The Black Snow Country, more than sixty percent of its territory was covered in snow and ice.
The southernmost city of Black Snow Country, Wang Han City, was one of its prominent cities.
On the black city walls, several meters high, the snow remained frozen and untouched.
On either side of the wide open city gate, the City Guard, led by Gold Level captains, stood guard.
In the distance, three men and a woman approached the city gate from the south.
This was the group of Su Yuan who had traveled from the Great Flame.
Lu Qianqiu smiled and reminded: "Brother Su, Miss Situ, just show the Star Card Master’s Certificate from the Great Flame Country, it is also valid in Black Snow Country."
Su Yuan and Situ Qingyin complied, took out their Star Card Master’s Certificates, and then entered Wang Han City together with Yang Chunhua and Lu Qianqiu.
Once inside the city, Yang Chunhua spoke: "Bringing the three of you here completes my task. Since something significant happened on the way, I need to report this to the Wang Han City branch at the station."
As he spoke, Yang Chunhua took out 80 Cent Star Stones and handed them over: "Brother Su, I really must thank you this time. I won’t take these 80 Cent Star Stones from you and Miss Situ."
"Alright," Su Yuan did not stand on ceremony and directly accepted them. "Captain Yang, see you again if fate allows."
"See you again!"
After Yang Chunhua left, only Su Yuan, Lu Qianqiu, and Situ Qingyin remained.
Lu Qianqiu thought for a moment and asked: "Brother Su, you mentioned earlier that you’re heading to the Snow Burial Mountain Range. Are you perhaps going to the Snow Burial Plain Secret Realm?"
In the vast expanse of the Snow Burial Mountain Range, there were two Secret Realms. Given that both Su Yuan and Situ Qingyin were at the Silver Stage, it wasn’t hard to guess that they intended to go to the Silver Stage Secret Realm, the Snow Burial Plain.
Su Yuan nodded: "That’s right, we are going to the Snow Burial Plain to find some materials."
"To be honest, the Snow Burial Plain Secret Realm is one of the more dangerous Silver Stage Secret Realms that I know of."
Although it was limited to the Silver Stage, there were many things within that ordinary Silver Stages would find difficult to handle.
Just the Star Beasts born within the Snow Burial Plain included many Silver Stage ice and snow series Star Beasts of extreme levels.
In the environment of the Snow Burial Plain, these ice and snow series Star Beasts could leverage the terrain to exert strength close to or reaching Gold Level.
Aside from that, there were Frost Sky Hail, Bone-Freezing Ice Wind, and other various anomalous weather conditions..."
Su Yuan nodded and smiled: "Thank you, Master Lu, for the reminder. We have already looked into all of this, and having decided to come, we naturally have some confidence."
"Indeed, Brother Su. You were able to break open that White Mist Space, so even if your strength isn’t astonishing, you must have some extraordinary means that shouldn’t be judged by ordinary Silver Stage standards."
Lu Qianqiu pondered for a moment before continuing: "The Snow Burial Mountain Range isn’t far from our Dragon Gate City. Our Dragon Sect members frequent the Snow Burial Mountain Range and the Snow Burial Plain often.
Over the years, we’ve created maps marking dangerous areas and resource points.
Brother Su, as you saved my life this time, why don’t you come with me to Dragon Gate City? I’ll apply to the Branch Leader for a copy of the map for you."
Dragon Gate City was located in a vast area known as Black Wind Domain in the western part of Black Snow Country.
In this area, there would periodically blow a highly lethal black wind, splitting the region into fragmented sections.
Thus, this area had never been annexed by other countries and was home to many independent organizations and gangs.
Among the most notable were the "One Dragon, Three Tigers, Seven Wolves."
Although "Tigers" and "Wolves" were terms to describe the strength of the gangs, it didn’t necessarily mean they had these words in their names.
However, the Dragon referred to Dragon Sect!
Dragon Sect had three Burning Sun Level experts stationed there and was the strongest force in Black Wind Domain!
It was a free, open, unifying, and highly communal gang with a fine reputation throughout the southern part of the continent.
Not only did people from Black Wind Domain frequent here, but individuals or organizations from Yanluo, Black Snow, and even countries in the northern part of the continent came to live or seek cooperation in Dragon Gate City.
As for Lu Qianqiu saying that Snow Burial Mountain Range was not far from Dragon Gate City, it was not incorrect.
The Snow Burial Mountain Range, running east to west, was outside Black Snow Country to the north of Black Wind Domain and Black Snow Country.
Listening to Lu Qianqiu, Su Yuan pondered for a while and then nodded.
"Alright, then I’ll trouble you, Master Lu."
Going to the Snow Burial Plain Secret Realm wasn’t for Star Dust but to look for Snow Crystal Stones and Snow God Lotus.
With assistance from a local like a member of Dragon Sect, it would undoubtedly save a lot of time and avoid many risks.
Lu Qianqiu laughed heartily: "Great! We of Dragon Sect are known for our loyalty and always repay our debts of gratitude. Brother Su, coming with me to Dragon Gate City gives me a chance to repay the life-saving grace from Qiuyun Mountain!"
In Black Snow Country, weather conditions were too volatile for aerial transport.
Hence, Su Yuan’s group took the train to Dragon Gate City...
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Two days later, Dragon Gate City.
"This city wall isn’t much different from that of Wang Han City!"
Su Yuan took a deep breath as he looked at the towering city wall of Dragon Gate City.
Although those of Shining Star Level could fly, the walls were inscribed with barriers and would alert or obstruct any high-altitude intrusions.
Lu Qianqiu smiled: "After all, Wang Han City is just one city of Black Snow Country, while Dragon Gate City is entirely our Dragon Sect’s."
"Master Lu, you’ve returned!"
The guards at the east gate quickly called out upon seeing Lu Qianqiu nearing.
