Whipping their beasts into motion, the convoy of beast-drawn carriages was finally put into motion.
There was little time to prepare, but the people had remarkably adapted to the situation due to the strict guidance of Silver Extreme and Heart Tethering Maiden.
Leaving from the northeastern border of Iron Mountain Quarry Settlement, a long journey, eleven nights long, awaited them.
...
During the first three nights of the journey, the convoy travelled through two ordinary valleys.
Each valley stretched for a few dozen kilometres, but the path through them was forgiving, making for an easy journey, steadily paced through the valleys.
The only notable change was the gradual shift in environments.
Fruitless trees and lush, albeit dull, shrubbery.
Since it was the time of the Winter season, the fruits would not be abundant, and the flowers would be far from blooming.
One could see the ripples of the grass as the wind flowed gently.
This valley was mostly full of monkeys, deer, and boars, which was a surprising discovery.
"This environment seems mostly unaffected by the tides..."
Dawn couldn't help but notice as she looked around.
She was only entrusted to lead the right-hand side of the convoy; Heart Tethering Maiden was to lead from the left-hand side.
As the soft winds carried a cold breeze to her nose, Dawn inhaled the dull scent of nature.
There was no 'fresh' smell, nor the smell of pollen in the air.
But there was also no smell of blood or anything foul.
Nothing was wafting in the air.
Unmarred, untouched, unbothered.
"It really has been spared from the Tides?"
Although the First Tide was the only one that wasn't affected by external forces, it was still quite a burden for the world to face.
Foreign beasts trampling foreign lands, encountering other beasts they do not recognise.
Was there no interference? Did they not encounter one another? Had they not disturbed one another?
Honestly, it was a miracle for this valley to be untouched by the tides. Of course, there was the chance that it was disturbed, but the outward appearance suggested otherwise.
However...
'It seems so peaceful...'
Dawn could not help but exclaim inwardly.
Letting her gaze wander the scenery, over and over again, as if she'd never get bored with such an unchanging view.
...
After the first night passed, after a short moment of rest, the convoy arrived at the second valley.
Whereas the first valley was somewhat luscious, this second valley seemed more barren.
Lush foliage was no longer a commodity, especially as they progressed further and further into this valley.
Bushes gradually lost their colour. Trees appeared more withered, too.
The carpet of grass was not as far-reaching here, with patches of dry soil exposed here and there.
To call this place ordinary may not be correct compared to the first valley, but it was completely ordinary compared to their next location.
"Dawn, Maiden, prepare the convoys. The Cold Flake Valley draws near."
"Of course, Senior."
"Yes, Silver."
With a quick reply, Dawn and Heart Tethering Maiden did not hesitate to begin their first preparations.
Although this journey through this long, almost barren valley was far from over, with a handful of hours left before their next destination, there was no loss in preparing early.
Dawn and Maiden visited each of the carriages and instructed the people to refrain from opening their carriage doors.
The people responsible for controlling the beasts were instructed to move inside, as were the mortal warriors and Cultivators who follower on foot.
At the four reaches of the convoy—front-most, right-most, back-most, and left-most reaches—the carriages of those reaches were fitted with a Dao Art Medium.
...
Cold permeated the air, which further spread with the howling winds.
This was another Valley, the Cold Flake Valley, where the unique properties of Qi ravage the environment.
Only during the winter does this phenomenon happen, where the Qi accumulates during the other three seasons, and erupts in bursts of wind.
The 'Flake' part of the name is derived from the fact that most of everything that comes in contact with the howling winds begins to shred into flakes and fly with the wind.
Consequently, this Cold Ash Valley was barren, and the soil of the ground and the walls of the valley were exposed.
Dawn was left with the duty of leading the convoy.
She held a Dao Art Medium, which allowed her to control the beasts of the convoy.
It was used before during the First Tide, meant to aid in the relocation of captured beasts. Now it was being employed to guide the convoy.
This was a safety measure in case the protective veil broke.
Should the protective veil break, the howling winds would begin to subsume the convoy itself.
The beasts would be first, then the carriages and people.
Cultivators would be the last to be subsumed, but would fall eventually.
Even Dawn's Hallowed Shine would not outlast the howling winds.
In the case the protective barrier collapses, there would be time to reactivate the barrier to prevent further loss; that is why the ordinary people who control the beast-drawn carriages were sent inside the carriages.
That being said, Heart Tethering Maiden was responsible for upholding the barrier.
Dao Art — Four Corners Defensive Array.
The aforementioned preparations regarding the four furthest reaches of the convoy were for this Dao Art.
Utilising four Qi Conglomerates as the foundation, and Heart
Tethering Maiden as the 'spark', a great warmth pervaded the air around the convoy.
This warmth was responsible for keeping the howling winds at bay, although it was not a complete defence.
"The strength of these Qi currents is terribly great... I suppose the Four Corners Defensive Array will not hold out for any longer than half an hour from now."
"I understand, Maiden, I will be prepared for that moment."
The Maiden sighed lightly.
"Judging by this Dao Art's 'hour-long' endurance, we will have to bear the brunt of the howling winds eight times before we exit the Cold Flake Valley."
"Is that so...? Well... we have no choice but to bear through with it. If it pains you so greatly, I can take up the position of upholding the barrier as well."
"No... no. It is fine. Just..." Without another word, Heart Tethering Maiden paused for an awkward moment before speaking again.
"It is just... experiencing the two extremes of temperatures... oh, how unfortunate of me."