Chapter 435: Chapter 435: Pursuit in the Ice and Snow World
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Zeng Yi wasn't particularly good with directions. To put it bluntly, he had no sense of direction. But in the vast and dense Star Dou Forest, Zeng Yi considered it normal. After all, the forest spanned across the Heaven Dou and Star Luo Empires, covering an enormous area. Zeng Yi believed that anyone in such a place would lose their sense of direction.
If anyone claimed to know every location in the Star Dou Forest and every route within it, Zeng Yi would definitely not believe them. Who wouldn't brag about something like that? If they continued to insist, Zeng Yi would simply square off against them.
So, it wasn't simply a matter of having a bad sense of direction. In a maze-like primordial forest like this, sometimes Zeng Yi wouldn't even realize if he had gone the wrong way. Moreover, he was deep within the forest.
Having spent a full month wandering through the forest, Zeng Yi felt a bit helpless. However, it didn't bother him much. He wasn't in a hurry to get out and staying in the forest for a bit longer wouldn't be a problem.
With his current strength, Zeng Yi wasn't afraid of the spirit beasts in the Star Dou Forest. There weren't many spirit beasts that could threaten his life. Of course, there might be some dangers from 100,000 year spirit beasts, but Zeng Yi had no intention of provoking them.
Besides, there were only a few 100,000 year spirit beasts in the Star Dou Forest, and their intelligence was not inferior to humans. It was highly unlikely that they would pursue Zeng Yi.
A target that could run and hide very swiftly, proficient in various hiding methods—it would give those 100,000 year spirit beasts a headache even if they encountered it. Therefore, time passed day by day without Zeng Yi sensing the passing of time in the dense forest.
Unbeknownst to him, his spirit power had also reached the level of Rank 54. However, Zeng Yi noticed something was off. He felt that the temperature around him was gradually dropping as he continued in his direction.
As he proceeded, the nearby trees were eventually covered in a layer of white snow. A vast expanse of whiteness filled the sky and snowflakes fell from above like dancing snow spirits. It was a scene of incredible beauty.
This was a genuine ice and snow world. However, a trace of confusion appeared in Zeng Yi's eyes. Was it already winter?
Zeng Yi remembered that when he first entered the Star Dou Forest, he had entered from the Star Luo Empire. However, the Star Luo Empire occupied the southern part of the Douluo Continent, while the Heaven Dou Empire occupied the northern part.
Zeng Yi had spent about a year in the Star Luo Empire and rarely saw snow there, even during winter. The current scene of snowy landscapes, covered in a thick layer of white and snowflakes falling, was hard to imagine in the Star Luo Empire.
Could it be that he was now in the Heaven Dou Empire?
However, this frozen and snowy appearance should be the far north of the Heaven Dou Empire. That's what Zeng Yi assumed.
He wasn't surprised that he ended up within the territory of the Heaven Dou Empire. After all, the Star Dou Forest spanned across two empires, and with Zeng Yi wandering around aimlessly, it wasn't surprising to end up anywhere within that range.
Zeng Yi was quite interested in the snowscape before him. Having lived on the Douluo Continent for more than twenty years, it was his first time seeing such a magnificent snowy landscape.
He had also heard about the far north of the Heaven Dou Empire, a mysterious ice and snow world where no one knew what lay deep within. Explorers who entered rarely returned alive. Some speculated that the depths of this ice and snow world harbored 100,000 year spirit beasts, similar to the central region of the Star Dou Forest.
Zeng Yi had the intention to explore this place. After all, his goal was not only cultivation but also to travel the world. One could say that besides being a spirit master, Zeng Yi was an adventurer exploring the continent.
Standing amidst the snow-covered frozen forest, a brisk wind blew, emitting sounds that resembled ghostly wails, causing one's scalp to tingle. Even Zeng Yi, who could use spirit power to withstand the cold, felt the chill. While it was possible to ward off the cold with spirit power, it was also an immense drain on his energy. Moreover, he was still within the beast forest and could be attacked by spirit beasts at any moment.
Most spirit beasts in this ice and snow world possessed ice attributes and grew more formidable in such harsh environments. Zeng Yi couldn't afford to be careless.
In the battle between elegance and temperature, Zeng Yi quickly made his choice. He retrieved a fur coat from his storage bracelet and put it on. He could sense that he was getting closer to his destination just through the cold howling wind.
Following the direction of the cold wind, Zeng Yi took slow steps and proceeded forward. Strangely, he left no footprints on the thick layer of snow-covered ground. It made him feel like a wandering ghost in this dimly lit frozen forest, but for someone like Zeng Yi who could precisely control his power and spirit power, it was as easy as walking on water, or even easier.
Footprints were an important clue for many spirit beasts to track their prey. Zeng Yi's approach helped him evade unnecessary trouble. The chilling wind that howled like a ghost, the gloomy icy space, and the swirling snowflakes created a chaotic scene.
...
The snowfall became heavier, covering the branches and twigs on the ground with layer after layer of accumulated snow. In this frigid wind, a scent of blood gradually permeated the air, staining the white carpet of snow with a crimson hue.
"Uncle Zhang! Please let me down! They are after me! Otherwise, everyone will die!" The young girl carried by a burly figure in silver armor pleaded, her delicate face already streaked with tears and sorrow.
Of the hundred-person guard, less than ten remained at this point. At this rate, everyone would die!
She never imagined she would be betrayed like this.
However, the man carrying her, clad in worn silver armor, seemed not to have heard her words. He continued to run at full speed, his rough face showing firm determination.
As long as they reached the depths of this frozen forest, there would be a glimmer of hope.
"Princess, what nonsense are you talking about? It is my duty as your knight to protect your safety!" Uncle Zhang cast a glance at the princess on his shoulder, his eyes filled with tenderness.
"Princess, you must survive!"
At this moment, he suddenly stopped and handed the princess to someone else.
"Take the princess and go! I will hold off those traitors!"
"Captain!" The others looked at their captain in astonishment, their faces filled with disbelief.
But he had already made up his mind. His eyes widened, resolute like bronze bells, as he shouted, "Go! Don't forget you are knights and soldiers!"
Seeing their captain's determination to sacrifice himself, they didn't say anything else and left with grief and tears in their eyes.
They knew that if they didn't leave, none of them would escape.
"I will stay too!" Zhang looked at a young knight, then slapped her on the shoulder.
"Remember! Make sure the princess returns to the capital! This is my final request to you!"
"Go!" After saying that, he shouted loudly, bursting with powerful spirit power that dispelled the snow around him.
Under the falling chaotic snowflakes, a tall figure glittered with seven shining spirit rings.
"Father!"
"Uncle Zhang!"
Hearing the two sorrowful cries behind him, his rough face revealed a resolute smile. Those approaching figures gradually grew closer.
He knew he was going to die, but at this moment, the fear of death no longer mattered to him.
At least, as a servant, he had fulfilled his responsibility.
And as a father, he had done his best.
You must survive!
Ruonan!
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