107 Into the Ice wolf valley
Two hours passed.
Shen Xiaoli finally absorbed Frostheart Jade Lotus.
Suddenly an explosive aura burst out from Shen Xiaoli; not only did she recover, but her cultivation also increased.
After a while, when her aura was established, Shen Xiaoli finally opened her eyes.
"Thank you, Tian'er." Shen Xiaoli looked at him and replied with a soft smile.
"It's alright." Shi Tian nodded with a smile. "So shall we go then? There are many treasures that need to be collected."
"Yes. My injuries have healed now; I can also fight. I won't be a burden anymore." Shen Xiaoli replied with radiant confidence.
"Let's go then." Shi Tian and Shen Xiaoli moved together to the next location.
"Tian'er, why don't we go directly to the inheritance place?" Shen Xiaoli said with some concern mixed with anticipation. Now that they have the location of the hidden inheritance, she became a little excited.
The secret realm was dangerous; she wanted to leave this place as soon as possible after obtaining the inheritance.
"Sister Xiaoli, the spiritual treasures in this secret realm are very rare and precious, very difficult to find in the outer world. Anyway, it is a matter of taking some detours; we will collect only high-grade spiritual treasures." Shi Tian said, convincing her.
Shen Xiaoli hesitated for a moment before nodding her head. Afterward, both of them ventured into the ice world, collecting the spiritual herbs and plants.
Two hours later...
Shen Xiaoli and Shi Tian found themselves standing in front of a valley.
"This is the territory of the ice wolves. I almost lost my life to them." Shen Xiaoli said as she looked into the valley.
Last time, she entered this valley by mistake, got surrounded by the ice wolves, and almost lost her life if Shi Tian hadn't saved her at the last moment.
"So it is time to take some payback." Shi Tian held his spear and said.
"But there is a big pack of wolves living in this valley. It will be dangerous." Shen Xiaoli said with concern. "There might be a spirit king-level ice wolf among them. It is just some spiritual fruit; it is not worth a risk."
"Sister Xiaoli, it is about some spiritual herbs. This valley is a shortcut to reach the inheritance location; if we were to go around it, it would waste two to three days." Shi Tian opened the map and said, while pointing to the map.
There are many high-grade spiritual herbs and fruits growing in this valley. Other than that, this valley was a short route to reach the inheritance location. Although it was a little dangerous, Shi Tian thinks it was worth it.
Shen Xiaoli's strength had recovered; they could fight against the spirit king realm monster if they worked together. Moreover, Shi Tian still has some trump cards, enough to handle peak-grade spirit king realm beasts.
According to the map, this secret realm's law doesn't allow anyone higher than the spirit king to appear. Otherwise, the spirit beasts who were living in this secret realm for decades or centuries might have become powerful beasts.
"Okay, let's go then." Shen Xiaoli pondered for a moment and nodded.
The wind grew colder.
Not the sharp, dry chill of ordinary snowlands, but a deep, bone-gnawing frost that seeped through even the thickest spiritual robes. Even Shi Tian, protected by the Chaos Flame and his Celestial Yang Physique, could feel the air grow unnaturally dense as they stepped deeper into the mouth of Ice Wolf Valley.
Ahead lay jagged ice ridges and glimmering frost-covered trees, their crystalline branches crackling faintly in the wind. The entire valley exuded a wild stillness—as if the very snow held its breath.
"It feels like we're being watched," Shen Xiaoli murmured, eyes narrowing as she scanned the terrain ahead. Her spiritual sense, keen and cold as her frost abilities, brushed against an invisible presence.
"I know," Shi Tian replied, tightening his grip on the Chaotic Spear. "The wolves are smart. They must have recognized our scents; after all, we have killed a few companions of theirs. Knowing we are dangerous. They won't strike right away—they'll wait until we're deeper in."
He glanced to the side. Upon a sufficient level, beasts awaken their intelligence. High-ranking monsters could even transform into human shape.
Shen Xiaoli walked with steady grace. The Frostheart Jade Lotus had done its work—her skin had regained its subtle glow, and her cultivation had not only recovered but grown slightly stronger, brushing against the late Spirit Lord realm.
Even so, Shi Tian kept alert. She might have healed, but this valley was home to spirit king realm beasts, and the pack of wolves lives in groups. Their cooperation had to be flawless.
They stepped between two massive ice pillars, passing fully into the valley proper. Almost immediately, a soft howl echoed through the valley.
Shen Xiaoli stopped.
"It's a signal howl," she said softly. "They know we're here."
"I'm counting at least ten auras already. Four… maybe five mid-level Spirit Lords," Shi Tian responded, spiritual sense pulsing outward like a radar. "And something… big… sleeping deeper in."
Shen Xiaoli's brows furrowed. "That must be the one that nearly killed me last time."
Shen Xiaoli looked at him. "Are you sure about this?"
Shi Tian's lips curled slightly. "If you're not afraid, then I am not either. It is time for a payback."
They moved forward again, weaving past broken ice ridges, leaping over frozen creeks where crystal-clear water trickled beneath thin layers of frost. Glimmering herbs clung to some of the rocks—Ice Crystal Fennel, Snowroot, and even a rare stalk of Chilling Sunflower. Shen Xiaoli paused once to collect a few, but they didn't linger.
Suddenly, a crunch came from the side.
A pair of Ice Wolves leapt from behind a snowdrift, their eyes glowing blue. Their breath came out in mists, forming frost crystals midair. Fangs bared, they charged without hesitation.
Shi Tian moved first.
His spear snapped outward like lightning, the Chaos Flame igniting along the shaft.
The spear carved a half-moon arc of black and gold flame. The wolves were fast—one dodged, but the other was caught in the arc, sent flying with a yelp, half its body scorched.
Shen Xiaoli stepped forward, flicking her wrist. A frost lotus bloomed midair, sending sharp petals out in every direction.
"Frost Blossom Lotus."
The dodging wolf found itself impaled by shimmering shards of ice, falling limp into the snow.
More howls followed.
Shi Tian turned to her. "They know we're serious now."
"Let them come," Shen Xiaoli said coolly, her silver eyes glinting.
The two moved deeper into the valley, facing several more ambushes from smaller packs. Despite the danger, they pushed forward efficiently—every strike they made was precise, trained through battle and trust. Their rhythm had grown natural.
As the sun dipped low, casting violet hues over the ice, a thick fog rolled in across the valley floor.
"Time to stop," Shi Tian finally said. "The fog's getting too dense. Even spiritual sense is dulled."
"There," Shen Xiaoli pointed to a dark crevice between two cliffs. "That cave. I remember it. I hid there before."
They entered cautiously.
It was deep and shielded from the wind. A faint warmth lingered within—perhaps the remnants of geothermal heat. It was dry, with a natural stone platform in the back.
Shi Tian took out a formation plate and activated a concealment array. Without these formations and talismans, they would be surrounded by the wolves in no time.
Shen Xiaoli exhaled softly and sat down near the stone wall, brushing snow from her sleeves.
"I forgot how bitterly cold this valley gets at night," she murmured, looking into the distance.
Shi Tian prepared a small pot of spirit herb broth. The aroma of Snowroot and Fennel Lotus slowly filled the cave, blending with the dry warmth.
"Let's eat first," he said, handing her a bowl.
She took it quietly, blowing on it before sipping. "Not bad. You're better at cooking now."
"Improvement," he said with a grin, sitting across from her. "Do you remember the last time we had to hide in a cave together?"
Her face flushed slightly, though she turned away.
"That was… different."
"You have become cheeky; you dare to tease me." Shen Xiaoli twisted his ear and snorted.
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