Seeking Lotus Root in the Cold Pond, Longevity Dao Rhyme Nurtures Pure Lotus

Deep within Secluded Forest Valley lay a little-known Cold Jade Pool. Its waters were icy year-round, yet ancient Snow Lotus Roots grew along its bottom. Cold in nature and sweet in flavor, they could be used to refine Calming Heart Pills or cooked into soup to nourish the internal organs. While inspecting the valley's spirit veins in winter, Shen Hao had accidentally noticed an unusual disturbance in the pool's spiritual energy. Guessing that the Snow Lotus Roots had reached maturity, he decided to take Zi Xuan into the pool to harvest them and add a nourishing delicacy to the valley's meals.

That morning, cold mist shrouded Cold Jade Pool, and a thin layer of white vapor drifted across its surface. Even standing on the bank, one could feel the biting chill. Shen Hao wore a specially made cold-resistant cloth robe, with the Immortal Binding Rope tied around his waist and an Ice Breaking Shovel in hand. Zi Xuan wore a thick fox-fur coat and held a hand warmer, worry written across her pretty face. "Brother Hao, the water is so cold. You must be careful."

Shen Hao turned back and rubbed Zi Xuan's hair. The Longevity Dao Rhyme at his fingertips transformed into a warm current that slowly flowed into her body, driving away the chill. "Don't worry. With the Longevity Dao Rhyme protecting me, the cold can't hurt me. Just wait on the shore. I'll be back soon."

With that, Shen Hao strode to the pool's edge and circulated his Dao Rhyme. A faint golden glow spread over his body. Raising the Ice Breaking Shovel, he drove it fiercely into the thin ice. With a crisp crack, a fissure split across the surface, and freezing pool water surged up at once, carrying bone-piercing cold. Shen Hao paid it no