A few days later.
Mu Jinyu and his two companions gradually delved deeper into the Northern Region.
"Whoosh whoosh whoosh..."
The fierce wind howled from the sky, and large snowflakes swirled down, quickly covering the footprints of the three.
Mu Jinyu's cultivation had grown increasingly profound. Now that he had reached the early stage of the Fusion Realm, he naturally didn't feel the cold or discomfort of such weather.
As for Wen Rou and Jian Ruyan, although they were only at the Fifth Layer of the Divinity Transformation Realm, one must know that the Divinity Transformation Realm in the outside world of Huaxia was of great might, so they wouldn't feel the cold either.
Moreover, with Mu Jinyu stepping into the Fusion Realm and beginning to grasp the Power of the Heaven and Earth Laws, he could turn stone into gold, shrink ground into inches... Although the domain he could alter wasn't large, at least with the two women beside him, they felt no cold, only the warmth of spring.
"Da da da..."
The three of them headed toward the direction of the Extremely Cold Hell, and as they were about to arrive, they suddenly heard the rapid sound of footsteps approaching them. Mu Jinyu frowned slightly, then chose to stop and face it.
Now that he had stepped into the Fusion Realm, he was considered to have a correct presence, even if those approaching were at the Late Stage Hedao Realm like Wu Xiongfei, he could enhance his cultivation with the Dragon Transformation Scripture without fearing the opponent.
Thus, he dared to stop openly and see what the visitors intended.
"Roar!"
"Neigh!!"
Soon, amidst the turbulent snow and wind, Mu Jinyu saw a group of cavalry swiftly approaching and stopping in front of them.
Both sides began to size each other up.
The newcomers could be called cavalry, but Mu Jinyu thought it somewhat beautified them because they wore no helmets or armor, nor did they hold standardized spears or lances. They all had beards, were bare-chested, held a club made of white bones, and displayed totem tattoos of wolves or tigers, exuding a fierce and savage aura.
The mounts they rode were not just steeds; there were wolves, tigers, leopards, and some beasts resembling rhinos or hippos.
After a few glances at the other side, Mu Jinyu understood that they were likely from a barbarian tribe in the Northern Region, and probably a strong one, at least not inferior to something like the Wu Family of the Central Domain.
Their chief, the muscular man with the Hanchi tattooed on his body, had explosive strength in every muscle. His cultivation was around the Fourth Layer of the Hedao Realm.
In the desolate Northern Region, where resources were scarce and spiritual energy thin, a division chief having Mid Hedao Realm cultivation was actually much stronger than in the Wu Family of the Central Domain.
"Outsiders, what are you doing here!"
The chief of the barbarian tribe, adorned with the Hanchi tattoo, scanned Mu Jinyu and his companions with vigilant eyes before asking sternly.
Mu Jinyu knew that this area was likely the tribal domain of the other side, so after they arrived, the leader had brought his people to intercept them. Along his journey north, he had encountered several barbarian tribes and already gained some experience.
"We mean no offense to your division. We just seek a mystical herb in the Extremely Cold Hell," Mu Jinyu replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.
Although he was currently only at the First Layer of the Hedao Realm, under the blessing of the Dragon Transformation Scripture, he did not fear them, but trespassing into another's domain unintentionally, he naturally wouldn't be too arrogant.
"You want to go to the Extremely Cold Hell?!"
The tribal chief's eyes flashed with surprise upon hearing Mu Jinyu's words, then he replied, "That place is incredibly dangerous. Even I wouldn't dare to enter lightly. You're just at the First Layer of Hedao, so don't go looking for death."
"Inside there is a mystical herb I need to save someone. I have no choice but to go..." Mu Jinyu sighed softly.
"Oh? Is that so?" The chief, seeing Mu Jinyu's earnest expression, frowned slightly and suddenly said, "Tell me, what mystical herb do you need? Perhaps in our Hanchi Tribe warehouse... Then you wouldn't have to take the risk."
The barbarians are just like this; although living in harsh climates, they are hospitable by nature, and even for strangers, if they find you agreeable, they will try to help where they can.
They are straightforward in their likes and dislikes, never scheming. As friends, they welcome with strong liquor and roasted meat; as enemies, they send you off with iron fists and bone clubs.
Hearing the tribal chief's words, Mu Jinyu was moved, thinking that since they lived near the Extremely Cold Hell, perhaps they had once ventured inside and found Cold Soul Six Spirit Ganoderma. He said, "The mystical herb I wish to seek in the Extremely Cold Hell is the Cold Soul Six Spirit Ganoderma. Does your division have it? If so, I am willing to exchange it for a Hedao Fruit."
Saying this, Mu Jinyu turned his palm and took out a blue Hedao Fruit from his storage bag.
If he were dealing with other top-grade forces, Mu Jinyu certainly wouldn't just take out a Hedao Fruit and propose such an exchange carelessly.
After all, even if he was powerful enough, unafraid of others playing tricks, if the other side truly became emboldened to act on their desires, dealing with it would still be quite troublesome.
But the barbarian tribes are ultimately different; even if they greatly desire the Hedao Fruit in his hand, as long as there is no enmity, they won't forcibly seize it.
Although their name contains the word "barbarian," they aren't truly savages.
"Hedao Fruit?!"
The tribal chief and all the barbarians behind him, upon hearing Mu Jinyu's words and seeing the blue fruit he produced, immediately widened their eyes.
"It's really a Hedao Fruit..."
"One can cultivate a great entity of the Hedao Realm with just one!"
The Hanchi Tribe's people looked at the blue fruit in Mu Jinyu's hand with fiery eyes, discussing excitedly.
They had always lived in extremely cold regions and didn't pay attention to the outside world, so they didn't know what a sensational stir these Hedao Fruits had recently caused in the Kunlun Ruins.
While they hadn't followed these events, they recognized the special spiritual fruit that could help break through bottlenecks.
Thus, they instantly recognized the blue fruit in Mu Jinyu's hand as indeed a Hedao Fruit.
Even the tribal chief, who was at the Mid Hedao Realm, was tempted by the appearance of the Hedao Fruit.
Although he was already at the Hedao Realm, there were still many in the tribe stuck at the Ninth Layer of the Fanxu Realm. If they obtained this Hedao Fruit, they could have one more Hedao realm great in their tribe.
However...
The tribal chief frowned and shook his head, saying, "I've never heard of any Cold Soul Six Spirit Ganoderma..."
"Is that so?" Mu Jinyu showed a hint of disappointment upon hearing this.
The Extremely Cold Hell was indeed very dangerous. This time, unlike when he foolishly charged into the Cursed Soul Forest without understanding, he had already learned about the terrors of the Extremely Cold Hell.
If possible, he was more inclined to exchange a Hedao Fruit with the tribe for the Cold Soul Six Spirit Ganoderma rather than risking a search for the mystical herb.
The tribal chief kept staring at the blue Hedao Fruit in Mu Jinyu's hand, somewhat disappointed that their tribe didn't have the mystical herb Mu Jinyu needed.
At this moment, someone behind him had an idea and suggested, "Barbarian King, perhaps the outsiders have a different name for it. They call it Cold Soul Six Spirit Ganoderma, but we may not call it that. Why don't we take them to the warehouse to have a look? We might find it."