An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys) Chapter 2641 TO 2650 ENGLISH VERSION

 English version 

2641

The ice sculptures gleamed eerily beneath the relentless wind, their frozen faces twisted in silent agony—grim reminders of the torment they endured before death claimed them in a breath of frost.

Matthias stood motionless, staring at the crystalline corpses of his men. His Adam’s apple bobbed hard, the tremor in his hands barely hidden as he forced himself to stay composed.

He lifted his arm and rubbed the skin where the spirit deer’s breath had touched. It was still stiff, stained faintly with bluish-purple veins, and the cold seemed to burrow into his bones like venom.

“Your Highness… that creature’s breath wasn’t just cold—it was toxic.”

Kyle approached slowly, leaning on his sword for balance. His left arm hung heavily at his side, the bandages soaking through with fresh blood where the old wound had split under the biting chill. Crimson droplets fell on the snow, bright against the white.

His eyes flicked toward the direction where the spirit deer vanished, the weight of fear shadowing his gaze. “We should fortify the camp and avoid provoking anything else on this cursed island.”

Matthias gave a stiff nod. His earlier recklessness had cost him dearly—elite soldiers frozen in an instant. It was a bitter, brutal lesson.

Turning, he looked at the men clustered around the struggling fires. Some were still shivering uncontrollably, eyes wide with dread, their spirits as brittle as the ice underfoot.

“Hold fast!” Matthias’s voice cut through the murmurs, strong but edged with steel. “These are nothing more than beasts wielding cold sorcery. Stay vigilant and adapt. Double the night watch—two men at all times. The rest, rest while you can. At first light, we move deeper into the island.”

The fire crackled weakly, throwing fragile circles of warmth against the encroaching dark. Outside the camp, the world was nothing but ice and silence.

But as the night deepened, that silence fractured.

A faint sound—a brittle, crawling crack—crept from the frozen plains, like something shifting beneath the ice.

The watchmen huddled in their cloaks, weapons quivering in their frostbitten hands. Suddenly, a pale blue gleam flickered in the distance—then another. And another. Soon, the snowfield was dotted with lights, like ghostly eyes blinking in the dark, drawing closer with every heartbeat.

“Something’s coming!” one guard shouted, thrusting his torch toward the glow.

In the wavering firelight, shapes emerged—sleek and white, darting across the ice with predatory grace. Foxes. Snow foxes, their fur glistening like fresh frost, their eyes glowing with cold blue fire. Each held shards of jagged ice between its jaws, and every step left a rime of frost in its wake.

“Snow foxes!” another soldier cried. “They say they feed on ice—and they’re killers!”

Before the words had faded, the lead fox lunged, hurling the crystal in its jaws. The shard spun through the air, flashing like a frozen blade, and slashed a soldier’s cheek open in a crimson arc.

“Defensive line! Open fire!” Matthias burst from his tent, sword in hand, voice ringing like steel.

Gunfire cracked across the glacial night, bullets sparking against the ice. But the foxes were lightning-fast, weaving through the storm of lead, closing in like phantoms.

One leapt—a blur of white—onto a soldier’s chest. Its claws ripped through padded cloth as if it were paper. A scream tore the night as purple frost bloomed across the man’s arm, spreading like a plague.

Kyle staggered forward, gripping his sword in his good hand. With a single vicious stroke, he cleaved the fox in two—but another came, and another.

Chaos erupted.

Matthias waded into the fray, blade flashing silver as arcs of sword energy tore through the beasts. Bodies hit the snow in sprays of frost and blood. But for every fox that fell, more came, their eyes burning with hunger and hate.

Then Matthias saw it—their gaze fixed not on the men, but on the fire. They feared it.

“Circle the flames!” he bellowed. “Torches up! Drive them back!”

The men obeyed, clustering around the central blaze, thrusting torches outward. Firelight flared against the frost, and for the first time, the foxes faltered. They paced the edges of the circle, low growls curling from their throats, blue eyes gleaming in the dark.

Then—

A deafening crack split the air.

From the distant ice cliffs came a thunderous roar, and a slab of ice—massive as a tower—broke free. It plummeted with bone-shaking force, slamming into the glacier beside the camp. The impact exploded in a hail of shards, blades of ice scything through the air. Soldiers fell screaming, their blood streaking the snow scarlet.

The foxes scattered in terror, vanishing into the frozen dark as quickly as they’d come.

Matthias dragged a dazed soldier to the ground just as a jagged spike speared into the spot they had stood moments before. When the storm of ice settled, the camp lay in ruin—tents shredded, supplies buried, men bleeding.

That night, they lost only a few more lives. But the damage… the damage was catastrophic.

At dawn, the storm eased. The sky was a bleak sheet of gray, the wind slicing colder than ever.

The men set about salvaging what they could—patching tents, binding wounds, scraping together the remnants of their dwindling stores.

Matthias gathered a handful of his best fighters and ascended a ridge overlooking the land. From here, the island sprawled in a desolate white expanse, mountains veiled in mist, their slopes bristling with spires of ice that jutted like the bones of some colossal beast.

“My lord—there!” one soldier pointed toward a frozen lake glittering below.

In the lake’s heart rose a crystalline pillar, and within its depths something pulsed—a pale blue glow, soft but steady, like the heartbeat of the ice itself.

Matthias narrowed his eyes. “Move. Let’s see what it is.”

They descended to the lake, boots crunching on the brittle frost. The surface groaned underfoot as they approached the monolith of ice.

It was taller than a man, glass-clear, and inside bloomed a single flower—its petals like shards of frozen moonlight, its leaves shimmering with the same pale glow.

“The Ice Soul Flower…” Kyle’s voice trembled with awe. “The old texts spoke of this. Said it blooms only in the cruelest cold. It can purge any poison… and forge strength beyond measure.”

A rare prize. One that could turn the tides of power.

Matthias’s pulse quickened. If he claimed this treasure, no peril of this cursed island would matter.

“Break the ice,” he ordered. “Bring it out.”

Steel rang against crystal. Sparks flew. But the frozen prison barely chipped. It was harder than iron, harder than stone.

Then the ice beneath their feet shuddered.

A deep, guttural rumble rolled from the depths. Cracks webbed across the lake in jagged black veins.

“Fall back! Now!” Matthias roared, spinning toward the shore.

Too late.

The lake exploded in a geyser of icy water and splintered shards. Men screamed as a tidal surge dragged them under.

