"However, entering the ice field from the north, there is a ruin discovered by the Riverborn Clan containing a large amount of rare ores."
"Previously, I sent people there to seize it."
"Many disciples died before we captured the ruin, but a brat nad Ryan managed to escape. That kid's whereabouts are still unknown. Flying Snow City issued a wanted poster and sent people to track him down."
"Could it be that the deaths of Seventh Elder and Erna are related to this boy?"
"Did the Riverborn Clan dispatch experts to rescue Ryan ahead of us, killing Seventh Elder and Erna in the process?"
Wilford stroked his chin, deep in thought.
Almost imdiately, he overturned his own conclusion.
There were only so many people in the Riverborn Clan capable of killing Seventh Elder and Erna. Right now, every one of them was pinned down near the ancestral lands. None could spare the ti or manpower.
"Could it be that the Riverborn Clan found outside help?"
Another speculation surfaced. It seed the only possibility.
But even the powerful Great Verdant Imperial Family would not dare to casually offend an Ancient Clan to the death. And the ones who fell were not re lackeys. They were Seventh Elder and Erna.
Killing them was equivalent to declaring a war to the bitter end with the Moonfall Clan.
Aside from powers on the level of the Great Verdant Imperial Family or the Demon Territory's White Emperor City, how many factions could withstand the Moonfall Clan's fury?
"n!"
Wilford's voice rolled like thunder, echoing across the entire encampnt.
A middle-aged man at the Ultimate Supre realm appeared at the cave entrance.
"Great Elder, what are your orders?"
"Lester, take ten n and head to Flying Snow City. Investigate the situation," Wilford instructed.
"Flying Snow City?" Lester paused.
"Isn't the Seventh Elder there?"
"The Seventh Elder and Erna have fallen." Wilford's expression darkened to sothing terrifying.
Lester stiffened. Then he cupped his hands.
"Understood."
"Prioritize safety. If you encounter an unknown expert you cannot defeat, retreat imdiately," Wilford reminded him.
"Understood." Lester nodded, his voice trembling slightly.
He had been personally promoted by the Seventh Elder. One of his closest subordinates.
He never expected the Seventh Elder to fall. Stationing at Flying Snow City was supposed to be a cushy assignnt. Instead it had beco the man's grave.
The drinks they shared three months ago. He never imagined that parting would be the last.
Lester clenched his fists and turned from the cave, forcing down the burning rage rising in his chest.
"Seventh Elder, this junior will definitely find the beast who killed you, tear them into ten thousand pieces, and avenge you." The vow burned silently as he departed.
Monts later, a Moonfall Clan guard rushed into the cave.
"Great Elder!" He dropped to one knee, hands cupped in greeting.
"What is it?"
"An urgent report from Flying Snow City."
"Three nights ago, a battle took place in the skies above the city. The Seventh Elder, Erna, and the City Lord went missing and have not returned since."
"Currently, the Vice City Lord has temporarily taken over," the guard replied, head bowed, not daring to et the Great Elder's gaze.
Going missing after a massive battle almost certainly ant death. This was a blockbuster piece of news. Enough to shake the entire Moonfall Clan.
"I know. Leave." Wilford waved his hand.
"Yes, sir." The guard rose and withdrew.
Bang.
A muffled crack split the air. The massive sand table fractured, split apart, and collapsed into fine powder.
In a single fit of rage, Wilford had crushed it with his bare hand.
"Damned rat. Don't let catch you." He gritted his teeth, veins bulging across his forehead.
Then he reached into his robes and drew out a purple jade pendant pulsing with rhythmic light.
An ergency summons from the clan. Anyone holding a Purple Jade Token was required to return imdiately.
Wilford pocketed the token, arranged the remaining matters, and led several n away from the Glacier Rift Valley encampnt.
anwhile.
On the outskirts of the White North Ice Field.
Inside a cave, a campfire blazed and pushed back the dim dark. Water droplets fell steadily from the stone ceiling above, drip after drip filling the silence.
Ethan, Lunara, Vex, and Ryan sat around the fire. Roasted at in hand. Wine jars passed freely.
"Good wine, good at. It's been a year or two since I've eaten and drunk so freely." Ryan laughed and poured another mouthful straight down his throat.
Ethan gnawed at a golden, oil-dripping roasted wild rabbit with great relish. Lunara took small, careful bites from a leg of lamb.
Vex sat cross-legged. Though he looked like a young boy, his bearing was sothing else entirely. His eyes carried a sharp, piercing edge that made others instinctively avoid his gaze.
Ryan noticed it. His throat bobbed.
A faint dread crept into his chest for no clear reason.
He could not see through this boy at all. He guessed the strength behind those eyes was no weaker than Lunara's.
Those eyes especially. Sharp and cold, filled with endless murderous aura. It constantly felt like the boy might simply stand up and stab him.
Crunch. Crunch.
Vex tossed a roasted wild rabbit into the air, opened his mouth wide, and swallowed it whole. A few chews. Then it was gone.
Ryan sucked in a sharp breath.
This guy isn't human at all.
He's probably Ethan's spiritual pet, just like Lunara.
His curiosity about what exactly had happened to Ethan over the years burned stronger now.
His strength had grown imnsely, enough to kill a Perfect Supre.
And his spiritual pets, any one of them at random, possessed the strength of a Ultimate Demon Lord. Simply terrifying.
Perhaps Ethan's return truly could bring a turning point for the Riverborn Clan.
"Vex, be a little more mindful when you eat. Don't scare our guest," Ethan said.
"Okay." Vex scratched his head and smiled, honest and simple. Facing Ethan, he was an entirely different person from the creature that had just swallowed a rabbit whole.
Vex had caught up to them a day ago. After entering the White North Ice Field, Ethan decided to find a place to rest and reorganize first, waiting for Ryan's injuries to fully heal before setting off.
"Brother Ryan, how is the food?" Ethan asked.
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