---
They weren't greedy—this bucket was more than enough. The diminishing returns from each scoop confird it. At first, they could harvest two shards per scoop, occasionally four or five if they were lucky. But as the bucket filled, they could only extract one Ice Origin Core per attempt. The group decided it was ti to call it.
"Let's sell this bucket and give half of the reward to Anos," Bodhi suggested.
"Agreed!"
No one voiced any objections.
However, Anos shook his head. "No need. I don't have much use for money. Besides, you all rely on this to make a living. I don't."
"This is a token of appreciation," Bodhi insisted, his tone sincere. "Anos, you saved our lives. This is the least we can do to repay you. Refusing it would make us feel indebted."
Oscar nodded in agreent. "Exactly. With this bucket, we can avoid taking risky missions for at least a month. So you must accept it. And if there's ever anything you need in the future, don't hesitate to ask!"
"That's right!"
Everyone else chid in with similar sentints.
"Then... alright. I won't argue," Anos relented, knowing refusing further might strain their camaraderie.
"Good!"
The group smiled warmly.
Zoey's favorability towards you has increased by 5.
Anos noted that her favorability now sat at a modest 35. Progress with her was slow but steady, and he didn't mind. He had genuinely refused the money initially; the team needed it more. The Iron Reavers lived hard, perilous lives, supporting families back in Flower City. Turning it down had been his way of respecting their struggles. Yet, accepting their offer now helped cent their trust and gratitude, which mattered far more than any monetary gain.
"By the way, let's keep today's events between us," Zoey said suddenly, her tone serious.
"Don't worry," Bodhi assured her with a laugh. "My wife would only worry more if I told her. My lips are sealed!"
Although he made light of it, everyone understood what Zoey ant—keeping Anos's ti-related abilities and their discovery of Ice Origin Core confidential. Such information could attract unwanted attention.
"But I'll tell my grandfather," Zoey said, glancing at Anos. "After all, you saved my life too."
Anos shrugged. He trusted these people. He doubted there was anyone here like those opportunistic scavengers back in Flower City.
"Oh, right! Anos still needs to find a Chillwater Shard," Zoey rembered aloud.
Anos shook his head. "Forget it. Everyone's injured. Let's head back instead."
Though part of him wanted to remain behind and search solo, he wasn't sure it was worth the risk. He had made promises to people waiting for him, and he intended to keep them.
"Our injuries aren't that bad," Bodhi countered. "We're already deep into the Inner Zone. If we push a little further, we might find one. If not, we'll head back. Deal?"
After a mont's thought, Anos nodded. "Thank you, everyone."
"I already told you," Xander grunted. "Stop being so polite. It makes you seem distant."
Anos scratched his head and smiled sheepishly. "Alright, then I won't hold back."
"Good! Now let's move!"
The group resud their trek, pressing deeper into the Inner Zone.
"I'll carry the bucket," Anos offered. "I'm the least injured."
"I'll do it!" Zoey chid in. "I'm not hurt either."
"Back off, kid." Anos smirked as he hoisted the heavy bucket onto his back.
"Kid? You're the little one!" Zoey huffed, glaring at him.
"Ah, still feisty, huh? Alright, 'little sister.'"
Zoey's glare sharpened, and her ponytail swished with indignation. "You're impossible."
The group shared a laugh at their banter, the lightheartedness lifting their spirits as they navigated the icy terrain.
"Let's head this way," Zoey announced, studying her device and pointing to a narrow path.
"Why this route?"
Zoey explained, "It's scanned as having minimal signs of recent human activity. Better odds of finding a Chillwater Shard."
"Impressive," Anos comnted, clearly intrigued.
"Hmph, technology can do a lot more than you think," Zoey retorted smugly.
The group pressed on, encountering and dispatching several beasts along the way. After ten minutes, Zoey ca to an abrupt stop.
"There's a Chillwater resonance thirty ters ahead," she said, checking her scanner.
The group turned their attention forward.
"There!" Bodhi exclaid, pointing to a cluster of dark blue crystals about ten ters up. The shards glistened like frozen starlight, unmistakably Chillwater Shards.
"Judging by the appearance, they're newly ford," Bodhi said. "Otherwise, they'd have been taken long ago."
Guarding the crystals were two beasts, their glowing eyes fixed on the group.
"I'll handle them," Anos said, stepping forward.
