The icy tornado left a trail of frost and frozen stalactites, showcasing its incredible coldness.
Quinn was shocked and quickly abandoned the damaged Hossu, summoning a small green bamboo raft.
The raft expanded instantly into a large bamboo screen, emitting a brilliant green light that managed to hold off the extreme cold of the icy tornado.
Roland’s face changed color as he gritted his teeth. “Absolute Zero, Iceheart Blade!”
A massive snow cloud formed at the top of the cave. With a thunderous roar, countless sharp ice swords shot down from the cloud, bringing with them a terrifying wind of absolute zero, aimed once again at Quinn.
Quinn’s face turned pale. Under normal circumstances, he might have been able to withstand this attack. However, Leo’s earlier thunderous strike had already left him severely injured. Escape was no longer an option; Quinn had to brace himself and pointed at the bamboo raft.
In mid-air, the jade bamboo raft disintegrated into thousands of sharp bamboo spears, setting up a fierce confrontation with the countless ice swords.
The air was filled with continuous explosions, green light from the shattered bamboo and white light from the broken ice swords, leaving everyone’s ears ringing and vision blurred.
As Leo and the others worried for Roland, they suddenly heard Roland shout loudly, followed by Quinn’s agonizing scream.
Soon, the wind and clouds dissipated, and everything returned to calm.
Leo and the others looked closely and were overjoyed. Quinn had been defeated and was now a huge human-shaped ice sculpture.
Roland seemed to have exhausted all his strength. Though he wore a smile of victory, he was panting heavily, his face pale with fatigue.
“Well done!” The WONDER team cheered in unison.
Roland forced a smile. “You guys go ahead. Leave marks along the way. I’ll rest for a bit and then catch up.”
Maximilian hesitated but agreed. “Alright, be careful. Let’s move quickly.”
Leo and the others nodded at Roland and then hurried deeper into the cave with Maximilian.
Roland sighed in relief and quickly sat down to meditate and recover his energy. The recent battle had drained him significantly.
The cave soon fell silent, with only the sparkling ice sculpture glistening in the faint firelight, lifelike and vivid.
Time seemed to stand still in the cave. After running for an unknown distance, Leo and the others finally saw another large cavern ahead.
Their eyes lit up as they saw dozens of precious night pearls embedded in the cave walls, emitting bright yet soft white light.
In the center of the cavern was a large pool of water, clear but unfathomably deep, appearing a mesmerizing sea blue under the pearl light.
It was a breathtaking sight.
Before they could fully appreciate it, their gaze froze on the center of the pool.
There was a small island in the pool, only about ten square meters, slightly elevated and flat, seemingly ordinary.
But what was extraordinary was that a young woman in white sat serenely on the island.
She wore light gauze around her feet, her hair elegantly tied up, her face stunningly beautiful and pure as if untouched by worldly dust.
In front of her was an ancient zither and an incense burner emitting a faint fragrance, making her look even more ethereal, like a fairy.
Such a scene in the lair of an evil cult was indeed strange.
Leo and the others exchanged puzzled glances.
Maximilian stepped forward and coughed lightly. “We are from WONDER. May I ask who you are and why you are here?”
The woman in white smiled faintly. “I am Charlotte, the Saintess of Moonstone Sect. How could you not know?”
Maximilian’s face darkened. “So you are here to stop us?”
“Yes,” Charlotte replied softly. “It is my duty. Please understand. To avoid making things difficult for me, it would be best if you turned back.”
The WONDER team hesitated. They were never afraid of facing any vicious enemies. But this fairy-like girl made them reluctant to act harshly.
Maximilian continued, “Miss, Moonstone Sect has committed countless crimes. With your extraordinary beauty, is it worth serving such an evil cult?”
Vivian also spoke gently, “Yes, sister, you are so beautiful like a fairy. Why associate with Moonstone Sect?”
Charlotte was silent for a moment before replying softly, “I have been orphaned since childhood. The sect leader took me in as his adopted daughter and raised me. I cannot forget his kindness.”
“Even though Moonstone Sect has many faults, as its Saintess and to repay my adopted father’s great kindness, I must do my duty.”
It seemed that a battle was inevitable!
Maximilian, experienced in decisive actions, made up his mind quickly. “Then forgive us.”
He took a deep breath and prepared to strike.
Just then, Knox said suddenly, “Mr. Ramsey, let me handle her.”
Before he finished speaking, Vivian also volunteered eagerly, “Let me do it!”
Leo smiled slightly, understanding their thoughts. If Maximilian acted with his iron-blooded nature, he might harm Charlotte. Knox and Vivian wanted to preserve her life as much as possible.
Leo decided not to intervene and watched quietly.
Maximilian understood their intentions too and felt some reluctance. He smiled wryly. “Alright, Vivian, you handle it.”
“Yes,” Vivian nodded excitedly and looked at Charlotte. “Miss, be careful. I’m going to attack now. Don’t get hurt.”
Leo couldn’t help but laugh; Maximilian and Knox felt the same way. They exchanged helpless glances.
Was she playing house?
Charlotte smiled faintly. “Go ahead. I am very skilled; you won’t hurt me.”
Vivian giggled. “Here I come!”
She raised her delicate hand, and a purple-blue flying sword shot out.
In mid-air, the sword’s light flickered over three feet long as it flew straight towards Charlotte like a swift bird.
Charlotte remained calm and quickly placed her slender hands on the zither strings.
“Ding!”
A melodious sound like flowing water emerged from the zither.
Instantly, something magical happened.
The calm pool water rippled suddenly, then dozens of bright crystal water threads shot up like lightning and wrapped around the flying sword.
In an instant, the seemingly sharp sword was entangled like a bee caught in a spider web. Despite its struggles, it remained firmly bound by the water threads.