"Why have there been so many fewer demonic beasts outside the city lately? Is it a sign something's about to happen?"
"If we knew why, would the city lord have sent us here to investigate?"
A seven-person scouting team walked through the frozen wilderness. They were all battle-hardened cultivators, with experience fighting and defeating demonic beasts of their own level. The city lord had sent them to investigate the reason for the change in the number of demonic beasts.
They flew close to the ground, dressed in white robes with advanced concealment talismans sewn inside. Their magical treasures hung at their waists, and the compasses in their hands spun round and round.
As they got farther and farther from Snowgaze City, the number of demonic beasts finally began to increase.
They were skilled at concealing their auras. They could fly right past demonic beasts without being noticed, even beasts a major realm above them.
Suddenly, darkness fell over them. A figure as enormous as a mountain loomed into view, breathing out freezing air. One cultivator failed to react in time. The frigid breath touched him, and he instantly froze into an ice statue.
The captain looked up and met the mountain-sized figure's gaze. At last, he recognized it. "It's the Frost Elephant Great Demon King! Run!"
The moment the others saw the Frost Elephant Great Demon King, fear took hold of their hearts. Their vast experience living on the icy plains, their battles against demonic beasts—all of it was useless now!
Only when the captain shouted did they break free of their terror. They abandoned all attempts to hide their auras and took off at full speed.
A forked tongue suddenly darted out and snatched away another companion.
A white snake lay hidden in the snow, as though invisible. None