Dragon City, Night Exploration of the Cold Spring

Northern border of the Heaven Dou Empire, Dragon City.

After several days of travel, Shui Qinghan and her group finally arrived in Dragon City.

Lead-gray clouds hung low over the distant mountains, which were blanketed in snow year-round.

A cold wind swept through Dragon City's streets, kicking up fine snow pellets from the ground. They pattered softly against the carriage.

"We'll rest here for the night." After getting out of the carriage, Shui Qinghan looked down at Jiang Lan and Shui Bing'er.

"Yes~" the two answered in unison.

It seems Teacher has found the location of the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow Cave. Jiang Lan thought.

He vaguely remembered that there were as many as forty-five strands of Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow within that cave!

That much Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow would already be enough to support their cultivation all the way to Titled Douluo. There might even be some left over!

For Jiang Lan and the others, absorbing even a fingernail-sized amount of Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow would be enough to let them reach rank thirty within a year.

Shui Qinghan nodded slightly, then led Jiang Lan and Shui Bing'er toward a nearby inn.

"It's snowing." Snowflakes like grains of salt drifted down from the lead-gray sky. Carried by the cold wind, they swirled onto Shui Bing'er's nose, where her body heat melted them, leaving behind a cool trace of moisture. Shui Bing'er raised a hand to catch the falling snowflakes and said happily.

Shui Bing'er wore a water-blue feathered cloak lined with snow fox fur, a snow hat on her head, and a pair of white sheepskin ankle boots. She looked particularly adorable.

Shui Qinghan was still dressed in a water-blue long gown. Her cultivation was profound, and her martial soul was a top-tier ice attribute. Temperatures only slightly below freezing were quite comfortable for her.

"Isn't this the border of the Heaven Dou Empire? Why is it so lively?" Shui Bing'er asked in surprise as she looked at the bustling taverns and the pedestrians coming and going through the streets.

"Although Dragon City lies on the frontier, it produces many medicinal herbs and furs. A great many merchant caravans and mercenaries make their living here," Jiang Lan explained.

Although Dragon City was merely a bitterly cold region on the northern border of the Heaven Dou Empire, it did not lack foot traffic.

Because Dragon City bordered the Far North and was the last human city on the Far North Icefield, its existence had completely replaced Hunter Soul Town's role.

Moreover, its environment was well suited for ice-attribute soul masters to cultivate in, making it a natural mimicry cultivation ground. This had drawn large numbers of mercenaries to cultivate and earn a living here.

"Lan'er is right." Shui Qinghan nodded approvingly.

As they spoke, the three entered the inn. The aroma of food and the clamor of voices immediately washed over them.

Shui Qinghan's arrival caused the inn to fall silent for a moment. Pairs of eyes openly sized her up.

"Hmph!" Shui Qinghan snorted coldly. Her voice contained extremely profound soul power, striking the mercenaries in the inn with considerable force. Their expressions changed drastically, and they hurriedly looked away, not daring to stare any longer.

An expert!

An expert whose strength far exceeded their imagination!

"Prepare a superior room, then send up some food and hot water." Shui Qinghan took out a small pouch of gold soul coins, tossed it onto the counter, and gave her order.

"Yes, yes, yes~ This way, please!" After counting the gold soul coins in the pouch, the innkeeper wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and deferentially led the three upstairs.

The three followed the innkeeper upstairs. Only after Shui Qinghan's figure disappeared from sight did the mercenaries in the inn dare to resume speaking.

After going upstairs, the innkeeper hurriedly led them to a lavishly decorated room. He handed Shui Qinghan a brilliant golden key, then wisely bowed and left.

Shui Qinghan opened the door and walked straight in.

Jiang Lan and Shui Bing'er followed close behind.

The room was spacious. The sitting room alone covered more than fifty square meters.

There was also a bathroom, bedroom, balcony, and more.

The room was far warmer than outside, seemingly equipped with something similar to underfloor heating.

"So warm!" The moment Shui Bing'er entered the room, she took off her cloak and immediately felt much more comfortable.

"It should be some kind of soul tool," Shui Qinghan said.

"Alright. After dinner, get some rest early. We're heading out tonight," Shui Qinghan added.

"Yes~" Although Shui Bing'er found it rather strange, she did not ask any questions.

Before long, the innkeeper sent someone over with steaming food and some hot water.

The food the innkeeper had sent was highly characteristic of the region.

There was fish sashimi that could be eaten raw, Far North sweet shrimp, crispy and juicy fried ice silkworms, mushroom soup simmered with fish bones and lamb bones, and a steaming bowl of lamb braised rice.

The fish sashimi and sweet shrimp had been freshly caught and killed. They needed no seasoning; their meat was tender, fresh, and sweet, with a faint lingering sweetness.

The fried ice silkworms were coated in flour. Their shells were crisp and golden, while the insides were tender and juicy. Every bite was practically full of meat, and the ice silkworm flesh was pleasantly chewy. Sprinkled with a little seasoning, they left an endless aftertaste.

The mushroom soup simmered with fish and lamb bones emphasized freshness above all else. It was exceptionally delicious and also helped cut through the richness.

As for the lamb braised rice, there was even less need to mention it. The golden grains of rice were distinct, while the lamb was tender and flavorful, without the slightest trace of greasiness or gaminess.

After dinner, Jiang Lan and Shui Bing'er took turns wiping themselves down with hot water, then returned to the bedroom and lay down on the large bed to rest.

In the blink of an eye, it was deep into the night.

The entire city had fallen completely silent, leaving only the howling of the north wind.

"It's about time." Shui Qinghan, who had been meditating cross-legged on the sofa, opened her eyes. She took Jiang Lan and Shui Bing'er through the room's window and silently flew to a natural spring in the Far North Mountains.

Although Dragon City's gates had soldiers on night watch, how could they possibly notice a Soul Douluo who deliberately concealed herself?

Shui Qinghan grabbed one in each hand and brought Jiang Lan and Shui Bing'er to a natural spring in the Far North Mountains.

"Lan'er, this is the place."

"I've explored this cold spring several times, but each time, the cold current pouring out from the ice cave forced me back."

"That cold current is incredibly frigid. Even I can barely withstand it. After enduring it for just a few seconds, I nearly froze stiff."

"I suspect the Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow Cave from your bloodline memories lies beneath this cold spring."

"There's no mistake. This is the place!" Jiang Lan said excitedly.

Shui Bing'er was completely bewildered.

What exactly were Mother and Junior Brother talking about?

What was this Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Marrow Cave?

Why did she know nothing about it?

Which one of them was Mother's biological child, anyway?!

"Let's go!" Shui Qinghan released her Water-Congealing Flying Luan martial soul to protect herself, then condensed a soul power barrier large enough to hold two people. With one in each hand, she brought Jiang Lan and Shui Bing'er and jumped directly into the cold spring.

The spring water was icy. Even through the soul power barrier, they could feel its bone-chilling cold.

Jiang Lan immediately unfolded his innate domain—the Sea of Tides—sealing the chilling cold of the water outside the domain.

"Teacher, I can breathe underwater. You don't need to worry about me," Jiang Lan quickly said.

"That's right. Lan'er's martial soul is a water-attribute true dragon. Being in water is like returning home for him." Shui Qinghan smiled faintly.

"Teacher, let's go," Jiang Lan said with a smile.

"Alright!" Shui Qinghan released her grip, allowing Jiang Lan to sink into the cold spring. She pulled Shui Bing'er into her arms and followed him down.