Over The World, Beyond Heaven

"That's good! If you guys don't make any progress, I'll be very disappointed. I also don't like keeping useless people. However, for those who please me, I'll reward them. So, as a reward for your efforts, I'll give each of you a thousand Elemental Heavenly Deity Crystals. You can choose which elements you want from these thousand crystals!"

Zheng-Fu knew how to control people very well. His principle was simple: punish those who do wrong, and reward those who have made achievements. This would let them know what was good and bad for them.

Thank you, Master!!!

The three of them were overjoyed when they heard that. Those rewards would help them improve their strength quite a lot. Once they became stronger, they would be able to go out and take revenge on their old enemies.

"And another thing, from now on, your Purple Dragon Serpent Tribe will be considered part of my clan. That means your surname will no longer be 'Long-Che', but will be 'Tian-Tang' from today until you die!"

Hah!!!

Zheng-Fu's second sentence caused their faces to change color. The use of their Long-Che surname had been around for hundreds of years. Having to change their surname like this made them feel extremely embarrassed and guilty towards their ancestors. But no matter which way they chose, their Long-Che Clan would disappear from this world anyway. One option was that the clan name disappeared, but all members remained, while another option was that both the clan name and all members disappeared.

"We're willing to do as you wish, sir, Master!"

"From now on, we, the Purple Dragon Serpent Tribe, will be called by the Tian-Tang surname until the day we die. We will never change our surname while standing, sitting, and even when we die!"

The two elders had lived the longest, and they should be the most stubborn people to accept the idea of changing their surname. However, the result was that they both immediately accepted the clan name change without any hesitation, as if their clan name did not matter to them at all.

"I know you'll ask us why we made such a decision without any hesitation. Let me tell you, Long-Che-Dan-Sun, that in fact, our Purple Dragon Serpent Tribe never had a clan name or surname of its own. The reason we use the surname 'Long-Che' is that an outsider gave it to us, and we have been using it ever since. This is a secret that only the tribe's elders know, so you don't know about it."

Tribal Lady Elder Ian explained to Dan-Sun that they actually were just a minority group of the same race and bloodline, so they were not considered a clan. That was why the two elders agreed to join with Zheng-Fu's clan so easily.

Oh!

"That's how it is. If so, using the Master's surname isn't considered as violating our ancestors, right?" Long-Che-Dan-Sun relaxed a lot when he heard that. He had always thought that the clan's surname had been Long-Che since ancient times.

"Yes, that is not considered a violation at all!"

Then…

Thud!

"Master, I'm, as the Purple Dragon Serpent Tribe Leader with over seven hundred tribe members, willing to be your subordinate and serve your Tian-Tang Clan."

Good!

"Then you guys go back first. I still have something to attend to. After I finish it, I'll go to see you in the village. And... no matter what happens after this, you don't have to worry about anything, understand?"

Yes, sir, Master!!!

Although the three of them didn't understand what Zheng-Fu's 'something to attend to' was, they did not ask too much, and the three of them noticed a woman behind Zheng-Fu, which made them know that Zheng-Fu's errand must have been related to that woman, so they did not want to bother Zheng-Fu anymore.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

"Who are they? Why do they look like..."

"Yes, they're half-human, half-demons. I saved them and brought them here. As for the other matters, you don't have to worry about them. Let's go to the place I'll use as your cultivation base!" Zheng-Fu explained as much as he could, then ended the conversation by rushing towards a suitable area for Ma-Ying-Tian to cultivate.

Ah!

Wait for me!

That place was an ice cave surrounded by cold snow, which was very suitable for refining Ma-Ying-Tian's body. Since her Eternal Winter Body required a large amount of Winter Element Energy, and that cave contained a large amount of that energy, there was no better place than that.

A few minutes later…

Whoosh!!!

"Why is it so cold here? Aren't you cold, Zheng-Fu?!"

When they arrived at the ice cave, Ma-Ying-Tian felt that the heat from her amulet did not help her to feel warm at all. The deeper she went, the colder she felt. However, Zheng-Fu, who was walking before her, did not show any signs of being cold, so she was very suspicious.

"Someone with a Non-characteristic Element like me can adapt to any element. As long as I absorb a certain amount of Winter Element Energy into my body, I don't feel cold as much. And if I feel cold, I can just draw in some Fire Element Energy to help warm me up," Zheng-Fu replied with a smile like someone who had defeated an enemy. He intended to provoke Ma-Ying-Tian into anger because this was also part of the process of refining her body.

