The bitter winter wind swept across the frozen lake, letting out a piercing howl.
Xin Mu and the others walked in single file, stepping cautiously onto the thick ice.
Professor Lü Ming, who led the way, stopped every few steps to examine the ice carefully and make sure it was sturdy enough.
At this temperature, the ice should theoretically have frozen solid enough, but flowing water could still pose a hidden danger. Falling through the ice in weather like this would be life-threatening from the cold alone, even if they were pulled out immediately.
"Keep your distance and hold on to the rope. Don't bunch up! The ice is thick enough, but we still need to be careful," Lü Ming reminded them, looking back.
His white breath had left a layer of frost on his eyebrows, and his glasses were fogged over, slightly obscuring his vision.
Tang Zi walked in the middle of the group, her heavy winter boots making crisp sounds against the ice.
Suddenly, however, her foot slipped, and she nearly fell. Xiao Luo, who was behind her, stepped forward just in time to catch her. The two wobbled for quite a while before finally regaining their balance.
"Are you okay?"
Xin Mu and Meownei, who brought up the rear, stepped forward to ask, only to sense something strange. An unusual tremor ran through the ice beneath their feet.
"Something's wrong! The ice seems to be moving! There's something underneath!"
Lü Ming wiped the condensation from his glasses and looked into the distance toward the source of the tremors. Several cracks seemed to have appeared across the previously smooth ice.
The floating ice was moving toward them at a slow but steady pace.
"Something's not right... Ice can't move like this. Everyone, back away slowly. Don't make any