Zhao Yun and his group ventured deep into the Wasteland for over ten days, frequently encountering attacks from packs of Magical Beasts. The most dangerous was a group of hundreds of Blizzards Wolves; only when Zhao Yun charged into the pack and slew the Wolf King were the wolves dispersed.
The deeper they went into the Wasteland, the lower the temperature dropped, until the Wasteland gradually transformed into an Icefield.
They were less than thirty *li* from the Black Moon Altar's coordinates, and the crystal shard in Leah's hand sensed increasingly strongly. The surrounding air seemed permeated with a mysterious and dangerous aura, causing a vague sense of unease.
"The Blizzard zone is just ahead; we'll rest here."
Zhao Yun shook the Ice Shards off his white robe and observed the surroundings.
"Sister, let's start a fire."
Aleia brandished her Claws, tearing apart the dead iron firs in a few swipes, and piled the dry branches together.
Nia held the flammable fluff grass, her small hands frozen bright red. She painstakingly used flint to light the Bonfire. The Flame suddenly surged up, dispelling some of the surrounding chill,
but a long howl echoing from the depths of the Icefield instantly tightened everyone's nerves. Leah subconsciously gripped her sword hilt, and a thin layer of frost immediately formed on the blade.
"We encountered three Mercenary Groups again today."
Ross said this while wiping the blood crystals condensed on his Emerald Bowstring. A secret letter intercepted from the "Thorns" Mercenary Group was tucked in his Quiver, and his eyes held a hint of confusion.
"The Mercenary General Association of the Dorte Kingdom clearly canceled the Black Moon Altar exploration mission two months ago, so why are so many Mercenary Groups still searching for the Black Moon Altar?"
As he spoke, he suddenly threw the secret letter into the bonfire. The Parchment rapidly twisted in the fierce Flame, and a line of golden text suddenly appeared on it.
The Bonfire popped, sending up a spark that made the complexions of the group flicker in the light and shadow.
Leah frowned slightly, using the tip of her sword to pick up a burning fragment of the secret letter. Her Ice-blue Pupils reflected the residual image of the text.
"It seems someone deliberately spread false information, saying an ancient divine sword capable of shattering stars lies dormant in the Altar."
Aleia gnawed on a roasted, fragrant snow rabbit leg, grease dripping down her chin, instantly solidifying in the cold air.
"Who cares about some divine sword? Just tear apart any trash blocking the way!" she said dismissively.
Nia, who was carving a small Warrior figurine out of Frozen Soil ice blocks, snapped the half-formed doll in half upon hearing this. Her Silver Bell Earring emitted a crisp sound of slaughter.
"Exactly! Sister is right!" she chimed in fiercely but cutely.
"The 'Iron Curtain' Mercenary Group we encountered today said that the further we go into the Wasteland, the more frequent the conflicts between exploring Mercenary Groups become. Two Platinum Rank Mercenary Groups are currently fighting about a hundred *li* away."
Ross tossed a can of lamp oil into the Bonfire, making the flames burn brighter. The leaping fire illuminated his serious expression.
"And the 'Spear of the Firmament,' assigned by the Mercenary General Association, will arrive in ten days. That's a Diamond Rank Mercenary Group with two Earth Rank experts."
Ice shards suddenly formed on Leah's sword scabbard as she narrowed her eyes slightly.
"If those guys arrive, we won't get any secret treasures from the Black Moon Altar," her gilded earring swayed in the firelight.
"Perhaps we should set out tonight."
"Inappropriate."
Zhao Yun paused his action of wiping the Star Shattering Spear; the Starlight at the spear tip illuminated the deep lines between his brows.
"The enemy strength at the Black Moon Altar seems stronger than imagined. Cooperating with the 'Spear of the Firmament' might be a good option."
Ross lowered his head slightly, sorrow flashing in his eyes. "These mercenaries who came to explore... are fundamentally Sacrifices."
His Emerald Pupils reflected the astonished faces of the group, his voice carrying a hint of helplessness.
"Every time a group is wiped out, the power of the Black Moon Altar increases by one point. For example, the Lava Golem we encountered earlier in the Gorge was just an ordinary rock puppet before."
Hearing this, everyone was startled.
Aleia stopped what she was doing, her brow tightly furrowed. "So, the dangers we encountered before were all deliberately arranged?"
Leah unconsciously gripped her sword hilt. "It seems so. The power behind the Black Moon Altar might be beyond our imagination."
Just then, Zhao Yun's sharp ears caught a distant unusual sound. Holding the Star Shattering Spear, he leaped onto a high vantage point and saw two Mercenary Groups fighting five *li* away. When Fresh Blood seeped into the ice layer, it emitted a strange black glow.
Zhao Yun then turned his gaze north, where the shadow of the suspended Fleshy Tumor had expanded by a full double compared to three days ago.
"We will make a decision after the 'Spear of the Firmament' arrives in ten days."
Leah's sword edge carved deep trenches in the ice surface, but she finally sheathed it.
"Let the Diamond Rank fools chew on the hard bones first."
Her Ice-blue Long Hair swept across Zhao Yun's Shoulder Armor, leaving faint frost marks on his white robe.
"But if we don't see the Firmament banner in ten days, we will go in ourselves."
Zhao Yun nodded and sat down, gently wiping the Star Shattering Spear.
"Ross and I will take turns standing guard tonight; you all go rest first."
Aleia, Nia, and Leah were also extremely exhausted from the battles of the past few days. They took out their blankets and slept on the ground, quickly falling into a deep sleep.
Zhao Yun took off his bloodstained cloak and draped it over Nia, a surge of tenderness rising in his heart.
The sleeping face of the girl curled up reminded him of the crying infant at Changban Slope. He believed that as long as he could return to the Great Han, the Young Master would also return to normal.
Aleia's tail unconsciously wrapped around his wrist, her Claws still tracing combat movements in the air. Her brow furrowed slightly, as if she were experiencing an intense battle even in her dreams.
Ross, standing guard, nocked an arrow aimed north. The moonlight condensed on the Emerald Arrow tip suddenly became chaotic—twelve pillars of blood-red light rose from the end of the Icefield, and the faint chanting of a Magician could be heard. That chanting was almost imperceptible in the cold wind, yet it seemed to carry an invisible Magic Power that made one's hair stand on end.
He turned to look at Zhao Yun. The Dragon Mark on Zhao Yun's left arm was flickering as if breathing, resonating subtly with the pulse of the Altar.