Daqin arrests alchemists, what does it matter to me as a qi refiner?

Suddenly, a deep voice echoed in the air, carrying an undeniable authority: "Do you really think you can uncover the secrets of this place?"

Yang Ling stopped and looked around, trying to pinpoint the source of the voice. "We are not afraid of any threat. Whoever you are, nothing can stop us from seeking the truth."

The voice rang out again, seemingly even more furious: "Then, try this!" As soon as the words were spoken, the ground suddenly shook, and a huge root emerged from the ground, heading straight for Yang Ling.

Ying Zheng swiftly swung his sword, severing the roots attacking Yang Ling. A flash of sword light accompanied the collision of lightning and roots, producing a violent clang. Zi Ya was not to be outdone, wielding his whip, the end of which sliced ​​through the attacking roots like a sharp sword.

Xu Fu quickly set up a protective array, with talismans spinning rapidly and releasing barriers to block the roots attacking from all directions.

“These are ancient guardian creatures; we must be careful,” Li Si analyzed the situation, while directing the other mages to reinforce the defenses.

Yang Ling gripped his sword hilt tightly, took a deep breath, and then shouted, "Attention everyone! Maintain formation! Do not scatter!"

The battle intensified, with roots constantly emerging from the ground, each attack more ferocious than the last. However, Yang Ling and his team cooperated seamlessly, each person diligently fulfilling their duties in their respective positions.

Suddenly, the soil in the center of the ground began to rise, forming a huge mound. An old man dressed in a dark robe slowly emerged from the mound, his eyes like deep pools, radiating a profound light.

"How dare you invade this sacred land!" The old man's voice echoed like an ancient voice, carrying an unquestionable authority.

Yang Ling steadied himself and replied in a deep voice, "We have no intention of interfering in any place. We are simply searching for the cause of the disaster in the village. Please tell us, what is the truth behind it?"

The old man stared at Yang Ling, his eyes flickering with uncertainty. "The truth? The truth you seek may come at a great price. Why insist on getting to the bottom of things?"

Xu Fu stepped forward and said firmly, "Because we need to protect our homeland, no matter the cost. Can't you understand such a simple wish?"

The old man was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded. “Perhaps your courage deserves a reward. Long ago, this woodland was the experimental ground of a powerful mage who attempted to control the power of the natural elements, but ultimately failed. These forces became unstable, constantly releasing destructive energy.”

Li Si gripped his staff tightly and asked, "Then how can we quell these forces and prevent them from harming our people again?"

The old man sighed softly, his gaze becoming profound. "There is a way, but it requires immense power and sacrifice. You must find the 'Heart of the Celestial Realm,' an ancient artifact that can balance and control these out-of-control elemental forces."

Yang Ling and his team exchanged glances, understanding that this might be the only solution. "We're willing to try," Yang Ling said firmly.

The old man nodded, then waved his hand, drawing a symbol in the air. A sphere of light slowly formed, gradually becoming clearer, revealing an image of a distant location. "'The Heart of Heaven' is hidden atop the icy peaks of the north, guarded by an ancient beast god. Your journey will be extremely difficult."

Ying Zheng gripped his sword hilt tightly, his eyes filled with determination. "No matter how difficult it is, we must try." Ziya patted Ying Zheng on the shoulder and smiled, "We have always sought adventure and challenges, and now they have arrived."

Guided by the old man, Yang Ling and his team prepared to set off for the icy peaks in the north.

The team marched forward in the cold wind, guided by the starry sky, as Yang Ling and his companions embarked on their journey to find the "Heart of the Celestial Realm".

The night was as dark as ink, and the cold wind was biting. Yang Ling and his group embarked on their journey to the Ice Peak, their goal being to obtain the legendary, mysterious treasure—the "Heart of Heaven." The north wind, carrying a chilling force, relentlessly tore at their faces and robes, but the warriors' gazes remained unwavering.

"Yang Ling, are we really going to continue?" Xu Fu's voice swayed in the wind, revealing a hint of hesitation.

Yang Ling did not turn around; his gaze remained fixed ahead, as if trying to see through the vast snowy night. "We have no other choice, Xu Fu," he said resolutely, each word filled with determination. "The safety of the village rests entirely in our hands."

Ying Zheng, the valiant swordsman, walked silently beside Yang Ling. His longsword gleamed coldly in the moonlight, a symbol of his unwavering will. "I am willing to fight alongside you all." His voice was not loud, but every word conveyed an unyielding conviction.

At the end of the procession stood the enigmatic Ziya. He always silently protected everyone, his deep eyes seemingly able to see through everything. His long whip rustled in the night wind, as if telling some unknown secret.

As they drew closer, the majestic ice peak gradually came into view. It soared into the clouds, its summit shimmering silvery-white under the moonlight, like a distant, unattainable dream.

"Look! The summit of the ice peak!" Li Si's voice broke the silence as he pointed to the snow-covered mountain in the distance. All eyes turned to it, and on the summit of the ice peak, an object emitting a mysterious light could be vaguely seen—the "Heart of the Celestial Realm."

However, just as they were about to realize their dream, a powerful aura swept over them. The Snow Wolf, the beast god of the north, suddenly appeared before them. It was pure white, with eyes that shimmered with a deep blue light, as if it were an elf born from ice and snow.

Faced with this sudden challenge, Yang Ling and his companions did not back down. They understood that to obtain the "Heart of Heaven," they must first overcome this obstacle. Thus, a fierce battle unfolded in the snowy night.

The snow wolf let out a deafening roar and charged towards Yang Ling and his companions. Ying Zheng was at the forefront, gripping his longsword tightly and engaging the snow wolf in fierce combat. Each flash of sword light was accompanied by a swing of the wolf's claws. The clang of metal against metal echoed through the night sky, like a heroic battle song.

Ziya wielded his long whip to assist, his whip as agile and unpredictable as a serpent, sometimes coiling around the snow wolf's legs to trip it, sometimes lashing at its eyes to distract it. Ziya's skillful movements and unique techniques left the snow wolf overwhelmed and roaring in anger.

Taking advantage of the situation, Yang Ling and Xu Fu approached the summit of the ice peak, their goal being to retrieve the "Heart of Heaven." However, just as they were about to succeed, the snow wolf suddenly let out a deafening roar. Immediately afterward, a powerful blizzard swept in, instantly engulfing Yang Ling and his companion.

"Watch out, everyone!" Yang Ling shouted, deflecting the flying ice spikes with his sword while warning his companions to dodge the danger. "This is the Snow Wolf's ultimate skill—Ice Storm! Don't get caught in it!" (End of Chapter)