Chapter 72 The Chillwater Valley's Secrets
As they moved deeper into the valley, Zoey took the lead, her voice cutting through the cold air as she began to explain the valley's treacherous layout. "Listen up," she said, casting a quick glance back at the group to ensure she had their attention. "This place is a lot more than just frozen terrain. Chillwater Valley divides into three main regions based on temperature, which also happens to mark the danger zones."
She pointed ahead, her expression serious. "We're still in the Outer Region now. Next is the Inner Region—that's where we're headed. And then there's the Core Region, the deadliest area of them all, where the temperature alone can kill most of us before the beasts even get a chance."
Anos nodded in understanding. "So, the further in, the colder—and the stronger the beasts get. We may be able to handle the Inner Region, but the Core Region's beyond what we're equipped to deal with right now. It's about surviving both the temperature and the creatures that thrive in it."
Zoey gave a brief nod, a hint of warning in her gaze. "Exactly. This isn't just a test of strength; we need to stay sharp. The temperature here isn't just cold; it's deadly. And the beasts adapt to that—it's their advantage."
Zoey continued, "Recently, the Core Zone and Inner Region have been expanding, while the Outer Region—where we are now—has been shrinking. This means that we'll enter the Inner Region sooner than expected, and that means stronger beasts are waiting for us earlier than usual."
"Expanding zones? Why's that happening?" Bodhi asked, clearly surprised.
Zoey pulled up her computer screen, tapping a few keys before turning it toward the group. Two maps of Chillwater Valley appeared side-by-side.
"This is a comparison of the valley's layout from a year ago and now. The lightest color shows the Outer Region, and the darkest blue is the Core Region. Over the past year, the Core and Inner Regions have increased by nearly 20%. If this keeps up, the entire valley may lose its Outer Region in a couple of years, leaving only the deadlier zones. The snow could even reach the hills where we parked."
She paused, letting that sink in, then added, "As for why this is happening, it's likely that a powerful, cold-based spiritual treasure is buried somewhere in the valley, radiating energy that intensifies over time. That energy might be causing the cold zones to spread further."
Hearing Zoey's explanation, Anos furrowed his brow in thought. If there truly was a spiritual treasure capable of creating and expanding such an intense, freezing region, it had to be incredibly powerful. With Chillwater Valley spanning over five square kilometers—an area nearly as large as some small towns—that kind of influence was staggering. If this treasure could blanket an entire valley in ice and snow, and was still growing, it hinted at a power beyond anything an average cultivator could hope to harness. The scale alone suggested a force well beyond normal reach or even understanding.
Some had theorized that if they could excavate deep into Chillwater Valley, they might eventually locate the treasure's source. Maybe it lay hidden inside one of the surrounding mountains, embedded within the valley's icy heart. But that idea had been quickly dismissed—far too risky. Chillwater Valley was home to countless formidable, ice-type beasts, and any excavation would be seen as a direct threat to their territory. Attempting such a project in their domain would be nothing short of a death wish.
"That's going to be a challenge," Bodhi grumbled, his face set in a frown. "We were planning to push to the edge of Chillwater Valley, but with this recent expansion, we'll be stuck in there even longer than planned."
Zoey glanced at her scanner and shrugged. "It's doable. I'll keep tracking everything in our range. We have about three kilometers of detection, so if things get too risky, we can pull out. Right now, within two kilometers, I'm picking up thirty-three life signs... Wait, no, thirty-two."
Anos leaned in, curious. "Why'd the count drop? Are they getting picked off? Maybe the beasts are fighting each other?"
Zoey's brow furrowed. "From what I know of this valley, it's rare for these creatures to fight without reason—they mostly keep to their own territories. Another possibility? There are other cultivators up ahead."
Owen smirked. "If that's the case, they're doing us a favor, clearing the path for us."
"No, think it through," Zoey cautioned, her gaze fixed on the screen. "If there are others, they might be after the same thing we are. So, what's our plan if they're aiming for the treasure, too?"
