Jared let out a low, amused laugh. The sound rippled through the still air of the jade chamber. In the eastern region, the Divine Punishment Hall kept five Venerables on constant duty, yet the vast western region depended on a single Beast-Quelling Venerable. Even at Top Level High Immortal Realm Level Seven, one person could never rival five working in concert.
His eyes narrowed, a cool glint sliding across them. The western beast race clearly lacked true heavyweights; one celestial Venerable already held them in chains. Worse, five Beast Kings had switched sides, trading pride for safety—no better than traitors in fur and claw.
“Senior, that is exactly why we need to go.” Jared’s tone stayed even, but the words landed like stones dropped into water, sending quiet ripples across the room.
Immortal Coldabyss tilted his head, puzzlement flickering behind the calm mask. “Why?”
“First…” Jared said, “Luther must locate his kin. For him, that search matters more than anything else.” He continued without pause, “Second, the celestials are butchering the beast race precisely because the resistance there burns hottest. The enemy of our enemy is a ready ally; if we link up, their fight becomes our leverage.”
A sharper light crossed his gaze. “Third, while the celestials stare west, their watch on every other region loosens. Stirring trouble in the west buys the east and north both time and breathing room.”
Immortal Coldabyss fell silent. Thought gathered around him like frost, thick and unbroken. Only after a long beat did he murmur, “Your reasoning covers every flank. Admirable… Yet the journey remains a blade edge. The Beast-Quelling Venerable sits at Top Level High Immortal Realm Level Seven, far above the combined strength of the eastern Five Venerables.”
He drew a slow breath. “Those Five Beast Kings are each High Immortal Realm Level Six or Seven and command hardened armies. Two visitors walking in alone might as well be lambs stepping into a tiger’s maw.”
Jared answered with a calm smile. “City Lord, if I dared announce this plan, I already hold the means to see it through.” That steady smile carried a faint, gray shimmer. Chaotic force seeped through his pores, weightless yet vast. The cold-blue walls responded with brittle creaks, and Immortal Coldabyss felt his heartbeat hitch once.
Memories flared; this very young man had climbed to level thirteen with nothing but Heavenly Immortal Realm cultivation and had even slain the Five Venerables of the Divine Punishment Hall. And that unfathomable gray power… Perhaps the boy really could bend impossibility into daylight.
“Very well…” Immortal Coldabyss straightened his sleeves. “Since your mind is set, I won’t block the door. The western route is long and mined with dangers. Prepare for every storm before you set one foot outside.”
He pulled an ice-blue storage ring from his robe and placed it on Jared’s palm. “Inside are Ice Soul Pills, glacial jade marrow, and several ice-aligned artifacts. The harsh western climate may make each of them priceless.”
A sweep of Jared’s spiritual sense revealed heaps of pills, refined materials, tens of thousands of top-grade spirit crystals, and several well-made ice-attribute artifacts. The gift glittered like winter stars inside his awareness.
“Thank you, City Lord.” He offered the words with firm, unhurried respect.
Immortal Coldabyss produced a palm-sized, pitch-black bone shard. “During my youth, I charted the west. The terrain may have shifted, but most landmarks hold. Hazard zones and possible resource sites are marked.”
Jared’s mind slid into the shard. A detailed map unfurled: the Myriad Monster Mountain Range, much of the western region, and even several celestial strongholds lit up with faint red markings. He clasped hands again. “This kindness will not be forgotten.”
Immortal Coldabyss waved his hand. “No need for courtesy. Mr. Jared, be careful on your journey to the western region. If matters prove impossible, retreat to the northern region at once. I will always leave you a path back.” He paused before adding, “As for Jade Immortal Manor, I will notify several old friends to stop harassing eastern cultivators. If Julian truly intends to oppose the celestials, the northern region will answer him in secret. Then we won’t impose any longer.”
“City Lord, we will take our leave.” Jared rose. “Our journey to the western region must begin at once.”
Immortal Coldabyss stood as well. “I shall escort you.”
Fine snow drifted from an iron-gray sky, the wind cutting straight through cloth and bone. “Mr. Jared, Mr. Luther, travel safely,” Immortal Coldabyss said solemnly.
Jared and Luther exchanged a glance and cupped their fists. “Take care, City Lord. We shall meet again!”
With that, the two blurred into twin streams of light, shot skyward, and sped west. Moments later, they vanished where the vast snowfield met the edge of the sky. Snow settled on Immortal Coldabyss’ shoulders in a thin, silent layer.
“Jared… The western Myriad Monster Mountain Range… Celestials…” He spoke under his breath, complicated light in his eyes. “Is the sky of the Thirteenth Heaven truly about to change?”
A trusted elder appeared behind him and spoke softly, “City Lord, the celestial envoy has again sent messengers asking if we have found the fugitives…”
Immortal Coldabyss turned, the familiar severity back on his face. “Inform them that Coldabyss City has searched exhaustively and found no trace of the culprits. When news arises, I will report it myself.”
The elder bowed. “Yes, my lord.” He withdrew in silence. Immortal Coldabyss looked west once more; expectation flashed in his eyes, joined by a thin thread of worry. A slow breath fogged the air as he whispered, “Jared, may you truly… return alive…”