And from the abyss rose a shape—vast, monstrous, armored in a shell of jagged ice.

The creature’s bulk towered like a fortress, its carapace glittering with frozen spines. Water cascaded from its limbs as it lumbered free, each step shaking the earth. Its eyes burned with a hellish red glow, glaring at the intruders who had dared disturb its domain.

An ice turtle. But no ordinary beast—this was a leviathan of the deep, an ancient terror born of endless winter.

And it was hungry

 

 

English version 

2642-2644

The lake erupted with a thunderous crack as the massive ice turtle broke through the frozen surface. Shards of ice shot into the air, and muddy water surged forward, instantly hardening into jagged slopes along the shore.

Its carapace gleamed with a bluish-gray frost, every scale shaped like chiseled ice—razor-edged and deadly. Two crimson eyes swiveled, locking on the panicked soldiers. When its gaze settled on Matthias, there was something almost… human in that scrutiny.

“Fall back!” Kyle roared, yanking Matthias by the arm.

He’d already tasted the terror of the giant crab; this thing was far worse. The creature loomed larger than the Jingtao’s deck, and the icicles hanging from its shell were each the length of a spear. No ordinary beast—this was death crawling from the depths.

Chaos erupted. Soldiers scrambled toward the camp, boots slipping on the frozen ground. Two fell hard, breathless and wide-eyed.

The monster lifted its head. Its neck was a fortress of layered scales, bristling with needle-like frost. Then it opened its maw—and the world turned white.

The blast of freezing air hit like a hurricane of knives. The lakefront became an instant tomb. Two retreating soldiers froze mid-stride, transformed into glassy statues before they even screamed. They toppled, shattering into bloody crystal.

“Fire!” Matthias tore free from Kyle’s grip, sword flashing as he pointed at the beast.

Cold things fear fire—at least, that’s what he prayed. Kerosene. Explosives. They had to use everything.

The men jolted back to life, fumbling for flint and tinder. But the wind was merciless. Flames sputtered out before they even sparked, except for a few torches shielded in a windless hollow.

The turtle saw the flames and went berserk. With an earth-shaking lunge, it crashed forward. The lakeshore collapsed into a gaping pit of broken ice.

One colossal forelimb scythed down. Three soldiers didn’t even scream—just soared like ragdolls and slammed into an ice wall, leaving crimson streaks that froze in seconds.

“Kerosene! Now!” Kyle ripped a pouch from his belt and hurled it. The bag burst against the monster’s shell, drenching its icy armor in slick amber.

Matthias didn’t hesitate. A spark leapt from his fingertips, and fire roared to life.

Flames crawled across the carapace, a crimson sea against blue frost. The turtle shrieked, a sound that shook the mountains, thrashing wildly, shattering the lake beneath it into churning waves.

But then—the fire died.

The chill bleeding from its armor smothered the blaze like a living thing. Frost crept back, layer by layer, until the flames were gone, buried beneath newborn ice.

Matthias felt his gut twist. This monster wasn’t just armored—it was a furnace of frost. Ordinary fire couldn’t even scratch it.

“Your Highness!” Kyle’s voice cracked like a whip. “Its neck—look!”

Matthias’s eyes snapped to the junction where neck met shell. A single scale, pale and thin, exposed a sliver of flesh—soft, pink, unarmored.

Hope flared. “That’s its weakness!”

He spun to his men, voice ringing across the frozen lake. “Who will strike with me?”

“I will!” came the chorus, spears gripped in white-knuckled fists. Fear burned in their eyes, but so did resolve.

Matthias drew the last explosive charge from his cloak, yanked the fuse, and hurled it. The detonation boomed, rocking the ice, staggering the beast. Scales quivered, peeling back to reveal more of that vulnerable flesh.

“Now!” Matthias surged forward, True Energy exploding under his feet. Two afterimages trailed behind him as he blitzed past a sweeping claw.

Kyle and the soldiers followed, spears aimed at the wound.

The turtle sensed death coming. It whipped its head, trying to smash them all.

Matthias vaulted high, blade blazing with golden light. Steel kissed scale with a shriek, sparks flying—and the armor cracked. Green blood welled, hissing into icy crystals as it hit the ground.

“It works!” Matthias’s cry was raw triumph—until the beast opened its jaws.

The cold storm hit like a tidal wave. His barrier shattered in an instant. Ice crusted over his blade, numbing his arm to stone.

Then—a blur.

Kyle slammed into him, knocking him aside. One-armed, he raised his sword and drove it deep into the wound.

The turtle’s scream ripped the sky. It thrashed, flinging Kyle like a doll. He crashed into the ice, blood spattering, his cloak blooming red.

The soldiers charged, stabbing again and again—but it wasn’t enough. The beast spun and crushed them beneath its rage. Steel snapped. Bones cracked. The lake was a graveyard of broken men.

Matthias staggered up, heart hollow with despair. They had bled for nothing.

And then—

Hoofbeats. Crisp, rhythmic, almost musical.

He lifted his gaze.

Through the whirling snow came a spirit of winter—a deer white as starlight, each step scattering petals of frost. Its eyes, pale blue and ancient, locked on the monster.

The ice turtle froze. Its scarlet pupils flickered—not with rage, but fear. Slowly, it began to back away.

Chapter 2643

The spirit deer ignored the ice turtle entirely and walked straight toward Matthias. It stopped, turned its head, and fixed him with those calm, light-blue eyes before giving a small shake, as if signaling him to follow.

Is it… saving me? Matthias hesitated, suspicion rising alongside relief.

It was strange—after all, this creature had shown hostility before. But with the monstrous ice turtle looming behind him, he had little choice. He motioned to the survivors and followed the deer across the snowfield.

Behind them, the ice turtle remained for a moment, its scarlet gaze flickering with uncertainty. Then, with a low rumble, it turned and sank back into the dark lake, vanishing beneath the fractured ice.

The spirit deer moved ahead at an unhurried pace, pausing now and then as if to make sure they kept up. They crossed the endless white expanse until, at last, it stopped before what appeared to be a sheer wall of ice.

The entrance to a cave lay hidden beneath the frost. The deer exhaled a stream of mist over the frozen barrier, and in an instant, the thick ice melted away, revealing a dark passage beyond.

Inside, the cave was a world apart from the frozen wasteland. Warm air greeted them, soft and almost springlike. The walls shimmered faintly, lined with glowing minerals that bathed the space in a gentle light.

