Toia Great Valley

"Hey! He hasn't even done my love fortune telling yet!"

Stark reached out and grabbed the old man's departing figure.

Frieren looked at the old man who had endured everything alone and forgotten everything, and felt sincere admiration for him. She patted Stark on the shoulder and turned to leave.

"They're gone."

Fern hummed a little tune and quickly appeared behind Dugu Qing, snatching the half-eaten roasted chicken leg from him and taking a small bite.

"Fern, do you like snacks? Here, I have some too."

Seeing this, Stark raised the lamb skewer he had already taken two bites of.

"Go to hell."

Enraged, as if insulted, Fern swept his long leg across, knocking Stark away.

The following day, the adventure team set off again.

In the 30th year of the Xinshi Era, in the Toia Great Valley of the Northern Plateau.

Frieren's Party continued forward along the steep mountain path.

The canyon gradually widened and deepened, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Frieren calmly introduced to everyone that this was a 3,000-meter-high cliff. Due to the unique terrain of the Northern Plateau, the drop was extremely steep and spectacular, making it unique in the world.

Looking at the wide canyon, with its ever-present, raging winds, a troubled expression appeared on Stark's face.

So, how do we get there?

Dugu Qing felt he could wrap Stark and Fern in blankets and carry them across.

However, it was somewhat indecent, so he turned his expectant gaze to Frieren.

Frieren remembered the bridge that Himmel had commissioned to build many years ago, and on a sudden inspiration, she led everyone upstream.

After traversing the steep mountain slopes, the group spotted a wooden bridge spanning the canyon in the vast expanse of sky and earth, and their hearts were filled with joy.

"Great, we've passed!"

"How did a bridge end up here?! It's amazing!"

Stark and Fern stared in astonishment at the wooden bridge spanning the precipice in the distance.

Frieren smiled with satisfaction and led everyone to the bridgehead.

The dwarf Gern, dressed in worker's clothes, was resting on a wooden chair.

Frieren greeted him warmly, "Gern, that's amazing! I can't believe you actually built this bridge."

Gern stood up indifferently and nodded slightly.

"Yes! The Toia Great Valley truly deserves its reputation as the Number One in the North. Two hundred years ago, my village suffered a calamity. Reinforcements were unable to arrive due to the canyon's obstruction, leading to the villagers' deaths. I then resolved to dedicate the rest of my life to building a bridge that would allow people to cross quickly, preventing such a tragedy from repeating itself. Recently, I finally succeeded."

Frieren gazed at the wide canyon, deeply moved.

"Gern, you are truly remarkable! You have accomplished what no one before you could."

Gern invited the group into the room, picked up the teapot, poured several cups of water, and placed them in front of everyone.

"At the beginning, I was meticulous and invested a huge amount of effort in building the bridge, using the hardest stone in the world and designing the most beautiful style. Unexpectedly, a gust of wind blew in, and the bridge collapsed with a crash, and all my hard work was wasted."

"Later, I went out to work and earned money again, but I never dared to invest all my savings in it again. I repaired it little by little, investing little by little, rain or shine, for over a hundred years, but I achieved nothing."

"During those dark days, I broke down more than once and thought about giving up. It was Himmel's sponsorship that helped me get through it."

"From then on, I slowed down my pace and stopped being fixated on the goal. I would practice when I remembered, and rest when I didn't. I was neither elated by external gains nor saddened by personal losses. Unexpectedly, by a twist of fate, I actually succeeded."

The crowd listened quietly to the poignant and moving story, savoring its bittersweet moments.

Now I understand why this bridge is so simply designed.

It turns out that before the bridge was even built, it had gone through all sorts of trials and tribulations, and had even faced several setbacks... It really wasn't easy!

"Amazing, absolutely amazing, Uncle Gern."

"Yes! Uncle Gern, I'd like to propose a toast to you."

Dugu Qing raised his water cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Gern looked slightly flustered, forced a smile, then raised his water glass and drank some water.

"However, although the bridge is built, large demonic birds keep appearing nearby. I suspect their nests are nearby, and I would like to ask for your help to eliminate the demons."

Frieren was about to agree without hesitation, but then she remembered she didn't want the other person to feel indebted.

"What about the reward?"

Gern seemed to have been prepared, taking out a slightly worn Grimoire.

"The Magic to Successfully Flip Pancakes."

Fern Stark thought this magic was too hasty, like a tongue twister, utterly useless.

"I've accepted the mission."

Frieren warmly shook hands with Gern and led the group toward the Demon Bird's Nest.

On the side of the canyon, Dugu Qing, Frieren, Fern, Stark walked cautiously along the steep cliff, approaching the Demon Bird's Nest.

A sharp bird cry pierced the air.

A flock of demonic birds took to the sky, densely packed, flapping their wings and shooting out a strong gust of wind, stirring up sand and stones.

The Stark couldn't open his eyes.

Frieren, Fern, was slender and light as a feather; a gust of wind almost blew her away.

Dugu Qing quickly pulled the two of them back.

Fern clutched the briefcase containing five thousand gold coins, while Frieren stopped in her tracks and calmly launched a normal magical attack.

The surging Mana Bullet tore through the void and pierced the demon bird's chest.

The flock of birds stopped attacking and scattered.

Dugu Qing and Fern summoned their magic wands, the tips of which unleashed a torrent of attacks.

The birds fell one after another, suffering heavy casualties, and in a fit of rage, they rushed towards the crowd.

Stark stood in front of everyone, unleashing a devastating Heavenly Light Slash shattered the void, slaying the last demonic bird.

As night fell, the adventure team took the opportunity to clear out the monsters near the canyon.

Frieren, Dugu Qing, Fern, Stark returned to the bridge and told Gern that all the demon birds had been wiped out.

"Thank you all. From now on, this valley can finally be traversed freely."

Old Gern patted the railing, smiling with satisfaction.

He led everyone to the rebuilt village and treated the guests to delicious food.

By the way, I'll deliver the promised magic book to Frieren.

The group enjoyed a delicious meal and a relaxing night before continuing their journey to the far north.

In the 30th year of the Xinshi Era, on the Northern Plateau, in the Shumar Snowfield.

The group sought shelter from the blizzard in a cave.

Fern looked at the last bit of Latiao left, his face showing reluctance.

"There's only a little food left. It's all Stark's fault. He ate lavish meals every day, and in just a few days, he'd eaten everything up. Even the Latiao Dugu Qing made couldn't escape his clutches."

Stark pursed his lips and gave an awkward smile, because he was indeed the one who ate the most and did the least in the team...

I wonder if there are any villages nearby.

Dugu Qing looked calmly at the boundless snowfield outside.