Chapter 48: The Sect of Icy Waves

Even Hu Mo himself had no idea what he was doing at that moment. So, when his chest pressed against Cang Ling’s face, his mind went completely blank for a second.

Hu Mo was nearly a head taller than Cang Ling. In this position, it was as if Cang Ling had thrown herself directly into his embrace.

All was silent, as though time itself had stopped, and they remained locked in this ambiguous posture.

Had it been broad daylight, the situation would have seemed all the more peculiar. To any bystander, there would have appeared only Hu Mo, standing there in a daze, for no one else could see Cang Ling.

“What’s wrong? Are you trying to anger me?” Cang Ling said coolly, her body unmoving. Yet, as soon as her words fell, Hu Mo distinctly felt the temperature around him plummet.

The nights in the Heavenly Fire Empire were far from cold. The land, scorched by the sun during the day, never truly shed its heat. Were it not for Flame City’s high-altitude plateau, the oppressive heat would be several times worse.

It was already the second watch of the night. The air, which had been close to forty degrees, dropped to freezing point with the shift in Cang Ling’s aura. Frost began to form across Hu Mo’s chest, and the most immediate sensation was that he was holding an iceberg against himself.

“Could this be the power of the Water of Chaos?” Hu Mo murmured. The moment the frost appeared, the aura of the Sacred Water King grew excited, as if greeting a long-lost friend, prolonging Hu Mo’s dazed state yet again.

But it lasted only a few heartbeats. Soon, the Sacred Water King began to tremble uneasily, and under its influence, Hu Mo staggered back several paces. He could feel a pressure radiating from Cang Ling that not even the Three Treasures could withstand.

“In any world, power is the true currency of speech. As you are now, you’re not qualified for me to tell you anything. But the day you defeat me, I’ll naturally reveal all to you.” Cang Ling smiled sweetly and approached Hu Mo.

Her fingers, slender as orchids, caressed Hu Mo’s face as if admiring a newly carved work of art.

“You’re much too weak,” Cang Ling said with a smile, standing so close their breath could mingle. As soon as her words faded, her form slowly vanished, melding into the air itself.

Hu Mo gradually returned to his senses, a wry smile tugging at his lips. In the past, every time Cang Ling mocked him, he would be incensed. But this time, he could find nothing to be angry about. Indeed, in a world where strength is paramount, the harsh truth remains that power is everything.

“It seems everything is progressing far too slowly. I must pick up the pace.” With a light sigh, Hu Mo leapt onto a bluestone slab. Tonight, it seemed, the stone would be his bed and moonlight his blanket.

By the third watch, in the depths of a grand walled estate, one room still flickered with firelight. Shadows danced across the walls—at a glance, there were seven or eight people present.

A soundproof barrier enclosed the room, ensuring not a whisper escaped. Outside, hidden among the shrubs, sentries lay in wait. Combined with the patrolling guards, not even a fly could have slipped into the hundred-metre radius around this chamber.

Inside, five men sat, all clothed in white with snowy beards. Though they appeared at least seventy, the aura they radiated was formidable indeed.

Icicles hung from the ceiling beams like dazzling crystals, sparkling under the candlelight. Outside, the temperature soared above forty degrees, but within, it fell to more than ten below zero—a contrast so stark it would take one’s breath away.

The room was silent; even a pin dropping would have echoed. Situ Feng and Bai Han were not seated. They stood in the centre, anxiety writ large on their faces. Under the scrutiny of the five elders, it felt as though they were encased in ancient ice.

Usually brimming with heroic spirit, Situ Feng had reined in every trace of arrogance and stood quietly, not daring to show the slightest temper. Bai Han, his face ashen, eyes unfocused, looked a changed man—evidently still suffering the aftereffects of Cang Ling’s earlier blow.

“Feng’er, did you exaggerate what you told us?” the elder in the centre asked in a low voice. His tone was soft, but the force of his spirit was immense.

Situ Feng’s expression sharpened and he replied at once, “Elder, I would never dare conceal anything from you. Too many strange events have occurred in Flame City recently. I had originally hoped to handle them myself without troubling you, but now the situation is too grave. I fear delaying will bring disaster, so I took the risk of consulting you all.”

