NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: How to Tame an Ice Serpent Without Dying
Wang Li clung to the frozen ledge, his breath ragged. His entire body ached, but at least he wasn't dead.
Yet.
One day and one night in this frozen death trap? Impossible.
Especially when a giant, man-eating ice serpent was still circling below, waiting for him to slip up.
He peeked over the edge.
In the swirling mist, two massive, glowing blue eyes stared back at him.
I hate everything.
Wang Li activated his spiritual energy, trying to regulate his body temperature. His core was already freezing, and his robes did absolutely nothing against the cold.
He needed a plan.
Step One: Don't Get Eaten
The ice serpent let out a deep hiss, its colossal body shifting in the mist. Its scales glistened with frost, its breath swirling in icy tendrils.
Wang Li gulped.
Okay. Running isn't an option. Fighting isn't an option. What's left?
His mind raced. Then, a memory surfaced.
Back when he was still Wang Tian, he had once read about frost-type spirit beasts. Most of them were territorial but followed a hierarchical structure.
That meant…
If he could convince the serpent that he was stronger, it might back off.
Brilliant. Genius. Absolutely suicidal.
Still, what choice did he have?
Step Two: Fake It Till You Make It
Wang Li forced himself to stand up straight, ignoring the pain shooting through his legs.
He exhaled, channeling every ounce of confidence he didn't have.
Then, in the most arrogant tone possible, he spoke:
"Hmph! You dare bare your fangs at me?"
The abyss fell silent.
The ice serpent stilled.
Wang Li doubled down.
"I am Wang Tian! The man who shattered the Divine Boulder with a single punch! The man who—"
ROOOOOOAR.
The ice serpent lunged.
Wang Li barely dodged, flinging himself off the ledge. His body plummeted through the air, spinning wildly.
BAD PLAN. BAD PLAN. BAD PLAN.
He crashed onto another ledge, rolling painfully to a stop. The impact knocked the air from his lungs.
Okay. The snake isn't impressed. Time for Plan B.
Step Three: Bribe the Monster
As Wang Li struggled to sit up, he noticed something in his robes.
A spiritual herb.
It was a small, glowing blue flower—a Frost Lotus Herb.
A memory clicked in his mind.
Ice serpents LOVE Frost Lotus Herbs.
Slowly, carefully, Wang Li pulled out the herb and held it up.
The serpent, coiled in the mist, paused. Its massive head lowered, sniffing the air.
Wang Li took a deep breath.
"This… is a Frost Lotus Herb," he said slowly. "It's yours. A gift."
The serpent's glowing eyes narrowed.
Wang Li threw the herb forward.
The serpent lunged again—
—but instead of attacking, it snatched the herb in its jaws, swallowing it whole.
Then it stopped.
The air grew still.
Wang Li held his breath.
The serpent… didn't move.
Then, to his absolute shock, it lowered its massive head in front of him.
Wang Li blinked.
"…Are we friends now?"
The serpent huffed, as if annoyed. But it didn't attack.
Slowly, cautiously, Wang Li reached out—
And placed a hand on its icy scales.
The serpent rumbled in its throat but didn't move.
Wang Li let out a long breath.
I just tamed a giant ice serpent.
Step Four: Ride the Monster Like a Boss
A crazy idea formed in his mind.
"…Can you carry me?"
The serpent stared.
Wang Li pointed upward. "To the surface?"
The serpent let out a low growl.
Wang Li sighed. "Look, buddy, I don't want to be here either. If we get out, I'll get you more herbs, I swear."
Silence.
Then, to his shock, the serpent lowered its body, offering its back.
"…No way."
Wang Li hesitated. Then, carefully, he climbed onto the serpent's back.
The moment he settled in—
The serpent launched itself upward.
Wind rushed past Wang Li's face as they shot toward the surface. The ice abyss blurred past, the howling wind screaming in his ears.
Within seconds, the top of the abyss was in sight.
Meanwhile, at the Frozen Lotus Sect…
Disciples and elders gathered around the abyss, waiting for Wang Li's inevitable frozen corpse to be retrieved.
The Frozen Lotus Lord sipped his tea. "He's dead."
Mu Yuechan, arms crossed, remained silent.
Then—
A massive shadow emerged from the mist.
Everyone froze.
A colossal ice serpent exploded from the abyss—
With Wang Li sitting on its back.
He landed smoothly, stepping off the serpent like he had planned it all along.
The crowd gasped.
One elder dropped his cup.
Mu Yuechan blinked.
The Frozen Lotus Lord… narrowed his eyes.
Wang Li smirked, dusting off his robes.
"Hmph. Too easy."
The ice serpent coiled behind him, watching like an obedient pet.
The elders whispered in shock.
"…He tamed a beast of the abyss?"
"…Impossible."
"…Monstrous talent…"
Mu Yuechan's lips twitched. This idiot.
The Frozen Lotus Lord slowly stood.
"I see…" His eyes gleamed with new interest. "You may not be as useless as I thought."
Wang Li's smirk didn't waver.
Internally, he was screaming.
I ACTUALLY SURVIVED.
AND NOW I HAVE A GIANT SNAKE PET.
Mu Yuechan stepped forward, her gaze flickering to the serpent. "You named it yet?"
Wang Li blinked. "I can name it?"
Mu Yuechan sighed. "Of course you can."
Wang Li looked at the serpent, then grinned.
"Alright. Your name is… Big Frosty."
The serpent growled.
Mu Yuechan facepalmed.
The Frozen Lotus Lord… sighed.
"Very well," he said. "You have survived the trial. But if you truly wish to prove yourself—"
His gaze turned sharp.
"—then you will face your next challenge."
Wang Li's soul left his body.
ANOTHER ONE?!
Mu Yuechan smirked slightly. "I did warn you."
Wang Li groaned.
Why was being a fake protagonist so damn hard?!