Douluo: This Legend of the Dragon King is not quite right

Chapter 426 Is there a problem with the Ice Emperor's Ice Jade Scorpion Clan?

Under Lu Jun's modifications, the cave has now been transformed into a safe, clean, warm, and comfortable temporary refuge.

Let's rest here for a while.

Lu Jun breathed a sigh of relief and found a smooth patch of ice to sit on.

"Eat and drink when you're hungry to replenish your energy. Then take turns meditating to restore your depleted soul and mental strength. The road ahead will probably be even more difficult."

The icy blue cave reflected the leaping flames, and the master and apprentice found a warm place to rest temporarily in this extremely isolated and desolate place.

Inside the ice cave, it was warm and peaceful, forming a completely different world from the devastating snowstorm outside.

Leng Yaozhu took out the high-calorie jerky and flatbread she had prepared from her storage soul tool and carefully roasted them with the Heavenly Phoenix True Fire dancing on her fingertips. The aroma of the food gradually spread, dispelling the last trace of chill and whetting the appetites of both of them.

During this cozy break, Lu Jun accepted the perfectly baked food from the teacher and casually said:
"Teacher, when I was cleaning the cave just now, I carefully sensed the traces left behind. Judging from the shape and size of the traces, as well as the extremely faint yet unique residual energy in the air..."

"The soul beasts that lived here before should have been the Ice Jade Scorpion clan."

"The Ice Jade Scorpion Clan?"

Leng Yaozhu's hand froze abruptly, almost dropping the roasting jerky into the fire.

Her beautiful face was filled with shock as she abruptly looked up at Lu Jun.

"The Federation and the Spirit Pagoda have always known that the Ice Jade Scorpion Clan has been guarding the deepest part of the far north for generations, and has almost never had contact with the outside world."

"But... we're already so deep here, the environment is so harsh that even I can hardly bear it. Further ahead is probably a true forbidden zone. How... how did they survive in such a place? It's simply unbelievable!"

Lu Jun took a bite of the fragrant jerky, smiled, and threw out an even bolder guess:

"Teacher, do you think... is it possible that the Ice Jade Scorpion clan isn't just guarding the depths of the far north, but that their actual habitat is the core area that we humans consider an absolute forbidden zone? Are they the guardians of that forbidden zone?"

This speculation silenced Leng Yaozhu.

She pondered carefully, her red lips slightly parted, and after a long while, she slowly said:

"If that's the case, then the Ice Jade Scorpion Clan is far more powerful and mysterious than we humans realize."

"According to ancient legends, every true Ice Jade Scorpion is born with the ultimate ice attribute, and they are undoubtedly the most powerful social soul beast group in the far north."

"Now it seems that it is a miracle that they can survive in a restricted area where even satellites cannot detect them and the environment is extremely harsh."

As she spoke, she glanced at the direction of the cave entrance with lingering fear.

They were currently very close to the edge of the restricted area, and the harshness of the environment made it difficult for this level 98 Super Douluo to move. Without Lu Jun's protection, she would probably have frozen to death here.

What terrifying sight must the true core of the forbidden zone hold?

However, the Ice Jade Scorpion has been able to live there for generations, and its strength and foundation are terrifying to think about.

"Perhaps this is the true source of the Ice Jade Scorpion Clan's strength and pride," Lu Jun echoed, a hint of barely perceptible emotion in his voice.

Within his spiritual sea, Hyotei, having overheard the conversation outside, had already proudly raised her chin, crossed her arms, and her azure eyes gleamed with pride as she spoke to Lu Jun and Xue Di through the spiritual link:

"Hmph, this is the pride and power of our Ice Jade Scorpion clan. Ten thousand years ago, our entire clan, under my leadership, migrated to the core forbidden zone of the far north."

Her tone was full of reminiscence and domineering: "The most important mission of the Ice Jade Scorpion Clan is to protect me and the Snow Empress, as well as to protect you, this divine artifact that fell from the sky and attracted countless covetous eyes."

"It is precisely because of the extremely low temperature environment of the forbidden zone, which is enough to deter any human powerhouse, coupled with the protection of our entire clan's elite, that we have been able to ensure that no outsider has been able to approach and touch the Ice Abyss Sword for ten thousand years!"

"In addition, with the power of your divine artifact, Lu Jun, our Ice Jade Scorpion Clan's strength has been enhanced, and our resistance to cold has been further improved, reaching a level where we can leave all other creatures in the dust, not even seeing their exhaust fumes. This is why we can live in the forbidden zone for so long."

The Snow Empress beside her nodded slightly, her cool voice carrying a hint of agreement:
“Bing’er is right. The extreme environment of the far northern forbidden zone, where even gods can perish, coupled with the Ice Jade Scorpion clan, which is the strongest living barrier amplified by the divine artifact, makes this one of the safest places on the continent.”

"Otherwise, with the power of a divine artifact like the Ice Abyss Sword, if it had fallen into any other place in the far north, it would probably have attracted the frenzied fighting of various forces on the continent, and even the hidden old monsters, ten thousand years ago, causing countless bloody storms."

She paused, then concluded:
"In a sense, it was the fall of the Ice Abyss Sword that made the forbidden zone of the far north infamous; but conversely, it was precisely the harsh environment of the far north and the loyal protection of the Ice Jade Scorpion clan that ensured the Ice Abyss Sword's peace for ten thousand years. The two complement each other."

However, at that moment, Hyotei seemed to suddenly sense something extremely subtle yet amiss, and his tone abruptly changed as he exclaimed in surprise:
"Wait a minute, Mr. Lu, I've noticed something's not right."

"What's wrong?" Lu Jun immediately became concerned and focused his attention.

Hyotei's voice became serious and confused:
"I just carefully sensed the remaining aura of my people in the cave again... Although it's very faint, it's definitely not wrong, but... the feeling this aura gives me seems... somewhat different compared to ten thousand years ago!"

She strained to discern the faint lingering trace of life, her tone gradually becoming filled with surprise and uncertainty:
"Although their core aura is still the ultimate ice of the Ice Jade Scorpion, within that primordial aura... there seems to be some other, very subtle, extremely uncomfortable evil and dark energy aura mixed in!"

"This is completely contrary to the pure and cold nature of our Ice Jade Scorpion, this is definitely not normal!"

Upon hearing Hyotei's words, which were filled with shock and unease, Lu Jun's brows furrowed instantly, and his expression became extremely serious.

An ominous premonition quickly rose in his mind.

He asked in a deep voice through the mental link:

"Ice Emperor, do you mean that the Ice Jade Scorpion clan guarding the core of the forbidden zone might have encountered some misfortune during these ten thousand years? Or perhaps they have been corrupted or controlled by some evil, dark force?"

"The possibility is very high."

Hyotei quickly replied.

"These auras are very strange. I know my clan well. How could the Ice Jade Scorpion clan possibly have such a ghostly thing?!"

"My people are in trouble, Lord Lu! The forbidden zone in the far north is in grave danger!"

"You should go back and check on them!"

Faced with Hyotei's eagerness, Lu Jun was momentarily at a loss.

Why do problems arise wherever he goes?

Lu Jun looked up at Leng Yaozhu, comforting Hyotei in his spiritual sea:

"Hyotei, this matter can't be rushed. We don't know what happened inside, so we need to rest well and be in the best condition to go deep into the restricted area and find out what happened inside."

"Anyway, one more day won't make a difference."

"...Yes, I was too hasty," Hyotei said, her voice trembling with emotion. "My people..."

(End of this chapter)