After the transaction, Yuan returned to his original appearance and asked, "So, who is this individual who might have the information I want?"
The Supreme Ox, now with a pleasing-to-the-eyes appearance, spoke with a satisfied smile, "The Divine Fox of Grand Prophecy is known to have knowledge that surpasses every Predator in the Primal Expanse. If she doesn't have the information you need, I'm afraid that nobody else in the Primal Expanse does."
"Where can I find this Divine Fox?"
"The Mystic Valley, but unless the Divine Fox of Grand Prophecy wants to see you, it's almost impossible to find her."
"Sounds a bit troublesome, but I'll figure it out when I get there. Thank you for the information."
"By the way, which dragon tribe are you from?" The Supreme Ox suddenly asked.
"That's a secret."
"Is that so? Then keep your secrets."
A moment later, a small figure appeared before Yuan like a ghost.
"W-who the hell are you?!" The Supreme Ox was startled by Yingzi's sudden appearance, looking like he couldn't believe he didn't notice her presence until she stood right before him.
'No… even with my eyes directly on her, I cannot sense her presence! This ghost-like presence… she must be—'
"Shadow Dweller! What are you doing in my territory?! And that appearance… where did you acquire such a high-quality appearance?!"
"Shadow Dweller?" Yuan raised an eyebrow at this familiar name.
He turned to look at Yingzi, who turned out to have the same bloodline as one of the Nine Divine Supremes!
"Are you trying to start another bloodbath in my territory?!" The Supreme Ox roared, and the presences that appeared to threaten Yuan returned, but there were significantly more this time.
"Don't mind me. I am only here as that guy's travel guide." Yingzi remained calm despite the many threatening presences surrounding them and pointed at Yuan with her gaze.
"T-travel guide? You?" The Supreme Ox couldn't believe what he was hearing.
How could an entity like her become a guide for someone else, even if that individual was a dragon?
"Are you ready to go to the Mystic Valley?" she asked Yuan the next moment.
"How far away is the Mystic Valley from this place?"
Yingzi pondered for a moment before responding, "Fifty years, give or take."
"…"
'You can't be serious…'
Yuan was left absolutely gobsmacked by the ridiculous distance. He thought half a year was already bad enough, but fifty years?
"That's too long!" he cried out loud.
Seeing an opportunity to earn more appearances, the Supreme Ox said, "I know of a way to get to the Mystic Valley in six months."
"Oh?" Yuan turned to look at him with a hopeful gaze.
"There's a natural space tunnel that will take you to the Snowy Fox Mountain, which is around six months away from the Mystic Valley."
"I can get you there in two months," Yingzi then said.
"As for the location of this space tunnel…" The Supreme Ox spoke with a suggestive smile.
Yuan immediately realized what the Supreme Ox was thinking, smiled back, and said, "Not just seven thousand years. I'll let you keep that appearance permanently."
"DEAL! IT'S A DEAL!" The Supreme Ox excitedly agreed.
The Supreme Ox proceeded to retrieve a medallion made from a piece of bone and tossed it to Yuan.
"Since the space tunnel is within my territory, you will need to show that to the guards there."
He turned to look at one of his minions and said, "Bring them to the space tunnel."
"As you command, Supreme Ox." The minion acknowledged with its head lowered.
Yuan left the mountain to follow the guide shortly later. They arrived at their location three days later. The space tunnel appeared to be an ordinary cave at a glance, but Yuan's divine sense told a different story.
There were two ox guards standing outside this cave, and they glared at Yuan and Yingzi as they approached.
"The Supreme Ox has given them permission to use the space tunnel." The ox minion explained.
Yuan showed the bone medallion to the guards, who took it and examined it.
"Very well, you may enter."
Yuan and Yingzi entered the cave the next moment while the ox minion stayed behind.
"Just keep walking until you exit the other side." The ox guard said.
The cave was dimly illuminated by the mysterious purple rocks sticking out of the walls around them.
There was also a weird energy that filled the cave. This energy felt similar to the energy from teleport formations that Yuan was familiar with, but it was slightly different, and it only got more intense as they walked deeper into the cave.
After walking for several days straight, Yuan could finally see the end of the cave.
His steps hastened as they approached the glowing white light.
When they finally exited the cave, Yuan was greeted by a white mountain range and snow so deep it reached his waist. As for Yingzi, her entire body was submerged in snow, leaving only her head visible.
"Fifty meat skewers." Yingzi suddenly said. "Traveling in this terrain is a pain, so it will cost you more."
"Sure. Do you want them now or later? The skewers will quickly get cold in this weather."
If he didn't protect his body with spiritual energy, the intense cold would easily freeze it within seconds, but even with his body protected, it was still freezing cold.
'I can't recall the last time I felt this cold…'
Cultivators can regulate their body temperature using spiritual energy, ensuring comfort even if they stand naked in a snowstorm. However, this ability can be challenged under extreme conditions that are too severe for their energy to suppress.
Moreover, the snow in this area seemed to possess a unique trait that drained spiritual energy, making it even more challenging for Yuan to maintain a steady body temperature.
"You can give them to me later," she said.
"Alright."
Yingzi picked up Yuan and flew toward the Mystic Valley shortly later.