Beneath the vast horizon, a group of several dozen people carrying enormous packs made their way across the snow-capped mountains.
Heavy snow swirled around them, like a white veil stretched across the world, cloaking everything in silver.
The bitter wind mingled with the bone-deep cold, converging in the air and tearing through it with a mournful howl like an enraged dragon.
The swirling snow nearly obscured their vision. Every so often, the few people at the head of the group took out their compasses to check their direction, then lowered their heads and pressed on.
They had been walking for three days straight, yet the first batch of students from Snow Valley Training Camp still hadn't made it out of the mountains.
At that moment, Ghost Eye, who was leading the group, spotted a cave not far ahead. He turned and called back to the others.
"There's a cave up ahead. Let's go in and rest for a while."
"Good timing. We can grab something to eat, too." Li Zheng, beside him, nodded in agreement.
The group followed Ghost Eye toward the cave.
It lay beneath a steep cliff, half-hidden under snow that had never melted. Icicles hung from the entrance like decorations.
The cave was exposed to the wind, and whenever a gust swept past, the ice walls gave off a low, drawn-out echo.
Once inside, the students from the first training camp didn't rush to rest. They cautiously ventured deeper into the cave, making sure no monsters were lurking within before setting down their packs.
"Start a fire."
As he spoke, Ghost Eye took three fire sticks from his pack and laid them on the ground. He raised his hand and conjured elemental flames to light them.
Seeing this, the other students also took out their fire sticks