Chapter 80: The Ice-Blue Guardians

The Ice-Blue Guardian, upon seeing me enter its attack range, suddenly emitted a layer of pale blue mist all around. It was clear that this mist was its doing. As soon as I came into contact with it, a chill penetrated my bones, as if countless needles were stabbing me, and when I looked down, I saw my health dropping at a rate of ten points per second. My goodness, even hot drinks couldn’t fend off such mist. I was stunned; without the effect of the hot drink, I might have been frozen to death right there.

Glancing at the Windstorm Wolf King, I noticed no damage numbers above its head—the cold seemed to have no effect on it. I envied its thick fur and wished I could grow a coat like it to ward off this bitter chill. The moment the icy mist spread, my thighs felt weighed down, as if each had a thousand pounds tied to them; I could barely lift my legs.

“Ding~! You are affected by Zero Degree Ice Mist; movement speed reduced by seventy-five percent.”

“Damn, movement speed reduced.” I cursed loudly upon seeing the system prompt. After a second or two, the Ice-Blue Guardian rushed forward.

The Windstorm Wolf King immediately unleashed a spiral hurricane, a tornado crashing into the Ice-Blue Guardian, but the damage numbers were only -379, -210, -302. I was shocked—the boss’s defense was unusually high; the Wolf King’s attacks had dropped drastically.

The Ice-Blue Guardian accelerated again, darting toward me first. I quickly dove to the side.

With a swish, a sharp pain tore through my back, and -1210 points of damage flashed above my head. That single swipe had cost me over a thousand health; at this rate, five hits and I’d be finished.

The painful lesson was etched into my mind. The Windstorm Wolf King seemed fearless—the icy mist didn’t bother it thanks to its thick fur. It roared, reared up, and charged at the Ice-Blue Guardian, clawing wildly at its head. -300, -302, -304… a string of numbers around three hundred appeared. The boss was now taking hits, but monsters always have AI and won’t simply let you slaughter them.

The Wolf King’s fierce attacks had shaved off at least ten thousand health from the boss. Judging by the situation, it probably had twenty or thirty thousand points; this battle wasn't likely to be stable. I had a feeling there was more to this boss—it certainly had some tricks up its sleeve, as most bosses have high AI.

Suddenly, the Ice-Blue Guardian, battered and bruised, began to radiate an intense blue light. It raised both hands, gathering energy in the air, forming a growing blue energy ball between its claws. The pose looked much like it was preparing a spirit bomb.

“Windstorm Wolf King, fall back!” I shouted. The Wolf King instantly abandoned its attack and ran toward me. Anyone could see the boss was about to unleash something powerful. As the Wolf King retreated, the Ice-Blue Guardian hurled its “spirit bomb.” Both the Wolf King and I leapt aside to dodge.

But that was just the beginning. The Guardian’s claws suddenly detached from its body, transforming into two crescent-shaped blades that spun rapidly toward me. The move was both sudden and uncanny—dodging it would be near impossible.

I quickly activated my feint technique, and the two blades struck the shield of my decoy. The shield’s durability plummeted, then shattered with a crunch. One blade disappeared, but the other slashed across my body at lightning speed—4777 points of damage splashed out. I fell heavily, a long wound opened up on my body, blood pouring out. I lay on the ground, desperately applying healing potions; if it had been anyone else, that blow would’ve been fatal.

The Wolf King’s eyes turned blood-red. Seeing its master gravely wounded, it attacked in a frenzy, clawing and biting at the boss, but it was to no avail.

“Watch out!” I shouted. The Ice-Blue Guardian’s claws reverted to their original form and lunged at the raging Wolf King.

The Wolf King was struck, sent flying and sprawled on the ground, just as a silhouette flashed overhead like an eagle. In that instant, a shattering sound rang out and two damage numbers appeared: -2128, -2136. These came from the boss’s body—Amaterasu had leaped out from the summon space, her twin swords flashing with blood-red light, slicing across the boss’s belly in a swift, unstoppable move.

The boss was instantly gravely wounded. I rose and activated Wings of a Thousand Miles, aiming my Ruyi Staff at the Ice-Blue Guardian’s abdomen, focusing my energy, and launched a heavy strike.

-913, -909—the Guardian cried out in pain and charged at me in frenzy. I fought back, battering it with the Ruyi Staff: -409, -408, -410…

“Master, look out!” Amaterasu suddenly shouted. The Ice-Blue Guardian retreated and swung both claws, sending two blood-red crescent blades arcing through the air.

If I were to be hit, I’d surely die. I immediately activated my feint technique. The blades struck my decoy, and as I reappeared, I saw the Guardian sweep over my head.

-2292!

That sudden swipe nearly wiped out the health I’d just restored.

“How dare you harm my master!” Amaterasu roared, throwing a circle of blood-red daggers at the Guardian. The Guardian stopped attacking me and turned to assault Amaterasu. At this moment, Amaterasu wielded the cross formed by Bloodstorm—a stance I’d seen Phantom Moon use. Bloodstorm carved a glowing black cross, striking the Guardian’s head, which was about the size of a human’s.

-6666!

With a thunderous explosion, the Guardian’s head burst apart, ice shards blossoming like fireworks. The headless body collapsed, leaving coins, potions, materials, and several gleaming pieces of equipment scattered across the ground.

I let out a long sigh of relief. The experience bar flashed: +500,000 experience, instantly filling another segment. The Wolf King howled, then entered the summon space to sleep—it was finally about to evolve again.

I saw Amaterasu gathering equipment. Summoned beasts picking up loot isn’t unusual; after training, they often help with such tasks. But I’d never trained Amaterasu for this—her AI must be quite advanced.

After gathering everything, Amaterasu ran up to me and said, “Master, here you go.”

I smiled, “You’re amazing.”

Amaterasu replied, “It’s nothing. As long as you wish, I’ll do anything for you.”

I chuckled, accepting the loot. The boss had dropped three items: an octagonal hat, leather armor resembling that worn by archers, and a dagger. Though unidentified and their attributes unknown, boss drops are usually good. Besides the equipment, there were fifteen gold coins, thirty-three silver coins, and some materials. This was a profitable battle.

Next was entering the cave. The ice cavern, despite its name, was bright. The first creature I encountered inside was a snow wolf, a level thirty-five ordinary beast. Description: These wolves inhabit the ancient snow mountains, hunting in packs. Their fur can be made into warm coats to withstand any cold.

Amaterasu dashed ahead, slicing the wolf’s head cleanly—like cutting a watermelon. It died instantly, without even a cry.

-5210 damage floated above the wolf’s head. As we ventured deeper, more snow wolves appeared, but all were easily dispatched by Amaterasu. The further we went, the darker it became, until pitch blackness replaced the light.

One hundred meters.

Two hundred meters.

Three hundred meters.

Four hundred meters.

…

I had no idea how long or how far I’d walked, but at last I glimpsed light ahead—the exit was near. I hurried out of the cave, and my vision was suddenly flooded with brightness. The sight before me left me dumbfounded.

The wind howled, snowflakes whirled, and the entire world was a vast expanse of ice and snow.

Before me stretched a massive, snowy plain. Looking up, the sky felt almost within reach, as if I could touch it, yet snow was everywhere—a dazzling white.

The wind cut like knives across my face, fierce and wild, making it hard to keep my eyes open. The snow beneath my feet sank up to my knees.

“What wretched weather,” I muttered. Upon entering the snowfield, I saw a crowd of people and the ruins of a ramshackle town ahead—a sense of foreboding rose in my heart.