A muscular middle-aged man in a white vest leading them approached delightedly: "Old Lu, you actually made it back from Great Flame Country!"
"Old Xu, why would you say that?"
Lu Qianqiu was puzzled, thinking, could the other party foresee and know the mishap that occurred at Qiuyun Mountain?
Xu Shan faltered, glanced at Su Yuan and Situ Qingyin behind Lu Qianqiu, and asked: "Didn’t you encounter members of the Red Wolf Gang?"
"Red Wolf Gang? No."
Su Yuan and Situ Qingyin understood that the two weren’t on the same wavelength.
After exchanging words with Xu Shan, Lu Qianqiu understood the situation.
As it turned out, recently the Red Wolf Gang was driven out of Black Wind Domain because of their malicious acts and past wrongdoings by various gangs led by Dragon Sect.
The Red Wolf Gang retaliated against Dragon Sect, causing multiple incidents in recent days.
According to Dragon Sect’s information, several Gold Level Hall Masters of the Red Wolf Gang had attempted to ambush Lu Qianqiu at Qiuyun Mountain.
By the time they tried to notify Lu Qianqiu, he was already en route.
"So that’s what happened... Qiuyun Mountain, huh."
After pondering, Lu Qianqiu had an inkling.
If that were the case, then the Red Wolf Gang members lying in wait at Qiuyun Mountain were likely killed by the black-haired girl controlling the White Mist.
Xu Shan asked in confusion: "Old Lu, if you didn’t encounter the Red Wolf Gang, what happened to your subordinates?"
With a heavy sigh, Lu Qianqiu replied.
"Though we didn’t encounter the Red Wolf Gang, still, unexpected incidents occurred. But it’s not something easily explained... I’ll report to the branch first."
"Oh, alright..." Old Xu then turned his gaze to Su Yuan and Situ Qingyin, "Old Lu, who are these youngsters?"
Lu Qianqiu introduced: "This is Brother Su Yuan and Miss Situ. Don’t underestimate them. It was thanks to these two that I returned alive this time.
Brother Su, this is Master Xu Shan, who handles gate security for Dragon Sect."
Su Yuan and Situ Qingyin greeted: "Master Xu."
"Oh?" Old Xu was greatly surprised, examining them as he laughed, "Heroes indeed rise young. Hello!"
Xu Shan knew Lu Qianqiu’s strength, and hearing him say he was saved by these two young people was astonishing.
Though one’s stage was unclear, the other undoubtedly was at the Silver Stage.
Su Yuan replied with a smile: "Master Xu, you’re too kind."
Lu Qianqiu said: "Brother Su needs to go to the Snow Burial Plain. I intend to give them a detailed map of the place."
"Snow Burial Plain?" Old Xu’s expression shifted slightly, "Regarding Snow Burial Plain, there have been some changes recently. It’s best to avoid it..."
Lu Qianqiu frowned: "Old Xu, what do you mean?"
Old Xu spoke slowly: "Not long ago, frigid air burst forth from Snow Burial Plain, causing a great snowstorm. Following the storm, some unexplored new areas appeared in Snow Burial Plain!
Recently, various groups entered these new regions, only to face death, injuries, and disappearances. The losses were severe.
The weather and terrain became harsher, and many powerful Star Beasts emerged within!"
"Just two months away from Dragon Gate City, and such events happened?" Lu Qianqiu was startled. Turning to Su Yuan and Situ Qingyin, he asked, "Brother Su, Miss Situ, what now?…"
"Has the Secret Realm become more dangerous…" Situ Qingyin furrowed her brow.
Though Snow Crystal Stones were crucial, unpredictably increased danger in Snow Burial Plain was a significant concern.
Without much thought, Su Yuan stated: "Having traveled so far, we can’t return empty-handed."
"Alright!" Lu Qianqiu nodded, then said to Xu Shan, "We’ll share drinks another time. I need to report to the branch first."
"Go ahead. Drinking tonight, we won’t quit until we’re wasted!"
…
In a side hall of the East City Branch in Dragon Gate City.
A woman in her early thirties, with a sharp demeanor and straight posture, sat in the main seat. She was Lin Yue, Lu Qianqiu’s direct superior and one of the vice leaders of the East City Branch.
In terms of age, Lin Yue was younger than Lu Qianqiu. But in strength, she was a bona fide Shining Star Level expert!
Starting from the Shining Star Level, there were no subdivisions like "Beginner", "Intermediate", or "High Stage".
Yet, in Black Wind Domain, Lin Yue was among the most renowned and powerful Shining Star Level experts!
Lin Yue looked at the people below and asked: "Master Lu, so these guests from Great Flame Country want a map of Snow Burial Plain?"
Lu Qianqiu stood up and said: "Yes, Vice Leader Lin. I am willing to exchange my two third-class merits for a map of Snow Burial Plain for Brother Su."
Secret Realm maps were inherently precious, and more so if detailed.
Lin Yue’s face remained calm: "No need. Here at Dragon Sect, we always repay kindness. Since these two saved our master, what’s a mere map?"
Hearing this, Lu Qianqiu gratefully cupped his fists: "Thank you, Vice Leader Lin!"
Su Yuan and Situ Qingyin also stood and bowed: "Thank you, Vice Leader Lin!"
"But, I must warn you that after the snowstorm, many previous markings might no longer be accurate."
Su Yuan smiled: "Thank you, Vice Leader Lin. It’s still better to have a reference than none."
Lin Yue nodded and, after considering for a moment, said: "Tomorrow, a group will depart for Snow Burial Plain. If you can wait, you may join them."
Snow Burial Plain had various entrances. Going with someone familiar was definitely advantageous.
Su Yuan and Situ Qingyin responded immediately: "Thank you, Vice Leader Lin!"