Chapter 32: The Giant of Ice and Snow [Bonus Chapter]

This little white creature, about the size of a basketball, was nothing more than a furry ball. Its face bore only a pair of large, glistening black eyes and a mouth so wide it occupied nearly half its face—those were its entire features. Lin Huang recognized it immediately: a Snowball Beast.

Snowball Beasts belonged to the category of exotic monsters, but they were among the rare few completely harmless to humans. Though equipped with sharp teeth, their timidity knew no bounds; when confronted by any creature larger than themselves, they would flee without a thought of fighting.

Their adorable appearance made them favorites among many young women. Sensing a business opportunity, some people began capturing Snowball Beasts to sell as ornamental pets to wealthy ladies. Over time, they became increasingly popular as companions. Being omnivorous, they were easy to feed and cared little about what they ate.

However, their numbers were scarce, for they preferred to hide in cold places. Even among ornamental pets, they were considered rare and expensive—a single Snowball Beast fetched a price much higher than a bronze-grade weapon.

The little glutton before Lin Huang was likely drawn by the aroma of meat stew. Held in Bai’s hands, it showed no awareness of being captured; its large eyes remained fixed on the pot of stew, tongue peeking out, displaying its true nature as a foodie.

Lin Huang couldn’t help but laugh. He picked a piece of meat from his bowl and held it before the Snowball Beast. Its eyes locked onto the morsel, unable to look away. Lin Huang teased it, moving the meat from right to left and back again; its gaze followed the meat unwaveringly.

After a while, realizing the meat never reached its mouth, the creature began to struggle in Bai’s grasp, attempting to snatch the food. Bai held it firmly, and it could not escape.

Finding its efforts futile, it finally looked up at Lin Huang, who held the meat with his chopsticks, its face full of pitiful longing, tears welling in its eyes.

“It can even pretend to be pitiful—no wonder girls are so fond of it,” Lin Huang mused, surprised by its expression.

He fed the meat to the Snowball Beast, which devoured it faster than he could, chewing only twice before swallowing. Then it looked at Lin Huang again, wearing the same pathetic expression.

This time, Lin Huang ignored it and focused on his own dinner.

After staring at him for a long while and seeing he paid it no mind, the Snowball Beast’s tear ducts overflowed, and tears streamed down its face.

“Quite the performer,” Lin Huang thought with a secret smile, still unmoved.

The Snowball Beast cried for a while, but when its tears failed to sway him, it switched to sobbing. Tears continued to flow, its body shuddered occasionally, making it truly pitiable to behold.

“This one’s got plenty of tricks…” Lin Huang still paid it no attention, helping himself to another bowl of meat.

Even after Lin Huang had eaten his fill, the Snowball Beast was still sobbing. He scooped out the remaining meat, placed it in a bowl, set the bowl on the ground, and took the creature from Bai, placing it beside the bowl.

The Snowball Beast immediately began eating voraciously, finishing the bowl in three or four mouthfuls. Afterward, it licked its lips, then looked up at Lin Huang.

“Looking at me won’t help—there’s nothing left,” Lin Huang said, spreading his hands.

The Snowball Beast glanced at the nearby pot. Lin Huang, resigned, poured the last of the stew into the bowl.

The creature lapped up the stew, and soon even the soup was gone.

It looked at Lin Huang once more.

“There’s not even soup left now,” Lin Huang said, flipping the pot upside down.

Only then did the Snowball Beast realize there was truly nothing left. It hopped over to Lin Huang and rubbed against his pant leg, seemingly in thanks.

Lin Huang picked it up and kneaded it a few times. “It really feels nice—a bit like a plush toy, but even better, and it’s warm to the touch.”

The Snowball Beast seemed to enjoy being kneaded, its eyes closing in contentment.

“A little thing that only knows how to enjoy itself…” Lin Huang shook his head, smiling.

He played with the Snowball Beast for a while, then, seeing the sky had darkened, set it down. He was preparing to sleep; there was still the snow mountain to climb the next day, and he needed his strength.

He was about to recall Bai and summon Shatu to stand watch when the Snowball Beast leapt over, biting his pant leg and tugging in a certain direction.

“Little one, you want me to follow you?” Lin Huang immediately understood.

The Snowball Beast nodded, hopped a few steps forward, and looked back at him. Lin Huang beckoned to Bai, and the two followed.

The Snowball Beast bounded up a gentle slope, with Lin Huang and Bai close behind. It stopped before an icy wall. Turning to see they had followed, it suddenly leapt forward, crashing into the ice wall.

Just as Lin Huang wondered at its actions, he saw the Snowball Beast vanish upon impact.

“An illusion?” Lin Huang stepped forward, reaching out to touch the wall—it was nothing but empty space. He walked ahead, passing straight through the ice wall.

What greeted him on the other side stunned him—a vast snowy canyon, seemingly a hidden world within the goddess mountain.

He stood in place for a moment, then quickly regained his composure. Turning, he realized Bai had not followed.

“No need to wait. Only humans recognized by me may enter here; no monster can cross this threshold.” A deep voice suddenly echoed.

“Who’s there?” Lin Huang looked around, but saw only the Snowball Beast nearby.

“It’s me,” the voice sounded again, this time from the Snowball Beast’s mouth.

“You can speak?!” Lin Huang was utterly shocked. This Snowball Beast could speak human words, and its voice was that of a grown man, deep and powerful, as if it belonged to someone of immense stature.

“That’s right.” As the Snowball Beast spoke, its body suddenly began to expand.

In mere seconds, it transformed into a colossal Ice Giant, towering nearly a hundred meters tall.

The sight shattered Lin Huang’s understanding of the world.

Ice Giants belonged to the natural ice element species, born with extraordinary power—superhuman from the moment of birth. An adult Ice Giant could surpass most superhuman warriors; Lin Huang could scarcely imagine their true strength.

And the one before him was clearly a full-grown Ice Giant.

“Young human, I mean you no harm in bringing you here. I merely wish to ask your help with something…”