What Wen Ran didn't know was that outside the cave, a group of figures had gathered, their faces obscured by white cloth veils and hoods. The group consisted mostly of women, with only one man among them. The leader, a striking young woman around the age of seventeen, stood at the entrance of the cave, exuding an air of authority and command.
"This place…" Her voice was almost a whisper, flat and emotionless, yet there was a certain resonance to it that commanded attention. Despite the veil concealing her features, her beauty was undeniable, a soft glow of elegance even in the shadows of the night. "Yes, I can feel the aura of eternal ice here."
"Senior sister," a younger, more timid voice suddenly broke the silence. A girl stood slightly behind, her voice trembling with unease. "If master finds out we've sneaked out here alone, won't we get into serious trouble? Perhaps we should—"
