As the perpetual twilight deepened across the glacial expanse, the biting wind seemed to intensify, carrying shards of ice that stung any exposed surface. Even for this uniquely resilient group, the prospect of spending a night exposed on the open ice held little appeal.
Song Qing surveyed the relatively sheltered area near the base of a massive, ancient ice cliff, deeming it suitable. The day's battles, while not overly taxing for him, Renxue, or Bibi Dong, had been valuable training for the younger trio. Now, rest was necessary.
"Alright," he announced, "we make camp here for the night."
Without further preamble, he stepped forward, raising his hand. The oppressive chill of his Abyssal Demonic Dragon God Emperor faded, replaced instantly by the warm, vibrant energy of his second spirit. The spectral Primordial Life Tree bloomed silently behind him.
His companions watched, familiar now with this seemingly contradictory aspect of his power. Cai'er still looked with slight awe, but for Rongrong, Zhuqing, Renxue, and Bibi Dong, it was simply… Qing being Qing. The mysterious plant spirit was just another facet of the extraordinary man they knew.
"Sixth Soul Ring: Primordial Binding Forest!"
But instead of conjuring a restraining forest, Song Qing manipulated the ability with practiced finesse. Thick, sturdy vines, interwoven with broad, insulating leaves that glowed faintly with gentle life energy, erupted from the frozen ground. They didn't bind; they built.
With astonishing speed, guided by his precise mental commands, the vines wove themselves into a large, dome-shaped structure against the ice cliff. Walls formed, thick and overlapping, seamlessly integrating with the ice behind them.
A roof arched overhead, dense enough to block the wind and swirling snow entirely. Within moments, a spacious, sturdy, and surprisingly warm shelter stood completed, glowing softly from within with the Life Tree's gentle emerald light.
He even fashioned simple platforms and partitions inside from the living wood and leaves.
"Camp's ready," he stated simply, retracting his spirit.
Rongrong barely waited for the words to finish. "Ooh, cozy! Dibs on the spot furthest from the entrance!" She skipped inside, her earlier battle fatigue vanishing.
Zhuqing followed silently, nodding her appreciation for the shelter. Her practical nature valued efficiency and comfort, even in harsh environments.
Cai'er looked amazed. "Qing, you made… a house? From plants? In the ice?" She cautiously touched one of the vine walls, feeling the unexpected warmth radiating from it.
"Just one of the many applications of life energy, Cai'er," Song Qing smiled faintly. "Go on, get settled."
Cai'er eagerly ducked inside, eager to explore the plant-house.
Qian Renxue shared a brief, knowing glance with Bibi Dong before following the others inside. Bibi Dong lingered for a moment, watching Song Qing as he added a final reinforcement to the entrance vine structure.
'Life and Abyss… creation and destruction… contained within one soul,' Bibi Dong mused, her heart swelling with pride and possessive love. 'He truly is… unique. My unique Qing'er.' She then gracefully entered the shelter.
Inside, the atmosphere was surprisingly comfortable. The thick vine walls completely blocked the howling wind, and the gentle light from the interwoven leaves created a soft, peaceful ambiance. The life energy infused within the structure generated a subtle warmth, keeping the interior significantly warmer than the freezing tundra outside.
Rongrong had already claimed a corner, pulling out soft blankets from her spatial tool. Zhuqing sat nearby, methodically checking the edges of her abyssal claws. Cai'er was examining the living walls with wide-eyed fascination.
Renxue and Bibi Dong chose spots slightly further back, maintaining a subtle distance from the younger trio, their presence lending a quiet authority to the space.
Song Qing entered last, sealing the vine entrance behind him. He took a seat near the center, leaning back against a supportive vine pillar.
"Alright," he began, his tone shifting back to instructor mode. "Debriefing time. Overall, good performance today, but let's analyze the mistakes and areas for improvement."
