The King of Black Fog

There's no need for her to scold; whether they're full or not, nobody wants to stay here any longer. No one can be sure if that unknown 'Great Power' will kill them and turn their bodies into Weapons.

"Let's go," Li Changzhou stood up.

Borrowing the fire, the eight of them left the tavern; the moment they stepped out, their eyes were pierced by the blinding white snow.

The weather was clear, the Earth was a vast expanse of white, the cold biting to the bone.

Following the snowy path plowed by those who left earlier, the group headed to the stable.

The horses' backs were covered in thick snow, and a few horses outside the stable had long icicles hanging from their mouths.

The horses were reluctant to part with the lingering warmth inside the stable, resisting Li Changzhou and his group like enemies. But under the skillful Horse Taming Skills of the old man and others, they eventually stood up unwillingly.

Andy was assigned by the old man to lead at the front.

The group formed a straight line again, proceeding through the snowy world.

Riding on horseback felt like sitting on a boat in the snow, their bodies floating just above the white expanse.

"Captain," the old man followed behind Li Changzhou, "I will discipline Andy properly. Please forgive his earlier impulsiveness."

"I will protect you all, but it's best you remember that your lives are ultimately your own."

The old man nodded silently.

Putting aside past events, the old man continued, "There are now at least three holders of the 'Great Power' heading to the Abyss, including you, Captain. The situation is becoming more dangerous."

"Don't worry," Li Changzhou said, "none of those who acted up in the tavern today are my match."

As a punishment, Andy walked at the front all morning. During this time, the group had to stop to gather wood and light a fire every hour, otherwise the horses would die, and the people's feet would be completely crippled.

By noon, they decided to rest for a while, replenishing food and Physical Strength.

This time it wasn't just a simple fire; they built a proper bonfire pit. People sat down, and horses crouched. Everyone leaned against their own horse, the eight people and eight horses surrounding the bonfire like bricks.

Andy was shivering all over, his eyelashes and eyebrows coated with thick Ice Frost, and his scarf and hat brim were filled with snow from brushing against branches in the forest.

Tali sprinkled some spices into the melting snow water, and it smelled like pepper.

Everyone had a cup, the people ate horse meat bought from the tavern, and the horses ate corn kernels.

Yang Qinglan held a water bottle in both hands, drinking scalding hot water, yet her feet were still icy cold.

After a few sips, she felt her abdomen gently warming.

She sighed, looked up at the sky, and murmured, "The trees and sky are frozen stiff."

In the forest, indeed the world felt as if it were dead, clean and silent.

Tali, a bit surprised, realized for the first time that this solitary newcomer was a woman, and her voice was so pleasing.

The old man suspected she was the one who manipulated the corpses, otherwise, how could such a woman with a melodious voice dare to venture to the Abyss alone?

Moreover, back in the tavern, the corpse had indeed shown mercy to Andy—choosing to exchange injury for injury. For someone with such perfect Combat Skills, it seemed more like a strategic retreat than an attempt to kill.

He chewed on horse meat, drinking spiced hot water, observing Li Changzhou's expression—the Captain showed no surprise. Could it be that the two had already formed an alliance last night?

Li Changzhou noticed his gaze but didn't care.

He lazily leaned against the horse's heaving belly, saying to Yang Qinglan, "William Shakespeare once said, 'Fear not the harsh winters.'"

"Let Shakespeare try it himself," Yang Qinglan retorted dismissively.

"Haha!"

The weather was truly, bitterly cold. Even half a meter from the roaring fire, you could still see your breath forming white mist.

After their bodies slightly relaxed, Yeet, Bai Zi, and others became more animated, talking about the Combat Skills of the corpse in the tavern, their voices filled with admiration and dread. Although Andy was nearly killed, he admitted he was no match.

After resting for an hour, the group set off again, this time with Stone Fist leading the way.

"At this current Speed, we should reach the edge of the Abyss by dusk. We'll rest there for the night and descend at dawn," the old man spread out the map tube, comparing it with their surroundings.

"You should tell everyone what needs attention again," Li Changzhou said, mainly for his and Yang Qinglan's benefit.

"Alright," the old man nodded, then raised his voice, "Once we reach the Abyss, the most important thing is never to let the fire go out! The cold, Darkness, Ice Corpses, Ice Souls, all need Flames to drive them away!"

"Secondly, do not gaze into the Abyss; never ever look down with your eyes!"

"Lastly," he paused, "if someone dies, immediately burn their body."

After saying this, the old man shouted, "Andy, Tali, Stone Fist, this will be your first time descending into the Abyss, remember, don't think about gaining anything. Surviving and leaving is the greatest gain for a newcomer, understand?"

"Understood!" Stone Fist responded loudly.

"Understood," Tali also replied with effort.

"Andy?!" the old man called back sharply.

Andy curled his lips, "Even if you didn't say it, I'd understand."

"You'd better," the old man gave him a deep look.

Not long after setting off, a snowstorm arrived.

The Gale howled, and snowflakes filled the world once more. Oddly, the Sun still hung in the sky, though it was so blurred it was hard to see.

Stone Fist, leading the way through the snow, struggled to move forward. He dismounted, trying to lead his horse on foot, but the Gale blew, and he couldn't take another step.

The cold wind lashed at them, the ice and snow stabbed like needles.

Everyone gritted their teeth, bowing deep into the Gale and snowstorm, trying to control their chattering teeth.