Chapter 1366: Chapter 631: Mixed Element Valley’s Development After Twenty Years and Changes in Human Villages (Part 2)

If not careful, one could invite great calamities.

This is why they have to be cautious and careful.

"Why does such a powerful faction want to gather these human settlements?"

"If they are truly that strong, why not just build a city? Why do this?"

A Void Refining Cultivator felt quite puzzled, not understanding what this hidden faction intended to do.

"Should we inform the City Lord? After all, a Void Refining Cultivator has already fallen, this is a serious matter."

"The City Lord is currently in seclusion cultivating, how can we disturb the City Lord’s cultivation because of this?"

"That’s right, and this is not a moment of life and death for Profound Abyss City, we absolutely cannot alarm the City Lord."

"Exactly, exactly! If we encounter difficulties and need the City Lord to intervene, then what do we need ourselves for? The most important thing now is to figure out what the hidden faction wants."

"We cannot act rashly, especially not against those cultivators in human settlements; otherwise, we might anger the powerful faction behind them, which would not be good for Profound Abyss City."

"Indeed, because they are only gathering regular human settlements; although it hurt our interests somewhat, it does no real harm to our core interests, so there’s no need to fight to the end."

"Therefore, we can only investigate secretly and send some spies into those settlements, disguise themselves as locals, and gain the trust of the villagers to learn what is happening."

"We don’t need to disguise as locals, we’ve already recruited many cultivators from outside, aren’t they locals? Let’s have them find out some news."

Amongst several Void Refining Cultivators, a decision was quickly made in a few words.

Thinking of this, Kong Zheng’s recollection ended completely.

He was sent back to Kong Family Village by Profound Abyss City for this reason.

Profound Abyss City wanted to know what exactly was happening to make those village inhabitants unwilling to enter Profound Abyss City; it was quite inconceivable.

"How is that possible? Is this still Kong Family Village?"

With an anxious and uneasy mindset, Kong Zheng quickly returned near Kong Family Village.

Kong Family Village was nestled in a valley surrounded by mountains.

This place used to be extremely desolate, covered in snow, barren and empty.

But now, the village perimeter was tightly surrounded by endless ice crystal fruit trees.

Those trees were not ordinary wood; the branches were like frosted glass, translucent with a pale blue chill light; each twig was laden with fist-sized ice crystal fruits, their skin clear as ice, faintly revealing the silver-white Spiritual Qi flowing inside, weighing the branches down heavily; as winter winds brushed past, the crisp sound of ice crystals colliding could be heard, sounding from afar like celestial music falling into the valley.

Occasionally, ripe fruits would drop, falling on frost-covered ground, the cracked flesh releasing wisps of cold air, which did not harm but rather made the surrounding Spiritual Qi more crisp and refreshing.

"This."

Kong Zheng was deeply shocked within.

The translucent skin of these ice crystal fruits allowed a clear view of the silver-white Spiritual Qi circulating inside, as if locking the spiritual essence of heaven and earth in this small fruit.

Occasionally, ripe ice crystal fruits would fall with the wind, cracking open a fine seam on the ground, strands of cold air carrying rich Spiritual Qi sweeping over, inhaling deeply, the fatigue accumulated from days of travel was swiftly dissipated by more than half, leaving a feeling of lightness throughout the body.

When did Kong Family Village start cultivating so many ice crystal fruit trees?!

He knew well the importance of the ice crystal fruits.

Ice crystal fruits are the staple food for humans in this snowy land.

Only by consuming a large quantity of ice crystal fruits can one meet daily needs, while also enhancing human cold resistance.

But only cities have the qualification to cultivate ice crystal fruit trees on a large scale.

Because if too many ice crystal fruit trees are planted together, it can easily attract exotic beasts.

Large gatherings of exotic beasts can effortlessly destroy human settlements.

Has Kong Family Village become so powerful that they can cultivate ice crystal fruit trees on such a large scale?!

"Oh, isn’t this Kong Zheng? Why did you return?"

At this moment, an elderly man in a white robe suddenly appeared at the village entrance; looking dignified and extraordinary, he exuded a powerful aura; he was Kong Family Village’s Chief, Kong De.

With an amazed look, he gazed at Kong Zheng, for he was quite familiar with him, having personally sent the young man to Profound Abyss City; besides, Kong Family Village had gained considerable benefits from this, as contributing talent has its rewards.

However, he hadn’t expected Kong Zheng to return from Profound Abyss City so soon.

Normally, a cultivator joining Profound Abyss City is unlikely to return to their village.

Because once you join Profound Abyss City, you are no longer of the same path.

"Chief."

Kong Zheng looked at the village chief Kong De with a complicated expression, unsure of what to say.

"Please come in."

Village Chief Kong De quickly noticed the young man’s unspoken issues, thinking of the recent occurrences; he had already speculated a lot internally.

Yet he didn’t say much more, inviting Kong Zheng into Kong Family Village.

Upon entering Kong Family Village, Kong Zheng was even more astounded.

Because in his memories, Kong Family Village’s villagers were in dire straits, squeezed together in a cave.

Huddling together for warmth, the cave was filled with an unbearable stench, much like a slum.

But now, everything had changed dramatically.