After repelling Shadow Snake Pavilion's Cold Malefic Hall scouts, Xiao Qi and Third Senior Sister felt no relief. Instead, the pressure on their shoulders grew heavier. Time was urgent. They must find the "Frost Ice Eye" quickly. The two again gazed at that silent ice lake, attempting to find clues.
However, after probing along the lake shore for days, besides feeling that increasingly intense warning sense and soul-freezing chill, they found nothing. The ice lake was vast and boundless. Its surface smooth as mirror, not even a crack to be found, as if a complete, ancient never-thawing massive cold jade. Divine sense probing into the lake, beyond ten zhang likelike a clay ox entering the sea, devoured andcut off by a more powerful, more ancient cold.
"It seems ordinary methods can't cross or dive this ice lake." Third Senior Sister Liu Yun's elegant brows tightly knit. "Forcefully breaking the ice will probably immediately trigger attacks from the unknown existence within."
Xiao Qi remained silent. He tried sensing with Black Tortoise Soul Crystal's power. He could only vaguely sense that deep in the lake bottom, seemed to exist a massive, cold energy source, like adeep sleep'sheartdirty slowly beating. It was likely the "Frost Ice Eye." But how to reach it was completelycompletely clueless.
Just as the two were at a loss, the rabbit spirit on Xiao Qi's shoulder suddenly became restless again. This time it didn't stare at the ice lake, but turned to look at theflank and reardirectionthatpiecewaswind and snowshrouded'sevenendless glacial mountain range. It utteredurgent's "gu-gu" sounds, even gently scratching Xiao Qi's collar with its paws.
"Hm?" Xiao Qi's heart stirred. The rabbit spirit had extraordinary intuition for natural treasures and energy fluctuations. Its reaction—could something over there be related to this ice lake or Black Tortoise Soul Crystal?
"Let's check that direction." Xiao Qi decided decisively. Rather thanemptyconsume here, better to follow the rabbit spirit's guidance.
The two left the ice lake's edge, advancing toward that glacier mountain range. The closer they got, the heavier the wind and snow, the more rugged the terrain. Enormous ice crevices, likebigground's wounds, crisscrossed, bottomless. The air carried an ancient, desolate aura.
When they reached a narrow valley entrance formed between two massive glaciers, a bloody windmixed withheart-pounding'swolf howl and someresurgent species'sroar, echoed from within the valley.
The two exchanged glances. Theysuppressaura, quietly approaching.
The valley's scene shocked them. Dozens of enormous,purewhiteSnow Shadow Demon Wolf were encircling a massive creature! That was a three-zhang tall beast resembling a giant bear, yet covered in heavy blue ice armor—the Northern Plains Ice Armored Berserker Bear! This bear was powerful,alreadyreachGolden Coreearly peak. Its pawswing sent ice shards flying, cold aura everywhere. But now it was covered inintertwined'sclaw marks and bite marks. Blue blood constantlyseep out, staining the snow beloweerie'sblue. The attacking Snow Shadow Demon Wolves also paid heavy price. Seven or eight wolf corpses lay on the ground. More were wounded, yet theystill fiercenotfear death, relying on numerical advantage and flexible coordination,firmlyentangle the berserk bear.
Behind the wolf pack, standing on a protruding ice rock, was an especially majestic wolf. It was larger than ordinary wolves, fur not pure white butwith a faint silver luster. A crescent-shaped silver marking on its forehead was especially prominent. Its aura reached mid Golden Core! Its pale blue eyes calmly observed the battle. Itoccasionallyemitted a short howl, commanding the pack's attacks. Obviously, this was the Snow Shadow Demon Wolf King!
What caught the rabbit spirit's attention, and made Xiao Qi's eyes narrow, wasn't this fierce battle, but beneath the wolf king's ice rock, grew a plant merelyabout a foot tall, entirely likebluewatercrystal carved, topped with a dragon-eye-sized fruitradiating soft blue light and pure ice origin aura—a Ten Thousand Year Frost Heart Orchid!
This Frost Heart Orchid's aura bore a faint resonance with that blurry energy source deep in the ice lake, and the Black Tortoise Soul Crystal! Perhaps this could help them find a way into the ice lake?
