Before long, the two men arrived at their destination. The Frost Emperor pointed at the wooden slip furthest in. “Alliance Leader Lu, please read that one. It is our earliest record.”
Lu Yin felt curious, and he immediately picked up the wooden slip to read it, only to discover that the text had long since disappeared. He picked up the next one, but that was also missing its text. He turned to look at the Frost Emperor.
The Frost Emperor sighed. “Even writing has a shelf life, and too much time has passed. If it weren’t for the fact that these pieces of wood are made from a very strange material, even the wood would have disappeared by now. If you look at the various records, you will notice that some text is missing from many of the records and that my Royal Frost Continent is missing a great, great deal of our history.”
“But when he spoke with me, Shao Yangxun’s behavior was quite strange. I offered for him to move the residents of the Royal Frost Continent to the Outerverse, and he refused. He said that emigrating is not possible, but apparently, even Lord Frost Emperor does not know why.” Lu Yin coldly continued, saying, “I, Lu Yin, am willing to do my best to help, but if Subzero City insists on keeping matters hidden, then this junior will leave.”
The Frost Emperor smiled and replied, “It’s not that we are hiding anything, but rather that we have to admit to Alliance Leader Lu that my Royal Frost Continent is missing much of our history. There are details of our history that were never recorded down, but were instead passed down orally. Although I don’t know why this is so, that is how certain things have been passed down through the generations.”
Lu Yin grew even more curious.
The Frost Emperor pointed at the ground. “Beneath Subzero City, at the center of the Royal Frost Continent, there is a sourcebox array, and it is a seal.”
“A sourcebox array? What is it sealing?” Lu Yin was caught by surprise, but anything to do with a sourcebox array would trigger his curiosity, as not just any Lockbreaker could arrange a sourcebox array, especially one that covered such a large area. It would take a Lockbreaker at least at the Array Master level to set up such an array. There were very few Array Masters even when looking at all of recorded history.
The Frost Emperor shook his head and solemnly replied, “The ancestors never specifically said what the seal was for. They merely asked that, when the next generation took over the position of city lord, to swear to never abandon the Royal Frost Continent, to never open the seal, and to always protect the seal without ever allowing anyone to open it. Even if hundreds of millions of people in Subzero City die, even if the Frost Emperor’s lineage dies off, that seal can never be opened.”
Lu Yin’s brows climbed high. “It sounds like your ancestors were very concerned about that seal.”
The Frost Emperor simply replied, “Not just very concerned—they were more concerned about it than my own life.”
Lu Yin felt helpless. “Then there’s nothing this junior can do. I’ll take my leave.”
After speaking, Lu Yin moved to leave.
The Frost Emperor said, “Alliance Leader Lu, I understand that not saying anything is not how one should behave when asking for help, and all I can promise you is that, if you are able to help my Royal Frost Continent, then all you need to do is send word and I, the Frost Emperor, will immediately move out to give you my aid. This includes my palace. Also-” The Frost Emperor grew even more serious as he spoke. “I can swear to you that I have no information regarding what is beneath that seal at all. If I have misled you in any way, then I pray to suffer a life worse than death.”
Lu Yin quickly stopped. “There’s no need for Lord Frost Emperor to behave in this manner. I trust you.”
The Frost Emperor nodded. “Thank you, Alliance Leader Lu, and I also offer the thanks of the hundreds of millions of people upon my Royal Frost Continent.”
After everything that the Frost Emperor had said, it was no longer easy for Lu Yin to walk away. He believed what the older man had said, as cultivators would not casually make such oaths. This was not due to any sort of superstition or belief in a deity, but rather that breaking such oaths could easily affect a cultivator’s mindset. Thus, the more powerful a cultivator was, the less likely it was that they would casually make such an oath.
Also, if what had been placed beneath the sourcebox array was truly that important, then it was no surprise that information about it had not been shared with the later generations.
Lu Yin lowered his head; he was genuinely curious, just what had been sealed down there?
“Alliance Leader Lu, please help us contact a powerful Lockbreaker. Only Lockbreakers are able to repair this sourcebox array. The freezing cold destroying the Royal Frost Continent comes from what is beneath that seal, and if the sourcebox array is fully repaired, then there will be no need for us to try to protect ourselves from this terrible cold,” the Frost Emperor asked.
