Sealing? The seal of the Ice Witch?
Chen Qi's heart jumped.
This rift is actually related to the Ice Witch?
Although traces of the Ice Witch are omnipresent in the Witch Sea, this was the first time he encountered signs of the Ice Witch within a rift.
In legend, the Ice Witch hailed from the distant land of Frostwinter Kingdom and was a Saint surpassing the Fourth Rank Legend; she was the savior of the Witch Sea, the strongest amongst the witches, and the keeper of order in the Witch Sea.
However, what she did far exceeded just that.
To prevent the Witch Sea from becoming foul land, the Ice Witch also possessed the power of prophecy. She would set seals to stifle any elements that could potentially destroy the Witch Sea.
The fact that this rift could be sealed by the Ice Witch precisely demonstrated its value.
Moreover, she would occasionally appear in various major events and, every century, train a witch.
Fen, the Flower Witch, was the youngest disciple of the Ice Witch.
The Ice Witch had set a seal in this place... Chen Qi looked toward the transparent, illusory barrier with a sense of ominous premonition.
In legend, like the Deep Sea Hunters, the Ice Witch too was a hunter of deep-sea monsters!
And, compared to hunting large sea beasts, she preferred killing humanoid deep-sea monsters.
Chen Qi, as such, was exactly the type of prey the Ice Witch most yearned to hunt.
Only, unlike the now-deceased Deep Sea Hunters, this witch was merely asleep.
"Qi, step back!"
The little raven stepped in front of Chen Qi and drank a vial of Blood Medicine.
At the same time, she unraveled her tied-up hair and took off the cumbersome Pharmacist's robe, revealing the shorts and black vest underneath that were suitable for combat, as well as her toned muscles.
She had not neglected her physical training.
Chen Qi looked toward the little raven, also readying himself for battle.
Just then, the hand of the one in the white cloak was already on the barrier of the Ice Witch.
"The final hurdle..."
Undoubtedly, anyone trying to break the seal would incur the Ice Witch's penalty!
Chen Qi took a step back as a special inspiration once again flashed through his mind.
[You have heard the warning inspiration from the Ice Witch.]
["Halt your steps, travelers, for this is an ancient dream from tens of thousands of meters beneath the deep sea, it shall bring no blessings from the deep, only cursed soil upon the world."]
["Once it descends upon this world, everyone shall die."]
Hearing the warning left behind by the Ice Witch a century ago, the white cloak let out a scoff of disdain:
"Halt? Everyone is destined to die anyway, the world will eventually become cursed soil, the black blood has long been tainted; a dying witch's seal also wants to stop the tide of the deep sea!"
The white cloak ignored the inspiration, placing his hand on the barrier and continuously channeling the Spiritual Power of the Void!
At the same time, the Tricorn Knight behind him kept splashing black, tainted blood upon the barrier.
The inspiration went off again!
["I say again, halt."]
The white cloak took a forceful step forward, his body straining.
Crack! Crack!
Gigantic cracks suddenly appeared on the barrier.
["One last time, halt."]
With the opportunity right before him, the white cloak had no intention of stopping.
At the end, they did not heed the inspiration but only heard a laugh filled with supreme contempt:
'Hmph——'
Amidst a clear sound of shattering glass, the entire barrier instantly crumbled!
At the same time, a gigantic Black Ice Golem burst forth from the ground beneath them.
Boom!
Its body was composed of a giant rune-engraved stone block, entwined with numerous runes and a layer of black scales.
Also, at the center of this statue was a core burning with blue flame.
Chen Qi scanned it in an instant.
Bonfire Energy Company's military-grade energy core, rune stones from the royal workshops of Frostwinter Kingdom, and the black scales that covered it!
These were the scales of a near-sea overlord!
An ordinary Third-tier Transcendent would stand no chance against this Black Ice Golem!
Boom! Though the Ice Demon Statue was only five meters tall, considering the materials from which it was made, it could easily massacre ordinary Third-tier Transcendents.
And remember, the highest limit within this crack was a Third-order Transcendent!
Rumble! Rumble!
The core engine of the Ice Demon Statue was starting up, generating a deafening roar.
The white cloak turned and said to the little raven:
"Little Crow of the Black Whale Group, this old man must proceed to the altar; this Ice Demon Statue is now your responsibility."
The little raven's heart pounded, a cold sweat dripping:
"I fight the Ice Demon Statue? I'm just a fragile doctor responsible for Potion R&D; white cloak, don't forget, I'm the representative of the Black Whale Group. If I die, the Black Whale Group won't let you off; the old lady could use a fitting new dog right now."
