Elder Jin hurriedly said, "This place used to be a lake. Due to the perennial snow and ice, it froze over. Since the ice is relatively clear, no matter how thick it becomes, one can still see the fish swimming below!"
"No, those are not fish!" Han Tianci objected.
He had never seen fish that looked like that.
With mouths so large and teeth so sharp.
Elder Jin laughed, "Indeed, there are some other things in there!"
As for what they were, Elder Jin did not say.
Han Tianci, knowing when to stop asking, simply walked on the ice with a certain degree of fear, clutching Chu Yu’s hand tightly.
"Do not fear, I am holding onto you," Chu Yu said softly, comforting him.
Yun Jinnian looked over, and Han Tianci, slightly embarrassed, nodded emphatically.
Initially, he was afraid of breaking through the ice and falling down, but after walking for a while, he became less frightened and even let go of Chu Yu’s hand.
"It snows here all year round, and as the lake is warm, layer upon layer has built up, creating this spectacle!" Elder Jin explained. Then he said to Han Tianci, "Over there, next to the snow mountain, there are sparrows. When the time comes, the young master can catch sparrows, and the sparrows roasted by Elder Hu are really tasty!"
As Elder Jin spoke, he extended his hand toward Han Tianci.
Han Tianci hesitated for a bit before placing his hand in Elder Jin’s larger one.
Elder Jin’s hand was dry, warm, and strong. Han Tianci felt a warmth spreading from his palm to his whole body, instantly making him feel warmer.
He looked up, not understanding, at Elder Jin.
"Call me Grandpa Jin!"
He had never married or had children. For years, he had guarded the Moon-Watch Sect, which had been without a Saintess and Sacred Relic. It had not been easy to remain steadfast for so many years.
By the time he had come to his senses and thought of marrying to have children, he had already grown old.
Han Tianci, so clever and well-behaved, immediately called out sweetly, "Grandpa Jin!"
The group walked on the ice for the duration of an incense stick before reaching the stone path leading through the Green Pine Forest, which was swept clean and stretched endlessly out of sight.
Two figures in black darted out, "Elder Jin, why have you come?"
"I have seen the two emissaries, and I bring the Saintess to meet the Law Sovereign," Elder Jin said, bowing with his hands clasped in front of him.
The men in black turned to look at Yun Jinnian who sat in the palanquin, still dressed in simple white with plain hair and silver ornaments.
They did not bow in return.
Yun Jinnian immediately understood that it did not matter if the five elders recognized her; only if the Law Sovereign recognized her would she truly be the Saintess.
She took a deep breath.
After walking on the stone path for a bit longer than the time it takes an incense stick to burn, they saw a bamboo forest. Snow was falling from the sky, but the bamboo in the forest was lush and green, with not a single snowflake on the leaves. Even if any snow did land, it seemed to melt away instantly.
In the depths of the bamboo forest was a house.
An elderly maid walked out, slow but proper, "Old Ma Gu greets the elder!" Then, looking toward Yun Jinnian, she said indifferently, "The Law Sovereign invites the young lady to follow this old servant inside."
"Ma Gu, the Saintess injured her leg and cannot walk," Elder Jin said quickly.
Ma Gu seemed to suddenly understand, "That’s alright, the old servant will carry the young lady inside!"
Saying so, she stepped forward and lifted Yun Jinnian.
Han Tianci wanted to follow, but Elder Jin held him back with a slight shake of his head.
"Do not worry; nothing will happen!" Elder Jin reassured.
The Law Sovereign would not trouble a young lady, especially since Yun Jinnian was indeed a descendant of the Saintess.
Han Tianci pursed his lips, looking toward Chu Yu.
Chu Yu had been silent all along the way.
Once again, he realized that there were always higher powers, beyond what one knows.