Quick Travel to the Clouds

Chapter 801 Challenge Dungeon 56

The sky was filled with low-hanging leaden clouds, and the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed like you could wring water out of it.

Time passed second by second.

The expected line of ice-blue storm connecting heaven and earth did not appear.

The expected terrifying prelude of a massive earthquake and the roars of monsters did not materialize.

The anticipated destructive cold wave, capable of swallowing all light and heat... vanished without a trace.

At the edge of the northern ice plains, there was only the same empty, deathly white expanse, and... a light that seemed a little brighter than usual.

One hour, two hours...

As the sun rose higher, its rays, carrying a faint warmth, shone on the ice crystal city walls that had begun to drip water slowly.

The crowd, initially tense and fearful, gradually became confused and bewildered, and then began to whisper among themselves, becoming restless and uneasy.

"The ice tide... hasn't come?"

"How is that possible? The elder's prophecies have never been wrong!"

"Could it be... could it really be as some people have guessed, that the melting of the ice is a good thing? The crisis is over?"

"Your Majesty... what exactly is going on?"

The players looked at each other in bewilderment, and the chat was filled with speculation and wariness.

"The mission prompt is still 'Survive for thirty days,' unchanged."

"Could it be a delay? Or will it erupt in some other form?"

"Were all the defensive fortifications prepared in vain?"

"What the hell is going on with this dungeon?"

Yun Chu stood alone in a secluded corner of the city wall, quietly gazing northward.

She knew that the ice tide would never again descend in such a devastating manner.

The permafrost core has been appeased and has become part of the world's stable cycle.

This wait is destined to be fruitless.

As the last second of the thirtieth day passed.

A clear and loud system notification simultaneously rang in the minds of all surviving players:

The survival mission 'Winter's Desperation' has ended.

[The fundamental global crisis has been resolved; the ultimate ice tide has not spawned. All surviving players are considered to have completed the mission.]

[Rewards settlement begins...]

[Preparing for teleportation...]

There were no earth-shattering disasters, no life-or-death escapes.

Amidst the incredulous, astonished, and even somewhat absurd gazes of countless NPCs and players, the surviving players simultaneously emitted a white glow indicating they had left the instance.

"Wait! That's it?!"

"Where's the ice tide?! What happened to the ultimate test?!"

"What on earth happened?!"

Before the exclamation could even fade, the white light had already engulfed everything.

In the last instant before leaving, Yun Chu seemed to see the direction of the Ice Heart Temple. At the top of that majestic ice crystal building, a faint, ethereal figure in an ice robe was nodding slightly in her direction.

Immediately, my vision was filled with pure white.

……

[Congratulations to player Baiyun Chu for clearing the S-rank death dungeon 'Winter's Despair'.]

[Rewards: Points +, Legendary Skill: Eternal Ice Soul, Special Title: Guardian of the Ice Abyss, Secondary Access to 'Heart of Winter' (Can summon guardian power in icy environments)...]

[Special Bonus Reward (due to the complete resolution of the world's fundamental crisis, the evaluation surpasses the limit): Obtain the original blessing of this icy world.]

In any future world or instance containing the concepts of 'ice and snow,' 'winter,' or 'desolation,' you will be considered a 'favored one of ice and snow,' gaining implicit benefits such as environmental affinity, resource awareness, and preferential adaptation to certain laws.

Yun Chu hadn't had time to look at the rewards in detail yet.

……

Mild dizziness.

The familiar scent of home filled my nostrils once again.

When Yun Chu opened her eyes, she was already back on the living room carpet in her own room, still wearing the same loungewear.

The contract mark on the waist emitted a burning heat, revealing the anxiety and concern on the other end.

Before she could fully adjust to the sudden change in time and space, a hug, filled with icy coldness and burning heat, suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace!

The force was so great that it seemed to want to knead her into his very bones.

Xie Yipei's aura completely enveloped her, and his body even trembled slightly, a mixture of lingering fear and the immense emotional impact of regaining what he had lost.

He buried his face deep in the crook of her neck, his breathing heavy, and after a long while, he managed to squeeze out a low, hoarse word through his teeth:

"I'm back."

Yun Chu was stunned for a moment, then relaxed and let herself lean into this firm and warm embrace.

She could clearly feel his rapid heartbeat and the unmistakable, overflowing concern he showed.

A cold corner in my heart seemed to be warmed a little by this overly forceful hug.

She raised her somewhat weak hand and gently wrapped it around his lean waist, pressing her face against his chest. Listening to his rapid heartbeat gradually calm down, she softly replied:

"Ah."

This response seemed to rob Xie Yipei of the last shred of composure he was forcibly maintaining.

He held her in his arms and stood in the middle of the living room for a long time, until the temperature of their skin touched was similar, and until the overwhelming fear slowly subsided.

Then, he loosened his grip on her slightly, cupped her face in his hands, and looked at her like the most precise searchlight, scanning her eyebrows, cheeks, and lips inch by inch to confirm that she was unharmed, only slightly tired.

"It was Hu Lanqin who did it." Xie Yipei's tone was resolute, carrying a chilling intent. "After you were teleported, the Divine Travel Guild used its highest authority to investigate."

"All clues and remnants of the items ultimately point to her. She used a [Designated Player Drop Card] (S-rank) obtained as a reward from a special dungeon to send you into the desolate winter."

He paused, his eyes darkening. "She's already confessed. It was love turned to hate, jealousy, and the feeling that without you, I'd only look at her. Foolish and vicious."

"Where is he?" Yun Chu asked, her face expressionless, but her eyes turned cold.

"Expelled from the guild, all points, items, and skills frozen. Locked in the Divine Speed ​​Underground Punishment Room, awaiting your disposal." Xie Yipei looked at her. "How do you intend to handle this?"

Yun Chu tugged at the corners of her mouth, forming a cold, unfriendly smile.

She is not some saint who repays evil with kindness.

Since the other party is determined to kill her, she should naturally pay the corresponding price.

The fairest thing to do is to treat someone in the same way they treat you.

"Doesn't she like using [Designated Player Drop Cards]?" Yun Chu's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable chill. "I remember there's a similar one in the guild warehouse, but the target dungeon is a random S-rank death dungeon?"

Xie Yipei immediately understood her meaning, a sharp glint of agreement flashing in his eyes: "Yes. 'Endless Nightmare,' it was only recently discovered, and the current mortality rate is ninety-eight percent."

"Then send her there," Yun Chu said calmly. "If she comes out alive, that's her skill, and we'll wipe the slate clean. If she doesn't come out..." She paused, "that's her own choice."

"Okay." Xie Yipei nodded without any objection. "I'll take care of it myself."

He released her and turned to contact his men.