185: Chapter 185 Polar Guardian: Awakening of the Ice Plains and the Battle of the Soul-Eating Puppet

Polar Assembly: Ice Plain Energy Successor and Cold-Resistant Equipment Upgrade

The day after Chuanwu Academy received the support request from the Arctic Inuit tribe, the "Polar Chuanwu Guidance Squad" urgently assembled at the Greenland research station—the hatch of the Chuanwu Starship polar transport opened, and the cold wind, wrapped in ice particles, whistled in. In the distance, the Arctic ice plain glowed with a pale green light under the aurora, and the "Enuk Tribe" at the edge of the ice plain was vaguely visible. Faint fluctuations of Leyline Qi Energy drifted over the tribe, signaling that the Awakened were out of control.

"To survive on the Arctic ice plain, one must rely on the 'Ice Plain Energy' technique," a middle-aged man wearing a heavy Seal-skin martial outfit strode onto the transport. He held a long staff made from Arctic whale bone, with a pale blue "Ice Plain Crystal Core" embedded in the tip. When he tapped the ground, the surrounding ice particles automatically gathered into small ice sculptures. "I am Enuk, the successor of the Enuk tribe's traditional martial arts, specializing in 'Ice Plain Energy'—it can sense the flow of glacial Leyline Qi Energy, use martial techniques to reinforce the ice, and resonate with the Qi Energy of Arctic animals. Your equipment must be added with an 'Ice Plain Qi Energy Layer,' otherwise you won't last three hours."

Enuk took an "Ice Plain Qi Energy Sample" from his backpack. The sample was a translucent ice crystal with pale blue Qi Energy flowing inside. When placed on ordinary metal, the metal instantly froze with a thick layer of ice: "Arctic Qi Energy carries a 'Deep Freeze Attribute.' Ordinary traditional martial arts equipment will have its Qi Energy circuits frozen. You must fuse Ice Plain Energy with your own techniques to maintain the flow of Qi Energy."

Inside the cabin, the team immediately started equipment modifications: Xiao Kaya (remote support) fused Ice Soul Energy with Enuk's Ice Plain Energy, injecting it into the "Polar Cold-Resistant Qi Energy Diving Suit" (this mission required frequent operations on and under the ice)—the pale blue Ice Plain Energy formed an "Anti-Freezing Layer" outside the suit, while the pale green Ice Soul Energy formed a "Constant Temperature Layer" inside. With the two types of Qi Energy intertwined, they could maintain smooth Qi Energy flow even at -50°C. Xiao Juan's Nature Qi gloves were sewn with "Arctic Lichen Fibers," which could absorb aurora energy and convert it into Nature Qi, allowing them to be used normally even in the polar night. Young Karim's Pyramid Force wrist guards were embedded with "Ice Plain Crystal Core Fragments," which could convert the Arctic cold into the defensive power of Pyramid Force, and the light patterns on the wrist guards would brighten with the intensity of the cold. Mei's Ninja Qi throwing darts were coated with whale bone powder and an Ice Plain Energy coating, capable of penetrating thick ice without triggering ice cracks. Laila's Shamanic Martial Force belt hung with "Arctic Fox Hair Follicles," which stored the Ice Plain Energy gifted by Enuk, capable of replenishing the team's cold-resistant Qi Energy at critical moments.

The Deep Sea Guardian Squad also received a "Polar Adaptation": Little Whale Spirit was naturally adapted to low temperatures, moving freely under the ice and sensing subtle fluctuations in the glacial Leyline Qi Energy; the Thermal Shrimp was placed in a "Constant Temperature Qi Energy Box," released only when needed to purify Spirit-Devouring remnants to avoid frostbite from low temperatures; the Cold Spring Clam could release cold-resistant Qi Energy of the same origin as Ice Plain Energy, assisting team members in stabilizing their body surface temperature.

