C66 Ice and Fire God

The Mystic Ice Realm stretched out endlessly, its vastness concealing untold numbers of ferocious beasts. Yet, due to human encroachment, the beasts near the entrance had been largely eradicated.

Wang Yan and his companion, Rice Bucket, raced through the realm until they encountered their first ferocious beast—a Snow Monster! These creatures ranged from Rank 4 elites to Rank 9 Lords. They weren't typical beasts; composed of elements and matter, they operated purely on instinct, much like the Molten Rock Monsters of the Molten Land. Unbound by bloodline, their quality and level could endlessly ascend with sufficient elemental energy and purity.

Elemental monsters were simpler to enhance in quality than ferocious beasts, but beast tamers rarely sought to bond with them. Unlike the dim-witted Rice Bucket, these creatures lacked intelligence altogether. Even a formidable Rank 9 Lord acted solely on instinct.

Elves represented a different case altogether. Where elemental monsters were a blend of elements and matter, elves were an elevation of elemental essence, materializing from pure energy into tangible form and possessing a natural, potent affinity for the elements.

Upon spotting Wang Yan, the Snow Monster charged. In their icy domain, they innately despised anything emitting light or warmth. Wang Yan's molten armor made him a target, but that was to be expected so close to the realm's entrance, an area already purged by the military. Deeper in, where snow monsters thrived, Wang Yan would truly experience their 'warmth.'

With a hiss, the fierce wind sliced through the air, shredding anything in its path. To Wang Yan, now, a Rank 4 elite was no challenge. He didn't even need to lift a finger; the winds swirling around Rice Bucket were enough to dispatch the creature with ease.

Rice Bucket moved with incredible speed, pausing occasionally. The ground was mostly covered with Crystal Formation Water, interspersed with various debris.

Wang Yan's quest was to find dragon species ferocious beasts, but without anyone to rush him, he was content to meander through the Mystic Ice Realm, discovering its secrets at his own pace.

Wang Yan had come prepared with plenty of food and water, so the threat of cold poison eating away at his body was not a concern. Even a few years' residence in this place wouldn't be a problem.

But that was just a fleeting thought. Wang Yan was set on joining the challenge in the northern warzone. Skipping out wasn't an option unless he fancied a blooming backside and a stint in solitary confinement.

The Mystic Ice Realm was vast, and the military had cleared a hundred-mile radius around the entrance to keep ferocious beasts from venturing into the outside world. Beast tamers employed pinpoint teleportation devices to reach several forward outposts established by the military within the realm.

Both the military and academic institutions had long coveted the Mystic Ice Realm. The unresolved issue of the cold poison, however, forced them to put their ambitions on hold. But they weren't about to abandon their aspirations.

They set up outposts, deployed troops, and enticed beast tamers to venture in for exploration, all while providing support from the rear. This strategy ensured that, conquest or not, they could still harness the realm's resources.

This approach wasn't unique to the Mystic Ice Realm; many spatial rifts received similar treatment. With the sheer number of rifts and limited personnel from the military and universities, a full-scale assault was daunting.

Wang Yan chose to avoid the outposts, preferring to keep his movements secret. The desolate silence of the realm meant one could travel for miles without encountering another soul, and violence was all too common. A run-in with a bandit targeting more than just valuables could spell the end of Wang Yan's chastity.

A boy must learn to protect himself when out in the world, never giving the wicked an opening to exploit.

The Mystic Ice Realm's landscape was a monotonous expanse of endless white. Wang Yan ran until he was panting and exhausted, but at last, something other than snow came into view.

A team was approaching—a dog sled team, to be precise. Six dogs and three people were racing across the snowy terrain.

"Awoo?"

Perking up at the sight of his fellow canines, he quickly picked up the pace. In under thirty seconds, he had caught up with them.

"Wuwuwu!"

Sensing Rice Bucket's presence, the six dogs immediately lay down, too afraid to move an inch.

Their speed had been so great that they carved six deep furrows in the snow, and the sleigh, along with the three people on it, were flung out by the force of inertia.

It was as if they recognized the arrival of the Dog King; the six sled dogs looked on with eyes brimming with reverence, their tails wagging furiously, scattering snowflakes in all directions.

"Awoo!"

Rice Bucket let out a commanding howl, as if giving a pep talk to his underlings.

The six dogs responded with a series of whimpers, their admiration growing by the second.

Wang Yan: "..."

Goldie: "..."

Man and bird exchanged glances, both puzzled by what they saw.

Had they stumbled upon their own kind?

The snow was deep enough that the three humans who were thrown didn't sustain any injuries.

Typically, such an event would provoke rage or fear.

Yet, their response left Wang Yan scratching his head in confusion.

"Dog King!"

"Fire God!"

The trio knelt in the snow, chanting these odd titles.

After a moment's thought, Wang Yan pieced it together.

'Dog King' likely referred to Rice Bucket, whose arrival had the six dogs prostrate in submission. It was a fitting title.

'Fire God' must be him, clad in his red molten armor, a stark contrast to the icy landscape, like a deity of fire incarnate.

"I am not the Fire God; I am merely a traveler passing through."

Wang Yan opted not to play the charlatan. For one, he wasn't cut out for such deception—it was too easy to slip up. Besides, he had no need for such pretense.

Any questions could be asked outright. If answers proved elusive, he could always unsheathe his Flaming Sword for emphasis.

Through a cordial dialogue, the three were forthcoming with all they knew.

In the end, they departed on foot, and Wang Yan acquired the information he sought.

They were indigenous to the Mystic Ice Realm, their lineage stretching back generations in this frozen expanse.

Just as with countless other primitive civilizations, their culture brimmed with legends aplenty.

Take, for instance, the Dog King, who held sway over thousands of canines, or the Fire God, whose arrival was heralded by infinite divine power.

Living in close quarters with sled dogs, it was only natural that a rich tapestry of canine myths would emerge.

The reverence for the Fire God was a form of worship.

The darker the surroundings, the more fervent the longing for light—a sentiment shared by these indigenous people.

To them, fire was a treasured commodity, a lifeline ensuring survival amidst the ice and snow.

Over the ages, this spawned a deep-seated veneration for the flame.

Clad in his molten armor, Wang Yan appeared to these unenlightened natives as the Fire God incarnate.

In the same vein, the Water God, Ice God, and Snow God were also held in high esteem.

According to native mythology, from the dawn of creation, two primordial deities of ice and fire have existed.

The Water God, Ice God, and Snow God united as one to wage a titanic clash against the Fire God.

Ultimately, the Fire God was vanquished, shaping the world into its current state.

Those who revered the Ice God dwelled at the world's heart, while the followers of the Fire God were relegated to its fringes, eking out a meager existence.

Fortunately, the Ice God's disciples didn't pursue a campaign of annihilation. They seemed indifferent to the fate of the Fire God's adherents, preoccupied instead with their own internecine strife.