Half an hour later,
"Just as I suspected… the energy within that ice-blue light does indeed possess the power of heaven and earth…"
Ye Feng stood up and stretched, feeling quite pleased.
According to Shen Botian, cultivators refine their arcane energy by absorbing the power of heaven and earth, transforming it into true force…
Before, Ye Feng had only sensed faint wisps of this peculiar energy when practicing that mysterious set of movements. The power contained within the ice-blue light just now…
He couldn't help but turn to look at Jiang Si Shan, whose face was still pale on the ground. "Si Shan, can you open the core of the city protection array again? I feel like being impacted by the energy of the ice-blue light was quite beneficial…"
"I… Ye Feng…"
Jiang Si Shan's lips twitched, speechless at Ye Feng's idea.
He had almost died due to a single mistake just moments ago, yet Ye Feng was not only unharmed but actually wanted to be impacted by the core power of the city protection array again…
"I… I'm in no state to reactivate the core of the city protection array right now… and I only have this one arcane energy stone prepared…"
Despite his exasperation, Jiang Si Shan still explained to Ye Feng.
"Hmm… Alright then…"
Seeing the pathetic state of Jiang Si Shan, Ye Feng sighed with considerable regret.
However, he had understood some things. The cold he had felt in this area was unusual, likely due to the power of heaven and earth… of course, the vast ice-attribute arcane energy ore vein in this region was also a contributing factor…
And Lan Yin had mentioned earlier that his arcane energy could help maintain the core of the city protection array, which must also be related to the power of heaven and earth…
"I should find some time to cultivate here!"
Ye Feng pondered for a moment and quickly made up his mind.
"Ye Feng, here, take this!" kanδん
Jiang Si Shan stood up and handed Ye Feng two small pills emitting a faint white glow.
"Ye Feng, these pills are made from the Snow Lotus unique to this ice mountain. They have potent effects for healing, replenishing Qi, and blood regeneration!"
"It is said that the fifty-year-old Snow Lotus from this ice mountain has absorbed the legendary power of heaven and earth. Consuming it can bring the dead back to life and heal grievous wounds!"
As Ye Feng looked at them with confusion, Jiang Si Shan spoke quickly.
"Power of heaven and earth? There's hardly any of it…"
Looking at the slightly glowing Snow Lotus pills in Jiang Si Shan's hand, Ye Feng waved his hand. "You take them. I don't need them. Not only was I unharmed just now, but I also absorbed a good deal of the power of heaven and earth. I feel great!"
"Uh… If you need them, just say the word…"
Seeing that Ye Feng showed no signs of injury, Jiang Si Shan stopped persuading him and took one pill himself.
"Ye Feng, it's getting late. We need to leave here quickly!"
Jiang Si Shan adjusted his breathing slightly, put on his thick woolen coat embroidered with fire-attribute runes, and turned to Ye Feng.
"Okay, let's go!"
…
Unbeknownst to Ye Feng and Jiang Si Shan, after they left, a woman with sky-blue long hair flowing down to her waist, adorned with a peach blossom on her head, slowly appeared on the second floor.
"To be impacted by such pure power of heaven and earth and not only be unharmed… but also absorb it… Could it be the legendary… 'Martial God Physique'…"
…
Meanwhile,
Ye Feng and Jiang Si Shan had returned to the entrance of the cave where they had previously seen the large black bear.
"Si Shan, speaking of which, why are you handling such a crucial matter as maintaining the core of the Arcanum City's protection array all by yourself?"
"From the assassination attempt you encountered in the Black Swamp and Lan Yin's situation, it seems unlikely that those who don't want you to succeed would do nothing…"
"And there's only one guard at the entrance… Shouldn't such a critical location be heavily guarded?"
Walking on the snow, Ye Feng looked around with a puzzled expression.
"Maintaining the core of the Arcanum City's protection array is a highly sensitive secret. Very few people know about it, and it's not suitable for a grand display. Furthermore, it's not something that can be accomplished simply by having high strength or a large number of people!"
"Besides, people without sufficient strength cannot stay here for long… By nightfall, without special shelter, arcane cultivators below Diamond level would likely be in mortal danger…"
"Most importantly, this ice mountain and plain is where the City Lord frequently appears. In a sense, its safety is even higher than the City Lord's mansion!"
Jiang Si Shan explained as they walked.
"I see~"
…
As evening approached,
Ye Feng and Jiang Si Shan were still walking through the snow. With the sun setting, the temperature dropped further. Jiang Si Shan was breathing heavily and looked anxious.
"Big Brother!"
Ye Feng, who had been walking leisurely, occasionally hopping in the snow, suddenly heard a small voice from a distance ahead.
Ye Feng followed the sound and saw Xiao Xiao, bundled in a thick cotton coat and holding binoculars, waving at him. Qiao Ying stood beside her.
…
"Xiao Xiao, Qiao Ying, why are you here?"
Ye Feng quickly ran to the two girls and asked, puzzled.
"Big Brother, at noon today, the second light on this device also lit up… So I came with Sister Qiao Ying to find you!"
As she spoke, Xiao Xiao showed Ye Feng the Three-Breath Underworld Lamp sensor she was holding, though no lights were illuminated on it.
"What the heck is this?" kΑnshu伍.ξà
Ye Feng frowned slightly and muttered to himself, "Enemies of the bracelet wearers?… Neither Xiao Xiao nor I have used our survivor bracelets these past few days… Other survivors…?"
"Ye Feng, let's head back to the convoy first before we talk!"
At this point, Jiang Si Shan, who could no longer endure the cold, spoke up.
"Alright…"
…
As the sun almost disappeared below the horizon,
Ye Feng and Jiang Si Shan finally returned to where they had started walking from. The off-road vehicle and pickup truck had their headlights on, waiting for them.
"Hoo!~"
Jiang Si Shan rushed into the off-road vehicle in a few strides, curled up into a ball, clearly frozen.
"Big Brother…"
Just as Ye Feng was about to get into the off-road vehicle, Xiao Xiao called out to him.
"Xiao Xiao, what is it?"
Ye Feng turned around, looking at Xiao Xiao with a puzzled expression.
"Big Brother… As we walked back, it seems like someone has been following us… Faintly, I'm not entirely sure…" she said, looking in the direction behind them with a furrowed brow.
"But it's roughly… At first, I thought it was a coincidence that we were going the same way… But when I said I wanted to see the scenery and changed our route, they still followed… Yet, sometimes it feels like they aren't following…"
"At first, I even thought it was my imagination…"