Otherworld Advance Team
Chapter 867 - 860: Resting Midway

Chapter 867: Chapter 860: Resting Midway

Luo’er estimated that after sending Xilia away, it took them about a week to reach the North Lead Corridor; indeed, it was a challenging journey.

Once they arrived at the North Lead Corridor, he immediately fitted the mules and horses with anti-slip horseshoe nails, enabling them to move directly over the frozen surface of the Ebia River. This way, even though there was no shelter and the chilly winds were even more cutting, their speed could be significantly increased.

Because there was little snow accumulation on the ice, they didn’t have to trudge through thick snow, and although the bitter cold winds were uncomfortable, their speed was not reduced.

Leaving the North Lead Corridor as soon as possible was Luo’er’s sole goal at the moment. It was cold in the Snow Domain as well, but not as constantly windy as the North Lead Corridor.

It should be noted that the wind is a significant factor in lowering temperatures; the cold winds could rapidly strip a person of their body warmth, leading to hypothermia. Even the Snow Elves couldn’t withstand it—after all, they rely on their physique and fat for warmth, not on fur.

Therefore, as soon as they reached the North Lead Corridor, the entire Advance Team took shelter inside Melia’s carriage, including Eve, a half-blood Snow Elf, and Cheng Ziang, who also had Snow Elf heritage—without exception.

The livestock they rode were specially adapted for such severe cold environments and were relatively indifferent to such conditions, but the people could not bear it.

It must be said, the carriage Melia had provided for them truly came to everyone’s aid in a big way. Without this magical, warmth-generating carriage, they would have probably frozen nearly to death just riding their horses.

Even the driver’s seat of the carriage was a semi-open, semi-enclosed design, offering some protection against the cold winds for those handling the carriage. After all, Masya is mountainous and directly faces the North Lead Corridor, so they take cold protection seriously.

However, contrary to expectations given the harsh environment, Luo’er surprisingly found that numerous trade caravans traveled this road. They set off from the Snow Domain loaded with precious fur goods, traveling alongside the river all the way to Luofu Port, then by ship to Yazhi City to sell these precious furs to Earthlings. This was one of the few luxury items from the Otherworld that could be exported to Earth.

After all, environmental and animal protection organizations on Earth gave the fur traders in various countries a headache. Importing animal fur from the Otherworld didn’t pose the same problems, as these organizations, no matter how powerful, couldn’t regulate another world.

With the increase in the number of trade caravans, a path formed on the river’s surface. Even though this path would melt in the summer, it didn’t stop these traders from forging a new route.

Before arriving at the North Lead Corridor, Luo’er had always thought nearly nobody would venture into the Snow Domain for trade. It appeared now that he had been too naive. Interest is the greatest motivator; for profit, these merchants are always the bravest adventurers.

However, after traveling for a few days, Luo’er noticed that most caravans were returning from the Snow Domain, and hardly any were seen entering from Masya. It seemed that these people had probably entered the Snow Domain before the heavy snowfalls, and likely, they were forced to take the land route because the sea routes were closed.

When the team stopped for the evening, Luo’er found a sheltered spot to set up camp, began clearing away the snow from the riverbank, opened up a space, and lit a campfire.

"Aiya, I’ve always felt that we shouldn’t have entered the Snow Domain at this time of the year. This whole way, it’s almost frozen me to death," Hu Daoke rubbed his hands nonstop by the fire and lamented.

"Is it that cold?" Cheng Ziang shrugged, seemingly unconcerned.

"This is why I don’t like talking to you. Just look at what you’re saying—is that something a human would say? Of course, you’re not cold because you have Snow Elf blood, but have you considered our feelings?" Hu Daoke rolled his eyes and shot back without any reservation.

"Alright, we’re already halfway there. What’s the use of talking about this now?" Luo’er said soothingly, handing him a bowl of soup—a canned pork soup.

Hu Daoke accepted the bowl and guzzled down the steaming broth without a second thought, feeling much relieved. But soon after, he grimaced and said, "Boss, I want to eat fresh meat. We’ve been eating canned food for too many days."

