Wei Ran and Jin Huang fought desperately against the Monkey King. Wei Ran focused every ounce of his concentration on preserving his Ice Sword. Each new sword cost him 10% of his essence, and since he couldn't recover energy through primeval stones, every drop was a priceless resource.
Jin Huang supported him with constant volleys from her Bright Light Gu. Blinding flashes filled the cavern, followed by shockwaves that rattled the very foundations of the cave. Yet, despite their efforts, the tide was turning in favor of the Monkey King. The power of an Ancient Spirit was far beyond the reach of two Rank 1 masters.
'If I use that tactic... we might have a chance,' Wei Ran thought, his eyes narrowing.
"Jin Huang, get back!" he roared.
Jin Huang retreated instinctively, trusting her brother's command. Suddenly, the air around Wei Ran condensed. The temperature plummeted—not into a deep freeze, but a sharp -10 degrees. It was just enough to empower his Ice Path worms.
This was the effect of the Frost Breath Gu.
While Wei Ran's physical movements were inferior to the Monkey King's, Jin Huang filled the gaps with her long-range support. However, reality began to take its toll. Blood started to seep from Wei Ran's eyes and mouth. His young soul was buckling under the immense mental strain of such high-level calculations. He was pushing past his absolute limits.
'Time is running out... if I can just find the opening to detonate the Frost Breath Gu...'
Before leaving the clan, Wei Ran had spent a full day experimenting, sacrificing over ten Gular to learn one secret: if a Frost Breath Gu is detonated inside a living being, that creature will turn into a solid ice statue from the inside out.
"Distract him!" Wei Ran commanded.
Jin Huang unleashed a brilliant flare, forcing the Monkey King to shield its eyes and refocus on her. In that split second, Wei Ran summoned four Ice Swords and hurled them with everything he had. One of them found its mark, piercing the Monkey King's eye.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
The scream shook the entire cavern.
Wei Ran knew the moment had arrived. He summoned the Frost Breath Gu from his aperture.
"Now."
He lunged forward, throwing the Gu directly into the gaping, screaming maw of the Monkey King.
Spirit Affinity House
In Wei Ran's room, a girl sat by the window, her beauty outshining the moon itself. This was 13-year-old Lian. She stared out at the sky, her heart suddenly heavy with an inexplicable dread.
'Why do I feel this? Why am I suddenly so afraid and sorrowful?'
Wei Ran's image surfaced in her mind. Her heart fluttered with a strange ache. "That boy... he is truly extraordinary," she whispered to the empty room.
The Blessed Land
Inside his Blessed Land, Feng Jiu Ge was immersed in tiresome clan politics. His irritation was visible in the way he paced.
"Damn these cursed fools..." he muttered to himself.
But suddenly, he froze. A sharp, piercing sensation struck his soul. He had placed secret monitoring Gular on his family members, designed to trigger only during a mortal threat.
'This feeling... someone close to me is in grave danger!'
A terrifying light flickered in Jiu Ge's eyes. 'Who is it?