The White Cloak tilted his head slightly, unconcerned:
"You are not just a simple doctor, but a Third-order Cup Shadow profession, a subject of potion experiments. Under the influence of potions, the strength you exhibit in a short period of time can even rival the moves of a Fourth Rank Transcendent.
Crow Doctor, you are stronger than I imagined, and what's more, the young captain by your side has also concealed his true strength. Having the courage to come here with us, he must possess extraordinary abilities. You folks will win..."
"Win... Hahahaha!"
As he spoke, the White Cloak couldn't help but laugh.
This is the creation of the Ice Witch, a mere crow cannot possibly withstand it.
"However, delaying time is enough——"
By now, he saw no need to play the role of a kindly old man.
The White Cloak silently raised his hand, casting a spell on himself and the Triangle Helmet Knight.
A dark membrane covered everyone present.
Void Arts, Fade!
Fade, a Third Rank Void spell, can erase one's own presence, and any entity trying to observe them will suffer a light psychic assault.
For golems that detect through sensing spiritual power and strength, this is the perfect counter-spell.
However, considering this is the statue of the Ice Witch, besides concealing their presence, they must also leave behind something that could attract the golem!
Clearly, this White Cloak had turned her into bait for luring the monster!
She might be an undercover agent, but ostensibly, she is an executive of the Black Whale Group!
The little crow said coldly;
"The Black Whale Group won't let you off, its executives cannot be insulted by others. Big Mama will tear open your spine, the Blood Hunter will harvest your soul..."
The executives of the Black Whale Group can be insulted, but they must not be killed.
Anyone who kills an executive of the Black Whale Group will personally be hunted by the Fourth Rank Blade Phase Blood Hunter, sailing on a crimson boat, hunting for his soul and blood!
The White Cloak finally turned back:
"Indeed, if it were just an old man nearing his end who killed an executive, punishment would be inevitable. But once I receive the Sea God's blessing and advance to the Fourth Rank, stepping into the realm of Legends——"
"Who then would bother to blame a Legend for the death of a Third-order ant? Even the adjudicators of Shell Country would likely stand on my side."
According to the laws of Shell Country, once one becomes a Fourth Rank Legend, even if they commit a grave crime, they are not sentenced to death but are sent to atone as an edge hunter on the frontier.
The reason why the Fourth Rank is referred to as Legends is that they can stand above ordinary rules.
The White Cloak no longer paid any heed to the little crow's warning and walked towards the altar.
In his eyes, with the imminent Descent of the Ancient Deep Sea Entity, the little crow and the captain are bound to die eventually.
It's better to let them serve some purpose before their death.
The Ice Demon Statue's body was getting hotter and hotter!
Chen Qi took out the black blade and Meat Cutting Bone Breaking from his backpack card and commanded the Deep Sea Water Elf to enter battle mode.
"Number One."
"Vaku Vaku (Master, understood!)"
The Deep Sea Water Elf assumed a defensive posture.
"Damn it!"
Although the little crow had anticipated this step, she was powerless.
She could not defy the Black Whale Group's orders and had to enter this crack.
Boom!
The moment the engines were preheated, the Ice Demon Statue charged forward, its massive fist like a high-speed missile.
Targeting the little crow... Chen Qi quickly drew his sword and used Shadow Blade Slash, cutting towards the Ice Demon Statue.
A searing flame was slashed into the body of the Ice Demon Statue!
In an instant, there was a flare of light!
Yet despite this, the Ice Demon Statue, with its sharp, scale-covered fists, still landed a solid punch on the little crow's abdomen!
"Puh——"
The little crow spewed a mouthful of fresh blood, instantly feeling her organs shatter!
Looking down at her bloody abdomen, she saw the Deep Sea Water Elf Number One latched onto her stomach, helping to lessen the impact of the blow.
"Vaku Vaku (Master! It hurts...)"
The Deep Sea Water Elf let out a pained moan.
"Sorry..."
The little crow crushed and drank ten bottles of Potion.
She had not engaged in real combat for too long and hadn't reacted in time to the charge of the Ice Demon Statue, causing a weak Water Elf to take damage for her.
Now, she had no choice but to fight!
Fight!
A subject of potion experiments needs no weapon; a body hopped up on potions is the sharpest sword!
The little crow licked away the fresh red blood medicine from the corner of her mouth.
The next second, she bent her arm and gently placed her tiny fist against the massive stone fist of the Ice Demon Statue and then softly chanted:
"Inch Energy. Open Heaven!"