The deer led them deep within and halted before a massive ice crystal. Encased within was a single Ice Soul Flower—similar to the one beneath the lake, yet more exquisite. Its petals gleamed faintly gold, as if threads of light flowed through them.

The spirit deer glanced at Matthias, then at the flower. The message was clear.

Matthias hesitated, doubt tugging at him. Why would this creature help us now?

But there was no time to question. He stepped forward and carefully removed the flower from its icy cradle. The moment it touched his hand, an invigorating warmth spread through his body. The chill that had numbed his arm began to fade, the frostbite loosening its grip.

“Thank you,” Matthias said quietly, bowing slightly to the deer.

The creature regarded him for a moment longer, then turned away, disappearing into the white wilderness as silently as it had come.

Matthias exhaled slowly and looked at the Ice Soul Flower resting in his palm. At last—after all the losses and hardships—they had secured the sacred herb. Yet the question remained: where was the legendary elixir they sought?

He placed the flower into a brocade box, its silk lining glowing faintly blue as if absorbing the flower’s spiritual essence.

Kyle, pale and leaning against the wall, let out a low breath. “Your Highness… the spiritual energy in this flower surpasses anything the old texts describe. If we return with it, the Emperor’s illness may finally be cured.”

Matthias nodded, surveying the cave. Its walls shimmered with scattered clusters of luminous ore. Moss carpeted the ground in patches, soft and strangely warm underfoot. This place was unlike any other they had seen—a sanctuary hidden in the heart of desolation.

A sound drew his attention deeper into the cavern—a soft, rhythmic trickle. Following it, he found a clear spring bubbling from a rock fissure, its steam curling into the air.

“A hot spring…” Kyle murmured in disbelief as he tested the water with his fingers. “Perfect for wounds… and frostbite.”

Matthias’s decision came swiftly. “We’ll move camp here.”

With the ice turtle lurking outside and other threats unknown, this cave offered safety and warmth—an opportunity they could not ignore.

They gathered the remnants of their unit. From a force of over fifty, fewer than thirty remained, many gravely injured. Armor cracked and frozen stiff clung to their weary frames. Yet when they heard of warmth and healing water, a flicker of hope returned to their eyes.

As they filed in, one soldier froze and pointed at the wall. “Your Highness—look!”

Carved into the stone were faded murals, their edges worn by time yet still discernible. One showed a figure clad in feathers soaring among clouds. Another depicted colossal beasts striding across a frozen plain. And at the deepest part of the wall—the spirit deer, hooves treading snow that bloomed into curling vines, entwining an Ice Soul Flower.

“These… must be records left by the ancients,” Matthias murmured, running his fingers along the stone’s cool surface. “The spirit deer and this flower have existed here for ages.”

His thoughts were interrupted by hurried footsteps. A guard burst into the cavern, face pale.

“Your Highness! Riders—approaching fast!”

Matthias’s expression hardened. “Who are they?”

“They’re armed, well-equipped… and they’re heading straight for us!”

“Prepare for battle!” Matthias commanded, steel flashing in his eyes as he raised his blade.

Chapter 2644

Matthias tightened his grip on the sword, his knuckles pale from the force.

The sound of footsteps outside the cave grew louder—heavy, uneven, accompanied by harsh breaths and the brittle crack of shattering ice. It felt as if a herd of beasts were storming across the snowfields.

He motioned for his men to extinguish their torches, leaving only the dim, bluish glow of the minerals embedded in the walls. Shadows stretched thin across the damp moss, bending with every movement.

Huff—huff—

Several towering figures emerged from the cave entrance. Their frames were massive—each as broad as two men—and their bodies were draped in coarse, gray-white fur, as if strands of the frozen wind had been woven into armor.

Their weapons were crude yet lethal—long spears tipped with sharpened ice crystals. When the sunlight hit them from the cave mouth, they shimmered with a piercing, cold gleam.

The one in front stood out immediately—a burly man with a necklace of ice beads clinking against his chest, each bead encasing a tiny animal bone. The sound was sharp, ritualistic, almost like a warning.

With a guttural shout, he slammed a fist against his chest. The ice-bead necklace rattled violently, and his warriors raised their spears in unison, growling low and deep. The sound echoed like a storm sweeping over the tundra.

Matthias narrowed his eyes. Everything about these strangers—their clothes, their weapons, their stance—spoke of strength and ferocity. They were no common wanderers.

The leader’s amber eyes swept across the cave, finally settling on Matthias’s waist—on the brocade box. He barked a series of harsh syllables and pointed first at the mural of the spirit deer carved on the wall, then at the box as though accusing Matthias of theft.

The atmosphere tensed like a drawn bow.

“Protect His Highness!” A soldier stepped forward, thrusting his spear toward the chieftain’s throat.

The man moved with startling speed. He twisted aside, and his ice-crystal spear swept through the air in a wide arc, sending a blast of cold so sharp it stung the soldier’s face.

Matthias unsheathed his sword in one smooth motion. Steel and ice clashed, a burst of force jolting through his arm when a sharp voice rang out from the cave entrance:

“Stop!”

Everyone froze. All eyes turned to the figure at the entrance—a tall man clad in animal skins. His hair and beard were silver-white, yet his face was ruddy and strong. An ancient iron sword hung at his side.

He carried no aura of hostility, but his presence alone made the snow warriors lower their spears in silence, a flicker of reverence in their amber eyes.

Matthias exhaled slowly, his sword still warm in his hand. “Who are you?”

The man stepped forward and bowed slightly, his voice hoarse yet clear.

“My name is Nikolai. Ten years ago, I met Your Highness at the Imperial Academy in Oakvale—we once exchanged insights on martial arts.”

Matthias’s breath caught. Nikolai… He had heard the name—once a towering figure in the northern martial world, known for the Flowing Wind Sword Technique, until he vanished without a trace at the height of his fame. To find him here, on Fairyharbor Island, was beyond expectation.

“Why are you here?” Matthias asked.

“It’s a long story,” Nikolai said. He turned to the snow warriors and spoke in their guttural tongue. The leader—Batu—listened, his anger gradually cooling to a guarded calm.

When Nikolai turned back, his expression was lighter. “This is Batu, chief of the Snowfield Guardian Tribe. They thought you harmed the spirit deer. The Ice Soul Flower in your possession and the mural made them suspicious.”

