Hello everyone,
Thank you for your support! If you enjoy my work, you can check out my Patreon—there are 100+ early access and exclusive content. I update 5 advanced chapter from Monday-Saturday
www.patreon.com/c/FanficTranslator
I truly appreciate it!
**
After gathering at the usual meeting spot, the group exchanged the information they had gathered.
Because the Shi brothers had obtained definitive news regarding a Soul Beast, the group decided to first assist them in hunting for their Soul Rings. If they encountered other suitable Soul Beasts along the way, the others would take the opportunity to obtain theirs as well.
Afterward, they would head into the Mixed Zone of the Far North to find the Comet Snow Wolf that Xiao Lin desired, while simultaneously uncovering the truth behind the disappearance of Qu He's son.
Along the way, they intended to destroy the production and trafficking dens of the Degenerates and eliminate them entirely. This time, Xiao Lin was going to play the role of a "Gang-Star" himself.
Once everyone had finished obtaining their Soul Rings, they would return to the Snow Spirit Province to find the syndicate selling the "Ice Powder." They would wipe out that Frozen Ice Syndicate entirely, leaving not a single soul behind.
Regarding this mission, every single member of the Emperor Team was in unanimous agreement.
Not one person refused.
This wasn't just because Xiao Lin and Ye Lingling had obtained a map to a supreme treasure for Ice-attribute Soul Masters, but also because they wanted to vent their frustrations on Tang Ni's behalf.
Even though Tang Ni wasn't actually hurt...
"Uncle Qu He, are you really not coming with us?" Ye Lingling asked, looking at Qu He, whose back was hunched but whose lips carried a faint smile.
"I won't go. If I go, they will turn their attention toward you," Qu He replied, "I'll stay here to buy you some time to grow."
From Qu He's words, it was clear he was absolutely certain that Qu Yao had been harmed by those Degenerates and the Frozen Ice Syndicate.
His plan was simple: let the youths hunt for suitable Soul Rings to grow rapidly until they reached a level where they could fight the syndicate leader, Frozen Ice.
The syndicate leader, Frozen Ice—originally named Yang Laibing—last appeared in the public eye fifteen years ago, precisely when the Frozen Ice Bar chain began spreading across the entire Snow Spirit Province.
At that time, he was already a Rank 58 Soul King, a Control System Battle Soul Master. His Martial Soul was the Dream-Weaving Snow Fox, possessing both the Ice and Mental attributes. Now, fifteen years later, Yang Laibing might very well have already become a Soul Saint.
Currently, the members of the Emperor Fighting Team, Xiao Lin included, hoped that Yang Laibing had ideally not reached the level of a Soul Saint.
If that were the case, then after Xiao Lin absorbed his next Soul Ring and activated his Tool Soul Avatar Physique, he might actually have a chance in battle. However, if Yang Laibing had become a Soul Saint, Xiao Lin would be powerless.
A Soul Saint level powerhouse possesses a Martial Soul Avatar, which would negate the advantage of Xiao Lin's Tool Soul Avatar Physique. Their immense Soul Power alone could grind Xiao Lin down through pure attrition.
Furthermore, the opponent likely excelled in mental energy. Xiao Lin wasn't Tang San; he didn't possess such high mental resistance. When Xiao Lin invited Qu He once more to travel to the Far North with them, Qu He refused again.
This time, he cited his old age, his poor legs, and the fact that the freezing weather was too harsh as reasons. He even joked that dying on the road instead of at the hands of his enemies would be far too pathetic.
Left with no choice, Xiao Lin could only temporarily give up on the idea of taking Qu He with them. There was no helping it; what Qu He said was true.
In the Far North, the Outer Zone was one thing, but if they reached the Mixed Zone, the extreme cold was something even the Shi brothers might not be able to withstand, let alone Qu He.
Ultimately, the five members of Xiao Lin's group had nothing more to say and silently departed from Aurora Town.
Before leaving, Xiao Lin received a lodestone from Qu He.
According to Qu He, this lodestone was the key to why his son never got lost in the Far North. It was precisely because Qu He still had this lodestone that he remained convinced his son had been murdered rather than dying during a soul-hunting mission.
Half a day later.
Dressed in the attire of Aurora Town locals—heavy fur coats made from the pelts of unknown Soul Beasts—Xiao Lin and the others stepped onto the completely frozen earth.
