n

n

nA numbing chill traveled down Hao Xuan's back.

n

"Where are we....

"

nEnsis walked up with silent steps. He looked at the majestic mountain rages ahead, covered in snow.

n

"Master, I think we should turn back. We can go around them and make our way back.

"

nHis voice sounded somber which gave Hao Xuan an unsettling feeling.

n

"Why?

"

n

"No particular reason, I just...feel like we shouldn't be here.

"

n

"Hmm...

"

nHao Xuan went back to the cliff's edge and peered down. There was a layer of clouds blocking the view but he could still hear the Jia soldiers below him.

n

"They're down there already...

" he mumbled under his breath.

nBelow were the Jia soldiers while in the front was a new region that held unknown dangers.

nEven if he wanted to get back down there was a good chance he would run into them pretty soon. And now since they were prepared for him, it wouldn't be easy to run away like before.

n

"Master...

" Ensis urged for a decision from the side.

n

"We move forward. A little bit of danger isn't too bad is it?

" he smiled at Ensis while patting his shoulder assuringly.

nEnsis, of course, had different thoughts and wanted his master to avoid venturing any further, but it wasn't up to him.

n

"I obey,

" he lowered his head respectfully.

n

"Hahaha, relax. Everything will be good....

"

nThey quickly got back up on Bai once again and continued the journey.

nHao Xuan told Bai to move silently and not leave any more tracks behind. The Jia were already too close for comfort and he didn't know what this new area would be like.

nWith a leap, Bai silently disappeared into the woods.

nThe sun and the moon had already exchanged places. The further in they went, the colder the weather became. Starting from a few snow crystals being carried over by the cold breeze, soon everything in sight was covered in a thick layer of fluffy white snow.

nIt was so white in fact that the smallest source of light would produce a blinding glare after being reflected off of the surface. Even Hao Xuan was starting to feel the cold penetrate his skin and enter his body. His internal temperature was starting to drop, quickly.

n

"Try to find a place to rest,

" Hao Xuan whispered in Bai's ear, prompting him to nod in return.

nThey passed by many large caves and caverns, from several of which sounds of beasts snoring or even fighting could be heard.

nMost of them were at or around the Spirit realm so they kept their distance, but an entire area of several dozen kilometers had to be circumvented because of Ensis's warning and Bai's straight-up refusal to go even close.

n

"I can't tell its level but, something extremely old and powerful is in there,

" Ensis explained.

nBut all Hao Xuan could see was a vast white landscape with nothing else in sight.

nAbout another 2 hours of traveling later Bai came to a halt in front of an inconspicuous little burrow. The entrance was only about 3 feet wide.

n

"Here?

" Hao Xuan asked with a frown. It was so small that he would have to crawl in, so how could it be used as a resting spot for him and the others?

nBai wordlessly nodded once again and pointed at it with his chin before looking away as if it was none of his business anymore.

n

"Fine fine,

" Hao Xuan mumbled grumpily and crawled in. The burrow went in straight for about 3 meters before opening up into a much larger area. It was around 7 meters in diameter and quite roomy.

nThere were small scratches and marks all around but they seemed pretty old. Looked like it was abandoned quite some time ago.

nHao Xuan called Ensis in and recalled Bai.

nEnsis dragged in the bundle of tentacles that was Jiang Ling and Monk who still had his black sword in his chest.

nHao Xuan put down four different formations.

nThe first one was an illusion formation at the entrance, the second was a noise-canceling formation, the third was a temperate controlling formation, and the last one was a Qi canceling formation that restricted the use of Qi of anyone that wasn't the owner of the formation.

nHe only had a single Qi canceling formation and it was a consumable, so could only be used once. It was actually the most expensive formation he had. It lasted about 24 hours and could only restrict Qi of Spirit realm experts and below.

nHao Xuan cracked his back and let out a breath of relief. He looked back at two Jia folks and couldn't help but shake his head.

nThey took almost half the available space. He quickly walked up to Monk's body and examined the wound.

n

"Is he even alive?

" Hao Xuan asked uncertainly. His skin was pale white and he didn't even seem to be breathing.

n

"Yes. I've just sealed his cultivation and preserved his body's state. As soon as I take out my blade he will wake up,

" Ensis replied while walking up to him,

"Should I?

"

n

"What about the wound?

"

n

"I can't help that. All I can do is take out all remaining Qi that was injected with my blade so he can heal faster.

"

n

"Alright, do it.

"

nEnsis gripped the hilt and slowly pulled the sword out.

n*GASP*

nMonk's eyes abruptly opened and he took in a deep breath.

n*Cough*Cough*

nDark red blood spilled out of his mouth as he realized his situation. He looked around and saw Hao Xuan and Ensis above him.

n

"Ha...haha...how the..tables...have turned...

" he laughed while throwing up several mouthfuls of blood.

nHao Xuan bent down and smiled at him,

"Relax, we have all the time in the world.

"

nHis right hand reached out and gently patted his head, making Monk shrink back uncomfortably.

n

"Sever!

"

n