Quickly conquer the martial arts world, and let your fists dominate the heavens!

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Chen Zhan took Gu Yu and left their temporary residence near Putuo Temple.

Without delay, the two headed towards Suzhou. After a short rest, they turned west and headed straight for Dali.

The further west you go, the more beautiful the scenery becomes.

The misty rain of Jiangnan gradually fades away, replaced by the magnificent continuous mountains and rivers, and the air becomes increasingly fresh.

The carriage traveled at a good pace, heading west.

As you travel, you can take in the unique peaks and rocks, clear streams and secluded valleys along the way.

Chen Zhan had already seen these landscapes once before, so he wasn't particularly interested in seeing them again. Most of the time, he just closed his eyes to rest and let Gu Yu lead the way.

Several days later, the two had entered Dali territory, and were only a hundred miles away from the capital of Dali.

Here the Lancang River suddenly narrows, the water rushes and roars, the muddy waves crash against the shore with a thunderous sound.

A suspension bridge spans the river on the west bank, its iron chains thick and its planks old.

A stone tablet stands at the head of the bridge, inscribed with the three seal characters "善人渡" (Good People Cross).

This bridge is the only way to cross between the east and west banks. Although there are a few pedestrians at this time, they all look solemn and carefully step on the planks, for fear of being swept away by the raging waves below.

Beyond the Good Man's Ferry lies a lush, dense forest.

This forest is extremely vast, blocking out the sky, and is known locally as the "Forest of No Return".

Legend has it that many people wandered into the forest in the past, lost their way, and never came out again.

Almost simultaneously with Chen Zhan and his group, another group of people arrived at the edge of the dense forest.

The leader had a handsome face and wore a brocade robe; he was none other than Duan Zhengchun, the Prince of Zhennan of Dali.

Seven people followed behind him: three dukes and four guards, all dressed in tight-fitting clothes with solemn expressions, clearly carrying important responsibilities.

"Your Highness, the forest ahead is the Endless Forest. Once you pass through the forest, you will reach the territory of the Valley of Ten Thousand Calamities."

The speaker was small in stature, but his eyes were extremely sharp, and his steps were light and quick.

Duan Zhengchun nodded, his expression somewhat solemn: "Yu'er is trapped in Wanjie Valley. They specifically requested that I come to rescue him personally. We must be careful on this trip and must not provoke them."

The group paid no attention to Chen Zhan and Gu Yu's carriage, only glanced at it, and quickly went into the depths of the dense forest.

Not far into the woods, several stone tablets stood by the roadside, with strange patterns carved on them, resembling riddles or symbols of formations.

However, by this time, these stone tablets had been completely destroyed, their bodies covered with cracks and a thick layer of frost, making them incongruous with the surrounding humid and hot environment.

Not far away, a towering tree that took two people to encircle collapsed with a crash, crushing a cluster of trees around it, its broken ends also covered in white frost.

"Strange, this forest is damp, how can there be such a thick layer of frost?"

Fan Hua, one of the Three Dukes, frowned. He was tall and strong with a resolute face. He was well-versed in military strategy and tactics and was Duan Zhengchun's core assistant in military and political affairs.

Duan Zhengchun also found it strange, but he didn't bother to investigate further. He simply waved his hand and said, "Let's find Yu'er first."

After walking deeper into the forest for about half an hour, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a valley entrance.

At the entrance of the valley stands a huge blue stone tablet, on which three large characters are engraved in vigorous calligraphy: "Valley of Ten Thousand Calamities".

On both sides of the valley entrance, nine towering pine trees stand side by side, their branches and leaves so lush that they block out the sun.

On one of the pine trees, a line of eye-catching characters was written in red paint: "Anyone with the surname Duan who enters this valley will be killed without mercy." The characters were ferocious and conveyed a strong sense of hostility.

Upon seeing this line of text, Duan Zhengchun couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile.

He had a grudge against Zhong Wanchou, the master of Wanjie Valley, in his early years. Zhong Wanchou had always harbored resentment towards him, but he never expected that Zhong Wanchou would target his son in this way.

"How does Your Highness know the route to the Valley of Ten Thousand Calamities so well?"

The guard Chu Wanli couldn't help but ask. He was the head of the four guards, skilled with a gun, and had a straightforward personality.

A hint of unease flashed across Duan Zhengchun's face, and he coughed twice in a mock manner: "Ahem—I came here once years ago and have a deep impression of it."

He naturally wouldn't say that he came here to find Gan Baobao.

"I rely on you brothers to come in with me and rescue Yu'er at all costs," Duan Zhengchun said in a deep voice, composed himself.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The three officials and four guards each have their own strengths. Ba Tianshi has superb lightness skills and is good at tracking and reconnaissance.

Hua Hegen possesses immense strength, is proficient in earth-moving techniques and steel shovels, and is an expert in tomb raiding and tunnel digging, responsible for engineering and secret operations.

Fan Hua was steady and resolute, and was responsible for military deployment and command.

The four guards were all outstanding members of the Dali army, each with their own unique skills.

