597: Zhong Mu, Miao Yichan

Before the words even finished echoing, the Ice Qilin's figure had already vanished from the summit of the ice peak.

In the next instant, without any warning, it appeared right in front of the burly man who was about to strike Zhong Mu dead!

The burly man's cruel smile instantly froze on his face.

A terrifying pressure crashed down, pinning him firmly to the spot!

He felt as if he had turned into a mere insect; he saw the man who had suddenly appeared, whose deep eyes held no emotion, only an indifference that looked down upon dust.

The Ice Qilin didn't even make any attacking motion; it simply raised a long, fair finger and lightly tapped toward the burly man.

"Pop—"

A blast of finger wind instantly pierced through the man's forehead, and the burly man collapsed to the ground.

The ferocity on the faces of all the Frostfang Tribe warriors was replaced by boundless fear.

They were like ducks being throttled by the neck; all their battle cries came to a sudden halt, leaving only heavy panting and the chattering of teeth.

The Elder... their incredibly powerful Elder was just... gone?

The Ice Palace Disciples were also stunned, their faces a mix of post-disaster daze and extreme shock.

Zhong Mu clutched her chest, looking at that back in disbelief, and then she saw that familiar figure—Di Juetian!

"Run... run quickly!" Some Frostfang warrior let out a heart-wrenching howl of terror.

The remaining dozens of Frostfang Tribe warriors instantly collapsed. No longer caring about hunting the Ice Palace Disciples, they fled desperately in all directions, only wishing their parents had given them two more legs.

Just as those Frostfang warriors turned to flee in a rout, Di Juetian took a step forward, his figure suddenly vanishing.

He crossed a hundred zhang in a single step, appearing directly above the fleeing crowd.

"Icebound!" Di Juetian shouted lowly, his hands forming seals.

Centered on him, a visible wave of blue cold tide rapidly spread out like ripples!

The fleeing Frostfang warriors, whether in the Profound Venerable Realm or Earth Venerable Realm, quickly had thick layers of ice condense on their bodies.

Terrified expressions froze on their faces. In the blink of an eye, dozens of Frostfang warriors were turned into ice sculptures in various poses.

Di Juetian landed and came before Zhong Mu and the others.

The Ice Qilin had already returned to Di Juetian's side, as if crushing the Heavenly Venerable Realm burly man just now was merely brushing away a speck of dust.

He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze cast toward the distant ice peak's snowline, showing no interest in the mess on the ground or the survivors of the Ice Palace.

"Young Master... Young Master Di?!"

With Miao Yichan's support, Zhong Mu barely managed to stand firm. Looking at the approaching Di Juetian, her voice carried the trembling of a survivor and unbelievable surprise.

"Thank you, Young Master Di, for saving our lives! And this Senior..."

She looked with awe at the unfathomable Ice Qilin beside Di Juetian.

Di Juetian nodded slightly: "Miss Zhong, Miss Miao, no need for formalities. How are your injuries?"

He had met Zhong Mu and Miao Yichan once when he was a guest at the Ice Palace.

Di Juetian's gaze swept over the shaken Ice Palace Disciples, but he did not see the figures of Jiang Hua and Ice Snow.

"It's no matter, a few days of rest will be enough." Zhong Mu shook her head quickly, her gratitude beyond words.

"If it weren't for Young Master Di and the Senior appearing in time, we would have probably..."

She looked at the burly man's corpse with lingering fear; the Heavenly Venerable Realm was indeed not something they could handle right now.

"It was just a small matter."

"Is Lin Wan doing well in the Ice Palace?"

At the mention of Lin Wan, a sincere smile appeared on Zhong Mu's pale face:

"Young Master Di, rest assured! Junior Sister Lin Wan has officially begun her cultivation under the personal guidance of the Old Ancestor."

"She has excellent talent and is willing to work hard. Her progress is rapid, and she is already at the third level of the True Essence Realm! The Old Ancestor often says that Junior Sister Lin Wan is a genius rarely seen in the Ice Palace in a thousand years, and in time, her achievements will be limitless!"

Her words were full of pride for this little Junior Sister.

Hearing this, Di Juetian felt a bit more at ease.

Third level of the True Essence Realm; this speed was indeed startling for Lin Wan, who had only joined a few months ago. It seemed the Ice Palace Old Ancestor was putting her all into nurturing her.

"That is good." He nodded.

At this moment, a female Disciple nearby who was less injured but full of grief and indignation couldn't help but interject:

"Senior Sister Zhong, Senior Sister Miao! The Frostfang Tribe captured Senior Brother Chen and the others! We must find a way to save them!"

Zhong Mu and Miao Yichan's expressions instantly darkened, filled with anxiety and helplessness.

"What happened?" Di Juetian asked with a frown.

Zhong Mu sighed, her tone heavy: "A few days ago, our group, led by Junior Sister Miao and me, discovered a thousand-year-old Ice Heart Grass near Snow Spirit Valley. Unexpectedly, we encountered a hunting party from the Frostfang Tribe."

"We fought desperately, but the other side was numerous and powerful. In the chaotic battle, five Disciples, including Junior Brother Chen and Junior Sister Zhao, were captured alive by them."

"We fought and retreated all the way, hoping to find an opportunity to rescue them, but they clung to us and pursued us all the way here. If it weren't for Young Master Di..."

"In which direction is the Frostfang Tribe?"

Zhong Mu was stunned, not expecting Di Juetian to ask of his own accord. She quickly said:

"To the northeast, about three thousand li away, occupying the Frostfang Ice Field. According to what we scouted before, this tribe has five Heavenly Venerable Realm experts overseeing it!"

"The strongest is their leader, at the seventh level of the Heavenly Venerable Realm! Besides the one who just died, there are four more Elders: two at the fourth level, one at the second level, and one at the first level of the Heavenly Venerable Realm."

"There are no fewer than thirty Profound Venerable Realm warriors, and over ten in the Earth Venerable Realm..."

Seventh level of the Heavenly Venerable Realm... Di Juetian's eyes narrowed slightly.

With his current strength, even if he used all his means, he might be able to contend with the third or fourth level of the Heavenly Venerable Realm, but the seventh level... the gap was too large, definitely not something he could resist right now.

His gaze turned to the Ice Qilin, who had been silently looking at the scenery nearby.

The Ice Qilin seemed to feel his gaze. Without turning its head, its cold voice rang out:

"Mere Heavenly Venerables are but ants. It's just right to stretch my muscles a bit."

Its tone was flat, as if it were merely going to crush a nest of ants.

Di Juetian's heart settled, and he said to Zhong Mu, "Lead the way. I will help you rescue your fellow Disciples."

"Young Master Di!" Zhong Mu, Miao Yichan, and the surviving Ice Palace Disciples all exclaimed in unison, their eyes bursting with unbelievable wild joy, which was then submerged by immense worry.

The other side has five Heavenly Venerables and battle-hardened elites!

Although this Senior beside Young Master Di is unfathomable... can it be done?

"Young Master Di's great kindness will never be forgotten by the Ice Palace!"

Zhong Mu's voice trembled with excitement as she bowed deeply. Miao Yichan and the other Disciples also bowed in succession.

"There's no need for thanks."

Di Juetian helped Zhong Mu up. "Lin Wan is cultivating in your palace; this is only my duty. Let's go."

Under Zhong Mu's guidance, the group sped off in the direction of the Frostfang Tribe.