Chapter 129: Ice Sentinels
The tunnel’s upward slope gradually leveled out, opening into a wider chamber. The temperature, already frigid, dropped even further. Grim’s breath no longer just clouded before him but crystallized entirely, tiny ice particles falling from the air where he exhaled.
"Be ready," Bi’an warned in a low voice. "The sentinels will be waiting for us."
They had barely taken three steps into the chamber when the air shimmered around them. What Grim had mistaken for ice formations along the walls began to move. Figures detached themselves from the frozen surfaces, stepping forward.
The Ice Sentinels of Ao Shun stood before them—tall, humanoid creatures with skin so pale blue it was nearly translucent. Beneath their skin, Grim could see the faint outline of veins, appearing to be formed from different densities of ice. Their eyes were completely white, without pupil or iris, and seemed to glow.
Five sentinels had materialized, each holding a weapon formed entirely of ice—spears and curved blades. Despite being made of Ice. They moved as if they were humans. Nothing was rigid, everything looked smooth when they walked.
"Travelers," one of the sentinels spoke, its voice resonating like ice cracking on a frozen lake. "You trespass in the realm of Lord Ao Shun, Dragon King of the North Sea."
"We come in peace," Bi’an replied, stepping forward. "I am Bi’an, fourth son of Ao Guang, Dragon King of the East Sea. This is my brother Suanni, eighth son of Ao Guang. We seek audience with our uncle."
The sentinel’s white eyes narrowed as they shifted to Suanni. "You bring fire to the realm of ice. This is an affront to Lord Ao Shun."
"The fire was necessary to repel a frost behemoth that attacked us," Suanni explained. "We meant no disrespect to your lord."
The sentinel’s gaze moved to Grim, and the temperature seemed to drop another few degrees. "You bring a human into the sacred depths. Another transgression."
"This human is under our protection," Bi’an said firmly. "He assists us in an important matter concerning all the sea realms."