After a while...
Shi Tian woke up and got up reluctantly. He wanted to relish more, but it was already daybreak. They have work to do, and Shen Xiaoli should be about to wake up.
When Shen Xiaoli woke up, she shot a glance at Shi Tian and said, "Your sleeping habit is really bad."
Shi Tian's heart skipped; he laughed dryly and said, "Sorry... Sorry... I have accounts of sleeping with Duan Mei and Xue Ying."
Shen Xiaoli didn't say anything, but there was an unnatural colour in her eyes. She straightened her clothes.
A few minutes later...
Shi Tian and Shen Xiaoli were standing at the entrance of the cave. They just removed the concealing talismans.
The sun above Ice Wolf Valley was veiled behind thick clouds. From the cave's entrance, only the pale shimmer of light reflected across the frosted terrain.
Shi Tian and Shen Xiaoli left the cave and walked deeping to ice wolf valley.
"Hmm, why are the wolves?" After walking for a while, Shi Tian spoke in doubt as he noticed that they were not attacked by the ice wolves.
At this time...
A faint tremor had passed through the ground.
Shi Tian rose silently, the Chaotic Spear appearing in his hand in a flicker of gold and black flame. Shen Xiaoli stirred beside him, her senses awakening even before her eyes did. She immediately pressed her hand to the ground.
"They're moving."
Shi Tian nodded. "They're surrounding us. Looks like a inteligent wolf stepped in."
The concealment formation had dulled the pair's presence, but it was never perfect. The wolves, with their keen senses and pack mentality, had finally grown bold enough to strike despite the risks.
"How many?" she asked, already pulling on her frost-imbued gloves, her aura slowly unfurling.
"A dozen at least. And one of them feels… different."
A deeper growl echoed from the edge of the mist outside. The cave vibrated faintly.
"It's the alpha," Shen Xiaoli whispered. "He's finally come."
Outside, low growls and panting breaths could now be heard, barely concealed under the snowfall. The ice wolves were drawing nearer, their steps methodical, coordinated. The air seemed to hum with killing intent.
Shi Tian turned to her.
"I'll handle the alpha. You take the flanks. Don't get surrounded. I'll break the formation from the centre."
"No," Shen Xiaoli said, her voice unusually firm. "We fight together this time."
Their gazes met, and Shi Tian smiled. "Alright."
He stepped outside first.
The second his foot hit the snow, a chorus of howls pierced the night. Dozens of glowing blue eyes emerged from the mist, circling the mouth of the cave. Frost steamed from their open maws, and sharp claws dug into the icy terrain.
And then it stepped forward.
A massive Frostfang Alpha, over five metres long, its fur a glistening white-gold, exuding a pressure near the peak of the Spirit King realm. Its body was lined with ancient-looking scars, and between its horns flickered a small pale flame of ice qi—almost intelligent in form.
Shi Tian stepped ahead, Chaos Flame surging around his spear.
"You want to see who's the apex predator here?" he muttered. "Fine."
With a roar, he leapt forward, the Chaotic Spear arcing toward the beast like a shooting star.
"Blazing Fire Spear – Falling Sunstrike!"
The spear ignited mid-air, burning with golden-red flames, carving a path through the frost-heavy atmosphere. The moment it collided with the alpha's icy breath, a violent explosion erupted—steam and fire clouded the area.
At the same time, Shen Xiaoli dashed to the left flank, her fingers weaving cold symbols in mid-air.
"Frozen Lotus Domain!"
Frost bloomed beneath her feet, spreading across the terrain like an icy wave. The wolves charging at her slowed instantly, their paws freezing mid-leap. She spun, her figure blurring like a phantom, and struck one wolf square in the chest with a piercing icicle spear.
Another lunged, but she pivoted gracefully, her Phantom Steps allowing her to glide past its fangs, then counter with a rapid frost palm to its underbelly.
Behind her, Shi Tian's battle with the alpha intensified.
The beast was more than brute strength—it had cunning. It circled him, avoiding the chaotic flame attacks, waiting for the right moment to pounce.
But Shi Tian didn't give it that chance.
He planted his feet and invoked the second form of his Chaos Spear Art.
"Chaotic Spear Art – Flame Vortex Annihilation!"
Spinning midair, his spear formed a burning vortex that pulled in spiritual energy and flung it outward in a spiral of destructive chaos. The alpha, caught partially in its edge, was forced back, part of its fur scorched.
The valley shook.
Wolves yelped and fled, but the alpha stood tall, its eyes narrowing. From its mouth came a chilling growl—and then, it howled once more. Frost qi surged from the ground. The entire battlefield turned silver-blue.
"This is its domain ability!" Shen Xiaoli shouted.
"Then let's end it before it fully activates."
Shi Tian's body surged with flame. The Chaos Flame, sensing danger, burnt brighter than before, its colour shifting from grey to black with red streaks—a mark of deeper resonance with his physique.
"Time to finish it."
He dashed forward, spear in both hands. The alpha roared and countered, lunging with its massive claws, covered in frost qi. Their attacks collided mid-air, causing a thunderous explosion that lit up the valley.
Shen Xiaoli saw her moment. She dashed behind the beast, both hands swirling with icy symbols.
"Heaven's Frost Chain – Bind!"
Chains of crystalline frost wrapped around the alpha's hind legs, locking it for a split second.
Enough.
Shi Tian's spear glowed.
"Chaotic Spear Art – Spear of Devastation!"
With a roar, he plunged the weapon straight through the beast's chest, bursting through with black fire.
The alpha howled, its body convulsing before a final, gurgled cry left its throat. Then it fell, crashing into the snow and sending up a wave of icy dust.
Silence returned.
The remaining wolves fled.
Only the two of them remained standing in the cratered snow, steam rising from the scorched battlefield.
Shen Xiaoli took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling quickly.
"It's finally dead…"
Shi Tian turned, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Told you we'd manage it."
She walked up to him and flicked his forehead lightly.
"You overdid it again."
"I saved your life. Again."
They smiled.
Just then, a soft blue glow flickered near the alpha's remains. Something was floating mid-air—a beast core, surrounded by tiny shards of crystal ice.
Shen Xiaoli walked up and caught it gently. The moment it touched her palm, the ice qi surged into her body—but instead of resisting, it flowed naturally.
After collecting the beast core. They turned toward the deeper path of the valley.
Beyond it lay the final stretch to the Ice Palace—the very place where Empress Yao's legacy slumbered.
But the cold, they realised, was nothing compared to what was coming next.
...
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