When a group of people with varying expressions emerged from the ice cave, some made gestures as if looking at stars in a place without stars, some extended their hands to feel the thickness of the ice as if studying it, while others pretended nothing was amiss and chatted with those next to them, like Zhao Shanqi.

Attentions, both overt and covert, turned towards Bian Weiyin and Gan Tangyu standing side by side in a dimly lit area.

Upon hearing the commotion of people leaving, they too turned their heads and saw the group that seemed to have just finished discussing something and had come out for some air.

They also saw Luo Buqi, a fellow disciple of Zhao Shanqi's sect, making his way through the crowd directly towards them. Unsure of his intentions, they turned to face him.

Approaching them, Luo Buqi bowed politely, "Both of you, after some discussion, we've decided that I will take a few people to explore the surroundings. For safety, we hope you could lend us several immobilization charms."

Not suspecting any deceit, Bian Weiyin replied, "Immobilization charms have lost their effect here, your Senior Zhao is aware."

Luo Buqi frowned, "Lost their effect? If you don't want to lend them, just say so; you don't need such a poor excuse."

Bian Weiyin replied, "You can ask your Senior Zhao if you don't believe it."

Luo Buqi immediately turned around and shouted back, "Senior, they refuse to lend them."

Hearing this, the group that had dispersed at the entrance of the ice cave slowly came over, with Zhao Shanqi shouting as he walked, "What's going on?"

Bian Weiyin explained, "Mr. Zhao, it's not that we refuse to lend them, but the immobilization charms have lost their effectiveness here, as you've seen for yourself."

Zhao Shanqi, puzzled, asked, "I saw it, but have they partially lost effect, or completely?"

Bian Weiyin responded, "How can we confirm that without testing every single one? Immobilization charms, unlike other objects, are single-use and become useless after activation."

Zhao Shanqi suggested, "You should understand our situation; a few of us have chosen to venture out from the Ice Field, and they need some security. Why don't you test one more charm for everyone to see, or let your disciple..." he nodded toward Gan Tangyu, "let him join the exploration team as long as he carries the charms."

Hearing that he was to leave, Gan Tangyu immediately worried for Bian Weiyin's safety and cautioned, "Senior Sister..."

Bian Weiyin glanced back, signaling him to remain calm, then reached into her pocket and pulled out a Second Grade immobilization charm, handing it to Luo Buqi himself, "Since you doubt us, why don't you try it yourself."

Luo Buqi examined the charm he received and then turned to Zhao Shanqi with a grin, "Senior, sorry for the inconvenience."

"You really know how to look after your Senior," Zhao Shanqi laughed heartily, stepping back and spreading his arms, "Come on."

Without further ado, Luo Buqi activated the talisman, casting it onto Zhao Shanqi.

Zhao Shanqi's entire body instantly stiffened, frozen so solid he couldn't even move his eyes.

Everyone was taken aback; Bian Weiyin and Gan Tangyu were equally surprised—could it be that the immobilization charm had become effective on the Ice Field after all?

Suddenly, Zhao Shanqi moved his hands and feet again, bursting into laughter, revealing it had all been a jest. He casually removed the charm from his chest, examining it and commenting, "This place truly is strange; the immobilization charm indeed doesn't work."

He casually threw the charm paper aside, turning his attention to Gan Tangyu, "Since the charms are ineffective, we'll have to rely on people instead. Each of our sects has contributed manpower; Wukang Mountain can't just sit here while gaining advantage. Brother Gan, we must cherish and protect our women; risky tasks are not suitable for them. Why not make an effort and accompany my disciple on this trip?"

As these words were spoken, Bian Weiyin and Gan Tangyu immediately sensed trouble. This seemed different from what was previously discussed, and by observing the reactions of others, it was clear some were already blatantly sizing up Bian Weiyin.

Gan Tangyu's hand moved to the hilt of his sword, on guard. Bian Weiyin, inwardly startled but outwardly composed, suggested, "I'm also restless; how about we contribute more by going along with them?" She planned to stabilize the group first, then leave the crowded area, nodding sideways at Luo Buqi, "Let's go."

She nudged Gan Tangyu's elbow gently, and they turned to leave.

It turned out she was too optimistic. These major sects' tactics towards hers—or any weaker sect—never changed. What they said had to be followed; if you tried to reason, they wouldn't unless their objectives were achieved. Instead, they'd simply force the issue as long as you didn't dare to resist properly; no matter how cleverly you evaded, it was useless.

In short, it was about power play and bullying. What could you do?

Without the threat of immobilization charms, these individuals lost all restraint.

"Hold on," Zhao Shanqi stopped them directly.

As if given a command, some individuals from his side swiftly surrounded the two.

There were also several who didn't heed this command. These were the type who sided with the strong, their current cooperative attitude merely a result of circumstances that benefitted both parties. They didn't oppose Zhao Shanqi now only because they didn't want conflict, not because they agreed with his methods.

If genuinely stuck here, their interest—or lack thereof—in women was a future concern; at least for now, they had no interest, or rather, they despised it, yet they were merely individuals resigned to reality.

They watched with cold eyes.

Swish! Gan Tangyu unsheathed his sword, highly alert to his surroundings.

Bian Weiyin asked sternly, "What are you planning to do?"

