Ling Jiang took a sip of soup, following Lan Jin's gaze to look behind them. She said, "I hear it. Something's coming, but it sounds like just one. Doesn't sound like a person, and it's a bit far."
The two quickly shoveled the remaining food and soup into their mouths, put down the bowls, and listened carefully to the sound behind them.
As the noise drew closer, Ling Jiang warned the others still eating, "Something's coming."
The diners froze, quickly putting down their utensils and picking up their weapons, ready.
Brother Zhang frowned and came over, glancing behind them, but saw nothing. He asked, "What? How do you know? You have mental power?"
"What's mental power? I heard it. Heavy steps, slow walking, only one!" Ling Jiang said. "Doesn't sound like a person. Even if it is, it must be huge. And it's getting closer to us."
As the heavy footsteps approached, Ling Jiang's heart tightened. When the steps suddenly leapt, she quickly pulled Lan Jin and Brother Zhang with her and teleported away.
At the place where the three had just been, a massive creature slammed down, missing its target.
Boom.
The loud noise drew everyone's eyes to it.
When they saw what it was, everyone stepped back in shock.
It was an owl. But whether people had seen it before or not, everyone fell silent. The owl's appearance hadn't changed much, but its size was incredible. Lan Jin estimated that it was taller than her by a full head.
Angry at missing its strike, the giant owl flapped its wings violently, sending icy, piercing wind toward them.
Brother Zhang had reminded them in the morning that it was minus 32 degrees and to keep warm. Now, at night, the temperature had plunged even further. Lan Jin felt that it could easily be minus 40 degrees. The howling wind froze the moisture from the nearby fire into a thin layer of frost on their bodies, making the cold even harsher.
Lao Gao didn't think much. Following his principle that everything fears fire, he stepped forward and used his fire ability against the giant owl.
But Lao Gao had little experience using abilities. The owl's wind blew back his fire, instantly igniting his exposed beard.
Huang Jinghe, standing beside Lao Gao, panicked when he saw Lao Gao's burning face and immediately used his water ability.
The fire was put out, and Lao Gao's beard stopped burning. But they ignored the gusts of wind. Huang Jinghe's water instantly froze on the remaining beard, even sealing his mouth shut.
Lao Gao touched the thick layer of ice on his face, eyes full of despair.
Ling Jiang, however, laughed uncontrollably, "Ha ha, ha ha."
Huang Jinghe glanced at her, stifled a laugh, and quickly apologized, "Sorry, I just wanted to put out the fire."
Lao Gao didn't blame Huang Jinghe, but still… could this situation be fixed? Especially with Ling Jiang laughing. Lao Gao gave her a kick.
Ling Jiang fell to the ground, stopping her laughter but teasing, "You two are just here to be funny, right?"
The serious tension of the moment lightened slightly thanks to the four's reactions.
But everything happened in the blink of an eye. After laughing, Ling Jiang went on high alert, shielding Lao Gao and Huang Jinghe behind her.
The giant owl had stopped flapping, but its angry gaze toward them hadn't softened at all.
Ling Jiang turned to Lan Jin. "What do you want to do, you go or me?"
"You go first," Lan Jin said.
Then she asked Brother Zhang behind them, "Brother Zhang, can we eat this owl? Have you eaten one before?"
Brother Zhang shouted, "Don't be ridiculous! I've never even seen one like this. Try to capture it alive. I'll contact the base to study it. But your safety comes first. Capture it alive if possible."
Capture alive?
Ling Jiang, who had been about to strike with a killing move, paused. She changed tactics, placing her hands on the ground and using her ice ability.
An ice line extended from her hands toward the owl.
The owl was alert. Seeing the ice approach, it leapt into the air.
Lan Jin used the Violetbane Ring to swing a lightning whip, wrapping it around the airborne owl twice. Pulling back, the owl was yanked to the ground.
The electric whip stunned the owl, which twitched on the ground.
Ling Jiang then seized the moment to extend her ice ability again, freezing the owl's legs, lower body, and wings in a thick layer of ice. The owl, now rigid, collapsed onto the ground.
The team moved efficiently to secure it.
They used special ropes to bind the owl's upper body, wings, and feet. Two people held its head and stuffed a thick cloth in its beak, silencing it completely. Every move was practiced and precise, as if they had done it many times.
Lan Jin exclaimed, "This doesn't look like it's their first time. They seem very experienced."
Brother Zhang looked at him and pursed his lips. "It's the same method every time. Of course they're skilled."
The owl was secured, but Lao Gao's beard was completely ruined.
Ling Jiang looked at Lao Gao and laughed again. "Ha ha, ha ha. You'll freeze to death. Melt the ice quickly, your beard is probably gone."
Although Lao Gao's mouth was frozen shut, the ice didn't stick directly to his thick beard. He could still breathe through his nose.
===
Chapter 200 is finally here! ヽ(=^･ω･^=)丿
Thank you so much for sticking with me this far—it means the world! ♡
If you're enjoying the story, leaving a vote or review would be amazing and really helps the novel grow.
✨ On Web:
Scroll to the top of the novel's main page and click the blue "Write a Review" button near the bottom, under "You May Also Like." A pop-up will appear where you can rate the writing, characters, and world.
📱 On the App:
Tap the "Rate This Book" section (just below Fandom Rankings). A star rating box will pop up—add your thoughts and hit submit!
Even a short review (just 2–3 sentences!) makes a big difference.
I'm translating this purely out of love for the story, not under any official contract, so your support truly matters. For those who want to give extra love, donations via Ko-fi or Patreon are always appreciated (｡•́‿•̀｡)
My [Ko-fi]! ☕️: https://ko-fi.com/rikhi
My [Patreon]!🎨: https://patreon.com/rikhi