The people, filled with fear and apprehension, organized numerous sacrificial rituals in an attempt to appease the spirits.

However, all their efforts proved futile. Over time, the residents dared not venture outside anymore. Even when they did, they hurried along, unwilling to be turned into ice sculptures by the severe weather.

Listening to the man's account, Adrian couldn't help but feel skeptical. As an immortal, he didn't believe in gods because immortals knew that there were no gods in this world.

Although they were referred to as immortals, the notion of ascending to godhood was but a legend. Even if godhood existed, it would be an entirely different and mysterious world, unrelated to the mortal world. Folklore about gods and spirits was merely human imagination.

Since it wasn't divine wrath, Adrian deduced something else must be causing the phenomenon. He speculated that the mineral must be a spiritual treasure, a natural wonder imbued with aura essence. Those who mined it