Secluded Cultivation

Before his transmigration, Olivier had subscribed more to the Daoist ideas of following nature and acting through non-action, going with the flow. However, he knew that the Age of Gods would arrive soon. If he spent a few carefree years now, he might be finished by then. One thrives in adversity and perishes in comfort. Thus, for godhood and for a carefree life in the future, Olivier still gave up his temporary ease and headed to the Far North Ice Sheet in search of a breakthrough.

The Arctic Ice Plain lay north of the Northern Sea. It was formed from enormous blocks of ice, without a trace of land in sight, and covered an area several times larger than the Yulan Continent. Many powerful magical beasts lived upon the ice plain, and human traces were scarce.

After leaving the O'Brien Empire, Olivier traveled north, flew across the vast Northern Sea, and finally saw an enormous ice plain. It was truly breathtaking. A northern landscape, ice sealing a thousand miles, snow drifting across ten thousand—nothing could describe the Arctic Ice Plain more fittingly.

Olivier stood there for a long while before resolutely flying toward the depths of the ice plain.

Olivier carved an ice chamber into an iceberg. Originally, he had wanted to find someone to challenge, but he felt it was necessary to properly comprehend the profound mysteries of the Laws. Combined with his knowledge from Coiling Dragon, Olivier's ultimate techniques consisted only of fusing two types of divine power, or eventually fusing profound mysteries from two different Laws. Adding the two together, he could barely attain the strength of a Seven-Star Fiend.

However, he had almost no techniques involving the fusion of mysteries from the same Law. He relied too heavily on the fusion of different Laws and divine powers, while neglecting the fusion of Laws of the same type. Moreover, fusing Laws of the same type was much easier than fusing different Laws. If the original Olivier had focused on fusing mysteries from the same Law, he probably would have become even stronger.

Olivier had now comprehended a little of the Light Elemental Profundity, the Profundity of Light Speed, and the Darkness Elemental Profundity. Of these three profound mysteries, the Light Elemental Profundity and Darkness Elemental Profundity were both low-level and fundamental mysteries. They truly were not particularly outstanding in terms of attack.

Furthermore, Olivier knew that mages could cast magic without understanding profound mysteries, yet they could still produce corresponding effects. This showed that profound mysteries were hidden within magical elements. Mages who did not understand profound mysteries could use Light Elements to heal.

As long as one continuously researched and experimented, exploring the rules and states of the elements, one could comprehend the profound mysteries of the Laws. The most basic profound mysteries were the easiest to comprehend from the elements, and this could allow him to become a god more quickly.

Although the Profundity of Light Speed was not a profound mystery that directly increased attack power, a certain master had once said, "In all martial arts under heaven, only speed is unbeatable." If he could not win, he could run. Furthermore, when speed reached a sufficiently high level, it would itself generate tremendous attack power according to the laws of energy.

"Hahaha!" Olivier was delighted. Now that he understood these basic principles, becoming a god would not be a problem.

From then on, Olivier abandoned the idea of going out to challenge others and instead comprehended the profound mysteries of the Laws within his ice chamber.

The Arctic Ice Plain had no spring, summer, autumn, or winter. Time left no trace upon the ice plain. Just like that, nine years passed. Relying on his incomparably powerful soul, Olivier continuously experimented to understand the composition, rules, and states of the elements. He constantly comprehended and sensed the profound mysteries of the Laws, becoming utterly absorbed in them. His understanding of Light and Darkness Elements absolutely surpassed that of any Saint-level mage. Of course, Olivier himself, with such a powerful soul, was a powerful Saint-level mage.

After nine years of cultivation, Olivier's comprehension of the Light and Darkness Elemental Profundities had grown far deeper than it had been nine years ago. If he had only understood the surface back then, he could now see the bones beneath.

What delighted Olivier even more was that the Light Elemental Profundity and Darkness Elemental Profundity he had already comprehended had fused together. Although the two profound mysteries from different Laws had not completely fused, their power was astonishing. He estimated that they were several hundred times stronger than nine years ago. Even against an expert at the limit of the Saint level, Olivier felt that he had no possibility of losing.

The reason the Light and Darkness Elemental Profundities could fuse so extensively was mainly because Olivier had once encountered a bottleneck that he could not break through no matter what he tried. Then he thought of the Taiji Diagram. Taiji cultivation pursued the Great Dao of yin and yang, which shared similar principles with Light and Darkness.

Therefore, Olivier simply stopped thinking about how to make a breakthrough and calmed himself to practice the Taiji Fist he had once studied for a time. Unexpectedly, as he practiced, he found it exceptionally comfortable. From then on, he continued practicing. After practicing several times, he found that his understanding of Light and Darkness Elements deepened, and it greatly helped the fusion of profound mysteries. Thus, although Olivier had not spent much time on fusing these two profound mysteries, he still made enormous progress.

Most importantly, after practicing Taiji, a shadow resembling a Taiji Diagram gradually formed beneath Olivier's sword-shaped soul. It was composed of Light and Darkness Elements. This Taiji Diagram was profound and mysterious. Olivier felt that its shadow seemed to be slowly strengthening both his soul and body.

Olivier spent most of his time on speed. He comprehended the Profundity of Light Speed and continuously increased his speed, firmly believing that "in all martial arts under heaven, only speed is unbeatable." Moreover, Olivier liked the feeling of reaching the limit of speed. Therefore, he poured tremendous time and energy into the Profundity of Light Speed.

