CHAPTER 530: TRAVEL AND NON-TRAVEL TRAVEL CHAPTER FIFTY TREASURY

If given the choice, spending the night in a frigid mountain cave would be the last situation anyone would want to accept. The howling mountain wind outside sounded like the roar of an ancient beast, making one worry that just poking a head out of the cave mouth would result in being swallowed by a massive jaw. The cold invaded from all directions, as thin and gentle as spider silk, pervading every crevice and taking away the last vestiges of warmth.

Lynch’s spells seemed unable to ward off this annoying chill; even the firewall erected at the entrance wavered briefly before extinguishing. The firewood for the bonfire burned quickly, yet no one could descend the mountain to gather more. Everyone watched the gradually fading flames with silence.

Elf Cookies and Dwarf Liquor became the most popular items here; just a small bite could reinvigorate a person, at least temporarily allowing them to forget their surroundings. Knight Macken had not closed his eyes all night, occasionally checking on the team’s physical condition to prevent them from slipping into a permanent coma due to hypothermia.

For the first time, everyone eagerly anticipated the sight of the beautiful sun; even if it just showed briefly behind the clouds, it would be enough to boost spirits. Yet, within the vast clouds, there was only a brutal force harboring snow, cold, and unending gale.

No one knew what time they set out, but everyone understood in their hearts that reaching the Dwarf Kingdom at Ice Furnace Peak was their most urgent task. They advanced one after another in the blizzard. Snowflakes constantly whipped their eyes, and everything besides the white expanse became blurred.

Lynch walked at the back of the group, his Eye of Insight the only thing maintaining a clear view. Supported by an almost infinite source of magic power, the Mage continuously ignited firewalls on the path near the Abyss to mark the perilous edge while also providing brief warmth. Witch Demon Heiss silently observed Mage Lynch’s performance, not daring to utter a word. Originally intending to perform some tricks under the cover of the snow, realizing that Lynch could see all the roads, how could it not detect its actions?

Norton flew back and forth, although moving somewhat erratically in the high winds, he still managed to tend to his companions, reaching out a hand to help or steady those who were stumbling, tirelessly enjoying his work.

A chasm appeared before them, a narrow path cutting through towering cliffs. The howling wind was audacious here to the extreme, whipping the snowflakes and spewing mercilessly out of the gorge. Dwarf Morgan gestured to the group, his red beard now transformed into a white block of ice. "We’re about to reach the entrance, stay close."

In front of the group, Lynch fully supported a force field wall; otherwise, the relatively weaker Soka might be swept away by the wind. Witch Demon Heiss chanted a spell, and everyone felt their muscles grow sturdier, enabling a firm grip on the ground. Morgan stubbornly led the way, while others crouched low, fingers gripping the crevices in the rocks.

As they moved, Morgan pointed to the right, then half of his body disappeared into the rocks. Everyone was stunned, only then noticing a passage there. The dwarves had sculpted the stones to match the cliff’s appearance perfectly, impossible to discern under such fierce wind and snow. Lynch’s Eye of Insight could pierce illusions, but there were no spells here; even if he saw the passage, it wouldn’t catch his mind’s attention.

After entering the side passage, the environment instantly calmed. The corridor’s engineering was so ingenious that the raging wind and snow outside couldn’t cross the threshold. The group lightly shook off the snow covering their bodies, finally able to stand upright.

"Welcome, my friends!" Morgan’s face was flushed with excitement: "Welcome to the dwarven realm, my homeland!"

Several familiar friends patted him on the shoulder, and the group moved forward with reverence. After three turns, the narrow path ended at a stone wall. Morgan stepped forward to knock on the hard rock, loudly reporting in Dwarf Language. With the heavy sound of stones sliding, a door unfolded before Lynch.

A few dwarves emerged; upon seeing Red Beard Morgan, they were momentarily surprised before embracing tightly. "Oh! Morgan, you’ve finally returned! You seem even stronger now!" some said, "This time, you must tell us about your adventures! I’ve been saving some good liquor for a while!"