He looked first at Cai'er. "Cai'er, your raw power is undeniable. The Golden Dragon's Roar was effective for disruption, the Scorching Lance packed a punch, and the Sovereign Burst was a smart defensive counter. However…"
He paused, letting her focus. "You rely too much on instinct and overwhelming force. Your first spear thrust against the wolves was telegraphed. Against the spiders, you hesitated when faced with the webs before resorting to your shield. Remember, Ultimate Strength isn't just about hitting hard; it's about applying force precisely, efficiently. Ultimate Fire can melt ice, yes, but consider shaping it, controlling its spread. Ultimate Light can defend and illuminate, but it can also be focused into piercing attacks or blinding flashes. Don't just unleash the power; direct it."
Cai'er listened intently, nodding seriously, her earlier excitement replaced by concentration. "Yes, Qing. Direct the power… not just unleash… I understand. I need more control."
Song Qing nodded. "Exactly. We'll work on technique." He then turned to Zhuqing. "Zhuqing, your speed and precision were excellent. Disrupting the wolves' formation, severing the spiders' webs, taking down the alpha wolf and the diving eagle – textbook execution. Your Abyssal Energy Beam is proving effective for ranged disruption."
He leaned forward slightly. "Your weakness, however, remains sustained defense against multiple attackers or powerful AoE. Your Phantom Stab Rush and Frostfire Dash provide evasion, but if cornered or caught in a wide blast, you're vulnerable. Your torso bone helps with energy control and defense, but active shielding isn't your forte. Rely on Rongrong's barriers, but also anticipate threats. Use your speed not just to attack, but to constantly reposition, making yourself an impossible target."
Zhuqing met his gaze, acknowledging the assessment with a silent nod. 'He's right. Evasion is key. Must stay mobile.'
Finally, he addressed Rongrong. "Rongrong, your support was flawless. Buff timings were good, the Prismatic Barrier held against significant assault, and the integration of your new spirit bone skills like Guardian's Providence and Elemental Ward was impressive. Your ability to multitask and manage the battlefield from a support role is developing exceptionally well."
Rongrong beamed, puffing out her chest slightly. "Hehe! Naturally! Who's the best support on the continent?"
Song Qing chuckled. "But," he added, tempering the praise, "don't become complacent. Always assess the primary threat. Sometimes a focused agility boost on Zhuqing to secure a takedown is better than a general defense buff. Learn to read the flow of battle even more intuitively. And remember your Skull Bone's Prismatic Burst – it's a powerful offensive option if needed, don't hesitate to use it if the situation demands overwhelming firepower, though be mindful of the energy cost."
"Right, right! Read the flow, use the big flashy beam when needed! Got it!" Rongrong nodded eagerly.
Qian Renxue then offered her own perspective, her voice calm and analytical. "Cai'er, your potential is immense, but Qing is correct about control. Consider weaving your light and fire more consistently. A lance that both burns and pierces with divine light would be harder to block. Zhuqing, your phantom movements are excellent, but perhaps incorporate feints? Make the enemy commit to dodging an illusion before you strike for real. Rongrong, your positioning is good, but always ensure you have a clear line of sight for all buffs and an escape route if your barrier fails."
Her insights were sharp, complementing Song Qing's points. The younger trio listened respectfully, valuing the advice from the powerful Seraphim Douluo.
Bibi Dong simply watched, offering a subtle nod of agreement here and there, content to let Song Qing and Renxue lead the practical instruction.
After the debriefing, the atmosphere relaxed. Rongrong broke out some surprisingly delicious preserved snacks and warm tea from her seemingly bottomless spatial tool. Cai'er asked Renxue more questions about controlling draconic energy, while Zhuqing quietly sharpened her claws again.
As bedtime approached, the inevitable question arose.
"Okay, Qing!" Rongrong announced cheerfully, already spreading out her plushest sleeping bag right next to where Song Qing had settled. "My spot!"
Before Song Qing could react, Zhuqing silently placed her own, much more utilitarian, sleeping roll on his other side, giving Rongrong a cool glance.
Rongrong bristled immediately. "Hey! Cold-butt cat! That's too close! Find your own spot!"
Zhuqing merely raised an eyebrow, settling down without a word, pointedly ignoring Rongrong. Her message was clear: This spot is mine.
