Chapter 272: Sword in Ice

Gao De raised an eyebrow in surprise upon hearing this.

Who among wizards doesn't treat spells as treasures? Few are willing to teach them casually to others.

One, it often violates regulations; two, wizards themselves usually aren't willing.

Spells have always been the most expensive knowledge.

And now, Baruk actually said he was willing to teach me 【Wild Agility】?

"Is this appropriate?" Gao De hesitated, then asked.

It wasn't false modesty—he simply felt this was far too unreasonable.

Baruk noticed Gao De's thoughts and slightly narrowed his eyes.

His gaze drifted toward the spirit diligently cleaning the cave—a tiny figure flapping its small wings, circling the spirit with clear fascination.

Flora had always been like this: insatiably curious.

Noticing Baruk's gaze resting on Flora, Gao De felt a flicker of wariness.

After all, with Flora's evident sentience, anyone could tell she was extraordinary.

"The Ice-Maned Tiger is a creature of extreme ferocity," Baruk said slowly.

At this moment, Flora, annoyed that the Wild Spirit had ignored her, switched targets and flew toward the reclining Ice-Maned Tiger, Lein, buzzing around its head like a mosquito, occasionally tugging at its fur.

Lein made no reaction, only lazily yawning.

Watching this, Baruk said softly: "Besides me, Lein instinctively rejects all other beings. The reason he allows you to ride on his back is because I communicated with him beforehand."

"But for another being to approach and touch him without any reaction—without my request—that is something only a creature born with a Natural Heart can do."

"Natural Heart?"

What was that? Gao De had never heard of it.

"It is a soul that draws close to all things of nature, inherently pure and kind."

"A being with a Natural Heart so drawn to you proves you are a faithful follower of the Nature Cult, steadfast in your heart."

"I believe you will bring some positive change to the North, however small—and that is good. As a Guardian of the Snowfield, I am willing to offer you whatever help I can." Baruk spoke sincerely.

There was one thing he didn't say: over these past days, traveling with Gao De and chasing the fleeing Snowfield Hyenas, he had clearly sensed Gao De made no complaints—even showed great enthusiasm.

In battle, even more so: he never passively stood by just because he was weaker, but actively did everything he could to help eliminate the Geomantic creatures.

Combined, these two traits had fully convinced Baruk of Gao De's claim as a Nature Cultist, and he now trusted him completely, treating him as one of his own.

"If you weren't a follower of the Nature Cult, I'd even consider recommending you for the Snowfield Guardians." He sighed.

"As long as you contribute to the North, what difference does it make whether you're from the Nature Cult, the Snowfield Guardians, or any other faction?"

Gao De replied with hidden meaning, then added self-deprecatingly: "Besides, I don't have your lofty spiritual realm—I'm not fit to be a Snowfield Guardian."

Over these days, though Baruk hadn't introduced it, Gao De had gradually learned the Snowfield Guardians were a sect akin to ascetic monks.

Becoming a Snowfield Guardian meant living alone for years in the desolate, perilous wilds of the North.

No marriage, no children—devoting everything to the snowfield, with no tangible reward.

The spirit of the Snowfield Guardians was worthy of admiration.

But admiration was admiration—Gao De certainly had no desire to become one himself.

Gao De's words made Baruk smile, for it was, in fact, a kind of affirmation.

"You needn't deify all of us who chose to become Snowfield Guardians—we truly love this land. Living this way, we don't find it hard; we find joy, our souls elevated."

"So it's not that we can endure hardship—it's that we find meaning in this way of life."

In the dark night, the cold wind howled ceaselessly across the snowfield.

The flickering firelight illuminated the small cave brightly.

Baruk taught Gao De 【Wild Agility】 by oral instruction, beside the fire.

Gao De listened intently: according to Baruk, the 【Wild Agility】 he taught was not a core spell of the Snowfield Guardians.

Those core spells and knowledge were only granted after one became a Snowfield Guardian, passed their trials, and earned merit.

And even after being taught, they were strictly forbidden from being passed on.

But 【Wild Agility】 had no such restrictions.