Bodhi hefted his broadsword with a wicked grin. "Simple. If they're weaker, we'll claim the prize ourselves. If we can't overpower them... well, then, we'll have to back off."
In a place like this, death often went unnoticed, shrouded in secrecy by the wilderness. Even if every one of them met their end here, as long as the news didn't spread, nobody would ever know what happened. Was it a beast that tore them apart, or someone lurking in the shadows? And even if they fell by someone's hand, who would be left to identify the killer? The Demonic Beast Territory was a lawless expanse; here, strength ruled and consequences were a distant concept. Murder and theft weren't exceptions—they were part of survival.
Zoey nodded, her face hardening. "Yeah, we don't have much of a choice but to move forward. With Uncle Bodhi at Stage-Four in the Spirit Core Realm, Owen at Stage-Three in the Spirit Core Realm, and me at Stage-Nine in the Elemental Foundation Realm, we're not exactly without firepower. But..." She hesitated, her eyes narrowing with unease. "I can't shake the feeling... What if those other cultivators up ahead are from the Evil Fiend Temple?"
The mention of the Evil Fiend Temple brought a cold shiver through the group. Known for their ruthlessness and dark practices, those from the temple were often more dangerous than any Demonic Beast lurking in the wilderness.
The Evil Fiend Temple was a notorious human organization, one that thrived on bloodshed and chaos. They had a particular fondness for hunting martial artists, seeing every kill as a way to fuel their power and increase their experience in the Divine Subsystem. Born in the shadows, their sole purpose was to kill—whether it was to hunt down Demonic Beasts or to eliminate other martial artists who strayed too far into the territory. Their presence in the Demonic Beast Territory was a constant threat, making it one of the most dangerous places for anyone without the right kind of strength or awareness.
And the worst part? You could never tell who was just another martial artist trying to survive or who was a member of the Evil Fiend Temple. Their members blended in so well with ordinary cultivators that you'd never know until it was too late. If you weren't careful, you could easily find yourself face to face with a killer disguised as an ally.
...
The group continued moving cautiously, each step measured, their minds focused on the possibility of encountering members of the Evil Fiend Temple. It was rare to come across them, especially this far from civilization, but the lawlessness of the Demonic Beast Territory made it possible. They knew all too well how the Evil Fiend Temple blended seamlessly into their surroundings, making it impossible to tell friend from foe until the moment of confrontation.
As they trekked onward, they encountered fewer beasts. It seemed that the presence of the other group ahead had driven most of the creatures away, and any remaining beasts only appeared after they passed. It was likely that, within an hour, the area would be swarming with beasts once more, as the territorial creatures returned to their routines.
Anos broke the silence. "So, why did you all come to Chillwater Valley in the first place?"
Bodhi answered with a hint of seriousness. "In the farthest reaches of the Chillwater Valley, in what we call the Inner Region, there's a mine. Three years ago, a mercenary group discovered something deep underground—something they called the 'Ice Source.' They unearthed it and brought it back, and that's when we first encountered this material. We thought it might have some special properties, but after we studied it, we found it only contained an extreme cold power. Unfortunately, we couldn't find a use for it. That's why no one has bothered to come back here until now."
He paused for a moment, clearly weighing the significance of what he was about to say. "Yesterday, a mysterious figure in Flower City posted a high-reward mission to find the Ice Source. No one knows who issued it or why, but the reward is enough to make anyone greedy. Naturally, we took the mission. However, before us, other mercenary groups jumped on the chance as well. The person behind the mission offered to buy whatever we could find, no matter how much. The real problem? We have no idea how much of the Ice Source is left in the mine. There's a real chance others may get there before us."
Bodhi's voice dropped, as if speaking a secret. "And this is why I'm almost certain the group ahead of us isn't just another group of adventurers—they're mercenaries, just like us. And they're likely after the same thing."
"So that's the situation," Anos said, understanding now.
Zoey nodded slightly and spoke up, "Anyone coming to Chillwater Valley usually has one of two reasons. First, to search for treasures, like turning this place into a goldmine. Second, to venture deep into the Inner Region or even the Core region to find rare crystals. That's the main reason. Very few warriors come here to farm."
