Chapter 2139 — White Hell

White Hell-a place so perilous it earned the name Gateway to Hell. There were four such forbidden lands within the Nine Heavens, and Yuan had already explored one of them, the Vanishing Valley.

Being one of the coldest places in the Nine Heavens, White Hell is a vast expanse of endless snow and towering mountains, shrouded in extreme cold. The chill is so severe that even those with strong cold resistance struggle to survive in its outer regions, let alone venture into its depths.

And yet, in spite of its peril and the countless lives it claims, White Hell draws thousands of cultivators every year-some to hone their strength, others to pursue the treasures buried within its icy depths.

All of this was made possible by the Sun God's Temple, a unique sanctuary where cultivators gathered to cultivate their Yang Qi. They also possessed a powerful treasure that, while unable to eliminate the cold of White Hell, granted enough resistance for cultivators to endure its frost and traverse its perilous lands. This treasure was known as the Sun God's Lake, a small yet extraordinary lake within the Sun God's Temple's territory. Not only was it one of the most sought-after training areas in the world, but it could even evolve one's physique. Naturally, it could not be taken into White Hell itself. Instead, it was used to imbue Sun Stones, small rock-like objects that shielded their bearers from the cold.

However, the Sun Stones carried limited power, losing their effectiveness after a certain period of time. To obtain one, cultivators had to approach the Sun God's Temple and make an offering in exchange, whether it be spirit stones or treasures.

Right outside the White Hell's entrance, several individuals wearing the Sun God's Temple's outfit could be seen talking to a group of female cultivators.

"This here is the One-Year Sun Stone, which you will need to traverse White Hell safely."

In one member's hand rested a glowing pebble, radiating such immense Yang Qi that it warmed the air around them, even in the freezing cold.

"It has soaked in the Sun God's Lake for a year, and it will last for ten years while inside White Hell."

Then, he produced another glowing stone, pulsing with even more intense Yang Qi. "And this," he said, "is a Hundred-Year Sun Stone. It will last for a hundred years in the outer regions, and its might is sufficient to defy the cold of the second region, reaching even into the third."

White Hell was divided into nine regions, beginning with the outer region. The deeper one ventured, the colder and more perilous it became. As for the Sun Stone, the most refined ones could allow a cultivator to venture safely into the fifth region. However, each stone needed to be immersed in the Sun God's Lake for over a million years, making them unimaginably expensive.

One might assume the Sun God's Temple could simply throw countless Sun Stones into the lake to satisfy demand. However, doing so would drain the lake's power, and since its primary purpose was as a training ground, the temple was unwilling to create too many.

"I would like to venture into the fourth region," one of the female cultivators said.

"Then you will need a Ten-Thousand-Year Sun Stone, and it will only last you ten years in the third region," said one of the Sun God Temple's disciples.

The female cultivator nodded and calmly handed a spatial pouch to the man.

"Is this donation enough?" she asked.

The disciple peeked into the spatial pouch and nodded, "Yes, this is more than enough. Thank you for your donation. Here is a Ten-Thousand-Year Sun Stone."

He handed her the Sun Stone.

"The Sun Stone will begin to lose its glow when it's near its limit, so make sure you leave White Hell the moment you see it."

"I understand."

One by one, the female cultivators purchased a Sun Stone before stepping into White Hell.

A few hours later, another group of female cultivators arrived, their matching attire revealing that they belonged to the same sect.

"I'd like to purchase 23 Hundred-Year Sun Stone."

The woman leading the group handed a spatial ring to one of the disciples, who then quickly checked the ring and handed the Sun Stones to them.

Minutes after they departed, another figure appeared at the entrance. This time it was not a beautiful female cultivator but a strikingly handsome man.

The disciples of the Sun God's Temple watched as he approached, expecting him to purchase a Sun Stone. To their surprise, however, the handsome man ignored them entirely and strode straight past.

"W-Wait a second! Where are you going?" One of the disciples subconsciously called out to him in a surprised tone.

The handsome man stopped walking and turned to look at him.

"Where does it look like I am going?" he calmly responded.

Another disciple spoke, "Do you already have a Sun Stone?"

"A what?"

The disciples were baffled by this man's ignorance. How could one even think about entering White Hell without their Sun Stone?

"You don't even know what a Sun Stone is, and you're attempting to challenge White Hell? Are you courting death?"

"Listen here. The White Hell is a place where even cultivators with Cold Immunities are helpless. The only way you can traverse White Hell is with the help of the Sun God Temple's Sun Stone."

The handsome man smiled and asked, "So, the Sun Stone keeps me safe from the cold within White Hell, is that correct?"

"That's right."

"If you want-"

The man interrupted and said, "In that case, I don't need it."

"Excuse me?"

The disciples' eyes widened with surprise, wondering if they'd misheard him.

"I came to White Hell to train, so the Sun Stone will only hinder me. Now, if you will excuse me."

Before the disciples could even open their mouths again, the handsome man turned around and continued moving toward White Hell, quickly vanishing into the snowstorm