20: Fortune and wealth are sought in danger, the target is the extremely cold ice rift valley

Subsequently, Mo Yan went to the edge of the territory to find the hunter Wang Wu, who was patrolling and familiarizing himself with the environment.

Wang Wu was agile, with sharp eyes, vigilantly observing the wind and snow outside the territory.

"Wang Wu."

Wang Wu immediately turned around and knelt on one knee: "Lord!"

"Prepare your bows, arrows, and tools," Mo Yan ordered. "On this outing, you will be responsible for scouting ahead and keeping a lookout around us."

Wang Wu's eyes sharpened. He stood up and patted his wooden bow: "Don't worry, Lord, nothing will escape my notice!"

Just then, "Gulu?" A fluffy little head peeked out from beside Mo Yan's leg.

Gun Gun had woken up and, seeing Mo Yan with so many Soldiers, immediately ran over.

The little fellow looked at Mo Yan, then at the Soldiers who were inspecting their weapons, and seemed to understand something.

He hugged the emerald green bamboo in his arms, looked up with his round little face and big, dark eyes at Mo Yan, and said in a childish voice:

"Mo Yan... Gun Gun... wants to go together... to protect you!"

Mo Yan looked down at Gun Gun's serious little eyes, his heart warming slightly.

Although Gun Gun was young, his potential was extraordinary; the power of that one strike that killed the Frost Spider was still fresh in his memory.

The situation inside Ice Rift Valley was unknown. Taking Gun Gun might make him a surprising force at a critical moment.

Moreover, the little fellow seemed very attached to him; leaving him alone in the territory, he probably wouldn't feel at ease.

Mo Yan bent down and rubbed Gun Gun's fluffy head: "Alright, Gun Gun will come too."

He paused, then added seriously: "But, you must stick close to me, follow all commands, and not run around, understand?"

"Mm-hmm!" Gun Gun nodded vigorously, happily rubbing his head against Mo Yan's palm, indicating that he would definitely be obedient.

All preparations were complete. Twenty-four Soldiers had finished maintaining their weapons and were in high spirits.

The hunter Wang Wu, with his bow on his back and arrows at his side, was ready to depart.

Gun Gun also held his weapon, following closely at Mo Yan's heels.

Mo Yan turned to the six remaining Soldiers, as well as the blacksmith Li Gang and the cook Aunt Zhao.

"While we are away, the defense and daily operations of the territory will be entrusted to you," His gaze swept over everyone. "Guard the wooden wall well, stay vigilant, and if you encounter small groups of exotic beasts harassing, handle them yourselves."

"Yes! Lord! Please rest assured!" The remaining Soldiers and residents responded in unison.

Mo Yan nodded, no longer delaying.

He drew out the rare longsword, Frost Sword, which emanated a chilling aura, and held it in his hand.

"Depart!"

With a command, Mo Yan led the way, stepping out of the territory's main gate.

Gun Gun trotted to keep up with his short legs.

The hunter Wang Wu quickly darted dozens of meters ahead of the team, beginning to scout the path.

Twenty-four Soldiers formed a tight defensive formation, following closely behind.

The group quickly left the recently established territory and stepped into the boundless Icefield.

The biting cold wind, carrying snowflakes, lashed fiercely at everyone's faces.

Their destination was the mysterious and unknown Ice Rift Valley, five or six li to the west.

The wind and snow were more intense than near the territory, with visibility less than a hundred meters.

Snow particles, like tiny ice blades, scraped against their faces, causing a dull ache.

The snow underfoot was thick, making every step difficult, and their marching speed gradually slowed.

The figure of the hunter Wang Wu flickered in and out of view ahead. He stopped occasionally.

He would crouch to observe the front, listen to the movements in the wind, and then use specific hand gestures to relay information to Mo Yan behind him.

"Front is clear, continue forward."

"Traces of large creature activity on the left, it has left."

Mo Yan, holding the Frost Sword, walked at the very front of the team. His Spiritual Energy Induction quietly spread out, vigilant of his surroundings.

He could feel the cold Spiritual Qi mixed in the wind and snow, which was denser than within the territory, but also more violent.

Twenty-four Soldiers formed two columns, shields guarding their sides, long spears pointing diagonally forward, maintaining a tight formation.

The effects of their physical training were evident during the arduous trek in the harsh environment.

"Gulu... Gulu..."

Gun Gun's short legs struggled somewhat in the deep snow.

