"The address is also in the Northern Ice Field, so you must prepare well in advance if you intend to go.
"I will write you another recommendation letter in a moment. If you actually get the chance to meet him, tell him that I sent you. As for whether he will take you as a disciple, that will depend on his own will and your own performance.
"The journey from the Saintas Kingdom to the Northern Ice Field is far too long. Even I would have to take long-distance teleportation arrays the entire way, and it would take nearly a month of traveling to arrive. Therefore, I cannot escort you to the destination.
"This is all the help I can give you. As for the school, I will explain things to Algernon. This journey of yours will take months at the shortest, and at the longest... it is hard to estimate. You will have to temporarily set aside the national competition and your school courses. Have you made up your mind?"
Under master Antonio's watchful gaze, Jiang Lin did not hesitate for a moment, his voice clear and firm.
"I have. Master, please give me the address."
At the same time, Jiang Lin felt a sense of emotion.
No wonder master Antonio had such a vast network of connections.
Just by meeting him once and hearing some rumors, he was willing to introduce him to sword saint Loren.
In a way, he now owed the other man a favor.
With his understanding of his own talent, becoming a powerhouse in the future was absolutely only a matter of time.
So master Antonio was essentially investing in the future here.
Antonio looked at the golden-haired, golden-eyed youth before him and nodded with satisfaction.
At the same time, he was thinking to himself.
He hoped that Loren would take a liking to him.
That way, he would not only gain the connection of being Loren's disciple's benefactor but also bridge the gap in his friendship with Loren after years of no contact.
The next moment, an extra hand-drawn map appeared in Jiang Lin's hand, marking the location where that sword saint might have been living in seclusion over forty years ago:
Deep within the Northern Ice Field, a place called "Shuangyu Feng".
The map was very old, the lines were somewhat blurred, and the edges were stained with an unknown substance.
When Antonio handed it to Jiang Lin, his expression was complex.
"This map is something I drew casually back then based on his description, so it may not be accurate. The environment of the ice field is harsh, and the terrain often changes due to blizzards. Be extra careful."
Jiang Lin nodded.
"No problem."
Antonio then took out a quill and a sheet of special-textured letter paper from his spatial ring, leaning over the round table to begin writing.
The tip of the pen scratched across the paper with a rustling sound. He wrote very slowly, with every word reflecting careful deliberation.
"This is my letter to lord Loren."
He carefully sealed the finished letter and handed it to Jiang Lin.
"Although I am not certain if he is still there, nor if he still remembers me... at the very least, this is the most formal introduction I can provide for you."
Jiang Lin received the letter with both hands and solemnly placed it into his spatial ring.
"Thank you, Master."
"There is no need to thank me."
Antonio waved his hand, a look of elder-like concern appearing in his eyes.
"The dangers of this journey are far beyond your imagination.
"The Northern Ice Field is not only harsh in its environment, but it is also inhabited by magic creatures that have adapted to the extreme cold. There are even rumors that some ancient ice field remnants are still active. Although you can fight across two major ranks, you are only at the 2nd-rank after all. To travel tens of thousands of miles alone..."
He did not continue, but the worry was evident.
Jiang Lin, however, revealed a calm smile.
"Rest assured, Master. Since I have made the choice, I am prepared to face everything."
Antonio looked deeply at him, finally only nodding.
"Go then. I will ask Dean Algernon to handle the school withdrawal procedures and course arrangements. If you can make it back for the National Youth Adventurer Competition, it would be best for you to participate.
"Even if you are not chosen by senior Loren, with your talent, you might be picked up by another 9th-rank powerhouse. Being selected as a disciple then is not out of the question."
Jiang Lin nodded.
"Oh, right."
At that moment, Antonio spoke up once more to remind him.
"What is it?"
He hesitated for a moment before saying:
"Sword saint Loren is male."
Jiang Lin was somewhat puzzled.
He didn't know why the other man felt the need to mention that.
After all, during their previous conversation, the other had always used masculine pronouns for him, and Loren was clearly a male name.
It wasn't like a certain big guy named Lilith who possessed a strong sense of deception.
"Uh, I understand."
Jiang Lin eventually nodded, not dwelling too much on the matter.
Jiang Lin carefully tucked away the map and the letter, gave master Antonio a deep bow, and turned to leave the Star-gazing Tower.
The corridor was still quiet, but his footsteps were a bit lighter than when he had arrived.
