Initiation into the secret art, a method for warding off water

The chill beneath Sea Radiance Prefecture was indeed sharper than aboveground.

The Heavenly Fortune Pavilion's underground ice vault had been excavated along a miniature subterranean frost vein. Its four walls were ice that had remained frozen for ten thousand years, with a luminous pearl emitting a cold, blue glow embedded every ten paces.

The dim light reflected off the icy walls, casting an eerie ghost qi over the vast underground chamber and making it resemble a netherworld haunt.

"Fellow Daoist Chu, this is where we're temporarily storing this batch of mystic ice from Demon-Ravaged Reef."

Shi Rou led the way. A warm jade pendant at her waist gave off a soft orange-red glow, keeping the biting chill three feet away.

At the end of the passage, an immensely heavy black iron door covered in sealing divine edicts barred their way.

Before the door sat a gaunt, middle-aged man in gray robes, cross-legged and checking entries in a thick ledger.

Seeing Shi Rou arrive, the man slowly rose, a sharp gleam flashing through his cloudy eyes. "Pavilion Master."

"Supervisor Liu." Shi Rou nodded slightly, then turned aside to introduce her companion. "This is Fellow Daoist Chu Bai. He's come today to help me inspect this batch of scrap from Demon-Ravaged Reef."

"Chu Bai?"

Supervisor Liu's gaze raked over Chu Bai like a hawk's before he frowned slightly and turned to Shi Rou. "Pavilion Master, this warehouse is a restricted area. Outsiders aren't permitted inside under our regulations. Besides, this shipment belongs jointly to three lineages. It may not be precious material, but if an outsider is to get involved, the procedures..."

"I will bear all consequences."

Shi Rou's voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable authority. "Fellow Daoist Chu has exceptional discernment. Just now, he opened two pieces containing precious stellar