"According to the plan, Enuk will take us to the tribe first to understand the situation," Xiao Juan held the fusion jade (the New Generation Squad was temporarily in command this time, as Chen Wu was coordinating the overall situation at the academy), pointing to the tribe's location on the tactical map. "Laila is responsible for soothing the emotions of the Awakened, Mei will scout the flow of Ice Plain Qi Energy, young Karim will reinforce the ice around the tribe, and I will communicate with Enuk to find the source of the Leyline Qi Energy fluctuations—remember, the Arctic ice plain is fragile, and any violent Qi Energy could trigger an ice collapse."

In the globally broadcast "Polar Assembly" footage, 380 billion viewers watched the magical effects of the cold-resistant equipment and Ice Plain Energy. The comments were filled with exclamations like "Ice Plain Energy can prevent freezing? Polar traditional martial arts are so compatible!" "Enuk's whale bone staff can carve ice; it's so cool!" "The Deep Sea Squad can actually adapt to the Arctic; they are so flexible!" Technical Department data showed that global reservations for "Polar traditional martial arts Courses" exceeded 120 million, and Martial Arts Fans from Arctic indigenous tribes like the Inuit and Sami left messages: "We can finally see the traditional martial arts protection that belongs to us!"

Blizzard Journey: Qi Energy Navigation Breaks Through Polar Dilemma

When the guidance squad took the "Polar Qi Energy Sled" (driven by Ice Plain Energy, noiseless, and without damaging the ice) and set off for the Enuk tribe, the Arctic suddenly unleashed a "super blizzard"—the gale was wrapped in ice particles, visibility was less than 10 meters, the sled's electronic navigation failed instantly, and "Ice Fog Illusions" even appeared on the ice plain, reflecting distant icebergs as the tribe, making it easy to lose direction.

"Electronic equipment is useless in the Arctic blizzard; rely on 'Ice Plain Energy Navigation'!" Enuk raised his whale bone staff, and the pale blue Ice Plain Energy spread along the staff tip, merging into the wind and snow—he could sense the "natural flow" of the glacial Leyline Qi Energy through the Qi Energy, clearly "sensing" where the safe ice ridges were and where the dangerous ice cracks were. "Follow my staff tip; don't deviate from the Qi Energy trajectory!"

Halfway through the journey, a "hidden ice crack" suddenly appeared on the ice surface (covered with thin ice, indistinguishable to the naked eye). The light patterns on young Karim's wrist guards suddenly turned red, and he immediately shouted: "Stop! Ice crack ahead!" Young Karim released Pyramid Force, and the pale golden Qi Energy injected into the ice surface, instantly revealing the outline of the crack under the thin ice—the crack was 3 meters wide and bottomless; if they accidentally fell in, the consequences would be unimaginable. Enuk immediately used Ice Plain Energy to lay an "ice bridge" on both sides of the crack, and the pale blue Qi Energy caused the ice particles to rapidly condense, forming a stable ice bridge, allowing the sled to pass smoothly.

"There is also 'Qi Energy Turbulence' in the blizzard, which will interfere with our technique perception," Xiao Juan suddenly closed her eyes, and Nature Qi spread along the sled, resonating with the Arctic Lichen. "There is turbulence 50 meters to the left; let's go around to the right!" Just as they deviated from the route, the previous position was swept by a wave of black Qi Energy—it was the "Spirit-Devouring remnant airflow" caused by Leyline Qi Energy fluctuations. Although the concentration was low, it could freeze the Qi Energy circuits of traditional martial arts practitioners. Little Laila's Shamanic Martial Force belt immediately released Ice Plain Energy, and the pale blue light blocked the airflow, preventing the team members from being injured.

After two hours, the guidance squad finally arrived at the Enuk tribe—the tribe consisted of dozens of igloos. On the ice around the igloos, ice cubes shattered by Qi Energy were scattered. Several Awakened were pacing anxiously: some teenagers had pale red Qi Energy on their palms, accidentally melting a corner of an igloo; some Elders had pale purple Qi Energy overflowing from their fingertips, causing the surrounding Seal habitat to freeze, preventing Seals from coming ashore; and some women had out-of-control Qi Energy, causing the sea beast meat stored by the tribe to freeze instantly, making it impossible to eat.