They had entered the Outer Zone of the Far North.
"Let's go. We'll head north first; there's a chance the Mysterious Underworld Snake-Tortoise will appear there."
Xiao Lin looked at the group.
Seeing that everyone except Tang Ni seemed a bit somber, he took the initiative to start a conversation.
"The Mysterious Underworld Snake-Tortoise is a type of Soul Beast that lives within glaciers and enjoys playing in the water. In the Far North, places where there is ice, and where there is water that remains liquid without freezing, must be in the Mixed Zone, specifically near the Core Zone."
"The water in such places is colder than actual ice, already reaching a level close to Ultimate Ice. These areas are also where the vast majority of powerful Ice-attribute Soul Beasts prefer to stay. When the time comes, we might be in for a bitter struggle."
"So, let me first outline our tactics."
At this point, Xiao Lin paused, waiting for the others to snap out of their daze.
Fortunately, upon hearing that they might encounter extremely powerful Soul Beasts, everyone sharpened their focus.
"First, regarding the team formation: we will use a One-Three-One formation. Tang Ni will be the primary damage dealer, acting as the 'One' at the front—the tip of our team's spear. The brothers, Shi Mo and Shi Mo, will protect Ye Lingling in the center, and I will guard our rear."
"Next, regarding encounters with Soul Beasts: if we can avoid them, we avoid them. If we can't avoid one but it can be handled by a single person, Tang Ni will finish it quickly. If it can't be handled alone, then we ignore it."
"If the Soul Beasts are pack-hunters, we act together. Whether we fight or flee, the five of us move as one. Especially you, Ye Lingling—you must stay mobile. You absolutely cannot just stand in one spot relying on the protection of the Shi brothers."
"When we fight, give it your all. With Ye Lingling here, don't worry about getting hurt; the ones who should worry about injuries are the Soul Beasts."
Xiao Lin understood clearly that the greatest advantage of their team currently wasn't himself, nor was it Tang Ni or the Shi brothers.
It was Ye Lingling, whose healing capabilities were unrivaled among those of the same rank. Fortunately, the others understood Ye Lingling's healing power even better than Xiao Lin did, and everyone agreed to the tactic.
"Right, Ye Lingling, take these."
To give Ye Lingling some form of combat capability, Xiao Lin handed her the Silent Sleeve Darts and the baton that Tang San had given him. After a brief lesson, Ye Lingling quickly mastered the use of the sleeve darts and the baton.
Xiao Lin had originally considered giving her a defensive Soul Tool, but ultimately decided against it. The defensive power of such a Soul Tool wasn't even as strong as the Shi brothers' first Soul Skill.
Having one would be wasteful and might make Ye Lingling rely too much on the device, causing her to forget to dodge or flee. As long as Ye Lingling was protected, their team would essentially have a mobile fountain of life—Xiao Lin understood this simple logic all too well.
As they trekked through the Outer Zone of the Far North, it wasn't long before Xiao Lin's group encountered a pack of Snow Wolves. However, they were only ten-year Soul Beasts; even the strongest Snow Wolf King was merely a hundred-year Soul Beast.
Under the pressure of Tang Ni's released Soul Power, the pack fled. Yet, at that moment, danger was slowly creeping up on Xiao Lin and the others.
Behind them, two thin, small men dressed in snow wolf pelts were following closely.
"Boss Hua, are we really going to move against them?"
"That little girl is the woman who killed Brother Sha with a single thrust of her spear! And as for the others, I can't see through them either. I feel like their strength is above ours."
One of the men, who sported a sleazy mustache, asked with confusion.
He had no confidence in killing these five. Wouldn't it be enough to just slack off on this mission? Perhaps those five would just freeze to death in the Far North on their own. Such occurrences were perfectly normal in this frozen wasteland.
"What do you know? The Boss issued a death order this time; the mission must be completed," a man with a hawk-like nose and sharp eyes snorted coldly.
"Even if their strength is above ours, we have the geographic advantage here in the Far North."
"The advantage is mine!"
**
Hello everyone,
Thank you for your support! If you enjoy my work, you can check out my Patreon—there are 100+ early access and exclusive content. I update 5 advanced chapter from Monday-Saturday
www.patreon.com/c/FanficTranslator
I truly appreciate it!