162: Let's go! To the frigid continent!

A massive icebreaker docked quietly at the pier.

Everyone gathered on the deck, listening to the speech being given by the gourmet tycoon, Carnel.

"Everyone, thank you for answering the call!" Carnel took a puff from his pipe and said slowly, "First, allow me to express my gratitude for your courage and spirit."

"Now, let me tell you the location of the century soup..." He paused, his voice ringing clearly and powerfully through the cabin, "We are heading towards the place that can freeze everything—The Frigid Continent, 'Ice Hell'."

"Ice... Ice Hell?!"

"That frigid Hell where the average annual temperature is minus 50 degrees Celsius?!"

"The ice continent that was designated a 'Forbidden Zone' not because of beasts, but because of its extreme climate itself!"

"We'll freeze to death!"

As his words fell, a chorus of gasps and terrified whispers immediately erupted in the cabin. Many people's faces instantly lost their color, their eyes revealing unconcealable fear.

Carnel seemed to have anticipated this. He smiled and reassured them, "There's no need to panic. I have already prepared the most Advanced 'ignition jumpsuit' for everyone."

Hearing the name 'ignition jumpsuit', the atmosphere of panic subsided slightly. This was a high-tech piece of equipment that used special friction Materials to generate heat, with thermal performance comparable to the fur of polar beasts—a Sharp Weapon for challenging extreme low-temperature environments.

Carnel continued his explanation: "The ice continent, in the ancient era before refrigeration technology existed, was a 'depository' used by many gourmets to preserve ingredients for their 'Life Menu'—the legendary 'Gourmet Refrigerator'."

"A few days ago, I received intelligence that the ice continent has begun to melt abnormally... the cause is the massive generation and eruption of 'Methane Hydrate' underground. The location is near that giant iceberg in the central region of the continent."

"That iceberg is a treasure trove where countless gourmets have stored their top-tier ingredients since ancient times. Now, as the iceberg melts due to the Methane Hydrate, the glorious ingredients that have slept for countless ages are thawing and flowing out... and the 'century soup' we are looking for is hidden within this flowing 'Thawing Essence'!"

After the speech, Carnel disappeared, but inside the massive icebreaker, the engines roared as it broke through the cold sea surface.

At this moment, in a corner of the cabin, Lin Luo was helping Erina carefully put on her ignition jumpsuit. As he pulled up the last zipper for her, his tone carried a hint of helplessness and a headache: "I told you... it would have been so much better for you to stay comfortably with Granny Setsuno. Why did you insist on following us to this godforsaken place? It's very dangerous."

Erina adjusted her collar and pointed to Komatsu, who was also putting on his gear with Toriko's help nearby, saying defiantly, "When Komatsu-kun wanted to come, Mr. Toriko agreed. Why is it that when it's my turn, you don't agree?"

After learning the specific destination at the bar, Lin Luo had clearly expressed his disapproval of Erina coming along. Through Toriko's description, he knew full well how treacherous Ice Hell was.

Toriko, overhearing from the side, said, "Miss Erina, you really can't blame Lin Luo. The place we're going next is a forbidden zone known as 'Ice Hell'. The low temperatures there can truly freeze a person to death in an instant, and the environment is extremely harsh. One wrong move, and there really is a danger to your life."

Komatsu also tightened his shoelaces and tried to persuade her somewhat sheepishly, "That's right, Miss Erina. Maybe... you should listen to Mr. Lin Luo? I also had to mentally prepare myself for a long time before deciding to come. Actually, I'm quite scared too."

Erina, however, stubbornly lifted her chin: "If Komatsu can summon the courage to go, why can't I? I'm not going to listen to him!" Despite her words, her fingers, which she quietly tightened, betrayed a hint of nervousness.

Komatsu smiled helplessly: "I've also... prepared for the worst. Actually, my legs are shaking."

Seeing Erina's stubborn 'my mind is made up' look, Lin Luo knew further persuasion was useless. He could only sigh, carefully check her equipment once more, and whisper an instruction: "Stay close to me. Do not leave my side for too long at any time."

