As the last week of the month began, the snowstorm outside had gotten stronger and this time hail started to fall as well. They tribe could even hear some low banging on the roof due to the small windows. But thankfully the cave is sturdy enough to keep protecting them from the cruelty outside.
First day of the last week of the month.
Just as his system had informed him, the temperature had dropped drastically this morning. In their human form, despite sitting near the bonfire their breathing still causes white smoke as they exhale. The clothes on them aren't enough to protect them anymore. The children were specially affected. Even when they're parents hug them in their beast cub, it still couldn't stop them from shivering badly.
"D-Dad I'm so c-cold~" a little cub in his beast form said.
His dad instantly wrapped him in a thick fur blanket. "Child, wait a bit, let dad cover you with a blanket and dad will hug you in your sleep." said the dad of this little cub who instantly turned to a big bear. He pulled the blanket where his cub is to his body and hugs it tightly.
This scene happens collectively inside the cave. Adult beastmen worked together to warm the children of the tribe.
On the first day the temperature had already dropped to -10 degrees. This morning Xuebao and Meizhou roam around the cave to check on the tribe's state. They've started frowning when they see most children's beastmen pale faces as they shiver nonstop in the bosom of their parents. The ones who approached them to report were Tuzi and his two fiancés.
Tuzi spoke but his voice was obviously stuttering from the cold. "Baobao. The wooden door in front of the cave had frozen. The ice prevents it from being closed completely."
"Are there enough coal and wood?" asked Xuebao.
Xiong answered, "There is indeed enough but… At this rate it would take just a few days to completely use it up."
Warrior Lang spoke, "The hail outside had gotten stronger and the ceiling of the cave might partly crumble as well."
"My love, I need to pray outside. Can you open the door for me?" asked Xuebao as he looked at his husband.
"I will open the door and accompany you outside." said Meizhou.
The other three don't understand what the two of them meant. The only thing they understand is that these two were planning on doing something and will be going out in the hellish outside world.
Tuzi courageously grabbed Xuebao with red eyes.
"You can't. You mustn't! It's so damn freezing just by standing near the door and you wanted to come out! NO! I don't agree. I don't!" said Tuzi as he tightly held on Xuebao's arm above his clothes.
Xuebao responded, "But it's my duty… To keep the tribe safe no matter what."
"Don't worry. I will accompany him outside. Before it gets worse I'll bring him inside right away. Just prepared an extra large bonfire and heat bathing water for us." said Meizhou as he held Xuebao's hand.
"But!?"
"Tutu!? Calm down!" The one who yelled at Tuzi with a reprimanding tone is Priest Anbao.
Beside him is Priest Linshe and the former tribe leader, Zhubao. They immediately looked for Xuebao and Meizhou as the priests received a message from the Beast God.
"Master?!" called Xiong and Tuzi.
"Greetings to the tribe's priests and High elder Zhubao!" said Lang as he saluted to the three elders.
The three nodded back at his greeting.
"I know you would be doing something. In this kind of cold weather only you are able to come out alive under these circumstances. You are a snow leopard like your dad after all. I also remember that every winter only your dad would be able to hunt food for the tribe. It seems to be the same for our son." said Zhubao.
"I'm only going to pray a bit for the Beast God's Protection." said Xuebao.
"Our leader. The Beast God had told us to pass you a message." said Priest Linshe.
Xuebao's expression remained unconcerned even when the Beast God was mentioned.
"What is it?"
"The Beast God says that – 'Stop using my name as a cover to your own special ability. You deserved more if you're planning to do something for your own family.'…Baobao it was a lie that you're going to pray for the Beast God. Instead you are going to use your unique ability to protect the tribe from winter. Why are you trying to hide it from us? Special abilities are something normal for High rank warriors even Shizi and Meizhou have." said Priest Anbao.
Everyone looked at Xuebao when one of the priests said that. They also don't understand why their leader is hiding his special ability. Now that they've thought about it they haven't seen their Leader's unique ability. The former tribe leader Shizi's special ability is King's Will while Meizhou is called Death God domain.
Xuebao didn't answer and instead kept his silence. Only Meizhou did the talking instead.
