Chapter 200

How... how could this be possible?

Gazing at the nearby graveyard, Xiao Qing was so shocked he almost froze in place!

In Cold Valley Town, the man who had barely escaped death's door once personally told Xiao Qing.

They were attacked by invisible monsters only because they had entered a graveyard.

Earlier, while acting alongside the Phantom Night Snow Fox, they encountered invisible wolves.

Xiao Qing immediately assumed that the invisible wolves were the monsters hunting that person.

And the invisible wolves were also responsible for slaughtering the Iron Blood Mercenary Group.

But now it seems it's not as simple as they thought!

This is where the cold and spiritual energies of the Thousand‑Year Cold Valley converge.

The Phantom Night Snow Fox King, speaking through Gu Han, began introducing the monsters of this place.

Back when human cities still existed, this was the burial ground of mighty humans.

Times have changed; due to an anomaly, this place became the present Thousand‑Year Cold Valley, yet the tombstones were not removed.

It is said that every few decades a Clear Heart Snow Lotus blooms here, an extremely precious heavenly treasure.

Previously, this was territory contested among the clans, but in recent years a mutant Ice Frost Magic Leopard appeared and seized it by force.

Right now is the time when the Clear Heart Snow Lotus blooms; if we kill that Ice Frost Magic Leopard, we can take the Lotus.

During Gu Han's explanation, several people also noticed the open space in the graveyard's center.

There was a snow lotus bud waiting to bloom.

At the moment Gu Han's words ended.

The surrounding gale seemed a bit more violent than before.

Whoo—!

The Phantom Night Snow Fox King was no stranger to dealing with the Ice Frost Magic Leopard and immediately sensed signs that it had attacked.

At this moment their party numbered only three people and one fox, and they were not far apart.

This also gave the Phantom Night Snow Fox King a chance to react, unlike before when there was no time to rescue.

The Phantom Night Snow Fox King let out a long howl; the Ice Frost Magic Leopard could not avoid its soul attack and froze in place.

The Ice Frost Magic Leopard's stealth ability is not as good as the invisible wolf's signature skill.

In that frozen moment, its body became visible to everyone.

This Ice Frost Magic Leopard's fur shimmered with blue‑white light, and its streamlined body housed terrifying speed.

Gu Chen was closest to the Ice Frost Magic Leopard, seized the moment, and his Cold Shadow Sword suddenly slashed down.

The Great Accomplishment Sword Intent held a sharp sword light that slashed at the Ice Frost Magic Leopard.

Xiao Qing gripped his knife with both hands, his knife intent unfurled as he chopped at the Ice Frost Magic Leopard's throat.

His knife intent, though, was not as strong as Gu Chen's sword intent.

But at a higher realm, its destructive power is not much weaker.

However, the Ice Frost Magic Leopard's mental resistance is obviously much greater than that of the Invisible Wolf King.

At the instant the sword light struck it, it had already recovered from the freeze.

Clang!

The sword light struck the Ice Frost Magic Leopard's chest, leaving only a fine wound.

And the Ice Frost Magic Leopard pushed off with its four claws, instantly vanishing from sight.

Xiao Qing's slash was a step late, hitting only empty air.

Gu Han also reacted a beat late, skirting around the two's obstruction and thrusting with his spear.

But it struck empty space.

And the agile Ice Frost Magic Leopard seemed to tread on air, leaving no footprints in the snow.

Gu Han felt a chill, activated his protective coloration, and gradually seemed to disappear in place.

Without the Phantom Night Snow Fox tribe's help, relying solely on the Snow Fox King probably isn't enough to keep the Ice Frost Magic Leopard visible.

Today's battle will be even harder than yesterday's!

The Ice Frost Magic Leopard hidden in the blizzard is like a professional assassin.

While making it hard for the Snow Fox King to detect its presence, it patiently waits for Gu Han and the others to reveal an opening.

Gu Han gave Xiao Qing a look, and Xiao Qing immediately understood.

