As the group made their way north, the temperature gradually became cooler, no longer oppressively hot and humid like before.
Xingluo was a typical southern country, dominated by a humid, subtropical climate. Even in winter, the cold was mild at best, and snowfall was a rare sight.
The cooler weather lifted everyone's spirits slightly. Human moods are often influenced, at least to some degree, by the surrounding environment and climate—this isn't absolute, but it applies to most people.
As the largest and most prosperous city in the northeast of the Tianhun Empire, Long City was impressive in scale. While it couldn't rival the massive metropolises of Xingluo City or Tiandou City, it still had a population exceeding one million and held a firm place of importance in the region.
Unlike Xingluo City or Tiandou City, where old architecture blended with contemporary soul-tech, Long City was entirely traditional. Shops and buildings along the streets were primarily wooden, rarely displaying the sheen of metal.
Its proximity to the extreme northern regions, coupled with the city's terrain, made Long City significantly colder than the surrounding areas. Aside from soulists who could manipulate their power to resist the cold, ordinary residents wore thick clothing, giving the streets a distinctly wintry feel.
Xu Jiujiu changed into slightly heavier clothing. Her soul power ranked at the Soul Master level, so she wasn't overly sensitive to cold. Yet, in lower temperatures, her soul energy circulated and depleted faster than usual. Wearing thicker clothes might seem unnecessary, but it actually helped slow the loss of her energy.
Of course, after spending time in this environment, the body would gradually adapt, making extra layers less critical.
Once the four of them entered the city, they headed north. Long City was vast: the Tianlong Gate dominated the south, while the northern districts were under the influence of the Dilong Gate. The two factions coexisted peacefully, though their relationship was somewhat unusual, beyond a typical neighborly rapport.
Soon after entering the city, Xuedi spoke quietly:
"I can sense the Soul Title Douluo you mentioned. Their strength is around level ninety-three. Judging by their aura, they're not young, but the thunder energy radiating from them is formidable. If they truly lost control, they could probably hold their own against a Super Douluo for a short while."
Shuyan nodded casually and said softly,
"No need to engage. The Tianlong Gate's leader is capable. We'll handle our business—avoid conflicts unless necessary."
Xuedi nodded. Shuyan's caution aligned with her own thoughts. After all, she wasn't like the impulsive Ice Emperor, who often resorted to violence at the slightest provocation…
Though, truth be told, sometimes violence was indeed the fastest, most effective solution…
…
After walking the streets of Long City for about half an hour, a massive, traditional-style mansion came into view. Atop broad stone steps, two stern-looking middle-aged men stood on either side of the heavy wooden doors, their sharp gazes scanning the passersby. Judging by their soul energy, both were four-ring Soul Masters.
"So this is the Dilong Gate's residence? It's a bit different from what I imagined…"
Xu Jiujiu remarked in surprise.
In her memory, the Dilong Gate, while not a top-tier sect, ranked among the best of hundreds of sects at the time. Yet their residence appeared as a simple, mountain-adjacent traditional mansion—somewhat beneath the sect's status.
"Maybe they just like this style?"
The Ice Emperor rubbed her hands together eagerly, barely containing her excitement. If Xuedi and Shuyan weren't nearby, she probably would have caused chaos inside the Dilong Gate by now…
Shuyan pressed a hand gently on the Ice Emperor's head and said:
"I know you're impatient, but calm down. If you rush, I won't stop you from becoming even more impatient. Got it? And don't act so desperate in front of others."
The Ice Emperor muttered a resigned "okay," now less resistant to Shuyan's occasional touches. Still, she held grudges—when the chance came, she would definitely retaliate without mercy.
"Damn you, Shuyan… prepare to face the Ice Emperor's judgment!"
Shuyan said nothing more and led the group toward the mansion's entrance.
The moment they stepped onto the stone steps, the two middle-aged men reacted immediately. One of them quickly descended to block their path.
"Excuse me, guests. May I ask your business here?"
The man's tone was polite, showing no intention of driving them away—a natural reaction. None of the four appeared ordinary, and anyone with eyes could tell, prompting respectful behavior.
"Just travelers passing through. We have a matter to discuss with your sect leader. Could you notify them for us?"
Shuyan smiled lightly.
The man hesitated. Their leader had recently decreed no outsiders be received, focusing on breaking through personally. Yet Shuyan's group clearly weren't ordinary people, and he, a mere Soul Master, didn't know how to proceed.
Shuyan, unsurprised, exchanged a glance with the Ice Emperor. She pouted, then reluctantly stepped back.
One by one, nine soul rings—black, purple, and red, spanning tens of thousands of years—materialized beneath the Ice Emperor's feet, her immense spiritual energy radiating outward, cloaking them from the attention of bystanders.
"Ten-thousand-year soul rings!? A Soul Title Douluo?"
The man's body trembled as he stared at the rings conjured by the Ice Emperor's spiritual power. He rubbed his eyes, confirmed he wasn't mistaken, and immediately bowed deeply.
"Please, esteemed guests, wait… no, no—come in quickly! Our leader has been idle lately and loves entertaining visitors. Please, come in, come in!"
He shouted to the other man, signaling with gestures:
"Go find the sect leader—hurry!"
The man at the gate, trembling, snapped back to attention, bowed again, and hurriedly opened the heavy doors, vanishing from sight as the group entered.
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