Chapter 168 – Heading to the Northern Ma Xingyi Sect

A thousand miles frozen, ten thousand miles of swirling snow—the silver-clad Northern Huan had seemingly entered an icy wilderness ahead of schedule.

When Ye Kuang, Wuxin, and Ling Piaoyun set foot on this land one after another, they had initially thought such scenes existed only in poetic legends. Little did they expect to witness this reality with their own eyes.

Thus, each of them was profoundly shaken by the sight before them.

This was also Wuxin’s first time experiencing such a severe winter landscape, and for a moment, he couldn’t help but find it unbelievable: “Amitabha, so this is Northern Huan. Yet why does this humble monk not feel the bone-piercing chill…”

“They say Northern Huan lacks heavy humidity, unlike Jiangnan. Perhaps because of this, even though it appears bitterly cold, it may not be as harsh as imagined,” Ye Kuang remarked.

No sooner had he spoken than he activated the Jade Void Creation Art.

Above his head, a visible layer of white vapor gradually rose, accompanied by a fleeting golden-red glow, before he finally dispelled that inexplicable coldness.

At that moment, thick snowflakes fell like goose feathers, blurring their vision into a hazy veil. Only the receding figures of the three gradually vanished into the snowy expanse.

The wind whispered softly, as if murmuring by their ears: Warriors marching forth may never return, yet their footprints shall forever remain etched in the world of Northern Huan.

When Ye Kuang and his companions later boarded a taxi, they were headed straight for the Northern Ma Xingyi Sect!

Gazing through the window at the monochrome northern scenery merging sky and earth, each of them fell into an inexplicable silence.

The oppressive atmosphere was palpable even to the taxi driver, who eventually broke the ice and asked, “You don’t seem to be from Northern Huan. Is this your first time here?”

Ye Kuang: “Mm.”

Driver: “Then you must be from Jiangnan.”

Ye Kuang: “Mm.”

“Here for sightseeing?”

“Mm.”

“But visiting at this time of year—you’ve picked the wrong season.”

“Mm.”

Hearing these perfunctory replies one after another, the driver couldn’t help but laugh wryly: “Young man, can we have a proper conversation?”

Ye Kuang: “Mm.”

Wuxin, observing this, suddenly chanted a Buddhist mantra, cutting short the awkward exchange. With a smile, he inquired, “May I ask, benefactor, how much longer until we reach the Northern Ma Xingyi Sect?”

The driver promptly replied cheerfully, “Soon, soon, little master. We should arrive in about half an hour.”

But then, growing curious, the driver added with interest, “Little master, you’re also going to the Xingyi Sect? How strange—lately, many people have been taking taxis there. Could you shed some light on what’s happening?”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang and Wuxin exchanged glances, a flood of questions arising in their minds. The three of them could see hints of revelation in each other’s eyes.

Ling Piaoyun remarked, “It seems Southern Yuan and Northern Ma have made thorough preparations.”

At this point, she visibly hesitated, as if holding back more words.

Wuxin: “Amitabha, well done, well done.” Benefactor Ye, why not wait a while longer? This humble monk can introduce you to my senior masters, asking them to mediate and discuss rescuing Benefactor Ling.”

Yet Ye Kuang firmly rejected the suggestion: “Back then, Southern Yuan and Northern Ma were determined to eradicate me completely. There is no room for reconciliation between us anymore.”As soon as his words fell, he paused briefly before continuing, “Moreover, if Ling Yun is still alive now, my not going would surely seal his fate. Although this trip appears perilous, I am confident in handling whatever comes my way.”

Upon hearing this, Wuxin couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

But when these words reached the driver’s ears, his eyes widened like copper bells, and he asked curiously, “Little brother, are you planning to provoke them? Listen to me—the Northern Ma Xingyi Sect is not to be underestimated…”

Ling Piaoyun, hearing this, suddenly spoke coldly, “Driver, don’t ask what you shouldn’t, and don’t say what you shouldn’t.”

The driver: “Yes, yes, yes.”

Though the driver repeatedly said “yes,” he couldn’t help but glance at the rearview mirror from time to time, clearly finding the situation unbelievable.

Ye Kuang and Ling Piaoyun appeared to be youths in their early twenties—how could they have such confidence to challenge the Northern Ma Xingyi Sect?

Shaking his head inwardly, the driver stopped overthinking and focused on driving.

As silence fell inside the car again, the oppressive atmosphere felt as chilling as the snowy scenery outside.

Apart from the roar of the engine, only the breathing of the four occupants could be heard.

Half an hour, neither long nor short, passed before the car turned onto a forest path, revealing a snow-capped mountain in view.

The driver: “Young sir, that mountain ahead is where the Northern Ma Xingyi Sect is located. Further ahead, we taxis can’t go any farther.”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang suddenly opened his eyes, gazing intently through the window at the gradually approaching destination, a faint, sinister curve lifting the corner of his mouth.

Ling Piaoyun then took out three large red bills, handed them over, and said, “That’s enough. Pull over one kilometer ahead.”

“Alright.”

Two minutes later.

Watching the three actually proceed on foot toward the mountain, the driver finally snapped back to reality, shook his head inwardly once more, turned the car around, and drove off into the distance.

At this moment, Ye Kuang and his companions officially stepped into the territory of the Xingyi Sect.

Surprisingly, ahead stood a crowd of several hundred people, quietly waiting as if anticipating something.

When they noticed Ye Kuang and the others, one by one, they turned to look.

Ye Kuang focused his gaze and recognized many familiar faces—various Martial Arts School masters and their disciples whom he had encountered at the Youth Martial Arts Championship.

At that moment, Li Xiao stepped out from the crowd and strode forward to meet them.

“Senior Brother Li, long time no see. You’ve grown stronger,” Ye Kuang said.

Li Xiao laughed heartily upon hearing this, “Hahaha, you don’t look too bad yourself. Since we parted last time, I never expected you to improve so quickly.”

But as soon as he finished speaking, Li Xiao turned his attention to the two beside Ye Kuang.

Instantly, his eyes filled with unconcealed surprise, and he couldn’t help but ask curiously, “And these two are?”

“Amitabha, this humble monk is Wuxin.”

“Ling Piaoyun of the Xiaoyin Sect.”

Hearing this, Li Xiao’s expression changed drastically, unable to hide his shock, “Xiaoyin Sect? Miss, are you a disciple of the Xiaoyin Sect?”

Unexpectedly, Li Xiao’s exclamation also drew astonished gazes from countless others.

“That young lady is a disciple of the Xiaoyin Sect? What a pity.””Could they really be the successors of Southern Yuan and Northern Ma? It’s truly unimaginable. I never expected them to be so young, and yet…”

“That young monk is no ordinary person. I dare say he has most likely broken through to the Innate realm!”

“Look, they’re going up!”

“Hiss hiss hiss…”