When the enormous body of the Ice Turtle surfaced on the lake, the cracking of the ice rang out like thunder exploding across the snowy plains.
Muddy lake water surged forth, carrying shards of ice, while the shoreline froze into a steep, jagged slope of ice.
The carapace on its back gleamed with a cold bluish-gray light. Each protruding plate looked like a carefully sculpted block of icy rock, with edges sharp enough to slice the air.
Its two scarlet eyes rolled, scanning the terrified crowd on the shore. When its chilling gaze fell upon Li Guanglong, it carried an almost human-like scrutiny.
“Fall back!” Wan Zhong bellowed, using his one arm to drag Li Guanglong backward.
He had just endured the brutal fight with the giant crab monster and knew well the horror of these deep-sea beasts—this Ice Turtle’s sheer bulk alone dwarfed the deck of the Stormbreaker. Jagged icicles as long as ten feet hung from its shell, proving it was no ordinary creature.
The soldiers had already fallen into chaos. Some turned and ran toward the camp, only to slip on the slick ice and tumble helplessly.
The Ice Turtle slowly raised its head, its neck layered with overlapping scales, each scale tipped with tiny frozen spikes.
It opened its maw, releasing a surge of cold air even more frigid than the Spirit Deer’s breath. The very air by the lakeshore seemed to freeze solid. The two soldiers at the rear were caught before they could even scream—their bodies were sealed in frost, transformed into statues of ice thicker than the ones before, and then crashed to the ground, shattering into countless shards.
“Use fire!” Li Guanglong broke free of Wan Zhong’s grip, drawing his sword and pointing it toward the beast.
He recalled the old helmsman’s words: extreme cold often feared fire. The camp’s supply of oil and explosives might be their only hope.
The soldiers snapped back to their senses, fumbling out fire strikers. But the howling wind blew out the sparks before they could catch. Only a few, crouched in sheltered corners, managed to light torches.
The Ice Turtle seemed enraged by the flickering flames. With a sudden lunge forward, its massive body collapsed the lakeshore, leaving behind a vast crater of shattered ice.
It swung its forelimbs, its razor claws swiping at the soldiers. Three men failed to dodge and were struck—flung like kites with cut strings, they slammed into the icy cliff. Blood streaked down the wall, quickly freezing into dark red scars of ice.
“Throw the oil!” Wan Zhong tore the oil pouch from his belt and hurled it at the beast.
The pouch burst upon the shell, amber oil seeping into the icy cracks. Li Guanglong seized the moment, snapping a spark from his fingers. Flames erupted across the carapace, spreading into a sea of fire.
The Ice Turtle bellowed with a deafening roar, its voice full of pain. It thrashed violently, trying to douse the flames, shattering the ice across the lake and raising massive waves.
But soon the fire weakened—the cold aura seeping from its shell smothered the blaze. Water welled up from beneath the ice, freezing into fresh layers that extinguished the flames bit by bit. Li Guanglong’s heart sank—this monster not only possessed terrifying defense but could generate cold to quench fire. Ordinary flames could not harm it at all.
“Your Highness, look at its neck!” Wan Zhong suddenly shouted, pointing with his single arm.
Li Guanglong followed his gaze and saw where the neck met the shell. One scale there was paler than the rest, seemingly thinner, with no ice covering it—revealing a patch of faintly pink flesh.
“That’s its weak point!” Hope flickered in Li Guanglong’s eyes. He turned to the soldiers behind him. “Who will charge with me?”
“I will!” several elite soldiers responded in unison. Though fear lingered in their eyes, their grips on their spears showed unwavering resolve.
Li Guanglong nodded, pulling the last packet of explosives from his robes. He lit the fuse and hurled it at the beast.
The blast detonated before the Ice Turtle, forcing it back a few steps. The scale on its neck quivered, exposing more of the pink flesh beneath.
“Now!” Li Guanglong roared, dashing forward. True Qi surged under his feet, leaving twin afterimages across the ice as he evaded the sweeping claws.
Wan Zhong and the others charged after him, spears aimed at the weak spot.
Sensing danger, the Ice Turtle jerked its head upward, trying to ram them.
But Li Guanglong had anticipated this. He leapt high, his sword infused with True Qi, its blade glowing faintly gold as he struck down at the vulnerable spot.
Crack! With a sharp sound, the blade split the scale, scattering sparks. A thin gash opened, leaking pale green blood that froze upon the ice into crystalline emerald droplets.
“It worked!” Joy surged in Li Guanglong’s chest. Just as he prepared another strike, the Ice Turtle suddenly exhaled a blast of freezing air.
He couldn’t dodge—his only option was to raise his sword. The barrier of Qi froze solid in an instant, ice encrusting his blade. The chill seeped into his arm, numbing it completely.
Wan Zhong rushed forward, shoving Li Guanglong aside. With his lone arm, he swung his saber straight into the wound.
The blade bit deep, drawing a shrill roar from the beast. The Ice Turtle whipped its neck violently, hurling Wan Chong through the air.
He crashed hard onto the ice, blood spraying from his lips. The wound on his back split open again, staining his cloak scarlet.
The soldiers seized the opening, driving their spears into the wound. But the Ice Turtle’s vitality was monstrous. It thrashed wildly, flinging the men aside. Weapons and bodies scattered across the frozen lake.
Li Guanglong staggered to his feet, despair heavy in his heart. They had sacrificed so much, yet the Ice Turtle remained unbroken.
At that moment, a crisp sound of hooves drifted across the snowy plain.
He lifted his gaze. The Spirit Deer, pure white from head to hoof, was galloping toward them. Each step left a blossom of snow in its wake, its pale-blue eyes fixed on the Ice Turtle with wary vigilance.
The Ice Turtle noticed the Spirit Deer. A flash of dread flickered in its scarlet eyes. It halted its assault and slowly began to retreat, as though held in inexplicable fear. - Marinien
Comments