The Dan Immortal Pool lay deep within a mountain east of Flame City.
When Lin Dong and his two companions reached the summit, they discovered that two groups had already gathered there, facing off against one another.
At the mountain's edge, a sheer rock wall rose toward the sky. Beneath it lay a small, clear pool barely ten feet across.
The water was extraordinary: one half boiled, constantly bubbling.
The other half gave off a bone-piercing chill. These two utterly different properties coexisted within the little pool, as distinctly separated as two rivers of different colors.
This was the destination of Lin Dong's journey-the Dan Immortal Pool.
"Lin Dong, you're finally here."
As the Dan Immortal Pool drew Lin Dong's gaze, Xuan Su, Zhi Lan, and a man in a brocade robe who looked like a merchant approached them with smiles.
"Sorry, Manager Su. Something held us up."
Lin Dong cupped his hands, looking somewhat embarrassed. He had been ready long ago, but Qingtan and Hun Changqing had dawdled in their room for ages, doing who knew what, which had made them a little late.
"It's all right. There's still some time before the contest for the spots begins. You aren't late."
Elegant and poised, Xuan Su chuckled graciously, while her gaze occasionally flicked toward the man beside Lin Dong.
To Xuan Su's surprise, however, Hun Changqing's expression was indifferent. His eyes were less bright than a few days before and seemed somewhat hollow. He looked at her as though she were a stranger, as though all the flirtation between them three days ago had been an illusion.
Hun Changqing's distant manner made Xuan Su's heart clench. Her eyes dimmed, and her delicate hands quietly tightened into fists.
"Xuan Su, is this the replacement for Song Qing that you and