"Do you have them? But what do you need them for?"

Andy asked, looking puzzled.

"The stones are for building a temporary stove, and the wood is obviously for burning."

"But hammers and pincers... I don't have any of those..."

Andy said with a troubled face.

"How about borrowing them from Dorong? We can return them soon after we use them."

Su Chen suggested, but was immediately rejected by Andy, "No way. If I borrow from him, he'll seize the opportunity to humiliate me. That annoying fellow would love to see me stuck outside his cave like a grandson at this moment!"

Andy said with anger.

Su Chen spread his hands helplessly, "Then I might not be able to help. Perhaps I can barely forge a hammer, but those cauldrons and grinding bowls require precise molds. Without auxiliary tools, it's impossible to forge them."

Andy tightly furrowed his brows, a flicker of indecision flashing several times in his eyes. Looking at the pile of refined iron ore, his old face reflected a yellowish glow. Finally, he trembled slightly with his lips, gritting his teeth, "Fine, I'll ask him one last time. Even if he shames me again, I'll just treat it like being bitten by a dog."

With that, he slowly turned and walked out of the melting cave, his short yet solid figure casting a long, solemn shadow on the ground.

Su Chen watched him leave without moving his eyes. When the footsteps completely disappeared, he frowned, a look of suspicion appearing on his face.

Logically speaking, the Flame Essence is so rare; how can it be lent just like that? Even if Andy has full control over it, he'd not easily agree to lend it to me, would he? Unless, he already has a foolproof plan to get both the cauldron and the hammer while keeping the Flame Essence.

So how does he plan to go back on his word?

It wasn't known how long had passed before the silence by his ear was interrupted by Andy's footsteps, pulling Su Chen out of his thoughts.

"Did you manage to borrow the things?"

He asked somewhat urgently.

Andy first spread his hands, then deliberately pulled a long face, "Not yet borrowed, but..."

"But what?"

Su Chen asked again.

"That pesky Dorong said that if you help him kill a North Nether Divine Fish, he will agree to lend us the auxiliary forging tools for a day."

Andy lowered his voice.

Su Chen raised his eyebrows, discontent in his voice, "North Nether Divine Fish? What is that?"

"It's said to be a level-four Spirit Beast containing 'Profound Water'. Profound Water ranks fifth on the mystical water list. For a Master Artisan like Dorong practicing the water attribute, it's a coveted treasure."

Andy said with a hint of reluctance.

"Then why hasn't he sought it himself for so long?"

Su Chen's mood turned dark as he coldly asked.

"Because we Three Witch Immortals cannot leave the top of Sunshine Mountain easily, or else we'll be severely punished by the master."

A flicker of fear crossed Andy's eyes, his usually robust and gruff voice slightly trembling...

"Master? Who is he?"

Su Chen finally noticed the key in Andy's words and asked curiously. Someone who could make the three peculiar Witch Immortals so fearful definitely isn't ordinary. However, seeing Andy didn't dare directly mention that person's name, Su Chen realized his question might not be answered.

As expected, Andy's face changed slightly, shaking his head repeatedly, "That's not something you should meddle with. Don't ask any further; I won't answer you!"

Su Chen expected this, so he wasn't too disappointed. He just nodded lightly and switched the topic to the North Nether Divine Fish, "So, Senior Andy, where can I find the North Nether Divine Fish, and how can I catch it?"

Andy seemed surprised by how quickly Su Chen changed the topic, pausing for a moment, then looking at Su Chen strangely before slowly replying, "The North Nether Divine Fish lives in a thousand-year-old ice pond at the base of Sunshine Mountain. As far as I know, there should be three to four North Nether Divine Fish there, and the weakest of them are all level-four Spirit Beasts."

Su Chen couldn't help but be taken aback - level-four Spirit Beasts? And more than three of them? If he unexpectedly encounters them all, wouldn't it be a life-or-death situation? He knew he didn't have the strength to contend with three Beast Lord experts as a newly promoted Three-star Beast Master. Seeing his hesitation, Andy shook his head and sighed, "Well... I know this task is quite challenging. If you find it impossible, then..."

