Chapter 132

Normally, doing this would be a huge no-no—the firelight and thick smoke are extremely conspicuous in the darkness, clearly visible from thousands of meters away, easily attracting the relentless pursuit of the Frost Priests.

But it doesn't matter now.

This is exactly the effect she wanted.

She had to lure all those damned guys over, whether she drove them away or lured them away, she just couldn't let them get any closer to the Avarosan Tribe.

Now her only worry is... the beautiful young man who stayed with her.

She knew her opponent was quite powerful, perhaps even stronger than her, but... the Frost Priests wasn't so easy to deal with.

Each of them possesses Iceborn blood, naturally powerful, and wields bizarre magic that defies comprehension... Their individual combat abilities are terrifying enough, let alone when they fight in groups...

The warm firelight shone on Ashe's fair face, making her slightly furrowed brows appear even more deeply shadowed.

"You look nervous." A gentle voice came, followed by a skewer of freshly grilled meat.

"No, I'm worried..." Ashe took the roasted meat, but seemed to have little appetite, only taking a small bite. "If... I mean if, we're no match for the Frost Priests... just run. Their target is me, they won't keep chasing you."

"When did our great Warmother become so pessimistic?" Chen Ce chuckled. "I remember you always being hopeful."

"But sometimes you have to be prepared for the worst..." Ashe shook her head helplessly.

"The worst-case scenario is that we accidentally kill them all and leave no survivors for questioning."

"You don't understand... those Frost Priests are even more terrifying than the Children of the Icefield... each of them possesses power no less than that of the Warmother of the Icefield Children Tribe..."

"Whether I'm a little stronger or weaker, it's all the same," Chen Ce said confidently.

This confidence certainly didn't stem from his blind arrogance, but rather from his understanding of the Frost Priests.

It's no exaggeration to say that he knows the Frost Priests better Ashe, a native of Freljord.

He knew all too well their capabilities... They did have some strength, but were nothing to fear.

"Please believe in yourself, and believe in me."

As he spoke, Chen Ce offered another skewer of grilled meat to the other person's mouth—this time he fed him directly with his hands.

Ashe didn't hesitate and immediately enjoyed this intimate interaction of being waited on hand and foot.

Even a young boy like her isn't shy; if she backs down first, she'll seem too weak and petty.

Maintaining composure at all times is the source of a lady's charm.

Ashe's worries gradually dissipated in this warm and comfortable atmosphere.

Chen Ce took another look at the girl in front of him—even now, he was still amazed by her attire.

In Freljord, where temperatures are tens of degrees below zero, Ashe only needs to wear a thin sleeveless marksman outfit, an equally thin outer garment, and a short skirt.

This is the true value of Avarosa's successor.

As long as she has an outer garment to protect her from the wind and snow, she doesn't even feel cold.

If you were to ask her why she doesn't wear more layers to keep warm now that there are plenty of supplies... she would say, "It's too hot."

Hmm... but this does give me a little treat to look at.

It must be said that she does have a very slender figure—you could even describe her as "slender." Of course, that's a positive, complimentary term.

Perhaps because she is a little younger and not fully developed, she looks slimmer than Syndra and Katarina, but the curves of her chest and hips are still quite pronounced, giving her a "not particularly voluptuous, but just right" look.

In addition, her attire was also very nice.

In the freezing cold of Freljord, her sleeveless archer outfit created a striking contrast, revealing her smooth armpits and a hint of her cleavage... making her incredibly beautiful.

She was innocent and dignified, even possessing the naivety unique to high school girls, yet she always unintentionally revealed a hint of allure, creating a striking contrast.

It's the kind of beauty that reminds you of your first love.

The awkwardness and naivety of youth.

"You're really resistant to the cold." Chen Ce praised this extraordinary ability once again, and also wrapped himself in at least five layers of thick clothes.

"I'm used to it." Ashe smiled as well. "But I do envy you—although you're more sensitive to the cold, your body is always warm, while I'm always freezing—even if I wear more clothes, I only feel stuffy and can't warm myself up."

"Huh? Really?"

"Of course it's true." Ashe genuinely envied people whose bodies were warm and cozy.

Until Chen Ce suddenly put his hand...

It was placed on her face.

A gentle pinch, like a bad man harassing an innocent young girl.

"Oh, it really is cold. I thought only your hands were cold."

"Huh...?" Ashe was startled by this sudden act of intimacy. "What... what are you doing...?"

"I want to verify whether what you said is 'true' or not."

"I... I meant... I really envy you..."

"Oh? I thought you were talking about your body being cold."

"Although this is also true... but... but..."

Ashe felt the warmth on her cheek and was momentarily unsure whether to pull away.

If she hides, it makes her look like a grown woman being easily manipulated and controlled by a young man; if she doesn't hide, she really feels embarrassed...

After hesitating for a while, she finally made a bold decision.

As the Warmother of the Avarosan Tribe and the inheritor of the Avarosa lineage... how could she be manipulated by a mere boy?