Meizhou spoke, "Because his special ability is different from mine or Shizi's. It wasn't invoked by him but it is something that could affect his whole surroundings."
"Affect the whole surrounding? What do you mean?" asked the bewildered Priest Linshe.
On the other hand Priest Anbao stayed silent as if thinking deeply of something. With Meizhou's rigid explanation even Zhubao couldn't understand it at all.
Zhubao jabbed at his little brother, "An, what is this brat talking about?" he whispered to the priest beside him.
"Baobao can you answer uncle's few questions please?" asked Priest Anbao.
They saw Xuebao nod his head.
"Is it something you can't just use as you wish?"
Xuebao replied, "I can use it any time but unless the time is right it's strength will be lessened greatly."
"Is your ability stronger during winter?"
"Yes. It's the greatest at this time."
Priest Anbao's eyes widened in disbelief but at the same time he was excited when he heard his nephew's answer. He could somewhat guess what his nephew's unique ability is.
"I see. I see. I understand now. You two can go ahead. But it's better if A'Zhou remained on standby near the entrance. Don't get out unless something happens to Baobao. You do not have resistance towards ice. You understand A'Zhou?" said Priest Anbao.
Meizhou nodded, "I will watch from a distance."
"That's good. Ask the rest of the tribe to move away from the door. The rest of the tribesmen, especially the children and the females, go to the inner chambers. We'll be breaking the door open." said Priest Anbao.
Before a commotion happened in the cave the elders had taken control of the tribesmen. Priest Anbao, Priest Linshe and Zhubao have watched the chosen pair walk towards the blocked entrance holding each other's hand. Tuzi and his men watch them from a distance. Until they stood in front of the frozen door and looked at each other.
Meizhou looked at his wife and said, "There would be wild animals in the vicinity. Focus on what you want to do and leave the rest to me. Okay?"
Xuebao smiled and nodded his head. Meizhou kissed his forehead Then with one push from his hand the wooden door broke to numerous pieces. They've finally seen the cruelty the white land had experienced. Outside the cave is nothing but white snow. The trees had all turned to crystal like figurines as it was coated with ice. Running figures of few animals were frozen in front of the cave, they were unable to run away on time as the temperature drastically dropped for them to even run away. It is an Ice World outside the cave. As if they've glimpsed a different land. Pure and untainted but merciless and cruel. That's how they express the world before them.
Just when a strong surge of ice and snow tries to invade the interior of the cave, they've seen a small figure strode forward. With a single step from him the snow and ice who wanted to enter the cave had disappeared. Now it's better to say that it retreated. At this moment even Meizhou retreated from the open door joining the rest inside the cave.
Once they've seen traces of ice on Meizhou's skin that they've realized how cold and how fast the Ice spread on the living.
Priest Anbao ordered, "Bring a very thick coat for Meizhou immediately!!!"
"Y-Yes!!"
Once the thick coat covered Meizhou his shivering halted but there's still some traces of ice and snow on his hair.
"How about my Baobao!?" asked Zhubao in a panic.
"Calm down old man! My wife is okay. This kind of thing doesn't affect him at all." replied Meizhou. "But it's really cold outside and all living things have turned to ice."
Then they were all left dazed when they saw Xuebao who was standing in front of the entrance unhindered by anything. The snow and ice avoids him as if afraid of him at the same time revered him. Everyone was left in awe and amazement but such a majestic scene. Only his white hair flows as the wind blows, his fair skin sparkles in the presence of snow. Like the God of Winter who controls all ice.
Zhubao was rendered speechless in shock. "…"
Priest Linshe was stunned to the point his mouth widened enough for a whole egg to fit. His finger trembles as he points at the small figure in front of them. He couldn't believe what was happening before his eyes.
"T-T-This… This is!! Don't tell me the Leader's unique skill is this! This is too god like. Only deities could control such a thing! You are telling me that our leader could control Ice!!?" exclaimed Priest Linshe.
"Watch if you don't believe. The answer would be shown for us to see." responded Priest Anbao.
Xuebao looked nonchalantly at the white paradise before him and murmured few words as if talking to himself.
