In the large valley, Lin Mu immediately sensed tens of powerful presences all around. Even though he could not see them, the pressure they exuded made it clear: he was being watched by many.

The drakes landed gracefully, their claws cracking the frost but leaving no mark on the ice itself. One of them turned to him and spoke again.

"Wait here," it said. "Our Elder will speak with you."

Lin Mu bowed slightly. "Understood."

The three drakes then turned and disappeared into the icy valley, their massive bodies blending with the frost until they became indistinguishable from the landscape.

Now alone, Lin Mu stood in silence, surrounded by cold and ancient majesty. The valley pulsed faintly with life, an energy unlike anything he had ever felt before in the cold lands like this; pure, ancient, and untouched by the corruption of man.

Little Shrubby growled softly beside him, his flames flickering brighter as if challenging the cold.

"Easy," Lin Mu said quietly. "We are guests here."

The beast snorted once but quieted down.

Lin Mu took a slow breath, feeling the air freezing within his lungs before his Qi melted it away. He could sense countless eyes on him, some curious, some cautious, and some outright hostile.

It was a test of patience and strength, one he intended to pass.

Minutes stretched into silence, and then a deep vibration began to hum through the valley. From the largest cavern ahead, a presence emerged; colder, heavier, and far more ancient than the others. The ice beneath Lin Mu's feet groaned faintly as the immense aura approached.

He looked ahead calmly, waiting for the Ice Drake Elder to appear.

Whatever happened next would determine whether peace still stood between men and drakes, or if an age of frost and vengeance would begin anew.

From within the largest of the ice caverns came a sound like glaciers shifting, slow and powerful.

The pressure in the air intensified, and Lin Mu felt a deep rumble under his feet. The frost on the ground cracked and rose slightly, as if bowing to the presence approaching from within. Even the auras of the other Ice Drakes within the caverns became smothered under it.

Lin Mu straightened himself, his senses sharp, and even Little Shrubby stood tall, his fur bristling slightly from the sheer magnitude of the power drawing near. The icy valley seemed to grow brighter for a moment as motes of blue light drifted outward, shimmering like frozen starlight.

Then, from the darkness of the cavern, a figure stepped out.

At first glance, Lin Mu expected another massive drake, perhaps even larger than the three that had brought him here. But instead, what emerged was something that made his eyes widen slightly.

The one who came forth was not in the form of an Ice Drake.

Instead, it was an old man with a long white beard that reached down to his chest and hair that flowed like silver frost in the wind. His body was humanoid, clothed in flowing robes made of translucent ice silk that reflected the light in dazzling hues of blue.

Yet, patches of glimmering icy scales could be seen on his arms and neck, and a crown of six curved horns surrounded his head, arranged like an intricate halo of frozen crescents.

Though he looked human, the aura surrounding him was anything but.

It was ancient, overwhelming, and primal.

The air itself froze in reverence, and Lin Mu's breath condensed into frost the instant it left his lips. The man's eyes, glacial blue and fathomless, carried the depth of ages. The aura emanating from him was pure, oppressive, and awe-inspiring, spreading out in a wave that made even the mountain tremble slightly.

Little Shrubby gave a low growl, his fur rising, but Lin Mu placed a calming hand on his back. The beast's instincts were warning him that this being was far above anything they had faced.

Lin Mu's own expression remained steady, but his heart acknowledged the truth; this was one of the strongest beings he had encountered in this world.

The oppressive pressure that filled the air was unmistakably that of a Transcendent Immortal. Only a handful of individuals Lin Mu had met radiated such power: Grand Elder Huo of the Xian Sword Sect, the sect's Patriarch himself, and the Abbot of the Silent Lotus Temple.

Now, he could add one more name to that short list: the Elder of the Ice Drakes.

It was no wonder that even the Emperor of the Darkhan Dynasty tread carefully around the drakes.

With a being like this behind them, any misstep could mean the destruction of cities or the collapse of armies. And Lin Mu was certain that this Elder was not the only powerful drake here. Hidden within the icy caverns, he could sense the presence of others; strong, vigilant, and alert.

The Ice Drake Clan was not one to underestimate.

When the Elder finally halted before him, the temperature seemed to drop another degree. Frost gathered in the air like glittering dust, and the Elder's gaze locked onto Lin Mu, studying him intently.

"You are the one who wished to meet us," the Elder said.

His voice was calm and deep, yet each word reverberated through Lin Mu's very bones, as though the mountain itself spoke.

Lin Mu immediately clasped his fists and bowed deeply. "Junior Lin Mu greets the honored Elder. I come on behalf of the alliance between the Xian Sword Sect and the Silent Lotus Temple."

The Elder's gaze remained impassive, neither approving nor rejecting his words. Lin Mu could feel the weight of his stare, testing him, probing for deceit. "I have also brought a gift," Lin Mu continued, maintaining his composure. "A token of goodwill, one that I believe is worthy of the children of dragons." That made the Elder's eyes narrow slightly, though not in hostility. There was now a hint of curiosity in his gaze.

"A gift, you say? Few humans remember our customs, let alone honor them. I did not expect any to follow such etiquette anymore."