186: Chapter 186 Exploring the Origins of the Ice Sheet: Ancient Ice Soul Relics and the Protection of the Whole Nation

Antarctic Assembly: Scientific Research Chuanwu Members Join and Sub-Ice Equipment Upgrade

The third day after Chuanwu Academy received the report of the Antarctic ice sheet node anomaly, the "Antarctic Ancient Ruins Exploration Team" assembled at the Zhongshan Station in Antarctica. The Chuanwu Starship icebreaker was docked at the edge of the ice sheet. The thermometer outside the ship read -62°C, and the cold wind whipped ice particles against the deck, making a "patting" sound. In the distance, the ice sheet shone with a dazzling white light under the sun. 500 meters beneath the ice sheet, the "Qi Energy Radar" deployed by the Technical Department was flashing a pale blue signal, marking the location of the ancient node.

"To find ruins beneath the Antarctic ice sheet, you must first learn to 'listen to the sound of the ice'," said a woman wearing white scientific research gear as she stepped onto the deck. She wore an "Antarctic Scientific Expedition Team" badge on her chest and held a "Qi Energy Detector" embedded with an Ice Soul Energy core. The instrument screen displayed the Qi Energy waveforms beneath the ice sheet. "I am Lin Yue of the Antarctic Scientific Expedition Team, and also a successor of Ice Soul Energy. I have studied the Antarctic ice sheet for ten years and developed the 'Scientific Research Qi Energy Fusion Technique'—it can strengthen scientific research equipment with traditional martial arts techniques and predict ice cracks through ice sheet Qi Energy fluctuations."

Lin Yue opened the insulated box and took out an "Ancient Ice Core Sample"—a wisp of pale gold Qi Energy was frozen within the sample, which had been drilled from 300 meters below the ice sheet. "This Qi Energy is of the same origin as the Ice Soul Mark activated previously, but it is more ancient. It should be the 'Guardian Qi Energy' left in the ice sheet by the Ancient Traditional Martial Arts Practitioners. The ice layer around the ruins contains high concentrations of 'Ice Soul Qi', which will interfere with ordinary detection equipment. We must retrofit the equipment with 'Ice Soul Energy + Scientific Research Qi Energy'."

On the deck, the team members immediately began upgrading their sub-ice detection equipment. Xiao Juan's Nature Qi gloves were fitted with "ice sheet gas-sensitive fibers" to perceive the general outline of the ruins through ice layer Qi Energy fluctuations. Little Karim's Pyramid Force bracers were embedded with "Scientific Research Qi Energy chips" to convert ice sheet pressure data into Qi Energy defense parameters; the light patterns on the bracers would turn red with pressure. Mei's Ninja Qi throwing stars were upgraded to "sub-ice penetration type," with the blades coated in a "low-friction ice-melting coating" developed by Lin Yue, allowing them to penetrate thick ice without causing cracks. Laila's Shamanic Martial Force belt was hung with an "Ice Soul Qi collection bottle," capable of storing small amounts of Ice Soul Qi to activate ancient runes.

The Deep Sea Guardian Team also welcomed their "sub-ice adaptation." The Little Whale Spirit was placed in a "constant temperature Qi Energy chamber," observing the sub-ice environment through the transparent walls of the chamber; its pale blue Qi Energy could resonate with the Ice Soul Qi to mark the entrance to the ruins. The Thermal Shrimp remained in the icebreaker's insulated chamber, to be released only when needed to purify Spirit-Devourer residues. The Cold Spring Clam was connected to Lin Yue's detector, using its own Qi Energy to enhance the signal reception range of the instrument.

"According to the plan, Lin Yue will take us down using the 'sub-ice Qi Energy submersible'," Xiao Juan said, holding the fusion jade and pointing to the radar signal point on the tactical map. "The submersible is driven by Ice Soul Energy and Scientific Research Qi Energy and can open a safe passage through the ice layer. Mei is responsible for using Ninja Qi to clear ice ridges in the passage. Little Karim will monitor ice layer pressure to prevent the submersible from triggering a collapse. Laila and the Little Whale Spirit are responsible for locating the entrance to the ruins. Lin Yue and I will analyze the ice sheet Qi Energy data to look for clues to the ancient runes."

In the globally broadcast "Antarctic Assembly" footage, 380 billion viewers stared at the equipment capable of detecting Ice Soul Qi and the new gear. The live chat was filled with exclamations such as, "Scientific Research Qi Energy Fusion Technique? The crossover between traditional martial arts and scientific research is too cool!" "Lin Yue's detector can listen to the sound of the ice, how amazing!" "The Little Whale Spirit can actually be a sub-ice guide, the Deep Sea Team is too versatile!" Technical Department data showed that the number of global reservations for "Antarctic traditional martial arts Courses" exceeded 150 million, and polar scientific expedition teams from various countries applied to join, hoping to learn traditional martial arts techniques to cope with the ice sheet crisis.