Zhao Shanqi replied calmly, "Just let your disciple go; you need to stay and discuss some matters with us, so no one can say we didn't consult you."

By now, such deception couldn't fool Bian Weiyin any longer. She swiftly drew several Third Grade immobilization charms from her sleeve, revealing them with a cold laugh, "It indeed takes a test to expose the truth, thinking my charms are ineffective? Disciple, I don't wish to offend other sects, but since they have forced our hand, whoever I immobilize, you cut down!"

Gan Tangyu was slightly taken aback, but he wasn't foolish, quickly responding, "Alright!"

The scene certainly shocked everyone into a daze.

Zhao Shanqi's face tightened before he burst into laughter, "When besieged by monsters, the immobilization charm fails, was it also to test those monsters? This lady is really something. The more I see, the more I like her. I'll definitely have this soup, and no one better compete with me! Junior brothers, let's start!"

With that, he clapped his hands together in an action like a prayer.

His two junior brothers who were part of the encirclement did the same.

Suddenly, a dazzling white light burst forth from the palms of the three joined hands, instantly swallowing everyone and lighting up the entire night sky. It was so intensely white that nothing could be seen, and everyone instinctively shut their eyes, not daring to open them.

This was the Divine Light Sect's specialty, Divine Light Illuminates...

In the midst of rapid flight in the sky, Wu Jinliang suddenly tilted his head towards one side.

Being completely blinded, he was extremely sensitive to light and caught a glimpse of a faint, flickering white light on one side of the sky. He pointed and said, "Chun Tian, look over there."

"I see it," Shi Chun, who wasn't blind, didn't need his reminder. Changing his hand gesture, he steered Wind Scale in a sharp arc, zipping towards the direction of the light at full speed.

His first use of the right-eye superpower had passed just now, having just triggered the second time, he needed to hurry before the third drained him too much...

The blinding white light disappeared, and those who slowly opened their eyes were still adjusting to the dark environment that had returned. Some shook their heads; others struggled to blink and adapt.

Gan Tangyu and Bian Weiyin had both flown out, landing on the ground coughing up blood.

When they were engulfed in the white light and couldn't open their eyes, both knew things had gone wrong. Direct combat was not the forte of Wukang Mountain's disciples and, as expected, in their panic and confusion, before they could react, they were overpowered.

Zhao Shanqi, with a mocking expression on his face, walked over to Bian Weiyin. Just as she weakly lifted her sword, he kicked it away, squatting beside Bian Weiyin to admire the beautiful yet blood-streaked and disheveled face.

"You'll never die a good death..." Bian Weiyin spat blood as she cursed.

Zhao Shanqi simply grabbed her chin, casually dislocating it to prevent any self-harm, then scooped her up into his arms and headed straight for the Ice Cave, with the crowd's varying expressions watching on.

Gan Tangyu's eyes were split with rage, struggling to get up, but was kicked back down, his sword now in the hands of another.

Swoosh, Luo Buqi drove his sword through his chest, pinning him harshly onto the Ice Field, stepping back and taunting as if to see how he would climb up now.

Blood streamed from Gan Tangyu's mouth, but he still twisted his head to watch Bian Weiyin being carried away, his face full of grief and faint moans escaping his lips, tears or blood streaking from the corner of his eyes, indescribably desperate.

Arriving at the mouth of the Ice Cave, Zhao Shanqi didn't forget to spin around with the beauty in his arms, laughing heartily, "Everyone, I'll be busy first."

Indicating for everyone not to disturb them.

Many sneered wickedly, while others remained silent.

Bian Weiyin, equally distressed, struggled violently, punching and scratching, but she was too weak. Zhao Shanqi not only did not resist but seemed to enjoy it, turning with her in his arms into the Ice Cave.

Once inside the cave, he kicked a dried-up corpse of a former soldier off its couch, tossing Bian Weiyin onto it.

The thrown Bian Weiyin choked out another mouthful of blood.

Zhao Shanqi broke off a piece of ice from the wall, quickly stuffing it into her mouth as she coughed blood, covering her mouth with his hand.

In an unguarded moment, Bian Weiyin struggled; Zhao Shanqi grabbed her collar, ripping it open to reveal the beautifully pale skin beneath...

"There really is an Ice Field."

In the sky, Shi Chun exclaimed in surprise while Wu Jinliang, though he couldn't see, sensed it with his right eye and immediately began circling the Ice Field to search.

Soon, Wu Jinliang pointed to a patch of brightness on the ground ahead, "Look, there."

The two were already headed straight for the light, not veering off course, and quickly found it.

Shi Chun immediately steered Wind Scale in a dive, withdrawing the Flying Artifact near the ground, floating down to the surface with Wu Jinliang.

The two didn't show up directly where the light was; they were about two miles away from the Ice Cave.

Wu Jinliang crouched to touch the ground, clicking his tongue, "It really is ice."

Shi Chun: "I'll go check things out first; wait here for me."

As mentioned before, they weren't about to reveal all their cards easily, which is why they didn't want those at the Ice Cave to see them using Wind Scale.

Wu Jinliang immediately looked around, "There aren't any monsters here, right?"

His hand gripped his large knife cautiously.

"I've checked, nothing," Shi Chun dropped the words and vanished in a blink.

Two miles were nothing for his current level of cultivation, merely a matter of leaping into the air.

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