Chapter 13: Tacit Cooperation
Xiao Han suddenly awoke from his sleep to find that Shui Bing'er was no longer beside him. He got up and walked out of the tent.
"Bing'er, you're already up?"
"Mom, why didn't you wake me?"
Lin Zhiruo and Shui Bing'er were sitting nearby, eating.
"You were sleeping so soundly, I didn't want to disturb you. Come eat something. Afterward, we'll go help Bing'er find a suitable soul beast."
"Alright."
Shui Bing'er asked with a smile, "How was your first time keeping watch last night?"
"It went well. From now on, when we go soul hunting, I'll take on the night watch duties."
"No way. Once I get my second soul ring, I'll share the load with you."
"No need. I'm a man—should take on more responsibility."
Lin Zhiruo teased with a laugh, "This brat is growing up and becoming more sensible. In another ten years or so, this old lady can finally enjoy a peaceful life."
After finishing their meal and tidying up, the trio set out.
Two days later, they entered a valley.
It was extremely cold, with ice covering the surroundings.
As the three carefully moved through the icy terrain, a deep, powerful cracking sound broke the silence.
Following the sound, they saw a massive figure slowly emerge from behind a giant ice rock.
Sensing the soul beast's presence, Lin Zhiruo felt a jolt of excitement.
"It's an Ice Crystal Pangolin—about six to seven hundred years of cultivation. Perfect for Bing'er's second soul ring."
She immediately charged forward, with Xiao Han and Shui Bing'er close behind.
The Ice Crystal Pangolin was three meters long, its body covered in shimmering blue ice armor that radiated a chilling aura. Its eyes gleamed fiercely, and its limbs stomped the ice with thundering steps. Most striking was its drill-like tail made of solid ice crystal—both a tunneling tool and a deadly weapon.
The trio's approach alerted the beast. It let out a low, menacing roar as intricate patterns lit up on its armor. It was ready for battle.
Xiao Han, Shui Bing'er, and Lin Zhiruo exchanged glances.
"Mom, let me and Bing'er handle this one."
"Alright, but be careful. Though it's only six or seven hundred years old, its attack and defense rival the thousand-year Ice Armored Beast."
"Got it."
This was another great training opportunity for the duo.
They unleashed their martial spirits and soul rings.
With her first ring glowing, Shui Bing'er launched her Ice Seal skill, freezing the pangolin in a layer of ice. But it broke free almost instantly with sheer force.
Xiao Han's Frost Arrow followed up, striking its neck—the pangolin's most vulnerable point after the abdomen, which was hard to access.
The shot knocked off several scales from its neck armor.
The pangolin roared in fury and lunged at Shui Bing'er.
Though it was massive, it was surprisingly fast.
With only one soul ring, Shui Bing'er relied on excellent combat skills. She leapt gracefully, dodging its strike, and unleashed an Ice Blade mid-air.
The blade sliced through the air with a chilling wind, hitting the same spot Xiao Han had struck. Though it didn't pierce through, the attack caused visible pain.
The pangolin roared louder, momentarily losing its balance. This gave them a window for counterattack.
Xiao Han's eyes sharpened. Using the terrain to his advantage, he flanked the beast from a blind spot.
He channeled his soul power and activated his second soul skill—Ten Thousand Arrows.
Countless ice-blue arrows shot out like a blizzard, bombarding the pangolin from all sides.
Though heavily armored, it had to focus all its strength to block the barrage.
It spun its drill-like tail wildly to shatter the incoming arrows, but the cold energy laced in each arrow began to erode its defenses.
Seeing an opening, Xiao Han unleashed Ten Thousand Arrows again—this time channeling all the arrows into one concentrated strike aimed at the pangolin's neck.
Meanwhile, Shui Bing'er froze its lower half again, leaving its head and neck exposed.
In perfect coordination, the duo weakened the beast.
Its roars became more frantic, and its neck armor shattered.
"Bing'er, now's your chance!"
"Got it!"
Shui Bing'er leapt high, pouring all her remaining soul power into her right hand. A razor-sharp Ice Blade materialized and slashed down, landing precisely on the pangolin's exposed neck.
Boom!
With a loud thud, the Ice Crystal Pangolin collapsed to the ground, convulsed briefly, and went still.
Lin Zhiruo hurried over and confirmed the beast was truly dead. She smiled with satisfaction and patted their shoulders.
"Well done! Your teamwork is becoming more and more synchronized."
"Of course! We've been partners for three years now."
"Alright, stop showing off. Bing'er, adjust your state and prepare to absorb the soul ring."
"Okay."
A yellow mist slowly rose from the pangolin's corpse, coalescing into a soul ring.
Once ready, Shui Bing'er drew it toward herself and began the absorption process.
Lin Zhiruo watched quietly by her side.
Xiao Han sat down to cultivate, replenishing the soul power he'd used in battle.
Three hours later, Shui Bing'er successfully absorbed the soul ring.
(End of Chapter)
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