vrcanaries Chapter 142 Ice Wolf Stealth
Chapter 142 Ice Wolf Stealth
Deep within the snow-covered, frigid mountains, the tranquil atmosphere seemed sealed by an invisible layer of frost. Any slight movement could shatter this stillness and trigger an unknown upheaval. The ice wolves, agile and nimble, were now carrying the mission of their pack, stealthily making their way towards Zhang Yifan's location.
As they drew closer, the powerful and unique aura emanating from Zhang Yifan grew increasingly intense, like a surging tide of spiritual energy, wave after wave assaulting the ice wolves' senses. As native inhabitants of this snow-capped mountain, the ice wolves had spent years navigating harsh environments, making them far more sensitive to auras than ordinary beasts. They instantly realized that the human before them was no ordinary being; the immense pressure emanating from him made their hearts pound, and their already cautious actions became even more apprehensive.
The lead ice wolf was taller and more robust than its companions, its deep blue eyes like a dark, icy pool, cold yet sharp. It lowered its body slightly, its limbs landing softly, each step as if treading on soft clouds, so light it made no sound. Led by it, the other ice wolves followed suit, their steps seemingly cast by some kind of concealment spell, moving silently across the snow. Snowflakes fell softly, without a sound, as if they were falling on their own.
They cleverly utilize the natural camouflage of the snow, their white fur blending seamlessly with the surrounding pristine white landscape. From a distance, they appear as if they have grown into the snow, perfectly concealed within the icy expanse. Occasionally, a gust of cold wind blows, stirring up snowflakes, further illuminating the ice wolves, making them virtually invisible. Their ears are perked up, alertly sensing even the slightest movement; their noses twitch incessantly, not missing a single suspicious scent in the air, relentlessly searching for Zhang Yifan's precise location.
At this moment, if someone were to pass by, they would only see a vast expanse of snow, completely unaware of the presence of these dangerous hunters. Their eyes held a mixture of wariness and ferocity. The ferocity stemmed from their innate hunting instincts; as snow mountain beasts, hunting prey and protecting their territory were their birthright duties. The wariness, however, was ignited by Zhang Yifan's powerful aura; they knew that the slightest carelessness could lead to his swift and deadly attack. Filled with complex emotions, they attempted to approach their target undetected, seeking the perfect opportunity to strike Zhang Yifan decisively.
However, Zhang Yifan was no naive newcomer. Having endured countless battles and life-or-death trials, his divine sense was as sharp as lightning piercing the night sky; no movement could escape his perception. The Ice Wolves' seemingly stealthy actions were, in fact, entirely under his control. From the moment they entered his perception range, he possessed an invisible eye, seeing their every move clearly.
Zhang Yifan concealed himself behind a boulder beside the ice cave, his body motionless, like a statue frozen in ice, only his eyes bright and alert, fixed intently on the ice wolf's movements. He silently calculated the distance between himself and the ice wolf, his mind racing like a fine abacus, rapidly devising a strategy. With each passing minute closer, his calculations became more meticulous, leaving no detail overlooked.
He knew that the Ice Wolves, as native inhabitants of the Frosty Snow Mountain, must possess unique abilities to thrive in this frigid land and should not be underestimated. Ancient records stated that the Ice Wolf clan not only had extremely high cold resistance but also excelled at manipulating icy power. When attacking, they could often shoot sharp ice shards from their claws or exhale chilling air that instantly froze their enemies. They lived in packs, cooperating seamlessly with each other, employing tactics such as encirclement and surprise attacks when hunting, each move linked to the next, making it impossible for their prey to defend against them. Even more remarkably, Ice Wolves could briefly conceal their presence, blending into their environment to silently approach their prey before launching a sudden attack when they were close enough.
Recalling the chilling rumors he had heard in the past, Zhang Yifan felt a chill run down his spine and became even more vigilant.
Legend has it that there once was a cultivator with profound cultivation and formidable strength who, relying on his superb skills and extraordinary courage, carelessly ventured into the territory of the Ice Wolves. At first, this cultivator did not take these seemingly ordinary demonic beasts seriously, regarding them as nothing more than a group of minor characters that could be easily dealt with.
However, to the cultivator's utter surprise, these ice wolves were far more cunning than he had imagined. They feigned defeat, retreating repeatedly, cleverly luring the cultivator deeper and deeper into their meticulously laid encirclement. When the time was ripe, all the ice wolves suddenly attacked simultaneously! In an instant, they unleashed incredibly powerful icy spiritual energy, a terrifying force that instantly transformed the surrounding area into a frigid, bone-chilling ice cave.
The poor cultivator, trapped in such a harsh environment, found his movements severely hampered. Just then, the pack of ferocious ice wolves seized the opportunity, swarming forward, their jaws wide open, revealing sharp fangs, and mercilessly pouncing on the cultivator. Despite the cultivator's desperate struggles, he was ultimately outnumbered and torn to pieces by the savage ice wolves, dying a gruesome death in the vast snow-covered mountains.
With such a painful lesson before him, how could Zhang Yifan dare to be even slightly careless? At this moment, he gripped the gleaming longsword tightly in his hand, carefully and slowly channeling his spiritual energy into the blade. As the spiritual energy continued to flow in, the sword began to tremble slightly, emitting a soft hum, as if it too sensed its master's tension and vigilance, gathering strength alongside him to meet the unknown challenges to come.
As the ice wolves closed the distance to within a dangerous zone, Zhang Yifan's palms became damp with sweat, though the surrounding chill did not freeze. He knew the battle was about to begin, and success or failure hinged on this moment. If he could quickly repel the ice wolves, he could continue his search for the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus in peace; but if he failed, not only would he be injured, but he would also likely expose his whereabouts, attracting more trouble, and even endangering his life. He took a deep breath, calming his slightly tense emotions, and once again adjusted his breathing, circulating his spiritual energy to its peak, preparing to face the ice wolves' surprise attack.
The ice wolves were now less than three zhang (approximately 10 meters) away from Zhang Yifan. They slowed their pace, inching forward almost inch by inch, their muscles tense, ready to pounce at any moment. A resolute glint flashed in the eyes of the lead ice wolf; it slightly arched its back, poised to deliver a fatal blow. The other ice wolves spread out, forming a fan-shaped encirclement, blocking Zhang Yifan's retreat. At this critical moment, Zhang Yifan suddenly moved. His figure was like lightning, flashing out from behind the boulder in an instant. The long sword in his hand, imbued with sharp spiritual power, slashed directly at the lead ice wolf. A breathtaking battle thus began in this frigid, snow-covered mountain.