Souls are the most magical things in this world, different from anything in the mortal realm, inexplicable by science, and out of place, as if not belonging to this world at all.
After splitting his soul into two, Yan Shouyi injected it into the fish and crab, perfectly controlling them. He even felt as if "I was originally a fish with crab claws."
The fish and crabs placed in the immortal pool flicked their tails, adapting to their bodies and the surrounding temperature.
Fortunately, the immortal pool was very clear, and visibility was not obstructed.
A minute later, Yan Shouyi controlled the fish and crab, slowly descending.
With every meter the fish and crab approached the glacier snow lotus, the temperature of the glacial water dropped by more than ten degrees. To give the soul time to adapt, Yan Shouyi descended very patiently and slowly.
It took him half an hour to descend just one meter.
Several times, Master Guanyun and Grandma Wen Yuxian suspected that the fish and crab hadn't moved at all.
If one stared at the fish and crab continuously, they would barely notice its movement, but after a few minutes, they would find that the fish and crab were always striving to descend.
Wen Yuxian suddenly noticed that Yan Shouyi's body was trembling slightly, his muscles twitching uncontrollably.
"Shouyi?" Wen Yuxian reached out to touch Yan Shouyi's face and found it terrifyingly cold.
Master Guanyun's expression changed: "Even a soul that has been separated still affects the本体 (běntǐ - main body). It seems the temperature of the immortal pool has dropped to a dreadful level. If Shouyi doesn't find a way to cope, his main soul will also be frozen!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Yan Shouyi activated the Li Huo Talisman hidden in the fish's belly.
He had anticipated such a situation and was well-prepared.
The Li Huo Talisman burned within the fish's belly, instantly dispelling the cold of the glacial water. The fish and crab's bodies slowly warmed up, and Yan Shouyi's main body also stopped trembling.
"Hoo..." Wen Yuxian breathed a sigh of relief. She belatedly remembered that Yan Shouyi was no longer a little kid, but the capable president of the Folklore Research Association.
Therefore, she didn't need to worry too much; he would handle things himself.
"The number of Li Huo Talismans is limited, and their effect doesn't last long, so I waited until I could no longer bear it before activating them..."
Yan Shouyi thought, "I need to act faster."
The fish and crab accelerated their descent. After another dozen minutes, they finally reached the glacier snow lotus.
Because the fish and crab were not large, the glacier snow lotus appeared like a towering ancient tree in their eyes.
The crystal-clear stem bore a lotus seed pod like a lantern. Growing in the water, the seed pod was not yet bent by its weight. The twelve seeds on the pod shone dazzlingly like green jewels.
The lotus root below was free of any mud, appearing semi-transparent white, warm and jade-like, with a smooth and delicate surface, naturally formed.
"These are all treasures!"
Yan Shouyi exclaimed inwardly, but did not linger. He immediately began his actions.
He first controlled the small crab claws to carefully dig out the seeds from the lotus seed pod.
The seeds were easily dug out, reflecting a rainbow of colors in the water. Yan Shouyi held one up to examine it, then quickly placed it into the groove behind him.
One by one, the seeds were dug out. Master Guanyun, standing by the immortal pool, was also extremely excited.
Thirty years ago, she had seen a glacier snow lotus mature once, but at that time, she was not the sect leader and had no decision-making power. She could only watch helplessly as the treasure withered away.
If all twelve seeds were taken out by Yan Shouyi, according to the seven-three split rule, the Emei Sect would receive seven or eight, and Yan Shouyi would receive three or four.
Such resources would be enough for her to train a batch of excellent Emei Sect disciples. For the heavily damaged Emei Sect, this was also an opportunity to regain its strength.
Soon, all twelve seeds were extracted. They were placed one by one into the grooves on the fish and crab's backs, fitting perfectly so they wouldn't fall off even if the creature moved.
"All twelve seeds are secured!"
Yan Shouyi breathed a sigh of relief. He planned to proceed steadily, first taking the seeds up, then taking some time to dive again to retrieve the lotus root.
However, as soon as the seeds were picked, the lotus root of the glacier snow lotus began to wither at a visible rate...
What was happening?
Master Guanyun, outside the immortal pool, couldn't see this and didn't notice anything unusual, nor could she explain it to Yan Shouyi.
After a brief hesitation, Yan Shouyi decided to take a risk and forcefully harvest the lotus root, bringing it out of the immortal pool in one go!
After all, what he truly wanted was the lotus root to craft his wooden puppet avatar, which was crucial for him to leave Mount Emei soon.
The seeds were merely bonus items.
Therefore, Yan Shouyi, without hesitation, controlled the fish and crab to dive deeper!
The Li Huo Talismans in his body were also fully activated, releasing their fire to dispel the cold!
With a powerful flick of its tail, the small fish and crab darted to the lotus root. Sharp crab claws severed the root in a few quick cuts, then firmly gripped it, pulling the entire root upwards!
"What is Shouyi doing?" Master Guanyun frowned. "He's too impatient and greedy. The lotus root is at the bottom of the immortal pool; it's not disappearing. Why not harvest it in two trips?"
Yan Shouyi couldn't express his hardship. If he didn't harvest the lotus root now, it would wither away later!
The small fish and crab, carrying the seeds and dragging the lotus root, struggled at the bottom of the immortal pool, wanting to leave as soon as possible.
At this moment, the Li Huo Talismans in the fish's belly suddenly extinguished!
Yan Shouyi's breath hitched, and he inwardly felt a sense of dread.
Terrifying coldness enveloped the small fish and crab from all directions. Yan Shouyi's soul became frighteningly cold, trembling uncontrollably.
The small fish and crab in the water moved very slowly. Even moving a tail seemed like a monumental task.
Yan Shouyi's main body, sitting by the immortal pool, began to chatter uncontrollably, his teeth clattering. His skin was already covered in a layer of frost!
"This is bad!"
Wen Yuxian's expression changed drastically. She realized that the Li Huo in the fish's belly had extinguished, and Yan Shouyi's soul was being eroded by the cold!
Master Guanyun made a decisive move, saying, "I will transfer vital energy to Shouyi and use Buddhist light to dispel the cold. You find a way to retrieve the fish and crab!"
"Alright!"
The two sisters had a good understanding.
Master Guanyun sat behind Yan Shouyi, placing her hands on his back. Strands of golden Buddhist light surged from her palms, entering Yan Shouyi's body.
The frost covering his skin was indeed suppressed, and Yan Shouyi felt a trace of warmth.
But this was only a temporary relief. If the fish and crab were not retrieved quickly, Yan Shouyi's soul would still be frozen!
Fortunately, the fish and crab had already used all their strength and swum a certain distance. The depth they were at was no longer a zone where life could not exist.
Wen Yuxian floated by the edge of the immortal pool, gritted her teeth, and plunged into the immortal pool...