The closer they got to the Black Moon Altar, the heavier the snow fell, sweeping down like a deluge, swallowing everything between heaven and earth in boundless, pale white. Fierce winds howled, and sharp Ice Shards were caught within them, slicing fiercely against everyone's faces like hidden weapons.
Zhao Yun and his group advanced arduously across the Icefield. The Star Shattering Spear flickered with a cold light, its tip occasionally slicing through the void, knocking down a few Ice Shards swept up by the gale, producing a crisp "ding-dang" sound that was instantly drowned out by the whistling wind.
The Spear of the Firmament's team was not far ahead; their figures flickered in and out of sight amidst the raging Blizzard, resembling illusory phantoms.
Suddenly, the ice beneath their feet trembled violently without warning, and cracks spread rapidly across the surface like the gaping mouths of monstrous beasts.
Immediately following, a large swarm of demonized Ice Spiders surged out of the fissures like a black tide.
These Ice Spiders were enormous, about the size of adult horses, their Ice Blue carapaces gleaming with a cold and eerie light. As their sharp Mouthparts opened and closed, they spewed out pungent cold air that instantly condensed into a thick layer of Ice Crystal in the atmosphere.
Zhao Yun's eyes instantly sharpened, a cold glint flashing in his depths. The Star Shattering Spear in his hand moved like a Flood Dragon emerging from the sea, its tip erupting with brilliant Starlight.
His movement was like lightning as he weaved freely through the swarm of Ice Spiders. Every thrust carried an unstoppable momentum, precisely targeting the vital points of the Ice Spiders.
The hard carapaces of the Ice Spiders shattered under the fierce assault of the Star Shattering Spear. The blue blood that splashed out instantly froze in the extreme cold, turning into scattered Ice Flowers.
"Be careful, the Magic Power Fluctuation of these Ice Spiders is very strange; it must be related to the Black Moon Altar!"
Zhao Yun's voice cut through the howling wind, reaching his companions' ears.
Aleia let out a sharp cry, and a dazzling Golden Light Shadow enveloped her, causing the surrounding Ice Spiders to panic. As she swung her Claws, they brought forth streaks of Golden Light Shadow; each strike carried immense Strength, easily tearing an Ice Spider's body into pieces.
"Hmph, you ugly things, watch me tear you all apart!"
Leah was not to be outdone, swinging her Long Sword.
"Ice Wall!"
In an instant, Frost energy surged out from her body, forming a solid Ice Wall in front of her.
The surface of the Ice Wall shimmered with Ice Blue Runes. As the Runes flowed, they emitted powerful Magic Power Fluctuations. This Ice Wall continuously pushed forward, and wherever it passed, Ice Spiders were Frozen within it, unable to move.
The Ice Spiders struggled desperately within the Ice Wall, but only muffled thudding sounds could be heard as they failed to break free from the cold Imprisonment.
"Let me cool these guys down a bit!"
A slight smile curved Leah's lips.
Ross drew his bow and arrow from the rear; the Emerald Bow in his hand shimmered with a soft light.
"Emerald Shadow Flowing Light, Arrow Shattering Void."
Every Emerald Arrow shot out carried potent Magic Power, tracing a green arc through the air, striking the Ice Spiders' eyes or joints precisely like meteors. Upon being hit, the Ice Spiders let out painful shrieks and fell to the ground.
However, the Ice Spiders seemed endless, surging wave after wave, as if this Icefield were their infinite nest.
Zhao Yun vaguely felt something was wrong; the appearance of these Ice Spiders was too suspicious. Could it be that the Black Moon Altar had sensed their approach and deliberately set up this obstruction? But there was no time to ponder now; he could only deal with the immediate crisis with all his might.
The battle intensified, and everyone's stamina was continuously draining.
Zhao Yun's white robe was already stained with the blood of several Ice Spiders; the stains quickly congealed in the cold air, looking particularly conspicuous.
Aleia's Claws were also somewhat fatigued, and her swings were no longer as swift and powerful as they were at the start.
Leah's Ice Wall began to show cracks, from which wisps of cold air seeped out, looking as if it could collapse at any moment.
Ross's Quiver was gradually running low, and the frequency of his shots began to slow down.
