He left the swirling snow behind, trudged out of the Icefield, and headed toward Carter City.
With the three hunting groups' greatest threats eliminated and a rich haul to show for it, Li Yun felt exceptionally at ease. Even the air around him had softened. Gone was the ruthless chill he had carried across the Icefield; he looked like an ordinary Martial Artist with time to spare.
He passed through the city gate without trouble. When he returned to the wooden house in the Western City's common quarter, Xu An was cultivating intently in the courtyard.
After all his hard work, Xu An's cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds. His foundation in the Martial God Realm had grown firmer, and a breakthrough to the Sage realm was no longer far away.
Xu An opened his eyes the instant he saw Li Yun return safely. Delight lit his face, and he hurried over.
"Brother Lin, you're back!"
Though Xu An had devoted himself to cultivation while Li Yun was away, he had never stopped worrying about Li Yun's safety.
Li Yun nodded slightly. "I'm back. It's all taken care of."
He brushed past the bloody fighting on the Icefield without elaborating, then asked about Xu An's progress and offered a few pointers.
His advice always struck the nail on the head, pinpointing whatever had puzzled Xu An. Each time, Xu An saw the light, and his path of cultivation grew smoother.
Li Yun finally settled down to examine the Blood Saber Sage Art he had obtained from Blood Saber Elder.
He summoned the Gate of Myriad Wonders and placed the fragmentary Sage Art inside. The panel immediately displayed the cost of restoring it—two hundred million Myriad Wonders Points.
Li Yun studied the figure for a moment, then decided against restoring