“Yang, what are you doing?” Mithra’s voice suddenly came from behind.

  Yang’s body froze; he dared not turn around.

  Zheng Zhan turned his head and saw Mithra standing some distance behind them, it was unclear when she’d arrived.

  “He wanted to ask me about the Ice Miracle; he wasn't doing anything.” Zheng Zhan said.

  Yang then turned around, drenched in sweat. Although Mithra’s expression was impassive, the pressure she exerted was immense. He knew that acting on his own desires in this situation of uncertain future was unwise, and being caught, especially by Mithra, made him instinctively flustered.

  However, Zheng Zhan had no intention of pursuing Yang’s rash actions; he even proactively spoke for him to Mithra.

  Mithra observed Yang for a moment, then said: “How many lives do you have left?”

  Yang’s body trembled, instinctively replying in fear: “My life lock has…”

  Mithra nodded: “Whether or not we return safely this time, you will get what you desire.”

  Though that’s what she said, Yang felt no joy whatsoever.

  Mithra’s words clearly meant that she would definitely obtain one of Yang’s life locks.

  Mithra is generally good-tempered, but Yang’s thoughtless actions in this situation crossed a line. Regardless of his intentions, Mithra had no intention of simply letting it slide.

  In other words, if it weren't for Zheng Zhan's high regard for him twenty years later, Mithra would have dealt with him directly and cleaned up the mess.

  Experiencing death is most honestly done by dying oneself, after all.

  Zheng Zhan, unfamiliar with Mithra's habits, could only vaguely sense Mithra's strong displeasure towards Yang.

  Yang left dejectedly.

  Zheng Zhan and Mithra watched his retreating figure. “He’s not a bad kid; he’s just too young and too deeply obsessed,” Zheng Zhan said.

  Ironically, at this moment, Zheng Zhan was younger than Yang.

  “It’s like that village has nothing to do with me; his business has nothing to do with me,” Mithra replied indifferently.

  Zheng Zhan sighed softly: “I understand, but before this matter concludes, I don’t recommend making a big fuss.”

  While Mithra might consider dealing with Yang as akin to disposing of junk mail, hardly a “big fuss,” she understood Zheng Zhan didn’t want her to create further incidents and said nothing more.

  The two returned to the school.

  Meanwhile, when Yang sneaked back to the small room, he smelled a strong scent of blood.

  He pushed open the door and found Aspirin slumped in the corner, his chest ripped open with a gruesome wound, barely alive. Two others anxiously tended to his injuries.

  “What happened?!” Yang exclaimed in alarm.

  “Ambushed at the village entrance!” Nafei, while helping Ke Yen, replied grimly.

  “Ambushed? Besides those snow monsters, who could injure him like this right under your noses?” Yang found it hard to believe.

  “I’ve said it before, this village definitely has secrets! Don't just stand there, go get Mithra!” Ke Yen irritably raised his head.

  Yang didn’t have time to think, and could only turn and run.

  Meanwhile, Mithra and Zheng Zhan encountered a tall, strong man halfway.

  The man, clad in thick furs, stood firm against the wind and snow, looking from afar like a bear standing on its hind legs.

  His cold gaze swept over Zheng Zhan, finally settling on Mithra.

  “Yang Hai, what are you doing here?” Zheng Zhan stepped forward, shielding Mithra.

  Yang Hai…

  Mithra recalled the name Zheng Zhan had mentioned.

  Yang Hai, the oldest among Snowwind Village's peers, also known as “Elder Yang,” held considerable influence in the village.

  The village head entrusted him with most of the village's external exchanges, making him one of the few channels of communication between the village and the outside world.

  Zheng Zhan occasionally had dealings with him concerning supplies.

  Furthermore, based on Zheng Zhan’s judgment, Yang Hai was likely a believer with considerable strength.

  “Just a few days, and it seems yall share common ground. Zheng, step aside. You know what I'm here for. Let me have a good chat with this priestess.” Yang Hai sneered.

  Zheng Zhan frowned, but Mithra stepped forward, saying: “Let’s go.”

  “Be careful,” Zheng Zhan cautioned.

  Mithra didn’t reply, turning and heading towards a forest outside the village.

