"Inside were all corpses, no survivors. The food and supplies stored in the outpost were all taken." The returning soldier reported.

"These savages." The captain angrily whipped the stone beside him with his riding crop, venting his inner resentment.

After pacing back and forth for a while, he turned and asked again.

"Check the surroundings for traces, find out how the outpost was breached. Those barbarians don't have this power and intelligence."

"Yes."

An hour later, the accompanying soldiers gradually gathered to report their findings.

...

"It seems that another force led the savages to breach the outpost, and they have advanced rifles." The captain frowned.

"Plant the flag to warn any passing merchants and travelers, let's head back."

"When spring arrives next year, the mountain castle will dispatch personnel to rebuild." Despite the devastation, this mountain valley outpost could not be abandoned because it has relatively clean mountain springs that could be used for irrigation and agriculture, making it one of the crucial grain-producing areas for Shilin Mountain Castle. Otherwise, the area near the mountain castle alone could not sustain the thousands within the castle.

Later, the captain gathered the corpses inside the outpost, piled wood on them, and set them afire.

The blaze burned especially fiercely in winter, and the heat gradually dispelled the cold around them. Then the group silently watched the skeletons before them turn to ash, mounted their horses again, lifted their torches, and galloped into the night.

They weren't using the torches to see the road themselves, but to prevent their horses from stepping into voids or panicking. As Grey Feather Species, these soldiers had excellent night vision and could even pause their breathing for several minutes, halting their blood flow to enter a certain feigned death status.

This ability was specifically incorporated into their genes during the Black Sun conflicts, designed to keep them hidden under the deep mountains, quietly accumulating strength.

The next day, news of an eastern outpost's fall spread through Shilin Mountain Castle.

"If you ask me, it's definitely those savages in the east causing trouble again. Those fools who've eaten too many black tortillas haven't learned a thing."

"Eating too much black tortillas might make one stupid, but it won't make them stronger, right? How could they breach the eastern outpost this time? I remember there were a few formidable Transcendents stationed there."

"Well... maybe a few mutants appeared among the savages, like the Red Poison Species who are highly resistant to toxins and pollution. Frankly, if the Red Poison Species' gene contamination wasn't so strong, nullifying the advantageous traits of other species, many factions would likely be willing to transform themselves to look like them."

"Too ugly. Compared to the common humanoid races, the Red Poison Species' appearance is somewhat repulsive."

"Hahaha, if you want looks, why not seek the Charm Form Race? They're all handsome men and beautiful women, but unfortunately, they're too weak and often become vassals of other races."

"Don't even mention it, my greatest wish in life is to marry a Charm Form Race wife. They're truly stunning and can establish some kind of telepathy. That kind of emotional connection happiness, you wouldn't understand."

"Hmph, why wouldn't I understand? We Cat Tail Species also possess this kind of mental resonance, just not as singularly unique as the Charm Form Race." The Cat Tail Species man snorted, his tail occasionally flicking the ground behind, producing a snapping sound.

In the corner of the bar, the girl quietly eating lunch lowered the brim of her hat, finished her serving of grilled meat in small bites, then stood up, requested a takeaway from the staff, packed it in a food box she brought, and left.

Upon returning to her dwelling, the girl shook the snow off her cloak at the door, hung her coat by the entrance, placed the food box on the table, then proceeded upstairs to wake the Ice Spirit girl napping by the foot of the bed.

"It's lunchtime, Ores." Tilan's slightly chilly fingertips gently brushed the Ice Spirit girl's nose, waking her.

The girl opened her eyes, pushed away the book and blanket on her knees, then hopped onto the girl wearing slippers.

"A hug first, then I'll eat, okay?" Tilan patted Ores, who was slightly taller than herself, before they both went downstairs.

Watching Ores finish lunch, Tilan asked her how her recent reading was, and also taught Ores some cultivation knowledge to help her learn to manage that vast Magic Core within her.

"Study well, next week if there's time, we'll ride Grey Furnace and Palm to Beiti Cliff for sightseeing." The girl enticed Ores, who was also happy and expectant.

"Going out is fun~" Ores nodded.

In the afternoon, Tilan stayed in the house to read and write notes, while Ores occasionally walked around, interacted with the two little horses in the shed beside the house, patted their heads, said simple words, and fed them cooked beans.

In winter, a lot of fodder was accumulated in the stable, both to keep warm and to ensure the two didn't have to worry about food. In this abundant environment, not many animals in Shilin Mountain Castle could enjoy such comfort, so the two little creatures were quite happy.

At night, after lighting the oil lamp in the house, Tilan intended to read for a while before going to bed early. At that moment, a knocking sound came from outside the courtyard door.

"Hold on a moment." Tilan picked up the lantern hanging by the fireplace, lit it, then put on a short cloak and cloak, and went out.

Opening the door, outside the courtyard stood Sigismund and several cavalry covered in wind and snow, their eyes cold, silently following behind Sigismund.