Upon hearing Jin Yuan's explanation, Zhang Er Gou's mind immediately became active. What was the purpose of him desperately challenging the experts on the inner sect rankings? Was it not ultimately to participate in the Grand Sect Competition, and if he won, to enter the secret realm? And this Ice Cold Snow Mountain, according to Jin Yuan, was not as simple as it appeared on the surface. Could it also hold opportunities within?
At this moment, Zhang Er Gou not only had no objections to the trip to the Ice Cave but was instead looking forward to it. After all, when he first entered the Misty Sect, his spiritual roots tested as having five elements...
"Elder, where is the Ice Cave located?"
Zhang Er Gou grew increasingly curious about the Ice Cave. Situated in the heart of this snowy mountain, its spiritual energy must be the most concentrated. Jin Yuan looked at Zhang Er Gou with surprise. This brat had been resistant at first. Now he was eager and impatient, as if he were going to find a treasure, not receive punishment.
Jin Yuan didn't speak and continued to fly forward with Zhang Er Gou. About half an hour later, a magnificent cave mansion appeared before them. The lintel of the cave mansion was made of several large pieces of ice, and three large characters, "寒冰洞" (Han Bing Dong), were carved on the lintel. Upon closer inspection, these three characters exuded a subtle sense of oppression.
"Ah!"
Zhang Er Gou cried out in pain and quickly averted his eyes.
"Brat, don't look around randomly. this Ice Cave is very mysterious."
Jin Yuan glared at Zhang Er Gou. He knew that Zhang Er Gou had suffered a soul attack from looking at the three characters of the Ice Cave out of curiosity. Such things happened frequently, so Jin Yuan was not surprised, merely warning Zhang Er Gou not to act carelessly.
Leading Zhang Er Gou into the cave mansion, Zhang Er Gou discovered that its interior was far larger than he had imagined. Furthermore, this Ice Cave mansion was not just one level. Jin Yuan led him past the first level and continued downward, not stopping even at the second level.
"Elder, where are you taking me?"
Zhang Er Gou asked curiously. Clearly, Jin Yuan's explanations along the way had led him to believe that Jin Yuan was an extremely approachable elder.
"Nonsense, of course I'm taking you to the place of punishment. Otherwise, if you run off, where will I find you!"
Jin Yuan rolled his eyes at Zhang Er Gou impatiently and continued to lead him downward. The two descended the stairs for ten levels before stopping. Jin Yuan then casually pressed a spot on the wall, and with a click, a giant ice door slowly rotated open, revealing a secret chamber.
"Go in, you stinky brat. this secret chamber is where you'll be confined. I'll come to pick you up when your sentence is served. During this time, remember that no matter what sounds or disturbances you hear, you must not leave this secret chamber, understand?"
Jin Yuan exhorted solemnly, his eyes fixed intently on Zhang Er Gou.
"Elder, are there other people inside this Ice Cave? What are these lower levels for? How many levels does this cave mansion have in total?"
Zhang Er Gou asked like a curious baby.
"Don't ask what you shouldn't. Remember what I've told you. If you violate it, you'll bear the consequences."
Jin Yuan grumbled with a dark face, admonishing him again. In just half a day, he had realized that this brat was a restless fellow who needed a good lesson. Otherwise, if this brat acted without discretion and caused trouble, he would be a sinner of the Misty Sect. Seeing that Jin Yuan was unwilling to speak, Zhang Er Gou stopped asking and nodded silently, agreeing to Jin Yuan's request.
"Brat, go in."
After the giant ice door opened and Jin Yuan directed Zhang Er Gou into the secret chamber, he casually pressed another spot. The giant ice door slowly rotated and gradually closed.
Click!
When the giant ice door sealed shut with the wall, Zhang Er Gou, inside the secret chamber, couldn't even see where the door was. Fortunately, the secret chamber was not small, covering an area of more than three zhang, so one wouldn't feel too stifled inside. Zhang Er Gou shouted a few times but received no response from Jin Yuan outside, so he gave up.
Looking at the empty secret chamber, Zhang Er Gou's face fell. Before entering the Ice Cave mansion, he had thought he could move freely within the Ice Cave. He hadn't expected it to be divided into many secret chambers. Clearly, it was used for imprisonment. It seemed that old man Jin Yuan had no good intentions from the start. To think he had been so cheerful earlier. A miscalculation, a miscalculation!
Zhang Er Gou slapped his head in regret. He had been tricked by that old man's few words. Thinking that he might find some opportunities in this Ice Cold Snow Mountain, but trapped in such a small room, unable to get out, what opportunities could there possibly be? Zhang Er Gou thought with some annoyance, and lost interest in exploring the secret chamber.
Thump!
Zhang Er Gou plopped down on the ground.
"Ouch!"
In an instant, he jumped up with a yelp. He hadn't felt it while standing, but when he sat on the ground, the bone-chilling coldness directly invaded his body.
"Stinky old man, wicked Jin Yuan, didn't even tell me something so important."
Zhang Er Gou jumped up and began to curse furiously. Since Jin Yuan couldn't hear him anyway, he could curse as much as he wanted.
"Stinky brat, what did you say?"
Suddenly, an angry roar came from outside the secret chamber, startling Zhang Er Gou. It turned out that Jin Yuan had not left immediately. This secret chamber was not soundproof, and Jin Yuan had heard everything Zhang Er Gou had shouted when he first entered. However, to teach the brat a lesson, Jin Yuan had not responded. As expected, not long after, this brat actually insulted him, enraging Jin Yuan.
"Elder, you're still here? The disciple was just talking about a piece of ice in this secret chamber. It was round and tripped the disciple, so the disciple was cursing that piece of ice."
Zhang Er Gou shouted nonsense.
Jin Yuan's mouth twitched outside the door. This stinky brat had compared himself to a piece of ice, deliberately implying something.
"Stinky brat, behave yourself. I'll come to pick you up in a month."
Jin Yuan roared angrily from outside the door, then left this accursed place. Although he was already at the half-step Nascent Soul stage, he still didn't want to stay in this accursed place any longer.
Hearing no movement from outside, Zhang Er Gou worried that it might be another trick by Jin Yuan, so he didn't speak disrespectfully to Jin Yuan as he had before. It wasn't until about half an hour later, when Zhang Er Gou was certain that Jin Yuan had left, that he began shouting at Jin Yuan again. He thought the old man would find him a good place, but in the end, this was the treatment he received. From beginning to end, Zhang Er Gou never considered the fact that he was a guilty person.
After shouting angrily for nearly an hour, Zhang Er Gou was finally tired of cursing and found a spot to meditate and rest. This time, however, he had learned his lesson and no longer sat on the ground so recklessly as he had when he first entered.