Lu Yin countered, “Why ask another Lockbreaker for help? I’m also a Lockbreaker.”
The Frost Emperor smiled. “I’m not looking down on Alliance Leader Lu, but it’s just that you are too young.”
Lu Yin raised his gadget and accessed the Lockbreaker Network. “Senior Frost Emperor, this junior is a Boundless Advanced Lockbreaker.”
The Frost Emperor was shocked. “Boundless Advanced?”
He took a look at the profile page on the Lockbreaker Network and then at Lu Yin before admiringly commenting, “So you are a Boundless Advanced Lockbreaker at such a young age. Even when searching across the entire universe and its countless geniuses, you can stand proud. There are not many who can accomplish such a feat.”
Lu Yin lowered his gadget.
“However, a Boundless Advanced Lockbreaker still won’t be able to help us. We need someone who is an Array Master, and that is the minimum rank,” the Frost Emperor said.
Lu Yin raised a hand, and the star energy around him shifted. He then waved his hand, causing a nearby wooden slip to move away.
The Frost Emperor was caught off guard. “A sourcebox array?”
Lu Yin nodded. “The difference between an Array Master and an ordinary Lockbreaker is that an Array Master has comprehended the method to arrange sourcebox arrays. Since this junior has comprehended a sourcebox array, then I wonder, might I be able to help?”
The Frost Emperor stared at Lu Yin in amazement yet again. Shao Yangxun had returned from the outside world and shared many things with the Frost Emperor, mostly about Lu Yin. The truth was that the Frost Emperor believed that Shao Yangxun’s stories about Lu Yin were exaggerated. How could an Envoy be so polite to a mere Hunter? The Frost Emperor had practically begged Lu Yin for help and cast aside all of his dignity. But despite all of that, the older man was still stunned by what Lu Yin had revealed.
This youth was far more than what Shao Yangxun had shared with the Frost Emperor.
Although all of the Frost Emperors were born on the Royal Frost Continent, that did not mean that they remained on the Royal Frost Continent for their entire lives. They also needed to leave and gain experience about the word. The current Frost Emperor was quite well informed of the outside universe, and his knowledge allowed him to better appreciate Lu Yin’s achievements.
The Frost Emperor could not understand how such a young man had managed to reach this level so quickly. Lu Yin had united the Outerverse, honed his fighting skills, become one of the Ten Arbiters, and even reached the peak of his generation in regards to his lockbreaking skills.
The Frost Emperor sighed. “Alliance Leader Lu, there must be no one within your generation who can surpass you. Please follow me.” He no longer refused Lu Yin’s request, as that would be too disrespectful. All that the Frost Emperor could do at this time was allow Lu Yin to try.
Lu Yin acted modestly and followed the Frost Emperor. He was looking forward to seeing the sourcebox array.
Every sourcebox array was uniquely different, and regardless of whether it was a matter of comprehending, arranging, or repairing a sourcebox array, all of it would help improve a Lockbreakers abilities.
Lu Yin was confident that he could repair this sourcebox array, in large part because he had Gu Yue’s journal.
Gu Yue had not been an ordinary Lockbreaker, and although Lu Yin was not exactly sure what level Gu Yue had reached, Lu Yin was certain that the ancient powerhouse had not merely been an Array Master.
The foundation of Subzero City consisted of several layers, and the lower that one descended, the warmer it became.
Lu Yin followed the Frost Emperor about 10,000 meters down through the underground levels, and he peered through the darkness.
“Alliance Leader Lu, we are now standing atop the seal formed by the sourcebox array,” the Frost Emperor said.
Lu Yin was surprised; they were right above the sourcebox array right now? He could not feel any danger zones from the sourceboxes. His pupils then transformed into runes as he looked down, after which his pupils instantly shrank upon seeing the boundless number of rune lines.
His eyes quickly returned to normal, and Lu Yin squatted down to touch the ground. He looked up and stared off into the distance. “Senior, this sourcebox array is huge.”
The Frost Emperor’s eyes flashed. “How big?”
Lu Yin answered, “It spreads across the entirety of the Royal Frost Continent.”
The Frost Emperor’s eyes narrowed as he slowly nodded. “What do you need in order to prepare, Alliance Leader Lu?”
