Northeast border of the Empire.

The north wind carried snow dust across the frozen ground. Although the temperature had risen, the fleeing Demon Race would not return so quickly, making the area quite desolate.

However, lately there have been more active figures around here, but they are not the Demon Race.

Thud thud—

A rock was moved aside, and the Dwarf Pollock poked his head out, looked around, confirmed there were no Demons nearby, and then clambered up with effort.

The passage beneath linked the Northern Territory with the Mountains, and the space inside had been adjusted by passing Dwarves, just suitable for their passage, with several such passages nearby.

Even if discovered by the Demon Race, they could only send weak Goblins through, as other larger demons would get stuck and lose most of their combat capability.

But since Demons have been less active here, they haven’t been discovered so far.

After crawling out, Pollock didn’t leave immediately but turned back to pull out the people behind him with force.

Among them were his family, friends who believed his assurances and came to have a look, and an unexpected companion he didn’t anticipate beforehand—Master Marco!

Master Marco was a renowned Master-level Blacksmith even in the City of Fire and Forge.

At this moment, however, the master’s face, usually bronze from years near the furnace, appeared slightly bluish in the Northern Territory’s cold wind.

A servant of the master quickly hung a Temperature Pendant around the master’s neck, and his complexion slightly improved, though his voice still carried a hint of stiffness: "By the ancestors... this damned place... is ten times colder than the rumors!"

"Cold?" Pollock, bare-chested, felt the breeze on his face, finding it exceptionally refreshing, "Master, it was really cold earlier. Now it’s much better."

Marco knew a bit about temperature changes in the Northern Territory, but seeing Pollock unaffected amidst the snowy landscape, he secretly clicked his tongue.

Pollock claimed it was the warmth from the mycelium, but Marco hadn’t heard of Puki Masters on the human side gaining similar abilities, assuming it was due to different mycelium species.

"Honestly, master," Pollock rubbed his hands, his face brimming with genuine joy, "I still feel like I’m dreaming! When I encountered you at the Black Rock Tavern, I brought up our new furnace here in the Northern Territory, hoping for a chance. I never thought someone as significant as you would actually be willing to come here with me!"

He left unsaid that because he never dared to fantasize about attracting a Master-level figure, he didn’t bother to recall how many enviable Contribution Points could be exchanged for bringing a blacksmith master.

Pollock was unaware that his encounter with Master Marco at the Black Rock Tavern was never accidental.

Over a dozen individuals gradually emerged from that low cave entrance.

These weren’t artisan apprentices or tool-carrying helpers; they were all fully armed warriors or mages, seemingly a well-equipped, experienced mercenary squad.

Pollock didn’t find these men too surprising.

After all, he had nothing to lose, unlike the wealthy master’s life and wealth, and hiring protection when traveling was normal.

Yet, these guards were not hired by Master Marco; their actual employer was the Deep Furnace Clan of the Mountains, even including Master Marco.

Lin Jun’s action of sending indebted dwarves back to recruit people from the Mountains, though not extravagant, was certainly not secretive.

It wasn’t a major event initially, but when this joined earlier, it drew the attention of Tolin’s elder brother when compared to the invitation sent by Tolin, the rebellious youngest son of the Deep Furnace Clan.

Thus, a commission for investigation issued from the core of the Deep Furnace Clan.

The entrusted consisted of a reputable veteran mercenary squad and Master Marco.

Technically, neither the mercenary squad nor Master Marco had much room to refuse, as they owed favors to the Deep Furnace Clan.

Because of the Deep Furnace Clan’s meticulous arrangement, this special mission-entrusted team just happened to sit at the same oak table as Pollock in the tavern, passionately describing the Northern Territory, listening intently, finally accepting his invitation with pleasure, embarking on the journey to this frozen land.

Regrettably, once on the Fungal Mat, unless maintaining telepathy constantly, Lin Jun could hear all the whispers.

...

After everyone emerged, Pollock searched around, digging through snow heaps, finally finding a Puki partially buried in the ground.

He pressed the mushroom cap three times with force, and the Puki sprang up from the hole, then immediately walked on its short legs along a pre-set path, and Pollock called for everyone to follow.

There were many similar guide mushrooms near the entrance, easy to find if you were looking for a destination.

The Puki had short legs and walked slowly, so it wasn’t hard to keep up.

Following the guide Puki for half a day, they arrived at a pre-built resting spot.

Inside, various Puki and supplies were fully stocked.

While other dwarves seemed a bit lost, Pollock connected to several heating Puki from the resting spot’s Puki warehouse and brought out a few LV6 marked leather packages.

Opening the packages, he dumped mushrooms and frozen meat into the heating Puki, then casually collected some snow to fill in. Soon, a Puki instant version of mushroom stew with fat worm meat was ready.

Pollock enthusiastically shared it with the other dwarves.

Pollock’s family and friends curiously took a bite, leading to slightly odd murmurs around the heating Puki.

Dwarf Mercenaries stayed vigilant, silently gnawing on their carried mutton jerky.

Master Marco watched Pollock and his group’s enjoyment, intending to taste it, but after a persuasive look from the mercenary captain, he refrained.

Finally, in the warmth created by the heating Puki, everyone spent the first day arriving in the Northern Territory.

The following days were similar, following the Puki from one station to another, each with food and place to stay.

What was expected to be a grueling journey became more like a field trip.

Master Marco initially thought this was heading into dragon’s den and tiger pit, but now, though he hadn’t seen the so-called Fungus Castle, such highly professional arrangements calmed his once tense heart.

Perhaps the other side was indeed an emerging power with some decent smithies?

Half a month later, looking at the impressive city before him.

Master Marco blinked his eyes, confirming he wasn’t hallucinating.

"This scale... might be larger than the City of Fire and Forge..."