Since the wolf pack was so patient, they had no choice but to wait them out.
It was a game of who would blink first.
Fortunately, Jiang Lin had plenty of food in his storage space.
He had also applied for enough medicinal food for his cultivation before leaving, which would last him two or three months.
However, staying inside the cave might prevent him from completing some of the system's daily tasks.
At that moment, the Old Scholar took out a pile of miscellaneous materials from his spatial bag.
There were several blank magic rune stones of decent quality, a bottle of pale silver energy-conducting powder, and several magic engraving pens specifically for inscribing runes.
He crouched by the array core and began to carefully set up a charging array.
Jiang Lin couldn't help, so he sat cross-legged. The ice-blue energy within him had completely condensed into a tiny crystal, hovering in his dantian and coexisting with his own magic power without conflict.
This crystal was much smaller than before, so Jiang Lin felt as if he couldn't successfully mobilize it; he would have to see how to expand it later.
The Old Scholar's fingers, covered in chilblains, pinched the energy-conducting powder and traced precise and complex patterns on the ice surface around the array core. With every stroke, the pale silver powder seeped into the ice layer, resonating with the cold energy below and emitting a faint hum.
"This charging array needs to resonate with the ice elements in the surrounding environment, using the power of nature to recharge the magic crystals."
The Old Scholar explained in a low voice, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.
Frostblade stood before the light curtain at the cave entrance, his single eye staring outside through the semi-transparent barrier.
The wind and snow were still violent, and the wolf pack had not dispersed.
The Ice-Scarred Wolf King sat about thirty meters away from the entrance of the ice crevice, its ghostly green eyes staring at the cave without moving, like two spectral fires in the blizzard.
The snow nightmare wolf pack behind it fanned out, completely blocking the exit. Some wolves were licking the wounds on their front paws, while others whimpered softly, seemingly waiting for orders.
"The beast certainly has patience."
Frostblade muttered to himself, gripping his short sword tightly.
Red Flame walked up to his side and also looked outside. Her expression was still somewhat unpleasant, but she had regained her composure.
"Captain, if the barrier can be continuously recharged, are we just going to stay here and defend?"
"We can't stay for long."
Frostblade shook his head and pointed to the others in the cave.
"Food and water might last for months, but the human mind cannot.
"Being trapped in such a confined environment for a long time, with the wolf pack watching from outside, we would collapse mentally long before the food ran out."
He paused and continued.
"Besides, the wolf pack clearly doesn't plan on giving up.
"They can survive on this wasteland; their endurance far exceeds ours.
"I suspect they are waiting for something—perhaps for our spirits to flag, for the weather to change, or for us to make a move."
Red Flame was silent for a moment before asking.
"Then what is your plan?"
"I don't have a plan for now; we can only wait and see.
"We'll wait for one day. If these beasts still have no intention of leaving, we'll find another way out.
"Even if we have to dig our way out from inside the cave, we can't just sit here and wait for death.
"If it comes to that, we'll have to abandon this cargo.
"From then on, there will be one less team traveling from the Frost Kingdom to the Tundra Kingdom."
While the two were talking, the Old Scholar's charging array had begun to take shape.
Seven blank magic rune stones were embedded into the ice in specific positions, forming a seven-pointed star array about two meters in diameter.
The lines traced by the energy-conducting powder connected each magic stone, finally converging on the deep blue magic crystal in the center.
The Old Scholar took a deep breath and took out a small crystal bottle containing a pale gold liquid.
He carefully dripped a single drop onto the surface of the magic crystal.
"This is an elemental harmonizer; it allows the array to start more smoothly."
The moment the golden liquid touched the magic crystal, the entire array suddenly lit up!
Ice-blue light surged from the magic crystal, spreading rapidly along the energy-conducting lines and lighting up the seven magic rune stones.
Complex runes appeared on the surface of each magic stone, resonating with the natural ice crystals on the cave walls.
"Buzz—"
A low resonance echoed within the ice cave, and the temperature in the air seemed to drop a few more degrees.
The light curtain at the cave entrance became exceptionally solid at this moment, and the runes flowing on its surface seemed to come alive, becoming brighter and more dense.
The ripples caused by the wolf pack's impacts outside were quickly smoothed out, unable to shake the barrier in the slightest.
"It's a success!"
The Old Scholar let out a long breath and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
"The array is running stably, and the magic crystal's energy is slowly recovering.
"As long as it isn't violently destroyed, it can maintain a charging cycle for at least twelve hours.
"After twelve hours, it can be adjusted to continue charging.
"It can be maintained for at least a month."
Frostblade nodded and turned to face the group.
"Listen up.
"We can stay here for at least a month now.
