"Weâve arrived, here it is. Senior Zhang, please wait here for a moment while I contact Taoist Friend Wu to come out!"
Outside a remote courtyard in the marketplace, the white-robed man brought Zhou Chun here, immediately showing a flattering expression, bowing repeatedly toward him, then taking out a communication talisman to notify the owner inside.
After a moment, the courtyard gate opened from the inside, and a middle-aged man with a face full of worry came out.
This middle-aged man only had a Middle Stage Purple Mansion cultivation level and seemed injured, his breath slightly uneven.
Seeing Zhou Chun standing with the white-robed man, he was immediately surprised, quickly bowing and saluting, "Junior Wu Yishan greets Senior!"
"No need for formalities, Taoist Friend Wu."
Zhou Chun nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to the white-robed man, signaling him to facilitate communication.
The white-robed man knew he couldnât avoid the matter, so he took a deep breath, smiling and introducing, "Come, come, let me introduce, this is Senior Zhang Liang."
He then quietly explained the intention, "Senior Zhang Liang is here to hire Taoist Friend Wu to guide us to the Fish Eye Ice Lake in the depths of the ice fields. Itâs a good deal!"
"Fish Eye Ice Lake? Thatâs in the depths of the ice field, beyond the fifth boundary!"
Wu Yishan was slightly shocked, showing a cautious expression in his eyes.
Seeing this, the white-robed man was afraid he might refuse, quickly said, "Itâs merely guiding the way, with Senior Zhang beside you, who has a Golden Core Middle Stage cultivation, there wonât be any danger. Perhaps along the way, you might find spiritual objects to suppress the injuries within your niece."
Hearing him mention his daughterâs stubborn illness, Wu Yishan couldnât help but change his expression slightly, immediately filled with worry.
He gritted his teeth and said, "Alright, please let Senior Zhang and Taoist Friend Liu come in for some tea while I consider the matter."
With that, he stepped aside and gestured, inviting Zhou Chun and the others inside the courtyard.
In the inner living room, Wu Yishan naturally dared not assume the hostâs position, directly inviting Zhou Chun to the main seat, while he and the white-robed man sat at the lower seats.
Shortly after they sat down, a worn-out looking young woman in white came to the living room with tea, offering spiritual tea to the guests.
"This is my daughter, Jade Bead. She has a stubborn illness, making mobility difficult, she can only manage tasks like serving tea and water."
Seeing Zhou Chunâs gaze linger on the young woman, Wu Yishan quickly explained, then slightly bowed and said, "Our humble abode is simple, lacking good tea for hospitality, we hope Senior Zhang understands."
Unexpectedly, after hearing his words, Zhou Chun suddenly said, "Although she seems physically weak and frail, there is hidden fire energy within her body. Could it be a form of fire poison?"
Having heard such comments before, Wu Yishan paused for a moment, then sighed gently, "Seniorâs eyes are truly sharp!"
He nodded mournfully, "Indeed, my daughter is afflicted by fire poison, and we are forced to suppress it with the power of ice-element spiritual objects!"
Seeing him admit it, Zhou Chun couldnât help but feel curious, immediately asked, "In the Ice Barbarian Country, there are many Golden Core Stage cultivators practicing ice attribute techniques. Has Taoist Friend Wu not sought their help?"
Wu Yishan, hearing this, could only smile bitterly, spreading his hands, "Junior has naturally sought help, and not merely two or three!"
Then, eyes filled with hopelessness, he murmured softly, "Even the Great Elder, Senior Li, of the Hanshan Sect, with a Golden Core Late Stage cultivation, has personally tried but said he couldnât guarantee removing the fire poison without endangering my daughterâs life. Who else can Junior seek help from?"
Upon hearing this, the young woman by his side immediately lowered her head deeply, tears streaming down her face, softly lamenting, "Itâs all my fault! Without my burden, father wouldnât have needed to leave family and homeland for the Ice Barbarian Country, wouldnât have to waste resources obtained at the risk of his life on me, wouldnât have stalled in cultivation for decades without progress!"
Seeing this, Wu Yishan quickly embraced his daughter to comfort her, "You silly girl, what nonsense are you saying! I am your father, as long as I have breath, I wonât let anything happen to you, itâs also your motherâs wish on her deathbed!!"
Afterwards, he quickly apologized to Zhou Chun, "Apologies for making Senior Zhang laugh, let me send my daughter back to her room and return shortly to host Senior."
Unexpectedly, at this moment Zhou Chun spoke, "If Taoist Friend Wu doesnât mind, I can take a look at your daughter. Of course, if you prefer otherwise, just pretend I didnât say anything."
"This..."
Wu Yishan hesitated slightly, seeming a bit uncertain, not agreeing immediately.
Having experienced too many disappointments, each hope turning into despair, he dared not hold hopes for Zhou Chunâs proposal.
After all, he could feel that Zhou Chun was not a cultivator of ice or water attribute techniques, nor did he seem to practice fire or wood attribute techniques.
Yet, his daughter Wu Yuzhu had a better mindset, or perhaps she had long resolved to make the best of the situation, quickly responded for him, "Since Senior Zhang is willing to lend a hand, Junior is naturally grateful beyond words!"
"Yes, yes, thank you for your trouble, Senior Zhang!"