Two days later.
Heaven Dou Northern Territory.
Outside Iron Furnace Town.
A cold wind swept across the barren slope, stirring up black ash from the ground.
This place was completely different from Heaven Dou Outer City.
There were no bustling commercial streets.
No noble carriages.
Only half-collapsed old iron furnaces and stone walls blackened by smoke.
Iron Furnace Town had once risen through forging.
Cold Iron was produced in the mountains outside town, and generations of blacksmiths had worked iron within it.
Later, Clear Sky Sect sealed itself away. Many blacksmiths with hammer-type martial souls gradually left, and Iron Furnace Town slowly declined as well.
There were still people here now.
But not many.
A weathered wooden sign hung at the town entrance.
The three words "Iron Furnace Town" had been worn blurry by the wind and rain.
Hu Liena stood on the hillside in a dark cloak, looking at the distant town.
Four Spirit Hall Deacons followed behind her.
One understood trade routes.
One understood ironware.
The other two were agility-attack types, responsible for tracking.
Yue Guan did not show himself.
But Hu Liena knew he was nearby.
Not far.
But not too close either.
This was the first time she had truly led a team on her own.
Di Yao was not standing in front of her.
Nor had Di Yao laid out the terms for her first.
Hu Liena lowered her head and glanced at the Heaven Dou Deputy Inspector Token in her palm.
The token was cold.
She tightened her grip slightly.
Beside her, the Deacon responsible for identifying ironware said quietly, "Holy Maiden, there are still three furnaces burning in town."
Hu Liena raised her eyes. "Which three?"
The Deacon pointed toward the eastern side of town.
"One on East Street."
Then he pointed north.