The journey that followed went without any unforeseen incidents.
Only when crossing the Great Snow Mountain, a few people nearly fell off the cliff due to exhaustion, but fortunately, their companions managed to save them.
After crossing the Great Snow Mountain, although the temperature remained low, it finally reached a range acceptable to humans.
Moreover, the further out they went, the higher the temperature rose, and the brighter the sky became, making everyone’s moods completely different.
The long-silent team finally burst into laughter and cheer.
"Young Master, here’s a bowl of wontons we’ve made for you, rest assured, we washed our hands several times before making it, it’s guaranteed to be clean, please have a taste!"
A woman holding a steaming bowl of wontons spoke to Zhao Ya.
Zhao Ya was about to refuse, but seeing the woman’s eager eyes, he sighed inwardly and nodded.
"Thank you very much!"
"It’s no trouble, it’s no trouble at all, you’ve worked so hard for everyone, we’re just making you a bowl of wontons, how could that be any trouble!"
The woman was clearly quite happy that Zhao Ya didn’t refuse, speaking incessantly, then placing the bowl on the table.
"Please eat it while it’s hot, I’ll come to clean up the dishes afterward!"
With that, the woman bowed respectfully and exited the tent.
Zhao Ya smiled, then lowered his head to continue examining the map on the table.
This map was traced by Zhao Ya from the copy that Shi Laohei had, and he added a scale and contour lines according to past habits.
This made the map more understandable.
At this moment, Zhao Ya wrote a large question mark by the side of Wuyang Sea on the map.
Even though they had successfully passed through the sudden snowstorm and left Wuyang Sea, Zhao Ya kept pondering over that day’s events.
Especially the fog surging ashore and the foggy, horn-like sounds, which surfaced in Zhao Ya’s mind from time to time.
He had a constant feeling that Wuyang Sea was far more mysterious and terrifying than it appeared on the surface.
This was further confirmed over the past few days.
From Shi Laohei and other Sea Gatherers, Zhao Ya learned that the anomalies in Wuyang Sea had become increasingly frequent over the past decade.
Especially in recent years, with incidents involving the Old Leader and Kong Xiangdong, these Sea Gatherers were filled with dread.
This also caused Zhao Ya considerable concern.
However, his worries were not limited only to what might happen with this Wuyang Sea, but also other matters...
But soon, Zhao Ya pushed these worries aside, deciding not to dwell on them for the moment.
In the absence of sufficient information and countermeasures, any anxiety would be futile, even counterproductive.
So Zhao Ya quickly adjusted his mindset, folded the map, put it away, then picked up the steaming bowl of wontons and began to eat.
As he bit into it, a fragrance filled his mouth.
Zhao Ya was slightly taken aback.
For the wonton filling was made of green vegetables.
In this icy land, green vegetables were far more precious than any meat.
And these women had somehow obtained these greens and made them into wontons, showing great care and thoughtfulness.
Zhao Ya smiled, quickly finished the bowl of wontons, then got up and walked outside the tent.
"Young Master!"
"Greetings, Young Master!"
Everywhere voices greeted him. Anyone who saw Zhao Ya would respectfully stop and call out to him.
Zhao Ya nodded and smiled in response, then walked to Jing Rou’s tent.
At that moment, Jing Rou was still absorbed in studying the Miracle Creation, so much so that he didn’t even lift his head when Zhao Ya entered, merely asking.
"What’s up, Ya?"
"Brother, pack up your things, we’ll leave tomorrow!" Zhao Ya said.
Hearing this, Jing Rou finally stopped what he was doing, "Leaving tomorrow?"
"Yes, now that we’ve reached the edge of the Northern Realm, they can manage the rest of the journey on their own, and it’s time for us to return!" Zhao Ya smiled.
Jing Rou immediately became excited, "Great, great, let’s leave tomorrow then!"
He had been longing to return home but hadn’t dared to mention it.
Now, hearing Zhao Ya bring it up, he was naturally thrilled.
After a few more words, Zhao Ya left Jing Rou and turned toward Kong Xiangdong’s tent.
Upon seeing him, the first thing Kong Xiangdong asked was.
"Leaving?"