Kyle nodded in sudden understanding. “So that’s why they fixated on the box…”

Nikolai continued, “The spirit deer is their totem. They’ve followed its trail for generations, believing it carries the lifeblood of this island. When Batu saw the deer lead you into the cave, he followed.”

Matthias sheathed his sword and said firmly, “We didn’t harm it. The spirit deer saved us.”

Nikolai translated. Batu listened, then stepped forward. He thumped his chest with his left fist and bowed deeply to Matthias in a gesture of respect.

Matthias blinked in surprise. Nikolai smiled. “To the Snow Tribe, the deer is a sacred guardian. If it favors you, so will they. You are now considered a friend.”

Matthias inclined his head and returned the gesture. The tension in the cave finally eased.

Up close, the warriors’ sheer power was undeniable. Even the ordinary tribesmen were formidable, at least on par with grandmasters. Batu himself… the pressure he radiated was suffocating.

If the fight had broken out, survival would have been a question.

Batu spoke again, voice rumbling deep in his chest.

Nikolai translated: “Chief Batu invites you to his tribe as an honored guest.”

Matthias hesitated only a moment before nodding. “Please convey my gratitude.”

Batu grinned broadly. The snow warriors roared in approval, lowering their spears. They lifted the injured soldiers onto vine stretchers and began their march.

As Batu led the way out, his towering figure bent beneath the low cave ceiling, dislodging chunks of frost from his cloak. Beyond the entrance, Matthias saw what awaited them—rows upon rows of snow warriors, hundreds strong, spears glittering in the white sun like a frozen forest.

When they stepped out, the entire line of warriors lowered their weapons in salute.

Nikolai walked beside Matthias, his voice low. “Their tribe holds many secrets—secrets about Fairyharbor Island that might aid you. And their hot springs… even warmer than the ones in this cave.”

Matthias’s eyes glinted faintly, though he said nothing.

A peril narrowly averted had turned into an unexpected opportunity

 

 

The Exit

September 07, 2025

The howling wind carried snowflakes sharp as gravel, lashing against Li Guanglong’s face. He clutched the arm of the soldier beside him, his knuckles whitening from the strain.

His black battle robe was already soaked through with snow, the icy fabric plastered to his skin, and the chill seeped into his bones through every pore.

Looking up, he could barely make out the faint outlines of his companions in the white blur. The soldier who had been swept away earlier by the gale hadn’t even managed a cry for help before vanishing completely into the storm, leaving behind only faint traces quickly buried by snow.

“This way!” Murong Xue’s voice was broken to pieces by the gale. He pulled a fur bundle from his chest --- a gift from Batu --- clutching it tight while his other hand groped for a protruding ice rock. “There’s an ice cave here! We can take shelter for now!”

Relief surged through Li Guanglong. He quickly called for the surviving soldiers to follow.

Supporting each other, they staggered forward, every step a battle. The snow reached their thighs, and a single misstep sent them sinking into loose drifts, needing the combined effort of their comrades to pull them free.

Wanchong’s lone arm was gripped tightly by a soldier, his wound leaking blood that stained his cloak and froze into dark crimson shards. Every step made sweat bead on his brow from pain, but he gritted his teeth and endured, still warning others to watch their footing.

At last, they reached the ice cave. It was small, barely enough for a dozen people.

Li Guanglong crawled in first, then turned to pull the soldiers in one by one. Just as the last man slipped inside, a massive clump of snow crashed down, sealing most of the entrance, leaving only a narrow gap for air.

Inside, the air was warmer. Everyone collapsed onto the ground, panting hard.

Murong Xue carefully unwrapped the fur bundle. Inside, besides some dried meat and herbs for warding off the cold, was a map drawn on animal hide.

The map’s route was marked in red pigment, beginning at Snowfang Valley and ending at a place labeled “New Realm.”

Strange symbols dotted the path, as though marking dangers.

“This must be the way out of the frozen world.” Murong Xue pointed to ‘New Realm’, his eyes alight with excitement. “Batu didn’t lie to us after all!”

Li Guanglong leaned closer. Along the route were warnings: Ice Crevasse Zone, Snow Fox Dens, and even a massive beast drawn in black pigment, labeled Ice Flood Dragon’s Lair.

His brows furrowed --- the road ahead was far from safe.

They rested in the cave for two hours. As the blizzard waned, Murong Xue distributed dried meat and brewed a warming decoction from herbs. After drinking, warmth returned to their bodies, and fatigue lifted somewhat.

“We must set out now,” Li Guanglong said, brushing snow off as he stood, eyes firm. “While the storm is calm, we need to cross the crevasse zone ahead.”

The others rose, following Murong Xue out of the cave.

The storm had eased. Though the sky was still gloomy, they could at least see the road ahead.

Following the map’s guidance, they marched toward the ice crevasse zone.

After about an hour, the ground split open before them into a labyrinth of fissures. The cracks were vast and bottomless, gaping black maws breathing icy winds that howled like ghosts.

Only narrow ice bridges spanned the void, their slick surfaces threatening death with a single slip.

“Careful, one by one --- hold tight to the rope.” Murong Xue pulled a rope from his pack, fixing one end to a nearby ice rock and handing the other to Li Guanglong.

Taking the lead, Li Guanglong stepped onto the bridge.

It was narrow, only enough for one person. Each step made the ice creak ominously, as if ready to break.

Holding his breath, eyes locked forward, he inched along. The soldiers followed, gripping the rope with all their strength.

Suddenly, one in the middle slipped, tilting toward the abyss.

“Help!” the soldier cried.

Li Guanglong’s heart clenched. He spun around to grab him, but it was already too late.

Luckily, another soldier reacted swiftly, seizing his arm. Together, they hauled him back to safety. The man collapsed onto the bridge, face pale, trembling too hard to stand.

After a grueling struggle, they all made it across. Relief washed over the group.

The journey grew smoother after that. They skirted the snow fox dens and gave wide berth to the flood dragon’s lair. Guided by the map, they pressed on across the frozen wasteland for three days and nights.

They lived on Batu’s dried meat and melted snow, trudging forward by day against the wind, and camping in sheltered spots by night. Exhaustion etched deep into their faces, armor caked in ice, yet none complained. They all knew: endure this, and they would finally leave the frozen world.

On the third evening, Murong Xue suddenly stopped, pointing ahead with a trembling hand. His voice broke with excitement:

“Look! That’s the mysterious passage marked on the map!” -

 

 

Everyone looked in the direction he pointed, and saw on the ice cliff ahead a massive cave entrance. The opening was covered with a thick layer of ice, yet faint light could be seen flickering from within.

