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After Liu Hai finished speaking, Zhang Nu turned to glance at Lin Xiao, as if asking for his opinion. Only when Lin Xiao nodded did Zhang Nu finally breathe a sigh of relief.
“In that case, we shouldn’t delay any longer. Let’s set out right away!” Zhang Nu said.
His desire to save Ling Xi burned fiercely. And in this moment, his determination was met with understanding and support from his companions. He was deeply moved. Once Ling Xi recovered, he swore he would repay these friends who stood by him.
The black market and the frozen lands lie in opposite directions. Just as they turned to leave, Liu Hai suddenly spoke up: “Wait a moment!”
Zhang Nu turned back. “What is it?”
Liu Hai paused, then spoke gravely: “Nothing more—just this: you must be careful. The frozen lands are no ordinary place. Though the herb is important, your safety comes first. Don’t risk your lives for it. Ling Xi is waiting for us to return alive.”
“Thank you.”
Liu Hai’s words nearly moved Zhang Nu to tears. Lin Xiao said nothing, only stepped forward to clap Liu Hai on the shoulder before nodding—showing he had taken the warning to heart.
“Until we return, Ling Xi is in your care,” Lin Xiao said, looking toward the YaoGuai. Ling Xi’s body was far too weak for travel, so she had to be left here for the time being.
“Don’t worry. But make sure you return quickly. We’ve already warned you of the dangers of the frozen lands. Since you’ve chosen to go, if anything happens, don’t say we didn’t warn you.”
And so, the YaoGuai watched the young men set off on their separate paths. No one spoke further, but in their hearts they all wondered—what trials lay ahead?
On the outskirts of the frozen lands stood a single city. Beyond its walls stretched the realm of eternal ice. This city was the final threshold. It was the closest settlement to the frozen lands, yet not a part of it.
“See that? Once you pass through that city, you’ll be inside the frozen lands.” The old guide Lin Xiao had pointed from the hilltop toward the city at the mountain’s base.
“I’ve brought you this far. From here, the rest is up to you.” With that, he waved and turned to leave.
“Wait, elder!” Lin Xiao called, stepping forward.
“What is it, young man?” the old man asked, puzzled.
Lin Xiao had wanted to ask the elder to guide them all the way to the city gates. They were strangers here—who knew if the guards would even let them in? And even if they entered, there was no guarantee they could get back out.
But staring into the old man’s eyes, Lin Xiao sensed that the request would be refused, and so he held his tongue.
“If there’s nothing else, I’ll be on my way,” the elder urged again.
“I… I just want to ask, what is that city called? And who rules it?”
If he couldn’t get a guide, then at least he could gather information.
“I don’t know…” The elder shook his head.
“Really? You live so close, and surely you buy things from the city. You can’t possibly know nothing.”
Zhang Nu frowned. He could tell—the old man was lying. He clearly knew, but simply didn’t want to say.
“Elder, how about this spirit stone?”
Lin Xiao sighed and pulled a small violet stone from his pocket. This was no ordinary rock. Though small, it contained the condensed vitality of a plant that had taken decades to grow. For a man who lived in the wilderness, relying only on what he could grow, using such a stone in his fields would guarantee abundant harvests for years.
The elder’s eyes lit up, reaching eagerly for the stone—only for Lin Xiao to snap his hand closed, holding it back.
“Elder, we mean no harm. Our friend’s life is at stake. Please, help us.”
The old man sighed. “Very well. The city is called Imperial City. Its ruler is none other than the famed Leng Hantian.”
“Leng Hantian?” At the name, Lin Xiao frowned. “You mean the one who once fought the snow beasts of the frozen lands alone, seized the Spirit of Ice and Snow, and with it built a city and carved his domain? The one whose name is known throughout every black market, yet whose face no one has ever seen?”
“That’s him,” the elder confirmed.