You!

"I have never been in such a cold place before, but I should be able to adjust soon. I only asked you because I saw you walking like an idiot without saying anything!"

Zheng-Fu's intentions had paid off beautifully. Ma-Ying-Tian felt extremely angry and dissatisfied with his smile. She thought he was mocking her and looking down on her, so she tried to pretend not to feel cold and use her energy to warm up her body.

Good!

"Then let's move forward." Zheng-Fu just smiled and shrugged before walking ahead as if nothing had happened.

"What a crazy guy!"

Two hours passed…

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Brrrrri! Brrrrri! Brrrrri!

"Why aren't we there yet? We've been walking for so long. Is it really this cave?!

After they walked for a while and two hours had passed, they still had not reached their destination. Ma-Ying-Tian could not bear it any longer and asked Zheng-Fu in dissatisfaction. Because in the past two hours, she had used a lot of energy to warm up her body. And if she had to keep walking, her energy would definitely run out.

"Yes, this cave is the right one! What's wrong?! You can't stand it anymore? Then, when it comes to body refining, will you be able to endure it?" Zheng-Fu knew that Ma-Ying-Tian's energy was already very low, but it was still insufficient. He wanted her to use up all her energy so that there would be no obstacles when changing her elemental energy, so he provoked her even more.

You!

"Who do you think can't stand it? For me, this is very easy. Even if I walk for another day, I'll still be fine!" Since Ma-Ying-Tian was the Young Miss of Major Clan, who was famous for her talent and genius and had always been said to be far superior to her peers, she could not accept such insults. She would rather use up all her energy than be ridiculed and belittled by Zheng-Fu for weakness.

"Good! If so, let's continue to go inside. I still have other things to do and can't waste my time. If you keep complaining like this, I might be unable to help you anymore!" Zheng-Fu smiled inwardly and secretly admired Ma-Ying-Tian's determination and firmness. If it were other Young Misses, they might not have been able to endure this much. However, his thoughts were completely opposite to his words. Zheng-Fu continued to provoke and pressure her.

Shih!

In fact, that cave was not deep at all. It was because Zheng-Fu used his mental power to constantly readjust the path, making the ice cave's path seem endless. According to Zheng-Fu's estimation, Ma-Ying-Tian should definitely be able to endure for no more than another half a shichen. Therefore, before that time came, Zheng-Fu would adjust the path to the end.

Forty-five minutes later...

I must endure!

…

I'll never give up!

…

I must not give... up!

Thud!

In the end, Ma-Ying-Tian could not endure to continue walking. She had used up all her energy since the previous thirty minutes. But she could continue walking because of her unyielding spirit and soul. However, she finally could not resist any longer. She collapsed and lost consciousness.

"I didn't think she could endure this long. But this is good. Using up all her energy and not having any left is very good. Her original energy is Fire Element Energy; if there is any left, the Winter Element Energy that will replace it will probably clash with it and cause trouble. Well! First, I have to clear the place!"

Zheng-Fu nodded in satisfaction when he saw that Ma-Ying-Tian had used up all her energy. It would be better for her if she had no original energy left. Even though it was not a high-level Fire Element, it would cause problems when refining her body and replacing it with Winter Element Energy. It might even cause the refining to fail.

After a while…

Flap! Flap! Flap!

"The refining process isn't difficult. It's just that... the problem is that I have to take off her clothes! Sigh! What should I do?"

After Zheng-Fu finished arranging the area, he placed Ma-Ying-Tian's unconscious body at the center of the ice platform, and then he could proceed with the next step. However, he needed to remove Ma-Ying-Tian's clothes, so he felt a bit hesitant and troubled. Since he had not received Ma-Ying-Tian's consent yet, if she woke up halfway and realized she was not wearing anything and went mad at the crucial step, her body refining process would definitely fail.

Ah!

Pheeeew…

"Water! Give me some water!"

Hah!?

But suddenly, Ma-Ying-Tian woke up. However, she did not fully regain consciousness. Her eyes were only half open due to dizziness. Even so, she was aware of her surroundings and extremely thirsty, as using energy had caused her to become dehydrated.