Diving Under the Ice Sheet: Blue Ice Cave and Ancient Rune Clues

The Chuanwu Starship's sub-ice Qi Energy submersible slowly sailed into the ice sheet—the hull of the submersible was made of Ice Soul Energy cores and titanium alloy, and pale blue Ice Soul Energy formed an "anti-ice adhesive layer" on the outside of the hull to prevent ice adhesion from affecting speed. When diving to 200 meters, the submersible's observation window suddenly lit up with a pale blue light—the surrounding ice layer was a rare "blue ice sheet," and fossils of ancient organisms from tens of millions of years ago were frozen in the ice, including the skeletons of giant penguins and Antarctic whales, with faint golden Qi Energy entwined around the bones, which was of the same origin as the Qi Energy in the ice core sample in Lin Yue's hand.

"These biological fossils are 'carriers of Ice Soul Qi'," Lin Yue's detector screen showed the golden Qi Energy waveform pulsing in sync with the ice layer waveform. "Ancient Traditional Martial Arts Practitioners must have used the natural Qi Energy of these organisms to build a protective barrier beneath the ice sheet. The ruins are at the center of the fossil group!"

When diving to 350 meters, the submersible suddenly encountered "ice sheet undercurrents"—a flow of Qi Energy hidden in the ice layer impacted the submersible, causing it to shake violently, and small cracks appeared on the observation window. "It's an undercurrent caused by the disorder of Ice Soul Qi!" Little Karim's bracer light patterns turned red instantly. He immediately injected Pyramid Force into the submersible's stabilization System, and the pale gold Qi Energy formed a "pressure buffer layer" inside the cabin, gradually stabilizing the submersible. Mei threw her Ninja Qi throwing stars at the source of the undercurrent, and the pale blue Qi Energy dispersed the disordered Ice Soul Qi, causing the undercurrent to disappear.

When diving to 500 meters, the submersible finally arrived at the point marked by the Qi Energy radar—before them was a huge "sub-ice dome" about 100 meters in diameter. The ice walls were covered with ancient runes, which glowed with a pale golden light, similar to the runes of the Antarctic Ice Soul Mark but more complex. In the center of the dome stood an "Ancient Ice Soul Stele" half-buried in the ice. The top of the stele glowed with intense Ice Soul Qi, which was the core of the ancient node.

"The runes on the stele require a triple resonance of 'Ice Soul Qi + Ice Soul Energy + Scientific Research Qi Energy' to activate," Lin Yue approached the observation window, her finger tracing the trajectory of the runes. "However, there is a faint fluctuation of Spirit-Devourer residue around the runes. It should be a small amount left under the ice sheet during the previous leyline purification. If it is not purified first, it may cause rune disorder during activation."

Little Laila immediately released Shamanic Martial Force. The light brown Qi Energy spread through the Qi Energy interface of the submersible, resonating with the runes on the ice wall, and the Spirit-Devourer residue on the runes was purified like smoke. The Little Whale Spirit also released pale blue Qi Energy in the Qi Energy chamber, resonating with the Ice Soul Qi. The light on the top of the stele became brighter, and the runes on the ice wall began to circulate slowly, as if responding to the external Qi Energy.

In the globally broadcast "Sub-Ice Exploration" footage, the audience watched with bated breath. The live chat was full of exclamations: "The blue ice sheet is so dreamy! And ancient biological fossils!" "The runes are circulating! Is this the power of ancient traditional martial arts?" "Hurry up and activate the stele! I really want to know the secret of the ruins!" Technical Department data showed that 420 million martial arts fans around the world were remotely sending "Ice Soul Qi support" via the app, and the pale golden glimmer gathered in Antarctica through satellite signals, injecting energy into the submersible's Qi Energy System.

Crisis Erupts: Ice Soul Spirit-Devouring Puppet Ambush

Just as Lin Yue was preparing to activate the runes with Scientific Research Qi Energy, the ice wall of the sub-ice dome suddenly cracked—countless ice ridges shot out from the cracks. The ice ridges were wrapped in black Spirit-Devourer residue, converging in the center of the dome into an "Ice Soul Spirit-Devouring Puppet": the Puppet was 20 meters tall, its body composed of blue ice layers and black Spirit-Devourer residue, its surface covered with glowing Ice Soul Runes, its head was an "Ice Soul core" glowing with dark purple light, and its limbs were sharp ice claws. Every swing released "extreme cold Spirit-Devourer Qi," and the ice layer hit by the Qi Energy would instantly freeze and be polluted by the Spirit-Devourer residue.

