She temporarily set aside her doubts and continued to examine other information.
The Northern Region is a complex web of power dynamics. Holy lands and Desolate Ancient Family from the Eastern Wasteland all have strongholds or businesses here. Names like the Yaoguang Holy Land, the Jiang Family, the Ji Family, the Great Evolution Holy Land, and the Dao Yi Holy Land appear frequently in intelligence reports. The Great Xia Dynasty and the Ancient Hua Dynasty of the Central Province also have influence here. Furthermore, the Northern Region itself has several powerful top-tier sects, such as the " Ice and Snow Palace " and the " Feng Clan." As for the smaller sects, cultivation families, rogue cultivator alliances, and bandit caravans, they are countless.
The Northern Region is rich in "Source," which has spurred a massive Source mining industry, but has also led to a more blatant system of survival of the fittest and power struggles. It is common for large and small forces to fight each other for a single Source mine.
"What a chaotic place," the Snow Empress sighed inwardly. Compared to the orderly Far North snowfields she once ruled, this place was more like a lawless jungle.
She memorized the information on the jade slip, then took out the Green Lotus Jade Pendant from her bosom. The pendant still emitted a warm, blue light and was slightly warm, but it no longer had a clear direction.
"His Majesty sent me here with the jade pendant; there must be a deeper meaning. The pendant is calm now, perhaps the time is not yet right. Perhaps I need to take the initiative to trigger the next guidance." The Snow Empress pondered, "According to the elder of the Hundred Knowledge Pavilion, there are no obvious rumors related to the ' Green Lotus ' in the Northern Region. Therefore, the key may lie in the 'Taiyin' or the 'Ancient Religion Ruins'."
Her first thought was of the three locations mentioned in the intelligence that might be related to Taiyin. Cold Nether Abyss was too far away, located in the Far North of the Northern Region, and difficult to reach in a short time. The situation at Fallen Star Lake was unclear, and there were many variables in underwater exploration. Ghost-Crying Hill was the closest, but it also seemed to be the most dangerous and eerie.
"Perhaps we can start by investigating Ghost-Crying Hill. If there is anything unusual, with my Taiyin Physique's sensitivity, I should be able to find out. But we need to be fully prepared, as that place seems to be more than just a simple place." Snow Empress was not a reckless person. She planned to first inquire about more specific information about Ghost-Crying Hill in Red Rock City, and it would be best to find a cultivator who had escaped from there to get firsthand information.
In addition, she needed to purchase some items commonly used in the Northern Region, such as more detailed maps, talismans for breaking formations or providing protection, and small items to conceal her identity or aura. She had spent some of the ten catties of Pure Source at the Hundred Knowledge Pavilion, but still had a considerable amount left, which should be enough.
Having made up her mind, Snow Empress put away the jade slip and jade pendant, removed the restriction, and prepared to go out.
The moment she pushed open the door and stepped into the inn's corridor, that feeling of being watched returned, this time clearer and more unsettling than before, as if something cold and slippery was brushing against the panel.
Snow Empress's eyes narrowed, and she stopped in her tracks. Her divine sense spread like mercury across the ground, silently covering the inn and the surrounding area of several hundred feet.
No obvious abnormalities were found. Most of the cultivators in the inn were not highly skilled, with the highest being only at the Sea of Bitterness Secret Realm. The pedestrians and cultivators on the street were also busy with their own affairs. However, that sense of being spied on was like a leech, impossible to shake off.
"It's not an illusion." Snow Empress thought with a chill. The other party's concealment was extremely skillful. If it weren't for her keen senses and her Taiyin Physique, which made her exceptionally sensitive to Yin and evil auras, she probably wouldn't have been able to detect it.
Who could it be? A petty thief in the city, driven by greed or lust? Or... is it related to the faintly emanating Yin energy she exudes?
Snow Empress remained expressionless, pretending to be completely unaware, and continued downstairs to the inn's lobby. She ordered some simple food and seemingly listened casually to the chatter of the other diners, but in reality, she was on high alert.
She could feel those two prying eyes following her subtly.
"It seems I can't stay in Red Rock City any longer," Snow Empress thought to herself. The other side was in the shadows, while she was in the open, and her allies and enemies were unknown, their motives unclear. Staying any longer would only put her at a disadvantage.
She quickly finished her meal, paid for her room, and got up to leave the inn, heading straight towards the city gate. She planned to leave Red Rock City first and make further plans in the wilderness outside the city. Taking action within the city would involve too many variables and could easily attract unnecessary attention and trouble.
However, when she stepped out of the city gates and into a relatively open red wasteland outside the city, the two spying gazes not only did not disappear, but became more obvious and daring, even carrying a hint of mockery and greed.
"Fairy, why are you in such a hurry to leave?"
A sinister voice suddenly came from behind a large rock to the side.
Snow Empress stopped and looked up.
Two middle-aged men in gray robes, with ordinary appearances, emerged from behind the boulder, standing casually to her left and right, blocking her path forward and to her flanks. Their faces wore fake smiles, but their eyes were as cold as venomous snakes, brazenly scrutinizing the Snow Empress, especially lingering on the barely concealed Yin aura emanating from her.
It was the same two men who had been spying on her at the teahouse earlier.
"What advice do you two have for me?" Snow Empress's voice was cold and clear, revealing neither joy nor anger.
"I wouldn't presume to offer advice," the slightly taller man on the left chuckled. "It's just that it's truly dangerous for a fairy to travel alone in this desolate Northern Region. My brother and I happen to be heading west on business, so why don't we travel together for mutual support? What do you say, fairy?"
The slightly shorter man on the right chimed in, "Yes, Fairy's cultivation is quite impressive, but the Northern Region is a very chaotic place. Not only are there Demonic Beast and bandits, but also some unclean things... For example, the ' Ghost-Crying Hill ' that's been causing quite a stir lately, I've heard it's very eerie. If Fairy is going there, please be very careful." His words carried a clear hint of probing.
Snow Empress sneered inwardly. As expected, they were after her Taiyin Physique, or rather, they were after her potential exploration of places related to Yin. Was their mention of Ghost-Crying Hill a coincidence, or a deliberate attempt to mislead her?
"No need for you two to trouble yourselves," Snow Empress said calmly. "I prefer to travel alone. Please step aside."
"Tsk tsk, why is the fairy so aloof?" The tall man shook his head, his smile turning cold. "We brothers mean well. Besides..." He licked his lips, his greed no longer concealed, "The pure Lunar Power emanating from the fairy is extremely rare. Why not come with us to meet our ' Earth Venerable '? Perhaps we can even gain some Fortune."
Earth Venerable!
Snow Empress's eyes narrowed. She had heard His Majesty Su Mu mention this name before. It belonged to a leader of a mysterious organization called " Underworld " in the Big Dipper Star Domain, who specialized in collecting various special physiques and ancient bloodlines, and acted in a strange and cruel manner.
Unexpectedly, she was spotted by the people of the Underworld so quickly! It seems that although she concealed her aura, the fundamental characteristics of her Taiyin Physique were still sensed by some special means.
"People from the Underworld?" The Snow Empress's voice grew even colder, and a chill involuntarily emanated from her body, causing frost to form on the ground beneath her feet.