Alone into the Heavenly Pool

"This isn’t appropriate. It’s just not right."

"I’m a decent man."

Chen Chang'an quickly waved his hands, rejecting Da Huang’s suggestion.

A decent man?

Da Huang shot Chen Chang'an a disdainful look. You? A decent man? After all the shady things you’ve pulled over the years?

If you were truly decent, would you have made Xuan Wudao beg on the streets for three thousand years?

If not for your master kicking you out, Xuan Wudao might have spent his entire life as a beggar, given how rarely you show yourself otherwise.

You? Decent?

"How can this be considered ‘sneaking in at night’?"

"We’re just… taking a look."

"Pure curiosity, that’s all."

"Think about it—it’s been days since anyone’s had a proper bath."

"Don’t they deserve a good wash?"

"In this frozen wasteland, there’s only one place with water. If not the Heavenly Pool, where else?"

"Xian’er, don’t you agree?" Chen Chang'an asked with a perfectly serious expression.

"Uh…"

Gu Xian'er hadn’t expected the usually stern and upright Chen Chang'an to have such a side to him.

Could this be his true nature?

How shameless!

And yet… somehow, it felt oddly endearing?

"The young master’s words are undeniably reasonable."

"This is the only proper course of action," Gu Xian'er replied with equal solemnity.

What the—?!

Da Huang was floored. Chen Chang'an being shameless was one thing, but Gu Xian'er? Her character’s crumbling too?

When they first met, despite her unfortunate circumstances, Gu Xian'er had been untainted by the world around her—proud at her core, a woman with principles and boundaries.

Yet after just a short time with Chen Chang'an, those boundaries had vanished entirely.

"Gu Xian'er, you’ve changed. You’ve become just as shameless as him," Da Huang scoffed.

"Senior Da Huang, you misunderstand."

"For Xian'er, the young master’s words are absolute."

"If he says it is so, then it is so."

"Thus… Xian'er has not changed at all," Gu Xian'er replied with a faint smile.

"Fine, I can’t argue with you two."

"So what’s the plan?"

"I’m practically itching to go."

"I really want to see what secrets this Heavenly Pool holds," Da Huang said excitedly.

"Oh, we’re definitely going."

"But… I don’t want to harm these villagers. They’re innocent in all this."

"So, Da Huang, I need you to figure out a way—whether it’s the villagers or those snow demons—to put them all to sleep. Can you manage that?" Chen Chang'an asked.

"That’s it?"

"You really think so little of me?"

Da Huang shot Chen Chang'an a disdainful glance before vanishing in a flash. Moments later, he reappeared.

"Done."

"Don’t worry. They won’t wake up unless I allow it—not for ten days, maybe even half a month."

"Plenty of time for us to visit the Heavenly Pool," Da Huang said smugly.

"Let’s go."

"Oh, Xian'er, you should stay behind. Your cultivation is still too weak. If something unexpected happens…"

Da Huang hesitated, thinking it might be safer for Gu Xian'er not to come along. After all, who knew what lurked beneath the Heavenly Pool?

"I… understand."

Gu Xian'er’s face briefly fell, but she quickly composed herself.

I must train harder, she vowed silently. I will reach a level where I’m no longer a burden.

"Bring her along."

"Leaving her up here isn’t exactly safe either. Besides, with you around, what danger could there be?"

Chen Chang'an noticed Gu Xian'er’s disappointment. Bringing her along wouldn’t hinder them. He didn’t need protection, and Da Huang could easily keep an eye on her.

"What kind of nonsense is that?"

"How is it unsafe? I took care of the villagers and the snow demons!"

"This is an insult to my abilities," Da Huang grumbled.

"If you’re so amazing, what’s the harm in letting her tag along for the experience?"

"With you around, what could possibly go wrong?" Chen Chang'an said with a grin.

"Now that makes sense."

"Girl, stick with me. I’ll keep you safe. Let’s go."

"Thank you, young master. Thank you, Senior Da Huang."

Gu Xian'er brightened immediately, following closely behind Chen Chang'an as they made their way to the edge of the Heavenly Pool.

"Young master, I… I can’t go any further."

"What the—?! I can’t either!"

Upon reaching the pool, Da Huang and Gu Xian'er discovered an invisible barrier blocking their path. Only Chen Chang'an remained unaffected.

"There must be a barrier here. It’s likely what blocked your senses earlier during the day."

"Right, I forgot—you’re a freak of nature. Barriers don’t work on you."

"Trying to stop me? Let’s see how tough this barrier really is!"

Da Huang’s competitive spirit flared as he threw everything he had into breaking the barrier.

"Huh?!"

"This barrier is… unusual!"

"I can’t even crack it?"

"Strange, very strange. Could it have been set up by a peak Great Emperor?"

The barrier’s resilience shocked Da Huang. There were few barriers in the world capable of stopping him—only one crafted by a peak Great Emperor at full strength could possibly achieve this.

"So you’re saying there might be a peak Great Emperor inside the Heavenly Pool?"

"That seems unlikely."

"Or… did a peak Great Emperor imprison something here?"

"This barrier isn’t just to keep people out—it’s to keep something in?"

Chen Chang'an frowned, analyzing the situation.

"Then again, there’s another possibility."

"This barrier could be natural, formed because of an extraordinary treasure hidden within the pool."

Whatever the case, Chen Chang'an’s curiosity was thoroughly piqued.

"Chen Chang'an, you’re not thinking of going down there alone, are you?"

"You—"

Da Huang started to protest but then remembered—this bastard was practically unkillable. Why bother worrying?

"Never mind. Go ahead. Just make it quick. I’ll keep watch up here."

"Fine. If you two can’t get in, I’ll go alone."

"It should be… fine."

Chen Chang'an smirked before leaping straight into the Heavenly Pool.

Watching his figure disappear, Gu Xian'er couldn’t hide her concern.

"Senior Da Huang, will the young master really be alright?"

"How is he doing now?" she asked anxiously.

"I can’t sense anything inside, but don’t worry."

"Chen Chang'an may not have many talents, but he’s tough as nails."

"There’s probably no one in this world who could even scratch him," Da Huang said with absolute certainty.

Hearing this, Gu Xian'er relaxed slightly—but her admiration for Chen Chang'an grew even stronger.

Invincible.

Only someone truly invincible could remain unharmed no matter the threat.

The young master really is… extraordinary.