Ice Mountain City.
It was just as its name suggested.
The entire Ice City presented a dark red hue, appearing somewhat eerie and terrifying, yet this did not diminish its charm, but rather added a touch of mystery.
Within this immense Ice City stood a towering black structure, dozens of feet tall, piercing the clouds. This colossal tower occupied a vast expanse, resembling a slumbering giant coiled on the ground, on the verge of awakening. The outer walls of this tower were a grayish-white, adorned with dense, intricate patterns. The outermost layer was coated with a black metallic paint.
Inside this towering structure were massive circular chambers, each nearly a hundred meters high. Surrounding these chambers were countless rooms constructed from black iron. The sturdiness of this material far surpassed others; it was akin to an absolute defensive device, capable of protecting anything. It not only served for defense but also for offense.
You Wende was the lord of Ice Mountain City and a cultivator at the Saintly Venerable Grand Completion stage, acquainted with Xing Yongnian.
Ice Mountain City was situated on the northern continent of the Sacred Realm, a land of perpetual winter, ice, and snow. For individuals with cold constitutions or ice-attribute cultivators, this place would be immensely enjoyable, as if tailor-made for them.
Despite the perennial winter, Ice Mountain City still housed a considerable population. This was attributed to the sheer number of inhabitants in the Sacred Realm, where exceptionally long lifespans meant constant new births and infrequent deaths. Apart from unnatural fatalities, ordinary people here lived for thousands of years. Cultivators, of course, had even longer lifespans. This led to an overcrowded state in the Sacred Realm. The upper echelons enjoyed privileged lives, while the common folk toiled for survival. This was the case everywhere; those striving for survival constituted 90%.
Upon arriving at the Ice Snow City, Luo Manjing walked over and said, "Young Master, this is the place. I sense the presence of the Seven-Colored Plate."
"Hmm, it seems Xing Yongnian was not lying," Xia Feng nodded with satisfaction.
"How would he dare to lie to Young Master?" Li Yurou interjected.
"Let's go. Let's explore this unique Ice Mountain City. It's an entire world of ice and snow, and the scenery looks very distinctive," Xia Feng said, looking at Ice Mountain City and gesturing for everyone to enter.
Due to the city's peculiar geography and climate, its gates were undefended, allowing anyone to enter or leave freely. Even if it were occupied, those not possessing cold-resistant physiques would find it unbearable to live there year-round. Visiting for a short stay was manageable. Even cultivators, while able to withstand the cold with their cultivation, would find their progress hampered. However, for those with ice-element physiques, it was a veritable paradise. Thus, Ice Mountain City was primarily inhabited by people with cold-element physiques or those born there who had developed cold-resistant habits. Outsiders typically visited for sightseeing.
As Xia Feng and his companions approached the entrance, a young man ran up, his face respectful. "Esteemed Young Masters and Young Ladies, are you here to sightsee in Ice Snow City?"
"Yes, we've come to have a look," Xia Feng replied, nodding slightly at the young man.
"I believe you might need a guide. I am a guide for Ice Snow City. Whatever you wish to do, where you'd like to eat, or accommodation arrangements for the night, I can handle everything perfectly, ensuring you feel at home and have a thoroughly enjoyable time." The young man introduced himself. They were ordinary people from the lower strata. The frequent influx of tourists to Ice Mountain City had fostered a guide network, providing an additional livelihood for the poor. Some fortunate encounters with generous young masters could result in substantial rewards, covering their family's expenses for decades, and a few even managed to soar to great heights, completely transforming their lives. Of course, these were rare occurrences, happening perhaps once in several decades or even centuries.
Du Ma was one of the many small guides in Ice Mountain City. He had three younger sisters and a younger brother to support, and his mother was bedridden while his father worked outside to provide for the family. With so many mouths to feed, his father alone couldn't bear the burden. Thus, Du Ma started earning money at a young age to help his father and fulfill his responsibility as an elder brother.
Xia Feng looked at the honest young man before him and nodded. "Alright, you can be our guide."
Du Ma's face lit up with joy upon hearing this, and he quickly bowed respectfully. "Young Master, I guarantee your satisfaction and will ensure you and the young ladies have a delightful time."