"Be careful!" Zoey called out, her tone betraying her concern.
Without hesitation, Anos surged ahead, lightning crackling at his fingertips. He activated Fivefold Thunderclap, unleashing a concentrated burst of electrical energy. The beasts barely had ti to react before they were engulfed in the devastating surge.
Monts later, their lifeless bodies collapsed to the ground.
"Not bad!" Anos exclaid, admiring the raw power of the technique. It was his first ti using Fivefold Thunderclap in battle, and it had proven devastating.
---
Fivefold Thunderclap, an Earth-class Eight Star Martial Skill. Just its ntion could send waves of envy rippling through the strongest warriors.
Anos stood amidst the aftermath of his attack, his Elental Foundation Realm aura crackling with residual thunder energy. The beast corpses lay unmoving—a testant to the power of his martial skill.
Normally, the innate resilience of demon beasts made them a nightmare for humans of the sa cultivation realm. Even with a two-star advantage, it was nearly impossible to achieve a clean kill. Yet, Fivefold Thunderclap defied the odds.
Such was the terrifying might of an Earth-class martial skill. Against a demon beast caught unawares, even instant kill scenarios were plausible. If the opponent had ti to react, however, the outco could shift dramatically.
But in this case? The results were clear.
The others stared in stunned silence, their eyes wide.
"Did… did anyone else feel that?" Oscar muttered, his voice filled with awe. "The sheer force of that attack—it was terrifying even from here!"
"Terrifying? That's an understatent!" Bodhi exclaid. "Earth-class Martial Skill, wasn't it? I've lived over thirty years, and this is my first ti seeing one used."
Zoey, her gaze fixed on Anos, finally spoke. "Anos, what kind of power is that? And how on earth did you even get your hands on such a skill?"
Anos shrugged, brushing off the attention. "Just sothing I picked up along the way."
Zoey arched an eyebrow. "That's a casual way to describe sothing that could obliterate most of us with a single strike."
"I agree," Bodhi said. "We're all grateful to have you on our side, but damn, Anos. That technique could wipe out soone far above your level!"
"Which is exactly why we need to keep this quiet," Zoey interjected, her tone serious. "Only my grandfather will know. If word spreads, you'll have bounty hunters and rcenaries crawling all over you."
Xander nodded. "She's right. There are plenty of people who'd kill for an Earth-class skill, let alone the other stuff you've got up your sleeve."
Anos smirked. "I trust all of you. And thanks, Zoey. Your intuition's sharp."
Zoey flushed slightly but quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, there's still one problem. Those shards." She pointed to the glimring crystals embedded in a high, icy outcrop.
Bodhi squinted. "It's more than ten ters up, and the ice doesn't look stable. We're not climbing that, and none of us can fly. So, how do we get them?"
"I've got this," Anos said confidently, summoning lightning to his palm.
"Wait!" Bodhi waved his arms frantically. "Don't blast it! Chillwater Shards are incredibly fragile—one good hit, and they'll shatter into dust!"
Anos paused, considering this. "Good point."
Zoey stepped forward, smirking. "Let handle it. Call Zoey, the shard whisperer."
Anos gave her an amused look. "You sure, Zoey the shard whisperer? This isn't exactly beginner level."
"Watch and learn," she said, wind energy swirling around her.
Before anyone could comnt further, Zoey launched herself into the air, her movents fluid and precise.
"Whoa!" Oscar exclaid. "Since when could she do that?"
Bodhi chuckled. "It's a Wind-class Martial Skill. Burns through energy fast, but in monts like this, it's worth the price."
Zoey reached the shards, a special glove on her hand as she carefully extracted them one by one. A short while later, she landed gracefully, holding a handful of pristine Chillwater Shards.
"Impressed?" she asked, tossing one towards Anos.
He caught it easily, a grin on his face. "Alright, I'll admit it—you're good."
"Of course I am," she replied smugly.
The group secured the shards and prepared to leave. Anos couldn't shake a feeling, though—a subtle prickle at the back of his neck. He stopped, scanning the snowy horizon.
"Sothing wrong?" Bodhi asked, noticing his hesitation.
Anos narrowed his eyes. For a brief mont, he thought he saw a snow-white figure dart behind the trees.
"Nothing," he said, though his tone was uneasy. "Let's keep moving."
The group began their trek back, unaware of the eyes silently watching from the shadows.
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