Though not forbidden from being taught, it remained a rare spell, rarely seen outside, one of the Nature Cult's exclusive techniques.

【Wild Agility】 (Transmutation, 1st Level):

You call upon the Wild Spirit to aid you.

When you cast this spell, choose one of the following effects:

If any tracks exist on the ground within range (120 feet), you learn their location and can more easily track them for one hour, or until you cast this spell again.

If edible food exists within range, you become aware of it and know where to find it.

If clean drinking water exists within range, you become aware of it and know where to find it.

If a suitable shelter exists for you and your allies within range, you become aware of it and know where to find it.

You may command the spirit to gather wood for a fire and use your supplies to establish a campsite in the area—the spirit will build a fire in the stone circle, pitch a tent, unroll bedding, and lay out all rations and water for your use.

You may also command the spirit to immediately dismantle a campsite—extinguishing the fire, packing the tent, securing your pack, and burying all trash.

In Gao De's understanding, 【Wild Agility】 was essentially a low-end version of "Bear Grylls" always at his side.

As a 1st-level spell, its cost-to-benefit ratio was extraordinarily high.

Because once learned, it could be used throughout one's life, much like Mage Hand.

Gao De listened carefully, and within half an hour, he had firmly memorized the spell's model in his mind.

But unfortunately, as a 1st-level spell, the prerequisite for constructing its model—the spell potion—was mandatory.

Clearly, he had no 【Wild Agility】 spell potion on hand, so he could not begin attempting to construct the model.

Fortunately, according to Baruk, the main and auxiliary ingredients for 【Wild Agility】's potion were common in the snowfield.

So once they reached the Snofor Clan, he'd likely gather most of them—and perhaps even all, if lucky.

The main and auxiliary ingredients needed to brew 【Wild Agility】's potion were not much different from those of ordinary spell potions: two first-tier main ingredients and four zero-tier auxiliaries.

The two required first-tier main ingredients were: one first-tier Ice Soul Stone, and half an ounce of Blue Butterfly Crystal Powder.

Gao De already had the first-tier Ice Soul Stone on hand—not just one, but several, all obtained from slaying small Ice Elementals on the Dandong Snowpeak.

The only thing left to worry about was the Blue Butterfly Crystal Powder.

As for the zero-tier auxiliaries, they were generally not rare items.

Early the next morning, as the first rays of sunlight touched the earth, Gao De, Baruk, and Lein all awoke.

Those who traveled alone in the wild were always highly sensitive to unusual sounds—so when one woke, the other naturally awoke too.

After waking, the two quickly boiled some food.

They ate Snow Wolf meat.

Though Snow Wolf meat wasn't especially tasty, it depended on what you compared it to.

Snowfield Hyena meat wasn't just a matter of taste—it smelled rotten. Unless starving to death, no one would consider eating it.

Then Baruk cast 【Wild Agility】, summoning the Wild Spirit, and they quickly tidied up the temporary camp. Afterward, they mounted Lein and galloped toward the Snofor Clan.

This time, no further complications arose.

The snowfield held many dangers, but it was also vast.

Diluted across such a wide expanse, the chance of encountering high-tier Geomantic creatures became extremely small.

And Lein, as an Ice-Maned Tiger, was at least a local power in the North.

By releasing his aura, he naturally deterred any foolish creatures from approaching.

They set out at dawn and arrived at the outskirts of the Snofor Clan before nightfall.

As a medium-sized tribe, the Snofor Clan's encampment was a hundred times larger than the Duerbian Clan's—seen from afar, it resembled a small village.

Of course, the buildings inside were much like those in the Duerbian Clan: tents, only far more numerous, making the scene more impressive.

The Snofor Clan's encampment was built on an open stretch of snow, with smaller tents scattered along the perimeter, clearly for ordinary clan members.

At the center stood several larger tents.

These tents rose high, made of thick animal hides, adorned with intricate patterns and totems—clearly belonging to people of great status.

Most households in the tribe kept reindeer.

These reindeer were massive, with pure white fur and branched antlers resembling exquisite works of art.

"I'll leave you here," Baruk said as they reached their destination.