"Why you!" Rongrong puffed up her cheeks. "Qing, tell her! I claimed the spot next to you first!"
Suddenly, another voice chimed in, surprisingly bold. "But… Qing should sleep next to me!" Song Cai'er declared, looking hopefully towards Song Qing from where Renxue and Bibi Dong were setting up their own sleeping arrangements slightly further away. "I… I feel safer when Qing is close."
Rongrong and Zhuqing both turned to stare at Cai'er, momentarily united in their surprise at this new competitor.
"Huh?! Blue-pink hair girl, you too?!" Rongrong exclaimed, hands on her hips. "No way! He's sleeping next to me!"
"He sleeps here," Zhuqing stated flatly, indicating the spot beside her.
Cai'er looked crestfallen but determined. "But… Qing…"
Song Qing sighed inwardly, though a faint smile played on his lips. 'Predictable. At least Liena isn't here to make it even more complicated.'
He held up his hands placatingly. "Alright, alright. Calm down." He looked at the three pouting or expectant faces. He knew pushing any of them away would lead to prolonged sulking or silent treatment.
"Rongrong, you can have the right side," he conceded. Rongrong beamed triumphantly, sticking her tongue out briefly at Zhuqing.
"Zhuqing, you have the left," he continued. Zhuqing gave a tiny, almost invisible nod of satisfaction.
He then looked at Cai'er gently. "Cai'er, you're still new to all this. It's probably best if you sleep near Renxue and Teacher tonight. They can… help you adjust." He framed it as practical, though the real reason was simply managing the escalating competition for proximity.
Cai'er looked disappointed but accepted his reasoning with a soft sigh. "Okay, Qing." She padded over to where Renxue and Bibi Dong were, settling between them, though her gaze kept drifting back towards Song Qing.
Renxue offered Cai'er a small, reassuring smile, while Bibi Dong simply pulled a blanket over her, her expression unreadable but hinting at faint amusement.
And so, Song Qing found himself sandwiched between a happily snuggling Ning Rongrong on his right, who quickly made herself comfortable against his side, and a silent but subtly content Zhu Zhuqing on his left, who maintained a tiny gap but radiated a quiet satisfaction.
'Well,' he thought, closing his eyes as Rongrong mumbled happily in her sleep already, 'could be worse.' He drifted off, flanked by warmth and loyalty, the harsh wind howling impotently outside their vine-woven sanctuary.
The next day dawned cold and bright, the sun reflecting blindingly off the endless ice. After a quick breakfast, they broke camp, Song Qing causing the vine structure to retract silently back into the frozen earth, leaving no trace.
They pressed onward, deeper into the Extreme North. The terrain became more treacherous, the ambient temperature dropping even further, though it still didn't physically affect the group. The spirit beasts they encountered became larger, more powerful, and significantly more aggressive.
Packs of eighty-thousand-year Ice Scythe Mantises, their claws capable of shearing through steel. Solitary ninety-thousand-year Frost Wyrms tunneling beneath the snow, erupting in ambushes of freezing breath and crushing coils. Flocks of Cryo-Phoenixes, their feathers radiating an aura of absolute zero.
The trio of Rongrong, Zhuqing, and Cai'er faced each challenge with growing confidence and coordination. Rongrong's buffs became faster, her shield placement more strategic, her new arm bone skills allowing her to briefly imbue allies' attacks with petrifying earth energy or reflect minor elemental attacks.
Zhuqing's movements were blindingly fast, her phantom steps leaving enemies attacking empty air, her abyssal claws finding vital spots with deadly precision.
Her left leg bone granted her the ability 'Shadow Serpent Step', allowing momentary bursts of even greater, almost unpredictable sideways agility.
Cai'er learned to control her immense power, weaving fire and light through her spear attacks, using her Golden Dragon's Roar for targeted stuns, and unleashing controlled Sovereign Bursts to break enemy formations.
Her passive Golden Dragon's Resilience made her surprisingly tough, shrugging off glancing blows that would have injured others.