“We’ve finally arrived!” A gleam of joy flashed in Li Guanglong’s eyes as he quickened his pace toward the entrance.

The group followed Li Guanglong to the cave. The mouth was about thirty feet high and twenty feet wide, dark inside except for the dim glow ahead.

Murong Xue pulled a fire striker from his robes, lit it, and handed it to Li Guanglong.

Li Guanglong took the flame and stepped into the passage first.

The tunnel was spacious, its floor smooth. Crystals embedded in the walls glowed faintly, illuminating the way.

The group advanced slowly, their footsteps and breathing the only sounds.

After about half an hour, the glow ahead grew stronger, and faint birdsong could be heard.

“We’re close!” Murong Xue cried out in excitement.

Soon, they emerged from the passage.

The moment they stepped out, everyone froze in astonishment.

Gone was the world of ice and snow. Before them stretched a land of blossoming spring.

Fields of flowers bloomed across the meadows, vibrant and fragrant.

In the distance, mountains rolled one after another, their slopes covered in verdant trees, mist curling around them like a fairyland.

The sky was azure, the sun bright, its warmth driving away the chill and fatigue of their long trek.

Birds sang joyfully on branches, butterflies danced among flowers, streams gurgled clear as crystal, with fish darting playfully beneath the surface.

“This… this is the ‘Otherworld’? It’s so beautiful!” one soldier gasped in awe, eyes wide with wonder.

Li Guanglong gazed at the scenery, deeply moved.

After countless hardships, they had finally escaped the frozen wasteland and reached this hidden paradise.

He took a deep breath. The air was filled with floral fragrance and the scent of grass, refreshing his spirit.

“We’ve finally made it.” Murong Xue smiled for the first time in days. “From here, we may find clues about the elixir.”

Li Guanglong nodded, his eyes flashing with expectation.

He knew that although they had escaped the snows, the road to the Immortal Elixir was still long, and greater trials likely awaited.

After resting for an hour, Li Guanglong’s group set out again.

Compared to the frozen lands, the spring warmth of the Otherworld lifted their spirits.

They walked surrounded by beauty: soft grass underfoot, brilliant flowers at their sides, birdsong and running water filling the air—a stark contrast to the harsh cold they had endured.

After half a day’s journey, a sound came suddenly from ahead.

Li Guanglong stiffened and signaled the group to halt, eyes sharp with caution.

Murong Xue and Wan Chong also readied themselves, hands on their weapons.

Soon, a group of people came into view.

At the front was a man in a fitted warrior’s outfit, handsome, with a proud air between his brows—Third Prince Li Juntang!

“Third Brother?!”

Seeing the leader, Li Guanglong’s face showed astonishment.

He had never expected to meet someone familiar here.

Li Juntang was equally surprised.

He had been on Penglai Island for days, experiencing many strange encounters, though failing to find the elixir.

Now, meeting his Second Brother here was indeed startling.

“Second Brother! I never thought I’d see you here!”

After a brief daze, Li Juntang strode forward with a warm smile.

Li Guanglong put away his wariness, smiled gently, and stepped up to face him. “Third Brother, it’s been some time. You’ve been well, I hope.”

“Second Brother, since we both came to seek the elixir for Father’s life, the hardships of the journey go without saying. Since fate has brought us together, why don’t we join forces? We can look out for each other.” Li Juntang suggested with a smile.

“That was my thought exactly.”

Li Guanglong chuckled, nodding as his gaze swept the men behind Li Juntang.

Though he still had more than a dozen guards, they looked weary, several injured. Clearly they had weathered many dangers.

Though rivals, until the elixir was found, cooperation would serve them all better.

As for after the elixir was found—that would depend on whose methods proved stronger.

After all, this was a deserted place. Whatever happened here would never reach outside ears.

Even if a few men died, no one would ever know.

“Second Brother, how long have you been on the island? Have you gained anything?” Li Juntang asked, testing.

“Three to five days,” Li Guanglong replied with a shake of his head. “Aside from the harsh environment, nothing at all.” Then he countered: “And you, Third Brother? Any sign of the elixir?”

“Second brother, you must be joking. If I had a clue, how could I just run into you here by chance?”

Li Juntang smiled, then changed the subject:

“But the brothers behind you, second brother, though they look weary, their eyes are bright. Could it be you’ve stumbled upon something good?”

As he spoke, his gaze carefully studied Li Guanglong, trying to spot something unusual.

Yet Li Guanglong’s expression remained calm as always. He said indifferently:

“Along the way, it was nothing but wind, frost, rain, and snow—nearly cost us our lives. What good fortune could there be?”

“Wind, frost, rain, and snow?”

Li Juntang raised his brows slightly, puzzled:

“Brother Li, Penglai Island does have its dangers, but my journey has been all sunshine and flowers. Where did you encounter any storms?”

“I don’t know the details myself. Most likely it was one of those pocket realms written about in the old books. If not for stumbling upon an exit by chance, I wouldn’t have been able to reach this area either,” Li Guanglong said.

“So that’s how it is.” Li Juntang nodded thoughtfully.

It was clear the other party must have had some sort of adventure. He would just need to find an opportunity to probe deeper.

“Third Brother, I’m running low on supplies. I’ll be relying on you for a while,” Li Guanglong said with a smile.

“Of course, no problem.”

Li Juntang’s smile didn’t fade.

“This place may be dangerous, but food and water are plentiful. As it happens, yesterday I hunted down a huge beast. Today, Brother Li, let’s eat and drink our fill.”

With that, he gestured, and his men immediately began setting up camp and preparing a meal.

Li Guanglong’s men, naturally, were not idle either. They too pitched tents and made camp, keeping up a facade of calm.

Although Li Guanglong and Li Juntang were rivals, on the perilous Penglai Island they could still cooperate for the moment.

Of course, that cooperation would last only so long as neither of them found the trace of the Immortal Pill.

Once the pill appeared, this temporary alliance would shatter instantly.

After the camp was set, cooking quickly began.

Li Guanglong and Li Juntang sat together around a roasted chicken, drinking and chatting as they ate.

On the surface, they seemed harmonious, but their words carried constant probing.

Both were extremely cautious, giving away nothing at all.

No one knew—what fortune lay hidden in the other’s grasp?

Just as the two were drinking happily, a sudden flash of dazzling light appeared on the distant horizon.