Shame colored Situ Feng’s face as he carefully explained the situation, clearly wary of the elders’ displeasure.

Bai Han scarcely dared to breathe, pallor etched into his features and his gaze wandering. Compared to before, he was scarcely recognizable.

The chief elder narrowed his eyes, thoughts churning beneath his calm. After sweeping his gaze over Situ Feng, he fixed it on Bai Han, and his expression changed abruptly, his eyes suddenly sharp as blades.

“Bai Han, you useless coward! Speak! What happened? How did you get injured?” The chief elder’s voice thundered, shattering the icicles overhead into powder.

Bai Han shuddered, nearly collapsing. He had been wounded for only a few hours and desperately needed rest, but was forcibly dragged here. Now, frightened by the elder’s rage, he was at his limit.

Situ Feng hurried to steady him and helped him sit beside an empty chair.

“No sitting! Explain yourself!” The chief elder’s overbearing tone brooked no argument, and his glare seemed as if he could devour both Bai Han and Situ Feng whole.

Bai Han, already pale as death, flushed with humiliation at the repeated scolding. Suddenly, he raised his head and met the chief elder’s eyes. “Bai Qianqiu, don’t go too far! You may be the chief elder and senior brother, but we are of the same sect and standing. Don’t push your luck!”

His breath grew ragged, and his previously stooped figure straightened abruptly. The shift in his qi triggered a sharp pain in his throat, and a trickle of blood, like a tiny serpent, slid from the corner of his mouth.

“Insolence! Bai Han, you, an outer sect guardian elder, dare claim equal standing with me? Are you seeking to defy authority and suffer the Devouring Ice punishment?” Bai Qianqiu bellowed. The shockwave sent the soundproof barrier trembling violently—clearly, Bai Qianqiu was truly enraged.

“Senior brother, don’t be angry. Anger will only waste more of our ice crystals,” said another elder, his bald head and white beard giving him the look of a laughing Buddha, his eyes narrowed to slits.

His gaze never left the crystal stone on the table, his expression pained as if watching money burn.

“Yes, senior brother. If you wish to punish Bai Han, there’s time for that later. Right now, we’re contacting this side through the Ice Mirror Communication Art, and if the ice crystal is spent, we’ll lose all contact,” added another elder, his thin body and urgent tone betraying the great value of the crystal.

The other two elders chimed in as well, well aware of Bai Qianqiu’s temper.

“Chief elder, please don’t be angry. Elder Bai Han was merely confused for a moment. Over the years, he has rendered great service in Flame City—he’s done his utmost. Please, show him leniency,” said Situ Feng, compelled to speak up lest Bai Han truly face disaster at Bai Qianqiu’s hands.

Bai Qianqiu snorted coldly, glanced at Bai Han shielded behind Situ Feng, and his icy tone sent fresh icicles forming above.

“Hmph! I’ll let you off this once. Bai Han, you’d best remember your place—don’t be so foolish next time!” With that, his gaze returned to Situ Feng, ignoring Bai Han entirely.

“Feng’er, you’ll be solely responsible for this matter. The issue with Fire God Valley is unresolved, and our Icewave Sect cannot make a public appearance in Flame City yet. Though this will be a difficult task, it is a test you must face. Do not disappoint me.”

A smile returned to Bai Qianqiu’s face, his gaze at Situ Feng now gentle, the earlier ferocity gone.

“I accept, elders! I will not let you down!” Situ Feng declared, a confident light in his eyes.

The five elders nodded and smiled. The glow of the ice crystal gradually dimmed, and as its light faded for the last time, the five elders’ images vanished.

Bai Han suddenly shuddered and collapsed to the floor. After enduring such immense pressure, his strength was finally spent.

“Grandpa Bai, are you all right?” Situ Feng caught him at once and helped him to a chair.

Bai Han looked at Situ Feng’s anxious face and, with a gratified smile, sighed softly. “Thankfully, you still value me. Otherwise, my wretched life would hardly be worth living.”

“Grandpa Bai, don’t say such things. If not for you, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Please, don’t act rashly—focus on your recovery. Your troubles are mine, and one day, I’ll get back everything you deserve!”

Situ Feng clenched his fists, his gaze burning with resolve.

Bai Han smiled faintly and slowly closed his eyes. He was exhausted, but content.