Cold Pond Enlightenment, Ice Lotus Nurtures the Spirit and Affirms Longevity

After leaving Tranquil Heart Temple, Shen Hao and Zi Xuan headed north and arrived in the bitterly cold reaches of the Northern Territory. Snow drifted here year-round, wrapping heaven and earth in silver. The biting wind was like a blade against their faces. Ordinary cultivators would likely have frozen stiff long ago upon arriving here, yet a faint Dao Rhyme lingered around Shen Hao and Zi Xuan, keeping the cold at bay.

The two trudged slowly through the thick snow. The trees along the way were blanketed in ice and snow, transformed into crystal-clear ice sculptures. From time to time, a few cold-resistant spirit birds swept across the sky, their crisp cries lending a trace of life to this silent world.

"Brother Hao, there seems to be a Cold Pond ahead." Zi Xuan pointed toward a valley in the distance and spoke softly.

Shen Hao looked in the direction she indicated and saw a pool at the end of the valley, misting with cold air. Its waters were emerald green, yet they gave off a bone-piercing chill. Even from dozens of zhang away, he could feel that icy aura.

The two hurried to the edge of the Cold Pond. Its waters were so clear that the pebbles on its bottom were plainly visible. The rocks along the shore were covered in thick ice, beneath which several Ice Lotuses were quietly blooming. Their petals were white as snow, while their stamens were a faint gold, emitting a weak spiritual glow.

"This is... an Ice Heart Lotus?" A flicker of surprise crossed Zi Xuan's eyes. "Legend says that Ice Heart Lotuses grow only in Cold Ponds deep within lands of extreme cold. They bloom once every ten years and bear fruit only once every hundred years, containing extraordinarily pure Ice Origin Power."