Seeing the unmistakable concern in his eyes, the small bit of rebellion and spite in Erina's heart quietly dissipated, replaced by a flicker of warmth. She gave a soft "Mm" as her promise.

"Let's go, we should head to the deck for some fresh air too." Seeing that everyone was fully geared up, Toriko suggested.

No one wanted to stay cooped up in the cabin, so they followed him out to the open deck. The biting sea breeze carried a bone-chilling cold, and a faint white line was already visible on the distant horizon.

"This ship is truly massive—400 meters long, 200,000 tons total weight, a top-tier icebreaker." Toriko leaned against the railing and said heroically, "Even mountain-like layers of ice can be easily crushed and broken through!"

Lin Luo looked at the sturdy wedge-shaped ice-breaking structure at the bow and nodded, "It seems the ice where we're going is no ordinary ice. Only a monster of this scale can secure the route."

"Hello, Mr. Toriko!"

A clear voice came from behind. Everyone turned around to see the young knight in a headscarf they had met briefly at the bar—the one who had confronted the Gourmet Mafia members. He was leading a majestic white horse toward them. Seeing a horse on the freezing deck was quite a peculiar sight.

"I am a member of the Gourmet Knights, my name is Takimaru." The young man introduced himself politely.

Toriko's eyes flickered slightly: "Oh? A Gourmet Knight?" He then turned slightly to introduce him to Lin Luo, "Gourmet Knights, a group of gourmets who faithfully guard the teachings of the 'Happiness of Eating'. They aren't many, but every one of them has firm convictions and impressive strength."

He sized up Takimaru, somewhat surprised: "I didn't expect there to be a member as young as you. It's quite a surprise." The Gourmet Knights he had encountered before were mostly members with extensive experience.

Takimaru gave a hearty laugh: "I'm a new member!"

"I see..." Toriko nodded and asked casually, "Is Xiao Ai doing well lately?"

"Yes, the Leader is very energetic!" Takimaru replied respectfully, then turned his gaze toward Lin Luo with curiosity and a hint of scrutiny, "By the way, Mr. Toriko, this must be your friend? I noticed him at the bar earlier; he seems quite extraordinary."

Toriko laughed, put his arm around Lin Luo's shoulder, and then pointed to Komatsu and Erina in turn, introducing them proudly: "These three are all my good friends! This is Lin Luo; you should have seen him before at the Heavy Lodge. Don't let his current appearance fool you; if it really comes down to a fight, even I am no match for him!"

"This is Komatsu, a chef at an IGO five-star hotel. His skill in processing ingredients is top-notch!"

"As for Miss Nakiri Erina, she is even more remarkable—she is a national treasure of gourmet and Granny Setsuno's Personal Disciple!"

As Takimaru listened to Toriko's introduction, the look of surprise on his face grew deeper. His gaze moved back and forth between the three, finally turning into deep admiration. As expected, those who could stand alongside the Four Heavenly Kings' Toriko—and even be so highly praised by him—were definitely not ordinary. Whether it was the unfathomably strong Lin Luo, the IGO's top chef, or Great Master Setsuno's Disciple, every title was enough to cause a stir in the Gourmet World.

"My apologies for my lack of respect!" Takimaru bowed solemnly to the three of them, "I didn't expect to meet so many incredible people on this journey. Please look after me!"

Lin Luo returned a slight smile to Takimaru, his attitude calm and friendly. Erina merely nodded with a plain expression; most of her emotional fluctuations seemed to only show in front of Lin Luo. When facing others, the nobility and coldness belonging to the 'Gods Tongue' and Setsuno's Disciple naturally surfaced.

Only Komatsu, as always, carried a simple and sincere smile, responding politely: "Not at all, we are the ones who should ask for your guidance. The Gourmet Knights' conviction and character in guarding the 'Happiness of Eating' have always been something we admire and should learn from."

Wooo—Wooo—!

At that moment, the icebreaker's piercing alarm suddenly blared, breaking the silence of the sea.

