Chapter 16: Frost Ice Wings
Sensing imminent danger, the Ice Rain Swifts took flight, turning into streaks of blue lightning as they scattered in all directions.
Lin Zhiruo's eyes remained resolutely fixed on one of them. She quickly gave chase.
She knew that the Ice Rain Swift's speed would grant Xiao Han a valuable boost in agility—crucial for his future growth.
Lin Zhiruo was exceptionally fast. In the blink of an eye, she had caught up with a 3,000-year-old Ice Rain Swift and locked it in place with an ice-sealing technique.
But just then, an unexpected change occurred.
A previously unnoticed Ice Rain Swift, taking advantage of its incredible speed and agility, quietly closed in from Xiao Han's flank.
Its sharp beak glinted coldly, poised to deliver a lethal strike.
Yet Xiao Han remained calm in the face of danger.
His soul power surged like a roaring river. His Martial Soul—Glacial Ice Bow—instantly materialized in his hand. A chilling aura radiated from him, freezing even the surrounding air.
Xiao Han leapt into the air like an arrow from a bow. The Glacial Ice Bow in his hand drew a perfect arc, aiming directly at the charging Ice Rain Swift.
His second soul skill—Arrowstorm—was activated in an instant.
Dozens of ice-blue arrows shot out from the bowstring like falling stars, covering the entire space in a deadly rain of arrows.
Each ice arrow, condensed from pure glacial energy, formed a net of death in the sky, capable of piercing through steel with its chilling sharpness.
Caught off guard by the barrage, the attacking Ice Rain Swift's vision was obstructed. Failing its ambush, it abruptly veered away and disappeared in a flash.
"So fast!"
Xiao Han couldn't help but marvel internally.
Seeing that the crisis had passed, Lin Zhiruo finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Xiao Han's composure and decisiveness had exceeded her expectations.
Over the years, Lin Zhiruo had witnessed his progress firsthand.
Besides mastering two soul skills, Xiao Han had also honed numerous advanced combat techniques. He could use his Glacial Ice Bow flexibly—bow for defense, arrows for attack.
His only weakness was his youth. Against stronger opponents, he still lacked endurance.
But that was a stage every young soul master had to go through.
Compared to his peers, Xiao Han was already outstanding.
The 3,000-year-old Ice Rain Swift, firmly frozen by Lin Zhiruo's spell, was now pinned to the snowy ground.
"Xiao Han, finish it," Lin Zhiruo said.
"Alright."
With his Glacial Ice Arrow in hand, Xiao Han leapt forward and drove it into the creature's skull.
The Ice Rain Swift twitched once, then lay still.
Xiao Han quickly sat down to adjust his state and prepare for soul ring absorption.
Soon, a purple mist rose slowly from the creature's corpse and condensed into a glowing thousand-year soul ring.
Under Lin Zhiruo's protection, Xiao Han began the absorption process.
Just like the previous two times, he withstood the impact of the soul ring's energy and eventually absorbed it fully.
When he opened his eyes again, his vision seemed clearer than ever.
But what surprised him most was the special ability granted by this new soul skill.
Seeing him awaken, Lin Zhiruo immediately asked:
"Xiao Han, how is it?"
"Mom, my soul power increased by two levels. This is an amplification skill—and I also gained the ability to fly!"
"Really? What kind of flight ability?"
"Watch this."
As he spoke, Xiao Han summoned his Martial Soul and soul rings.
As his third soul ring lit up, a pair of ice-blue wings suddenly emerged from his back.
The wings were identical in form to those of the Ice Rain Swift—formed from pure ice, each extending two meters when fully spread.
"Mom, let me try them out."
With a leap, Xiao Han soared into the sky like a bolt of lightning.
After a few flaps, he quickly adapted to the wings.
"This is the feeling of freedom—amazing!"
The wings felt like a natural part of his body, and flying under his own control brought a thrill he had never felt before.
Lin Zhiruo watched him glide joyfully through the sky and couldn't help but feel happy for him.
She had hoped the Ice Rain Swift would boost Xiao Han's speed, but hadn't expected it to grant him flight outright.
For a young soul master, flight was an incredible asset.
Every soul skill had a range—no matter how powerful, it was useless if it couldn't hit the target.
In combat, being able to fly gave soul masters a major advantage: dodging attacks or escaping from stronger enemies.
Xiao Han landed next to Lin Zhiruo.
"Mom, flying freely like this is just incredible."
"Of course it is. Congratulations! You've just gained an escape skill."
"Mom, I'm using it for combat!"
Lin Zhiruo chuckled.
"I was only joking. So, what exactly does this soul skill enhance?"
"When I activate it, my speed, attack, and defense all get a 100% boost. It can also link with my first two soul skills to enhance attack power. But combo skills consume a lot of soul power. Thankfully, flight alone uses very little."
"That's excellent. It's a powerful skill. Use it well—its value will grow as your soul power increases."
"I will."
Lin Zhiruo looked around.
"Before it gets dark, let's get out of here."
"Sure, let's fly out."
"Alright."
The two of them spread their wings and took off, quickly soaring out of the Icebound Forest.
"Flight really makes a difference—it saves so much time."
"Yeah. Mom, can you accompany me to Tian Dou City?"
Lin Zhiruo frowned.
"To Tian Dou City? Don't tell me you're planning to head to Sunset Forest again?"
"No, just Tian Dou City. I want to borrow something from Crown Prince Xue Qinghe."
That only made Lin Zhiruo more confused. She thought Xiao Han was being a bit ridiculous.
Although both she and Dean Zhao had met Xue Qinghe, they weren't close.
If Dean Zhao personally made a request, Xue Qinghe might show some respect.
But Xiao Han was only an eleven-year-old child—would the prince even agree to see him?
"Xiao Han, you want to borrow something from His Highness the Crown Prince? You might not even get a chance to see him."
"How would we know if we don't try?"
"Then at least tell me—what do you want to borrow?"
"I want to borrow something only he might have access to: the 'Immortal Herb Compendium' from the Spirit Hall."
(End of Chapter)
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