Hearing the Elder's thoughts, Lin Mu nodded.

"That is exactly what I intended to say," Lin Mu agreed. "We will pretend as though nothing has changed. Let them believe the clan remains unaware and unguarded. When they come, we will already be waiting."

The elder smiled faintly, and for a moment, his cold eyes glimmered with approval. "You are wise for one so young. Very well, we shall act as you suggest."

Lin Mu then took a breath and said, "Elder, my companions are waiting outside. May I bring them in? They should be part of this discussion."

The elder gave a small nod. "You may. They are under your responsibility, and as such, I grant them permission to enter my domain."

Lin Mu clasped his hands and bowed slightly in gratitude before taking out a communication jade slip. Pouring a thread of spiritual sense into it, he sent a quick message to his companions waiting beyond the frozen caverns.

The signal rippled through the surrounding spiritual energy, vanishing into the distance.

Several minutes later, muffled footsteps echoed faintly from the snowy valley, followed by the faint shimmer of warm qi. Daoist Chu was the first to appear, followed by Elyon, Monk Hushu, Cattaleya and Meng Bai.

Little Shrubby went closer to them, so that they could warm in his presence. As the humans and Beastkin entered the grand cavern, their gazes darted around curiously. No great dragons or serpentine figures filled the icy valley, only a tall horned old man with a noble bearing and pale hair that shimmered faintly blue in the light of the ice.

Meng Bai frowned slightly. "Where are the Ice Drakes? And who is this elder?" Daoist Chu and Monk Hushu both stiffened at the question.

They had already sensed the aura radiating from the man before them, vast and ancient, like the endless stretch of a frozen sea. It was unmistakable. Though he wore a human form, his presence was that of a creature born from the essence of winter itself.

Daoist Chu quickly bowed, his tone cautious. "Elder, forgive the boy's ignorance."

But to their surprise, the Ice Drake Elder only chuckled softly.

The sound was deep, resonant, and carried the same calm power as the cracking of glaciers. "There is nothing to forgive. I am indeed the Elder of the Ice Drakes," he said, smiling faintly, "as well as their clan leader."

Meng Bai blinked, clearly taken aback. "You? But... you're human."

The elder's smirk widened. "Not quite, child. This is merely a form I have taken. It is convenient when dealing with humans, and easier to keep my strength contained. You may think of it as a shell, though I assure you, the dragon beneath is very much alive."

He then turned toward Lin Mu, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "This one is curious. He speaks boldly."

Lin Mu smiled and gave a short nod. "He is my disciple, Meng Bai."

The elder regarded Meng Bai again, this time with a more critical eye. His gaze swept over the boy, and Lin Mu could feel the elder's Immortal sense briefly probing Meng Bai's foundation.

After a few seconds, the elder nodded approvingly. "His foundation is stable, and his spirit burns steady. You have taught him well."

Lin Mu inclined his head slightly in gratitude, and the elder continued, "The boy has an affinity with water, does he not?"

"Yes," Lin Mu said.

"Then he may cultivate in our caves if he wishes," the elder said. "Though the element here is primarily ice, the water element within it is potent and pure. It will strengthen his comprehension. The cultivation arrays in our caves are designed to stabilize elemental fluctuations, so he will not suffer imbalance." Meng Bai's eyes widened, clearly startled. For a moment, he was speechless, and Lin Mu had to lightly nudge his shoulder to remind him of his manners. Snapping out of his daze, Meng Bai quickly cupped his hands and bowed deeply. "I... I thank the Elder for this gracious offer."

The elder's laughter rolled through the valley like soft thunder. "There is no need for thanks. Compared to the information you have brought us, this is nothing."

Lin Mu smiled faintly but then remembered the gift he had prepared.

He reached into his Dantian and withdrew a faintly glowing sphere of translucent pink gold energy, the condensed Beast Qi he had refined earlier. The air immediately became heavy with the energy, and the faint scent of beast blood lingered in the chamber.

"Elder," Lin Mu said, holding the sphere with both hands, "I had meant to offer this to you. Would you like to accept it now?"

The elder regarded the sphere for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "No, this is not meant for me. I have no need for it. My bloodline is already pure and whole. It would be better to give this to the young. Let them take it, so that their bloodlines may grow stronger and more refined."

Lin Mu nodded in agreement. "As you wish, Elder."

The elder then raised a hand, summoning a faint pulse of cold energy that resonated through the halls.

A few moments later, a series of deep growls and rumbling footsteps echoed in the distance. Soon, the younger Ice Drakes arrived, each one vast and majestic, their scales glinting like crystal frost. Even the smallest among them was nearly twenty meters long, and the air seemed to hum with the raw vitality of their kind.

The young drakes lowered their heads respectfully before the elder, but Lin Mu could sense their curiosity. Their gazes flickered between him and the glowing Beast Qi in his hand, clearly drawn to its allure.

Lin Mu raised his hand slightly, channeling a thread of spiritual power into the sphere. The Beast Qi responded immediately, unraveling into hundreds of fine strands of light. Each strand slithered through the air like living flame, moving toward the young Ice Drakes.

One by one, the strands of Beast Qi entered their bodies, merging seamlessly into their bloodlines. The Ice Drakes shuddered as their bodies absorbed the essence, faint light pulsing beneath their scales as if their very veins glowed.

By the end of it, all forty young Ice Drakes stood glowing faintly in the dim light of the cavern, their breaths releasing tiny storms of frost. The elder smiled proudly, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes.

"You have given them a great gift today, Lin Mu," he said. "Each of these young ones will remember your name."

Lin Mu bowed deeply. "If it strengthens the Ice Drake Clan, then it is a gift well given."

The elder nodded once, his tone solemn. "Then so it shall be. From this moment onward, we are allies in purpose. Together, we will bring an end to the shadows that the Ephemera Sect casts upon this world."