Chapter 108: The Mysterious Expert

"Allow me to ask: what did you mean by 'slaying the Yin flood dragon at the Frozen Pool' just now?"

The voice, clearly piqued by the old man's words, resonated in the ears of the crowd like a celestial melody from the vast heavens. Its tone was devoid of joy or sorrow, carrying an air of indifference toward the lives of mortals.

The old man knelt on the ground, not daring to harbor a shred of defiance. Just moments ago, a single sentence from this mysterious expert had severely damaged his internal organs. It was only by a thin thread of vitality that he remained conscious; otherwise, he would have collapsed long ago.

After a moment of contemplation, he replied respectfully, "Reporting to the senior: this time, the Qin clan of Yannan, the royal family of Qishan, and the Fang family of the Eastern Province are all heading toward the Frozen Pool. A Yin flood dragon dwells within. According to our family's ancient records, wherever rare treasures grow, a strange beast is bound to be lurking."

"Therefore, our three families intend to join forces to slay the creature and divide the treasures found within the pool. I suspect they have nearly arrived by now."

The others listened in bewilderment. Between mentions of rare treasures and dragons in frozen pools, it all sounded like a fantasy. Professor Song’s face twitched; he had brought his students to the Frozen Pool merely to examine its unique geography. Yet, everything he had seen and heard along the way felt like a tall tale. If these things were true, the implications far exceeded the significance of a mere pool.

The voice spoke again: "Oh? You are also aware of the Frozen Pool?"

The old man explained slowly, "It is said that the pool appears once every three years, remaining for only about half a month. Once that time passes, it vanishes into thin air, impossible to locate regardless of how one searches."

"Twelve years ago, someone accidentally discovered the pool and intended to investigate it thoroughly. However, a powerful beast resided inside. Anyone who dared to approach was attacked. Later, as the news spread, people came to investigate periodically. Over time, we deduced the pattern: the pool appears every three years, approaching the winter season."

Jiang Yu’s lips curled into a smile. It seemed the Frozen Pool was indeed the place he was looking for. He simply hadn't expected others to be aware of its existence. But what did that matter? He was determined to claim what was inside, and if anyone dared to stand in his way, he would simply strike them down.

He acted according to his own will and temperament; he did what he pleased and never allowed himself to be shackled. If he had to consider the consequences of every action, constrained and restrained by others, what would be the point of cultivating immortality or seeking the Dao? He might as well find a place and live as an ordinary man. Even if a master were to arrive, with his current strength, Jiang Yu could still slay them.

After a brief thought, he transmitted his voice: "You may go."

Hearing this, the old man scrambled to his feet. Without even glancing at Chen Chuwan and the others, he fled in a panic. After running a dozen meters, he could no longer hold back the breath he had been nursing; a mouthful of blood erupted from his throat.

"Elder Qin, are you alright?" his companions rushed to support him.

Elder Qin wiped the blood from his lips, shuddering. "Voice transmission... what terrifying cultivation."

Withdrawing his gaze, Jiang Yu looked down at the Chen siblings. Had it been anyone else, Jiang Yu would have remained indifferent—what did the lives of others have to do with him? Furthermore, the Qin clan had not come for him, nor had they offended him, which was why he hadn't killed them. However, since the siblings were the children of Chen Shanhe, he could not simply stand by and watch them die.

The group waited for over twenty minutes. Once they were certain the voice would not return, they all collapsed onto the ground in relief. Professor Song sat in silence, his expression complex; what he had witnessed today had shaken his deeply rooted worldview.

Yan Xiaoxiao murmured, "Were we just saved by an immortal?"

The group exchanged glances, none speaking. The shock on their faces had not vanished; it had only deepened.

Xiao Xun stood up, his limbs weak and his body drenched in cold sweat from the brush with death. "Let’s go lend a hand and help bury those people," he suggested.