At this moment, a massive Ice Spider King slowly crawled out of the ice fissure. Its carapace was thicker than that of the ordinary Ice Spiders, shimmering with Purple Light. The cold air it spewed from its mouth formed Ice Cones that shot toward the group like cannonballs. The Ice Cones tore through the air with sharp whistles, carrying an aura of Destruction.
Zhao Yun flashed forward, wielding the Star Shattering Spear. Spear Shadows bloomed like a myriad of flowers, shattering the Ice Cones aimed at the group. The spear tip collided with the Ice Cones, producing crisp "ding-ding" sounds and splashing up clouds of Ice Shards.
"Aleia, Leah, Nia, focus your Strength on dealing with this big fellow! Ross, you cover us and look for its weak spot!" Zhao Yun quickly made tactical arrangements.
"Understood!"
Aleia transformed into a streak of Golden Light Shadow and pounced fiercely toward the Ice Spider King. Her Claws flashed with cold light, stirring up gusts of wind. The Ice Spider King swung its massive forelimbs, engaging in a fierce struggle with Aleia.
Aleia nimbly dodged the Ice Spider King's attacks, moving like an agile leopard, darting around it. Finding an opportunity, she would slash and bite; her Claws scraped sparks off the Ice Spider King's carapace. Nia occasionally interjected by throwing Poison Darts, but they could not penetrate the Ice Spider King's defense.
Leah circled behind the Ice Spider King, her Long Sword radiating intense Frost Power.
"Ice Shard Slash!"
With a swing of her Long Sword, a massive Ice Blade slashed toward the Ice Spider King's leg. The Ice Blade carried biting cold air, tracing a blue trajectory through the sky.
The Ice Spider King roared in pain and turned angrily, spitting out a blast of extreme cold air that instantly froze the surrounding ground. The ice and snow on the ground rapidly solidified, forming sharp Ice Spikes.
Leah flashed away, taking cover behind a nearby ice pillar. The pillar's surface shimmered with an Ice Blue light, providing her with momentary cover.
Ross continuously fired Emerald Arrows from a distance; the Arrows flew toward the Ice Spider King like meteors, distracting its attention.
While shooting arrows, he silently recited an incantation: "Emerald Shadow Flowing Light, Spiritual Insight." Using a brief surge of insight, he carefully observed the Ice Spider King's movements, trying to locate its weakness.
"Its weak spot is the black area on its abdomen!" Ross shouted loudly, a hint of excitement in his voice.
Hearing this, Zhao Yun's eyes narrowed, and Starlight flared brightly on the Star Shattering Spear.
"Pear Blossom Storm!"
The spear tip instantly thrust out thousands of points of Starlight, shooting toward the Ice Spider King's abdomen like a rainstorm. The Starlight flickered with Golden Light, weaving into a dense net of light in the air.
The Ice Spider King sensed the threat and swung its forelimbs to defend itself, but quite a few points of Starlight pierced its defenses and struck its body. The Ice Spider King let out a painful roar and thrashed wildly, causing the ground to tremble violently under its struggle.
Aleia seized the opportunity, leaping onto the Ice Spider King's back and driving her Claws forcefully into the gaps in its carapace.
The Ice Spider King struggled desperately, trying to shake Aleia off. Its body shook violently, but Aleia clung tightly to the carapace, refusing to be thrown off.
Leah took the chance to attack again. With a wave of her Long Sword, she summoned countless Ice Spikes. The Ice Spikes shimmered with Ice Blue light and shot toward the Ice Spider King like raindrops. The Ice Spider King was instantly covered in wounds, and blue blood gushed out like a Fountain.
Under the combined assault of the group, the Ice Spider King's movements gradually slowed, its wounds multiplied, and the blue blood flowed across the ice, pooling together.
Finally, the Ice Spider King could no longer hold on and collapsed heavily, kicking up a cloud of ice and snow dust that lingered in the air for a long time.
Zhao Yun and the others breathed a sigh of relief, only to find that the Spear of the Firmament team was nowhere in sight ahead.
"Those guys really can't be relied upon!"
Aleia grumbled angrily.
Zhao Yun patted Aleia's head, looked toward the path ahead shrouded in Blizzard, his gaze remaining firm.
"It doesn't matter. They have a way to sense the exact location of the Black Moon Altar, and we have the specific coordinates for the Black Moon Altar. Let's head straight there; we might meet them again at the Black Moon Altar."
"Let's go, continue moving forward."