  Yang Hai glanced at Zheng Zhan and followed Mithra, until both disappeared into the woods, leaving Zheng Zhan unable to see them anymore.

  As dusk fell, the forest grew darker. Mithra stopped in a clearing.

  Yang Hai also halted: “What did Zheng tell you?”

  “Quite a lot,” Mithra replied, turning to Yang Hai.

  “Ha ha, then he probably told you not to act rashly. Although he's young and skilled, he's still foolish enough to act first if you dare to act recklessly. It might not be us who attack you first, but him.”

  This man was indeed shrewd, sensing the good rapport between Mithra and Zheng Zhan and immediately attempting to sow discord.

  He also made a rather naive judgment of Zheng Zhan's character.

  This was the result of Zheng Zhan's two years of compromise and appeasement; his image of conciliation was deeply ingrained in the minds of these people.

  “Whether he acts first is another matter; what are you here for?” Mithra asked.

  “He did as you requested, so I won't waste words. Just stay here peacefully for three days. In three days, we'll part ways peacefully and worry-free. You don't seem like the type to rush into things; consider the pros and cons. It's only three days.” Yang Hai revealed a sinister smile.

  The unexpectedly amicable conversation was likely due to Mithra instantly defeating the two previous groups of Snow Demons; they approached her with caution.

  However, Mithra seized on a key point: “Three days?”

  “Yes, three days.” Yang Hai nodded subtly.

  “In that case, waiting three days isn’t a bad idea. Elder Yang, may I call you that? Do you usually handle the behind-the-scenes dealings with the village head?” Mithra showed interest, casually inquiring.

  Yang Hai’s cold smile didn’t waver: “I advise you not to have any strange ideas.”

  As his words fell, a rustling sound suddenly emerged from the surrounding snowdrifts.

  “Just asking, I'm curious which of you—you or the village head—is more worth discussing with.” Mithra narrowed her eyes.

  “Neither of us will discuss anything with you. Let me tell you, those four tourists who seem to have some connection with you... they weren't very obedient. I've disciplined them, and the rest is up to them. You wouldn't want to follow in their footsteps.”

  “So you’re essentially a clean-up crew and enforcer. For someone who lives in such a remote place, you’re surprisingly polite.” Mithra shrugged.

  Yang Hai frowned, sensing something amiss: “Stop beating around the bush; what's your answer?”

  Mithra suddenly took a powerful step forward.

  Thump!

  Her foot landed in the snowdrift. This single footstep sounded jarringly loud in Yang Hai's ears.

  He instantly reacted, retreating backward, but as he took a step back...

  Poof—

  The Abhorrence staff pierced him from behind, emerging from his chest. Yang Hai opened his mouth to speak, but Mithra's other hand, holding the crescent blade, stabbed into his neck, then sliced across, tearing his throat open.

  Thud!

  His tall frame crashed down, making a dull sound in the snow-covered forest.

  Mithra wielded the staff like a bladed whip, slashing through the surrounding blossoming branches.

  Having done this, she slightly loosened her clothes, and the Maw tentacles extended from beneath, preparing to feed.

  Yang Hai wasn't quite dead yet, gazing at Mithra with horror and despair.

  “Only three days, huh? That’s valuable intelligence. Thank you; your reward is a whole body.” Having said this, Mithra completely flung open her clothes, revealing the large, blood-filled Maw on her chest.

  Normally, she would dismember and consume him, which would be easier. But since Mithra promised to leave him whole, it was slightly more troublesome—consuming him whole, clothes and all.

  ...

  “Teacher Zheng! Where’s Mithra?” Yang ran to Zheng Zhan, his voice frantic.

  “What’s wrong?” Zheng Zhan asked.

  “We… were attacked, someone’s seriously injured!” Yang gasped.

  Zheng Zhan frowned, about to speak, when a sound came from the forest. Mithra slowly approached, and seeing Yang, asked: “What do you want?”

  “Aspirin is severely injured, the situation is critical… they want you to come…” Yang looked at Mithra, no longer concerned about his own impending fate, hurriedly explaining.

  “I don’t know how to heal.” Mithra was completely unhurried in her reply.