"We'll hold our position here for a day and see.
"Red Flame, you and Assassin One will take the first watch for four hours.
"Then Shield Warrior One and the Archer will take the second watch for another four hours.
"Assassin Two and I will take the third watch.
"The rest of you, hurry up and rest to recover your strength.
"We will rotate after that."
He paused and looked at Jiang Lin.
"Brother Matthew, you are free to arrange your own time. If you need to rest, there is an ice platform over there where you can lie down."
Jiang Lin was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected to be given special treatment.
But wouldn't that make him seem a bit out of place?
After a moment of silence, Jiang Lin decided it didn't matter, as long as it gave him some time.
In another month, he would be able to raise his level to 30.
He would be at the threshold of the 3rd-rank.
By then, even though he wouldn't have broken through yet, the quality of his magic power would be significantly improved.
It wouldn't be impossible to try and slay that 5th-rank commander-tier wolf king.
However, this caused some changes to his original plan.
According to his original plan, he should have arrived at the Northern Ice Field in about half a month and then reached Shuangyu Feng.
But now it seemed he might have to spend more time here...
...
The hum of the stable charging array became the only background noise in the ice cave.
Outside the light curtain, the wind and snow continued, and the wolf howls gradually ceased, but the ghostly green wolf eyes remained fixed in the darkness, showing that the siege had not been lifted.
Jiang Lin sat cross-legged in a corner, eyes closed as he circulated his breathing technique.
The ice-blue crystal in his dantian had completely stabilized. Though it was as tiny as a grain of rice, it faintly resonated with the ice elements in the surrounding environment.
He tried to guide it with his will, but the crystal remained motionless, as if it were an 'external object' parasitic within his body that he couldn't yet call upon.
'It seems that if I want to activate it, I might really have to hunt frost ghosts...'
Jiang Lin thought to himself.
Rumors of frost ghosts had followed him since he entered the Everfrost Wasteland, and now this crystal from a member of the Ice Bear Mercenary Group made him even more interested in that mysterious monster.
On the other side of the cave, Red Flame and the thin assassin codenamed 'Assassin One' stood guard at the entrance.
The two were silent, but their eyes occasionally swept over the people in the cave, lingering the longest on Jiang Lin.
Assassin One lowered his voice and spoke in a breath that was almost inaudible.
"Sister Red Flame, that kid's words just now... what do you think?"
Red Flame's gaze was cold.
"Half true, half false. But he was right; no one dares to bet on whether he can take us all down with him."
She paused, her voice even lower.
"However, he is too young. No matter how strong a young man is, there are times when he will be careless."
Assassin One's brow furrowed slightly.
"You want to make a move?"
"No rush." Red Flame shook her head. "Frostblade is right; if we start an internal conflict now, no one gets out alive. But once we reach Blackrock Town..."
She didn't finish, but the flash of ruthlessness in her eyes said everything.
The Old Scholar sat by the array, seemingly studying the map, but his peripheral vision caught every little movement from Red Flame and the other.
He pushed his crystal lenses, a hint of calculation flickering deep within his cloudy eyes.
This temporary team already had its own hidden agendas, and now Jiang Lin's mysterious crystal and blatant threats had turned the hidden undercurrents into a visible stream.
Time passed slowly in the oppressive atmosphere.
Four hours later, Shield Warrior One and the Archer replaced Red Flame's duo.
Another four hours later, Frostblade and Assassin Two took their turn.
Jiang Lin kept his eyes closed in cultivation the entire time, alternating between three breathing techniques as his experience points grew at an extremely slow but steady pace.
Cultivating in such a desperate situation required high mental concentration, making his efficiency even higher than usual.
The next day, the wind and snow outside eased slightly, and the lead-gray sky revealed a thin, pale light.
The wolf pack was still waiting outside, and the Ice-Scarred Wolf King had even changed to a more comfortable position, as if it were prepared for a long-drawn-out battle with them.
Frostblade gathered everyone in a circle and said in a deep voice.
"We can't keep waiting. I have a plan."
He spread out the map and pointed to a marker.
"About fifteen miles northeast of here, there are ruins of a frost giant tribe.
"The internal structure of the ruins is complex, and there are many ice crevices and secret passages leading there. If we can get inside, it will be very difficult for the wolf pack to launch a coordinated assault."
Red Flame questioned him.
"Fifteen miles? The outside is crawling with wolves. How do we get there?"
Frostblade pointed to the other side of the cave.
"There might be another exit deep within the ice cave. Old Scholar, did you find any other passages when you were scouting earlier?"
The Old Scholar pondered for a moment.
"There is indeed a place deep in the cave that looks like a passage, but it's sealed by a layer of ice and might need to be violently broken open.