"Our Qi Energy is like it's gone crazy," tribal Elder Karu held Enuk's hand, his voice filled with worry. "A few days ago, the glacier began to melt, and the Leyline Qi Energy became unstable. Many people suddenly experienced Awakening but don't know how to control it. If this continues, the igloos will collapse, the Seals will leave, and we won't be able to survive."

Little Laila immediately stepped forward, releasing Shamanic Martial Force to resonate with the Elder's Qi Energy. The pale brown light wrapped around the Elder's palms like a warm current, and the pale purple Qi Energy gradually stabilized: "Don't be nervous; breathe along with my Qi Energy, and imagine the Qi Energy is the wind on the ice plain, capable of being gathered and released." In the globally broadcast "Tribe Dilemma" footage, the audience watched with heavy hearts. The comments were filled with messages like "The Awakened are so pitiful; they can't control their Qi Energy and it affects their lives!" "Laila is so gentle; hurry and help them stabilize their Qi Energy!" "Glacier melting is too dangerous; you must find the source of the Leyline Qi Energy fluctuations!"

Crisis Erupts: Ice Soul Spirit-Devouring Puppet Awakens

Just as Xiao Juan and Enuk were investigating the Leyline Qi Energy around the tribe, a loud noise suddenly came from the "Great Glacier" on the west side of the tribe—a huge crack appeared on the surface of the glacier, and black Qi Energy surged out of the crack. The Qi Energy combined with the cold of the glacier to form an "Ice Soul Spirit-Devouring Puppet": The Puppet was 15 meters tall, its body composed of hard ice and Spirit-Devouring Energy, with sharp ice thorns covering its surface. Its head was an "Ice Soul Core" glowing with dark purple light, and its limbs were thick ice arms. Every step it took, the ice surface would be cracked by the shock. The Puppet could also fire "Ice Soul Spirit-Devouring Shots," and those hit would suffer dual damage from ice and Spirit-Devouring Energy.

"It's the Leyline Qi Energy branch under the glacier that has activated the ancient residual Spirit-Devouring remnants!" Enuk's whale bone staff vibrated violently. "This Puppet uses the glacier's cold as energy. If we don't stop it, the entire Great Glacier will collapse, and the tribe will be submerged!"

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The Puppet suddenly lunged toward the tribe's igloos. Little Karim immediately released his Pyramid Force, forming a "protective shield" of pale gold Qi Energy in front of the igloos. The Puppet's ice arms struck the shield, sending ice shards flying and causing small cracks to appear on the surface. Mei immediately shot Ninja Qi darts at the Puppet's ice spikes; the pale blue Qi Energy shattered the spikes, but new ones quickly grew from the Puppet's body. Little Lyra used Shamanic Martial Force to summon the tribe's arctic foxes; their fur glowed with a pale brown light as they pounced toward the Puppet's eyes, temporarily distracting its vision.

The most critical threat was the Puppet's "Ice Soul Spirit-Devouring Bullet"—it fired toward the Elders and children who were stabilizing their Qi Energy. Xiao Juan immediately released Nature Qi, resonating with the Arctic Lichen. A pale green light formed a "Flora-Ice Shield" (a special defense combining Nature Qi and the ice field's cold air) in front of them. The Spirit-Devouring Bullet hit the shield, and though the ice shield froze instantly, it firmly blocked the attack. The pale green Nature Qi then purified the Spirit-Devouring remnants within the bullet.

"The Puppet's core is in its head, but it's protected by an Ice Soul layer; normal attacks won't break it!" Enuk shouted. He released Icefield Qi, forming "Ice Chains" of pale blue Qi Energy around the Puppet to temporarily bind its limbs. "We need to fuse 'Icefield Qi + Nature Qi + Pyramid Force' into 'Polar Core-Breaking Energy' to pierce the Ice Soul layer and purify the core!"

