After traveling several miles, the group had left the snowy region, but the winter atmosphere still persisted.
Currently, they were in a forested area, sitting in a cave with another person—the girl who had threatened Zhang Yong earlier, now tied with ropes.
After interrogating her, they obtained some information.
The first and most shocking: this was not their continent!
Their continent was Tian Xuan Continent, but the continent they were currently on was Tian Xue Continent
("Tian Xue: the heavenly beast")
Zhang Yong couldn't help but think that the story from the records he possessed about Tian Hua was real.
The captured girl's name was Chen Yu, and she was the daughter of the chief of Qingxi Village.
She believed they were spies from a neighboring village due to rising regional tensions.
It seemed this area suffered from a conflict over hunting and mining resources.
Zhang Yong looked at the bound Chen Yu with sharp eyes. "That explains it. But I don't sympathize with you, and I feel no regret."
Chen Yu, who had previously acted arrogantly, appeared hostile toward them. "Hmph! You destroyed my entire tribe! I will kill you and offer your head to the spirits of my people!"
Zhang Yong didn't reply, merely raising an eyebrow slightly with an expression that said, 'Is there something wrong with her head?'
Liu Yan, who had regained some of her strength, stepped forward. "You were the one who started threatening first! We didn't harm anyone. We were victims of a snowstorm and came in peace."
Chen Yu spat on the ground. "Peace? With that demonic power? You're just monsters in disguise!"
Zhang Yong dug in his ear with a cold expression. "Big Sister, there's no need to argue. We need to leave this place. Since her tribe is destroyed and everyone has died, she has no place to return to."
Chen Yu looked at Zhang Yong with eyes full of hatred and despair, but she didn't utter a word.
She knew he was right—he had destroyed her village completely, and she no longer had a place to return to.
Su Ming, who had been watching from a distance, approached them. "What are we going to do with her?"
Zhang Yong held his chin, thinking. Currently, in a remote area they knew nothing about, they would need a guide.
"For now, we'll keep her with us. We'll need her."
Chen Yu looked at them with arrogant eyes, but she had no choice.
After resting for a while, they began moving again.
As they walked, Zhang Yong noticed that Chen Yu was glaring at him sharply from time to time.
He knew she was planning something, but he didn't care. In the end, she was just one girl in his eyes, and her power was negligible compared to his.
"We'll need more information about this region," Zhang Yong said, turning toward Chen Yu. "Tell us about the major cities here and which areas to avoid."
Chen Yu let out a mocking laugh. "Why should I help you? You are the destroyers of my village!"
At that moment, Liu Yan intervened. "Listen, we understand your anger, but we didn't want any of this. You attacked first, and all Zhang Yong did was defend us."
"Forget it, Big Sister," Zhang Yong said, approaching her with killing intent glinting in his eyes. "The reason you're still alive is that you're useful to us. If you're not useful, then you're just extra weight, and it's easy to get rid of you."
Chen Yu looked at Zhang Yong's cold, deadly gaze and trembled. Her body shook.
She had seen the destruction this man had caused and knew his threats weren't empty. She swallowed hard, her voice trembling slightly as she answered.
"T-There's... a large city about a month's journey from here called Laotian. It's a city ruled by nobles from the Murong family."
"The Murong family?" Zhang Yong stopped walking, interested. "Tell me more."
"They're... a powerful family. They have many strong cultivators. The city is protected by high walls, and it's said the Great Elder has reached the King rank." Chen Yu's words came somewhat quickly, as if she feared Zhang Yong would lose patience.
Zhang Yong nodded his head, his red eyes flickering with deep thought. "King rank... that's interesting." Then he looked at Chen Yu. "And what other forces are in this region?"
Chen Yu hesitated for a moment, but Zhang Yong's gaze made her continue. "There's also the Yellow Merchant Union, the Phoenix Wing Sect in the southern mountains, and the Snow Temple monks... but the Murong family is the strongest in this province."
After she said that, Zhang Yong turned and continued walking, thinking. 'Well, that's good. But the nearest city where we can get information is a month away. So we have no choice but to—'
Zhang Yong's thoughts were suddenly interrupted as silhouettes flew before him.
A group of about five people emerged from among the trees, wearing elegant hunting clothes of fur and leather. They were led by a handsome man with blond hair and sharp golden eyes, appearing to be in his late twenties.
"A group?" The leader was slightly shocked upon seeing them.
His gaze stopped on them one by one. These people before him were only at the Master rank, and upon closer inspection, the highest level in the group was two beautiful twin girls, and their clothes were all not simple.
Then there was another beautiful girl with two other young men, one handsome and the other slightly above average.
With the level of these people and their appearance, it was expected that they would be disciples of some high-level power.
But when he scrutinized the group, he saw the lowest-level girl among them before his eyes gleamed.
"Oh, I didn't expect to meet the beauty of the Qingxi tribe here. We apologize for our intrusion."
The words came from the blond leader's mouth coldly, but his golden eyes glinted with curiosity and caution.
His companions spread out behind him, appearing tense, their hands slowly approaching their weapons.
Quickly, Zhang Yong secretly sent a thread of mental energy and quietly untied Chen Yu's bonds without anyone noticing. Then he stepped forward and bowed.
"Greetings to our brothers. We are refugees from the Qingxi tribe."
The blond leader raised his eyebrows slightly. "Refugees?" The look of suspicion in his golden eyes increased. "The Qingxi tribe is not far from here. Why are you fleeing to this remote area?"
Zhang Yong looked away for a moment with an expression of sorrow, then raised his gaze heavily toward them. "Our village was ambushed and destroyed. A group of us escaped with the elders. If not for the elders, we would have perished in that place."
The leader's eyes widened for a moment. 'Elders?! This is not good.'