Before departing, he had to make some preparations first.
As he listed the things he needed to do in his mind, he planned his route.
First, go to the library to look up information about that area.
Then, go to the classroom to pick up Little Black, who was basking in the sun on the windowsill.
He also needed to go to the market to buy some cold-weather gear.
After that, he would plan the route to get there.
According to the maps he possessed, two or three kingdoms lay between the Saintas Kingdom and the Northern Ice Field.
He also needed to obtain identification for traveling through other human kingdoms.
For this, he could go to the temple in Clearwater City to ask the Temple Master for help in getting him identities for the other kingdoms.
Jiang Lin arrived at the academy library.
There were quite a few books regarding the Northern Ice Field.
Since the journey was long and the environment treacherous, he needed to gather as much relevant data as possible.
Eventually, he found several adventure journals and geographical records concerning the Far North.
Jiang Lin walked through the rows of bookshelves in the library's ancient books section.
Finally, he stopped in front of a shelf labeled "Northern Geography · Exploration" and pulled out several of the thickest volumes with the most worn covers.
He found a seat by the window. Outside, the light and shadows of students practicing magic danced on the training grounds.
But Jiang Lin's gaze was entirely submerged within the pages of the books.
He flipped through them very quickly, his golden eyes acting like a precision scanner, etching every key description into his mind.
The first book, "Northern Ice Field Exploration Journal (7th Edition)", was written by a 4th-rank ice mage who had organized a team to go deep into the ice field fifty years ago.
The book recorded in somewhat scribbled handwriting:
"...After crossing the 'Yongshuang Line', the severity of the environment increases exponentially. The wind here is not wind; it is a blade carrying ice particles. The cold here is not cold; it is a law-based erosion that can instantly solidify blood.
"Ordinary cold-protection magic is like paper; one must rely on high-tier ice-resistance enchantments or special-material linings. A 3rd-rank warrior in our team was frozen to death within three breaths because of a tiny crack at the neck of his armor..."
Jiang Lin frowned slightly and continued flipping. The book mentioned several magic creatures unique to the ice field:
"Ice field demonic wolves usually move in packs. A wolf king can reach the 4th-rank, and its breath can condense the air into an ice prism storm.
"Snow monsters live alone, hiding beneath snow mounds. They possess immense strength when ambushing, and their skin is as hard as refined steel. Their weaknesses are the eye sockets and the crystal core at the back of the neck.
"The most dangerous are the ice crystal giant lizards. They lurk beneath the ice and burst out during an attack. The extreme cold frost they spit from their mouths is enough to make 5th-rank defensive spells shatter instantly..."
The second book, "Northern Ruins Research", focused more on history and mysterious phenomena.
Jiang Lin noticed a key point on one of the pages:
"...The area around Shuangyu Feng has an extremely unstable spatial structure.
"Explorers have reported witnessing 'black wounds opening in the sky' or 'stepping out once and seeing the scenery change abruptly, as if placed in another space-time'.
"This is suspected to be the residual influence of large-scale ancient ice-attribute forbidden spells, or related to the 'Yuangu Binggong' ruins buried deep beneath the ice.
"When active in this area, one must carry magic items that stabilize space; otherwise, encountering spatial turbulence means a near-certain death."
The third book was a thin "Northern Survival Guide", written in concise language like notes for adventurers:
"Essential Checklist:
High-tier constant-temperature enchanted clothing (capable of resisting at least minus fifty degrees).
Ice-resistance potions (lasting more than six hours).
Directional compass (ordinary compasses are useless under the magnetic field interference of the ice field).
High-energy compressed food (daily consumption is three times that of the plains).
Signal magic scrolls (release when in danger, though blizzards may obscure them).
Note: Recommended level for solo travel—5th-rank or above.
Team recommendation: at least one 5th-rank or above ice-attribute or space-attribute mage."
Jiang Lin's gaze lingered for a moment on the line "Recommended level for solo travel—5th-rank or above", and his eyes widened.
This was bad. He was at most equivalent to a 4th-rank adventurer. If it required 5th-rank, would it be a bit forced...
He closed the books, a clear plan already taking shape in his mind:
Extreme environment, dangerous magic creatures, spatial anomalies—preparations must be absolute.
"Shuangyu Feng..."
He repeated the name from master Antonio's map in a low voice, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the tabletop.