"Hmm?" Lin Luo's gaze sharpened as he looked at the rolling sea in the distance. Beneath the waves, massive shadows were breaking through the water at an incredible speed, their dorsal fins slicing the surface like razors—it was a pack of sharks! And there were many of them!

Jiraaaaa—!

A massive, ferocious-looking giant shark was the first to leap out of the sea with a roar, opening its huge mouth filled with forest-white sharp teeth. Even more terrifying was that several pairs of strong giant claws had actually grown from its belly, which it used to grab the hull tightly, lunging toward the deck like it was climbing!

"It's an Supreme Foot Shark! Capture Rank 6!" An experienced hunter immediately recognized this ferocious sea beast that could both swim and climb.

"Hmph!" Toriko snorted coldly. Instead of retreating, he moved forward, his body charging like lightning. He gathered power in his right index finger and struck out as fast as a flash!

Puff!

With a dull thud, the ferocious Supreme Foot Shark's forward momentum stopped abruptly. It fell stiffly onto the deck, unable to move—its pressure points had been accurately struck with Knocking!

"Eh? Amazing! Knocking with just a finger?!" Takimaru's eyes lit up as he watched from the side. Was this the combat style of the Four Heavenly Kings level?

However, the crisis was not over.

Jiraaaaa—!!

More Supreme Foot Sharks, like zombies that had caught the scent of blood, frantically climbed up the hull. They were densely packed, and in the blink of an eye, dozens of them swarmed onto the deck! The other Gourmet Hunters on board were startled and rushed out. Seeing this terrifying sight, their faces changed drastically, and they all assumed combat stances.

"Ah!" Erina cried out as an Supreme Foot Shark bypassed the others and lunged straight at her with its bloody mouth wide open!

Lin Luo's figure blurred as he blocked her path, delivering a simple side kick. The footed shark screamed as it was sent flying by the massive force, crashing into the ship's bulwark.

"See, we've encountered danger just as we've started." Lin Luo looked back, his tone helpless.

Erina pursed her lips and pretended not to hear, but she obediently hid behind him, only peeking out with half her head to nervously watch the increasing number of sharks swarming the deck.

Lin Luo said no more. Facing the swarming shark pack, he slowly raised his right hand, palm upward. A ball of warm but terrifyingly fluctuating milky-white light condensed and expanded in his palm.

The next moment, countless milky-white Light Locks, as solid as physical objects, shot out from the light ball like living tentacles! They were swift and precise, ignoring the sharks' struggling and biting, instantly binding all the Supreme Foot Sharks on the deck tightly!

Simultaneously, behind Lin Luo, the holy and majestic phantom of eight feet quietly emerged, her entire body emitting a soft but vast halo.

Under everyone's horrified gaze, the dozens of ferocious sharks bound by the Light Locks were actually pulled by an invisible force, suspended in mid-air!

"Heavens! What kind of ability is this?!"

"Those sharks... have all been caught? And they're floating?!"

The hunters on the deck let out cries of disbelief as they watched this scene beyond their imagination.

However, an even more chilling scene followed immediately—

Lin Luo remained expressionless as he slowly closed the fingers of his right hand into a fist.

Buzz... The shark pack suspended in mid-air all let out a short, pained hiss. Immediately after, their full and fierce bodies shriveled and withered at a speed visible to the naked eye! Their skin lost its luster, their muscles dried up, and their eye sockets sank... In just a few breaths, dozens of living, ferocious sea beasts had all turned into dried 'specimens' tightly wrapped in leather, as if they had been air-dried for countless years!

Then, the Light Locks dissipated, and those light 'specimens' were swept away by an invisible force like trash, falling into the cold sea with a series of splashes, leaving no trace.

On the deck, there was dead silence.

Only the whistling of the sea breeze and the roar of the ship breaking the ice remained.

Every hunter who witnessed this scene, including Takimaru, looked at Lin Luo with a gaze full of unspeakable shock, awe, and a deep-seated fear. This method of instantly depriving life essence was mysterious, powerful, and... bone-chilling.