Chapter 466: Meeting Xiong Er Again

Chapter 466: Reunion with Xiong Er

Li Wei followed Regimental Commander Langri to the ice-bound city of Velred.

He stood outside the city gates and looked up.

Before him lay an endless stretch of azure-blue walls, entirely forged from frigid ice.

Blue-and-white snowflake banners fluttered atop the ramparts—banners of the Ice Queen.

As Li Wei gazed upward, he occasionally caught glimpses of frost sprites moving along the battlements.

They were the true masters—and guardians—of this frozen city.

Regimental Commander Langri led Li Wei toward the gate.

There were no guards at the entrance; it had been centuries since outsiders last dared attack Velred.

Only when wild beasts drew near would the gates close.

In the Far North Glaciers, there was little fear of beast tides—for such creatures could never gather in great numbers here.

Once clustered together, food would quickly become a dire problem for them.

Stepping into the city, Li Wei found himself on a wide, empty street flanked by houses carved from ice.

Humans, orcs, dwarves, and goblins alike wore thick furs or padded coats.

Dressed only in light clothing, Li Wei attracted many curious stares as he walked down the road.

Turning to Regimental Commander Langri, he asked, “Is there a Mage Association stationed here in Velred?”

Langri shook his head. “Doesn’t seem like it. There are some mages around, sure—but you rarely see them. No one really knows where they live or what exactly they do.”

Li nodded in understanding.

It was natural enough—wizards tended to keep to themselves more than other professions.

If they were scholarly types, staying indoors all year long wouldn't be unusual at all.

Once back within the city, Langri was greeted warmly by many passersby.

Soon someone called out his name urgently, clearly needing help with something important.

Originally planning to show Li Wei around the city, Langri scratched his head apologetically upon being interrupted.

"Ah, sorry about this—I've got something urgent to deal with right now. You can explore on your own for a bit. If you need me, come find me in the western residential district."

Li Wei nodded. "Sure thing. Thanks."

"No trouble at all. See you later if we get the chance."

Waving goodbye, Langri turned and departed with two companions trailing behind.

Standing still, Li Wei gazed toward the distant palace.

Built against a towering glacier, the highest point of the city crowned a magnificent blue-ice palace—the dwelling place of the Ice Queen.

Far removed from the lower districts where humans, orcs, goblins, and others lived, separated by vast vertical distance—one high above, one nestled below.

Li Wei came seeking information regarding the Time Dragon's treasure.

Even if he couldn't pinpoint its location yet, at least he needed to learn which areas of the Far North Glaciers posed danger.

Better not stumble blindly into perilous territory unprepared.

To understand a place best, local libraries offered ideal resources.

Walking deeper into the city, Li Wei wondered aloud, “I wonder if Velred even has a library?”

He approached a passerby. “Excuse me, do you know where the library is in Velred City?”

“A library? What’s that?” The man shrugged. “Never heard of it. Try asking someone else maybe?”

“My apologies then.”

Disappointed, Li Wei turned away.

Just as he did, hurried footsteps echoed from behind.

Glancing over his shoulder, he saw a small figure dart past his feet—

So fast it vanished in the blink of an eye.

"Halt! Damn thief, stop!"

A burly man burst around the corner of the street.

Helplessly watching the tiny pickpocket vanish around another bend after passing beside him,

"Curses!" Seeing the large man before him, Li paused momentarily—a memory surfacing unexpectedly.

The face seemed familiar.

“Xiong Er?”

Surprised, Li called out.

Hearing his voice, the burly man turned back questioningly.

Recognizing Li Wei, his eyes widened in disbelief.

“You’re… Li-something, right?”

For a moment Xiong Er couldn't recall the name.

But he remembered Li Wei well—he'd won first place at the Northern Youth Mage Exchange Competition held in Flying Petals City.

That victory left a deep impression.

Li chuckled lightly. “Li Wei.”

He remembered Xiong Er simply because he bore resemblance to a certain cartoon bear from his previous life.

Slapping his hands together, Xiong Er exclaimed, “Now I remember!”

“Li Wei, why are you here?”

Curious, he questioned.

“I’m looking for something,” replied Li.

Xiong Er stared intently. “Did those damn goblin thieves steal your stuff too?”

“Well... no, actually. I'm searching for possible treasures hidden somewhere in the Far North Glaciers,” said Li.

Slightly surprised, Xiong Er responded, “You're chasing that legend too?”

Puzzled, Li asked, “Legend?”

Nodding vigorously, Xiong Er explained, “Yes, there's an ancient tale circulating across the Far North Glaciers... Ah! Almost forgot—I’ve got to catch that thief first! We can chat later. Gotta retrieve whatever the goblins stole, or the Witch will throw a fit.”

Hearing this, Li Wei's heart stirred, and he said, "I'll help you find the thief. Once we do, you must tell me everything you know about the legends."

Xiong Er looked at Li Wei with suspicion and asked, "You have a way to find the thief?"

Li Wei let out a soft laugh but did not answer.

He extended his spiritual perception, stretching its reach across six hundred meters.

Compared to before, now that Li Wei's strength had grown, the range of his spiritual perception had advanced yet again.

Not a single rustle of wind or movement of grass within those six hundred meters could escape his awareness.

Even the City of Ice and Snow was only a few six-hundred-meter spans wide.

Before long, Li Wei spotted the figure of the goblin thief that Xiong Er had been chasing.

It was huddled inside a small shack on the very next street.

The goblin thief believed it had shaken Xiong Er off, thinking that hiding away would solve all its problems.

It never anticipated crossing paths with Li Wei, who practically held the keys to the world.

Li Wei glanced at Xiong Er, turned, and said, "Follow me."

Still half-doubting, Xiong Er followed Li Wei until they stopped outside an inconspicuous igloo.

Li Wei said, "The one you're looking for is inside."

Upon hearing this, Xiong Er dashed forward without a second thought and pounded violently on the door.

"Open up! Open up!"

Even Li Wei was left somewhat dumbfounded by such reckless behavior.

Is this how people catch thieves?

He shook his head, but let it go—with him there, the goblin thief wouldn't be able to escape anyway.

Xiong Er forced the igloo door open and charged inside, but the goblin thief was nowhere to be found.

Utilizing its small stature to its advantage, the goblin thief had already escaped through a narrow hole in the ground.

Discovering the tunnel, Xiong Er beat his chest and stamped his feet in frustration.

"Curse it! We're too late, he got away! If I'd known, I would have just smashed right in!"

Li Wei looked at him silently, then turned his gaze out the window.

A massive Mage's Hand was flying toward them, clutching the goblin thief firmly in its grasp.