simple enhancement. This level of bloodline integration represents centuries of accumulated inheritance refinement.
However, the demonstration was interrupted when urgent footsteps echoed through the palace corridors. Bai Lianhua burst into the cultivation chamber, her usual composure replaced by obvious alarm.
"Young Master Xue!" she announced breathlessly. "Emergency message from the Central Command. The Golden Mountain Sect has formed an alliance with the Celestial Body Sect! They're demanding the Ice Body Palace surrender the foreigners who killed their heirs!"
Consequences from previous harvesting, Wei Liang noted with mild interest. The young masters' families have decided on coordinated retaliation rather than individual revenge. More efficient for my purposes—multiple high-value targets gathering in one location.
Xue Wuming's expression showed surprise mixed with obvious concern. "Alliance between Golden Mountain and Celestial Body? That represents significant military pressure. What specific demands are they making?"
"Complete surrender of Senior Death and Scholar Zhang for public execution," Bai Lianhua replied, her voice tight with tension. "They've also demanded compensation for the 'insult' to their family honors. Refusal means war against combined sect forces."
Perfect escalation, Wei Liang thought with predatory satisfaction. Rather than hunting individual targets across multiple regions, they're forcing confrontation that will bring high-level practitioners directly to me.
Zhang Wuji looked alarmed by the political implications. "Senior Wei, perhaps we should consider departing the Azure Dragon Realm? Facing combined sect forces could complicate our research objectives."
Unnecessary concern, Wei Liang concluded. Combined opposition provides opportunity for mass harvesting rather than individual target selection. The sects' alliance will make conquest more efficient.
"Young Master Xue," Wei Liang said calmly, "what is the Ice Body Palace's position regarding this alliance's demands?"
Xue Wuming's constitutional abilities created visible frost as his emotions intensified. "The Ice Body Palace doesn't surrender guests to outside threats. However, we must consider the practical implications of war against combined sect forces."
Traditional face-saving courtesy, Wei Liang recognized. He's offering protection while hoping I'll voluntarily depart to avoid bringing war to his palace. Admirable but unnecessary.
"I appreciate the Ice Body Palace's hospitality," Wei Liang replied politely. "However, I believe direct discussion with the alliance representatives might resolve this situation more efficiently than prolonged standoff."
Bai Lianhua's expression showed shock. "Senior Death, you can't seriously be considering meeting them directly! The combined sects represent thousands of cultivators with advanced techniques!"
Exactly what I'm hoping for, Wei Liang thought. Mass confrontation will provide comprehensive harvesting opportunities while establishing my reputation across the entire Azure Dragon Realm.
"Sometimes direct negotiation proves more effective than military preparation," Wei Liang said with false diplomatic concern. "When will the alliance forces arrive at the Ice Body Palace?"
"Three days," Bai Lianhua replied reluctantly. "They're gathering at the Southern Plains for coordinated assault. Intelligence suggests they plan to surround the palace and demand surrender under threat of complete destruction."
Three days to complete integration of my recent absorptions, Wei Liang calculated. Li Tianlong's Celestial Dragon Constitution should be fully processed by then, providing optimal preparation for mass confrontation.
"Young Master Xue," Wei Liang continued, "would you be willing to complete demonstration of your Ancient Ice Dragon techniques? I find the bloodline inheritance methodology fascinating for research purposes."
And I want complete understanding of your capabilities before adding them to my collection during the upcoming battle, he added silently. Your willing cooperation makes consumption preparation far more efficient.
Xue Wuming nodded, his scholarly enthusiasm overriding political concerns. "Of course! The Ancient Ice Dragon legacy contains techniques that could revolutionize constitutional rebuilding theory."
As Xue Wuming resumed his demonstration, Wei Liang began planning his approach to the combined sect forces. Each alliance member represented concentrated technique sources, their coordinated assault providing optimal conditions for systematic harvesting.
Time to make the name Death echo across every cultivation sect in the Azure Dragon Realm, he thought as Xue Wuming's bloodline techniques revealed their deepest secrets. The combined alliance will learn why numerical superiority means nothing against conceptual consumption.