Chapter 473: New Information about the Extreme Cold Abyss
Confronted by the Ice Queen’s counter-question, Li Wei didn’t know how to respond.
’Whatever it is, it can’t be good.’
’Perhaps these Extraordinary Influences know the Ice Queen plans to interfere with their scheme.’
’They might decide to strike at the Ice and Snow City first.’
The Ice Queen was powerful in the Extreme North Icefield, but she was still far too weak to face world-class Extraordinary Influences.
The Light Divine Sect, the Professional Association, the Mage Association, the Warrior Association... all of them were world-class Extraordinary Influences.
Any regional power was nothing more than a small fry before such behemoths.
And precisely because these were all world-class organizations, their internal politics were also incredibly complex and intertwined.
The Ice Queen’s concerns were not unfounded.
She had been willing to give this information to the Holy Knights of the Light Divine Sect because the Light Divine Sect had no need to play tricks like "borrowing the Ice Emperor’s Power."
The Light Divine Sect had more than enough backing and Power of its own.
After a long moment of contemplation, Li Wei asked, "I have one question. Why did you choose me?"
The Ice Queen stared at Li Wei, and he met her icy-blue gaze directly.
"Because you were being hunted by a Legendary Level Holy Knight from the Light Divine Sect."
Li Wei: "..."
’What kind of reason is that?’
The Ice Queen explained, "Although I didn’t know why at the time, I figured that anyone who could escape the pursuit of four Holy Knights from the Light Divine Sect—especially when one of them was a Legendary Level Holy Knight—must be exceptionally strong."
Li Wei understood.
To put it bluntly, the Ice Queen believed he was powerful enough to have a right to get involved in such a dangerous matter.
Li Wei said, "I’m afraid I must refuse. In my view, getting involved in something like this would be like a moth flying into a flame."
"I’m not as formidable as you think. The only reason I escaped from the Holy Knights is that I’m fast."
The Ice Queen said, "You’re being too modest. ’Being fast’ doesn’t begin to explain it."
Before meeting Li Wei, she might have thought the same.
But after hearing his explanation for why the Light Divine Sect was hunting him, the Ice Queen knew Li Wei’s strength was far greater than she had imagined.
An ordinary person couldn’t just steal a Holy Artifact from the Saint Hall of Light, let alone damage it.
All of this was a testament to Li Wei’s immense power.
She would never believe his claim that he’d simply "borrowed" the Goddess’s Tears.
If he had truly just borrowed it, why would he fear being hunted by the Light Divine Sect?
Even if he had damaged it, the worst that should have happened was being forced to pay compensation.
Not being able to afford the compensation would be another matter, but it certainly wouldn’t warrant the Light Divine Sect mobilizing on such a grand scale to hunt him down.
"Of course," the Ice Queen said, "I’m not asking you to do this for free."
"I happened to overhear that you seem to be interested in the legends of the Time Secret Realm in the Extreme Cold Abyss?"
A look of surprise crossed Li Wei’s face. This time, he was genuinely astonished.
He had only ever mentioned this while talking to Xiong Er.
’There shouldn’t have been anyone else there at the time.’
Even the fake waiter who had tried to poison him had been on the other side of a wall. And even if he had overheard, it was impossible that he would have told the Ice Queen.
’So, how in the world did the Ice Queen find out?’
Seeing the bewildered look on Li Wei’s face, the Ice Queen explained, "You must have heard about Fred City. They say it’s a city that belongs to the Ice Elves."
Li Wei nodded. "I’ve heard."
"But I’ve hardly seen any Ice Elves."
The first time he came to Fred City, he’d seen an Ice Elf Guard on the city wall, but that was just a fleeting glimpse.
Afterward, he never saw a single Ice Elf within the city again.
The Ice Queen smiled and raised her left hand. A fluffy white clump of snow appeared on her index finger.
"That’s because you can’t see them."
At her words, Li Wei stared at the fluffy clump of snow clinging to her index finger.
After a moment of focused perception, he was surprised to discover it was actually an Ice Elf.
An extremely weak one.
It had probably just gained consciousness, its form not yet fully coalesced.
It was completely incapable of harming a human.
Even if an ordinary person came across it, they would just assume it was a bit of fluff from a snowfall.
The Ice Queen said, "Fred City is filled with these fledgling Ice Elves. They are my eyes and ears. I can see and hear everything that happens in the city."
Hearing this, Li Wei had a sudden realization.
’So I’ve been under the Ice Queen’s surveillance this whole time.’
’No wonder it always felt like trouble found me so quickly.’
He had to admit, this ability was incredibly powerful.
Within the borders of the Ice and Snow City, the Ice Queen was like a Divine Spirit, omniscient.
This was also likely why her rule over the Ice and Snow City had remained stable for hundreds of years.
The Ice Queen said, "If you’re willing to help, I can give you some information about the Time Secret Realm. I guarantee it will be authentic and reliable."
"Besides, if you go looking for the Time Secret Realm, there’s a very high chance you’ll run into the group of people heading to the Extreme Cold Abyss to find the Ice Emperor."
"I don’t believe your encounter would be a peaceful one. They would never allow a stranger to interfere with their plans."
The Ice Queen didn’t elaborate, but Li Wei understood her meaning.
Basically, she was saying that if he went looking for the Time Secret Realm in the depths of the Extreme Cold Abyss, he would inevitably run into the people searching for the Ice Emperor.
A battle would be unavoidable at that point.
He might as well just cooperate with her.
After a moment of thought, Li Wei looked at the Ice Queen and asked, "What is this ’authentic information’ you have about the Time Secret Realm?"
The Ice Queen smiled, not bothering to ask if Li Wei had agreed to help.
By asking the question, Li Wei had already revealed his stance.
She answered, "The Time Secret Realm does indeed exist within the Extreme Cold Abyss, but it only appears at a specific point in time."
Li Wei’s expression shifted. "When?"
The Ice Queen said, "At the moment of transition between the polar night and the midnight sun."
Li Wei frowned and blurted out, "Doesn’t that mean there’s only one chance per year?"
The Ice Queen smiled. "Incorrect. It’s one chance every thirty-three years. The cycle of polar night and midnight sun in the Extreme North Icefield is thirty-three years long."
Li Wei was dumbfounded. Then a crucial question came to mind.
He quickly pressed, "Then when is the next transition?"
"In seven days," the Ice Queen replied.
Li Wei breathed a sigh of relief. At least he wouldn’t have to wait for years.
He was also grateful to have made it in time. If he had missed it, he would have had to wait another thirty-three years.
"It’s too early for you to be relieved," the Ice Queen said. "It takes at least three days just to travel from here to the Extreme Cold Abyss."
"And from the entrance of the Extreme Cold Abyss to where the Time Secret Realm appears will take at least another two days."
"In other words, assuming no unexpected delays, you’ll need five full days and nights just for the journey."
The look on Li Wei’s face froze.