They fought seamlessly, a whirlwind of support, speed, and power. Song Qing, Renxue, and Bibi Dong observed, offering occasional tactical advice but rarely needing to intervene.
They travelled for another two days, pushing relentlessly towards the core region. The landscape grew bleaker, dominated by colossal glaciers and frozen mountain ranges that seemed to scrape the pale sky. The very air felt ancient, heavy with dormant power.
It was near the edge of a vast, frozen caldera, miles across, that they finally encountered something that made even Song Qing pause.
A low growl echoed across the ice, vibrating through the soles of their boots. It wasn't the sound of a pack; it was the sound of singular, immense power.
From behind a towering glacier, a creature emerged.
It was colossal, easily fifty meters long from snout to tail. Its body was covered in thick, overlapping plates of glacial ice that seemed almost metallic in their hardness, reflecting the dim light with a dangerous blue sheen.
Four massive legs supported its bulk, each ending in claws like frozen scimitars. Its head was wedge-shaped, armored, with two horns of pure, translucent ice curving back from its brow. Its eyes, small and deep-set within the armored head, glowed with a malevolent, ancient white light. Steam plumed from its nostrils with every breath, instantly freezing into ice crystals in the frigid air.
"Glacial Destruction Titan," Song Qing identified instantly, his voice calm but carrying a new weight. "Over one hundred thousand years old. Likely closer to one hundred fifty thousand, based on its size and energy signature. Earth and Ice dual attribute. Immense physical strength, nigh-impenetrable defense, capable of causing localized earthquakes and avalanches, and breathes a beam of concentrated glacial energy that freezes on contact."
This was a true overlord of this region. Far beyond the capabilities of the younger trio alone.
Rongrong, Zhuqing, and Cai'er instinctively took defensive positions behind the others, their eyes wide as they took in the sheer scale and power of the beast.
"My turn, I believe," Qian Renxue stated calmly, stepping forward. Her Seraphim spirit hadn't flared yet, but a subtle golden light began to shimmer around her.
"Be careful, Renxue," Song Qing cautioned, though his eyes held confidence in her abilities.
"I always am," she replied with a small smirk. She looked at the Titan, then back at the younger girls. "Rongrong, Zhuqing, Cai'er – standard support. Buff me fully, shield yourselves, and observe. Learn how to fight a true apex predator."
"Yes, Lady Renxue!" Rongrong activated her pagoda instantly.
"First Soul Ring: Strength Amplification!"
"Second Soul Ring: Agility Amplification!"
"Third Soul Ring: Soul Power Amplification!"
"Fourth Soul Ring: Attack Amplification!"
"Fourth Soul Ring: Radiant Amplification!"
Five beams of potent, enhanced light slammed into Renxue, causing her golden aura to flare dramatically. She felt her already formidable power surge.
The Glacial Destruction Titan let out another ground-shaking roar, pawing at the ice, and charged! Its sheer momentum made the ground tremble.
Renxue didn't meet the charge head-on. Enhanced agility sent her soaring upwards, six pairs of pure white angelic wings erupting from her back – her Seraphim spirit bone.
"Seventh Soul Ring: Seraphim Avatar!"
Her form dissolved into pure, radiant golden light, coalescing into the towering, awe-inspiring figure of a six-winged angel, wielding a blazing sword of divine flame. The pressure radiating from her avatar clashed against the Titan's brute force.
"Angelic Domain, unfold!"
Golden light exploded outwards, washing over the area, attempting to suppress the Titan's earth and ice energies, filling the air with sacred power.
The Titan roared again, seemingly enraged by the holy light, and stomped its massive foot.
"Titan Ability: Glacial Quake!"
The entire ice field buckled and cracked! Fissures opened, and jagged spears of ice erupted from the ground, aiming to impale the airborne angel!
"Fourth Soul Ring: Holy Sword Slash!" Renxue reacted instantly, swinging her blazing sword. Arcs of pure, divine flame sliced through the erupting ice spears, melting them before they could reach her.
She then dove, sword raised high. "Sixth Soul Ring: Solar Flare Descent!" Her avatar blazed like a miniature sun, descending upon the Titan with blinding speed and incredible heat.