"If this passage leads deeper, it might connect to the underground tunnels of the ruins."
Frostblade looked at Jiang Lin.
"Brother Matthew, can your blade cut through the ice without causing a large-scale collapse?"
Jiang Lin nodded.
"I can try."
Frostblade nodded.
"Good. Once it's open, Assassin One and Assassin Two will scout ahead. After confirming it's safe, the team will enter in order. The sleds and cargo... will have to be abandoned."
Red Flame's expression changed.
"Abandoned? Then hasn't this trip been for nothing?"
"Life is more important than money."
Frostblade said.
"Besides, we have a contact for the Blaze Crystals in Blackrock Town. As long as we can arrive, we can explain it as an encounter with an act of god, and then come back to retrieve them once the danger has passed.
"But if we stay here, there is only a dead end."
The group fell silent.
Though unwilling, no one refuted him.
With the plan set, they immediately took action.
Jiang Lin followed Frostblade and the Old Scholar to the depths of the ice cave.
The ice walls here were thick, covered with a layer of deep blue ice that hadn't melted for thousands of years, and the cold was biting.
Jiang Lin pressed his hand against the ice wall, and the internal structure of the ice layer appeared in his mind like a 3D image.
It was about three meters thick with a hollow space behind it, but there were several fragile stress points in the ice. If broken forcefully, it could trigger a chain-reaction collapse.
"I need to cut it precisely."
Jiang Lin took two steps back, his golden eyes staring at the ice wall.
He didn't draw his sword, but instead brought his right fingers together as a wisp of condensed holy light flickered at his fingertips, its edges entwined with a faint eight-colored halo.
Under his precise control, the holy light transformed into a blade as thin as a cicada's wing, slowly tracing along the surface of the ice wall.
There was no loud noise or vibration.
The holy light blade was like a hot knife through butter, silently sinking into the ice layer and leaving behind a mirror-smooth cut about half an inch deep.
The ice shavings didn't even have time to fly before they were instantly vaporized by the high temperature of the holy light, dispersing as wisps of white mist.
Jiang Lin's movements were very slow, but he was incredibly steady.
With the perception boost from 【Phantom Step · Shadow Wind】, every tiny crack and every stress point inside the ice layer appeared clearly.
The trajectory of the holy light blade was constantly adjusted to avoid all structural weaknesses that could trigger a collapse.
A minute later, a circular cut about one and a half meters in diameter was complete.
Jiang Lin withdrew his hand, took a deep breath, and lightly pressed his right palm against the center of the cut.
"Get back."
Frostblade and the Old Scholar immediately retreated several steps.
Jiang Lin released a surge of holy light from his palm, emitting a gentle but firm shockwave.
"Buzz..."
A series of fine cracking sounds came from the connection between the circular ice block and the surrounding wall.
Then, the entire block of ice was pushed out as if by an invisible hand, sliding smoothly back into the darkness before hitting the ground with a thud.
A pitch-black hole appeared before their eyes.
Cold air surged out, carrying the stale scent of ice and snow, but there was no stench of blood or monsters.
The air current was stable, indicating that there was indeed space on the other side and it was well-ventilated.
"It's through!"
The Old Scholar whispered.
Frostblade threw a fluorescent stone into the hole.
The pale blue light rolled into the darkness, illuminating a sloping ice path about ten meters long, with an open shadow faintly visible at the end.
"Assassin One, Assassin Two, scout ahead!"
The two assassins slid into the hole like shadows, silent and invisible.
A moment later, Assassin One's voice came from the depths, carrying a hint of suppressed surprise.
"It's safe.
"This is... a downward ice tunnel. There are obvious signs of manual excavation, leading deeper underground."
Frostblade's spirits rose.
"Everyone, pack your essential supplies and prepare to move! The sleds and cargo... abandon them!"
The team moved quickly.
Each person carried only their weapons, a small amount of high-energy food, and water; everything else was left behind.
The sled dogs were unhitched from their harnesses, standing blankly in place, unaware of their fate of being abandoned.
Red Flame took one last look at the batch of Blaze Crystals, gritted her teeth, and turned to follow the team.
Jiang Lin was the last one to enter the ice path.
He looked back at the ice cave.
The defensive barrier was still stable, and the wolf pack was lingering outside.
The valuable cargo lay quietly on the sleds like funerary objects for this icy tomb.
"Let's go."
The ice tunnel sloped downward at about thirty degrees and was wide enough for two people to walk side-by-side.
At first, it was just a rugged cave path, but further in, around a corner, a broken wall suddenly appeared with a large hole chiseled into it.
Rate on N.U.
