After settling matters in Stronghold GC-01, Albion grabbed Fenrira and departed for the Netherfrost Blizzard Realm’s World Portal in the deeper parts of the Glacia continent.

The Iceborn Wolf Tribesmen appeared to have grown much stronger, and the bugs beneath the stronghold did not pose them any trouble.

The situation was entirely under their control.

Nevertheless, Fenrira did not expect to be flying to the World Portal and began to have regrets following Albion.

Her eyes rolled back and started frothing.

Meanwhile, Albion casually glanced back and took in the full view of the six strongholds’ construction progress.

The six strongholds formed a hexagonal ring, and in the future, the empty plot of land within will fill up with new buildings to accommodate people as the base grows and turn into a megacity.

In a short while, Albion and Fenrira reached the World Portal and entered without delay, stepping in the world of heavy blizzards and snow.

Shortly after, they left the cave and continued their journey, passing Blue Wyvern City and heading straight for the frozen layer of hell that descended on the Netherfrost Blizzard Realm in the north.

At the location of the enormous crater, Blue Wyvern City had formed a defensive ring around the outer perimeters and sent out many of their people to battle the Frost Demons.

Swoosh!

A figure discovered Albion’s arrival and flew over to greet him in the sky.

“We meet again, Sir Albion. What brings you to the Frost Demon’s Lair?” City Lord Baschmi inquired, but a hint of unwelcoming and authority could be sensed in his tone.

City Lord Baschmi seemed to have grown much more confident in the days that Albion had not seen him.

No, it wasn’t just confidence but also the person’s strength that has grown.

However, Albion could tell that City Lord Baschmi’s cultivation was still at the Peak-stage Spirit Manifestation Realm.

His cultivation did not improve.

Thus, something else did.

Ding!

<A Soul Sprite wishes to form a contract with you>

<The Soul Sprite is attempting to establish a connection…>

<…>

Ding!

<Goldfinger has denied the connection>

<You have already contracted with another Soul Sprite>

<The Soul Sprite has been angered>

Ding!

<The Soul Sprite has established a forced connection>

<The Soul Sprite is attempting to swallow Goldfinger>

Bzzt!

A hidden battle between Goldfinger and the foreign Soul Sprite occurred in Albion’s mind, unseen by him before the invisible commotion stirred the dormant 10th Tribulation Lightning.

Ding!

<The foreign Soul Sprite has fled in terror>

<Goldfinger expresses its smugness>

…

After listening to the system alerts, Albion understood the general situation.

A Soul Sprite has descended on the Netherfrost Blizzard Realm and granted its denizens the ability to grow stronger through the hunting of other races—exactly like back on Earth.

“Does City Lord Baschmi not welcome me now that you have grown stronger?” Albion cooly said with a slight smile.

“Not welcome you?” City Lord Baschmi shook his head and said, “That depends on Sir Albion’s intentions are for abducting my people?”

As City Lord Baschmi said that, he glanced at the wolf-girl hanging lifelessly at the side as Albion gripped her wrist.

“One of your people, huh?” Albion muttered amusedly.

City Lord Baschmi felt something off but nodded nonetheless, “Yes, is she not one of my people?”

“No,” Albion shook his head and cooly said, “She’s one of mine.”

“I see… So I was mistaken…”

City Lord Baschmi decided to accept Albion’s words at face value as he still had some reservations regarding Albion’s strength and did not want to make enemies with him.

“Nevertheless, a Lord should treat his people better,” City Lord Baschmi advised, nonetheless.

“What do you mean?” Albion appeared ‘slightly hurt’ before saying with a justified look, “I treat my people very well! This is all training to her overcome her motion sickness!”

“Uwuu…”

Fenrira appeared as if she wanted to protest.

City Lord Baschmi’s lips twitched, but he decided that it was better not to get too involved with Albion.

Nevertheless, he still needed to understand Albion’s purpose.

“…Anyway, does Sir Albion plan to hunt some Frost Demons as well?” City Lord Baschmi carefully inquired.

Although he wouldn’t want Albion to monopolize the Frost Demons, it might be a good chance to witness his strength.

However, Albion shook his head.

“I do have business here, but not like that. These Frost Demons don’t interest me in the least. However, their place of origin does,” Albion stated before adding, “But before that…”

Albion suddenly made a money-pinching gesture and asked, “Do you have more spirit herbs for me? I can guarantee good pills in exchange this time.”

City Lord Baschmi’s lips immediately twitched upon hearing that.

He seriously doubted Albion’s words.

In the city lord’s mind, Albion was a person who wanted to take advantage of him and rob his valuable spirit herbs again.

“If we are talking about the same quality as last time, then there’s nothing to discuss. We don’t have any more spirit herbs,” City Lord Baschmi firmly said.

“Really? You don’t have any more spirit herbs? Not a single one left?”

“Not a single one!” City Lord Baschmi affirmed.

Albion appeared ‘disappointed’ and said with a shrug, “Well, that’s unfortunate. I was going to use pills of this quality in exchange? I can even refine the pills that I don’t have.”

He revealed a Spirit Refinement Pill in his hand.

City Lord Baschmi smelt the medicinal fragrance of the pill and determined its quality before his expression immediately changed.

“Actually, I suddenly remember that I still have an entire warehouse worth of spirit herbs stored in my storage ring… Hahaha,” City Lord Baschmi softly chuckled with an ingratiating smile.

“Really?” Albion appeared ‘astonished’ this time before casually remarking, “How convenient it is to carry so many spirit herbs on your person yet forget and remember them as you please.”

“Ahem, this…” City Lord Baschmi coughed awkwardly and said, “I can explain…”

“Save it. I don’t need your explanations,” Albion dismissed his words with a wave of his hand and said, “Rather, you can show some more sincerity in our exchange, if you know what I mean.”

He made another money-pinching gesture.

“Of course…”

City Lord Baschmi expressed a forced smile, feeling regret for not being cooperative from the start.

All Pill Masters were greedy mother f*ckers.