With two Grand Scholars in tow, the journey home was not very fast.
Once they reached Glimmering Market and met up with Big Clumsy Bear Grove, who had been waiting there, the party had four Phantom Beast Knights. That was enough to roam freely across the snowfields and pass through the Shanhe Trade Route.
They encountered quite a few Snow Ghosts along the way, but not a single Snow Demon.
"During the great battle, Snow Giant Da must have summoned every last Snow Demon, leaving the ranks depleted even now," Roland guessed. Otherwise, based on previous years, they would have had to tread carefully along the trade route at this time, running into Snow Demons every so often.
"That's possible." Russell strongly agreed.
Not only did the party fail to encounter any Snow Demons during the day, but even at night, when he rode Little Dream Dragon around in a flashy display, he still could not find any.
Even Little Dream Dragon had run out of patience and could only vent his pent-up frustration on packs of Snow Ghosts.
Without Snow Demons, there would be no Ice Soul Beads. Without Ice Soul Beads, Little Dream Dragon's growth would slow. That was not good news.
Moreover, without Snow Demons on the snowfields, Shadowflame Dragon, slumbering within Shadowflame Volcano, was probably growing anxious as well. It needed Ice Soul Beads to recover from its injuries, replenish the loss of essence caused by two consecutive great battles, and regain its former vigor.
"Luckily, we can still hunt Snow Ghosts." Roland handed over several Hail Beads he had taken from the Snow Ghosts he had slain. "Let Rosay eat them, so he can meet everyone sooner."
"Thanks, big brother." Russell did not stand on ceremony.
Roland smiled. "We're family, real brothers. What are you