Chapter 126, Square City

Sifang City, the easternmost stronghold of the Qingming Sect, is located on the edge of a great abyss. It is currently the dead of winter, and heavy snow is falling from the sky.

The snow here is different from other places. The snowflakes are extremely large and heavy, accompanied by howling winds. If one is suddenly exposed to the outside, even a Qi Refining cultivator will be frozen solid in a short time.

At this moment, the formations within the city were operating at full capacity, desperately trying to keep out the chilling cold. Meanwhile, fire pits were burning brightly throughout the city, barely maintaining warmth.

Even so, the Qi Refining cultivators of the Qingming Sect had no choice but to stay in their houses, shivering by the fire pit. Fortunately, at this time of year, all forces were relatively quiet, and even the most cold-resistant sea beasts could not withstand the cold and entered the Blackwater Zone. Therefore, the Qingming Sect took pity on them and allowed the cultivators to rest.

"Old Xu, I have some good news."

A monk who had wrapped himself up like a brown bear burst through the courtyard gate, and a blast of cold wind rushed in.

"Close the door now!"

Xu Hao, who was practicing his magic in the courtyard, frowned and quickly reminded him.

"well!"

The cultivator hurriedly turned around and closed the courtyard gate, removing the fur covering his head to reveal a young face—Cao Lin, a fellow disciple of Xu Hao.

"Good news? You've found the whereabouts of that spirit boat?"

Xu Hao quickly invited Cao Lin into his room. After all, he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator and had his own small courtyard.

Upon entering the room, a wave of hot air hit him, and Cao Lin shivered comfortably, quickly taking off his thick animal skin coat.

"Come, have a sip of hot turmeric tea and circulate your internal energy to dispel the yin energy in your body. If you delay, the yin energy will penetrate deep into your flesh and blood, which will be difficult to deal with."

Xu Hao handed him a cup of spiritual tea. Cao Lin thanked him and quickly swallowed it. Then he circulated his cultivation technique, and a burst of heat rose from his body.

"Thanks a lot, Lao Xu, you know the most."

Faced with Cao Lin's flattery, Xu Hao just smiled helplessly and said in a self-deprecating tone.

"Know a lot? If you'd been here for ten years, I think you'd understand too."

Cao Lin fell silent, looking at Xu Hao, unsure of what to say. This was the first time he had experienced such a biting, icy winter, while Xu Hao had experienced it ten times already. Just thinking about it sent chills down his spine.

"Let's not talk about that anymore. You said you found traces of that spirit ship, where is it?"

Xu Hao's cultivation has now reached the second level of Foundation Establishment. Although it is extremely difficult here compared to the Qingming Sect, the opportunities are no less.

He slayed overseas cultivators and hunted sea beasts, and the Great Abyss was filled with the ruins of many sects. After the initial chaos, he felt quite at home here.

"In the vicinity of the Blackwater area."

A month ago, a spirit boat carrying spiritual items from the Qingming Sect was destroyed by a sea beast and sank in the abyss. The boat was loaded with enough supplies for the cultivators of Sifang City to use for three months.

If they can salvage it, the sect will split the spoils 30/70. Even though it's only 30%, it will still be a huge surprise for them.

"Blackwater area?"

Xu Hao frowned, looked out of the city, weighed his options, made up his mind, and nodded vigorously.

"Besides me, who else did you contact?"

Xu Hao was very cautious. He knew very well that one or two Foundation Establishment cultivators could not take down a spirit boat. Not only could they not cope with the dangers along the way, but more importantly, even if they were lucky enough to succeed, countless envious cultivators would rush up afterward, and he might end up dead without a burial place.

"My second uncle, Jiang Xian, Meng Bo, and several other family members, as well as disciples from within the sect who are on good terms with us, and I also invited Uncle Feng to oversee things."

Xu Hao nodded. These people included almost all the disciples of the Qingming Sect from various families in Sifang City, plus Senior Uncle Feng, a Golden Core elder. Just looking at the number of people, it was already quite a lot.

"I also invited the two brothers from the Li family."

Looking at his expression, Cao Lin spoke with some concern.

"I've also heard about your younger brother's killing of an elder of the Li family, which is truly unprecedented. I know your two families are sworn enemies."

However, that's just a family matter. Within the Qingming Sect, we still need to stick together and support each other, otherwise, the situation for us fellow disciples from wealthy families will be even worse.

Xu Hao waved his hand casually, indicating that he didn't care. He was also incredulous when he heard that Xu Yuanlang had killed Li Luomao. When the news came, it even caused a stir in Sifang City, and many of his fellow disciples came to him to verify it.

Back then, that name was a thorn in his side, but now, when he mentions it again, he feels almost nothing. This small town is not only cold, but it can also completely wear down one's will.

"That's good. We'll set off tonight!"

"Is it in such a hurry?"

"There's nothing we can do. We're not the only ones eyeing this spirit ship; other fellow disciples and sects overseas are also after it."

After hearing the explanation, Xu Hao didn't say anything, but just packed his things on his own. Cao Lin hurriedly took his leave.

As night fell, the group gathered at the city gate of Sifang City. The biting wind, like thousands of knives, suddenly attacked. The cultivators present wrapped themselves in warm furs, and even though they were all Foundation Establishment cultivators, they still had to circulate their spiritual energy to defend against the cold.

"Why hasn't Xu Hao arrived yet at this hour? Cao Lin, did you forget to tell him the time?"

In the cold wind, someone questioned Cao Lin with dissatisfaction, but Cao Lin snorted coldly, not even bothering to speak. Just as a conflict seemed imminent, someone suddenly whispered...

"Here he comes, Fellow Daoist Xu has arrived!"

A shadowy figure emerged from within the city. Upon seeing him, everyone breathed a sigh of relief; now that everyone was present, it was time to set off.

"Once everyone's here, let's hurry up and get our hands on the spiritual item within five days. Uncle Feng estimates that the heavy snow will continue for another five days, so no one should be able to compete with us in this weather, but we still need to be careful."

Everyone was conserving their spiritual energy, responding only in hushed tones.

Then the group of more than a dozen people quickly disappeared into the distance. They were all Foundation Establishment cultivators, who could usually fly directly in the air, but not now.

This is, after all, a bitterly cold place. Today, the ground is freezing cold, but the higher you go, the more intense and terrifying the cold air becomes. It's better to walk on the ground.

A night passed, and although it was already noon according to the time, the world was still shrouded in darkness, and the howling wind, mixed with ice and snow, lashed down fiercely.

"Stop, we've arrived."

The cultivator leading the way shouted loudly, and everyone quickly stopped. All around them was a vast, flat snowfield.