Under the vast skyline, a team of dozens carrying large backpacks embarks on the journey across the Snow Mountain.
Around them, heavy snowfall dances like a white veil pulled between heaven and earth, adorning the world in a silver-white coat.
The cold wind mixed with biting chill converges in the air, tearing out a fierce howl like a roaring dragon.
The falling snow almost blinds vision; those at the front of the team occasionally pull out the directional compass to assess the path forward, then continue marching with their heads down.
Having walked for three consecutive days, the first batch of trainees from the Snow Valley Training Camp still hasn’t crossed the Snow Mountain area.
The leading Ghost Pupil notices a cave not far away, turns around, and calls out to those behind.
"There’s a cave ahead; let’s go in and rest for a while."
"Perfect timing to eat something." Li Zheng, standing beside him, also nods in agreement.
Subsequently, the group follows Ghost Pupil towards the cave.
The cave is located at the bottom of a steep cliff, half-hidden under the perennial snow, with icicles hanging above the entrance.
Because the cave is at the windy position, the ice walls occasionally emit a low, prolonged echo as the cold wind sweeps past.
Upon entering the cave, the trainees from the first training camp do not hurry to rest. Instead, they cautiously go deeper into the cave to ensure no monsters reside inside, then put down their backpacks.
Speaking, Ghost Pupil takes out three burning sticks from his backpack, places them on the ground, and raises his hand to ignite them with Elemental Flames.
The other trainees, seeing this, also take out burning sticks one after another, lighting multiple flames inside the cave.
People sit down around the fire clusters.
Ghost Pupil then takes out a Shield Crystal from his backpack, throws it towards the cave entrance, and triggers it with his consciousness.
Immediately, the Shield Crystal shatters, transforming into an ice-blue Light Shield that quickly expands, until it perfectly aligns with the cave’s rocky entrance, blocking the cold wind continuously blowing into the cave.
"Eat first to replenish Physical Strength, then split into two groups for rest, each sleeping for 3 hours, alternating vigilance." Ghost Pupil said in a deep voice at this moment, and glanced at Li Zheng:
"After eating, your Player Clan and the Night Hawk Clan, and the Brass Clan sleep first; the other trainees and we from the Four Eyes Clan take responsibility for keeping watch."
"No problem." Li Zheng immediately agreed with Ghost Pupil’s decision.
Glancing at the diverse forms of ice columns and ice flowers on the cave walls, Li Zheng and the Liver Emperor Group players take out compressed energy paste from their backpacks, bite open the packaging with their teeth, and take a giant bite.
The taste of the energy paste wasn’t as bad as imagined. Upon entry, one first feels a fresh yet slightly herbal aroma, the smell of various chosen Spirit Plant Essences mixed together. After swallowing, a unique fragrance rises from the stomach, akin to walking in a forest during dawn, breathing in nature’s gifts.
As the energy paste swiftly dissolves in the stomach, a spicy flavor quietly emerges. This is the taste of "Ginger Spirit," a unique spiritual material similar to spicy herbs; its presence seems to ignite a small flame within, quickly dispelling fatigue and chill, bringing warmth from inside out.
Next, a faint sweetness reveals itself as the outer layer melts, like a breeze on a summer day, gently caressing spiritual consciousness, not only balancing the spicy front but also adding a touch of softness to the overall flavor.
Finally, an almost imperceptible woody or floral scent slowly emerges.
The seemingly ordinary energy paste not only quickly replenishes the body but also provides spiritual comfort and aids in healing injuries.
It is one of the primary foods for warriors of the Reverse Tide Army in battle.
Kuang Sha, the instructor, claimed that making one energy paste involves complex processes, needing the consumption of more than 30 Spirit Plants./p>
Li Zheng never doubted this.
After inquiring with Guidance, he learned that a single energy paste could exchange for 83 points of sacrificial power.
Which shows the Reverse Tide Army’s regard for warriors.
Without further consideration, after swallowing an entire energy paste, Li Zheng spoke in the voice channel:
"Sleep now, we’ll take over for the watch later."
"Goodnight." After exchanging goodnight wishes, the players of the Liver Emperor Group leaned against the rock wall and closed their eyes.
Having rushed without proper rest for several days, sleepiness quickly engulfed them the moment they closed their eyes, soon entering deep sleep status.
On the other hand, although Ghost Pupil and others were fighting sleepiness, they steadfastly stayed awake to stay alert to possible dangers.
Outside the Starting Snow Valley Training Camp lies the world of monsters.
This journey, despite having been traveled by countless trainees, still holds various crises and risks.
Each year’s journey from stage one to stage two sees numerous death cases.
In Ghost Pupil’s eyes, even if the probability of encountering danger in the Snow Mountain is small, preparation to respond and guard against it must be done as long as there’s a chance.
Rubbing his hands, Ghost Pupil turned to look at the sleeping Player Clan members, then took another energy paste from his backpack, bit off a big piece, and allowed it to dissolve in his mouth until the spicy sensation from layers of melting kicked in and refreshed his spirit.
hours later, the Player Clan and others were awakened to take over vigilance, and the exhausted Four Eyes Clan and other trainees decisively closed their eyes to rest upon their awakening.
After alternating this process twice, the trainees from the training camp regained their mental state.
Before leaving, Ghost Pupil took out a map from his backpack and spread it on the ground.
Then positioned the directional compass at the upper right corner of the map to estimate the remaining journey.
Meanwhile, Li Zheng and others curiously gathered around.