Chapter 129 – Icefield Rock Worm

Unlike the depictions in some knightly tales, the attacks of Legendary Experts only bring destruction, never leaving behind so-called opportunities or insights. Punk had come to deeply realize this.

In this canyon, carved out by a single sword strike from a Legendary warrior centuries ago, Punk had once tried to calm his mind and search for traces of the laws being shaken. But such an endeavor was doomed to be futile. Leaving aside whether that Legendary monster would leave any traces at all, Punk’s current soul level simply couldn’t perceive the existence of such laws.

No matter how hard he tried to empty his mind, all he could sense was the endless, biting cold.

Though he couldn’t help feeling somewhat disappointed, upon reflection, this outcome was to be expected. If the power of the Legendary level could be so easily comprehended, then Legendary status wouldn’t be so unattainable.

The piercing cold wind made the three Formal-Level experts shiver uncontrollably, yet it still couldn’t freeze the dwarf’s incessant chatter.

The three of them were descending the cliff face as quickly as possible. Whether it was Punk’s mana or Bahanger and Kangkai’s Battle Aura, their energy reserves were limited, and the canyon drained them far too rapidly.

“D-d-damn it, this cold is killing old Bahanger! How can Tisha Xia’er hide in a place like this? Isn’t she afraid of freezing?”

Bahanger’s body was enveloped in a thick layer of earth-attribute Battle Aura. In theory, such protection should maintain body temperature even in temperatures of one or two hundred degrees below zero. But in this wind, imbued with unknown power, he was shivering violently despite the temperature being only forty or fifty degrees below zero.

“Mr. Bahanger, look, even Kangkai isn’t complaining. Can’t you be quiet for a while? If we alert the native creatures in the crevices, our situation will become dangerous.”

Punk spoke to Bahanger with resignation. The dwarf was indeed an excellent cannon fodder, but he was too troublesome and always liked to talk nonstop.

However, after Punk finished speaking, Kangkai didn’t remain silent as he usually did. His lips, frozen purple, twitched a few times, and he said with a slight tremble:

“Sorry, I was just too cold to speak. But I should point out that if we can’t find Tisha Xia’er’s lair within the next hour, our Battle Aura will give out first.”

“Don’t worry. Tisha Xia’er is only a Formal-Level professional as well. If we can’t endure the cold for long, she isn’t faring much better. I believe that about five minutes further down should be the depth where Tisha Xia’er is located. With the help of a Divination Spell, we should be able to find her within twenty minutes.”

Punk said this with considerable confidence. Although he wasn’t specialized in divination, he had obtained a very powerful Divination Spell—Foul Divination—from the High Priest. For this mission, he had specially brought ample spellcasting materials. He was confident that with this spell, pinpointing Tisha Xia’er’s general location wouldn’t be difficult.

Hmm! Simply finding her indeed shouldn’t be hard, but…

Upon hearing Punk’s reply, Kangkai didn’t look reassured. Instead, he stared blankly at the depths below the cliff, a faint, grim smile twisting his lips.”Mr. Punk, if I may ask presumptuously, have you considered what we should do when encountering certain ‘natives’?”

“Isn’t it obvious? Beat the hell out of them!”

Bahanger shook the snow off his hammer and answered first, still appearing utterly fearless.

“You said it, Mr. Bahanger!”

Kangkai wiped the frost off his shortsword with a bitter smile, tore off his cumbersome robe, and stared anxiously downward.

Unlike Bahanger and Kangkai, who still had the mood for banter, Punk was completely stunned. The turmoil of emotions in his heart ultimately condensed into one thought—What the hell!

Right below the three of them, an enormous, terrifying head with blood-red eyes as large as searchlights was staring at Punk and his companions. The monster’s body remained hidden within the cliff, but the head alone was as big as a double-decker bus. Its head was covered in layers of ghastly white scales, and its mouth was filled with teeth as sharp as ice blades.

This was a Formal-Level creature—the Tundra Rock Worm!

“How is this possible? Although our perception abilities are ineffective due to the rampant Legendary energy, this creature has no intelligence. Corrupted by Legendary energy, it should be even more frenzied. If it had been here from the start, how could it have waited until the three of us were so close before revealing itself? Unless…”

Punk’s mind was in turmoil as a terrifying possibility struck him. Could this creature be Tisha Xia’er’s “pet”? Although such a monster lacked the intelligence to help spread religion, it would make an excellent guard or enforcer. If Tisha Xia’er and her pet attacked together…

At this thought, Punk felt cold sweat breaking out.

Bahanger and Kangkai had also reached the same conclusion. This behemoth could at least tie up two of the three of them, leaving the remaining one to face Tisha Xia’er alone—a scenario that would reduce their chances of victory to less than 30%. Thus, both Kangkai and Bahanger looked grim. In such extreme cold, the Tundra Rock Worm could fight at its peak, while the three of them were at a distinct disadvantage battling on an icy cliff.

Just as the three were cautiously watching the Rock Worm while scanning their surroundings for any sign of Tisha Xia’er, a Projection brimming with foul energy materialized beside the creature’s head.

“Ah—hahahaha! You little insects actually traveled all this way to seek your own deaths. Now, are you ready to face my adorable little pet?”

This Projection was none other than Tisha Xia’er.

She patted the Rock Worm’s head, her body shaking with maniacal laughter. A murky mist accompanied the Projection, swirling around her, giving her the unmistakable aura of a deranged villain.

“Pah! It’s still uncertain who will live and who will die! Just wait until I shove my hammer into your skull—then you’ll know my power!”

Bahanger was the most easily provoked. He slammed his hammer into the ground, spat toward Tisha Xia’er’s Projection, and his beard flailed wildly in the wind.

“Even in the face of the greatest evil, I will never retreat. This is the teaching bestowed upon me by the great Obai!”

Kangkai opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them as Wind-Type Battle Aura gathered and surged through every joint in his body.However, unlike Kangkai and Bahanger who were treating the situation with grave seriousness, Punk was currently looking at Tisha Xia’er with amusement.

Upon hearing this individual’s threat, not only did he show no panic, but he actually breathed a sigh of relief. Smiling at Tisha Xia’er floating beside the rock worm’s head, he spoke unhurriedly:

“Hello, Lady Tisha Xia’er, we meet again. As I said before, even upon meeting again, you remain powerless against me.”

“Powerless? Wait until my little pet tears you apart later—you’ll be crying loudly then! I’m looking forward to seeing you all kneel and beg for mercy, ahahahaha!”

Hearing Punk’s words, Tisha Xia’er burst into wild laughter.

But Punk still showed no trace of fear. He looked mockingly at the hysterically laughing Tisha Xia’er and said in a disdainful tone:

“No, no, no, Lady Tisha Xia’er. Your projection here now is a huge mistake. You probably don’t have much intelligence left. Look at your actions—just for a intimidation attempt with less than ten percent success rate, you’ve exposed your own weakness.

Now, combining some clues along the way, I’ve concluded that you might be unable to leave your nest for some reason, and can only send your little pets to stop us. Am I right?”

Hearing Punk’s mockery, Tisha Xia’er’s laughter abruptly stopped, as if choked, and she couldn’t speak for a while. Facing Punk’s mocking gaze, Tisha Xia’er could no longer contain the fury in her heart. She screamed hysterically:

“So what if I can’t move for now? My little pet is about to tear you all to pieces! Now, quickly kill them, my dear little Robert!”

(End of Chapter)