Snow Spirit

The Era of Order, Year 1137.

A cold wind blew past, quietly slipping into Liyana's cuffs. It caressed her graceful curves before leaving, taking a bit of her body heat with it.

"Hiss—it's getting cold." Liyana shrank her neck, crossing her arms and rubbing her bare skin in an attempt to dispel the biting chill.

"We are very close to the Snow Realm, after all." Luo Lun looked out of the carriage. The lingering wind swept up a few fallen leaves, which eventually drifted down to land lightly on the carriage roof.

Before entering the Snow Realm, Xia Lun and the others still had some matters to attend to and needed to visit a nearby town.

First of all, the icy and snowy environment was not suitable for earth dragons to run in, so they had to be fostered elsewhere. If they wanted to venture deep into the Snow Realm, they needed to switch to more cold-resistant mounts—hardy sled dogs or snow packbeasts covered in thick fur.

The carriage itself only needed its wheels modified; there was no need to buy a whole new one. With the magic array inscribed by Aina, they didn't have to worry about keeping warm inside.

However, Liyana and the girls couldn't stay in the carriage forever. Appropriate, heavy clothing capable of withstanding the severe cold was also essential.

"Actually, as long as Aina draws a magic array on your clothes as well, the issue of keeping warm will be solved," Xia Lun suggested.

"That won't do! Xia Lun, what do you think our purpose for coming to the Snow Realm is?" Liyana righteously refused.

"Uh... what is it?"

"To feel the true wind, snow, and bitter cold, of course! To experience different local customs!" Liyana spouted her twisted logic. "Think about it. If we still wear thin clothes instead of wrapping ourselves in thick, fluffy animal skins like true Snow Realm travelers, like cute little furballs! Then what would be the point of us coming to this frozen land?"

"I think Liyana makes sense!" Mo Lini nodded in agreement, though she simply didn't want to cause trouble for Aina.

"I also think it sounds quite novel." Luo Lun agreed as well, a trace of anticipation in her eyes.

Xia Lun didn't quite understand the girls' desire to wrap themselves up into balls.

But naturally, Xia Lun wouldn't object.

The human city closest to the Snow Realm should be Clovis City, a city full of memories... When Xia Lun and Aina first came out, they stopped there for a while and even met Liyana there.

However, Xia Lun and the others were coming from a different direction now and wouldn't pass through Clovis City. Instead, they would pass through a small city called Nissan.

Nissan was situated on the blurred border between the Snow Realm and the western frontier of the Arlan Empire. Even the most seasoned travelers couldn't clearly say whether this city should be classified as part of the Snow Realm or human territory.

But here, the Snow Elves and humans lived side by side, forming a unique and fragile symbiotic scene.

"Are those Snow Elves?"

Mo Lini looked at the alien races coming and going on the streets, her eyes shining with curiosity.

Liyana asked, "Is this your first time seeing Snow Elves?"

Mo Lini nodded slightly.

The appearance of Snow Elves was seventy percent similar to that of humans. Ice-crystal-like blue hair and pale skin were their main characteristics, while their pointed ears were closer to those of elves. However, the lifespan of Snow Elves was not long, basically on par with humans... though there were a very few healthy Snow Elves who could live to be over two hundred years old.

The bodies of Snow Elves were naturally forged to withstand the severe cold. In a world of ice and snow, they only needed thin clothes to cover themselves. But they were helpless against hot weather; a single heatstroke could be fatal to a Snow Elf.

Their weak reproductive ability limited their numbers. Most Snow Elves lived within the Snow Realm and were rarely seen in human territories.

Snow Elves were quite friendly to outsiders, but in the early days, they were bullied by various races due to their weak strength... Later, after receiving the protection of the Snow God, they gradually grew stronger.

Mo Lini noticed a Snow Elf father and daughter talking in low voices behind them.

The father was burly, his weather-beaten face very resolute, while the daughter he was leading was petite and exquisite, her ice-blue eyes full of curiosity about the world.

"Father, look, they are humans." The girl's voice was as crisp as a lark's, carrying undisguised excitement.

"Yes, today is your first time in Nissan, so it's also your first time seeing humans, right?" The father gently stroked his daughter's head.

"She looks so cute. Are all humans this cute?" The Snow Elf girl was obviously talking about Mo Lini.

"Not really... Most humans look quite ordinary. Not all humans look like this," the Snow Elf father explained to her. "Just like within our tribe, you are also the cutest girl... Alright, it's impolite to keep staring at others. Let's go quickly..."

The voices of the father and daughter gradually faded away.

"You were praised for being cute." Liyana poked the arm of the little red beast. "How does it feel?"

"Not... not much. I'm already an adult. I wouldn't feel happy just because I was praised for being cute, hehe."

But Mo Lini's bright eyes clearly said otherwise.

"Liyana, you guys go to the market to buy clothes, and make it quick..."

Xia Lun's hand was suddenly grasped by Aina.

Xia Lun looked down and met Aina's kind smile.

"What's wrong?"

"What do you think? My dear hero, we have arrived at the town, and it's not early anymore."

Xia Lun felt his hand being slowly squeezed tighter.

"Alright, I know... An inn. Let's stay at an inn tonight and set off tomorrow morning."

Only then did Aina loosen her grip on Xia Lun with satisfaction.

"Keep holding it." But Xia Lun was obviously not satisfied with this. He directly reversed his grip, holding Aina's small hand in his.

Aina looked docile, as if she would agree to any of Xia Lun's conditions at this moment... And that was indeed the fact.

Luo Lun watched this scene thoughtfully.

Although she had grown accustomed to such scenes since joining the team, and the simple interactions between the two were never hidden... considering their true identities, everything became surreal again.

What exactly were their identities? Luo Lun still couldn't be sure, only knowing that their true identities were absurdly terrifying...

Although she had privately asked Liyana and Mo Lini, Liyana only looked at her with an ambiguous expression, while Mo Lini hemmed and hawed without explaining clearly. Obviously, they knew about it but didn't intend to tell her directly.

But it didn't matter; she would figure things out herself.

For now, Xia Lun's party was still very peaceful, with everyone gathering together to adventure everywhere...

It felt... quite enviable.