When Su Lie pushed open the heavy wooden door, a denser, more stagnant chill than outside rushed at him, making his movements pause slightly.
The courtyard was small, yet exceptionally tidy. Bluestone slabs paved the ground, with not a blade of weed visible between their cracks. Yet every slab was coated in a thin, barely noticeable layer of white frost, showing no sign of melting even beneath the noon sun. Several cold-resistant plants grew in the corner, but their leaves had taken on an unnatural stiff purple hue, their edges curled and utterly lifeless. A faint, peculiar scent hung in the air, mingling medicinal herbs with some strange mineral. It tried to counteract the cold here, but was clearly fighting a losing battle.
The entire little courtyard was terrifyingly quiet. Even the faintest sound of wind seemed frozen solid.
Su Lie drew a deep breath, suppressed the unease in his heart, stepped aside, and gestured for Lin Chen to enter before hurrying toward the main room.
Lin Chen's gaze calmly swept across the courtyard before finally settling on the tightly shut door. He could clearly sense that the source of that icy energy lay deep inside the room, like a black hole constantly radiating freezing cold.
Su Lie stopped before the door, knocked softly three times, and lowered his voice. "Master, I have returned."
There was no response from within.
Su Lie waited several more breaths before slowly pushing open the door.
With a soft creak, the sound was especially piercing in the silence.
The room was far dimmer than outside, its windows seemingly covered for the most part by heavy curtains. The chill was even more oppressive here, almost tangible, making even someone of Su Lie's cultivation shudder. A massive bronze furnace stood in the center of the room.