Chapter 207: You Wanted an Explanation? Here’s Your Explanation!
Hearing his teammate’s words, the leader of the opposing climbing team also snapped back to reality.
He had just been observing Zhang Yangqing’s demeanor and bearing, almost mistaking him for some master.
If they were splitting it fifty-fifty, he could have still accepted it.
But with this kind of split, he felt insulted.
So, clutching the lotus root, he furiously addressed Zhang Yangqing, “You’d better give us a reasonable explanation.”
He left the rest unsaid, but his eyes clearly conveyed the message to Zhang Yangqing: if you don’t give me a satisfactory explanation, you’re going to regret it.
If I can’t deal with the Polar Ice Serpent, you think I can’t handle you?
The members behind him also wore fierce, beast-like expressions.
They truly changed faces in an instant.
Zhang Yangqing nodded and said, “Alright.”
You asked for it. Don’t blame me.
Before the words even faded, a dazzling, world-startling sword light flashed out, accompanied by the phantom image of a ‘god’.
Ten heads rolled to the ground, each face filled with nothing but fear and shock.
Fresh blood painted a layer of eerie crimson over the white ice surface.
In their final moments, they seemed to realize just what kind of terrifying entity they had provoked.
If given another chance, they wouldn’t have dared to ask for even a single petal.
Zhang Yangqing looked coldly at the heads on the ground, their eyes wide open, and said, “You wanted an explanation? This is your explanation. Understand?”
I didn’t kill you earlier; you should be thanking me. How dare you demand an explanation from me?
Does the Frostbone Ice Lotus have your family name written on it?
It’s just a plant growing here. How dare you act as if I’ve stolen something of yours?
Giving you one petal was already showing you favor—consider it me throwing out trash.
I never expected to encounter such ungrateful people.
Naturally, Zhang Yangqing showed no mercy. Since he had already acted, one more move made no difference.
The ten-member climbing team dared to provoke Zhang Yangqing simply because they thought his earlier move was a sneak attack. They believed he had some skill but wasn’t necessarily someone to fear.
In reality, Zhang Yangqing was merely holding back from using a larger-scale attack. If the ice layer here collapsed directly, the lake water beneath would surge, with unthinkable consequences.
So, he had used a seemingly casual, understated move.
Witnessing the ruthless efficiency of Zhang Yangqing’s strike sent a shockwave of fear through his four teammates.
They already knew Zhang Yangqing was strong, capable of cold-blooded ruthlessness when dealing with supernatural entities.
But now, they began to understand that this man was no less formidable when dealing with people, demonstrating what it truly meant to kill without batting an eye.
While it gave them an immense shock, it also left an indelible impression on their minds.
Their sense of awe and fear deepened significantly.
By the time his teammates regained their composure, Zhang Yangqing had already handed them the remaining Frostbone Ice Lotus petals.
Once again, they had passed a trial without a hitch, filling them with joy. They respectfully accepted the petals Zhang Yangqing offered, repeatedly thanking him for his grace.
Then, they proceeded to loot the supplies from the other climbing team. After all, those items were of no use to the dead, and leaving them there would be a waste.
This constituted a relatively substantial resupply.
Seeing these guys content to just coast along, with no apparent desire to improve themselves…
If they weren’t his teammates, Zhang Yangqing really couldn’t be bothered with them.
Second day missing the snake-eyed little sidekick.
That little sidekick’s strength was indeed lacking, but his foundation, comprehension, and willingness to learn were good. He worked hard to emulate Zhang Yangqing.
Among the few sidekicks he’d had, he was one of the more satisfactory types.
And so, Zhang Yangqing’s team obtained the essential item needed to approach the Icicle Fruit.
For him, clearing this stage was relatively simple. However, other chosen ones suffered varying degrees of casualties here.
Especially the ordinary chosen ones, who had to engage in a battle of wits and courage with that ten-member climbing team.
Some opted for a safer approach, cooperating with the ten-member team to jointly kill the Polar Ice Serpent.
After all, the Frostbone Ice Lotus only had seven petals. Even if the ten-member team took them all, it wouldn’t be enough for everyone, so they could continue searching together.
This method indeed consumed more time, but with more people, everyone could eventually obtain petals.
Egypt’s chosen one, Rahman, belonged to the more ruthless type. He believed the ten-member climbing team and his own team had already formed a competitive relationship.
Given that, to avoid encountering them later on the journey, eliminating them here was the best option.
So, he set a trap, causing a massive conflict between the ten-member team and the Polar Ice Serpent. Finally, caught between two forces, the ten-member team was wiped out.