  “Ah… but…”

  “I have other matters. Tell them to stabilize the injuries and hold on for a few days.” Mithra said indifferently, then walked towards the village.

  “This…” Yang was at a loss, pleadingly looking at Zheng Zhan.

  Zheng Zhan, however, asked Mithra: “What about Yang Hai?”

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  “Won’t last a few days.” Mithra said casually.

  Zheng Zhan was startled, his expression turning grave.

  Mithra likely obtained information from Yang Hai. The villagers' plans would bear fruit within days!

  There was no time. Reinforcements hadn't arrived yet, and this was about to end.

  “You’re going…”

  “I'll buy you some time; the rest is up to you.” Mithra said without looking back.

  Yang remained utterly bewildered.

  Zheng Zhan, after a moment of silence, turned and said: “Yang, take me to the injured. I know a healing miracle.”

  “Ah? Oh, right!” Yang quickly nodded, leading Zheng Zhan towards the small hut.

  ...

  Night fell, and the sky turned pitch black.

  Village head Yang Zhi Ping was in his room, burning a lamp as he processed some paperwork.

  After a while, he removed his spectacles, looked out at the snowy night, and sighed.

  It was finally nearing its end.

  Initially, the cooperation with the others was for the village's protection, but as time went on, and after long periods of collusion, he became corrupted by the various benefits obtained through those shady means.

  But… he was still doing it for the village.

  Maintaining the village’s stability, waiting for the culmination of everything. Once successful, the village would become sacred ground, possessing power that even so-called Miracle believers couldn’t match.

  Those people had shown him a glimpse of the power behind the Miracle.

  He was confident.

  As he pondered, footsteps came from outside the window.

  The person stopped at the doorway, not entering.

  The only people who would seek him out at this time…

  “Yang Hai?”

  “It’s me.” Yang Hai’s voice came from outside, unmistakable.

  “You went to find those four tourists, and the two priests? What answers did they give?” Yang Zhi Ping inquired.

  “The tourists weren’t very obedient, I disciplined them; under these conditions, they’ll likely be severely injured without any care. The priestess and nun cooperated; Zheng will keep an eye on them for us.” Yang Hai’s voice came from outside.

  Yang Zhi Ping nodded: “You’ve worked hard; get some rest.”

  “It’s almost over, isn’t it?” Yang Hai suddenly said.

  “Yes, it’s almost over. You’ve worked hard these years.”

  “I need to go out for a bit; I’ll be back when the time comes,” Yang Hai said.

  “Suit yourself. You often go silent and disappear into town, don't you?” Yang Zhi Ping chuckled.

  There was no reply from outside, only the sound of footsteps receding slowly through the snow.

  Yang Zhi Ping shook his head, harboring no suspicion.

  Mithra’s mocking tongue moved subtly beneath her eyes, the twisted, laughing pattern above it like an extra-dimensional mouth, silently chuckling.

  Her mocking tongue had many functions.

  Stirring someone's emotions was one; perfectly mimicking another's voice was another. In terms of sound alone, its imitation was flawless, even accurately capturing tone and emotion.

  This wasn’t a simple "voice changer"; it even solved, to a certain degree, the fluttering issue with Mithra’s speech.

  With the tongue’s regeneration complete, the mocking tongue retracted.

  Mithra left the village head's house.

  This would buy Zheng Zhan a bit of time, although for Mithra, knowing time was short and the village head's exposure didn't matter; she had a legitimate reason to act decisively and kill them all quickly.

  When Mithra returned to the school, Elise was reading a literature textbook.

  She seemed engrossed.

  “You’re back late. Anything happen, Ms. Passerby?” Seeing Mithra return, Elise put down her textbook and asked.

  Mithra recounted the events of the afternoon. Elise was somewhat surprised: “So it happened faster than expected.”

  “Oh? You seem to be enjoying your half-hearted teaching life.” Mithra commented.

  Elise picked up her textbook again. “I haven’t interacted with people for a long time; those children are much better than silent, unresponsive fools, Ms. Passerby.”

  “It’s a pity that the popular teacher among the three is not you. What happened, Miss Elise?” Mithra sat down beside her, casually retorting.