In the "Crisis Eruption" footage of the global livestream, the audience watched with boiling blood. The bullet chat was filled with cheers: "The Ice Soul Puppet is too terrifying! The ice spikes can even regenerate!" "Xiao Juan's Flora-Ice Shield is so clever! It integrates the polar environment!" "Hurry and use the Fusion Qi to break the core! Go for it!" According to Technical Department data, 400 million Martial Arts Fans worldwide were remotely sending "Qi Energy Support" via the APP. Pale gold glimmers converged on the Arctic through the screens, injecting power into the Guidance Team's techniques. The tribal Awakened also rose one after another, wanting to join the battle.

Section 4: Global Breakthrough: Fusion of Polar Techniques and Awakened Qi Energy

"Awakened! Do you want to protect the tribe and the glaciers? Follow our lead!" Xiao Juan shouted to the tribespeople. "Elder Enuk will teach you the basic Icefield Qi. Use your Qi Energy to steady yourselves while helping us restrain the Puppet. Lyra will teach you how to use Qi Energy to soothe the arctic foxes and Seals, keeping them away from danger. The rest of you, follow Little Karim to reinforce the ice surface and prevent the Puppet from triggering an avalanche!"

Enuk immediately walked before the Awakened and formed hand Seals. Pale blue Icefield Qi formed a small ice flower in his palm. "When inhaling, let the Qi Energy travel along your spine to the top of your head; when exhaling, let it sink into your palm. Control it as if you were molding an ice flower—remember, Icefield Qi must be 'soft yet strong,' like the leylines beneath the glaciers, steady and not restless!"

The first to learn was A-Ji, the youth whose Qi Energy had previously gone out of control. He followed the hand Seals, his palm glowing with pale blue Qi Energy as his previously chaotic pale red Qi Energy was gradually suppressed. "I can control it!" A-Ji shouted excitedly. He released Icefield Qi, striking one of the Puppet's ice legs and causing small cracks to appear. Other Awakened followed suit, and pale blue Qi Energy converged on the ice field, forming an "Icefield Qi Net" that bound the Puppet's limbs and slowed its movements.

Lyra led the women and children, using Shamanic Martial Force to communicate with the arctic foxes and Seals. Pale brown Qi Energy spread along the ice surface; the packs of arctic foxes ran away from the tribe, while the Seals dove into safe areas beneath the ice. Lyra also taught the children to use Qi Energy to carve "Animal Protection Patterns" on the ice. These pale brown patterns allowed the animals to sense safe zones and avoid being accidentally injured by the Puppet.

"Prepare! Polar Core-Breaking Energy!" Xiao Juan shouted. She released Nature Qi, resonating with the Arctic Lichen and glacial plants. Pale green Qi Energy was injected into the leylines around the Puppet along the ice surface. Enuk released Icefield Qi, and the pale blue Qi Energy intertwined with the Nature Qi to form an "Ice-Green Fusion Layer" that enveloped the Puppet's body. Little Karim released Pyramid Force, and the pale gold Qi Energy converged into a "Core-Breaking Cone," aimed at the core in the Puppet's head. Mei used Ninja Qi darts to precisely pierce the gaps in the Puppet's Ice Soul layer, opening a path for the Core-Breaking Cone.

"Fire!" Xiao Juan, Enuk, and Little Karim exerted their power simultaneously. The Ice-Green Fusion Layer restricted the Puppet's movement, and the pale gold Core-Breaking Cone pierced the core through the gap. With a "bang," the Puppet's Ice Soul layer shattered, and the dark purple Spirit-Devouring Energy was instantly purified. The Puppet's body turned into harmless blocks of ice, merging into the ice field, while the cracks in the great glacier gradually froze shut under the influence of the Nature Qi and Icefield Qi.

