Liu Shui had fallen asleep.
But no one else, including Master Jin and Master Liao, could sleep. They added more fuel to the bonfires around the camp, then gathered around the central fire to discuss what to do next.
Yet from time to time, everyone glanced at Liu Shui, who lay on the ground sleeping soundly.
Their feelings were complicated.
Because everyone could sense that, as Liu Shui sank into sleep, his Life Aura was slowly fading away.
But no one tried to wake him.
He would simply die like this.
He would suffer no pain, and no one else would have to worry about the curse spreading.
For him.
For everyone.
It was the best possible ending.
He was the first companion to die since entering the Icefield.
Master Jin glanced into the surrounding darkness. The cold wind howled, carrying with it an oppressive heaviness. He took out his pocket watch and checked the time. There was still an hour until dawn.
"Stay alert."
"Rest for a while after daybreak. No one is to fall asleep now."
He gave the order in a low voice.
The others readily agreed.
No one dared sleep. Everyone focused their attention on the darkness around them, remaining on guard. Even ordinary people knew that on the Icefield, dawn and dusk were often the most sinister times.
Time passed, second by second.
No one spoke.
The atmosphere was strange, like a powder keg being forcibly suppressed.
Five minutes.
Ten minutes.
Fifteen minutes...
Suddenly.
Far beyond the dark horizon, a faint blue light flickered.
At first, no one noticed it.
But soon.
The light began expanding without stop, as though a blue halo were spreading across the sky.
"What is that?!"
Everyone's expressions changed as they rose to their feet.
Tension appeared on their faces.