"It's a Puppet formed by the contamination of Ice Soul Qi by Spirit-Devourer residue!" Lin Yue's detector let out a shrill alarm. "It can absorb Ice Soul Qi to strengthen itself. If it is allowed to approach the stele, the ancient runes will be contaminated, and the Antarctic Leyline Qi Energy branch will be completely disordered!"

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The Puppet suddenly swung its ice claws, swiping toward the submersible. Little Karim immediately injected Pyramid Force into the submersible's defensive shield. A pale golden light formed a barrier outside the cabin. The ice claws struck the barrier, sending ice shards flying and creating tiny cracks. Mei immediately fired darts infused with Ninja Qi at the Puppet's ice claws. The pale blue Qi Energy shattered the claws, but new ones quickly grew from the Puppet's body; the Ice Soul Qi was rapidly repairing its damage.

Even more critical was the Puppet's "Extreme Cold Spirit-Devouring Shell"—it fired toward the stele. The black Qi Energy shell hit the ice layer beside the stele, instantly polluting it black, and the contaminated area was still expanding rapidly. "Freeze the polluted area with Ice Soul Energy!" Xiao Juan shouted. Lin Yue immediately released Ice Soul Energy, forming an "Ice Soul Isolation Layer" around the polluted area with pale blue Qi Energy to stop the spread. Little Laila used Shamanic Martial Force to summon "Ice Algae" from beneath the ice. The pale brown Qi Energy caused the ice algae to grow rapidly, entangling the Puppet's legs and temporarily restricting its movement.

"The Puppet's core is hidden under the Ice Soul Rune on its head. We need to fuse 'Ice Soul Energy + Scientific Research Qi + Nature Qi' into an 'Ice Soul Purification Shell' to pierce the rune and purify the core!" Lin Yue quickly analyzed the detection data. "But my Scientific Research Qi isn't strong enough; I need remote support Qi from Global Martial Fans!"

In the "Crisis Outbreak" footage of the global live stream, viewers were filled with excitement. The bullet chat was full of cheers: "The Ice Soul Puppet is so cool! But so dangerous!" "Quick, call for remote support! We're all here!" "Go, Ice Soul Purification Shell! You must protect the stele!" Technical Department data showed that the intensity of global remote support Qi instantly increased by 50%. The pale golden Qi Energy gathered through the submersible's Qi receiving System into a massive energy stream, injecting into Lin Yue's detector.

Section 4: Universal Breakthrough: Multi-Sect Force Techniques and Remote Qi Fusion

"Remote Qi is in place! Prepare for Fusion!" Lin Yue shouted. She connected the detector to the submersible's Qi System. The pale golden remote support Qi fused with her Scientific Research Qi to form "Scientific Research Support Qi." Xiao Juan released Nature Qi, resonating with the ice algae beneath the ice; the pale green Qi Energy merged into the Scientific Research Support Qi to form "Nature Scientific Research Qi." Lin Yue then injected Ice Soul Energy. The pale blue Qi Energy intertwined with the Nature Scientific Research Qi, finally forming an "Ice Soul Purification Shell." The shell glowed with gold, green, and blue light, as dazzling as an aurora beneath the ice.

"Mei! Use Ninja Qi to open a gap in the Puppet's rune!" Xiao Juan ordered. Mei immediately fired all her Ninja Qi darts at the Ice Soul Rune on the Puppet's head. The pale blue Qi Energy hit the rune like a rainstorm, creating a tiny gap. Little Karim used Pyramid Force to release a "Pressure Shockwave." The pale golden Qi Energy struck the Puppet's body, causing its movements to instantly stiffen and exposing its core within the attack range of the purification shell.

"Ice Soul Purification Shell, fire!" Lin Yue pressed the launch button. The tri-colored energy shell shot toward the Puppet's core like a meteor. The moment it hit the gap, the tri-colored light exploded and spread. The black Spirit-Devourer remnants were rapidly purified, the Ice Soul Rune glowed with pale golden light, and the Puppet's body gradually turned into harmless blue ice, merging into the sub-ice dome. The polluted ice layer also gradually restored to pure blue under the effect of Nature Qi.

After the Puppet was destroyed, all the ancient runes on the ice walls of the sub-ice dome lit up. Pale golden Qi Energy spread along the runes, resonating with the energy of the Antarctic Ice Soul Mark. In the center of the sub-ice dome, the Ancient Ice Soul Stele slowly rose. Phantoms of Ancient Traditional Martial Arts Practitioners appeared on the stele's surface—they wore Ice Soul martial attire and practiced their techniques under the ice sheet, using Ice Soul Qi to guard the Antarctic leyline. The phantoms' movements were perfectly synchronized with Lin Yue's Ice Soul Energy, as if they were teaching an ancient force technique.

