The wilderness didn't let them rest long. By noon next day, bigger threat descended. A hulking bear‑beast, at least three thousand years old by aura, crashed through foliage trees toppling. Students paled instantly—this was level beyond them.
Zhao Wuji moved as shadow guardian, ready intervene, but eyes narrowed to let test stretch longer. "Survive until I must. Let's see."
The beast roared thunder, claw swiping boulder apart. Mubai charged bravely but flung aside, ribs cracking. Hongjun's flames scorched fur but hardly slowed monster. Tang San's vines whipped but tore instantly under bear's muscle. Rongrong whimpered, pagoda aura faltering.
Xue stepped forward. He knew he couldn't defeat it—that truth clear. But his creed wasn't winning, but preserving. He shouted low, voice steady even in storm: "Behind me!"
Frost surged violently from veins, every ring blazing. Veil swelled so wide forest condensation crystallized shards midair. Then with grunt, he slammed staff into earth, third soul ability shaping huge Glacial Barrier encircling entire team. Bear claw slammed crash against thick wall, echo thunder—ice cracked, snow burst, but barrier held long enough.
His vision shook red but he grit teeth, lines of creed echoing: Even weak frost shelters clan. Again beast slammed. Again wall cracked hairline. Behind, Tang San didn't waste seconds—vines snared pressure points, Oscar fed sausages frantically, Mubai regained stance. They fought revived because barrier bought them breath.
Finally Zhao Wuji snapped fingers, ending test with his own bear's roar. The enormous spirit beast was repelled forcibly, leaving groaning silence. Students collapsed relieved. But every eye shifted toward silent frost boy trembling pale yet still upright behind cracked glacier wall.
Even Dai Mubai, proud as tiger, stared fierce. "Monster indeed. Who else blocks three‑thousand‑year beast longer than heartbeat?" Ma Hongjun grunted sheepish agreement. Ning Rongrong whispered audible admiration.
Instructors passed glances quietly. Flender tightened jaw cunning—recognition absolute. This weak ranked latecomer had proven necessary stone of whole wall. Without frost barrier, group destroyed.
That night campfire roared, laughter covering shock. But Tang San found him aside, coughing blood discreetly. Xue waved hand gently to silence. "Glaciers crack under weight. But still shielded you." Tang San's fists clenched determined. "We will shield each other. This oath I give."