Angel leaped forward, crossing the raging snowstorm.
Before long, he arrived at the entrance to Ice Valley.
The surroundings were deathly silent. Angel saw no one nearby. After a moment's thought, he rubbed the crimson drop of blood in his hand. Slowly, the blood drop began to heat up.
At that moment, a black shadow suddenly streaked across the sky and vanished in a flash.
Angel heard the crunch of leaves being trodden behind him. He spun around sharply and saw the black shadow slowly emerging from the woods.
A black buckled hat, a black cane, a white cravat, white gloves; an impeccably meticulous outfit, paired with a handsome yet detached face.
It was Sanders!
"Mentor!" Angel's eyes lit up as he hurried forward.
But he had barely taken a step when Sanders transformed into a black shadow and, carrying a fierce gust with him, lunged straight for Angel's face.
Angel jumped in fright. Just before the gale reached his face, he swiftly sprang backward, pushed off with his feet, and landed atop the crown of a lush tree ten meters away.
A glint flashed through Sanders' eyes at the sight. He had only intended to test how vigorous Angel's blood and vitality were, yet he had failed to hit him. It seemed his reaction speed had improved considerably.
Angel was about to ask Sanders what was going on when Sanders, without a word, launched a second attack. It was faster than before, and its angle was far trickier.
Angel had no choice but to raise his arm in defense.
When Sanders' cane struck his arm, a force surged into Angel's body. At first, it was not particularly strong, but as though seeing that Angel had no reaction, the force gradually intensified.
Angel froze for a moment, then immediately understood.