"Deep inside the hidden cave, beneath the spring!"
Li Lingyue and Lu Changfeng exchanged a glance. No words were needed.
Year Baleful and the others led the way, escorting Pei Shuang straight into the depths of the cave.
After they passed through several narrow passages, the air grew colder and damper.
At the end lay a natural stone chamber only thirty or forty feet across. Sure enough, at its center was a pool the size of a washbasin, quietly giving off cold vapor.
The water was a deep emerald green, its bottom hidden from sight. A piercing chill rose from it, and white frost coated the surrounding stone walls.
"Right here!" Pei Shuang pointed at the cold pool.
Lu Changfeng stepped forward and sharpened his gaze. Though icy, the water was exceptionally clear. He could just make out several sealed iron boxes of varying sizes at the bottom, secured by metal chains to the submerged stalagmites.
He held two fingers together like a sword and swept them through the air. Several invisible strands of Sword Qi severed the chains with precision. At the same time, he released his internal energy, creating a gentle pulling force.
With several splashes, three iron boxes broke through the water and landed on the dry stone floor beside the pool.
All three boxes were sealed with waterproof sealing wax.
With a sweep of his sleeve, Lu Changfeng burst open the first iron box.
Inside lay a folding fan with refined steel ribs and a leaf of strange silkworm silk.
The fan's leaf was pure white, with cloud patterns faintly flowing across it. Slightly warm to the touch, it could actually regulate the temperature within a foot or so around it, keeping its owner warm in winter and cool in summer. Its ribs were exceptionally tough,