Even more surprising was that the Qi Energy of the Core-Breaking Energy resonated with the glacial leylines. The fluctuations of the leyline branches beneath the great glacier gradually stabilized, the melting speed of the glacier slowed significantly, and the Qi Energy around the tribe became peaceful. The previous instances of Awakened losing control completely vanished. "We succeeded!" Enuk excitedly hugged A-Ji. The tribespeople cheered and jumped for joy, and the arctic foxes returned to the tribe's perimeter, letting out cheerful cries.

In the "Global Breakthrough" footage of the global livestream, the audience watched with tears in their eyes. The bullet chat was full of cheers: "So inspiring! The Awakened could actually restrain the Puppet!" "The Polar Core-Breaking Energy is so cool! The Fusion of ice-blue, green, and gold is amazing!" "The Inuit tribe is finally safe! Universal traditional martial arts is so useful!" Technical Department data showed that the stability of the Arctic leyline branches had recovered to 99%, the number of registered Awakened worldwide surpassed 25 million, and the number of applicants for the "Polar Traditional Martial Arts Guidance Team" exceeded 500,000.

Section 5: Polar Mutual Aid Station: The Implementation of Universal traditional martial arts in the Arctic

After the crisis was resolved, the Guidance Team and Enuk's tribe jointly established the "Polar Traditional Martial Arts Mutual Aid Station." The station was converted from an igloo and featured a "Qi Energy Training Area" (with Fusion runes for Icefield Qi and various schools of techniques carved on the floor), a "Leyline Monitoring Room" (equipped with a leyline sensing device managed by the Little Whale Spirit), and a "Polar Biological Protection Station" (containing Shamanic Martial Force teaching materials and Animal Protection Pattern charts left by Lyra).

"From now on, this mutual aid station will be managed by A-Ji and the other Awakened," Xiao Juan said as she handed the "Polar Qi Energy Core," derived from the fusion jade, to A-Ji. "This core can connect to the Chuanwu Academy in real-time. If you encounter problems you can't solve, call for support anytime. We've also left behind 'Icefield Qi Textbooks' and a 'Leyline Monitoring APP' so you can use the APP to record glacial changes and the status of the Awakened."

Outside the mutual aid station, Enuk used Icefield Qi to carve a "Polar Guardian Totem." The totem was composed of whale bones, arctic foxes, Seals, and glaciers, with an Icefield Crystal Core embedded at the top. Pale blue Qi Energy flowed through the totem, allowing it to automatically monitor the surrounding Leyline Qi Energy. If any abnormality occurred, the totem would emit a warning sound like ice bells.

Before the Guidance Team left, the tribe held an "Icefield Farewell Ceremony" for them. The Awakened used Qi Energy to carve the large words "traditional martial arts Protection" on the ice field, the pale blue characters glowing under the aurora. Enuk gave Xiao Juan an "Arctic Leyline Crystal Core," which could enhance Nature Qi in polar environments. A-Ji gave Little Karim a Little Whale Spirit ice sculpture carved with Icefield Qi, symbolizing the friendship between the tribe and the Guidance Team.

As the Polar Qi Energy Sled left the tribe, the Awakened stood on the ice field waving, and the arctic foxes ran alongside as if seeing them off. The cracks in the great glacier had completely closed, and pale blue Leyline Qi Energy flowed across the ice field, resonating with the Global Leyline Guardian Network and forming a "Polar Guardian Pillar of Light" in the sky above the North Pole.

The final scene of the global livestream lingered under the Arctic aurora. The igloo of the mutual aid station glowed with a warm light, and A-Ji was teaching other Awakened how to use Icefield Qi to monitor the glacier. The Little Whale Spirit swam beneath the ice, monitoring the leyline flow. In the distance on the ice field, the pale blue words "traditional martial arts Protection" intertwined with the aurora, breathtakingly beautiful.

Chen Wu said during the Chuanwu Academy's global livestream, "The success in the Arctic proves that universal traditional martial arts can take root in any environment. Whether it's a tropical rainforest, a deep-sea abyss, or a polar ice field, as long as we respect local legacies and combine them with the core of traditional martial arts, we can let the power of protection take root and sprout."