The Titan countered, rearing its massive head back and unleashing its breath weapon. "Titan Ability: Absolute Zero Beam!"
A beam of pure white energy, so cold it seemed to warp the air, shot upwards to meet the descending angel.
KABOOOOM!
The collision of divine fire and absolute zero created a blinding explosion of conflicting energy. Renxue was thrown back slightly, her avatar flickering, while the Titan staggered, steaming patches appearing on its icy armor where the Solar Flare had connected.
"Impressive defense," Renxue murmured within her avatar, assessing the damage. "But not impenetrable."
She utilized her spirit bones. "Torso Bone: Seraphic Aegis!" A secondary layer of golden, feathered armor overlaid her avatar, bolstering its defenses. "Left Arm Bone: Sunfire Lance!" Her sword hand glowed, channeling concentrated solar energy.
She darted around the Titan, using her flight advantage, unleashing flurries of Holy Sword Slashes and bursts of Third Soul Ring: Sacred Fire Bolts! targeting joints and apparent weak points in the icy armor.
The Titan responded with brute force, smashing its claws, stomping the ground to create shockwaves (Titan Ability: Shattering Stomp!), and unleashing more Absolute Zero Beams.
Rongrong kept up the buffs and maintained a Prismatic Barrier around the observers. Zhuqing watched Renxue's movements intently, analyzing her evasion patterns. Cai'er felt the clash of energies, comparing Renxue's controlled application of Ultimate Fire and Light to her own less refined power.
The battle raged for several minutes, a spectacular display of divine light against primordial ice and earth. Renxue chipped away at the Titan's armor, leaving scorch marks and melted patches, while skillfully evading its devastating but slower attacks.
Finally, sensing the Titan weakening slightly, Renxue prepared her decisive blow.
"Fifth Soul Ring: Angelic Judgment!"
She raised her sword high, gathering immense holy power. The six wings behind her blazed brighter. The sword descended, not as a slash, but as a vertical beam of pure, adjudicating light, slamming down onto the Titan's armored head!
CRACK! SCREEEEEECH!
The beam punched through the thickest part of the ice armor, striking the creature's core beneath. The Titan let out a high-pitched screech of agony, staggering violently, its movements becoming sluggish. Its glowing white eyes flickered.
It was critically injured, near death.
Renxue hovered above it, her avatar radiating victory, sword still humming with power. She glanced back at Song Qing, her meaning clear.
"Qing? Do you want its ring? The age is suitable, dual attribute… might be useful."
Song Qing considered for a moment. 150,000 years. Earth and Ice. Potent, certainly. But…
He shook his head, his voice calm but resolute. "No, Renxue. Thank you, but no. This beast… its attributes don't align perfectly with the path I envision for my Eighth Rings. Especially not for the Abyssal Dragon."
He met her gaze, his emerald eyes holding a glint of ambition that made even the powerful Seraphim Douluo feel a faint thrill. "I appreciate the thought, but my targets lie deeper within this frozen hell. I seek something… significantly older. Two hundred thousand years is the baseline. Ideally, three hundred thousand or more. Perhaps," he added, a dangerous edge to his voice, "one of the true rulers of this land. One of the Great Ferocious Beasts."
Renxue's eyes widened slightly. Targeting the true overlords? The Snow Empress? The Ice Emperor? The Titan Snow Devil Ape? That was… audacious. Even for him.
A slow, predatory smile touched her lips within the avatar. 'Of course. Why would my Qing settle for anything less than the absolute peak?'
She nodded, understanding perfectly. "As you wish, Qing."
She turned her attention back to the critically injured, groaning Glacial Destruction Titan. Without hesitation, she raised her Sunfire Lance-infused sword again.
"Die."
The sword descended, cleaving through the remaining defenses, extinguishing the Titan's fading life light with finality.
A massive, shimmering blood red soul ring rose slowly from the colossal corpse.
Renxue watched it for a moment, then let her avatar fade, returning to her human form, landing gracefully on the ice.