"Does anyone among you know the whereabouts of the Frost Venom Toad?" Li Xuanxiao initiated the inquiry.
Zhang Zi furrowed her delicate brows. "I... I've heard of it, though my knowledge is limited."
Li Xuanxiao glanced at Zhang Zi before abandoning further questioning, shifting his gaze instead to Caishen.
Caishen felt her heart tighten—partly intimidated by his formidable strength, partly puzzled that he shared her objective of seeking the Frost Venom Toad. Yet she dared not reveal her surprise too overtly, especially after witnessing his masterful soul-searching technique that seemed anything but orthodox.
Her wariness stemmed from concern that he might turn hostile toward her.
Li Xuanxiao continued candidly, "To be frank, I'm here specifically for the Frost Venom Toad."
Upon hearing this, Caishen hesitated briefly before responding, "The Frost Venom Toad is exceptionally rare, documented only in legends. Why trouble yourself searching for it?"
"To save a friend."
Li Xuanxiao detected fluctuations in her spiritual energy as she spoke, though he couldn't discern whether it resulted from their earlier battle or another cause.
Caishen eyed Li Xuanxiao with unease. Her original plan resurfaced in her mind—this expedition into the secret realm was meant to demonstrate her capabilities to the Merchant Guild, proving her worthiness to inherit the title of Caishen. Hence, she had orchestrated this venture into the Extreme Cold Secret Realm.Yet from the outset, her plans seemed doomed. Before entering, she had arranged for several powerful subordinates—including those assigned by her father—to locate the Frost Venom Toad using specialized tracking methods.
For days, she had attempted to contact them without success. Like her, they had likely met with misfortune. Were it not for fortuitously encountering this expert, she too might have perished here. Must she return empty-handed?
Indecision gripped Caishen. Collaboration with him was possible—if his sole target was the Frost Venom Toad. Her own interests lay more with other treasures within the toad's cavern. More accurately, what she truly sought was validation from the Merchant Guild—proof of her qualifications to assume the Caishen mantle.
"Let's leave this place first," Li Xuanxiao suggested.
As she hesitated, watching his retreating figure, sudden whistling sounds pierced the air.
"Ambush!"
Caishen flicked a spirit stone from her hand, intercepting an incoming arrow—only for more projectiles to follow in rapid succession. Just as she prepared to summon a defensive artifact, strong arms suddenly lifted her.
Li Xuanxiao swept Caishen into his embrace as they descended, pursued relentlessly by arrows.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The projectiles exploded behind them in rapid succession. Zhang Zi quickly retreated—the arrows weren't targeting her, but homing in deliberately on Caishen.
"A friend worth risking your life for?" Caishen questioned, perplexed. Since childhood, her grandfather had taught her: For the Merchant Guild, profit comes first. The world moves for benefit and bustles for gain.
"A life-and-death comrade. I'd stake my life to help her."
Witnessing his unwavering determination, something stirred within Caishen. Her golden locks fluttered as she took a deep breath. "Actually... I do possess some clues about the Frost Venom Toad."
"Oh?" Li Xuanxiao's expression brightened with hopeful surprise.
Caishen explained, "It just came back to me—my grandfather mentioned certain leads. Since you've saved me repeatedly, I'll assist you."
"My sincere thanks," Li Xuanxiao responded gratefully.
A faint smile touched Caishen's lips.
"............"
In the distance, the two talisman swords Li Xuanxiao had launched earlier embedded themselves in the ice, having destroyed the crossbows after their initial volley. The scene was deliberately staged to simulate a fleeing combatant.
"..........."
"Ahhh! We truly know nothing about any cultivators from Zhongzhou!"
A cultivator flying desperately above the snowfield screamed helplessly—only to have his head seized mid-sentence.
"Crunch!"
Several companion corpses already littered the ground below. These assailants seemed either deranged or simply bloodthirsty—launching attacks without discussion after demanding information about Zhongzhou cultivators.
Each killing was followed by soul-searching to extract memories. As the last survivor's skull was crushed during this process, something unexpected emerged from his recollections—a distant glimpse of one cultivator battling four others...
"It's him!"
Mozi's lips curled in a cold smile. Suppressing his cultivation and damaging his foundation to infiltrate this realm hadn't been in vain. Failing to eliminate this Mount Shushan disciple would make him unable to face his master.
With this thought, Mozi pulverized the cultivator's head in his grip. "Now, without Di Nü Feng by your side, let's see how you'll escape!"
Transforming into a streak of lightning, Mozi shot skyward. Thunderstorms instantly blanketed a thousand-mile radius, followed by torrential rain that evaporated instantly upon contact with surfaces—a sensory detection spell in action.