Just then, the battle changed. The Ice Armored Berserker Bear seemed driven to desperation. It let outdeafening'sroar, standing on hind legs, both paws fiercely slapping the ground!
"BOOM!"
A circular,mixed withcountlesssharp ice spikes'sterrifyingice wave, centered on it, rapidlydiffused in all directions! This was its innate divine ability—Ice Ring Shockwave!
The wolf king let outurgent'swarning howl. The pack hastily retreated. But several couldn't dodge fast enough,wasice wave engulf, instantly torn or penetrated by ice spikes,died horribly on the spot!
Even Xiao Qi and Third Senior Sister observing from afar felt a powerful impact rushing toward them, needing to activate spiritual power to defend.
The wolf pack suffered heavy losses. Their assault faltered. The Ice Armored Berserker Bear seized the chance toroar, actually charging toward the wolf king's ice rock! Itsopened its gaping maw, target was directly that Ten Thousand Year Frost Heart Orchid! It seemed to know this was treasure, wanting toat deaths doorfrontseizewalkordestroyed!
The wolf king's eyesflash anxiousanddetermination. It howled. Its silver fur stood on end. Pale blue ice light condensed in its mouth. It was about to execute some powerful innate divine ability, determined to clash head-on with the bear!
Just as aboth sides severely damaged, even possibly destroying the Frost Heart Orchid, tragedy was about to unfold—
"Hum—"
A soft, pure white light, carrying the essence of soothing and healing, descended upon the battlefield like moonbeams. It instantly enveloped the berserk Ice Armored Berserker Bear and brushed past those wounded Snow Shadow Demon Wolves howling in pain.
The Purification Source!
Xiao Qi had struck. But he wasn't attacking—instead, he utilized the Purification Source's inherent characteristics of "soothing," "purifying berserk energy," and "minor healing."
The originally berserk Ice Armored Berserker Bear's movements abruptly froze. The madness in its blood-red eyes receded by half, replaced by a trace of confusion and peace. The cold energy condensing in its mouth also slowly dissipated. As for those wounded demon wolves, the berserk ice malefic aura remaining in their wounds from the bear was rapidly purified, their pain significantly lessened. Their gazes toward Xiao Qi lost some wildness, gaining instead a hint of wariness and surprise.
The wolf king's condensed power also slowly withdrew. It sharply turned its head, pale blue eyes carrying wariness, scrutiny, and an inexplicable astonishment as it looked toward the two humans who had suddenly appeared at the valley entrance.
Xiao Qi walked out slowly, releasing no hostility. He calmly gazed at the wolf king, then at the Ten Thousand Year Frost Heart Orchid, before turning his gaze back to the wolf king. He transmitted a thread of benevolent spiritual intent: "We mean no harm. This treasure is important to you, and also useful to me. Perhaps we can discuss?"
He didn't directly demand it, but proposed communication instead.
The wolf king possessed extraordinary intelligence. It clearly sensed the strange effect of that white light and also detected the weighty aura emanating from Xiao Qi that faintly resonated with this snowy region—a weight that even made it feel a trace of reverence (the Black Tortoise Soul Crystal). It growled, seemingly weighing its options.
The purified Ice Armored Berserker Bear shook its massive head, looked at the wolf pack, then at Xiao Qi. Finally, it let out a low whimper and, dragging its battered, wounded body, slowly retreated from the valley, disappearing into the wind and snow. It seemed to understand that continued fighting held no purpose. That human's sudden presence emitted an aura that inspired instinctive wariness.
The wolf king watched the bear retreat, then glanced at its clan's casualties. Finally, it lifted its head and released a long, mournful howl. The remaining demon wolves in the valley all withdrew their hostility and retreated behind it.
It jumped down from the ice rock, stopping a few zhang before Xiao Qi. Its pale blue eyes locked with his as a somewhat awkward yet dignified spiritual transmission came through: "Human... your power... is very unusual... why... help us?"
Xiao Qi responded candidly through spiritual sense: "Seeking an ancient object, passing through this place. Seeing this orchid seems connected to that object, I wished to inquire. I intervened because I wished not to see senseless killing, and I respect your resolve in protecting this treasure."
He didn't conceal his purpose, but also expressed goodwill.
