Chapter 1913 — 1913: Frozen Cloud Ethereal Sect

Although the Extreme Yin Lake was located beside the Frozen Cloud Ethereal Sect and primarily visited by its disciples, it was classified as a natural training ground rather than exclusive sect property. As such, outsiders were allowed to enter freely.

However, despite this openness, the lake's unforgiving cold served as a natural barrier. The chilling Yin energy was so intense that only those who had cultivated the Frozen Cloud Ethereal Sect's unique techniques could withstand it for extended periods. For anyone else, this training ground was a perilous area.

Because of this, while technically open to all, in practice, the Extreme Yin Lake remained a place almost exclusively occupied by the Frozen Cloud Ethereal Sect's disciples, and even then, only their most talented and experienced disciples would dare to train there.

When Yuan reached about 300 meters from the Extreme Yin Lake, he came to a stop. The air around him was so frigid that even the moisture in his breath froze instantly.

Without hesitation, he sat down and closed his eyes, entering a state of cultivation. Unlike others who would instinctively shield themselves from the cold, Yuan chose not to protect himself with spiritual energy.

Instead, he allowed the bone-chilling Yin energy to penetrate his body freely, embracing the raw intensity of the Extreme Yin Lake's environment. He was not merely cultivating—he was tempering his body, pushing himself beyond his natural limits.

Although the Extreme Yin Lake was indeed effective in improving his Cold Resistance, Yuan found the progress too slow for his liking.

A mere five minutes had passed when he opened his eyes, dissatisfaction flickering within them. Without hesitation, he stood up and began walking closer to the lake, stepping into the even denser Yin energy that surrounded the lake.

The disciples swallowed nervously when they realized Yuan wasn't protecting himself with spiritual energy and enduring the cold with his bare body.

'Is he insane? No… more importantly, how is he enduring the Extreme Yin Lake with his bare body? Does he have a heavenly yin physique?'

The disciples were shocked by Yuan's audacity and mysterious physique.

A few moments later, when Yuan was only 200 meters away from the water, ice began forming around his body, slowly turning him into an ice statue. Yet, despite his seemingly dangerous state, Yuan did not feel like his life was in danger in the slightest.

'This is kind of disappointing... or maybe I was spoiled by the extreme training grounds at the Divine Dragon Sanctuary…' Yuan sighed inwardly as he recalled the truly perilous training grounds that could kill even immortals.

In the blink of an eye, Yuan closed the distance by another 100 meters. Now, he was standing right beside the disciples who were cultivating outside the lake.

"W-Who are you…?" one of them couldn't help but ask.

Yuan turned to look at the dazed female disciple and said, "Xiao Yang."

Without saying anything else, Yuan continued to walk closer to the lake.

"You should stop there if you value your life."

One of the individuals cultivating on the late suddenly spoke out loud when Yuan was just 50 meters away.

"Don't worry, my condition is actually better than it may appear," Yuan said calmly.

The female disciple frowned and said, "Seriously. I don't want to deal with your frozen corpse later. Unless you cultivate the Frozen Cloud Ethereal Sect's cultivation technique or have cold immunity, you won't survive the lake."

"I appreciate your concern, but it's really fine. If I somehow end up as a corpse, my companion will deal with it."

"Your companion? Where?" The disciple looked around but couldn't see anyone.

"They'll be back in a few days. If I have not returned by then, please let them know where I am."

"What are you saying? I don't get it." The disciple raised her eyebrows in a puzzled manner.

Yuan, who had reached the lake, pointed at the water and said, "I'll be inside."

"What?! You can't be serious—"

Before the disciple could finish her sentence, Yuan jumped into the air and dove directly into the lake's center.

"Holy shit! He went inside the water!"

Shock rippled through the disciples as they stared, unable to believe what they witnessed.

Even the Frozen Cloud Ethereal Sect's Sect Leader, a cultivator renowned for possessing Cold Immunity, would not last more than a few seconds submerged in the lake's waters. Yet, Yuan went inside without any protection, treating it like an ordinary pool of water.

Meanwhile, Tan Songyun and Xi Meili arrived at the Frozen Cloud Ethereal Sect and were greeted by the Sect Leader herself when she heard Tan Songyun's name.

"Senior Sister Tan! What a pleasant surprise! I haven't seen you in forever!"

A beautiful woman with white hair and blue eyes approached them with a bright smile on her face.

"I was passing by the Extreme Yin Lake and decided to visit. How's the Frozen Cloud Ethereal Sect lately?"

When the Sect Leader heard this question, her smile weakened, and she responded in a dispirited voice, "It was doing great… until last month."

"What happened?" Tan Songyun inquired.

"I don't know if you've heard, but the Demon Worshippers have been making a scene lately."

"I was in the Hidden Domain until a few days ago, but I know of it. Did they attack your sect?"

The Sect Leader glanced around, scanning their surroundings with a discerning gaze. After a brief pause, she spoke, "Let's go somewhere more private."

"Sure."

"By the way, who is your friend?" The Sect Leader asked as they walked back to her place.

"She's Xi Meili. We're traveling together at the moment. Don't worry, she's trustworthy."

"I'm not worried about that. I was just curious since you've never brought a friend before."

Sometime later, they went inside the Sect Leader's room.

Once she shut the door, the Sect Leader looked at Tan Songyun with a serious face and revealed, "We don't know if it's related to the Demon Worshippers yet, but some of our disciples have gone missing lately."