They walked down to help the Chen siblings bury the fallen bodyguards. Fortunately, Professor Song had brought a multi-purpose shovel, which made the task easier. Chen Chuwan gritted her teeth, her soft hands covered in blood. She pulled her hand away from the wound at her waist and smiled bitterly, "Who would have thought that the last of the Chen family’s fortune would be buried here?"

Chen Kun took it in stride, lighting a cigarette and leaning against a tree. "We did our best."

Seeing Professor Song approach, Chen Kun teased, "Old Song, how much of what I said do you believe now? I wasn't just spouting nonsense; those people you saw earlier could be considered quite powerful martial artists in the secular world."

Professor Song replied, "I only believe half of what you said. Even having seen this with my own eyes, I remain skeptical of the other half." As an academic who had dedicated his life to research, his secular views were too deeply ingrained to be easily shaken. Being rigorous in his studies, he never believed in legends of immortals or warriors.

Chen Kun curled his lip, choosing not to press the matter. His gaze swept over the group, again and again. The mysterious expert had claimed to be merely passing by, but any idiot knew there were no such coincidences in the world. Even if he were passing by, why now, and not earlier or later? Why exactly when they were about to end their own lives?

Professor Song took a roll of medical gauze from his bag, cleaned Chen Chuwan's wound with alcohol, and bandaged it. In such an environment, this was the best they could do. They could not travel today, so after some discussion, they decided to rest for the night and depart tomorrow morning. Chen Chuwan frowned slightly at this but did not object. After all, the group hadn't abandoned them earlier and had come to help as soon as the thugs left.

Night fell quickly. They set up tents and lit a bonfire. The students, including Yan Xiaoxiao, were no longer laughing; they sat with their heads bowed, both physically and mentally exhausted.

The surrounding area was a scene of devastation, with trees snapped in half. Looking at the breaks, it seemed as if something had forcefully crushed them. Viewed from a height, it was a barren scar in sharp contrast to the lush, verdant forest surrounding it.

Jiang Yu sat alone nearby, holding a piece of compressed ration that Anya had given him. The smell of food filled the air, and the atmosphere slowly livened up; they were young, and their capacity to adapt was strong. One day was enough for them to adjust.

Chen Chuwan, who had been eating with the group, brushed her stray locks behind her ears, picked up a tray of self-heating food, and walked toward Jiang Yu.

"Eat."

Jiang Yu shook his head indifferently. "Thank you, no need." By now, everyone had almost forgotten about his presence.

Chen Chuwan placed the food in front of him and sat down. She pulled out a cigarette, placed it between her lips with an elegant grace, and whispered, "Do you believe in coincidences?"

Jiang Yu asked, "What are you trying to say?"

Chen Chuwan suddenly smiled, appearing breathtakingly charming. She said, "Everyone knows that the expert today wasn't just passing by. This is the Hundred-Thousand Mountain Range; even if an extraordinary master were here, he wouldn't have arrived at this exact spot by pure chance."

"Yan Xiaoxiao, Professor Song, and the others are just students who know nothing. Anya is just an ordinary little girl. That leaves the rest of us—and you."

A playful smile touched the corner of Jiang Yu's mouth. "Oh? And so what?"

Chen Chuwan said craftily, "You have been unremarkable from the start. Aside from Anya, you don't take the initiative to speak to anyone. You rest when others rest, and you travel when others travel. Your presence is so faint you are almost ignored."

Jiang Yu asked, "And then?"

She continued, "On the surface, you seem silent and low-key, but there is an arrogance in your eyes that disregards everything. It's as if nothing is worthy of your attention. Even when the Qin clan came to hunt us down, you weren't the least bit nervous. That kind of composure—the ability to remain calm even if Mount Tai were to collapse before you—is not something a man in his twenties should possess."

Jiang Yu felt a flicker of surprise. Was women's intuition always this sharp?

"That is merely your own wishful thinking," Jiang Yu said calmly.

Chen Chuwan’s lips curved slightly upward as she asked with profound meaning, "Mr. Jiang, do you think that mysterious expert might be right here among us?"