  Elise glared at Mithra but couldn’t refute her.

  Her beauty didn’t attract the children; her eerie eyes scared them, and her teaching style wasn’t good. Low popularity was inevitable.

  After a while, Zheng Zhan also returned.

  “You went to help them?” Mithra asked upon seeing him.

  “The injuries are manageable but need professional treatment, though they should be able to hold out for a few days without major issues,” Zheng Zhan said.

  “That’s good.”

  “What did you do?”

  “Temporarily stabilized the village head’s situation. Tomorrow, when the children arrive, we’ll initiate your plan. If reinforcements don’t arrive on time, we’ll have to prepare for the worst-case scenario.” Mithra said.

  Zheng Zhan sighed: “Thank you.”

  “Consider it repayment for your care.”

  Zheng Zhan shook his head.

  There was little further conversation that night. They all quietly went to bed, awaiting the dawn.

  ...

  But the next morning, Zheng Zhan didn’t wait for the children at the usual time and place.

  None of them came.

  After about ten minutes, Zheng Zhan said: “Something’s wrong. It’s impossible for all the children to be absent without reason.”

  At that moment, Yang pushed open the school gate, shouting: “Mithra! Teacher Zheng! Many villagers are missing; they seem to be heading towards the west of the village!”

  “What did you say?” Zheng Zhan’s eyes widened.

  “Gathering everyone to the west of the village before the incident. Unsurprisingly, it seems they’ve broken their promise.” Mithra said from behind.

  Zheng Zhan clenched his fists.

  Mithra walked towards the gate, patting him on the shoulder as she passed: “Let’s go.”

  Yang looked at Mithra as she walked past him, anxiously asking: “Mithra, what are you going to do?”

  “Relocate those three to a safer place outside the village. They can wait there until this is over.” Mithra said.

  Without any objections, Yang nodded and ran at full speed.

  ...

  West of the village, the villagers, carrying their belongings, headed towards a ravine.

  Entering a secluded part of the mountain, it appeared dark and ominous in the morning mist.

  Most villagers were apprehensive, but under the urging of the village head and others, they pressed onward, eyes fixed ahead.

  “It will soon be over. Don’t be afraid; it’s almost over. In the future, we’ll no longer fear the cold, no longer worry about the harsh winters. The ice and snow will be our friends; we will no longer fear them,” Village head Yang Zhi Ping led the way, speaking as he went.

  “Mom, why do we have to come here today? I’ll be late for school!” Yang Xue was completely uninterested and impatient.

  “Shh, don’t talk! Thanks to your father’s contributions, we get to go in first. What’s school for? What good will learning those things do you? You sneak out every morning while your father and I aren’t looking!” Yang Xue’s mother, a rough-looking country woman, pulled Yang Xue and hushed her with a scolding.

  Yang Xue curled her lip and remained silent.

  Deep in the ravine was a cave.

  The villagers entered.

  Along the way, Yang Xue saw numerous chests along the path, and the cave was simply furnished, creating areas for people to move around.

  There were many cluttered rooms, some containing equipment that seemed entirely out of place in this village.

  Swish swish—

  Yang Xue vaguely heard strange sounds.

  Suddenly, a baby cried out.

  Yang Xue immediately looked and saw a huge, white flower swaying on the ceiling of the tunnel above the baby. Its petals were open, revealing a dense cluster of blue, eyeball-like stamens that sent shivers down one's spine.

  The baby had seen this and cried in fear.

  The baby was quickly silenced by its parents, its cries suppressed.

  The flower didn’t move further, its numerous eyes assessing everyone who had noticed it. The swaying stems scraping against the surroundings created sounds that made the adults dare not breathe.

  Only Yang Xue stared curiously at the bizarre, large flower, then reached for her backpack.

  Rumble!

  Suddenly, with a loud bang, the cave shook violently.

  Yang Zhi Ping, at the front of the line, abruptly turned to look at the rear, his brow furrowed.

  Faintly, they could hear shouting from outside.

  “Go!” He roared, his face contorted with ferocity.

  Yang Xue looked at Yang Zhi Ping’s face, seeing for the first time that her usually kind village head was terrifying, like a demon.

