If they were unable to rescue in Shei, they would withdraw.
If their strength proved inferior to hers, she would not hesitate to bestow upon them an eternal existence.
Undead Bayou summoned, and the spectral figure materialized before her.
I must temporarily depart for a few days.
The affairs within the city shall be entrusted to you.
The dark mist coalesed, and the undead vanished upon receiving the command.
My lady, you intend to go alone? The tiger man guard inquired with concern, perceiving by you's strength to be comparable to that of Inshi.
Even as a royal level, she could hardly contend against the entirety of the Icefield White Tiger Clan.
Rest assured, I am fully aware of my limits and would never gamble with your queen's life.
Simply guide me.
Bayou recognized the Tiger Man guards apprehension and was not angered by the doubts cast upon her prowess.
The Tiger Man guards, seeing their queen's friend brimming with such confidence, had no choice but to set aside their worries and place their trust in her.
A spatial portal unfurled before by you.
Let's go.
Departing from my city will shorten the journey considerably.
Even for a king tier, reaching Twin Peaks takes several hours, let alone for a commander tier.
Without hesitation, the tiger man guard rose and stepped into the teleportation array with Bayou following closely behind.
In an instant, they reappeared outside the gates of the main fortress.
Through another teleportation via the undead fortress, they would arrive directly at top Twin Peaks.
Chapter 376.
Conversations in the clan territory at top the twin-faced mountain.
Bayou gazed across the vast sea of clouds, the sun above casting a piercing glare.
This was her first encounter with the son of Marshall State.
It was also her inaugural visit to this place where the Tiger Guard, momentarily taken aback, recalled that they stood at top the very mountain it had ascended.
As a native of Marshall State, it had never witnessed the sun since the dawn of its memories.
You are too slow.
I shall carry you and you will guide me by you declared.
No sooner had she spoken than a spatial cage materialized around the tiger guard, and snaring it within.
In an instant, the two figures vanished, racing northward.
Meanwhile, in the farthest northern reaches, an endless expanse of ice stretched before them.
White ice hills rising and falling like waves.
With frozen rivers intertwining throughout, the sparse vegetation bore testament to the harshness of the environment.
The terrestrial tribes here could scarcely endure such brutality, resulting in a near absence of any surviving race in this desolate land.
The Icefield White Tiger Clan reigned as the sole sovereign, subsisting on the marine creatures trapped beneath the frozen rivers.
These waterways interconnected, concealing a colossal subterranean river rumored to link to the endless sea, providing an unceasing source of sustenance.
At the heart of the extreme, north lay the gathering place of the ice field white tigers.
Eight towering peaks loomed.
Their stature modest compared to true mountains like the frigid snow mountain and twin-faced mountain.
Yet they appeared remarkably prominent amidst the predominantly flat terrain.
Each peak bore a city at its summit, though the mountain tops were insufficient to support entire cities.
Thus, the surrounding edges were fortified with massive ice pillars.
Standing resolutely a top the peaks.
Seven cities represented the seven major tribes of the ice field white tiger clan.
Situated at varying distances around the central and tallest ice mountain.
This ice mountain, majestic and towering, surpassed the seven peaks in height, its surface smooth and exuding a chilling aura.
It was a mountain forged by magic.
A top the peak lay a grand platform adorned with a magnificent palace complex.
Enormous chains of glacial ice connected the cities at top the seven peaks to this site, prominently displaying the totem of the ice field, White Tiger Clan, unmistakably marking it as their center of power.
However, this was a relic of the past.
The palace once served as the residence of their previous queen.
Since her demise, it had fallen into disrepair, now serving as a convocation space for the elders of the Seven Tribes.
Beyond the seven tribes, no tiger could reside at top the peaks.
All congregated around their bases.
The population of the Icefield White Tiger Clan soared to over 100,000 with the seven tribes alone accounting for nearly half.
At that moment, dense ranks of Tiger soldiers surrounded the base of the ice mountain with several royal figures standing guard.
This very ice mountain was where she had once slumbered.
and just days prior she had taken refuge within it, utilizing the spatial coordinates she had set in advance.
One might say that the hiding place of Ini lies perilously beneath the very noses of the seven great tribes.
A top the peaks, one particular white citadel stands grander than the rest.
Yet within its palace, the modest hall is brimming with orcs.
On one side are four elders of the White Tiger clan along with their syphants, while the other side is occupied by a few grotesque orc hybrids.
Rest assured, my lord eagle, this mongrel cannot elude us for much longer.
Soon we shall break the seal.
She is gravely wounded at this moment.
Once captured, she shall be presented to our esteemed lords without delay.
One of the elders declared his visage a mask of obsequiousness toward the dignitaries from the Halfforc Empire.
Humph.
It better be so.
My patience is finite.
Should she manage to escape, prepare to face the wrath of the empire? The creature with an eagle's head and wings coldly retorted the very leader of this delegation from the Halfforc Empire.
Huh, boss, I can hardly wait to fill her up, exclaimed a do-headed beast, wagging its tail and learing with a lascivious grin.
My lords, we hope that once we deliver this mongrel, your nation shall cease its entanglements with us.
Another elder, suppressing his indignation at the revolting visages before him, spoke out.
Their forbearance was largely motivated by the interests of their race.
Otherwise, the four royal beings could swiftly annihilate these halfforc mongrels.
"Fear not, we shall consult our superiors upon our return.
As long as you can assure us of her surrender, all will be well.
A lion with a tawny mane sneered, appearing more like a newly standing beast than resembling the other half or who leaned towards a human form.
Clearly, its mixed heritage was weak, placing it low in the hierarchy of the Halfforc Empire.
The eagle scoffed disdainfully.
The Halffor Empire coveted not only Inshi, but also the bloodline of the Icefield White Tiger clan.
If they were to submit and contribute their lineage, it would be one matter.
However, should they resist stubbornly, the Empire would not hesitate to eradicate the ice field white tigers entirely, thereby acquiring their bloodline as well.
A race of royal caliber, inherently imbued with frost power.
How could the Halfforc Empire let such an opportunity slip? Did they truly believe that by meekly surrendering Inshi, they could barter for peace? Such naivity.
From the moment the Halfforc Empire first visited, they were stripped of the right to refuse.
The four elders of the White Tiger clan felt a quiet sigh of relief at the compliance of their counterparts.
They were acutely aware of the implications of joining the Halfforc Empire.
They would gradually be assimilated.
Their entire clan transformed into various hybrid halfforcs, an outcome they vehemently wish to avoid.
Why are the other three elders absent? The eagle queried, seizing the opportunity to accuse them of disrespecting the halfforc empire, thus providing a pretext to extort further benefits.
One elder, displaying a troubled expression, hurriedly attempted to smooth over the situation.
The three elders were tasked with guarding the mongrel, ensuring she did not exploit her mysterious spatial powers to escape once more.
In terms of authority, the seven individuals are on an equal footing.
The other three clan elders have no means to intervene.
Among them is a radical faction member who is exceedingly irritable and desires to eliminate the envoys of the Halffor Empire.
The remaining clan elders dare not permit such a course of action.
Present are three adversarial elders and one neutral elder while another neutral elder is tasked with guarding the volatile elder.
As for the last elder, who maintains a close relationship with Inshi, they seldom participate in such gatherings, seemingly intent on fading from the attention of the other elders.
This response leaves the eagle with no grounds for criticism, as Inshi's importance surpasses that of the entire Ice Plains white tiger clan.