Fallen Sea Demon (1)

Because of the Frost Snake Demon's earlier appearance, Shen Hanyu had no choice but to alter his route slightly, detouring toward a more inland area.

Although he had traveled dozens of kilometers for nothing, at least his safety was somewhat guaranteed. Otherwise, the Frost Snake Demon might have drained him into a dried-up husk...

Under normal circumstances, Shen Hanyu certainly would not have let something like that slide. But now, they still bore the task of hunting his sixth Soul Ring. There could not be the slightest mistake, or the consequences would surely leave him regretting it for the rest of his life.

The wind was weaker farther inland, and he could already see some low vegetation struggling to survive amid the snowstorm. The plants here were peculiar, without a trace of green. Their stems and leaves were either white or blue, and they looked rather pleasing. Yet seeing them under such circumstances only added to the dull, desolate atmosphere.

Tian Meng also became more vigilant, acting like a radar to warn Shen Hanyu in time and provide the easiest route. Every now and then, he even transformed into an encyclopedia of the Far North, answering questions that had previously puzzled Shen Hanyu.

Shen Hanyu hurried onward while chatting intermittently with Tian Meng. As they traveled, the sky gradually changed in subtle ways, growing a little dimmer as the light faded and the temperature slowly dropped...

"Hanyu, it's getting dark. There's a small cave eight hundred meters ahead to the right. No Soul Beasts live there, so let's make do for the night..."

Tian Meng said.

Shen Hanyu nodded and followed Tian Meng's directions to a gentle slope. Sure enough, beneath two enormous rocks, he found a cave of moderate size.

The cave was clean, and the ground was dry, covered in soft, fine earth. After sensing it for a moment, Tian Meng said in surprise:

"This seems to be the scent of one of our Ice Silkworm Clan members. Judging by its size, it has at least thirty thousand years of cultivation."

"Oh?"

Shen Hanyu casually tidied up, spreading a blanket made from Blazing Lizard hide over the ground before covering himself with a quilt made from Flame Lion King fur.

Both of these Soul Beasts were among the finest Fire Attribute Soul Beasts. Not only were they powerful in life, but even after death, their hides retained dense Fire Attribute energy for a long time. They could still provide warmth in such a frigid environment, proving just how durable they were.

"Other than you, can anyone from the Ice Silkworm Clan really scrape their way past ten thousand years of cultivation?"

Shen Hanyu was somewhat curious. For a Soul Beast like an ice silkworm, reaching a thousand years of cultivation was already no easy feat. Ten thousand years was even rarer. As for one like Tian Meng...

Well... that was a real eye-opener...

Tian Meng snorted. Then, the body formed from his Mental Power slowly appeared beside Shen Hanyu, and he said smugly:

"My Ice Silkworm Clan has no fewer than ten affiliated races. There are tough, hot-tempered Soul Beasts like the Sky Ice Silkworm, and rare Soul Beasts like the Cold Jade Ice Silkworm, known as the Jade Swans of the Far North. Don't think insect-type Soul Beasts can't make a name for themselves. I'm proof enough. I am the supreme, strongest, kindest, most handsome emperor among Soul Beasts, the true ancestor of all insect-type Soul Beasts..."

"Stop, stop, stop! Tian Meng, do you take me for an idiot or something? Enough already. Just wait obediently for your Brother Yu to carry you to greatness. All you need to do is lie back..."

Shen Hanyu hurriedly interrupted him. Once Tian Meng started showing off, he was like a pig climbing a tree—impossible to pull back down!

Tian Meng smiled sheepishly, then cleared his throat and said seriously:

"Hanyu, we're not far from the Fallen Sea Demons' territory now. I trust both you and myself, but there are still a few important things I need to tell you in advance."

Shen Hanyu nodded, waiting for him to continue.

Tian Meng paused before saying:

"First, although Fallen Sea Demons belong to the sea demon race, they are not very intelligent. Even those at the Hundred Thousand Year level have intelligence roughly comparable to ordinary Soul Beasts at thirty thousand years. But that doesn't mean they're brainless. On the contrary, their senses can sometimes be terrifyingly sharp."

"Second, while they may not be very intelligent, they are extremely powerful. The scales covering their bodies can resist most energy attacks, and their combat skills are outstanding as well. That is an instinct carved into their bones. Once a fight begins, it will not end until one side bleeds."

"Third, they possess the Extreme Ice attribute. While that is not much trouble for you right now, the most important thing is that you must comprehend the true meaning of Extreme Ice by yourself. Only then can you enter that level. It is a difficult process, and whether you succeed depends on you."

"If I use all my Mental Power, I can probably fully restrain it for around five seconds. During that time, you must unleash the strongest attack you can possibly produce and strike its brain, where its defense is weakest. Then immediately enter its nest and absorb the Soul Ring."

"I can help you absorb or seal part of its energy, but whether you can endure it will still depend on you."

"This is undoubtedly the kind of gamble you humans talk about. We'll be staking everything on it, Hanyu. Do you understand?"

Shen Hanyu nodded solemnly and said:

"I know what I'm doing. Don't worry."

Tian Meng nodded silently. Several times, he seemed to want to say something, but in the end, the words never left his mouth.

Shen Hanyu smiled helplessly and used ice and snow to seal the cave entrance, leaving only a small opening for ventilation. Only then did he say:

"Tian Meng, if you have something to say, just say it. There's nothing we can't talk about. We're pretty alike—sometimes neither of us is very reliable—but at a time like this, there's no turning back once the arrow leaves the bow. It's better to say it outright."

Tian Meng stared at Shen Hanyu with his little eyes for a long while. At last, he sighed and said:

"Hanyu, it's not that I doubt you. There are quite a few top-tier Soul Beasts here. Even if they're not Hundred Thousand Year ones, they're still exceptionally formidable. I just don't feel certain about this. There has never been a human Soul Master who absorbed a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring as their sixth Soul Ring, right?"

"I've lived for so many years, and you're the only friend and confidant I can truly open my heart to. I hope you'll think it through carefully. It won't be too late to make a decision whenever you choose..."

Shen Hanyu gave a soundless, low laugh. His carefree gaze slowly sharpened, and the lazy air around him vanished in an instant. In its place rose an incomparably cold, sky-piercing spear intent. It was as though even space could not bear that power, faintly twisting under its pressure...

"Tian Meng, you still don't understand me well enough. I'm someone who fears death, which is why I wrap myself in disguises. I don't think that makes me hypocritical. Instead, it is the truest way I face life. From the moment I was born, my life has already been through death once. But there will never be a second time. Never!"

"Not even a god can take it from my hands. What belongs to me will always be mine. If something doesn't belong to me but catches my eye, then it will become mine. The Cold Sky Spear will pierce through every obstacle standing in my way. This is my path—a path no one can stop!"

Tian Meng stood stunned for a long time, seemingly deeply shocked. But in the end, a faintly relieved smile appeared on his face. He slowly returned to Shen Hanyu's Sea of Consciousness and said no more...