Everyone’s body involuntarily trembled and swayed, as if they were puppet-like... marionettes controlled by some entity.
Liang Xin’an always felt a little uneasy, and this sense of discomfort persisted until they finally made it out of the snow desert and found references to guide them once more.
This process took them a full two days and nights.
During these two days, he and Jing Rou took turns pushing the cart without rest, relying only on a sometimes accurate and sometimes inaccurate compass to navigate their way out.
It sounded easy, but only the two of them knew the hardships involved.
So when they finally saw the forest, they immediately found a suitable place to set up camp and rest.
Although the tent had been damaged, this was no problem for Jing Rou, as he quickly dug out a snow den and reinforced it.
This contraption could shield them from the wind and snow and even allowed them to light a fire and cook inside.
But after finally lighting the campfire, heating up their food, and finishing their meal, Liang Xin’an felt a rare sense of relaxation mixed with an unknown fear.
The eerie dream within a dream from before had left a deep impression on him.
To the extent that now every time Liang Xin’an thought about sleeping, he felt a bit afraid, fearing he would fall into dreamland and never wake up.
Jing Rou naturally understood his concerns, so he said, "Why don’t you take the night watch? I’ll sleep for a while first?"
"Okay!" Liang Xin’an readily agreed.
Jing Rou didn’t care about anything else.
He pulled out a blanket from his luggage, laid it on the ground as a makeshift bed, and then fell asleep with a loud snore shortly after lying down.
He was truly exhausted, as he immediately began snoring thunderously as soon as he stretched out.
Listening quietly by the fireside, Liang Xin’an suddenly found himself missing Liu Yujiao tremendously.
He wondered what she was doing now and whether she missed him too.
Liang Xin’an took out the sachet from his pocket, gently stroking it with tender affection on his face.
At that moment, he suddenly heard someone calling out to him from outside.
"Xin’an, Xin’an!"
The voice was incredibly familiar.
Liang Xin’an furrowed his brow, put down the sachet in his hand, and listened intently.
The more he listened, the clearer the voice became, as if it were getting closer.
Unconsciously, Liang Xin’an’s expression turned dazed, and he got up and went to the doorway of the snow shelter.
Outside was a scene of ice and snow, with not a soul in sight.
Yet the voice grew even more distinct, and the urgency of the caller was palpable.
Liang Xin’an slowly lifted his foot, just about to step over the threshold into the darkness.
At the same time, the seemingly flat surface of snow began to tremble slightly, as if waiting for Liang Xin’an’s step to land.
Just then, a large hand suddenly pulled Liang Xin’an back from behind, and immediately fired a shot towards the snow-covered ground at the doorway.
Boom!
Amidst the flying snowflakes came a shriek from underground, followed by the shadow of an incomplete figure attempting to flee.
But Jing Rou wouldn’t give it the chance, raising his hand for another shot.
Bam.
This shot carried an explosive effect, reducing the snow demon to mere fragments.
Then Jing Rou turned around, looking seriously at Liang Xin’an.
"What’s going on? Didn’t you sense the danger?"
Liang Xin’an was deeply ashamed.
He himself didn’t understand what had happened, as he continuously fell into traps since entering the snowfield.
Could it be that after falling in love, even his spirit became weak?
Despite his shame and confusion, Liang Xin’an didn’t forget to apologize to Jing Rou.
"I’m sorry, Senior Brother Jing. I was supposed to be on night watch by the fire, but don’t know how, I vaguely heard Yujiao’s voice, and went outside as if possessed."
Seeing the apologetic Liang Xin’an, Jing Rou didn’t scold him but instead looked warily out of the snow shelter.
He understood Liang Xin’an’s strength well; it was definitely not weaker than his own.
But why had Liang Xin’an encountered traps repeatedly since leaving the camp, while he himself remained unaffected?
Could it be that he had some resistance to these beguiling illusions?
Jing Rou didn’t think he was that special, so the most likely explanation lied with the magical firearm he possessed.
