Chapter 325

Chapter 325: Ice Ghoul

White Hair Peak.

Thick layers of snow had crystallized into frost, blanketing the steep cliffs. Fierce winds, carrying razor-sharp ice blades, swept across the peaks, carving deep grooves into the unyielding rock.

At an altitude of one thousand five hundred zhang above the ground, the environment was unimaginably harsh for ordinary people.

Low-level cultivators or innate martial artists would not survive even the time it takes to drink a cup of tea here!

Battling against the relentless wind and snow, Wang Chen’s gaze pierced forward.

Yet, visibility was limited to no more than twenty steps, and all that met the eye was an endless expanse of white.

The temperature had plummeted to a bone-chilling level, and the pervasive frost posed a formidable challenge to anyone daring to scale White Hair Peak.

Within Wang Chen, however, it was as if a furnace burned. Boundless heat radiated through his skin, forming an invisible barrier at his body surface, shielding him from the icy winds and blades.

Thin ice blades, as delicate as cicada wings, struck Wang Chen at high speed, shattering into dust upon impact.

The Heavenly Dragon Vajra True Method, which he had cultivated with unwavering dedication, now unleashed its full potential in this extreme environment.

Li Qingxi, who followed behind Wang Chen, did not possess such formidable body cultivation. She raised her Green Sun Umbrella, relying on the power of this top-tier magical artifact to fend off the freezing cold.

Despite the brutal conditions atop White Hair Peak, the sight of Wang Chen, standing as steadfast as a mountain, filled her heart with a profound sense of security.

The two pressed on, one after the other, step by step, advancing resolutely toward the ridge.

White Hair Peak towered three thousand zhang high, but the ridges flanking the main peak were just over two thousand zhang, making the ascent somewhat less daunting.

After climbing about a hundred zhang, the wind and snow suddenly subsided, and the dense white mist surrounding the peak began to dissipate.

Through the breaks in the clouds, the azure sky became visible.

It seemed the surroundings had taken a turn for the better.

At that moment, Wang Chen suddenly noticed a figure emerging to the right, a few hundred steps away.

“Fellow traveler, help!”

The figure was a middle-aged cultivator. Upon spotting Wang Chen and Li Qingxi, he immediately cried out in desperation, “Quick, save me!”

He dashed toward them!

Wang Chen’s eyes turned cold.

For behind this middle-aged cultivator were more than a dozen long-haired creatures, neither fully human nor fully demon, racing across the snowy ground with astonishing speed, their crimson eyes gleaming with a bloodthirsty hunger!

White Hair Ice Ghouls!

Wang Chen recalled what Xu cultivator had once mentioned—a type of monster that dwelled on White Hair Peak.

These monsters were immensely powerful, skilled in close combat, and their thick hides made them resistant to ordinary spells. They were especially resilient against ice and water element spells.

Most terrifying of all, White Hair Ice Ghouls lived in colonies, and provoking one would inevitably summon an entire horde.

This middle-aged cultivator had clearly stumbled upon the White Hair Ice Ghouls and was now being relentlessly pursued by them.

Upon seeing Wang Chen and Li Qingxi, he seemed to have found a lifeline, clearly intending to shift the danger onto them.

In an instant, Wang Chen stood motionless, his mindset racing as he contemplated his next move.

As the distance between the middle-aged cultivator and Wang Chen narrowed to less than a hundred steps, he abruptly extended his claw, grasping at the air towards his adversary.

“Freeze!”

The middle-aged cultivator, who was gliding over the snowy ground, shuddered violently as an invisible force enveloped him, severely disrupting the flow of his internal power.

He stumbled, nearly collapsing onto the snowy ground.

“Body Freezing Technique!”

The middle-aged cultivator’s face contorted with malice as he exerted his power to break free from the restraint.

The Qi Training level Body Freezing Technique was trivial for him, an initial Purple Palace cultivator; he had only been caught off guard.

However, in the next instant, a brilliant sword light pierced through the wind and snow, hurtling towards him at an astonishing speed.

The middle-aged cultivator was immediately struck with terror, hastily deploying a turtle-shell shield spirit tool to shield himself.

Just as the flying sword was about to collide with the turtle shield, it abruptly ascended, vanishing into the swirling wind and snow.

The thunderous sound of lightning then reached the middle-aged cultivator’s ears.

Thunderous sword energy!

The middle-aged cultivator’s heart was filled with dread as he realized his grave error.

He had attempted to use Wang Chen and Li Qingxi as shields against peril, but he had not anticipated that Wang Chen was a sword cultivator who had mastered thunderous sword energy and had seen through his ploy.

Now, he had gained another formidable foe!

The middle-aged cultivator had no time for regret, as two ice ghouls had already pounced from behind, their sharp claws aimed menacingly at his back.

Their dagger-like claws gleamed with a metallic sheen!

Sensing the imminent danger, the middle-aged cultivator swiftly turned, using the turtle shield to protect himself.

Bang! Bang!

The defense of his spirit tool was formidable, successfully blocking the fierce assaults from the two ice ghouls.

Yet, more White Hair Ice Ghouls surged forward, some leaping high into the air, others charging swiftly across the ground.

In a flash, they overwhelmed the middle-aged cultivator!

The cacophony of collisions, roars, and screams filled the air, instilling a deep sense of dread.

At that moment, Wang Chen stepped back, pulling Li Qingxi with him.

He employed Shortening the Earth to move several dozen steps away.

Carrying another person added to the strain, and the unique conditions of White Hair Peak meant that even with his Shortening the Earth at perfect mastery, the distance he could cover was limited.

Moreover, the power consumed was significant.

After using Shortening the Earth five times consecutively, his dantian’s power had decreased by one-fifth!

In his final movement, he hid himself and Li Qingxi behind a large rock on the mountain.

Embracing Li Qingxi, Wang Chen threw a white fleece blanket over them.

He activated the Spirit Concealment Technique, masking their presence.

Without needing a reminder, Li Qingxi also cast the Spirit Concealment Technique as the blanket enveloped them.

In mere moments, the surface of the blanket was adorned with countless tiny ice needles, blending perfectly with the surrounding environment.

By then, the group of ice ghouls had torn the middle-aged cultivator to shreds, some ghouls voraciously devouring the fresh flesh, while others searched restlessly for new prey.

Earlier, they had sensed the presence of Wang Chen and Li Qingxi.

However, after a thorough search of the vicinity, the ice ghouls found nothing.

The leader of the ghouls roared in frustration, reluctantly leading his minions away.

The wind and snow gradually intensified, swiftly covering the blood and remains scattered on the snow with a layer of frost.

After half an incense stick’s time, the previous group of ice ghouls suddenly reappeared.

They dispersed and searched once more.

Yet, still, they found nothing.

The ice ghoul leader was disheartened, but helpless, and could only depart once again.

This time, they truly left.

After another incense stick’s time, Wang Chen and Li Qingxi arrived at the spot where the middle-aged cultivator had met his demise.

Wang Chen scanned the area, his divine sense expanding.

Then, he unearthed a storage bag and a small turtle-shell shield from beneath the snow.

Feeling satisfied, he said to Li Qingxi, “Let’s go.”