  The villagers, frightened by the enormous commotion outside, were practically driven into the depths of the mountain cave.

  The large, powerful flower monster was also distracted by the commotion outside, its eyes turning towards it before quickly retreating with its branches.

  A few young, strong villagers, under Yang Zhi Ping's direction, also went outside to check the situation.

  As soon as they stepped outside, a howling cold wind struck them. The unusually fast freezing rate revealed the extraordinary nature of this frigid wind, clearly a Miracle in action.

  There was no time for hesitation; Zheng Zhan unleashed his full power.

  【Blizzard: Ice Miracle. Creates a massive cold current centered on the user, triggering a blizzard Miracle. Large-scale use can alter weather patterns.】

  Snowflakes like white bullets shot down from the sky. Those unprotected were first met with a powerful weight, then freezing.

  It was like the wrath of Heaven.

  The unskilled villagers, encountering this high-level Miracle, were quickly swallowed by the wind and snow, unable to see anything.

  A few exceptionally lucky ones, witnessing their predecessors being consumed, promptly stopped and fled.

  The snowstorm obscured vision, but Zheng Zhan’s senses were sharper than ever.

  “There!” He glanced at the distant mountain cave, calling for Mithra and Elise to follow.

  At that moment, the ground suddenly rumbled. Zheng Zhan instantly leaped away, only to see the snow being pushed aside as translucent, deep green branches lashed out. A monstrous, anomalous Flower Snow Demon emerged.

  Its eyes, nestled within the flower's stamen, quickly scanned Zheng Zhan, Mithra, and Elise, finally focusing on Zheng Zhan.

  The branches lashed out, but Zheng Zhan neither dodged nor evaded. He raised his hand, and the surrounding snowstorm formed a wall before him. The branches, after only a brief struggle, began to shatter into fragments.

  Mithra and Elise circled the snow wall, one wielding a massive mallet, the other dual blades.

  After Mithra's blade cleared the obstruction, she rapidly closed in on the Flower Demon.

  The Flower Demon's eyes flashed, spitting out ice shards at Mithra, but her sprinting figure abruptly halted. Then, her body swiveled, neatly avoiding the attack, her form flickering and disappearing in a bluish temporal distortion.

  Having lost its target, the Flower Demon displayed a moment of surprise, to which it couldn't react in time.

  BANG!

  With a heavy thud, the Flower Demon toppled to the ground. Mithra's mallet had struck its main stem; with each heartbeat, a white crack spread across its body.

  Thump Thump!

  After the final, heavy heartbeat, the large Flower Demon shattered like glass.

  Without any further impediment, the three, hands clasped, efficiently dealt with the aftermath, and without much discussion, directly pursued their quarry into the cave.

  Their hurried footsteps echoed clearly in the cave.

  Despite their speed, after entering the cave, Mithra immediately focused her attention on the devices within.

  These were sophisticated devices, a mix of modern technology and Dreamland contraptions that looked primitive but were actually advanced dark technology.

  The individuals here had clearly been conducting research for a considerable time; this cave and its contents were proof.

  The three followed the trail, quickly reaching a chamber deep within the mountain.

  The cave's temperature was noticeably higher than the outside, significantly impacted by Zheng Zhan's blizzard. However, upon entering this chamber, they felt it was even colder than outside the blizzard.

  The source of this frigid air was a pool of water.

  The bottomless pool radiated extremely low temperatures. Several villagers were adding large bags of snow to it, but the snow clearly couldn’t account for this extreme cold.

  Simultaneously…

  Village head Yang Zhi Ping forcefully dragged a child towards the pool.

  “What are you doing?!” The child's relatives, ordinary villagers with only a superficial understanding of the village's activities, initially resisted, desperately clinging to their child.

  “Let go!” Yang Zhi Ping showed no intention of explaining, especially when he saw Zheng Zhan and Mithra enter. His face turned ferocious as he kicked the adult away, then threw the child into the pool.

  Splash!

  The child was swallowed by the pool of chilling mist; the cries abruptly stopped, and an eerie silence fell over the chamber.

  “Teacher!” The silence was broken by Yang Xue.

