Under the assault of the cold wind, most of the people hugged their arms and shivered uncontrollably.
Ninggu Tower was located in the Far North of the Northern Territory. The environment was extremely harsh, with temperatures dropping to sixty or seventy degrees below zero during the depths of winter.
Exposing oneself to such an environment would quickly lead to death from hypothermia.
Fortunately, it was not yet winter.
Not far away, the few men who had been intimidated by Xu Yunfan all wore numb expressions. When they noticed his gaze sweeping over them, they cowered like quails, not daring to speak.
'Just a bunch of bullies who cower before the strong.'
Xu Yunfan snorted softly, recalling how these men had been so arrogant and domineering in Jade Capital.
They had run amok in every brothel in the city.
Li Haomiao, who was being carried on Xu Yunfan's back, stared blankly at the Huangchuan Icefield ahead and couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"A frozen tapestry of white silk stretching eight hundred miles; an icefield lying across three thousand rivers."
"The Far North truly lives up to its reputation. Back in Jade Capital, I always wanted to come see it for myself. Now that I have, I see the legends are true."
Xu Yunfan said, "You didn't see it when you were being escorted here?"
"I was unconscious the entire time."
Just then, Yang Gan's rough, indifferent voice rang out.
"You all have three days of rest. The stone huts to the side will be your quarters. There's a hot spring nearby for bathing. You are forbidden from entering any other areas without permission. Violators will be beheaded."
No one dared to speak. They followed the crowd toward the stone huts, and Xu Yunfan went along with them, silent.
But he could clearly feel Yang Gan's cold gaze sweeping over him several times.
"You're going to get me killed."
Li Haomiao naturally knew what Xu Yunfan meant, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
Xu Yunfan glanced back. Li Haomiao's smile crinkled the three hideous scars on his face, making him look utterly terrifying and twisted.
"..."
Back in the stone hut, they finally got a hot meal—a bowl of vegetable mush. After finishing it, they went to the hot spring to wash themselves.
Just as he was about to leave after a thorough soak, Xu Yunfan was surprised to see Zhou Feng, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, not far away.
Beside Zhou Feng was a strong, well-built man with disheveled hair.
The two were whispering to each other.
Zhou Feng looked up and saw Xu Yunfan's gaze. His expression flickered for a moment before he turned his head away.
Xu Yunfan sighed to himself and gave up the idea of going over to greet him.
His attention was mostly focused on the man next to Zhou Feng. He was certain he had never seen him down in the mines.
Being relatively close, he could clearly see that the man's fingers weren't caked with dust from long hours of mining.
Xu Yunfan's eyes narrowed. 'This guy snuck in.'
Li Haomiao, who had been watching from the side, said in a low voice, "It seems you're reasonably sharp."
Xu Yunfan lowered his voice.
"You knew already?"
"This is the perfect opportunity. Too many different factions have people gathered here. It's also the best chance for that demoness to wipe out all the rebels in one fell swoop."
Li Haomiao's eyes were profound. "Find a chance and get me out of here. Something is going to happen very soon."
'It seems Zhou Feng took the initiative to contact someone and learned all this.'
Xu Yunfan mused that without Li Haomiao's information, he would only have been able to guess that something was amiss.
Then it hit him.
"I get you out?"
Xu Yunfan pointed at himself, stunned. "You mean me?"
Li Haomiao's expression was calm. "Why not?"
"I don't have that kind of ability. Don't drag me into your court struggles."
Li Haomiao said, "I can teach you the Sunrise Qi Technique. Once you've reached Great Mastery in your muscles, bones, and skin, you can use the Sunrise Qi Technique to achieve the Outer Three Harmonies. This will let you cultivate from the outside in, refining muscle, blood, marrow, and qi. It is a world-class Divine Skill."
"Teach me first."
"With your personality, I'm afraid you'd abandon me without a second thought the moment you got it."