They received news that Duan Yu, the prince of Dali, was trapped in Wanjie Valley. The bandits were so audacious that they even sent a messenger to the Zhennan Prince's Mansion, specifically requesting that Duan Zhengchun personally go to rescue him.

"Your Highness, shall I go in first to scout out the situation?" Ba Tianshi volunteered, as he was the fastest in light-footed skills and the most suitable to investigate the enemy's situation.

"No need."

Duan Zhengchun shook his head: "They specifically asked me to come. If I don't go in personally, I'm afraid I'll anger them. Yu'er doesn't know martial arts. If they kill him, the consequences will be unimaginable."

He paused, then continued, "The four of you lie in ambush around the valley entrance, keeping a close watch on any activity inside. Once you see a signal, come in immediately to provide support."

"Fan Hua and Chu Wanli, you two will coordinate outside the valley to prevent the thieves from escaping through other exits."

"Yes!"

The crowd responded in unison and departed to carry out the order.

Duan Zhengchun then pulled Hua Hegen aside and whispered a few words to him. Hua Hegen nodded, and with a flash, disappeared into the dense forest.

After making the arrangements, Duan Zhengchun and Ba Tianshi entered Wanjie Valley together.

The valley entrance was originally set up with many traps and mechanisms, and was covered with arrows and poisoned stakes, but now they were all frozen by thick frost and rendered useless.

The two walked without encountering any obstacles. The entire valley was unusually quiet; not even the chirping of birds and insects could be heard, only the sound of the cold wind howling past.

The further you go into the valley, the lower the temperature becomes.

Although it was already winter, Dali had a warm climate, so it wouldn't be this cold even in winter.

Duan Zhengchun and Ba Tianshi were both highly skilled in internal energy cultivation and had true qi protecting their bodies, but they gradually felt a bone-chilling cold.

"Your Highness, the temperature in this valley is not right," Ba Tianshi whispered a reminder.

Duan Zhengchun nodded, his expression growing increasingly serious: "Be careful."

The two quickened their pace and used their lightness skills to rush deeper into the valley.

Upon reaching the latter part of the valley, the sight before them stunned them both.

The entire valley seemed to be covered in ice and snow. Flowers, trees, rocks and houses were all covered with crystal ice flowers. Under the sunlight, they reflected colorful light, just like a fairyland.

But this fairyland was permeated with a deathly chill.

What's even more shocking is that there are two human-shaped ice sculptures standing not far away.

Duan Zhengchun strode forward, took a closer look, and his expression changed drastically.

The ice sculpture on the left, with its imposing figure and ferocious face, is none other than Zhong Wanchou, the Valley Master of Wanjie Valley. The ice sculpture on the right, dressed in red, holds a curved sword in its hand, poised to slash, its eyes wide open, filled with horror.

"Red Cotton!"

Duan Zhengchun cried out in alarm, his voice filled with barely concealed panic.

This woman in red was his old flame, Qin Hongmian, the Asura Blade.

He ran quickly to the ice sculpture and reached out to touch it, but was struck by the bone-chilling cold emanating from it. The figure inside the ice was incredibly lifelike.

Ba Tianshi also came over and carefully examined the two ice sculptures. He said in a deep voice, "Judging from their posture, they seem to have been frozen instantly. There are probably very few people in the martial arts world who can possess such extreme cold power."

The ice sculptures of Qin Hongmian and Zhong Wanchou stand in the cold mist, their ferocious postures frozen into eternity.

Duan Zhengchun felt a tightness in his chest. Qin Hongmian's appearance reminded him of past entanglements, and then he thought of Duan Yu.

Where is Duan Yu?
He suppressed his panic, his gaze sweeping across the frozen valley, not daring to miss a single corner.

Not far away, a wooden house stood out abruptly in the snow.

Unlike other places in the valley, there was not a single ice crystal around the wooden house. The vegetables in the yard were still fresh and green, and even the dew on the vegetable leaves had not been frosted, giving off an eerie warmth.

"Something's strange over there," Ba Tianshi whispered, his body tense, ready to deal with any unexpected situation.

"what--!"

"Spare me, I was wrong, don't make me try, sister, I was really wrong!" The voice was shrill and full of fear, sending chills down one's spine.

The two hurried closer, but before they even reached the courtyard gate, a shrill scream came from inside the wooden house.

Immediately afterward, another slightly childish voice rang out, filled with anxiety and pleading: "Big sisters, can you please stop punishing her? Whatever you want, I'll give it to her."

Duan Zhengchun was overjoyed. He recognized the voice all too well; it was Duan Yu!

"Yu'er!" he couldn't help but call out softly, quickening his pace.

"Why don't you test the poison for her?"

"You let my Manggu Toad escape, now it's time to make amends." A cold female voice rang out, chilling the air several degrees.

Duan Yu shook his head repeatedly, his voice trembling with tears:

"I have no martial arts skills and am deeply poisoned by the cold. If I were to test this poison again... I would die instantly."

"Then stop talking nonsense, your father has arrived!"

"Bam—!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a gust of cold wind suddenly rushed out of the wooden house, and the door was forced open by an invisible force.