At first it was only a faint glimmer of gold. In the blink of an eye, it surged into a massive pillar of light, shooting straight into the clouds.

Everyone looked up in shock. Within the light, a glowing object was slowly descending. It resembled a disk, its surface covered in strange patterns that glowed faintly with golden light, as if alive.

As the object descended, the ground trembled slightly. Flowers in the grass shook violently, ripples spread across the creek’s surface.

Birds in the sky, startled, flapped away in panic. Butterflies dropped to the ground, too terrified to move.

The air around the object seemed to ignite, radiating waves of heat. Even the distant mountains were bathed in a golden halo.

Li Guanglong leapt to his feet, the dried meat in his hand falling to the ground unnoticed.

He stared fixedly at the glowing object, eyes full of shock and curiosity, a faint sense rising in his heart that this might be connected to the Immortal Pill.

Li Juntang also stood up at once. After his initial astonishment, excitement took over.

The ancient books said: When heaven sends down an omen, a wondrous treasure is sure to appear.

There was no doubt—the glowing object that had fallen from the sky was some kind of rare and precious treasure.

On Penglai Island, even if it wasn’t the Immortal Pill, it must be something nearly as valuable.

The two men exchanged a glance, each seeing the same thought in the other’s eyes.

“Quick! Everyone, assemble!” Li Guanglong reacted first, shouting loudly.

He drew his sword and pointed toward the direction of the glowing object’s descent.

“Head that way! Whatever it is, we must uncover the truth!”

Li Juntang also barked orders to his men:

“Pack up your gear, tighten the formation! If we find the Immortal Pill, there will be rewards for you all!”

The soldiers quickly rose, gathering their belongings and following closely behind Li Guanglong and Li Juntang, running toward the place where the mysterious glowing object had landed.

Sunlight streamed over them, but none spared a glance for the scenery. Every pair of eyes was fixed firmly on the golden-lit region ahead, hearts filled with both excitement and unease. -

 

 

The Coffin

The group moved slowly along the edge of the beach, the pebbles underfoot crunching with each step.

Li Wenxing walked at the very front, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword, eyes sweeping the surrounding plants with constant vigilance.

After the scare from the man-eating flowers, nobody dared relax. Even their breathing grew quieter, each man fearful of alerting whatever hidden danger lay on the island.

Qian Jin stayed at Li Wenxing’s side, holding a branch and using it to push aside obstructing vines. His gaunt fingers brushed the vine surfaces as he worked, his expression wary.

“Your Highness, the vegetation here is even denser than before, and I can’t shake the feeling that something’s wrong. Besides the scent of plants, there’s a faint, elusive chill in the air,” Qian Jin said quietly.

“Uncle Qian, what do you make of it?” Li Wenxing asked softly.

“I can’t say for sure,” Qian Jin replied, shaking his head. “Only that things on this island feel abnormal. An ordinary Immortal Island may have rare flora, but it wouldn’t radiate danger everywhere like this. We should move out of this flower region quickly and head into the woods — perhaps we’ll find a safer path.”

As he spoke, the sky darkened abruptly; the sunlight that had filtered through scattered clouds vanished in an instant.

Everyone looked up and saw a blinding streak of golden light plunging down from the depths of the clouds, dragging a long, gilded tail like a meteor as it fell inland.

The light was so dazzling no one could look directly at it. The soldiers instinctively shielded their eyes with their arms, faces full of astonishment.

“What is that?!”

“Could it be some treasure fallen from the heavens?!”

Men murmured and exchanged surprised looks.

Li Wenxing’s eyes shone; he could not hide his excitement. He had a premonition that whatever had come down from the sky was no ordinary object.

“Quick! Head to where the strange treasure landed!”

Without hesitation, Li Wenxing ordered the men to run. Qian Jin watched their eager faces with misgiving, but it was impossible to stop them now; he hurried to keep up, warning constantly, “Be careful! Don’t rush — there may be traps!”

They had not gone far when a deafening boom erupted ahead like thunder, shaking the ground violently.

An overwhelming blast of energy rolled toward them like a crushing wave, and it sent Li Wenxing — who was farthest ahead — flying.

He crashed painfully to the ground; his brocade robe was cut by flying stones lifted by the blast, and a sharp pain flared across his back.

The other soldiers fared no better. The blast threw men and gear into chaos — some slammed into tree trunks, others tumbled into shallow pools. Cries and shouts rose in a chaotic chorus.

Qian Jin, running a step behind, was shoved back and back by the gusts until he barely managed to grasp a sturdy trunk and steady himself, his cloudy eyes wide with terror.

The shockwave lasted a full three breaths before subsiding. When the light returned, the air reeked faintly of scorched earth.

Li Wenxing struggled to his feet, wincing at the pain in his back, but he didn’t pause to inspect the wound; his gaze snapped toward the origin of the blast.

“Are you all alright? Get up — come with me and see!” he shouted.

The men rose, nursing minor injuries but none seriously hurt. After a quick regroup they pressed on.

The closer they went, the more fissures appeared in the ground, and the stronger the burnt smell became.

When they reached the center of the blast, everyone froze.

A massive, deep pit had been smashed into the earth. Its walls were smooth; the surrounding plants were charred and smoked in curling wisps.

And in the exact middle of that pit rested a crystalline coffin — a coffin of clear, flawless crystal.

The coffin’s surface shimmered with a faint blue glow. Sunlight refracted through it into dazzling light, bathing the pit in an otherworldly radiance as if it were a mirage.

Li Wenxing stood at the rim, frowning in bewilderment.

He had expected the golden light might herald an Immortal Pill or some rare treasure — who would have thought the “treasure” would be a coffin?

“This… how is it a coffin?” Li Wenxing’s face showed disappointment.

After all their pursuit, the reward turned out to be a single crystal coffin — hardly the prize they had hoped for.

Qian Jin walked close to the pit and examined the coffin carefully. A complex expression flickered across his clouded eyes.

“Your Highness, this crystal coffin is not ordinary,” Qian Jin said, pointing. “Look at its material — perfectly clear and without impurity. The surface seems to be engraved with patterns; they resemble array formations.”

Li Wenxing followed Qian Jin’s finger and saw the dense, intricate markings on the coffin’s surface. The patterns interwove into a complicated design, but from this distance the exact forms were hard to make out.

“Uncle Qian, who do you think could be inside? Why would a coffin fall from the sky?” Li Wenxing asked, puzzled.

