Of the eight cultivators who came in, the leader was a female cultivator, also the one in the best condition. After they entered the reception hall, they saw Yunxi and Xun Kun seated in the main seats.
The woman cupped her hands. "Junior Guan Zhizhi of Hanbing Sect greets the two Zūnzhě."
Guan Zhizhi had not expected these two Zūnzhě to enter the Misty Snow Domain as well.
Previously, cultivators of Hanbing Sect had entered the Polar Extreme Wind Zone together, seeking the entrance to the Misty Snow Domain within the gale. Then the Polar Extreme Wind Zone mutated.
Their group feared an accident and prepared to withdraw. On the way out, they encountered Zūnzhě Han Lian of Jihan Gate and Yun Chen Fózǐ of Yunmen Temple. The two Zūnzhě told them to retreat from the gale at once.
Their small team took the advice and moved toward the outer edge of the Polar Extreme Wind Zone. They were about to step out when a sudden upheaval dragged all Nascent Soul cultivators who had not yet escaped back into the gale.
When Guan Zhizhi finally set foot on solid ground, she realized she had entered the Misty Snow Domain. Since she was here, she might as well make it a tempering trial. She advanced while searching for her companions and exploring the realm.
Soon after, she met several Nascent Soul cultivators from other sects. All agreed that the opening of the Misty Snow Domain felt abnormal, so they decided to travel together for safety.
They had gone less than a day when the Snow Wolf King's mournful howl reached them. Not knowing what had happened, they headed toward the source of the howl.
An hour later, a pride of snow lions in the secret realm surrounded and attacked them. In order to break free, they fought a fierce battle, barely escaping before fleeing under cover of the storm.
Afterward, Guan Zhizhi discovered the law house. Knowing it had been set out by cultivators who had entered the realm, she brought her injured teammates to seek aid.
Having heard Guan Zhizhi's explanation, Yunxi only waved a hand. "Since fate brought you here, you may stay in the first courtyard to heal. When the storm eases a little, I will depart. I hope you can recover before then."
"Many thanks for your care, Zūnzhě. We will not delay your departure," Guan Zhizhi said, stepping forward on behalf of the group.
With Yunxi's permission, she led the seven back out of the reception hall.
One male cultivator was the most gravely injured and had to be supported by two others into a room.
Once the worst wounded had been settled, the three in better condition gathered in Guan Zhizhi's room.
"Senior Sister Guan, as far as I know, there is a cultivation limit to enter the Misty Snow Domain. How did two Zūnzhě get in?"
A young handsome man voiced the doubt on his mind.
Sitting cross-legged on a futon, Guan Zhizhi frowned. "This opening of the Misty Snow Domain is unusual. Even we were dragged in. The two Zūnzhě were likely swept in while tempering in the Polar Extreme Wind Zone.
And I do not think they are the only ones. Did you forget we also met Zūnzhě Han Lian and Yun Chen Fózǐ in the middle ring of the Polar Extreme Wind Zone?"
Jun Jun reacted at once, though worry filled his face. "Senior Sister, everything about this opening feels strange. We were attacked by snow lions as soon as we arrived. I have a bad feeling."
Guan Zhizhi nodded. "I do not care about others, but you must not split from the group. We should not separate in this realm. We received help from the Zūnzhě this time. When we leave, we will offer our thanks to them."
"Rest assured, Senior Sister. We understand."
The five ended their talk and began to meditate to recover.
Only then did Yunxi retract her spiritual sense. Her apricot eyes narrowed as she sifted through their conversation. She had eavesdropped because more than half of this group were disciples of Hanbing Sect.
In the broken visions she had seen, Hanbing Sect was the sect annihilated by the snow wolves. The Zou siblings killed earlier by the Snow Wolf King had also been disciples of Hanbing Sect. Yet another coincidence.
Xun Kun spoke up. "Ran Xi, did you notice anything abnormal about them?"
"Half are from Hanbing Sect, same sect as the Zou siblings."
At the words "Zou siblings," Xun Kun's brows tightened unconsciously, but he still said, "You are worried they will provoke the realm's snow beasts like the Zou siblings did and bring calamity down on everyone?"
"I am. That sect has long styled itself the second-largest in the Northern Region and competes with Jihan Gate at every turn, hoping to suppress it, but after so many years they still could not surpass it.
This opening is irregular, and evil cultivators have a hand in it. I fear they will use the chance to incite a fight between the two sects, letting them reap the benefits without lifting a finger."
Yunxi did not want to think that far ahead, but they already knew the evil cultivators' goal regarding the Misty Snow Domain. They could not be careless.
"Then when they leave, we will tell them frankly what dangers lurk in the realm. Our goal is the center of the Misty Snow Domain, not acting as their bodyguards," Xun Kun said bluntly.
"Mm. For now that is all we can do. I only worry the Nascent Soul evil cultivators have already started moving."
"We will wait for Han Lian and Xun Kun, and set out as soon as they arrive."
Xun Kun was anxious too, but the two of them alone had no confidence against ten Divine Transformation evil cultivators.
"For now, we have no other choice."
As for Han Lian and Yun Chen, whom Yunxi and Xun Kun had been mentioning, they eventually surfaced from an ice lake, since the underground river emptied into the realm's ice lake.
The white bear nesting in its lair was finally disturbed by their arrival. Curiosity drove it to poke its head out, and Han Lian immediately set her sights on it.
Joy flashed across Han Lian's heroic features. Before her stood a fifth-rank white polar bear, an ice-attribute snow beast, perfectly aligned with her spiritual root. If she could contract it, she would gain wings on a tiger.
Yun Chen Fózǐ read Han Lian's thoughts at a glance and suggested, "Han Lian, try talking first. If you can contract the white polar bear without fighting, all the better. We must hurry to rendezvous with Ran Xi. We cannot afford to be delayed."
Eyes shining, Han Lian rubbed her palms as she stared at the half-hidden fifth-rank white polar bear. "I know. I will not waste time."
She drew a pill bottle from her pouch, tipped out a Snow Ice Crystal Pill, and flicked it onto the ice beside the bear.
The white polar bear twitched its nose, then cautiously exposed its head. It sensed a thread of danger from these two, similar to the pair who had trespassed on its territory a day earlier.
Seeing it show itself, Han Lian arched a bold brow. "If you are willing to contract with me, I will take you out of the Misty Snow Domain. Only outside will you have the chance to reach sixth rank, perhaps even ascend with me to the Spirit Realm. Pills that raise cultivation will be provided long term. What do you say?"
The white polar bear stared at them with jet-black eyes for a long while, then swallowed the Snow Ice Crystal Pill in one bite and dove straight back into the depths of the ice lake.