Xiao Qing seemed a bit impatient, wildly slashing out knife lights that carved several long gullies into the ground.

But even so, the Ice Frost Magic Leopard still did not act, waiting for the opportunity.

Gu Han furrowed his brow,

It looks like the Ice Frost Magic Leopard's combat awareness is far superior to that of the Snow Fox King and the Invisible Wolf King.

After a moment, the Ice Frost Magic Leopard waited for the people's impatience to become an opportunity.

It swiftly darted out from the ice and snow, a claw lunging at Xiao Qing's back.

Uncle Xiao, be careful!

Gu Chen's eyes shifted slightly; his Cold Shadow Sword immediately slashed out, hoping to drive back the Ice Frost Magic Leopard.

And the Phantom Night Snow Fox King knew that among the three, Xiao Qing was the weakest.

Thus it had long been anticipated that the Ice Frost Magic Leopard would surely choose to break through from the weak point.

At the moment the Ice Frost Magic Leopard appeared, the Phantom Night Snow Fox King also fiercely swung its claw.

A claw formed of condensed ice lunged at the suddenly appearing Ice Frost Magic Leopard.

Although Fox Claw's speed cannot compare to the Ice Frost Magic Leopard.

But if the Ice Frost Magic Leopard is determined to kill Xiao Qing, then it will inevitably also bear this fox claw strike!

Xiao Qing naturally also knew that he was the weakest among everyone.

Upon sensing the impending danger, Xiao Qing unleashed all his defensive means!

All to preserve his own life!

At the same time, buying Gu Han and the others a chance to kill the Ice Frost Magic Leopard!

The Ice Frost Magic Leopard sensed the impending danger, did not choose to hard‑resist, trading injury for injury, but instead withdrew.

Its vitality is not particularly outstanding among demon beasts of the same realm.

Roaming the Thousand Year Cold Valley relies solely on its uncanny, ghost‑like speed.

Choosing to trade his own injury for the chance to kill the weakest opponent, Xiao Qing, is absolutely not a wise choice.

However, before withdrawing, the Ice Frost Magic Leopard still lashed out with a claw at Xiao Qing's chest.

The shield shattered in an instant, and the remaining force of the gale slammed into Xiao Qing's chest.

Xiao Qing immediately spat out several arrows of blood and was flung backward.

Fortunately, he managed to condense a shield in time, blocking part of the Ice Frost Magic Leopard's power.

Otherwise, under the Ice Frost Magic Leopard's full‑force blow, Xiao Qing would likely already be separated head from body!

Xiao Qing, whose complexion quickly waned, suddenly felt a surge of relief at having survived the ordeal.

"He's screwed, today's operation is way too dangerous, right?"

"As a Martial Ancestor, he actually almost couldn't even withstand a single move!"

Fortunately, he heeded Gu Han's advice and did not bring the other mercenaries.

Otherwise, the elite portion of the mercenary force he brought would likely be wiped out here today!

"After surviving decades in dangerous lands, this is still the first time I've had such an exhilarating experience!"

Xiao Qing mocked himself inwardly.

Although the perilous lands of various cities are dangerous, as long as one is sufficiently cautious, a Martial Ancestor's safety can still be assured.

If he could make it back alive today, even the second half of his life would surely have plenty to talk about!

And Gu Han's spear in hand, however, seemed to still be a step slow.

Only after the Ice Frost Magic Leopard fled did he belatedly thrust, his spear striking nothing but air.

Gu Chen looked on in surprise at Gu Han, who seemed to be performing unusually poorly today.

As a Sword Cultivator, Gu Chen's expertise lies in the Sword Control Technique.

But now that the two sides are in close‑quarters combat, using a Flying Sword would be superfluous.

Therefore Gu Chen did not employ a Flying Sword.

Moreover, his own strength is somewhat weaker than Xiao Qing's, so it's only natural that his sword missed the Ice Frost Magic Leopard.

But Gu Han's strength far surpasses Xiao Qing's.

How could he be so sluggish, as if toyed with by the Ice Frost Magic Leopard?