Chapter 1249: Breaking the Ice to Enter

The next day, the four divine beast envoys all appeared precisely on time, as Xu Yang had instructed the day before, gathering around Xu Yang and Xiao Hua.

Sometimes, in front of Xu Yang and Xiao Hua, they behaved like four machines: silent, reserved, and each exuding a unique sense of mystery. Although they were utterly obedient to Xu Yang and Xiao Hua's commands, they always gave off an otherworldly, almost detached impression. Yet, at other times, these four individuals would express their inner emotions in their own distinct ways.

Throughout their journey to the Desolate Lands of the Far North, Xu Yang and Xiao Hua gradually gained a general understanding of each person's temperament and disposition.

Ever since they boarded the carriage, Qinglong had been doing only one thing: studying the art of Go. It seemed as if all the colors of the world held no meaning for him; he preferred to devote his entire being to the grid before him. Perhaps playing Go was Qinglong's sole hobby and pastime. Of course, this fellow understood Xu Yang's potential best. From time to time, he would suddenly speak up to ask Xu Yang for advice on a few moves, then resume clutching his black and white pieces, refocusing on the board, and falling silent again for days.

The young Baihu was noticeably more lively, a stark contrast to how he appeared when Xu Yang's group first encountered him. This boy was a pure youth, maintaining a keen curiosity about everything around him. Watching him was like watching a rising star, a vibrant new life. Perhaps this was how a young boy truly should be. Occasionally, the little fellow would even lean out the window with Xiao Hua, gazing at the boundless lands of the Far North stretching endlessly before them.

Xuanwu's clone was arguably the most talkative member of the team. He was eloquent and exceptionally knowledgeable. From time to time, the old man would even chat with Xu Yang about a wide range of topics. This also served to entertain both of them, preventing the overall team atmosphere from becoming too dull. During these days, Xu Yang also learned some previously unheard-of anecdotes and strange tales about the entire Yingzhou Continent from the old man. This helped Xu Yang to understand the world more deeply, but the old man still adhered to his principles. Whenever questions turned to overly private matters concerning Xuanyuan Imperial City or the Cloud Dragon Emperor, he would invariably become tight-lipped, cleverly redirecting the conversation without offending Xu Yang.

And from beginning to end, the one who had not spoken a single word throughout the journey was undoubtedly the veiled girl in red. She always sat in the corner of the carriage, looking melancholic, gazing out the window alone. No one knew what she was thinking. Xu Yang had several times tried to subtly prompt Xuanwu's clone to tell him about the girl, but Xuanwu merely sighed helplessly and shook his head. Whether he didn't know or simply didn't want to say, the conversation always stopped there, so Xu Yang did not press further.

Of course, Xu Yang had no improper thoughts about the beautiful girl; he had never lacked female company. What was important to Xu Yang was that since they were now a team, there needed to be a process of mutual understanding and integration. If they maintained such a detached attitude towards one another, then should sudden danger arise, perfect coordination would be impossible, which would inevitably impact the team's overall combat effectiveness.

No one expected that the nearly month-long journey to the Desolate Lands of the Far North would pass in such a peaceful and uneventful manner.

It wasn't until a month later that the carriage halted its forward progress, and the team members disembarked one by one. Xuanwu's clone rotated the compass in his hand, and after confirming the correct direction, everyone's gaze fell upon the vast, continuous ice sheet before them, stretching horizontally for nearly ten thousand li.

According to legend, the boundary between the Desolate Lands of the Far North and the main continent was a layer of ice spanning ten thousand li. No one knew how this ice wall had formed. Yet, it had become an insurmountable chasm, separating the Desolate Lands of the Far North from the entire Yingzhou Continent. Seeing it today, the rumors were indeed true! Undoubtedly, this immense ice layer, which could only be described as awe-inspiring, not only stretched horizontally without end but also reached a height of several thousand meters. To ordinary people, this ice layer did not merely separate two regions, but two distinct worlds!

"Why are you all so surprised?" Xiao Hua couldn't help but ask suddenly. She seemed to detect a profound sense of unfamiliarity with the place on the faces of the four. This did not align with her and Xu Yang's initial assessment, yet Xuanwu's clone's reply startled both Xu Yang and Xiao Hua.

"Not only among our entire Central Domain Imperial Family," he began, "but no one, apart from His Majesty, has ever been to the Desolate Lands of the Far North. And the map I previously gave to Sir Xu Yang was actually bestowed upon me by His Majesty; it was a map he personally drew based on his own experiences."

Upon hearing this revelation, Xu Yang couldn't help but secretly sigh with emotion. At the same time, a sense of caution grew within him. For some reason, Xu Yang felt that this journey to the Far North was far from as simple as it appeared on the surface. Perhaps it was a massive trap. But there was no point in discussing it now; only by leading the team into the true interior of the Desolate Lands would they be able to discern everything.

The group of six walked to the front of the towering, cloud-piercing ice layer. Compared to its immensity, they appeared exceptionally small, like ants. However, despite their comparatively insignificant energy, even the vast ice layer before them could not obstruct them.

As expected, Xu Yang did not hesitate further. He slowly extended his right hand, and an incredibly powerful fundamental energy swiftly coalesced in his palm. On one hand, Xu Yang was not in a hurry to completely shatter the vast ice layer, though it was certainly not impossible given his strength. No matter how mysterious or unfathomable this power was, any concealment seemed utterly insignificant before Xu Yang's absolutely powerful, god-like ability to suppress everything. However, Xu Yang did not immediately unleash his true power. Instead, he used this method to sense the flow and properties of the power within the ice layer, intending to determine the cause and effect of its formation.

Regrettably, Xu Yang did not find the answer he sought. He discovered that the fundamental energy flowing from his palm was completely frozen by the ice layer's internal aura the moment it made contact, quickly dissipating. This meant the ice layer appeared to possess a powerful ability to devour and decompose, absorbing any fundamental energy with extreme speed and refining it into nothingness. This seemed to be the original reason for the formation of this vast ice layer.