"Yes, it’s time to go!" Zhao Ya replied, straightforwardly.
Kong Xiangdong offered no objections, simply nodded, "Indeed, it’s time to leave. Another three to five days and we’d be leaving the Northern Realm anyway, so if we don’t leave now, we’d eventually part ways and each go our own path."
He spoke with a tone full of emotion.
Zhao Ya wasn’t moved by this, instead, he suddenly asked, "Are you coming back next year?"
Kong Xiangdong hesitated for a moment, then nodded, "Yes, of course!"
"Although it’s dangerous here, I have so many people under my care relying on me for their livelihood. If I don’t come back, how will they manage?"
"Good, then come with me!"
Zhao Ya turned and walked out of the tent, with Kong Xiangdong following closely behind.
When they reached the snowfield, Zhao Ya gave a whistle, and a moment later, the Free-Loading Bird leader flew over.
Zhao Ya gently stroked its feathers affectionately, then turned to Kong Xiangdong and said, "I’ll have it stay here by the Wuyang Sea to help you, how about that?"
Kong Xiangdong was slightly surprised by Zhao Ya’s decision, asking curiously, "Aren’t you taking it with you?"
Zhao Ya shook his head with a smile, "No, after all, it was raised on the snowfield, and if I took it away from this land, I doubt it would survive long, so let it stay here."
Initially, Zhao Ya had not thought much of the giant bird, merely intending to check its nest for shells that could mimic the environment.
At that time, Zhao Ya had even resorted to threats.
But as he discovered the bird’s remarkable intelligence and usefulness, his perspective shifted.
Especially after binding it with medicinal powders, the bird proved exceptionally reliable.
The fact they could successfully break through the snowstorm was largely thanks to the bird’s contribution.
So Zhao Ya changed his mind, not only neutralizing the poison he had administered but also choosing to leave it on the snowfield.
"Alright!" Kong Xiangdong did not refuse, he directly accepted, then asked.
"So what do I need to do?"
Zhao Ya smiled.
Dealing with a smart person like this was effortless.
"I have a feeling Wuyang Sea won’t stay quiet, so next year when you return, you must closely monitor its movements. If there is any new discovery, make sure to find a way to inform me."
"No problem!"
Subsequently, Zhao Ya and Kong Xiangdong discussed the details of how they would maintain contact.
Then Zhao Ya patted the giant bird’s head and gestured to Kong Xiangdong.
"See him? He’s my friend. When I’m not on the snowfield, you must follow his orders, understood?"
The giant bird seemed a bit reluctant but nodded nonetheless.
Afterward, Zhao Ya declined Kong Xiangdong’s invitation to a drink, returned to the tent, packed his belongings briefly, then sat cross-legged. With a thought, the system panel appeared before him.
Name: Zhao Ya. Age: 21 years. Remaining lifespan: 11985 (+ 32 days) years
Skills: Eight Vajra Longevity Skill (Returning to the Essence 61%)
Wind-Slaying Saber Technique (Extraordinary to Saint)
Immovable Ming King Fist (Returning to the Essence 99%)
Stepping on Snow Without Leaving Traces (Extraordinary to Saint)
Spirit Turtle Hibernation Technique (Returning to the Essence 99%)
Great Stone-Throwing Hand (Peak Performance 99%)
Golden Body Armor Technique (Returning to the Essence 99%)
Planting Lotus in Fire (Returning to the Essence 99%)
[Brain Unlocking Progress: 49%]
Not much had changed except for his lifespan, which had steadily increased by several hundred years, while the biggest change involved the brain unlocking progress.
Even though it was only at 49%, Zhao Ya could deeply feel the transformation.
Not only was his thinking sharper, but his perception ability had also greatly improved.
Thus, he was able to disregard disturbances during the snowstorm and sense the presence of beast herds.
From past experience, when the organ unlocking progress reached fifty percent, its effects would become more pronounced.
This was also a small threshold.
Therefore, Zhao Ya was filled with anticipation for the upcoming cultivation.
At that time, the dried meat Zhao Ya carried with him was almost depleted, but the bear gall and liver acquired from hunting the Human-faced Bear remained untouched.
Zhao Ya took them out and swallowed them in one go.