It seemed that in addition to conventional cold-weather gear, finding an item that could handle spatial interference must also be put on the agenda.
However, as a major city, Clearwater City would certainly have the necessary items in its magic commercial district or the temple's inventory.
When Jiang Lin put back the "Northern Survival Guide", he glimpsed a thinner, almost faded booklet in the corner of the bookshelf titled "Ice Field Traveler Fragments".
He pulled it out and flipped through it casually. The inner pages were relatively new, appearing to be fragments of a traveler's diary from a not-so-distant time.
One passage of broken text caught his attention:
"...Met a lone swordsman who walked through the blizzard as if on level ground.
"He did not use any cold-protection magic, yet not a single snowflake could come within three feet of his body.
"I asked him where he was going. He only pointed toward the most towering ice peak to the north and said, 'To seek the sword'.
"I did not understand. He said, 'The bitter cold of the ice field is also a form of the sword of heaven and earth'.
"The next moment, he vanished into the wind and snow, leaving no trace. Suspected to be a high-rank warrior, or... could it be that legendary one?"
This fragment had no signature and no date, and the description was vague.
But the words "lone swordsman", "seek the sword", and "sword of heaven and earth" made Jiang Lin's heart leap.
The sharp handwriting from that letter saying "The way of the sword is vast, and the path ahead is still obscure" surfaced in his mind, along with the image master Antonio had described of the sword saint who had dispersed his cultivation to restart and faced nine alone.
"To seek the sword..."
Jiang Lin silently recited those words, feeling as if he could perceive a pursuit of the peak of swordsmanship that had spanned decades.
The authenticity of this fragment could no longer be verified. Perhaps it was just the imagination or mixed legends of some traveler, but it undoubtedly cast another stone into Jiang Lin's heart, giving him a bit more inexplicable confirmation and longing for Shuangyu Feng and the sword saint who might be living there.
He carefully placed the booklet back in its original spot.
Whether this record was true or false, it further strengthened his resolve for this journey.
If it was true, then master Antonio's location should be correct.
Jiang Lin's gaze pierced through the tall, colorful windows of the library, looking toward the distant horizon.
The sun was at its peak, but in his eyes, beyond that azure sky, the boundless white and biting chill of the Northern Ice Field seemed to have already emerged.
Afterward, Jiang Lin turned and left the library.
When he returned to the 5th-grade elite class classroom, it was already noon.
The moment Jiang Lin pushed open the door, the unique atmosphere of intense focus within the classroom rushed toward him—thirty-four students were either scribbling at their desks or meditating with closed eyes, and not one of them looked up.
Only Neil cast an inquiring glance as Jiang Lin passed by.
Jiang Lin nodded slightly to him and walked toward his own seat.
On the windowsill, Little Black was curled into a ball basking in the sun, its black fur shimmering with a warm luster under the sunlight.
He hadn't paid attention to Little Black for a while...
It had gotten fat again...
As if sensing Jiang Lin looking at it, Little Black lifted its cat eyes.
"What the hell do you want?"
"Let's go. We're going out."
"Where to now? Just go by yourself..."
Having turned into a round ball of fluff, Little Black did not want to move.
Jiang Lin was speechless; it hadn't been like this before.
"We're going on a long journey, and I don't know when we'll be back. You have to come along."
Little Black looked up at him.
"Huh? I have to go too?"
"Yes."
Pausing for a moment, Jiang Lin continued.
"We are going to the Northern Ice Field. I intend to go there to seek a master and learn their skills."
Little Black continued to stare at Jiang Lin with innocent, large eyes.
"Do I have to seek one too?"
Jiang Lin hesitated.
"Uh... you could try?"
To be fair, with Little Black's speed in learning skills, it seemed to be many times faster than himself...
So in terms of pure talent, maybe Little Black was actually better than him?
It was just that the other didn't have a cheat and couldn't directly push a skill's proficiency to the limit.
Jiang Lin began to think seriously.
No joke, if the other party advocated teaching without discrimination, maybe Little Black could actually manage to become a disciple too.
Afterward, Jiang Lin didn't waste any more breath on Little Black but instead picked it up by the scruff of its neck, bringing it onto his pirate ship.
Feeling the weight of Little Black resting on his shoulder, Jiang Lin confirmed:
"Little Black, you've definitely gotten fat!"
Little Black hissed after a long time.
"That's my physical strength increasing!! My weight will naturally increase!!"
Rate on N.U.