Then he asked, "Does that mean your elders are with you?"
Zhang Yong shook his head. "No. We separated from them, but we will most likely meet again, since we have a specific destination."
The leader's eyes narrowed for a moment. The presence of elders would definitely cause them a problem. He couldn't help but ask, "It's good to hear that. But where are you headed?"
"This..." Zhang Yong looked away. "I cannot answer that. It's a matter concerning the tribe."
Zhang Yong didn't need to finish. The leader could guess what would happen, and that made him more worried.
'I can't rush. If I kill them here, we'll be unwanted enemies. We can invite them since the beauty of their tribe is with them. In the worst case, we can take her as a hostage. Then it's better to leave the matter to the tribe chief to decide what will happen.'
Then the leader suddenly smiled, false warmth filling his golden eyes. "Since you are refugees and no longer have a place to go, why not visit our tribe? The Miu tribe always welcomes guests."
Zhang Yong was cautious. "The Miu tribe? I've never heard of it."
"We are a nomadic tribe. We had dealings with Qingxi Village in the past. Your village took care of us long ago, so it's our duty to repay the favor. I insist." The leader said it as if what he said was self-evident.
Zhang Yong couldn't help but think, 'Any normal person would agree. But I smell a trap. The lie about the elders being nearby is good, but no elders will appear. If they don't appear, we might be disposed of. I need some time to recover enough mental energy for a spiritual travel spell, and that's a better option than waiting to use the Demonic Devouring Flame.'
Zhang Yong realized that, although days had passed since he used the Demonic Devouring Flame, it consumed mental energy to the point of dryness.
The effect was greater since his mental energy was pure and from the Sacred Spirit Sea
Recovering sacred mental energy was slower than ordinary, but its benefit was immense.
With the probabilities he had, he had no choice but to make a choice.
"We thank you for your hospitality," Zhang Yong said politely. "We will accept your invitation with gratitude."
The blond leader smiled more broadly. "Excellent! I am Miu Zehan. Let me guide you to our tribe."
As they walked behind Miu Zehan and his companions, Zhang Yong and Su Ming exchanged a glance. Both knew they were entering the wolf's den, but they had no better choice at the moment.
But there was one thing that couldn't be controlled: Chen Yu.
If this girl were left alone with any member of the Miu tribe, she would certainly tell them the truth, and Zhang Yong could only lament what would happen.
After an hour of walking, they arrived at the Miu tribe's camp.
It was a group of large tents decorated with wolf-shaped tribe symbols, spread in a protected valley between mountains, and this valley was full of forest trees.
Certainly, it was more like a hiding place rather than a tribe.
But they were nomads and didn't stay in one place. Thus, to defend their areas, the first enemy was spirit beasts. The place was good for hiding.
"Here we are." Miu Zehan said as he opened the door of the largest tent. "Enter and rest. I will inform our chief of your arrival."
Zhang Yong and his companions entered the tent to find it furnished with luxurious carpets and embroidered cushions.
The scent of heavy incense wafted in the air, giving the atmosphere a touch of mystery and danger.
As soon as they entered, the tent doors closed behind them. Liu Yan looked at Zhang Yong with concern. "Is this a trap?"
"Highly likely," Zhang Yong said cautiously. "How are you all feeling?"
Su Ming shook his head. "Something strange. The Qi in this continent is different. It doesn't match our innate Qi. We can't use our abilities at 100%. We need some time to get used to it."
"I understand. But don't worry, we shouldn't face a problem for the time being. However, for the duration of our stay here, don't leave Chen Yu alone," Zhang Yong said as he sat cross-legged in one corner of the tent.
Then he closed his eyes and activated his illusory manifestation ability
Soon, he left his body and appeared in a spectral form.
"Oh, what's this?" Liu Yin couldn't help but express her surprise.
"Sister, what's wrong?" Liu Yan turned toward her and asked with concern.
"Can Liu Yin see me?" Zhang Yong was surprised for a moment.
Liu Yin nodded quietly. "Don't worry, Sister. There's nothing important here." She said while still looking toward Zhang Yong and raised her thumb at him.
Zhang Yong raised an eyebrow slightly. He soon realized: people with high spirituality would easily notice him.
From this aspect, Liu Yin, with her Eyes of Fate, was more than suitable to see him.
Zhang Yong didn't dwell on this much. After all, it was just Liu Yin.
He floated outside the tent and headed toward the main tent where the tribe chief was supposed to be.
Inside the main tent, Miu Zehan was speaking before a group of elders. In front of him sat an older man with a long white beard and eyes sharp as a hawk's. The man sat on an elevated cushion, surrounded by several personal guards.
"And so, Chief, I brought them here," Miu Zehan said as he bowed submissively.
"This was the most logical choice. Well done, Commander Zehao." The tribe chief smiled before looking toward the elders. "In that case, we cannot treat them badly. I fear the Qingxi tribe has the same goal as ours."
One of the elders on the side spoke while stroking his beard. "We cannot fail the mission and disappoint the Lord of the Deep Sky and the Lord of the Blood Ghost."
Then another elder on the other side, with a black beard and a bald head, moved. "Aren't they just a group of survivors? What about swallowing them all, along with their elders and their people?"
But the chief shook his head firmly. "No. The risk is too great. We don't know the strength of their elders. But trying to attract the beauty of their tribe would be a good move. Even in the worst case, my son will handle her personally. The Qingxi tribe's abilities in ice arts are exceptional for a certain reason, after all."
Zhang Yong listened carefully from his illusory shadow, his mind working quickly.
It seemed the Miu tribe had special plans for the Qingxi tribe. But what puzzled him were those two individuals they mentioned.
But these things could wait.
For now, he had to act.