After a moment, Zoey added, "There's also a third possibility: another mercenary group that accepted the same mission as us. So, it's 99% likely that's what we're facing. But what I want to point out is that, besides Demonic Beasts, the most dangerous threat is the Evil Fiend Temple. We can't let our guard down. We're sure to run into them. When that happens, I hope everyone remains vigilant and watches their every move. Even a strange glance could be a sign that they're from the Evil Fiend Temple. As long as we stay alert, we'll be fine, as long as they don't manage a sneak attack."
"Understood!"
The group moved toward the Inner Region.
Five minutes later, they were 50 meters from the deep cold region. The device indicated that a group had already entered the area. The ground was littered with Demonic Beast corpses.
"Frostfang Rodents. These Frostfang Rodents likely had the strength of a Stage-Four Spirit Core Realm cultivator. They may have been stronger than us!" Bodhi frowned as he examined the beast's corpse.
Owen snorted, "A Stage-Four Spirit Core Realm cultivator? I'm a Stage-Three Spirit Core Realm cultivator, and they could have been wounded after battling this beast."
Bodhi thought for a moment. "That's true. But we still need to be cautious. Everyone, move forward."
This was how mercenary groups operated. Their work was inherently dangerous. The rewards might be great, but the risks were high, and one wrong move could cost them their lives.
As they entered the Inner Region, Zoey glanced at Anos and asked, "Aren't you cold?"
They were all wearing thicker clothing, except for Anos.
"I'm not cold," Anos replied simply.
It was chilly, but it didn't bother him—though the Core region might be unbearable.
"Ha, stop pretending!" Zoey didn't believe him. But seeing Anos not react to the cold made her wonder if his cultivation was high enough to handle it. The Inner Region should be manageable for at least a Stage-Four Elemental Foundation Realm cultivator, and Anos did seem to be at that level.
Bodhi and Owen didn't need thick clothing either, as it would restrict their movements.
"Zoey, were you worried about me?" Anos smiled at Zoey, who was acting all serious.
"Ha! Don't get the wrong idea. I was just worried you'd become a burden if you froze to death out here," Zoey said, completely unbothered.
"Then, if something really happens to me, would you carry me out?"
Zoey shot back, "I'll freeze you in ice. A thousand years later, you'll still be as fresh as ever!"
Anos, "... "
'Ding … Zoey's favorability towards you +5.'
Seeing the favorability increase again, Anos couldn't help but laugh to himself!
She was just a kid, after all. She'd feel proud and happy when he didn't insult her. In that case, it made sense she'd have a better opinion of him.
Anos shrugged. Even though he wasn't thrilled about the situation, it wasn't a loss to improve her favorability. He'd get it into the positive numbers soon enough.
"Please help me look for the Chillwater Shard," Anos said to the group.
Owen responded, "Don't get your hopes up. The Chillwater Shard is useful, but finding it in the Inner Region requires luck. It's easier to find it in the Core Region."
Stay tuned to empire
Owen seemed to be trying to tempt Anos into the Core Region. He didn't believe Anos could survive out there.
"The Core Region…? Hmm, I'll have to think about it. Let's test the temperature first."
Zoey suggested that Anos first search the Inner Region for the shard. If he didn't find anything, there was no need to force it. But she definitely didn't want him to go into the Core Region. Anos would have to carefully consider his own limits. Without any life-saving methods, it was a gamble to risk going in.
"We'll help you look," Bodhi said.
"Thanks, Brother Bodhi."
"But it'll cost you," Zoey added with a smirk.
"Can I pay with myself?" Anos asked, raising an eyebrow at Zoey.
"Sure, I'll chop you up and sell you!" Zoey replied with a grin.
Anos, "... "
'Ding … Zoey's favorability towards you +3.'
Seeing Anos' defeated expression, Zoey couldn't help but feel pleased.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
Anos sighed inwardly. Was this really him? In the past, it was always him teasing girls, but now, this little imp was turning the tables on him. Well, just wait—he'd make Zoey pay him back double!
....