Xu Yunfan said with a straight face, "King of Yan, you misjudge me. I am an upright man, honest and trustworthy, true to my word, and forthright. How could I possibly go back on my promise?"
Li Haomiao let out a dry "heh heh" and said nothing.
Seeing this, Xu Yunfan felt helpless. This guy wouldn't lift a finger without a reward. The Sunrise Qi Technique was undoubtedly priceless. If he missed this chance, he might never get such a good opportunity again—or rather, he'd never have such an easy way to obtain a Divine Skill.
After soaking in the hot spring for a while longer, Xu Yunfan carefully observed the surrounding Mining Slaves and was somewhat surprised.
"There are quite a few people who practice Martial Arts."
Li Haomiao said nonchalantly, "Most of them are from an Official's Family or are a Scion of a Noble House. What's so strange about them practicing Martial Arts? If that weren't the case, how could every Supervisor be skilled in Martial Arts?"
His face was ruined and three of his limbs were broken. No one here knew he was the once-famous Prince Yan.
What caught Xu Yunfan's attention the most was a young man about his age in the adjacent pool, his eyes darting all around.
His bare torso revealed lean, defined muscles, a clear sign that he had been practicing Martial Arts for a long time.
"Eh? The son of the Grand General of the Realm, Fang Mushan."
Li Haomiao looked mournful and sighed. "I'm afraid half the ministers at court have become ghosts under that demoness's blade. That Grand General of the Realm, Fang Wen, was a staunch supporter of the late emperor. He has probably been thrown into the Celestial Prison by now."
"This boy has extremely high talent for Martial Arts. He cultivates the Chaotic Heaven Spear Technique, and he is gifted. Don't be fooled by his slender frame; his physical strength is astonishing. Even the late emperor once praised him as a genius capable of fighting above his rank."
After a pause, he said softly, "When the time comes, we can follow him. It will be safest for us if he clears the way."
Xu Yunfan gave him a thumbs-up.
"When it comes to selling people out, you're number one."
"..."
By late night, the haystacks inside the nearly thirty stone huts were almost completely filled with people.
Outside, the north wind howled. Even a slight breeze felt bone-chillingly cold.
In a corner, Xu Yunfan faced the wall, interlocking the fingers of both hands with his index fingers extended and touching. He silently recited the Supreme Kindness Heart Spell.
The Linn Character Technique he had obtained from the human-skin pouch was a Heart and Spirit Refining Cultivation Technique.
It carried the meaning of "facing a situation" and represented mental and physical stability. It allowed one to remain unmoved in the face of adversity, maintaining a firm and unclouded will, and manifesting a strong physique and determination.
In the Cultivation of the Profound Sect, it was often used for mental adjustment before entering Calm Meditation. It helped a Cultivator eliminate distracting thoughts, focus their mind, and face the various trials and challenges of Cultivation with a resolute will.
At the same time, reciting this character in battle could help one maintain calm and composure to make correct judgments.
It was an Exotic Art that aided one's Cultivation.
It could stabilize the Heart and Spirit, strengthen the will, and fortify the mind.
According to the Linn Character Technique's description, when cultivated to its peak, one would become impervious to all external interference. They would be able to perceive their entire surroundings in an instant. This would allow them to process a massive amount of information in a short time to make the most effective judgment and act decisively.
It was an extremely terrifying ability. In terms of an Immortal hero template, it meant one would be fearless against all illusions. It could allow one to merge with heaven and earth, enter a state of epiphany, and thus increase the efficiency of their Cultivation.
It was powerful enough to be called one of the Divine Techniques.
Xu Yunfan suppressed the excitement in his heart and silently recited the Supreme Kindness Heart Spell, allowing his Heart and Spirit to become clear and enter a state of tranquil emptiness.
'You are practicing the Linn Character Technique, reciting the Scripture, but you don't seem to have the right method. You ponder it carefully, but you can't seem to get the hang of it.'