"You’re hopeless, always looking a gift horse in the mouth," Cheng Ziang glared at him and retorted, "Why don’t we slaughter the horses pulling the cart, and you pull the cart? Then we would all have horse meat to eat."

"Come on, no need for such talk among ourselves," Luo’er waved dismissively and then pondered for a moment before saying, "With heavy snow sealing the mountains now, I suppose it will be hard to find any game."

"If you guys want to eat some meat, just give me a gun. I can hunt for you," Eve suddenly spoke up from the side.

"You know how to hunt?" Cheng Ziang turned to look at her and asked.

"Underestimating me, huh?" Eve rolled her eyes and replied, "My mother taught me how to survive in the heavy snow. Of course, I know how to hunt in the tundra."

"But your shooting skills..." Luo’er said hesitantly.

"I’ll go with her as a guide, and I’ll do the hunting," Baiyue said, stepping forward with the sniper rifle and volunteering herself.

"If you go..." Luo’er looked at her, uncertainly said.

"Don’t worry," Baiyue looked up, noting that the sun had not yet set and they still had a chance to hunt game. So she said to Luo’er, "The wind has obviously died down a lot now, and I think it’s the best time to hunt. Our food supplies are running low, and it would be best if we could get some more. Otherwise, I’m worried we’ll starve before we make it through the North Lead Corridor."

"Then fine, you two be careful," Luo’er thought for a long time before nodding his head in agreement with her plan.

"Need my help?" Hu Daoke sprang up from the ground.

"No need," Baiyue glanced at him, then shook her head and said, "Just wait to eat."

"No, we’re iron hunting partners, aren’t we? How could you suddenly change your mind?" Hu Daoke protested.

"Give me a break, iron partners? You’re just going there to assist her, pretending like all the game was shot by you," Cheng Ziang rolled his eyes and couldn’t help but scoff.

"Hey, you little rascal, is it too cold out? Want to start a fight to warm up?" Hu Daoke retorted, turning back and glaring at him.

"I’m happy to oblige," Cheng Ziang said, not backing down.

"That’s enough, both of you settle down!" Luo’er interjected, trying to defuse the situation.

Then he looked seriously at Baiyue and said, "You’d better set off quickly. Go and return soon. Whether or not you manage to bag some game, you must come back before it gets dark."

"Yes, I understand," Baiyue nodded, stood up with her sniper rifle, and followed Eve away from the campfire.

Feng sat there, watching them leave with a thoughtful look on her face. Once they were out of sight, she suddenly stood up.

"What, you want to follow them?" Cheng Ziang asked from the side.

"No," Feng shook her head, then turned and walked away from the campfire.

She arrived at an open area, glanced around, took a deep breath, and closed her eyes while drawing her long knife.

Suddenly, she swung her long knife fiercely, then sheathed it with a flourish and ran excitedly in a particular direction.

It wasn’t long before she returned to the campfire, now holding the corpse of a small animal in her hand. Judging by its appearance, it seemed to be a small mammal similar to a snow rabbit, but somewhat nauseatingly, the animal’s head had been chopped off, leaving a trail of bright red blood.

"Game," Feng said excitedly, presenting the hunted animal to Luo’er. The blood dripped into the fire, instantly steamed up, and gave off an unpleasant smell.

"Impressive," Luo’er complimented as he took the game.

He hadn’t expected that Feng’s sensory abilities weren’t just useful for locating enemies but could also be used for finding game. If he had known, he would have sent her along with Baiyue earlier. Her wide sensory range could have been a big advantage.

Luo’er melted snow in a pot and started to clean the small animal. After about an hour of work, he chopped the animal into ingredients, placed them in the pot with some spices, and began to simmer.

Now that they didn’t have much in the way of seasonings left, Luo’er also gave up the previous method of half stewing and half roasting. After all, being full was the immediate priority, while taste was secondary and not as important.

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