37 The Northern Border [Pt 1]
Yui set out that very night, after obtaining the most accurate map Yisheng could give him and seeing his sleeping Master once more.
"T-thank you, Yisheng. And I'm sorry… for being rough with you." He managed to say, before finally leaving the Sword Saint Sect without anyone's notice.
He didn't bother taking any supplies, since those would only slow him down. He would make do by taking fruits from trees, or obtaining meat from any animal he hunted on the way. Streams weren't a rarity in the Eastern Continent, and the path he had to take in order to arrive at his destination was rife with enough springs to keep him sustained.
Without wasting even a fraction of a second looking back in hesitation, Liu stole away into the night with only one task pervading his thoughts.
'For Yui… I must get the Frost Mandrake!'
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{Two Weeks, Three Days Later}
[The Northern Region, Eastern Continent]
Amid the snowy region that bordered the very edge of the Eastern Continent, there moved a group of silhouettes. The heavy snow and harsh weather did not deter these figures as they traversed the brutal landscape.
The air was thin and the wind was biting cold as what could only be described as a group of about thirty experts marched on.
They moved with precision and grace, their movements synchronized as they navigated through the rugged terrain. They were dressed in thick furs and heavy boots, their faces covered with masks to protect them from the biting cold.
The white uniform they donned, along with the golden threads that were woven to create intricate patterns of beauty, and finally the insignia stamped on the right side of their chest, showed they were from none other than the Heavens Foundations Sect.
Why would members of a Sect affiliated with the Sky Pillar, based in the Northern Continent, be on such a dangerous trek within the bounds of the Eastern Continent?
There was only one possible explanation…
"The Spirit Labyrinth of Eternal Glaciers… we're nearly there." Said the man who led the group.
He had a smooth brown beard hanging on his chin, and while he currently appeared shabby thanks to the averse effects of the weather, he had a polished demeanor to him.
His name was Zhongcheng, leader of the Fifth Squad.
Zhongcheng glanced behind him, watching his subordinates trail along the path of snow, following his lead with zero hesitation.
'That's right. We can't afford to turn back now. Not after coming this far!'
The treasure they needed to obtain was of that much relevance.
Their Squad was on a mission to retrieve the Frost Mandrake, a Deity Grade item that possessed immense healing properties.
It was extremely rare, and Deity Grade Items usually had one of their kind in a particular location.
Needless to say, they couldn't let go of this chance they had.
'We can't afford to fail... for the sake of the Young Lady!'
Their Sect Leader's daughter, Lady Su Yan, had recently fallen ill. If they didn't find a solution quickly, it would lead to an immense loss in her growth thus far—and in the worst case... her demise.
'We have many healing treasures, and even a few Deity Grade herbs. Unfortunately, her condition requires the Cold Attribute of the Frost Mandrake.
In the end, they had to trespass the territory of the Human Lord on this mission to retrieve their lady's only chance at salvation.
'Thankfully, the location is known only to a few. If not, I'd expect that our prize would have already been taken.'
The fact that they hadn't spotted any security measure in this remote part of the Eastern Continent proved this.
'According to the Priestess, we should be arriving there soon...'
>BOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!!<
The sudden eruption caused Zhongcheng and his elite subordinates to instantly halt in their tracks.
They felt the biting cold increase in tempo as what appeared to be a whirlwind took form a short distance from them.
'Is that it? The effect of the Array?!'
Labyrinths were known for their traps, and one as precious as this one was not going to be an exception.
The terrible explosion had created a terrible blizzard, and an increasing twister that seemed to be drawing nearer to the group as seconds passed.
"Looks like we have no choice but to make a scene..." Zhongcheng gritted his teeth and sharply glanced at his followers.
"Prepare to engage! For the sake of the Heavens Foundations Sect..."
Instantly, bright bursts of energy—Mana—surged from them.
It was pure yellow, almost golden. The energy peaked to the sky, dancing like flames.
They braved the incoming threat, unfettered by the rapid drop in temperature and the chaos that was about to ensue.
As Spiritualists, they knew what they had to do to succeed.
"... For Lady Su Yan!"
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[A/N]
Sorry for the short length of chapters. I hope to do better as we progress.
