Xiao Zhou cast a sympathetic look at him: "Blame those two researchers. They were afraid of damaging the equipment and didn't want our boss to bring the dog. Otherwise, you wouldn't be pulling the sled right now."

However, he did not let Xu Ding off the hook either.

Xiao Zhou pulled out another sled without a vehicle and handed the rope to Xu Ding: "There are a lot of supplies, carrying them will be a waste of energy, so please bear with it."

Although Mr. Qian had people to help him and the supplies to be transported, Xiao Zhou and the doctor still carried large bags and small packages of things.

Only the big spenders who provide the funding can go into battle without any burden.

The director was the most relaxed of the group; after approaching the frozen lake, he was ordered to leave by Boss Qian.

"I don't want the adventure to be recorded on camera; you can just film the scenery around you," Mr. Qian said.

Death Lake.

The white ice surface cracked with spiderweb-like patterns, and the central vortex froze into a spiral-shaped deep cave.

The stagnant, dark blue water hidden beneath the ice is devoid of any sign of life, with only distorted, misty shadows appearing and disappearing, sending chills down one's spine.

Unfortunately, the Xu brothers, Ding and Nuo, had no interest in appreciating the spectacular scenery; they just wanted to lie down and rest.

"Legend has it that several missing expeditions are frozen in the deadly frozen lake."

Once the polar night arrives, pale faces will emerge from beneath the ice.

Someone once disbelieved the legend and broke the ice to get water, only to find a finger bone in the melted water.

The next morning, a corpse with finger bones stuck in its eye sockets suddenly appeared on the frozen lake.

It was the same person who had broken the ice the day before.

Mr. Qian recounted the story with a smile.

Xiao Zhou and the doctor kept their eyes down, pretending not to hear.

The director chuckled dryly, "Hehe, boss, be careful when you guys are exploring, I... I'm going to do some research."

They made a hasty escape.

Xu Nuo looked at Xu Ding with tears welling up in her eyes, missing her kind and gentle research colleagues so much.

Xu Dingsong shrugged: "Boss, should we pitch tents around here?"

"No, I spent a fortune to buy a detailed map of the area around the frozen lake. Let's go into the ice cave."