After setting up camp again and cooking, people ate in silence.
Especially those who came with Zhao Ya. Initially, they didn’t think much of it, even considering it to be a simple task.
However, they were quickly hit hard by the cruel reality, and their feelings were understandable.
Zhao Ya said nothing, only instructing everyone to rest quickly after eating to restore their strength and be ready for any battles that might occur.
After releasing so many balloons, the Black Ship became silent again, with no further movements.
However, even so, everyone remained cautious and arranged for a thorough night patrol.
Zhao Ya stayed in the large tent in the center, ready to provide reinforcement at any time.
Under such arrangements, the noisy camp gradually quieted down.
Inside the tent, Zhao Ya could clearly hear people’s snores and unconscious murmurs.
He could even distinctly hear some people crying in their dreams.
Zhao Ya sighed slightly, knowing the battle was a great shock to many.
Though the sects Beyond the World were plentiful, and martial fervor was prevalent, many had never truly experienced war and did not understand its cruelty.
But Zhao Ya did not regret his decision and was indeed very thankful.
If he hadn’t arrived with reinforcements in time, they wouldn’t have needed the balloons carrying heavy artillery. The human-like Snow Demons alone would be enough trouble for Beyond the World.
Once those strange beings enter Beyond the World, it would become a real mess.
Subsequently, Zhao Ya became intensely curious about the Black Ship.
What exactly is this thing, and why have the people on board not shown themselves since its appearance?
While Zhao Ya was deep in thought, a graceful figure slipped quietly into the tent, brightening at the sight of Zhao Ya sitting under the lamp, and then lunged forward.
But just as she leaped, an invisible force sent her back.
Zhao Ya didn’t even bother to look up as he said, "Stop messing around, go back to sleep."
Liu Yuhuan pouted, speaking resentfully, "Bao’Er is on patrol, I’m the only one left in the tent, and I can’t sleep."
"So you ran here?" Zhao Ya said helplessly, looking up.
"Yes, in the camp, I only know you and Bao’Er. Now that Bao’Er is on patrol, naturally, I come to you." Liu Yuhuan had a justified look.
"I don’t have time to fool around with you. Go back to your tent and sleep." Zhao Ya coldly responded.
"No, I really can’t sleep alone. I promise not to disturb you. Can’t I just lay a bedroll at your feet?" Liu Yuhuan pleaded.
"No way!" Zhao Ya refused her flatly.
Liu Yuhuan pouted, her face full of grievance, looking pitiful enough to melt an iron man.
Unfortunately, Zhao Ya was not swayed.
Joking aside, while everyone is preparing for an imminent battle, staying in a tent with a young girl would cause tongues to wag.
"Fine, I get it!" Liu Yuhuan nodded dejectedly and turned to leave.
Watching her lonely back, Zhao Ya felt a slight pang of guilt.
After all, this young girl was just a child, especially given her pampered upbringing by her sister and others, a little arrogance was understandable.
Coming all this way with him, was his attitude towards her a bit too harsh?
Should he have someone relieve Wu Bao’Er and keep her company in the tent?
Just as Zhao Ya was considering this, Liu Yuhuan, having just left the tent, suddenly returned with a startled expression.
"Sir, something’s wrong outside... ."
Before Liu Yuhuan could finish, Zhao Ya dashed out of the tent.
At a glance, other than patrollers in the distance, the entire camp was quiet without a trace of anomaly.
Especially since Zhao Ya’s Divine Thought didn’t detect anything unusual, he turned around with a face full of anger and asked.
"What do you mean by sounding a false alarm? Do you know the gravity of this?"
Zhao Ya was indeed angry, but Liu Yuhuan seemed even more aggrieved, tears in her eyes as she said.
"I’m not lying, I actually sensed something wrong just now. You didn’t even let me finish before scolding me, sobbing..."
Zhao Ya felt a headache and had to calm down momentarily, "Fine, tell me what’s wrong. If it’s true, I’ll apologize."
"No need to apologize, just let me stay by your side..." Liu Yuhuan, who was pretending to cry, immediately perked up with a smile.
Zhao Ya was incredulous, but he could only maintain a stern face, "Stop joking, speak up."
Liu Yuhuan, ready to pretend to cry again, hesitated when she saw Zhao Ya’s serious expression, knowing he was genuinely anxious, and dared not delay further.
"Didn’t you notice the temperature is rising?"
"Temperature rising?" Zhao Ya was momentarily stunned and then carefully sensed that indeed the winter night’s wind seemed milder, losing its usual piercing chill.
"Is that it?"
"Yes, exactly that." Liu Yuhuan nodded earnestly.
Zhao Ya was about to dismiss it as unremarkable but then realized something, and his expression became grave.
Liu Yuhuan chuckled, "It seems you understand. Yes, a sudden temperature increase is no good on these snowfields."
"How did you notice?" Zhao Ya asked.
"I was born with sharp senses, especially precise with temperature. Just while we were talking, it’s risen a bit more."
This time, without Liu Yuhuan pointing it out, even Zhao Ya felt it.
The cold wind became softer, even carrying a hint of moisture.
But as Liu Yuhuan said, this change is a bad omen for the Northern Realm snowfields, especially after a heavy snowfall.
"I’m sorry!" Zhao Ya sincerely apologized to Liu Yuhuan.
Liu Yuhuan generously waved her hand, "I said no need to apologize, just let me stay with you..."
Before finishing, Zhao Ya had vanished, his voice echoing from afar.
"Stay put in the tent!"
Liu Yuhuan stomped her foot in frustration, grinding her teeth but had no choice but to return to the tent.
Meanwhile, Zhao Ya quickly jumped to the mountain top and gazed toward the Black Ship in the distance.
Though it was nighttime, the silhouette of the Black Ship was faintly visible.
Moreover, the tail of the Black Ship seemed to glow a faint red.
With sharp Eye Power, one could even see air disturbances above the Black Ship.
Feeling the increasingly warm breeze, Zhao Ya’s heart sank.
He finally realized that despite his extensive preparations for the upcoming battle, he had underestimated the power of the Black Ship.
At a certain level of power, it doesn’t need to do much—just sheer force can change everything.
Like after Zhao Ya destroyed the balloons, he vigilantly contemplated the Black Ship’s next move.
Unexpectedly, the enemy ignored these and used a forceful approach.
No need to ask, the red glow was likely from some machinery working at high speed, the air disturbance from released heat.
These alone were enough to temporarily alter the temperature over a large area, causing the ice to melt.
Once that happened, the people would face catastrophe.
Taking a deep breath of the increasingly hot air, hearing the rapid melting cracks of ice and snow, Zhao Ya gave the distant Black Ship a long stare before rushing down the mountain.
At the same time, the camp began to stir slightly.
Many were awakened by the heat in their sleep, mindlessly stepping out of tents, staring at the northern red sky in a daze.
"What’s happening?"
"Damn, why is the ice melting, how long have I slept, is it spring already?"