In a grassy plain a long caravan was prepared to set off. After three days of preparation all the tents and research equipment had been packed up and the Leiss contingent was ready to set off. The Ironhand spies had yet to find out the reason why the the Ice Queen would just suddenly abandon such a strategic resource. The findings of the fog dissipating had been kept top secret and it could be said that only the head researcher, Jack the hunchback and the Ice Queen herself knew. All of the research head's assistants during the discovery had been permanently silenced. After all, dead men tell no tales. In this manner the Blood Emperor continued to brood on the matter without any headway until finally when they were about to leave he decided to find out himself.

A cold chill blew into the Ice Queen's carriage and an old man suddenly materialised in the couch. "Old Uncle to what do I owe the visit?" the Ice Queen greeted without a flinch. " What are you scheming little girl?" came a disgruntled aged voice. "Nothing much, this fog is a waste of golds to research, I might as well let your kingdom impoverish itself alone." she replied. "Humph, is that so? A spendthrift like you worried about money? Are you hoping I'll get it for you then you can just attack me directly?" blood emperor retorted back."Don't be naive child, once I have that treasure you won't be alive long enough to have ideas with it." and with that a breeze blew once again and the blood emperor was gone. "[Blood Shadow Movement] is quite something." Ice Queen remarked before returning to her own business. She made no effort to alert the guards to her small exchange. If the Blood Emperor wanted to personally make a move all her guards would be useless anyway, only she could fight him. His movement technique was advanced and backed by his powerful cultivation he could come and go as he pleased like a cold breeze. Only someone with a similar strength could catch a trace of his movements. She also had a movement technique of her own, and it was actually superior to the blood emperor's. This was because it did not leave any traces of movement, simply appearing like a ghost in front of the enemy. This was possible due to her ice element, which complemented stealth by hiding all traces of existence like heartbeat and heat signature. She picked up her royal sceptre and knocked it on the carriage window. The Guard outside received the signal and yelled "Set Off!" The whole caravan sprang to life and headed away from the plain in the direction of the mountain area and beyond it the sea. Emperor Ironhand was brooding in his temporary throne in his tent. A servant rushed in and informed him that the Leiss contingent had indeed left. He just couldn't figure out this girl, was she so easy to shake off? Did ultimate power mean nothing to her? Or was she just truly frustrated by this godforsaken fog. "Triple the effort on retrieving that immortal treasure, I want it in my hands by the full moon." The servant bowed and rushed out. That was a less than one month deadline, they had already squandered three months. When the researchers received the news they could only shiver. So far the emperor had not given out any deadlines, he was simply satisfied with any progress on the research. But now he had directly issued a deadline, what did that mean? Either get him that treasure or he'll get their necks on a pike. This was how he operated and he had truly lost his patience. The researchers immediately sent word to drop all cost savings and summon every able hand. Better to succeed and be scolded for the wastage than to fail and die.

A caravan flying blue banners soon arrived at a mountain forest a day later. Jack raised his hand at the lead and the caravan came to a stop. They had used this route when coming down the mountain and this was the only reliable path through the forest. It had been set up by the Han clan and could be said to be their trade route with the clans in the plains. However now the path seemed to have transformed. What was initially a bushy, almost hidden walkway was now wide and clearly noticeable. The overgrowths and long grass had been cut down and stone totems had been placed at equal intervals along both sides of the path. The totems depicted strange beasts with some having wings and others sharp claws and menacing growls but all being about four feet tall and mostly cylindrical. Previously whilst coming down there was no such thing around, could such a big change happen in only a few months? Furthermore, crossing this path was highly treacherous. Quite a few men had been killed in an attack by wild beasts as they came down the mountain to scout. If it wasn't for their strong firepower putting the beasts on notice, they wouldn't have so easily crossed this forest. Yet now it seemed that all the wild beasts were avoiding the totems almost like the plague. Every time a wild beast came in the area of the totems it would turn around and leave on its own accord. With the totems set at regular intervals and acting as repellent the path was now incredibly safe. This put Jack heavily on guard. Someone had gone a long way to open up this pathway up the mountain and their abilities were not simple. They had already slaughtered the Han clan so it was definitely a newcomer as no one else lived on this mountain. So even though the path was now safer he was actually on edge. "On arms! Stay sharp!" he ordered to the back. All the soldiers drew their swords and they proceeded forward slowly like they were expecting a mighty enemy. They all trusted their commander's instincts and he had never been off his mark. Several hours passed with no incident and they soon walked out of the forest on the other side. The totems were really remarkable as not once had they encountered a wild beast. The path then opened up to present a short wooden fence on either side. The land here had been cleared and about a dozen villagers were busy farming the land. However instead of maize they were busy planting various herbs and flowers and strange vine plants. They were planted in row after row neatly along the side of the mountain next to the forest. Much taller almost ten foot totems were placed in the middle of the two herb gardens on either side. Jack gave a hand signal and the caravan stopped. With another signal a scout ran ahead to interact with the villagers. He soon ran back and reported "Reporting Sir, they said they are clansmen of the Nyasanga Clan. A sky phenomenon descended on their clan and they had no choice but to abandon it. When they came to the Han clan for help they found them extinct and decided to settle in." Jack stroked his beard and contemplated."Settle in indeed."