Chapter 147

After training ended, everyone dragged their exhausted yet satisfied bodies back to the fortress.

The bathroom filled again with laughter and chatter; after washing away sweat and fatigue, everyone gathered around in the warm canting to enjoy the hearty dinner Li Qingxuan had prepared.

"This hot and sour cabbage is really great with rice, and it smells amazing with the grilled meat," Zhao Ling'er said, mouth full of rice, "After expending energy, everything tastes especially fragrant."

"Yeah, Brother Qingxuan's cooking keeps getting better," Zhao Shuang'er said, sipping hot soup in small mouthfuls, a happy blush spreading across her face.

Li Feifei looked at the harmonious crowd, smiling as she said to Qingxuan younger brother, "It seems everyone's stamina has improved; today's training condition is much better than yesterday's."

Li Qingxuan nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone, lingering a moment on Li Jing.

After real combat and training, Li Jing's gaze became firmer than before, and her timid aura dissipated somewhat.

He said, "Everyone is progressing quickly, especially Li Jing, who hasn't fallen behind in real combat or training, making great progress."

Li Jing, being called out, lowered her head slightly embarrassed, but the corners of her mouth twitched up.

Huang Rong nudged Li Qingxuan with her elbow, lowering her voice to laugh, "What, are you feeling sorry for your little Jing sister?"

After lunch, everyone rested separately; just as everyone was falling into deep sleep, continuous wolf howls rang out, and Li Qingxuan hurriedly got up.

Li Feifei beside him also woke up, put on her clothes, and followed Li Qingxuan onto the city wall, the others soon after also climbing up.

Everyone looked toward the mist; a huge figure moved within, stirring wind and clouds, Li Qingxuan drew his Tang sword and waited silently for the target to appear, while the several girls remained tense, staring fixedly at the figure in the mist.

In an instant, a bear's head slowly emerged from the mist, sniffed the air, then fixed its gaze on Li Qingxuan.

The Icefield Demon Bear's massive body was like a moving small hill; each step it took made the earth tremble, and behind it followed three much smaller cubs, their eyes flashing with innocence and curiosity about the unknown battle.

Li Feifei saw the enormous Icefield Demon Bear, opened her mouth wide, and was so shocked she couldn't speak.

Beside her, Zhao Shuang'er hurriedly hid behind her sister, only her eyes peeking out to look at the Icefield Demon Bear.

Li Jing grabbed Wang Hongmei and Chen Xiulan's hands with both hands, shocked and said, "Is… this the weird creature that Sister Huang Rong and Brother Qingxuan faced?"

Zhao Ling'er grabbed Shuang'er's hand with one hand and tightly embraced Li Qingxuan's arm with the other, looking up at him and asking, "Qingxuan brother, is this the Icefield Demon Bear you mentioned before? You must be careful, absolutely don't get hurt."

"Don't worry, I'll be careful. I drove away this Icefield Demon Bear once before; I can do it again." Li Qingxuan gently patted the hand of Ling'er that was clutching his arm, soothing her.

The Icefield Demon Wolves of the rune fortress stood alert in the open ground before the fortress, vigilantly watching the approaching Icefield Demon Bear family.

The Icefield Demon Bear charged to the front of the fortress, its icy gaze fixed on Li Qingxuan.

The Icefield Demon Wolves quickly ran away, avoiding contact with the Icefield Demon Bear, instead circling the three cubs behind and continually roaring.

The Icefield Demon Bear let out a roar, then lifted its massive paw and slammed it hard against the sturdy city wall.

With a tremendous boom, the runes on the city wall flickered, and the protection value dropped by over one hundred eighty before blocking this heavy strike.

But the demon bear was not discouraged; it launched attack after attack, each strike gouging a large pit in the city wall, sending many stone fragments flying.

The Icefield Demon Wolves surrounding the three cubs stopped probing and attacked the cubs; the cubs, unwilling to yield, fought back, but being outnumbered, their bodies were continually torn and scratched, resulting in several wounds.

The cubs howled in pain, yet did not retreat; the three cubs gathered together, each facing a different direction to prevent being attacked from front or rear.

Seeing its offspring wounded, the Icefield Demon Bear roared in fury, its eyes turning blood‑red, the hairs on its body standing on end, exuding a terrifying aura.

It leapt high again, lunging at the city wall; this time its strength seemed greater than before, and the wall suffered several cracks under its impact.

After venting, he rushed toward where the three cubs were, Li Qingxuan released the Black Goat, and at the same time ordered the Demon Wolf King to stop the Icefield Demon Bear from turning back, while the Icefield Demon Wolf Pack surrounded but did not attack, leaving the three cubs alone in the encirclement.

Li Qingxuan on the city wall said, "If this Icefield Demon Bear came alone, I would surely be unable to deal with it, but since it brought its cubs, it won't be leaving today."

Li Qingxuan leapt down from the city wall and charged toward the three cubs; the Icefield Demon Bear sensed the cubs were in danger, but the Icefield Demon Wolf King and the Black Goat kept harassing it, severely restricting its movements.

Li Qingxuan quickly ran up to the cubs, had the wolf pack restrain the three cubs while he leapt onto the back of one cub, his spiritual power surging forth to dominate that cub, then swiftly jumped onto another cub and repeated the process.

Seeing Li Qingxuan standing on its cub's back, the Icefield Demon Bear's ferocity was fully provoked; it drove back the Black Goat and the Icefield Demon Wolf King, then rushed toward the cubs.

After Li Qingxuan dominated the three cubs, he flashed to the side.

The Icefield Demon Bear approached, saw the cubs were unharmed, looked at Li Qingxuan, and a flicker of hesitation passed through its eyes.

It knew this revenge attempt had failed; continuing would only cause its cubs more harm.

The Icefield Demon Bear slowly retreated with the cubs, opened a certain distance, then turned to leave, but seeing the cubs not following its turn, it hurriedly urged them with roars.

Unexpectedly, the three cubs ran toward Li Qingxuan; the Icefield Demon Bear stared at the scene, stunned, and by the time it came to its senses, the three cubs were already standing beside Li Qingxuan.

Witnessing this, the Icefield Demon Bear's eyes nearly burst, instantly bloodshot; Li Qingxuan hurriedly had the cubs convey his message: I can offer protection to your offspring, on the condition that you do not attack us, and when necessary help us eliminate invaders.

Although the Icefield Demon Bear had some reservations about Li Qingxuan and the cubs, it ultimately made its choice, turned and left without looking back.

Li Qingxuan's plan had not come to pass, leaving him somewhat helpless, yet he still brought the three cubs into the rune fortress; after entering the gate, the girls gathered around him.

The three cubs immediately lunged forward, gnashing their teeth and growling low; Li Qingxuan kicked their rear ends, ordering them to behave, whereupon they obediently stood behind him.

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