Chapter 29: Schemes and Intrigue (1/1)
——
Deep within the glaciers, the blizzard grew increasingly violent. The swirling snow was like blades, making it hard to open one's eyes.
The cloaked figure flickered in and out of view within the storm. Fine cracks spread across the ice beneath his feet, but were forcibly frozen shut by his soul power.
Jiang Li followed three zhang behind him. His steps remained light, as if he were walking on an ordinary stone street rather than a frozen wasteland.
In contrast, the remaining few soul masters were pale as corpses, their lips turning purple from the cold. Their soul power circulation had become sluggish and difficult.
They looked at the two figures ahead and felt only despair and fear.
The tragic scene of the Ice Armored Snow Hounds still lingered in their minds—the torn flesh staining the snow continued to haunt them.
"Th-there's an ice fissure ahead!"
At that moment, a Soul Emperor pointed tremblingly into the distance.
There, the ice layer had collapsed, revealing a bottomless darkness. Cold wind howled out from the crack, carrying a chilling pressure.
The cloaked man stopped, his gaze sweeping over the fissure and then over the remaining people. His voice carried no warmth.
"Go around it."
Before his words even finished, he pushed off the ground and shot toward the right side of the fissure like an arrow.
The ice cliff there was smooth as a mirror and hundreds of meters high—impossible for ordinary soul masters to climb.
Yet the cloaked man extended three strands of soul power from his fingertips, forming ice hooks that latched onto the wall. He climbed as if walking on flat ground.
The remaining soul masters exchanged glances and could only grit their teeth and follow.
Jiang Li remained at the rear. He lightly tapped the ice wall with his toe and his body rose like drifting willow catkins, landing steadily on the cliff top.
The cloaked man stood above, watching Jiang Li's movement. A dark glint flashed in his eyes.
This man clearly had no detectable soul power fluctuations, yet he moved effortlessly in the Far North, seemingly unaffected by the extreme cold.
"So you do have some skill," the cloaked man suddenly said, his tone probing. "May I ask why you infiltrated my group?"
A playful curve appeared at the corner of Jiang Li's mouth.
"Just trying to earn a living," he said casually.
The cloaked man said nothing more, but calculations began forming in his mind.
Soon, the remaining few soul masters climbed up as well, panting heavily and nearly exhausted of soul power.
Fortunately, the cloaked man spoke again.
"Cross the Ice Crystal Valley ahead, and we'll reach the destination."
Jiang Li followed his gaze. Ahead indeed lay a valley.
However, within it lingered a suffocating pressure, as if something terrifying were in deep slumber.
The few soul masters showed a flicker of hope upon hearing the word "destination."
They only hoped the mission would end soon so they could collect their reward and escape this damned place.
But the moment the group stepped into the Ice Crystal Valley, the ground suddenly trembled violently.
Rumble——
A deafening roar came from deep within the valley. Snow slid down the mountain peaks, forming small avalanches.
Then a furious roar shook heaven and earth.
"ROAR——!"
A massive figure slowly rose from the depths of the valley.
It stood over thirty meters tall, covered in thick white fur. Beneath the fur lay muscles as hard as rock.
It was the apex predator of the Far North—the Titan Snow Demon.
The moment it appeared, the remaining soul masters collapsed in terror, legs giving out beneath them.
They could clearly feel the overwhelming pressure radiating from it, like a mountain pressing down on their hearts, making even breathing difficult.
"How can something like this exist here?!"
A soul master screamed, voice filled with despair.
The cloaked man's expression turned extremely grave. He had not expected to encounter a Titan Snow Demon here.
And judging by its size, it was at least eighty thousand years old.
A creature of this level— even a Titled Douluo would have to retreat.
Jiang Li looked at it with mild interest.
But the Titan Snow Demon simply roared and swung its fist down toward the group.
Before the fist even landed, a terrifying gust of wind sent the remaining people flying.
"Attack!"
The cloaked man shouted suddenly. Nine soul rings rose around him: two yellow, three purple, and four black.
His hands formed seals, and his eighth soul skill activated instantly. Countless ice spikes erupted from the ground like spears, shooting toward the Titan Snow Demon.
At almost the same moment, Jiang Li moved as well.
He did not release any soul rings. Instead, he flashed to the creature's side.
His right fist struck casually toward its waist.
The fist wind whistled, carrying a faint sonic boom.
Bang!
The ice spikes struck the Titan Snow Demon's fur, producing crisp metallic sounds.
But the attack only scratched its surface skin without drawing blood.
Jiang Li's fist, however, landed solidly on its waist.
Crack!
A bone-shattering sound rang out. The Titan Snow Demon let out a painful roar, staggering back several steps.
It looked at Jiang Li in disbelief, eyes filled with rage and shock.
The cloaked man's eyes flashed with surprise.
He did not expect Jiang Li to injure an eighty-thousand-year Titan Snow Demon with pure physical strength alone.
Such power likely already surpassed a Titled Douluo.
With that thought, the cloaked man's killing intent deepened.
Taking advantage of the Titan Snow Demon being held back, he quietly retreated, condensing soul power in his sleeve. A single ice needle formed silently.
This ice needle contained terrifying frost poison—even a Titled Douluo would suffer greatly if struck.
He had been waiting for this moment.
Now Jiang Li was fully focused on the Titan Snow Demon, his guard lowered.
"Die!"
A ruthless light flashed in the cloaked man's eyes as he launched the ice needle toward Jiang Li's back.
The strike was extremely fast, like a ghost, instantly reaching him.
However, Jiang Li subtly shifted his body—seemingly dodging the Titan Snow Demon's attack, but perfectly avoiding the fatal trajectory.
The ice needle scraped his shoulder, leaving a bloodline as frost poison instantly invaded his body.
"Hm?"
Jiang Li groaned softly, his face slightly pale, stumbling a step.
The cloaked man's eyes lit up with satisfaction.
This was exactly what he wanted. Once Jiang Li was affected by the poison, he could escape.
"Fool. The Far North is your burial ground!"
He laughed and erupted with soul power, fleeing toward the valley exit.
In an instant, he disappeared into the blizzard.
The Titan Snow Demon was fully enraged now. It roared and swung its fist again at Jiang Li.
The remaining soul masters had already been killed by the shockwaves.
Now, only Jiang Li and the rampaging Titan Snow Demon remained in the Ice Crystal Valley.
Jiang Li glanced at the wound on his shoulder. A thin layer of ice had already formed as the frost poison slowly spread.
Yet a playful smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
"Acting is really tiring."
He muttered softly, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.
From the very beginning, he had been deliberately showing openings.
He had already sensed the cloaked man's intent to betray him, and even predicted the timing of the backstab.
That was why he intentionally did not fully avoid the ice needle—to make the cloaked man relax and leave confidently.
Thinking this, Jiang Li raised his head and looked at the Titan Snow Demon, stretching his body slightly.
Xiao You quietly coiled around his upper body, slowly opening its mouth and spitting out a sheathed blade.