  She showed no fear, or perhaps the initial fear was instantly replaced by a lack of it as she saw her three teachers approaching. Her large eyes blinked.

  Her mother beside her tugged at her, trying to silence her.

  Yang Zhi Ping glared fiercely at Yang Xue, then turned back to Zheng Zhan, his expression strange and uncertain. “Yang Hai betrayed me?” he said.

  Yang Hai had clearly stated that Zheng Zhan was unremarkable, and that the two newly arrived clerics from the Chi religion had chosen to cooperate.

  But the speed of this response—they had silently begun their operation, and yet they were attacked so decisively. Did they truly cooperate?

  Yang Hai couldn't figure it out! But considering Yang Hai's actions, he was more inclined to believe in his betrayal.

  Thinking back, Yang Hai had acted strangely yesterday, secretive and evasive, even suddenly wanting to leave the village at that critical moment! Something was deeply amiss!

  But realizing this now was too late. Yesterday, he was basking in the victory, and now it was irrecoverable.

  No…

  It wasn’t necessarily irrecoverable.

  What if these three were unwilling to cooperate? While their strength was undeniable, it was only three people.

  And he had the true “God” backing him.

  “Attack!” he shouted.

  Immediately, figures emerged from various corners of the room. Judging from their attire – a mishmash of casual clothes and flour-dusted garments – they were clearly not villagers from Snowwind Village.

  These people were a motley crew, mostly with Hong'A District features, but also including several Europeans.

  Their targets weren't Mithra and her companions, but the villagers.

  Zheng Zhan quickly intervened, blocking some of them, but they were too numerous. Many villagers, including several children, were struck and thrown into the pool.

  “What the hell are you doing!?” Zheng Zhan, barely containing his rising fury, roared.

  One of the attackers glanced at Zheng Zhan, then approached Yang Zhi Ping, saying: “Old Yang, this isn’t quite right.”

  Yang Zhi Ping's expression was calm: “It doesn't matter; haven't we already succeeded?”

  “True, but it’s not enough.”

  “Not enough…?” Yang Zhi Ping unconsciously asked, but before he could finish, the man abruptly shoved him backward.

  Yang Zhi Ping, an ordinary man, was completely unprepared for the attack.

  His expression shifted from shock to disbelief before he was swallowed by the pool.

  “Continue!” Then, the man took the lead, waving his hand in command.

  They continued their assault on the villagers.

  One of them lunged towards Yang Xue and her mother. Yang Xue’s mother abandoned her daughter and attempted to flee, but before the attacker could reach her, Mithra suddenly appeared beside her, grabbing the attacker’s wrist.

  The attacker was stunned, trying to shake Mithra off, but Mithra swiftly broke his arm, followed by a sweeping kick that broke his leg, finishing with a knee strike.

  The figure, a ragged puppet, thrashed on the ground, rolling before finally falling into the water due to inertia.

  Before Yang Xue’s mother could run far, she was caught and thrown in by another attacker.

  Mithra quickly scanned her surroundings, uttering a slight, questioning sound.

  Realizing that three powerful opponents made it difficult to continue throwing people into the pool, the attackers shifted their focus, launching a fierce assault on Mithra and her companions, suffering heavy casualties in return.

  The leader stared at Mithra for a moment, glancing at the pool behind him before making a decision. He turned and fled through a tunnel.

  The immediate threat was swiftly neutralized, and the children familiar with Zheng Zhan gathered around him.

  Zheng Zhan calmly reassured the children, while Mithra, observing the scene, fell silent for a moment before speaking: “The rescue is done; take them away.”

  Zheng Zhan was startled, looking up at Mithra: “And you?”

  “We'll finish them off,” Mithra said calmly.

  Zheng Zhan was stunned but didn't hesitate: “Take care.”

  “You too, take care,” Mithra replied briefly.

  “Teacher Priestess!” Yang Xue, seeing Mithra’s apparent unwillingness to leave with them, became anxious.

  “Obey,” Mithra replied impassively.

  Yang Xue, dejected, hugged her small satchel, looking at her.

  Zheng Zhan lowered his head, reassured the children, and, giving Mithra one last look, led them away.