I didn't expect that it was all on you.

"How is this possible? You've been flying in this snowstorm the whole time?"

A Zhan Yue Sect Disciple couldn't help but ask in surprise.

Facing his repeated question, Zhong Qing simply nodded.

But his nod, in the eyes of the crowd, made it difficult for them to remain calm.

Sect Master Lan Tianhe of Zhan Yue Sect was also somewhat shocked.

However, this seemed to be the only explanation for why, even though they were going the same way, they had never been able to see or perceive each other.

Because the other party was directly above them, in a snowstorm that could largely block even perception, how could they have noticed?

Sect Master Lan Tianhe's gaze towards the two changed again.

It seemed these two, as he had thought, were both powerful cultivators.

Or at least one of them had a cultivation no less than his own.

He, alone, with a Sanyin Realm cultivation, could indeed fly long distances in this mountain snowstorm.

But bringing the entire Sect along would be absolutely impossible.

And Zhong Qing only had two people; if both were powerful cultivators, or if one of them had a cultivation comparable to his own, flying through the snowstorm would not be an unbelievable feat.

Thinking of this, Sect Master Lan Tianhe relaxed and cupped his fists at the two.

"So that's how it is; I was overthinking things."

"This Sect Master of Zhan Yue Sect, Sect Leader Lan Tianhe, may I ask Your Excellency's name?"

"Zhong Qing."

Zhong Qing was concise.

Hei Bai, however, completely ignored Sect Leader Lan Tianhe's question, simply standing silently behind Zhong Qing.

This made the latter somewhat awkward, while also subtly observing Hei Bai.

In his perception, although he couldn't detect Hei Bai's cultivation aura, a faint, cold sense of threat emanated from him.

To make him feel this way, Sect Leader Lan Tianhe's conviction grew stronger: this person was likely also a powerful Sanyin Realm expert, possessing strength no less than his own.

Of course, if it weren't for this, he wouldn't have been so polite to Zhong Qing and his companion, who had quietly approached his group.

Possessing formidable strength, being able to approach silently, yet not making a move but instead speaking directly—this in itself was a gesture of non-hostility.

In Sect Leader Lan Tianhe's view, although Zhong Qing's cultivation was indiscernible, his bone age appeared to be only in his twenties at first glance, so his cultivation was likely not very high.

But he possessed an extraordinary demeanor, and beside him was a profound expert like Hei Bai.

Perhaps he was a Young Master from some major power, and Hei Bai was his Sect elder or similar.

At this moment, Sect Leader Lan Tianhe seemed to sense something; a patterned iron piece appeared in his hand, identical to the Secret Realm iron piece in Zhong Qing's hand.

The iron piece was currently vibrating continuously, seemingly resonating with its kind.

"This is... it seems Your Excellency also possesses Secret Realm keys."

Sect Leader Lan Tianhe was somewhat surprised: "And from the resonance I perceive, it seems there's more than one!"

The fact that Secret Realm iron pieces could resonate and sense each other when close was something Zhong Qing already knew, so he didn't deny it, simply nodding and casually pulling out two Secret Realm iron pieces.

"Indeed!" Sect Leader Lan Tianhe's eyes flashed: "Before coming, this Sect Master had already gathered intelligence: three iron pieces are held by the other three first-rate power Sects in our Southern Region."

"But the remaining two were unaccounted for."

"I didn't expect them both to be with Your Excellency."

Zhong Qing noticed Sect Leader Lan Tianhe's words and asked, "What, are there a total of six Secret Realm fragments?"

"That's right." Sect Leader Lan Tianhe nodded: "Only when all six fragments are gathered can the Baifeng Secret Realm entrance be opened, and the Baifeng Secret Realm is located deep within the White Wind Plains."

"Presumably, Your Excellency has also come for the Baifeng Secret Realm."

Zhong Qing nodded, but this time he didn't ask what was in the Baifeng Secret Realm.

Since they were both here for the Secret Realm, they were naturally considered competitors.

Not directly snatching the fragments, this person's character was already quite good; expecting him to reveal information about the Secret Realm would be a bit far-fetched.

"There's still some distance to the Mountain Pass from here. Since our objectives are the same, why don't we travel together?"

Sect Leader Lan Tianhe actually took the initiative to invite Zhong Qing to travel with them.

Zhong Qing pondered for a moment and did not refuse; the two parties once again embarked on their journey.

However, the Disciples of Zhan Yue Sect still looked at Zhong Qing's back with a strange expression.

After all, this person had just silently blended into their group and started talking as if nothing had happened, which was truly a bit unsettling.

Sect Leader Lan Tianhe looked at Zhong Qing and his companion, his eyes flickering, and he began to consider forming a connection.

Although they were both here for the Secret Realm and were inherently competitors.

There was no need to immediately engage in a life-or-death struggle.

Of course, most importantly, in Sect Leader Lan Tianhe's view, Zhong Qing and his companion were unfathomable, and the Black-Robed Person's strength was likely no less than his own.

If he wasn't confident enough to take down the other party, rashly making an enemy would be unwise; forming a connection was also an option.

Of course, not everyone would think this way.

Some people, confident in their own strength, having long held high positions, never paid attention to others.

As they traveled, Sect Leader Lan Tianhe spoke.

"I didn't expect Your Excellency, at such a young age, to obtain two Secret Realm fragments alone. You must have profound good fortune."

"But Your Excellency must also be careful."

"Presumably, Your Excellency also knows that these Secret Realm iron pieces are actually one entity, and thus will resonate when they get close to each other."

"Especially when approaching the White Wind Plains, influenced by the emanating Secret Realm Qi, this resonance will become even stronger."

"Other people holding iron pieces can easily tell that Your Excellency has more than one Secret Realm iron piece on you."

"These Secret Realm iron pieces are extremely precious, and it's inevitable that some people will harbor ill intentions. Your Excellency should be careful."

Zhong Qing merely smiled faintly at the words: "Is that so? Thank you for the reminder."

Sect Leader Lan Tianhe saw Zhong Qing's indifferent demeanor, secretly shook his head, and said no more.

When traveling, it's most taboo to speak too deeply with new acquaintances; since the two parties had just met, and the other party didn't seem to care, saying more might backfire.

Soon, as everyone traversed snowy mountains and passed through valleys, at the end of their vision, amidst the continuous mountain ranges, a conspicuous gap appeared.

"We've arrived. That is the White Wind Mountain Pass; once we pass the Mountain Pass, we will enter the White Wind Plains."

As everyone gradually approached the Mountain Pass, the howling blizzard seemed to weaken. By the time they were about to reach the Mountain Pass, the snowstorm had already diminished significantly, appearing as if it was about to stop.

Sect Leader Lan Tianhe breathed a sigh of relief: "Thankfully, the snowstorm in these mountains is the aftershock of White Wind. It seems we've just caught the time when White Wind is pausing, so we weren't late."