Join Tang San and Get Xiao Wu

Meng Bei cast a peculiar glance at Xiao Wu, as if realizing something, and turned to leave. Ning Rongrong could only watch helplessly as Xiao Wu snatched away the coat that should have been hers. 

She trembled with anger but couldn't say anything. 

Then, Xiao Wu offered her own coat to Ning Rongrong. 

"Here, Rongrong. Take mine so you don't catch a cold," she said.

Ning Rongrong: …

The group continued on their journey and soon passed through a small town. This settlement, located near the **Far North**, also happened to be Meng Bei's hometown.

They left their wild horses in the care of the townsfolk, replenished their supplies, and then ventured into the **Far North**. 

The region was a frozen expanse of endless white, where biting winds howled ceaselessly. Even the air itself crystallized into frost upon exhalation.

The map of the Far North marked the area with three large red warnings: **Danger, Danger, Danger**. 

As they progressed, the Grandmaster began explaining the objectives of their spirit hunt.

"Our target this time is a thousand-year **Snow Hare**, **Snow Fox**, or **Tundra Leopard**. These are among the more common spirit beasts in the Far North and are compatible with Meng Bei's Snow Hare spirit," he explained.

He paused before continuing, "Also, while **Snow Wolves** are common here, avoid engaging them. Snow Wolves are pack animals, and provoking one could lead to significant trouble."

The group nodded in agreement. 

Dai Mubai then assigned positions within the formation: he took the lead, clearing the way. Tang San covered the rear. Ning Rongrong, Oscar, and the Grandmaster were positioned in the protected center, while the others spread out to guard the flanks.

Flender soared above, monitoring the area from the skies, prepared to intervene only if absolutely necessary.

With potential dangers lurking at every turn, everyone remained vigilant, summoning their spirits and staying on high alert.

Meng Bei also activated his spirit. 

His **Snow Hare** spirit manifested subtly, adding a pair of snow-white ears atop his head, while his eyes glowed an even brighter shade of blue. 

Thanks to the **spirit evolution elixir** he had taken the previous night, the activation of his spirit emitted a faint but palpable pressure. A chill radiated from him, causing the surrounding team members to shiver.

Xiao Wu, in particular, felt her legs go weak and almost stumbled into Meng Bei's arms. She managed to stabilize herself with her spirit power just in time, avoiding an embarrassing reveal. 

The Grandmaster noticed this and, with a curious glint in his eyes, turned to Meng Bei. 

"Meng Bei, are you sure your spirit is just a Snow Hare?" he asked.

Meng Bei froze, startled by how perceptive the Grandmaster was. 

Though online discussions in his past life had often ridiculed the Grandmaster as a "useless genius," it seemed that while flawed, he wasn't entirely without skill.

Feigning ignorance, Meng Bei replied with feigned surprise, "Yes, it's what I was told during my spirit awakening."

The Grandmaster's eyes gleamed with a knowing light. 

"No, that can't be right. A regular Snow Hare spirit doesn't exert this kind of presence," he concluded confidently. "Based on what I've observed, I suspect your spirit may be a **mutated variant**, similar to Ma Hongjun's. The mutation in your case seems less obvious, which is why it wasn't identified earlier."

"Really? That explains a lot!" Meng Bei exclaimed with a look of sudden understanding.

The Grandmaster nodded, satisfied with his deduction. He elaborated further, hypothesizing that Meng Bei's mutation might involve enhanced ice element manipulation, given the drop in temperature when his spirit was summoned. 

The group nodded in agreement, impressed by the analysis. 

Meng Bei clapped enthusiastically, showering the Grandmaster with praise, making the latter beam with pride. 

With that settled, the group resumed their trek across the snowy terrain. The howling winds and blanketed landscape concealed unseen dangers, keeping everyone on edge.

Meng Bei took up a position on the outer perimeter, protecting the support-type spirit masters in the center. Ning Rongrong instinctively gravitated toward him, seeking an opportunity to reconcile. The silence between them over the past few days had left her feeling uneasy, and she was eager to clear up any misunderstandings.

However, just as she was about to approach, a figure stepped between them, blocking her path. 

Xiao Wu flashed a mischievous smile and said, "Don't worry, Rongrong. I'll stand in front of you to make sure Meng Bei doesn't give you any trouble."

"Thank you," Ning Rongrong muttered through gritted teeth, her frustration barely contained. 

Though she wanted nothing more than to shove Xiao Wu aside, she couldn't blame her. After all, Xiao Wu was acting with good intentions. Ning Rongrong was left stewing in her own bitterness.

Meng Bei, observing the entire scene, smirked knowingly. 

When Xiao Wu briefly turned her head and accidentally met his gaze, she quickly averted her eyes, flustered. 

**Caught you.** Meng Bei thought to himself. 

She's not being honest, he mused. She claims to like Tang San, but after what happened between us, she's clearly reluctant to let me go. 

Deciding to play along, Meng Bei turned to Ning Rongrong and spoke with feigned disappointment, "Rongrong, don't worry. Since you don't like me anymore, I'll stay out of your way."

Ning Rongrong was stunned, and panic flashed across her face. She hurried to explain, "No, it's not like that. Actually—"

Before she could finish, Dai Mubai's voice rang out. 

"Everyone, stay alert! We have company!" 

Amid the swirling snow, two icy arrows shot toward them. Thanks to Dai Mubai's sharp eyes, the attack was intercepted just in time. 

"**White Tiger Barrier**!" he roared, summoning his first spirit ability to strengthen his defenses before swatting one arrow aside. 

Meanwhile, Tang San's **Purple Demon Eye** activated, scanning the area. A flash of purple light revealed their attacker's location. 

"Northeast, thirty meters!" Tang San called out.

"**Blue Silver Bind**!" 

"**Phoenix Fire Line**!"

The combined attacks struck true, killing a small white creature with a single hit. 

The group approached cautiously, discovering the body of a mouse-sized white beast.

"This is an **Ice Rock Mouse**," the Grandmaster explained. 

"These creatures excel at ambushing prey in the snow. Unfortunately, this one is only at the hundred-year level. If it were a thousand years old, it could have served as Meng Bei's third spirit ring."

Leaving the Ice Rock Mouse behind, the group pressed on. 

The rest of the day passed without further incidents or significant discoveries. As night fell, they set up camp to rest.

The next morning, they set off again. 

Their luck turned. Before long, they stumbled upon a set of tracks in the snow. 

The Grandmaster crouched down, scooping some snow from the tracks to taste it. 

"Excellent!" he exclaimed, his eyes lighting up with excitement.