He stumbled along, following Mo Yan, his small body almost swallowed by the wind and snow.

But he didn't complain, merely holding his bamboo, trying hard to keep up with Mo Yan's pace.

He would occasionally lift his small head, looking at Mo Yan's back with his dark eyes, ensuring his safety.

Mo Yan slowed down by half a step, allowing Gun Gun to have an easier time.

He could feel the faint demonic power circulating within the little fellow's body, resisting the bitter cold, which made him more adaptable to this environment than ordinary humans.

Without warning, the sky suddenly darkened, and the wind intensified sharply!

Goose-feather-like snowflakes turned into dense ice pellets, mixed with sharp hailstones, smashing down on them.

Visibility instantly dropped to less than ten meters!

The temperature plummeted!

"Blizzard! Everyone huddle together!" Mo Yan commanded loudly.

The wind was so strong that it was difficult to stand steadily; the Soldiers had to hold their shields in front of them, struggling to maintain balance.

"Lord! Over here! There's an ice cliff that can provide some shelter!"

Wang Wu's voice came from ahead. He was half-crouching, pointing towards a blurry shadow ahead and to the side.

Mo Yan immediately led the team, struggling against the strong wind and hail, moving with difficulty towards the direction Wang Wu indicated.

It was an ice cliff, with a naturally formed hollow beneath it, barely large enough to accommodate more than twenty people.

The team huddled in the hollow, leaning against the cold cliff face, resting in place.

The wind and snow raged outside, emitting sharp howls, like countless Icefield Gnawing Beasts howling.

Mo Yan looked at the vast whiteness outside, frowning slightly.

This sudden blizzard had disrupted his plans.

The blizzard lasted for nearly half an hour before gradually subsiding.

The wind weakened, and the snow also lessened.

"Prepare to depart!" Mo Yan stood up, brushed off the accumulated snow and ice shards from his body, and the white mist he exhaled quickly condensed.

However, just as the team was about to leave the ice cliff hollow...

"Squeak! Squeak!"

A sharp, piercing cry came from the snow ahead.

Immediately after, several snowdrifts ahead suddenly exploded, sending snow flying everywhere!

More than a dozen gray-white small beasts darted out like lightning.

They were only the size of a domestic cat, their fur almost blending with the ice and snow.

These small beasts were astonishingly fast, with sharp claws on their four limbs, and two rows of fine, sharp teeth exposed in their mouths.

Their ice-blue eyes gleamed with a bloodthirsty light!

"They're Icefield Gnawing Beasts, everyone be careful!"

Wang Wu's hunter's intuition made him immediately nock an arrow to his bow, while also shouting a warning.

"These little things are fast, with sharp teeth, very troublesome. Don't let them get close!"

"Form up! Defend!" Mo Yan immediately ordered.

The Soldiers reacted quickly, the front-row Soldiers roaring as they slammed their shields into the snow in front of them.

They formed a temporary shield wall, and the long spears of the back-row Soldiers followed closely, thrusting precisely through the gaps in the shields, their movements becoming instinctual.

Chii chii chii!

The Icefield Gnawing Beasts leaped up, instantly pouncing on the front of the formation!

They frantically clawed at the shields with their sharp claws, producing ear-piercing scraping sounds.

Several even tried to burrow into the formation from above and below the shields.

"Thrust!" an old Soldier growled.

Puff! Puff!

Several long spears thrust out precisely, piercing through the bodies of two Gnawing Beasts, and foul-smelling blood splattered out.

But more Gnawing Beasts fearlessly rushed forward, their sharp teeth and claws continuously impacting the shield formation. The Soldiers gritted their teeth, calmly and steadily responding.

"Hold steady!"

Mo Yan's voice rang out, and the Frost Sword swung, a cold sword light flashed, cutting a Gnawing Beast attempting to leap over the shield into two halves.

Just then, an unusually cunning Icefield Gnawing Beast bypassed the front.

With a sudden acceleration from the side, it fiercely pounced towards Gun Gun at the rear of the team!

It instantly perceived that Gun Gun was the weakest member of the team.

"Gun Gun, be careful!" The Gnawing Beast's speed was too fast; the moment Mo Yan caught it in his peripheral vision, it had already pounced close!

Mo Yan's heart tightened. He sharply warned, and at the same time, shifted his feet, ready to swing his sword to rescue!

But, it was too fast!

The Gnawing Beast's gaping maw had almost touched the fluff on Gun Gun's neck!