She has to fight back!

So she placed her hand on the other person's face as well.

It was indeed warm.

Like a warmed pillow.

It feels so good...

"As expected... as expected, he's very warm..." Ashe tried to appear calm as she pinched the other person's cheek, but her beautiful eyes clearly betrayed her panic. "He's definitely a young man who takes good care of himself... Not bad... really not bad..."

Chen Ce was somewhat surprised by this counterattack, but he remained calm—this level of counterattack was too simplistic and childish.

It was like a feeble attack from a kindergarten child.

So he smiled maliciously.

"Perhaps my heart is warmer than my face, would you like to try?"

"...?" This question stumped Ashe.

She swallowed nervously, her gaze slowly shifting downwards—stiff as a robot.

The heart... isn't that... the area in the chest...?

Chest... chest...

That's just...

This... this...

"Hmm? You're blushing?" Chen Ce's voice was like a devil's whisper, tempting the virtuous into the abyss of desire. "What's wrong? Don't you want to try a warmer place?"

"Mr. Chen... Mr. Chen Ce...!" Ashe completely broke down, immediately taking several steps back. "Please... please have some self-respect...! As a boy, you should keep yourself pure...!"

Chen Ce smiled but remained silent.

It's so much fun to tease an innocent young girl...

The two remained in the same spot for several more days.

Every morning and evening, they would light bonfires and let the thick smoke drift as far as possible, all to lure the pursuers here.

Those Frost Priests searching all over Freljord for the Avarosan Tribe will find this place sooner or later.

Finally, on the night of the fourth day, Chen Ce felt the earth tremble slightly—as if a large herd of giant beasts were running wildly.

With her superhuman eyesight, Ashe spotted a light on the other side of the snow-capped mountain—the glow of a torch.

It's coming soon.

"Just do as I said before." Ashe displayed her exceptional leadership skills, her serious demeanor a stark contrast to her previous shy, naive demeanor. "I'll lure them to the trap first, then you'll activate it."

"No problem." Chen Ce nodded. These past few days, they hadn't just been sitting in one place "flirting"; they had already set up a whole bunch of traps.

"You'd better be careful then, don't get too close to me."

"Hmm? You want me to abandon you?" Ashe raised an eyebrow, slightly displeased. "I'm a woman; even if I die in battle, I would never abandon you."

"No, I mean... well, thank you in advance then." Chen Ce smiled.

He certainly didn't want the other person to abandon him in his time of crisis.

Because that situation simply won't happen.

He just...

I'm afraid of accidentally hurting the other party.

Tonight, there will only be three survivors.

An outsider.

Chapter Nineteen: The Wild Sports Girl's Plan!

Sejuani changed her plans.

She had originally planned to resolve the tribal issues first before expanding her territory southward—perhaps leading to a direct confrontation with her former best friend Ashe. She had already made this plan.

But now, she has not returned to Winter's Claw.

She appeared on the road heading south, riding the large Drüvask boar she named "Bristle".

And they were almost at where she needed to go.

Yes, she changed the order of the plans.

The saying "plans can never keep up with changes" perfectly describes her situation right now.

But this is not a bad thing—on the contrary, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

She learned a bombshell from her trusted confidant planted within her mother's inner circle... a bombshell that could overturn everything and make her a legend.

The Frostguard has reorganized a larger and more powerful force of Frost Priests and is hunting down the Avarosan Tribe. They want to wipe them out completely.

At first glance, this news seems to have nothing to do with Winter's Claw, but a little thought reveals that it is a tremendous opportunity.

Others dared not offend the Frostguard, nor seize this opportunity, but Sejuani did.

She knew Ashe too well... her former best friend, and before their falling out, she had witnessed Ashe's power firsthand— Ashe's all-out attack instantly killed a gigantic Darifen sea worm—a terrifying monster that was over twenty meters long and nearly three meters thick, and even the strongest warriors dared not provoke it rashly.

Ashe, who inherited the throne of Avarosa, possesses immense power.

She may still be no match for the sheer number of Frost Priests, but she can definitely make things difficult for them as well—at least to the point of mutual destruction.

And this is Winter's Claw's opportunity.

Sejuani planned to strike when they were both weakened, hoping to reap the benefits.

After the deed is done, the Winter's Claw will not only gain most of the southern region, but will also greatly weaken the Frostguard's strength, preparing for a future "rebellion".

The mighty Winter's Claw cannot remain under the control of the Frost Priests forever.

The great Sejuani, how could she forever remain subordinate to the Lissandra?

That damned witch has ruled Freljord for so long... it's time for her to step down!

"Hurry, hurry, hurry!"

Sejuani's mount surged ahead, its Bristle having already left the rest of her tribe far behind even before it had fully unleashed its power.

"Faster! Faster! We're almost there!"

"Yes!" the tribespeople responded in unison, while simultaneously giving their mounts a sharp lash.

Winter's Claw is advancing at full speed.