Qian Jin shook his head, brow knitted. “I don’t know. But Penglai Island is full of mysteries — the appearance of a crystal coffin suggests matters are more complex than they seem. For safety’s sake, it’s best not to open it.”

The Corpse Awakens

Li Wenxing hesitated at Qian Jin’s words.

A treasure that fell from the heavens—if they ignored it, wouldn’t that be too much of a pity?

Even if this crystal coffin gave off an unsettling aura, it was worth taking the risk.

Just as Li Wenxing was wavering, a commotion of footsteps suddenly came from the distance, accompanied by the crisp clatter of armor.

“Who’s there?!” Li Wenxing spun around, hand gripping the hilt of his sword, his gaze fixed warily in the direction of the sound.

Qian Jin and the soldiers immediately shifted into defensive stances, eyes sharp.

A group of people quickly approached. At the front were none other than the Second Prince, Li Guanglong, and the Third Prince, Li Juntang.

Behind them marched several dozen elite soldiers, all stern-faced and heavily armed.

“Second Brother? Third Brother?”

Seeing who it was, Li Wenxing was slightly startled, surprise flashing across his face.

“Didn’t expect to find you here as well, Big Brother. What a coincidence,” Li Juntang said first, with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

“We saw a golden light fall from the sky just now, so we followed it here. Didn’t expect Big Brother to move so quickly and arrive ahead of us,” Li Guanglong added.

Not long ago, he had crossed paths with Li Juntang. Now, Li Wenxing had appeared as well. It seemed that obtaining the Immortal Pill would not be easy.

“Second Brother, Third Brother—it seems fate has brought the three of us together here,” Li Wenxing said with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

Judging from their expressions, they must have arrived on the island before him.

“Indeed. Perhaps this is destiny,” Li Juntang replied with an unchanged smile.

Li Guanglong’s eyes, however, had already shifted to the crystal coffin. Testing the waters, he asked, “Big Brother, this coffin fell from the sky—it’s certainly strange. What do you intend to do with it?”

Li Wenxing pondered for a moment before answering:�“I was debating whether or not to open it. The coffin is far too unusual; to force it open rashly might be dangerous. But if we abandon it, we may miss an important clue.”

Li Juntang said, “Big Brother is right. But since the three of us are here, why not make a decision together? I believe this coffin must hold something extraordinary. It may even be related to the Immortal Pill. Why not open it and see for ourselves?”

Li Guanglong nodded slightly in agreement.�“Third Brother is correct. Rather than stand here hesitating, better we uncover the truth ourselves. But for safety’s sake, we must take every precaution.”

The three quickly came to an agreement and began preparing their defenses.

Li Guanglong ordered his men to form a circle around the pit, shields and spears ready to respond to any sudden change.

Li Juntang drew several yellow talismans from his robes and handed them to his soldiers.�“If anything happens, slap these onto the coffin. They may suppress it.”

Li Wenxing told Qian Jin to distribute antidotes and healing pills to the men, in case the coffin contained poison or venomous creatures.

Qian Jin also sprinkled a special powder around the pit. “This is ghost-repelling powder. If there is anything evil, it may keep it at bay.”

When all preparations were complete, the three princes exchanged glances. In each other’s eyes, they saw both anticipation and vigilance.

Li Guanglong signaled to his two strongest soldiers. His voice was steady but firm:�“You two, go down. Carefully push open the coffin lid. Slowly. If anything unusual happens, stop immediately.”

The two soldiers obeyed, climbing down the pit wall to the crystal coffin. Taking a deep breath, they placed their hands on the lid and pushed gently.

With a faint “crack,” the coffin lid shifted open. A subtle fragrance wafted out—not the same as the flowers of the island, but carrying an ancient, mysterious quality.

The three princes held their breath, eyes fixed intently on the coffin’s interior.

When the lid was fully opened, everyone was stunned.

Inside lay the body of a man, preserved in perfect condition, as though he were only sleeping.

He wore a white robe embroidered with intricate patterns. His features were strikingly handsome, his skin pale and flawless as jade. Long eyelashes rested on his closed eyelids, his nose straight, lips thin. Even without life, he radiated a transcendent aura.

“Who… who is this? To keep a corpse so perfectly intact…” Li Juntang muttered, his voice trembling with shock.

Li Guanglong frowned deeply, confusion etched on his face. A veteran of countless battles, he had seen more corpses than he could count, but never one preserved so flawlessly—and never one so beautiful.

Li Wenxing’s eyes widened, his heart full of doubt.

This man’s attire and bearing were extraordinary, clearly no ordinary mortal. Why was he sealed in a crystal coffin, only to fall from the heavens onto Penglai Island?

Just as the three princes were consumed by questions, the corpse’s eyelids twitched.

Then, suddenly, the man’s long-closed eyes snapped open!

They were eyes as deep as the night sky, at first clouded with confusion from long slumber, but quickly sharpening—gazing coldly and intently at the three princes standing above the pit! -

 

 

English version 

2649

Everyone turned to where Matthias pointed and saw a massive opening in the ice cliff ahead. The entrance was sealed with a thick layer of frost, but faint light shimmered through the cracks.

“We’re finally here!” Excitement flickered in Matthias’s eyes as he quickened his pace toward the cave.

The soldiers followed closely. The cave stood about three meters high and two meters wide. Its interior was pitch black, though a faint glow shone from deep within.

Nikolai pulled out a tinderbox from her cloak, struck a flame, and handed the torch to Matthias.

Matthias took it and stepped inside first.

The passage was surprisingly spacious. The ground was flat, and luminous minerals embedded in the walls lit the way with a soft glow.

They moved forward slowly. The tunnel was silent except for their footsteps and steady breathing.

After half an hour, the light ahead grew brighter. The faint chirping of birds echoed from a distance.

“We’re almost there!” Nikolai shouted, her voice trembling with excitement.

A little further on, the group finally reached the end of the passage.

The moment they stepped out, everyone froze in disbelief.

Before them stretched not the desolate realm of ice and snow, but a land bursting with spring.

Vast meadows stretched into the horizon, carpeted with vibrant wildflowers exuding a sweet fragrance. Rolling green hills rose in the distance, crowned with dense forests cloaked in drifting mist, like something out of a fairy tale.

The sky was a dazzling blue, the sun bright and warm. Its rays poured down, washing away the bone-deep chill of endless snowstorms.

Birds sang from the treetops, butterflies danced among blossoms, and crystal streams cut through the grass, fish darting in their clear waters.