Meanwhile, the Polar Ice Serpent was lured out, and the purple-eyed woman stealthily retrieved the Frostbone Ice Lotus from behind.
After accomplishing this, they naturally made a quick getaway.
Once the Polar Ice Serpent discovered its guarded treasure was missing, it would undoubtedly fly into a furious rage.
When Rahman consumed the petals following the Goatee Captain’s method, he immediately felt the chilling cold affecting his body diminish. It truly had a resistance effect.
This gave the climbing team members thoughts of continuing to search for more Frostbone Ice Lotus petals. Could eating enough of them grant immunity to the cold?
However, the Goatee Captain shook his head and explained that simply eating the Frostbone Ice Lotus petals wasn’t very effective; the effects didn’t stack. To further improve cold resistance, they needed to find a Polar Weasel.
But Polar Weasels were extremely difficult to find. Not only were they incredibly fast, but their combat prowess was also formidable.
Unless one had specialized tools for catching weasels, trying to capture one in the wild was far too challenging.
Polar Weasels typically frequented hidden locations like tree hollows, ice crevices, and underground caves.
They would build their nests in these places.
For any other team, the wise move would be to quit while ahead. The Goatee Captain felt attacking a Polar Weasel was an unwise move, so he didn’t dare suggest it.
But for the Goatee Captain in Zhang Yangqing’s team, he started playing some bold tricks.
After all, his teammate had given him the courage to fear nothing. To better resist the cold and gain an advantage in the upcoming journey, he decided to lead the team in searching for Polar Weasels.
The Goatee Captain knew encountering Polar Weasels would be dangerous for others, but with a true master like Zhang Yangqing in their team, wouldn’t it be a matter of minutes to resolve?
And so, he began earnestly searching for traces of Polar Weasels, teaching the team some techniques for tracking prey on the ice.
“Generally speaking, Polar Weasels prey on snakes. Since there are Polar Ice Serpents in this area, there should likely be Polar Weasels too.”
How bold the Goatee Captain dared to be depended entirely on how strong Zhang Yangqing was.
He acted like someone who feared no trouble, searching the icy lake for items that could resist the cold.
When danger arose, he simply needed the team’s master to take action.
He could even justify it as “gathering ingredients.”
While other chosen ones’ teams were being extremely cautious, Zhang Yangqing’s team was being exceptionally audacious.
After walking on the ice for some time, the climbing team had started to familiarize themselves with the environment.
If asked to fight, they definitely couldn’t, but when it came to finding things, they were passable.
After all, that was their only real use.
Soon, the Goatee Captain discovered traces.
Because Polar Weasels, being mustelids, would mark certain areas with secretions.
This served to warn intruders that this was their territory, and trespassers would be killed.
In this region, Polar Weasels were dominant; even Polar Ice Serpents dared not approach.
But today, a group of uninvited guests had arrived.
“If I’m not mistaken, not only are there Polar Weasels ahead near that ice crevice, but there might even be some treasures.”
The Goatee Captain was very professional. After sniffing the secretions in the area, he knew there had to be more than one. Since the markings were so well-defined, it was highly likely Polar Weels had a nest here, suggesting something valuable was nearby.
Just like the Polar Ice Serpent guarding the Frostbone Ice Lotus, Polar Weasels also needed such things to enhance their strength.
Hearing the Goatee Captain say this, the other team members felt somewhat tempted.
Normally, in other chosen ones’ teams, if the Goatee Captain smelled Polar Weasel secretions, he would definitely lead the team away from the area to avoid being attacked.
But in Zhang Yangqing’s climbing team, they swaggered right in.
The slicked-back hair guy even told Zhang Yangqing that if they wanted the most tender and delicious meat, it was best to catch them alive.
He was already planning how to handle these ingredients later.
Before they even found the Polar Weasel nest, faint sounds came from around them.
Near the slightly raised snow mounds on the ice, something seemed to be approaching.
Polar Weasels were naturally white, giving them a huge advantage in these polar night conditions on the icy snowfield.
Unless one came prepared specifically to catch them, ordinary chosen ones arriving here would basically be delivering themselves to their doom.
Seeing the weasel pack surrounding them, the climbing team members decisively chose to slack off, all hiding behind Zhang Yangqing.
Their strategy was simple: take charge in other aspects, but in combat, try not to cause trouble for Zhang Yangqing.
At this moment, the Polar Weasels hadn’t yet realized the severity of the situation.
Because Zhang Yangqing was concerned the ice layer couldn’t withstand his power, he hadn’t been using any spiritual energy, appearing like an ordinary person.
This pack of Polar Weasels seemed to regard the climbing team as prey, continuously closing in.
Beasts surviving in the icy wilderness couldn’t afford not to be fierce.
