Xiao Feng surveyed the grisly scene before him, a faint sense of satisfaction stirring within. After all, the combat prowess of these demon wolves was undeniable; unless confronted by a B-rank beast, this pack was virtually invincible—so long as they avoided a large-scale beast swarm.
Panting, he asked Rain, who was slowly climbing up, "How far are we from the Evil Dragon Sect's headquarters?"
Rain pointed to a snow-covered spot. "It should be just there. We stumbled upon the entrance by chance. Because of discovering it, the sect's followers even killed several of our comrades."
Xiao Feng nodded. "Looks like we still have some distance to cover. If only we could wait until nightfall—that would be ideal. But time is of the essence. After killing so many of their beasts and guards, they'll be on high alert. We must reach there before they discover us."
Rain was about to advise waiting until night, but Xiao Feng's astonishing resolve convinced her otherwise. This young man, who had already captured her heart, seemed capable of even greater surprises.
Together, Rain and the others followed Xiao Feng, sprinting fiercely toward the sect's entrance.
White White maintained a swift pace. Though the pack was fatigued from previous battles, their bloodlust burned brighter than ever. The sight of fresh blood ignited every savage instinct within them.
Their breaths billowed white mist in the icy air, yet nothing could hinder their rapid ascent.
However, the three humans struggled to acclimate. Having left summer behind in the valley below, their thin combat uniforms left them vulnerable to the frigid mountain air.
Rain, especially sensitive to the cold, began to tremble uncontrollably after a few minutes, eventually curling up on a black wolf's warm, dense fur. The wolf's heat offered her some respite from the biting chill.
Seeing her shiver, Xiao Feng felt helpless. He himself wore little and was equally vulnerable to the cold. Removing his own clothes for Rain would surely mean freezing to death on the mountain.
His foremost priority was to reach the Evil Dragon Sect's entrance as swiftly as possible; lingering outside would only invite greater peril.
Xiao Feng whispered to White White, "Speed up the pace."
The wolf responded with a low howl and surged forward, its nose picking up the growing intensity of chaotic scents. No longer needing Rain's guidance, White White instinctively tracked the scent trail leading to the sect's entrance.
Minutes later, White White was the first to arrive at the mouth of a cave. Xiao Feng leapt from its back, retrieving his Black Angel sniper rifle and calmly aiming into the darkness within. The rifle's night-vision scope granted him clear sight of the cavern's depths.
What he saw made him draw a sharp breath—the cave teemed with beasts, all ranked above C-level. Among them slithered several reptilian creatures, their presence unmistakably B-rank, radiating a terrifying aura. The path ahead seemed as daunting as facing an entire beast swarm.
Behind him, Rain's trembling voice broke the silence, "Xiao… Xiao Feng? What do you see?"
Xiao Feng's tone was grave. "The cave is packed with high-level beasts. I think entering now would be too dangerous."
Rain urged him on, "Don't be afraid. Believe in yourself. If you hesitate, we'll freeze out here to death."
Xiao Feng glanced at Rain's innocent face, now pale as stone from the cold. The biting temperature was a brutal test for them, clad in nothing but light armor. In just minutes, he was certain they'd succumb to the freezing cold.
He clenched his teeth, peering again into the cavern. Charging in blindly would mean certain defeat, and possibly total annihilation. Worse, it might alarm the Black Dragon inside, allowing it to escape again—something Xiao Feng could never forgive after painstakingly locating its lair.
Though he might survive the breach, the three mercenaries could not. Their lives would be forfeit, even with the wolf pack's aid. He couldn't guarantee Rain and the others' safety—he didn't know how long the wolves could endure in the cave.
Yet leaving Rain out here in the cold to die was unbearable—the girl who so closely resembled Ivy must not perish in this merciless snow.
Xiao Feng pulled the shivering Rain close, enveloping her in his warmth as if to shield her from the icy world. He whispered softly beside her ear, "Sorry for dragging you into such danger so soon after we met."
Feeling the faint warmth of his body, Rain's heart ignited with a new fire. A gentle smile spread across her lips. "If… if you hadn't saved us, we would have been dead long ago. Just being able to help you reach this place—that's enough for me. It's payment enough for your life-saving kindness."
Xiao Feng frowned deeply, confronted with a dilemma that left him momentarily at a loss.
After a moment's thought, he tightened his embrace once more before releasing her. Turning to Rain and the two mercenaries trembling in the cold, he commanded, "Stick close to me. Don't leave my side for anything." Then, he pulled back the bolt and chambered a round.