"Won't you come in and rest?" Gao De couldn't help asking.

Baruk shook his head. "Snowfield Guardians never enter human tribes unless absolutely necessary. The snowfield is our home."

It was a strange custom, but like every sect's obscure doctrines, Gao De understood.

"Where will you go next?" Gao De asked again.

"I plan to continue patrolling this region, confirming the scale of nearby Geomantic creature populations—if I find any I can handle, I'll deal with them," Baruk grinned. "If you ever really plant the Land Seed, I'll come visit."

"You're welcome," Gao De smiled back.

Their goals differed—so naturally, they parted here.

"Be careful. Don't overreach," Gao De warned. After all, Baruk's bold fighting style was impressive—but if he got trapped, escape would be difficult.

"Don't worry. The snowfield will protect me," Baruk said.

Both were direct and decisive, saying no sentimental farewells, and parted outside the Snofor Clan.

Watching Baruk and Lein vanish from sight, Gao De turned and walked toward the Snofor Clan's encampment.

Though temporary, the Snofor Clan had surrounded their camp with a wall of ice spikes.

These spikes were sharp-tipped and neatly arranged, serving both as defense and adding solemnity to the camp, their height sufficient to deter most wild beasts.

To enter the camp, you must pass through the gate.

The gate is guarded by members of the Snofar Clan.

Two stout guards clad in thick bear-skin coats oversee order and are responsible for screening outsiders.

A few minutes later, Gao De joined the queue outside the Snofar Clan's gate.

Yes, a queue.

As the largest tribe in this region, the Snofar Clan's camp is the only "trading zone" nearby, drawing many people from other tribes who come to exchange needed supplies.

Some lone wanderers scattered across the snow plains also choose to enter the Snofar Clan's camp to rest.

Thus, the number of outsiders seeking entry into the Snofar tribe's camp is considerable each day.

Though nowhere near as bustling as the commercial districts of outside cities, the Snofar Clan's camp has gained enough activity to require queuing.

While waiting in line, Gao De noticed that the two Snofar guards at the gate paid special attention to outsiders carrying "pets."

Their eyes constantly tracked those outsiders with "pets," and whenever such individuals reached the front, they would step forward to question them in detail.

For instance, the young hunter just two spots ahead of him carried a large snow dog native to the northern wastes.

This was common in the North.

Especially since the young hunter had come specifically to trade supplies.

In the North, where barter dominates, he had brought a substantial amount of tribal goods to exchange for items of equivalent value to take back to his own tribe.

Naturally, the weight on both legs of the journey was heavy, and traveling alone would be too taxing.

These large snow dogs possessed exceptional strength and endurance, making them ideal for hauling heavy loads; coupled with their friendly and docile temperaments, they naturally became one of the North's most favored companions.

Bringing a snow dog along for trading trips was perfectly normal.

Yet here, the young hunter was subjected to intense questioning by the two Snofar guards.

"Is that a snow dog?" one of the older Snofar guards asked first.

His expression was imposing, but his tone remained mild.

"Yes, it's a snow dog," the young hunter nodded.

Upon receiving confirmation, the two Snofar guards did not let the matter rest.

They crouched down and examined the snow dog thoroughly, turning it over from every angle, even reaching out to stroke its fur.

The scrutiny made the young hunter nervous—he began to wonder if his snow dog had some problem.

"Is this your first time here in Snofar?" Finally, after their inspection, the two guards stood up and asked the young hunter again.

"Yes."

"Where are you from?"

"Anse Tribe."

"Anse Tribe," the Snofar guard mused, recalling the location of Anse Tribe, then nodded. "Go in."

The sudden shift from intense scrutiny to immediate dismissal left the young hunter stunned; he only blinked and nodded dazedly.

"Oh, by the way, the Enduring Zhenbing Tribe is holding an Ice Sword Challenge—anyone who can pull the Enduring Zhenbing Sword from their ice pedestal will receive a large reward of ice marrow and become an honored guest of the Enduring Zhenbing Tribe."

As the young hunter was about to enter the Snofar Clan's camp, the older Snofar guard suddenly spoke again.

(End of Chapter)