A figure, enveloped in a chilling aura, flew out—it was Duan Yu.

Duan Zhengchun reacted quickly, rushing forward and catching his son safely.

But as soon as he touched Duan Yu's body, a tremendous force came from the other party. Duan Zhengchun hurriedly gathered his strength to resist, but was still forced back three zhang by this force, and the bluestone paving stones under his feet were trampled into two shallow pits.

This force is just an appetizer.

As soon as Duan Zhengchun regained his footing, he felt a bone-chilling cold spread up his arm, instantly making his fingertips numb.

Startled, he quickly released his grip and looked down to find his palm had turned pale and bluish-white. The cold air was seeping into his body through his meridians. Not daring to delay, he immediately circulated the One Yang Finger internal energy of the Dali Duan family, circulating it through his meridians before he could barely expel the cold air.

"Yu'er? What happened to you?" Duan Zhengchun looked at his son, who had fallen to the ground, filled with anxiety.

Although Duan Yu was not injured when he landed, he trembled violently, his lips turned blue, and his teeth chattered.

At this moment, the cold poison in his body flared up, and cold air surged from his limbs and bones, making him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

It flares up twice a day, each time more intense than the last. If the poison isn't expelled in time, the cold will eventually completely erode the body, freezing it into an ice sculpture, just like Qin Hongmian and Zhong Wanchou.

Ba Tianshi stepped forward, about to reach out to help, but Duan Zhengchun waved him off.

"Be careful, the cold poison on his body is very strange," Duan Zhengchun said in a deep voice.

"I am Duan Zhengchun, Prince of Zhennan of Dali."

Duan Zhengchun said loudly, his gaze sweeping towards the door of the wooden house, "Why are you treating my son like this? Please come out and meet me."

He had already realized that Duan Yu was poisoned and could only try to negotiate first.

As soon as the words were spoken, a figure in white slowly walked out of the wooden house.

The woman wore a plain white dress, with cool and aloof features and skin as white as snow, yet she exuded a clean and transparent temperament.

Bai Lu saw Duan Zhengchun and Ba Tianshi, then glanced at Duan Yu lying on the ground, suffering from severe cold poisoning. A trace of pity flashed in her cold eyes.

In her view, Duan Yu was not a truly wicked person; he simply meant well but did bad things, and he was also somewhat unable to distinguish right from wrong.

She pondered for a moment, then her fingertips twitched slightly, and a gentle stream of internal energy flowed from her fingertips, flowing into Duan Yu's body like a warm current.

Duan Yu, who had been trembling violently, gradually calmed down, and the bluish-purple color on his lips faded a bit.

"Thank you for your mercy, young lady." Duan Zhengchun bowed and thanked her, feeling somewhat relieved.

"Let him say it himself."

"He angered Sister Shuangjiang, this matter is not easy to handle." Bailu said calmly.

Duan Zhengchun quickly helped Duan Yu up and asked softly, "Yu'er, what exactly happened? Why are you here, and why are you poisoned with such a deadly toxin?"

Duan Yu caught his breath and then recounted the whole story in fits and starts.

Duan Zhengchun and Ba Tianshi listened for a long time before they finally understood the reason.

It turns out that the woman who poisoned the valley was named Shuangjiang. She had occupied Wanjie Valley earlier and even stole the strange beast, Lightning Sable, raised by the valley master, Zhong Wanchou.

She had a small wooden cauldron in her hand that emitted a special aura to attract poisonous creatures. She originally intended to use the lightning sable and the wooden cauldron to lure a highly venomous toad.

Just as the toad was about to take the bait, Duan Yu saw the lightning weasel in pain from being bound and, feeling a pang of pity, stepped forward and released it, which also startled the thousand-year-old toad away.

This disrupted the plans for Frost's Descent.

Enraged, Frostfall captured Duan Yu and planted the Frostfall Cold Poison within him.

As for Zhong Wanchou and Qin Hongmian, Duan Yu didn't know the reason either; they were already there when they arrived.

After hearing the explanation, Duan Zhengchun's face darkened with anger. He looked at the wooden house behind Bai Lu and said loudly:

"Your actions of taking hostages and occupying someone else's valley are already contrary to the code of the martial world. Even if Yu'er ruined your plans, it was an unintentional mistake. There's no need to resort to such a deadly act."

There was no response from the cabin, only a stronger chill slowly emanating from it, causing the surrounding temperature to drop even further.

"The Prince of Zhennan of Dali? It's simple. You bring me the Manggu Toad, and I'll detoxify him. How about that?" Shuangjiang's voice was indifferent.

“Your Excellency’s actions are inappropriate within the territory of Dali.”

As Duan Zhengchun spoke, he signaled to Ba Tianshi. Ba Tianshi moved swiftly, his lightness skill was superb, and he circled around Kai Bailu, rushing straight into the house.

But Bai Lu naturally wouldn't let him into the house. Her figure was graceful and agile, and her white clothes left a long shadow as she stood there.

In an instant, they blocked Ba Tianshi's path. (End of Chapter)