"Alright, I'll take care of this matter. Senior Andy, just draw me a map to the ice pond, and don't worry about anything else."

Su Chen's eyes narrowed, his tone steady.

Andy opened his mouth slightly, his lips trembling, his dry old face flushing with excitement, "Alright, young man, you truly have guts. I, Andy, admire your courage. If this task is completed successfully, I promise to lend you the Flame Essence seed and the secret manual, as per my word."

Su Chen nodded slightly, and then Andy walked to the depths of the melting cave to draw a simple map for Su Chen.

The faintly dark light of the melting cave enveloped the huddled Andy, casting a black shadow. The drip-drop of water was clear in Su Chen's ears, as if racing with time.

After an unknown period, Andy put down the goose quill in his hand, picked up the proclamation paper filled with mountain paths, and showed a satisfied smile.

"It's done. The map to the ice pond is finally ready!"

Su Chen gave a faint smile, a gleam in his eyes as he approached the satisfied Andy. In the dim corner, Andy stood by the stone table with an indescribable smile on his old face. Turning around to look at Su Chen, he slowly handed over the map along with a sharpened short blade, "Young man, go ahead. We await your good news..."

Without saying more, Su Chen took the map and strode out of the melting cave. Watching Su Chen's departing figure, Andy squinted his eyes slightly, the corner of his eye seemed to flicker slightly, like the sinister gleam of a viper...

In the middle of Sunshine Mountain, Su Chen walked along a beautiful winding path, deep in thought. Over half an hour had passed since he left the top of Sunshine Mountain. Although he hadn't encountered any dangers or obstacles along the way, an inexplicable odd sensation lingered in his mind, preventing him from feeling at ease.

Before reaching the destination, Andy and others shouldn't plot against him. But why did it always feel like something was amiss, as if one careless move would plunge him into an irreparable abyss?

Thinking this way, he finally reached the base of Sunshine Mountain an hour later. Pushing aside the thick branches in front of him, Su Chen saw an incredibly vast and beautiful ice pond!

The ice pond itself covered several acres, not counting the open areas and dense forest around it. The oval-shaped pond exuded thin cold mist, resembling a crystalline white pearl embedded at the foot of Sunshine Mountain. The misty pond surface seemed like a divine realm, creating an illusion of being in a dream. As the gentle breeze came by, the mist permeated, forming marvelous shapes in the air, as if thousands of dragons and steeds were galloping and roaring...

Su Chen slowly approached the ice pond, his eyes showing a trace of confusion, as if transformed by the mist. Facing such a mysterious, expansive ice pond for the first time, he felt somewhat apprehensive. How many unknown Spirit Beasts lurked in the depths of the pond?

Standing by the misty ice pond, gazing at the vast expanse of water, Su Chen took a deep breath. On his back was only an unfamiliar short blade, devoid of any spiritual essence or sense of security. Thinking of the Wind Soaring Wings left in the Luoji Mountain Inn and the Blood-Red Sword taken by the beast horde, a sense of melancholy crept upon him.

In the end, he was left alone to face all the trials and dangers. There was no one to share the burden, no one to accompany him. He walked alone, just like this.

He slightly raised the corner of his mouth, a faint smile appearing. Then with a leap, he dived like a carp into the bottomless icy pond. At this moment, it felt as if everything, along with his heavy heart, sank into the depths of the pond.

Entering the pond was like being pierced by countless needles, accompanied by a tingling pain. The unprecedented cold made every pore on Su Chen's body taut. However, as he activated the Beast's Qi Energy and dived deeper, the piercing chill gradually faded into a constant surge of waves. The visibility underwater was extremely low; the view was dim, lacking light, and he couldn't make out anything even a few meters away. Only the faint azure glow accompanied him as he descended and advanced.

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