Furthermore, according to a theory from a certain martial arts novel, if one attacked quickly enough and thrust several swords in an instant at the same point, stacking them together, it would appear as though only one sword had struck. In reality, however, several swords had struck, and they possessed the effect of several swords.

Based on these theories and his efforts, Olivier's speed became several times faster than it had been nine years ago. The power of the Light Shadow Sword increased dozens of times. Moreover, after constant daily practice and countless thrusts, he finally managed to fuse six sword strikes into one. It looked like one sword, but contained the power of six. Olivier named this sword technique Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin. It was currently only at the minor stage; once it reached major completion, it could contain dozens, hundreds of sword strikes... until ten thousand swords returned to origin.

Furthermore, when Olivier's speed broke through, he maintained his limit speed for long periods. His body underwent tremendous tempering and became much stronger than before. Although Olivier's body was not as strong as a divine beast's, it was absolutely far stronger than that of ordinary magical beasts.

A relatively powerful body, fused different Laws, swift speed, and Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin—with these four conditions combined, Olivier believed that he should be invincible beneath the god level.

"Without realizing it, nine years have passed. It's impossible to make another breakthrough in the short term, and my current strength is enough for me to live freely. It's time to leave," Olivier muttered to himself.

He left the ice chamber and gazed at the boundless snowy land for a long time.

"Since I've come to the Arctic Ice Plain, I might as well meet those experts in secluded cultivation and spar with Rutherford. Hehe."

Olivier went out to search for experts on the ice plain.

Flying above the ice plain and looking at the expanse clad in silver, he felt deeply shaken.

Having achieved success in cultivation and temporarily set it aside, Olivier was in an excellent mood. He had been transmigrated for so long, yet had never properly enjoyed himself. Although this was an ice plain, the scenery was still quite beautiful, carrying an exceptionally pure feeling.

Only after flying for two hours did Olivier understand what it meant for human habitation to be sparse. Although he had not flown at full speed, he had covered at least a thousand miles at his current speed. Yet Olivier had not seen a single person, only occasionally encountering magical beasts unique to the Arctic Ice Plain, such as snow martens and Snow Lions. Even the weakest possessed the strength of the seventh or eighth rank. Upon seeing Olivier fly past, they fled far away.

Olivier had never seen these creatures before. Whenever he saw a new magical beast, he would run over and examine it carefully. If it tried to flee, he would use violence to threaten it a little, but before long, he would release it again.

From then on, the magical beasts in this area all knew that a certain person was passing through, someone who liked observing them. For a time, whenever magical beasts met along Olivier's route, their first words were:

"Have you encountered that freak?"

Luo Wen was merely an ordinary member among the Arctic Ice Plain's ascetics. He looked like a middle-aged uncle and cultivated the Mysteries of Ice within the Laws of Water Elements. Among the three levels of ascetics, Luo Wen had barely reached the second level, making him much stronger than Heidens.

That day, Luo Wen was cultivating when he suddenly sensed a powerful aura rapidly approaching without any concealment. Many powerful magical beasts on this ice plain liked attacking humans, so Luo Wen immediately became alert.

Olivier looked at the middle-aged man before him, while Luo Wen looked at the young man in white. His white robes were whiter than snow; one could not tell whether it was snow or clothing.

Olivier had not seen another person in years. The man before him did not seem particularly strong.

This young man is clearly an unparalleled genius. I can't sense his exact strength at all. It feels like facing Lord Rutherford. I've never heard of someone like him. Could he be a newcomer? Luo Wen muttered inwardly.

"I am Luo Wen. Who might you be, sir? What business do you have?" Luo Wen asked.

"Hello, I'm Olivier. I've just arrived at the Arctic Ice Plain. I'd like to find someone to spar with, and I also want to ask someone for directions," Olivier said.

"How about we spar first?" Olivier said as he drew the Light Shadow Sword. Without sufficient strength, an expert could not earn another's respect. Olivier decided to display some of his strength first.

After saying that, Olivier charged forward.

Madman. If he wants to fight, then we'll fight. Luo Wen complained inwardly, but his life was more important, so he did not dare refuse.

Olivier did not use fused Laws or soul attacks, nor did he use Ten Thousand Swords Return to Origin. Relying only on half his speed and thirty percent of his strength, he continuously attacked Luo Wen to gain practical combat experience.

Luo Wen felt utterly stifled. He could only defend and parry. He was shocked inwardly. What monstrous speed! He was also furious. This person had suddenly appeared and treated him like a target.

"If you have the ability, stop using such fast speed and fight me head-on," Luo Wen said angrily.

"Fine. I'll take a few of your moves." Their strengths were not even on the same level, so sparring held little meaning.

Luo Wen knew he was no match for Olivier, so he immediately used his strongest ultimate technique, Mystic Ice Slash.

Although it was Luo Wen's strongest attack, Olivier easily shattered it.

"I'm not fighting anymore. I'm no match for you. I estimate only Lord Rutherford can defeat you," Luo Wen said straightforwardly as he sheathed his sword.

"Hehe. Brother Luo Wen is quite formidable as well," Olivier said with a smile. Rutherford may not necessarily be my match.

"I know exactly how capable I am, so don't flatter me," Luo Wen said. Seeing Olivier's great strength and apparently easygoing nature, he also felt inclined to befriend him.

"Luo Wen, do you know the situation on the Arctic Ice Plain?" Olivier asked.

"I do. However, with your strength, you'll be fine as long as you don't provoke Lord Hodan," Luo Wen said with a smile.