“This… is this the ‘New Territory’? It’s incredible!” A soldier’s voice cracked with awe, his eyes wide with wonder.

Matthias stood still, drinking in the sight, his heart heavy with emotion. After so many trials, they had finally escaped the frozen wasteland and found what seemed like paradise.

He inhaled deeply. The air smelled of flowers and fresh grass, light and refreshing. His spirit felt renewed.

“We’ve made it at last.” Nikolai’s face softened with a rare smile. “Now, perhaps we can finally uncover clues about the elixir.”

Matthias nodded, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. Though they had reached this New Territory, he knew the true journey—finding the elixir—was only beginning. Ahead, more challenges surely awaited.

After a brief hour of rest, Matthias rallied his men, and they set off again.

Compared to the brutal Ice Realm, the New Territory felt like walking in a dream. The soldiers moved with ease, their spirits lifted by the warmth and beauty around them.

Green grass cushioned their steps, flowers bloomed along the path, and streams gurgled nearby while birds sang overhead. It was a stark, almost surreal contrast to the torment they had endured in the snow.

Half a day passed peacefully—until a sudden noise broke the calm.

Matthias stiffened, raising his hand for silence. His eyes sharpened as he scanned the direction of the sound.

Nikolai immediately reached for the hilt at her waist, her posture tense and ready.

Moments later, figures emerged from the distance.

At their lead was a tall man in fitted armor, his features striking and proud, arrogance etched into his expression.

It was the Third Prince—Nathaniel.

“Nathaniel?!”

Matthias’s surprise was plain. He hadn’t expected to meet someone familiar here.

The recognition was mutual. Nathaniel’s eyes widened at first, then softened into a warm smile. He had wandered Fairyharbor Island for days, braving strange dangers, but without success in his search for the elixir. To find Matthias here of all places left him equally astonished.

“Brother! I never thought I’d see you here!”

Nathaniel strode forward, his tone cheerful.

Matthias, lowering his guard, returned the smile. He stepped ahead, meeting his brother’s gaze. “Nathaniel, it’s been too long. I trust you’ve been safe?”

“Brother, we’re both here for the same reason—to prolong Father’s life. The road has been perilous, but since fate brought us together, why not join forces? Together, we can watch each other’s backs.”

“That’s exactly what I was thinking.” Matthias nodded. His eyes drifted past Nathaniel to his men.

Though still standing, his brother’s guards looked haggard, several bearing wounds. Clearly, they too had endured their share of ordeals.

Though competition lingered between them, Matthias knew unity was wiser for now. They could face dangers together, and when the time came to seize the elixir, only strength would decide the outcome.

This place was hidden from the world. Whatever happened here would remain unknown. Even death would go unnoticed.

“Brother,” Nathaniel asked casually, his tone probing, “how long have you been on the island? Have you found anything?”

“I’ve been here three to five days. Apart from the harsh environment, nothing yet.” Matthias shook his head, then turned the question back. “And you, Nathaniel? Have you learned anything about the elixir’s whereabouts?”

2650

“Brother, you’re joking. If I had any clues, why would I just happen to run into you here?” Nathaniel smiled, then shifted the topic. “On the other hand, your soldiers look worn out, but their eyes are sharp. Did something good happen to them?”

As he spoke, his gaze carefully scanned Matthias, searching for the smallest hint of something unusual.

But Matthias stayed composed, his voice calm. “We’ve been through wind, frost, rain, and snow and nearly lost our lives. How could that be a good thing?”

“Wind, frost, rain, and snow?” Nathaniel raised his brows, puzzled. “Brother, there are dangers on Fairyharbor Island, yes—but the whole way here looks like spring. Where would there be any frost?”

“The situation’s not entirely clear,” Matthias replied evenly. “Ancient books mention that some places are like separate worlds. If you happen to find the entrance, you’re pulled straight into it.”

“So that’s how it is.” Nathaniel nodded, though his eyes still flickered thoughtfully. He was convinced Matthias had stumbled into some kind of opportunity, and he needed to find a way to test that theory.

“Nathaniel, our supplies are running low. I’ll be counting on you to help keep us going for now,” Matthias said with a faint smile.

“Of course.” Nathaniel’s own smile shifted. “This place may be dangerous, but there’s food and water everywhere. I hunted something large yesterday. We’ll share a proper meal tonight.”

At his signal, his soldiers began setting up camp nearby and preparing to cook.

Matthias’s men did the same, keeping up appearances of calm.

Though Matthias and Nathaniel were rivals, on a perilous island like Fairyharbor they could afford a temporary alliance—at least until someone found the elixir. When that happened, the truce would shatter instantly.

Once the camp was ready, fires blazed and food was roasting.

Matthias and Nathaniel sat around a spit-roasted bird, drinking and talking, tearing off pieces of meat.

They spoke amicably on the surface, but every sentence was a probe, each man careful to reveal nothing.

No one knew what the other had truly experienced.

Then, just as they were eating, a blinding light tore across the distant sky.

It started as a faint golden shimmer, then swelled into a towering beam shooting straight upward.

Everyone’s heads snapped up. Within the pillar of light, something descended slowly—disk-shaped, its surface etched with strange patterns, golden light pulsing like it was alive.

As it came down, the ground trembled. Flowers bent and swayed, streams rippled with concentric rings.

Birds scattered in a panic, butterflies dropped to the grass, frozen in fear.

When the object finally landed, the air around it seemed to ignite. Waves of heat rolled outward, painting the distant mountains in a golden glow.

Matthias shot to his feet, the dried meat falling unnoticed from his fingers. His eyes locked on the object, shock and curiosity flooding his face. Deep down, he sensed it might be tied to the elixir.

Nathaniel rose too, stunned for a heartbeat before excitement overtook him.

Ancient texts spoke of heavenly signs heralding rare treasures. Whatever had fallen was no ordinary item.

Their gazes met—both men reading the same thought in the other’s eyes.

“Quick! Everyone, gather!” Matthias barked first.

He drew his sword and pointed toward the golden light. “We move now. We have to see what it is!”

Nathaniel echoed him, rallying his troops. “Pack up and form ranks. Anyone who helps find the elixir will be richly rewarded!”

The soldiers moved at once, rolling their gear and falling in line. Together, both parties headed toward the mysterious landing site.

The sun poured down on them, but no one spared it a glance. All eyes fixed on the golden haze ahead, hearts pounding with a mix of hope and dread.