"This is the complete Legacy of the 'Ancient Ice Soul Qi'!" Lin Yue said excitedly. She practiced along with the phantoms' movements. Her pale blue Ice Soul Energy intertwined with the phantoms' Qi Energy, and the Ice Soul Qi from the top of the stele injected into her body. "The stele records that the Antarctic ice sheet is the 'Cold Energy Core' of the global leyline. Ancient Traditional Martial Arts Practitioners built ruins here to stabilize the cold energy and balance the global leyline temperature. The previous melting of the ice sheet was due to an imbalance of cold energy!"

Xiao Juan immediately led the team to resonate with the ancient runes using Ice Soul Qi. Pale golden Qi Energy flowed along the runes into the leyline branches beneath the ice sheet. The cold energy of the Antarctic leyline gradually stabilized, and the rate of ice sheet melting slowed down significantly. In the "Universal Breakthrough" footage of the global live stream, viewers were moved to tears. The bullet chat was full of cheers: "The tri-colored purification shell was so epic! Like an aurora under the ice!" "Ancient phantoms passing on skills! This is the power of Legacy!" "The Antarctic leyline is stabilized! So happy!" Technical Department data showed that the stability of the Antarctic leyline branches had increased to 99.9%, and the cold energy balance of the Global Leyline Guardian Network had returned to normal levels.

Section 5: Ruin Activation: Antarctic Guardian Network Forms and Universal traditional martial arts Lands

After the Ancient Ice Soul Stele was activated, a projection of the "Antarctic Leyline Guardian Network" appeared on the ice walls of the sub-ice dome. The projection showed 12 "Ice Soul Nodes" beneath the Antarctic ice sheet. The one activated this time was the core node; the remaining 11 nodes were distributed under various ice sheets across Antarctica and needed to be activated one by one with Ice Soul Qi to completely stabilize the Antarctic leyline.

"We will establish an 'Antarctic Traditional Martial Arts Mutual Aid Station' at Zhongshan Station," Lin Yue said to the global live stream camera. "The mutual aid station will train scientific researchers and polar workers in Ice Soul Qi, which will help them protect themselves during ice sheet crises and assist in activating the remaining Ice Soul Nodes. We will also develop an 'Ice Soul Qi Monitoring APP' so that Global Martial Fans can remotely assist in monitoring the Antarctic Leyline Qi Energy."

Before the exploration team left the sub-ice dome, Xiao Juan handed the "Ice Soul Qi Core," derived from the fusion jade, to Lin Yue: "This core can connect to the Global Leyline Guardian Network. If you encounter difficulties while activating the remaining nodes, contact Chuanwu Academy anytime, and we will send a support team." Little Whale Spirit also released a wisp of Ice Soul Qi into the core within the Qi cabin, expanding the core's monitoring range tenfold.

When the submersible returned to the icebreaker, a pale golden "Leyline Light Pillar" suddenly appeared on the surface of the Antarctic ice sheet. The pillar shot straight into the clouds, connecting with the polar guardian pillars of the North Pole and other leyline nodes around the world, forming a "Cold-Warm Balance Light Belt" across the Earth's poles. The temperature fluctuations of the global leyline instantly stabilized within a normal range.

At the opening ceremony of the Antarctic Traditional Martial Arts Mutual Aid Station, Lin Yue taught the scientific researchers how to monitor the ice layer with Ice Soul Qi. The team members followed her in forming hand seals. Pale blue Qi Energy formed small "Ice Soul Crystal Cores" in their palms; by placing them against the ice, they could view the energy fluctuations beneath in real-time. Little Karim taught the members how to use Pyramid Force to reinforce the research station's ice houses. Pale golden Qi Energy was injected into the ice walls, increasing their cold resistance threefold. Little Laila also taught the members how to use Shamanic Martial Force to communicate with Antarctic penguins. The penguins' feathers glowed with pale brown light as they swam around the members, as if welcoming new guardians.

At the end of this chapter, the global live stream camera panned across the Antarctic ice sheet. Researchers at the mutual aid station monitored the ice with Qi, the ancient runes in the sub-ice dome glowed with pale golden light, Little Whale Spirit observed the sub-ice environment in the Qi cabin, and distant groups of penguins swam on the ice sheet, forming the pattern of "traditional martial arts Protection."

Chen Wu said during the global summary meeting at Chuanwu Academy, "The activation of the Antarctic ruins not only stabilized the cold-warm balance of the global leyline but also proved that traditional martial arts can cross the boundaries between scientific research and tradition to become a common force protecting the Earth. Future explorations will continue to uncover more ancient traditional martial arts ruins, letting the seeds of universal traditional martial arts take root and sprout in every corner of the Earth."