"Retreat. Keep away from the surrounding of the cave 10 meters away."
Everyone heard Xuebao's words and thought he was talking on his own before they could even react to the converging snow around the cave and in front of the entrance had retreated like it was alive. It was moving slowly as Xuebao took a step forward. Seeing this mystical scene everyone was dumbfounded. Only Meizhou walked forward bravely as he took his steps towards his lover in front of him. Now that the snow had started to retreat, he started feeling a dangerous presence within the area. Those were ferocious beasts unhindered by this cruel weather.
Most of those beasts were towering tall and they all loved to eat meat for a meal. As he steps forwards he activates his unique ability called Death God Domain. This is a special ability which allows the user to spread his killing intent at certain spaces. Anyone who entered that space would be killed without any means of defense as only the user is absolute inside that domain.
Once Meizhou covered the whole area around the cave with his domain everyone heard loud roars and shrieking from within the white veiled wilderness. Just the fact they could clearly hear those howls made them shivered. They didn't know there were those kinds of beasts that could still freely roam around in this kind of weather. Only then did the Priests inform the tribesmen what those things were. The revelation dreams they had aren't as clear as what their priests had seen. Only they had witnessed those monsters eating their tribe from what they've seen in their dreams. They knew how dreadful those beings are. But they were surprised that Meizhou's ability is able to keep those things away from approaching.
In front of them Meizhou had finally reached Xuebao and held his hands.
Meizhou spoke, "I can only keep them away for an hour. What do you plan to do baby?"
"I will create an ice dome to protect the cave and prevent those things from entering. I might have overused my qi so… Carry me back inside afterwards." replied Xuebao with a smile.
Hearing this Meizhou knew he couldn't stop him. He couldn't even help him as the restriction of this world was preventing him from using his full capabilities. Merging his souls could only allow him to move unhindered under the eyes of the Heavenly laws but that doesn't mean he had the same authority as his wife has. Unless he chooses to destroy the world only then he would be able to use his full strength. He could only leave the rest for his wife to do.
He pulled Xuebao in a hug and gave him a kiss. Once the kiss had finished he let Xuebao continue what he wanted to do.
He watches him as those invisible to human eyes Ice essences and spirit hovers excitedly around his wife. He could only frown and wanted to squeeze them dead one by one in jealousy. Those things followed his wife's commands. They've worked together as an Ice dome was being made under everyone's naked eye. It only took a few minutes for a transparent but thick Ice dome to appear around the ten meters space with the cave as it's center. It's like watching an ice castle be made in front of you. It is clear and beautiful.
Meizhou caught Xuebao who entered deep sleep after overusing his body's qi. In his current state his cultivation isn't even close to the Gods of this world. Xuebao's real cultivation was sealed like his memories and skills.
Everyone saw the scene of how the ice dome was made and were surprised to see their leader fall over until Meizhou securely caught him in his embrace. After seeing the snowstorm was unable to affect the certain space around the cave that Zhubao and the rest all ran out to check on the two who did all the work.
Zhubao looked at his son worriedly. "Brat what is wrong with my Baobao!?"
"Asleep. He got tired. Don't worry he is fine. He should be able to wake up for tomorrow's dinner. The dome should also prevent the temperature from entering. It will drop slowly at the normal level after a few hours. Can I leave the rest to you? I will look after my wife for a bit. There is no need to send me meals. I will only eat when Bao'er wakes up." said Meizhou.
Zhubao and the elders nodded while saying to leave the rest to them and they could take the rest of the day off until Xuebao woke up. Once Meizhou entered the cave to rest the elders had looked at their surroundings checking out the Ice dome that protects them from the snow storm and hail.
Zhubao said in awe, "This is… Really huge not only that… It's thick enough to prevent even the king of beasts from trespassing."
"Is this the Leader's unique skill? It is more like a God skill!!" exclaimed Priest Linshe.
"But this skill is only this strong during winter, most of the time it wouldn't be this overwhelming." said Priest Anbao.
"No wonder Baobao rarely uses this skill." said Zhubao.
Priest Linshe spoke, "This is heaven defying enough. As expected of the chosen one."
