Chapter 660: Encounter in Antarctica

Translator: Timothy_ Editor: GlobeGlotter

Ye Mo felt increasingly colder in the water. The submarine seemed to be heading toward Antarctica. Even Ye Mo couldn't endure the prolonged immersion in the steadily chilling water.

Just as Ye Mo was about to surface for air, he sensed imminent danger. He jumped from the sea without hesitation, just as a missile exploded where he had been.

Ye Mo's face fell. He hadn't expected to be discovered so soon, yet he'd foolishly continued following the submarine, freezing in the ocean.

Ye Mo knew further pursuit was pointless. His only option was to destroy the submarine before it transmitted news of his presence.

With that thought, Ye Mo unleashed his flying sword, transforming it into a white ray of death. He wouldn't allow any word of his location to get out.

The submarine, which had just surfaced slightly, was sliced open, the immense water pressure instantly killing everyone aboard.

Ye Mo cursed. He'd followed the submarine for so long, only to fail at the last moment.

Ye Mo surfaced and launched several fireballs around himself to evaporate the seawater. Looking around, he was near Antarctica. He went ashore and searched with his spiritual sense, certain the submarine had only discovered him recently. It couldn't have detected him immediately; therefore, it must have been heading somewhere nearby.

But his vision encompassed only snowy white. Ye Mo found no suitable habitation. Only where seawater splashed on rocks did any color other than white appear. A few penguins slowly walked on the rocks, and Ye Mo ceased his search. Besides these animals, he couldn't imagine how a human could live there.

Perhaps the submarine merely intended a brief stop? Ye Mo shook his head and stepped onto the snow.

The snow was deep but firm. Ye Mo left only two footprints; he didn't sink.

Ye Mo walked a few steps and stopped, his gaze fixed on a print beside his own. It was faint, unnoticed had he not stepped there. Clearly a footprint, someone had passed by.

Ye Mo searched carefully, but found only that single print. Yet, someone couldn't have left just one. Indeed, four meters away, Ye Mo saw another footprint.

Obviously, the same person's. Someone who could traverse four meters in a single stride? Ye Mo instantly grew cautious—this person was undoubtedly an ancient martial artist, capable of such a leap.

Ye Mo crouched, pressing on the footprint; it felt hard.

Ye Mo soon realized something was amiss. Although only four meters separated the footprints, they faced different directions. As Ye Mo continued to observe, he discovered this person actually covered at least six or seven meters with each step. This was a master!

This person had gone to the sea and returned. What had they done at the shore? Following the footprints for several kilometers, Ye Mo finally understood. The tracks toward the shore were lighter; those away from it were heavier. This person must have carried a heavy load upon their return, meaning they'd gone to the shore to hunt for food.

This was someone who lived there permanently. Someone capable of permanent Antarctic residence was no ordinary individual. Ye Mo followed the tracks for more than ten kilometers before they vanished completely.

Even Ye Mo had to commend this person's endurance in traveling so far for food.

Ye Mo carefully examined the area where the footprints disappeared, but found nothing. He was disappointed. He was sure someone lived there; otherwise, there wouldn't be such prints.

However, besides the glaciers, the most striking feature was a tall mountain in the distance, estimated to be over 4,000 meters above sea level.

Ye Mo reached the mountain's base, believing that if the person lived nearby, it would be there—the location he would choose himself.

Finding more footprints near the mountain's base, Ye Mo grew excited. The missing prints between might be due to wind.

Though only one footprint appeared, Ye Mo remained vigilant. He was bewildered to find the temperature at the mountain's base even colder.

A few hours later, Ye Mo stood shocked before an extremely well-hidden valley, murmuring, "Hidden formation."

This was clearly from the cultivation realm—how could it exist on Earth, in Antarctica?

Were cultivators truly present? Ye Mo suddenly recalled Lu Yingying, whom he'd met at He Feng. Her grandfather possessed a spirit-gathering formation disk to cultivate Blue Flower Blue Leaf Grass. Theoretically, this was beyond the capabilities of ancient martial artists.

This was the second time Ye Mo had encountered something related to dao cultivation.

But this formation was far superior to that spirit-gathering disk. It didn't require spirit stones and self-sustained on the meager ambient spiritual energy. Even he couldn't create such a thing at present.

Ye Mo was astonished, unsure how to proceed.

He could enter, but what if an ancient monster resided within? That would be suicide.

Yet, he'd be unsatisfied if he didn't enter. He'd finally discovered cultivation ruins; perhaps he could find what he needed.

The best approach was to wait until he grew stronger, but Ye Mo knew that without another fortuitous encounter or spirit herbs, he wouldn't reach a higher level.

Cultivation was about seeking freedom, and an opportunity stood before him, yet he was afraid. Ye Mo thought, 'If I don't dare pursue an opportunity like this, even if more arise in the future, I'll never grow stronger.'

Moreover, since this person left footprints, they weren't a supreme master. Would a true master leave any prints at all? No, not even half a footprint.

Thinking thus, Ye Mo hesitated no longer and stepped into the hidden formation. After a few steps, Ye Mo vanished completely from the valley.