Lu Yin shook his head. “Let me just try, though I likely won’t be able to succeed.”
The Frost Emperor softly answered, “It’s fine to at least take a look.”
He then quietly stood there and watched Lu Yin.
Lu Yin had no confidence that he could repair this particular sourcebox array. The truth of the matter was that he could not even understand this array, much less determine if the cold came from the sourcebox array or if the array was attempting to seal the cold away.
This sourcebox array was vastly beyond what Lu Yin was capable of understanding, and it was impossible to repair with his level of skills. Still, he needed to at least try, as just the attempt would likely help improve his lockbreaking skills.
The Frost Emperor was not concerned that Lu Yin might break the seal, but still, the instructions of his ancestors made him grow increasingly cautious as he stared at Lu Yin.
Soil covered the sourcebox array, and ordinary people would not even be able to find it. Even though Lu Yin’s star energy control had entered the Worldliness realm, he could not find anything wrong with the sourcebox array. Helpless, he activated Truesight once again.
The number of rune lines that he saw as soon as he activated Truesight were overwhelming, and the sight could easily damage Lu Yin’s eyes. But fortunately, it also allowed him to pinpoint exactly where the breach in the sourcebox array was.
Subzero City sat at the center of the Royal Frost Continent, and it did not cover the entire continent, but the sourcebox array did.
The location of the array’s leak was at the southernmost region of the Royal Frost Continent.
Lu Yin had found the leak.
When the Frost Emperor saw this, hope filled his eyes. Since Lu Yin was able to find the leak, then it indicated that Lu Yin had some understanding of the array. Could this young man actually fix the sourcebox array?
Of course, Lu Yin was not able to repair the array, and he had only managed to accomplish this much because of how miraculous Truesight was.
The cold wind raged, and Lu Yin felt chilled all over. The low temperature made him feel as if his entire body was about to freeze over. If not for the barrier surrounding the city, most of the continent’s residents actually would have already frozen by now.
The chill was leaking out from the ground thousands of miles away from the city.
Lu Yin took out Gu Yue’s journal as the pattern of the rune lines that he had just seen with Truesight appeared in his mind. Like that, he started trying to understand the sourcebox array.
One day, two days, three days…
Back in Subzero City, Ku Wei woke up. He glanced around and saw Shao Yangxun and felt a bit confused. “Are we back on Zhenyu Star?”
Shao Yangxun calmly looked back at Ku Wei. “You’re on the Royal Frost Continent.”
Ku Wei blinked. “What?”
Shao Yangxun repeated, “We’re on the Royal Frost Continent.”
Ku Wei averted his eyes and rubbed the place where his head ached. After thinking for a long while, his eyes reopened, and he glared at Shao Yangxun. “I remember now! Brother Wei was frozen! Where’s Seventh Bro?”
Shao Yangxun looked away. “He’s helping our Royal Frost Continent.”
Ku Wei wondered, “Helping? Since when has Seventh Bro been a good Samaritan?”
Shao Yangxun replied, “Just go and take a walk once you’re up and moving. Just remember—this is Subzero City, so don’t cause trouble.”
“You’re the only one making trouble! Brother Wei is the kindest! I’m going to go find Seventh Bro,” Ku Wei said.
Shao Yangxun stopped Ku Wei. “Wait, His Highness will return soon. He’s busy right now.”
Ku Wei stared at Shao Yangxun. “You wouldn’t do anything to Seventh Bro, right? I’m warning you—Seventh Bro has very impressive backing. Forget you, as not even the Sword Sect or the Hall of Honor’s nine overseers can do anything to him.”
Shao Yangxun grew cold and arrogant. “If we wanted to do something to His Highness, then why would we bother keeping you alive? Do you think that you’re worth more than His Highness?”
“Yan Yan, do you have a problem?” Ku Wei gritted his teeth.
Shao Yangxun stared back at Ku Wei. “You can’t beat me. My memory has returned, and my strength has also recovered. My power level surpasses 300,000 now.”
Ku Wei was stunned. “You have a power level over 300,000?”
Shao Yangxun put a hand on Ku Wei’s shoulder and suddenly pushed him back. “Either rest or take a walk, but don’t cause any trouble.”
After saying that, Shao Yangxun walked out.
