The mountain scenery is famous for its solitude and chill; although snow accumulates year-round, the weather is mild, and there are occasional ice springs where cranes frolic by the waterside. Such a beautiful and intelligent atmosphere adds a layer of immortal Dao charm to the scenery.

Lin Feng and Qian Hua set out early in the morning; the horses of the Taoxuan Heavenly Sect Palace are excellent, with an extra thick coat as if specially grown to withstand the mountain’s severe cold.

Running around in this vast mountain range easily stirs cold currents; without such thick fur, ordinary Spiritual Horses might easily fall ill.

Lin Feng runs along the palace path into the mountains, an area artificially developed, now suitable for human habitation, so one wouldn’t encounter much danger here.

If you venture deeper into the mountains, though, you’re likely to encounter creatures like snow wolves and bandits, or even Third Grade treasure bears, those large snowfield grizzlies. That place has already escaped the influence of the Taoxuan Heavenly Sect, and is no longer within the artificially developed living areas; it’s pure nature, with mountain hollows, cedar forests, and various natural sceneries, unlike the flat and open palace complex of Taoxuan Heavenly Sect.

Lin Feng can see the bandit camp, and they’ve actually trained grizzly bears to become war horses.

"Look at those grizzly bears, each wearing armor." Qian Hua pointed to the bandit camp below from a high ground within the forest hollow.

Lin Feng observes the attire of these bandits, they don’t seem like ordinary bandits. Meanwhile, some of the henchmen are nestled by the campfire roasting venison.

Lin Feng says to Qian Hua, "I’ll go down and question them."

Before Qian Hua could react, Lin Feng used Qinggong to arrive into the forest. Here, being outside the barrier’s restriction, Lin Feng could act freely.

One bandit was still roasting meat when Lin Feng suddenly pounced and grabbed a henchman. Another henchman, about to speak, was directly knocked unconscious by Lin Feng’s spell.

Lin Feng released the henchman at hand who was already frightened, kneeling on the ground.

"Spare us, Daoist, we didn’t mean to offend Taoxuan Heavenly Sect."

Lin Feng asks the henchman, "What are you doing here? Honestly confess and I’ll let you go."

"Confess what, huh!"

Just as the henchman was about to speak, two axes suddenly flew from the woods. Lin Feng dodged to the side, using spells to strike one, while the other axe hit the henchman’s forehead, killing him instantly.

Lin Feng looked in the direction the flying axes came, noticing someone walking out from behind a cedar tree, wearing exquisite armor, appearing stronger and mightier than those elite Court soldiers. Living in ice and snow year-round requires a robust physique.

"Who are you?" Lin Feng asked the newcomer.

The axe-wielding strongman laughed heartily, saying to Lin Feng, "You’re quite capable, I initially thought of chopping you both down in one strike, but didn’t expect you could dodge. Be aware, many new disciples from the Taoxuan Heavenly Sect Palace have died by my hand. Since you’re asking who I am, let me tell you, I’m Li Qing, the Axe Bandit King."

With that, the previous two axes were mysteriously drawn back into the strongman’s hands.

The strongman, having retrieved his axes, got excited. But just then, someone unknown thrust a sword from behind, placing it directly at the strongman’s neck.

The strongman remained unfazed, hooking the left-hand axe onto the sword. The sword was instantly struck aside by a cold gleam, and the strongman turned to fight the person behind. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

No mistake, the one sparring with the strongman was Qian Hua. For Qian Hua, battle with the strongman seemed strenuous. The forest here was covered by a thin layer of snow, some areas just bare land. Their figures moved back and forth in the cedar forest, the sword clashing with the axe fiercely.

Lin Feng watched the strongman’s movement technique, merely of Seven Spirit Knot level. Lin Feng directly soared forward, executing a move, a palm strike along with the axes, knocking the strongman to the ground.

The strongman staggered and fell directly. Lin Feng swiftly grabbed hold of him, but he sneers and looks at the flying axes on the ground, intended to slash at Lin Feng. Lin Feng, without hesitation, spun rapidly, pulling the strongman closer, the flying axes now slashed into the strongman’s own body. Initially meant to pierce through the strongman’s body and take Lin Feng down too, but Lin Feng’s energy curtailed the axes’ momentum.

"This man harbors heavy murderous intent; keeping him is a disaster, but now that he’s doomed himself, it’s good to say Taoxuan Heavenly Sect is rid of such a menace, saving innocent new disciples from dying at his hands."

Qian Hua found a letter inside the strongman’s clothing, with instructions to act at midnight tonight. The envelope bore an unusual signature stamped with Gate Master Order.

Lin Feng recalled the black-clothed Venerable mentioning the Sect Leader to his subordinates; it seems this Black-clothed Sect Leader is going to act personally this time. Lin Feng remembered the black-clothed person’s methods and couldn’t help but prudently address this situation.