As the sound of beast hooves arose, Xia Hong and the others hurriedly held their breath.
From the west, a colossal creature, two meters tall at the shoulder and over four meters long, slowly approached the torch step by step.
Its back was covered with spines resembling icicles, and two long tusks stood upright.
Its fierce eyes, though focused intently on the torch, occasionally scanned its surroundings.
Its massive size made each step scatter snowflakes into the air.
Hiding in the snow pit, Xia Hong's heart thumped in rhythm with its footsteps.
"An adult Snow Mane, this must weigh over a thousand pounds!"
Compared to the juvenile one from last time, this Snow Mane was noticeably larger.
And from its tentative steps,
it was apparent that this adult Snow Mane was much more intelligent than the last one.
The Snow Mane slowly walked up to the torch.
Like the last one, it first nosed up to the torch, feeling the warmth emanating from the flames.
Within seconds, it clearly felt the benefits of the torch, its pupils dilated, and its movements became light and relaxed.
This system, what on earth has it given me?
It can heal the Cold Beast, enhance the Cold Beast.
Watching this scene, Xia Hong felt a slight heaviness in his heart.
If a small torch is so effective, what about the small campfire in the camp?
If the Cold Beasts discover it, they might go utterly berserk.
"Before gaining strength, the small campfire must remain hidden."
Xia Hong reminded himself and continued watching.
The Snow Mane stood by the torch for more than ten breaths, its actions growing more excited, even resting its chin on the flame.
The hair on its chin didn't burn; instead, it became shinier.
Xia Hong could even feel that the Snow Mane's aura became stronger than before it approached the torch.
Afraid of alarming the captivated Snow Mane, Xia Hong dared not look east.
But as the Frost Wolf didn't appear, doubt crept into his heart.
"Could it be the Frost Wolf is scared and didn't dare to come?"
He had tested before; the torch only burned for fifteen minutes.
By now, nearly one-third had passed.
It seemed today's torch would be wasted.
Fortunately, it was the first time, so waste was normal.
However, just as this thought emerged,
a tremor-like sound suddenly came from the snowfields.
Xia Hong turned his eyes eastwards but found nothing.
Yet the disturbance in the snow was real.
What was happening?
By the torch, the Snow Mane also sensed the vibration, its gaze turning ferocious, the expression shifting from enjoyment to fury.
It stared intensely in the direction of the disturbance, its pupils slowly reddening, and the high-standing tusks exuded brutality.
Shhhhhh...
The air was suddenly pierced by a sharp sound of a spike.
Suddenly, a ring of spines sprouted from beneath the Snow Mane, rising rapidly from the snow, aimed directly at the Snow Mane's vulnerable abdomen.
No matter how clever, the Snow Mane never expected spines to emerge from beneath its feet. Despite its swift evasive movement to the side, a meter-long wound was still cut across its abdomen.
As the spikes fully extended out of the snow, their owner revealed its true form.
Xia Hong recognized the familiar Cold Beast, his expression turning rigid.
It was not any special Cold Beast but the very Frost Wolf he had seen before.
Of course, it was an adult.
The spikes that had just attacked the Snow Mane emerged from the collar of spines around the Frost Wolf's neck.
This Frost Wolf not only knew how to burrow under the snow but also approached silently, launching a surprise attack.
While Xia Hong marveled at the Frost Wolf's intelligence, the wounded Snow Mane also sprang into action.
Hissssss...
Green blood oozed from its abdomen, and the Snow Mane steadied itself, roaring furiously towards the source of the spikes. The sharp cry pierced the night, shattering many icicles on the surrounding trees.