Chapter 2173 - 2170: Frost, Rain, and Snow

Chapter 2173: Chapter 2170: Frost, Rain, and Snow

Ling Shuiyao spoke of the small dark room with apparent resentment, making Lin Tian amused. With Little La Jiao’s temperament, she must have been locked in the small dark room too. So now, she wanted Situ Ruoling to taste it as well.

"You..." Ling Zishan tapped Shuiyao’s forehead, clearly seeing through her little scheme, but without any intent to scold her.

Ling Zishan nodded towards her father and Zhuge Cai Zhe, saying, "The Situ family will probably find out soon. I should go handle this."

After finishing, she turned to Lin Tian, "Do you want to come and take a look?"

Lin Tian smiled indifferently and said, "I’m more interested in the small dark room." Then he glanced at Ling Shuiyao, whose face turned red, realizing Lin Tian had seen through her thoughts as well.

"Go ahead..." Ling Xuesong waved his hand dismissively, likely unconcerned even if an Innate Expert invaded the forbidden area.

Lin Tian and Ling Shuiyao, followed by Ling Zishan, left the courtyard and walked down the rear mountain. The three of them arrived in front of a valley, where flowers and leaves were abundant, trees stood tall, and the scenery was beautiful.

However, Lin Tian sensed a different aura. In such a beautiful place, there were no birds. Activating his super vision, he quickly spotted many hidden sentinels.

These were actual hidden sentinels, dressed in fitting clothes, hiding either in the trees or behind stones. Their breaths were steady, and their eyes were sharp and alert.

"Is this the forbidden area of the treasure vault?" Lin Tian speculated.

Ling Zishan openly admitted, "Indeed, the treasure vault is within this valley. It seems you’ve discovered those sentinels. To be honest, these sentinels can only defend against martial artists below the Innate level. If an Innate Expert sneaks in, they wouldn’t stand a chance."

Lin Tian looked around the valley and then glanced back the way they came. In the distance, he could still see a bit of the rear mountain’s scenery. The distance was neither too far nor too close.

"I doubt even an Innate Expert would dare to sneak in. Only those who overestimate themselves would dare intrude," Lin Tian smiled slightly.

Ling Zishan shook her head slightly and whispered, "Not necessarily. Over a decade ago, two Innate Experts sneaked in, resulting in one death and one injury, and both were Japanese."

"Japanese?" Lin Tian was surprised, frowning, "Why would they be Japanese?"

"In our Huaxia Ancient Martial World, although each family has its own ambitions, it’s a peaceful time now. They wouldn’t act so openly. It’s different in Japan. They occasionally cause some disturbances."

"Over a decade ago, two ninjas, roughly at the Ghost Ninja level with Innate Early Stage strength. However, ninjas excel at concealment, ambush, and assassination. In sneak attacks, they are a bit stronger than an average Innate Early Stage."

"Of course, it ultimately depends on actual combat experience. Two Ghost Ninjas working together could stir up a bit of trouble. However, one ninja died from the mechanisms, and the other was injured by the mechanisms and then captured."

"At that time, the Guardian Elder of the vault crushed his scapula, crippling his internal energy, and threw him out of the mountain gate. Since then, no Japanese have dared to invade the vault." Ling Zishan narrated calmly, as if telling a story unrelated to the Ling Family.

Lin Tian raised an eyebrow, not because of the tragic fate of the two ninjas but marveling at the vault’s formidable defenses. Just the mechanisms alone caused one ninja to die and the other to be injured.

"That ninja shouldn’t have been let go," Ling Shuiyao snorted.

Lin Tian guessed the Ling Family’s intentions and explained, "Releasing a cripple ensures they deliver the message and deters Japanese forces. Besides, does such a cripple have any chance of survival after returning?"

"Lin Tian’s right. Ninjas differ from Ancient Martial cultivators as they obey a certain power or master, lacking individuality. They can’t be considered cultivators. Once they become cripples, they’re useless to their master and face a dead-end." Ling Zishan affirmed.

"That Situ Ruoling is lucky she didn’t have the strength to reach the mechanisms; otherwise, she’d end up dead too." Lin Tian said coldly.

As the three continued talking, they arrived in front of a rock wall, where there was a cave opening. Faint shouting could be heard from inside.

"Let me out..." The voice was all too familiar, belonging to Situ Ruoling.

Two female disciples with swords emerged from the cave. The female disciple bowed to Ling Zishan, respectfully saying, "Pavilion Master, Situ Ruoling is quite the troublemaker."

"Ignore her," Ling Zishan said without entering, turning instead to look into the distance.

Lin Tian’s ears twitched, hearing hurried footsteps approaching. Before long, three figures appeared in view.

"Does Situ Yufeng think he can just come and fetch her out?" Ling Shuiyao said with disdain.

The newcomers were indeed Situ Yufeng and two young disciples. Upon arrival, Situ Yufeng bowed to Ling Pavilion Master, "Junior greets Ling Pavilion Master and apologizes on behalf of his sister. May the Ling Pavilion Master forgive and release my sister."

Situ Yufeng spoke in a polished manner, seemingly unaware of Lin Tian’s presence. Lin Tian internally sneered, finding the apology insincere as there was no mention of the mistake made.

Ling Zishan remained silent, but Ling Shuiyao spoke with a cold smile, "Forgive? I don’t know what there is to forgive?"

Ling Zishan was only cordial with Lin Tian but not as friendly with Situ Yufeng, hence she didn’t stop Ling Shuiyao from speaking.

Ling Shuiyao’s words clearly demanded that Situ Yufeng acknowledge it. Of course, Little La Jiao wasn’t wrong; the Situ family indeed intruded on the forbidden area.

Situ Yufeng frowned slightly, choosing his words carefully, "My sister is unfamiliar with the Ling Family and accidentally intruded into the forbidden area. Indeed it’s a mistake. After I take her back, I will surely discipline her strictly. I ask Ling Pavilion Master to forgive my sister’s recklessness for the sake of the Situ family."

"The face of the Situ family? Where is it? I don’t see it," Ling Shuiyao spoke again, deliberately looking around but avoiding Situ Yufeng’s face.

This tone and action clearly implied that Situ Yufeng’s face wasn’t significant enough.

Lin Tian almost laughed out loud. Little La Jiao, seemingly arrogant and unreliable, could actually speak such meaningful and sarcastic words.

Situ Yufeng frowned again, irritated by Ling Shuiyao’s barbed comments, but he couldn’t show it.

"Ling Pavilion Master, such heavy majesty, how about adding my old face to it!" A loud voice came from afar as the speaker approached while talking, moving quickly.

Accompanied by a gust of cold wind, an old man appeared, covering the distance to the cave entrance in a few steps.

The old man was dressed in blue, with gray hair but stood upright, looking solemn and cold. His eyes were filled with actual chill, sweeping across as if carrying winter’s icy frost and snow.

Ling Shuiyao shivered slightly, seemingly invaded by the chill, but then felt warmth spreading throughout her body from behind.