Once within attack range, a Polar Weasel burst from the snow mound, aiming straight for Zhang Yangqing’s neck for a one-hit kill.
Its speed was astonishing, like a white lightning bolt.
It made the nearby climbing team members’ hearts race. If it attacked them, they’d be lucky to escape with their lives, let alone unscathed.
But for Zhang Yangqing, it was still too slow.
He merely needed to reach out and grab empty air, and a weasel the size of an arm was firmly caught in his hand, unable to move.
It seemed unwilling to be captured just like that and tried to bite Zhang Yangqing’s hand with its teeth.
The sharp teeth gleamed coldly, making the nearby teammates subconsciously shrink their necks.
But the next second, a jaw-dropping scene unfolded.
With a crack sound.
The Polar Weasel’s sharp teeth bit down on the back of Zhang Yangqing’s hand, only to shatter completely!
It felt as if it had bitten solid steel.
The Polar Weasel was utterly dumbfounded. Its proud trump card was useless?
It had to be known that even a Polar Ice Serpent couldn’t withstand its bite.
Zhang Yangqing paid no mind to its thoughts. His figure flickered continuously, and soon he had captured all the nearby weasels, all alive.
Seeing Zhang Yangqing so easily catch five weasels, the other climbing team members also approached.
Just as the slicked-back hair guy was about to take all these weasels away to find a place to make a fire and showcase his culinary skills, the Goatee Captain spoke up:
“According to our local customs, there’s no need to exterminate creatures beneficial for mountaineering. So, I think we should just select a few to kill. After all, these things don’t have much meat, and their taste isn’t as good as snake soup.”
This was the Goatee Captain’s suggestion, also a way to leave a path for future travelers.
As he said this, he glanced at the slicked-back hair guy, seemingly reproaching his habit of “dismantling” wherever they went.
The slicked-back hair guy shrunk his neck. After all, he didn’t dare say much in front of the Goatee Captain, though inwardly he thought: It’s not just me who dismantles things; if I don’t, someone else will.
Hearing the Goatee Captain’s words, Zhang Yangqing nodded, indicating understanding. One couldn’t just eat a species to extinction for the sake of cold resistance.
It was similar to how Daoist disciples, when gathering herbs, wouldn’t harm the plant’s root system.
So, he pointed to one of the weasels and said, “This one walks with a slight limp, probably has internal injuries. I think it can be dealt with.”
Up to this point, it was still relatively normal.
But Zhang Yangqing’s next words left everyone stunned.
He pointed at the toothless Polar Weasel and said, “This one looks off-color, seems to be suffering from heatstroke. I think it can be dealt with too.”
The moment these words fell, everyone was shocked.
Almost everyone’s gaze fixed on Zhang Yangqing.
Not to mention the people in the anomalous world, even the viewers in front of their screens were all frozen in place, staring dumbfounded at their monitors.
As if to say: Are you hearing yourself?
Big brother, you said the previous one had internal injuries. Even though I can’t see any injuries on it, I can still understand that.
But in this freezing weather, you’re saying this one has heatstroke?
The surroundings are full of cold air. Where would it get heatstroke?
Heatstroke is something that happens on sunny days!
If you want to eat it, can’t you find a better excuse? This reason is utterly explosive, even in the realm of absurdity.
Zhang Yangqing didn’t care about such details. If he said it had heatstroke, then it must have heatstroke.
After all, it bit him earlier.
It was just a random excuse. Don’t worry about what I say; just tell me if you’ll eat it or not.
As for how to bind the ingredients, Zhang Yangqing didn’t need to personally inquire.
After the Goatee Captain released three Polar Weasels, they fled the scene at lightning speed.
As for what treasure the Polar Weasels were guarding, Zhang Yangqing couldn’t be bothered to look for it.
After all, these guys were just freeloaders; no need to waste time boosting their strength.
Moreover, those items weren’t mentioned in the rules and held no scoring value.
As time passed, a piercingly cold wind began to blow—a precursor to an impending blizzard.
At this moment, the chosen ones finally arrived at an area with buildings—the settlement of the Eternal Tribe.
But upon arrival, the climbing team was met with a closed door.
Two powerful Eternal Tribe guards informed the climbing team that, due to special reasons, the Eternal Tribe was currently not receiving climbers and told them to find shelter elsewhere for the night.
This put the climbing team in a difficult position. This was the only place with buildings nearby. If they didn’t stay here, wouldn’t they freeze to death?
Just then, in a barely noticeable spot beside the Eternal Tribe settlement, a dark figure seemed to be waving at the climbing team, seemingly gesturing for them to come over quickly.