Since only this explanation made sense.
"Alright, just be extra cautious from now on. Here, take this!"
Jing Rou handed Liang Xin’an a small pack.
"What’s this?" Liang Xin’an asked.
"These are some homemade bullets for the Miracle Creation weapon. Carry it with you; it might provide some protection against attacks."
Liang Xin’an immediately grasped Jing Rou’s meaning and stowed the pack carefully.
"Get some rest; in two hours, we’ll continue our journey."
"Okay!"
Perhaps thanks to the bullet pack, Liang Xin’an slept soundly this time, without even a single dream.
The two hours flew by, and Jing Rou woke Liang Xin’an from his deep slumber. The two quickly packed up and continued heading south.
Meanwhile, just dozens of miles away, Zhao Ya led a team composed of various sects from beyond the world, and they had stopped.
It wasn’t that he didn’t want to move forward, but the road ahead was blocked.
A fog blanketed everything in front of them.
Even with all his abilities, Zhao Ya couldn’t penetrate the fog.
Moreover, its form and substance were identical to the mist that once shrouded the surface of Wuyang Sea.
Zhao Ya maintained an expressionless calm, quietly observing everything ahead, with his eyes flickering as if deep in thought.
While he remained composed, the people with him were becoming restless.
Their whispers and discussions filled the air.
"Is this the Northern Realm Snowfield? Why is it covered in fog?"
"I’ve been here before, and it’s still some distance from the true Northern Realm Snowfield!"
"Why does this fog look so eerie?"
He Nandou’s expression had also grown extremely grave.
Although tales often exaggerated, some even claimed Celestial One Pavilion’s cultivation technique could foresee the future.
That was certainly false.
But with He Nandou’s current cultivation, he could indeed discern auspicious and inauspicious occurrences.
And now, when facing these seemingly innocuous fogs, He Nandou sensed a strong aura of malice.
"How about it?" He Nandou whispered to Zhao Ya as he approached.
Zhao Ya slightly shook his head, "This fog is the same that previously sealed Wuyang Sea; my abilities can’t penetrate it."
"What should we do then?" He Nandou felt troubled.
People had come all this way, only to run into such an issue right upon arrival.
If they rashly ventured inside, there’d be no telling the dangers they might face.
But if they didn’t proceed, they’d just be idling outside, which wouldn’t do either.
So many gathered here to tackle potential threats to the whole area beyond the world, not for a sightseeing trip.
If too much time passed and the people grew restless, problems would arise.
Just then, Yin Jiaxiong approached, seemingly having noticed Zhao Ya and the others’ dilemma.
"Temple Master Zhao, why don’t I take a few people to scout out the situation first?"
He Nandou was tempted by the suggestion.
Given Yin Jiaxiong’s strength, he could handle most situations.
But to everyone’s surprise, Zhao Ya shook his head.
"Let’s not rush; give me a moment to think!"
He Nandou couldn’t fathom what Zhao Ya was pondering.
But since Zhao Ya had spoken, neither he nor Yin Jiaxiong could add anything further.
Thus, everyone camped to rest merely hundreds of miles from the Northern Realm Snowfield.
Of course, Jing Rou and Liang Xin’an were oblivious to all this, continuing their journey through the snowy terrain.
With daytime growing ever shorter, it seemed to flash by, yielding to the long night.
But with the headlights of their car, the pair pressed on slowly yet resolutely.
Then, Liang Xin’an suddenly said hesitantly, "Senior Brother, is that a light ahead?"
Jing Rou peered into the distance, and soon his face lit up with excitement.
"It is a light, and it seems to be a campsite!"
Sharing a glance of delight, they saw the joy mirrored in each other’s eyes.
For at a time like this, other than the long-awaited caravan, there could be no one else setting up camp here.
With renewed spirit, the duo quickened their steps towards the glowing lights.
Half an hour later, they finally approached the campsite and saw the guards patrolling its perimeters.