The wolf king fell silent for a moment before another spiritual transmission came: "This is the 'Moonlight Frost Heart Orchid,' absorbing moonlight and earth-vein ice marrow to grow. It sprouts in a hundred years, matures in a thousand, and only after ten thousand years produces this single 'Frost Heart Orchid Fruit.' For my clan, it can purify bloodline and enhance strength. The ancient object you seek... could it be pointing toward the 'Frost Ice Eye'?"
Xiao Qi's heart stirred. Indeed! It knew about the Frost Ice Eye!
"Indeed." Xiao Qi nodded. "We need to reach the Frost Ice Eye and obtain something, related to this world's peace."
A flicker of understanding and gravity appeared in the wolf king's eyes: "The Frost Ice Eye... is the Northern Wastes' core, the source of all ice, and also... the manifested place of the sleeping will of Saint Beast Azure Dragon. Ordinary methods cannot reach it at all. Even for us, we can only, during specific periods, briefly approach the periphery using the source aura emitted by the Frost Heart Orchid Fruit, to receive the Saint Beast's will's baptism."
It gazed at the Frost Heart Orchid: "This orchid needs three more days, until the full moon night, before it fully matures. Then, the orchid fruit's aura will be strongest, and may guide you through the ice lake's maze to reach the Frost Ice Eye's edge."
Xiao Qi and Third Senior Sister both felt delighted upon hearing this. This was truly a sudden turn for the better!
"As repayment," the wolf king continued, its gaze sweeping over Xiao Qi, "if you obtain what you need, please do not disturb the Azure Dragon Saint's slumber. Additionally... those two annoying auras that were tracking you earlier haven't gone far, still lingering on the opposite shore of the ice lake. On full moon night, I can have my children create a commotion to help you shake off the watchers, safely reaching the ice lake's core area."
It had actually detected the Cold Malefic Hall scouts' presence and offered to help!
Xiao Qi deeply gazed at the wolf king. This silver wolf's intelligence and bearing far exceeded his expectations. He solemnly transmitted through spiritual sense: "Many thanks! I promise you—I will certainly not disturb the Azure Dragon Saint's slumber. This kindness, Tang Xiaoqi will forever remember in his heart!"
A conflict that could have happened transformed into a wonderful friendship and cooperation.
The following three days, Xiao Qi and Third Senior Sister stayed in Snow Wolf Valley. Xiao Qi even utilized the Purification Source and Azure Dragon Soul Crystal's life-generating power to help heal the wounded snow wolves, with remarkable effects, further earning the wolf pack's trust. And that Silver Moon Wolf King (as Xiao Qi called it) also often exchanged words with Xiao Qi, telling him more ancient legends and precautions about the Northern Wastes and the Frost Ice Eye.
Three days passed in a flash. The full moon night arrived as scheduled.
Clear, cold moonlight penetrated the somewhat diminished wind and snow, falling upon Snow Wolf Valley. That Ten Thousand Year Frost Heart Orchid, illuminated by the moonlight, blazed with blue light. The orchid fruit at its apex pulsed gently like a heart, emitting an even purer, more concentrated cold-ice origin aura.
The Silver Moon Wolf King carefully picked that dragon-eye-sized, warm-to-the-touch yet internally containing extreme cold blue orchid fruit, handing it to Xiao Qi.
"The time has come. I will have my children create movement on the opposite shore of the ice lake to draw away thoseonlooker. You, holding this orchid fruit, following its guidance toward the Frost Ice Eye, cross the ice lake directly! Remember—there is great terror beneath the ice lake, do not linger, do not probe downward!"
"Take care!" Xiao Qi accepted the Frost Heart Orchid Fruit, feeling the clear guidance radiating from within. He gave a solemn clasped-fist salute to the Silver Moon Wolf King and the surrounding wolf pack.
The next moment, from the distant direction of the ice lake's opposite shore beyond the valley, came earth-shaking wolf howls and intense energy collision sounds! The Silver Moon Wolf King had fulfilled its promise.
Xiao Qi and Third Senior Sister hesitated no longer. Placing the Frost Heart Orchid Fruit before them, they transformed into two streams of light, rushing directly into the airspace above that dead-silent, dangerous massive ice lake!