At the far northern edge of the sky, blades of wind swept past one after another, shaving layer after layer from the ice on the ground. The ice was then swept into the air, scattering and gathering in the gale as it slammed into and scraped away every obstacle in its path.
By their internal clocks, night had already fallen. Inside the cave, apart from those patrolling and keeping watch, everyone else had entered dreamland.
The soldiers were very excited and happy about accompanying them on this trip. It was not only because they could go exploring with the immortal masters and their Little State Preceptor. More importantly, they did not have to worry too much about lodging, travel, clothing, or food. He Dazhi's "Mountain and River Fan" was practically a moving storehouse, with everything one could need.
Even out on the peripheral icefields of this far northern land, they could dress warmly, sleep soundly, and eat hot meals. All of this made the soldiers, who were already used to the hardships of marching, feel greatly comforted and gratified.
Just before dawn, there was suddenly a violent tremor that shook the earth and mountains. Along with chunks of ice crashing down from overhead, everyone was startled awake. All of them immediately went on guard, wanting to know what had happened.
They saw the layer of ice at the top of the cave suddenly lifted away, vanishing without a trace in an instant. Countless bone-piercing gusts of cold wind mixed with shattered ice swept down toward everyone on the ground.
"What's going on?" Tian Buyi and the Ghost King, awakened with a start, looked at Old Ancestor Fengyue and asked with frowns.
Old Ancestor Fengyue did not know either. "When I came here last time, I didn't encounter anything like this.