Chapter 3187: Heading To The Eastern Ravines

After a day’s rest and discussion, the group gathered near the exit of the northeastern border fort, the early morning light spilling over the colossal wall behind them.

The air was brisk, filled with the faint hum of immortal energy running through the protective array that lined the barrier. Lin Mu stood at the forefront with Little Shrubby beside him, the beast’s fur faintly sparking with traces of lightning qi as he stretched his claws against the stone ground.

Daoist Chu adjusted the strap of his waist bag and gave a final glance toward the fort. "The report said the bandits were last seen near the eastern ravines, correct?" he asked.

Lin Mu nodded. "Yes. That’s where they attacked a group of merchants three days ago. Several people were abducted, including cultivators. The patrols that went to investigate didn’t return."

"That is where we start, then," Meng Bai said, his tone calm but sharp.

The twin snakes coiled around his arms flicked their tongues, their black and white scales reflecting the sunlight.

Monk Hushu folded his hands together, his prayer beads clicking softly. "The eastern ravines have always been a dangerous stretch. But it is strange for snow to appear in that region this season. The reports mentioned unusual cold winds as well."

"Unusual weather often means unnatural influence," Lin Mu replied. "Let’s move. We’ll see for ourselves."

With that, everyone mounted Little Shrubby.

The beast crouched low, muscles tensing like coiled springs before shooting into the air. His paws struck the ground only once before they blurred across the landscape. The scenery rushed past them, the fort rapidly shrinking behind as the true expanse of the Darkhan Dynasty unfolded.

They soon reached the edge of the great forest that stretched beyond the wall.

Before them lay an enormous road that seemed to slice the forest in two, a perfect line that stretched toward the horizon. The road was nearly a hundred meters wide, its surface paved with large dark stones that were inscribed with runes.

Even from a glance, one could tell this was not an ordinary road built for mortals. It was an imperial highway, fortified with qi-imbued stone to resist erosion, beast attacks, and time itself.

Meng Bai leaned forward, his eyes narrowing in astonishment. "Is this... paved all the way to the capital?" He remembered what he had read in a book about the Darkhan Dynasty.

Monk Hushu nodded slowly, his tone tinged with quiet admiration. "Indeed. The imperial highways of the Darkhan Dynasty are among the finest constructions on the continent. They connect every major city, fortress, and trade hub. A network that even the strongest sects would envy."

"The wealth needed for this must be unimaginable," Daoist Chu remarked.

"The Darkhan Dynasty has stood for hundreds of thousands of years," Lin Mu said. "They’ve had the time and power to make such things possible. The wall, the highway—everything about them speaks of deep foundations." He too, had read a book about the history of the dynasty and couldn’t help but admire them.

They followed the highway briefly, gliding low above it, watching merchants and caravans move along its expanse. Even here at the border, traffic was steady. Armored wagons, mounted beasts, and merchant cultivators traveled under the watch of imperial guards stationed at regular intervals.

But Lin Mu’s group did not linger long.

Their destination lay beyond the paved route, deep within the wilderness. The eastern ravines were only ninety kilometers from the fort, a short distance for those at their level. For a mortal, it might take a few days of travel through dense woods and rocky paths.

For Little Shrubby, it would take minutes.

The beast let out a low growl, sensing Lin Mu’s intent. In the next moment, they veered off the highway and entered the dense forest. The trees grew tall and thick, their trunks wrapped with vines and roots that knotted the ground. The scent of damp soil and wild vegetation filled the air.

Lin Mu spread his immortal sense outward, scanning the surroundings in layers. Meng Bai and Daoist Chu did the same, their senses brushing through the forest like invisible waves. The twin snakes extended their spiritual perception as well, their tongues flicking at the qi fluctuations hidden between the trees.

"There are a lot of small settlements scattered around here," Daoist Chu murmured. "I can sense the faint presence of villagers deeper within."

Elyonu nodded. "Yes. The bandits targeted these areas. They waited for villagers who left their homes to hunt or trade, then ambushed them."

"Cruel, but efficient," Meng Bai said, his tone cold.

Monk Hushu’s eyes lowered in silent prayer. "Such cruelty cannot go unpunished. The people here live under the protection of the dynasty. To defy that order is to defy the peace of all."

The forest thinned gradually as they approached the eastern ravines.

The air began to cool, a faint chill brushing against their faces. Lin Mu furrowed his brows, sensing a subtle shift in elemental balance. The ambient qi that had been thick with wood and earth energy now carried the faint touch of frost.

Within minutes, the terrain began to change drastically. The trees grew sparse, their leaves dusted with frost. The green canopy gave way to white and pale blue hues, as though the land had shifted seasons in an instant.

Daoist Chu exhaled softly, his breath visible in the air. "This should not be possible... we are still in the subtropical belt. The temperature is dropping unnaturally fast."

Ahead, the forest opened into a broad ravine that stretched for miles. The cliffs were sharp and uneven, their rocky faces glistening with frost. A river should have flowed through the bottom, but now it lay frozen solid, a mirror of white ice covered by a thick blanket of snow.

Lin Mu and the others slowed as Little Shrubby descended to the edge of the ravine. Snowflakes drifted down from above, light but unrelenting, carried by a steady wind that bit at their skin.

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