Zhao Ming's True Purpose for This Journey

The two Spirit Hall Soul Masters arranged by Qian Renxue were Su Nuan, a level sixty-seven healing-type Soul Emperor whose Martial Soul was the Sunfire Flower, and Tie Jing. Su Nuan appeared to be a woman in her early thirties, though she was actually much older. Gentle-featured and soft-spoken, she had taken good care of Zhao Ming throughout the journey.

The other was Tie Jing, a level eighty-two defense-type Soul Douluo whose Martial Soul was Thorn Armor. He was a burly middle-aged man, taciturn but exceptionally steady in his work. From the moment they set out until now, he had remained highly vigilant, as though prepared for any sudden situation at any time.

Zhao Ming had a good impression of both of them.

Su Nuan's healing abilities were especially important in an extreme environment like the Icebound Forest, while Tie Jing's Thorn Armor could not only defend but also reflect melee damage, making it quite useful against ice-attribute Soul Beasts.

On the evening of the second day, their carriage slowly entered a small town called Northwind Town.

Northwind Town was the closest human settlement to the Icebound Forest. It was not large, with only one main street lined by low wooden and stone houses.

Most of the town's residents wore thick fur clothing and had rosy complexions, clearly having adapted to the harsh cold here.

The group stayed at the town's only inn. It was small but reasonably clean. The proprietress was a plump woman in her forties, and she warmly greeted them upon seeing guests arrive.

"Are you all heading to the Icebound Forest to hunt Soul Beasts?" the proprietress asked as she wiped down a table. "You'd better be careful entering the forest this season.

"The Soul Beasts in the forest have been rather restless lately. A few