The increase in magic skill levels doesn't bring about any noticeable sensation.

If there's any feeling at all, it's that there's none.

Li Meng extended his right hand, and with a thought, a white mist emerged from his palm, instantly condensing into a three-foot-long ice spike.

The ice spike was a transparent white, radiating waves of cold air.

"Amazing!"

Every time Li Meng used magic, he found it incredible.

Especially with the skill "Ice Element Control."

It's far more advanced than any magic skill like "Wind Blade."

It allows direct and free manipulation of ice power.

Li Meng waved his hand, flinging the small ice spike into the depths of the forest.

The tiny ice spike shot out, crossing dozens of meters in an instant, and struck a large tree.

"Hiss!"

With a "hiss," the tree was pierced through.

The ice spike, still with momentum, hit another tree.

"Snap!"

Sitting at the doorway, Li Meng snapped his fingers.

The ice spike that pierced the second tree suddenly shattered in mid-air, turning into a mass of white mist that swept around.

Everything it touched was frozen.

In almost an instant, that small area was completely encased in ice.

This terrifying scene left the nearby Goblins, who hadn't yet left, looking at each other in dismay.

Even from a distance, they could feel the cold air rushing towards them.

Gobu Mo and Gobu Gao looked at their leader with fervor.

"The power has indeed increased significantly!"

Seeing this, Li Meng nodded in satisfaction.

He stood up, turned, and entered the wooden house.

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When he came out, there was a package at his waist.

"Gobu Mo, Gobu Gao, continue to guard the throne tribe!"

Gobu Mo and Gobu Gao quickly nodded.

Without saying more, Li Meng strode out of the tribe.

Watching their leader's departing figure, Gobu Mo and Gobu Gao were filled with confusion.

Why does the leader, being the leader, always leave the tribe?

Wouldn't it be better to leave things to them, his subordinates?

And he always goes alone, without taking any of them.

Half an hour later, on the northern bank of the Goblin River.

Li Meng emerged from the dense forest at a leisurely pace.

Standing by the water, Li Meng gazed at the vast Goblin River before him.

"Ha ha ha, freeze!"

Li Meng laughed loudly, stepping onto the water.

"Crack!"

With a "crack," the sound of freezing filled the air.

Rolling white mist surged out, like a thousand horses galloping across the water.

In the blink of an eye, a ten-meter-wide ice path appeared on the hundreds-of-meters-wide river.

"It feels like something is draining from my body, could it be magic power?"

Looking at the ice path across the river, Li Meng thought to himself.

Without thinking much more, Li Meng grinned.

He stepped onto the ice path and walked towards the opposite bank.

------

Principality of Ilysis.

Border region, Goblin Forest.

In the rugged mountains, the Goblin River wound forward like a long dragon.

July was the height of summer.

On the Goblin River, a small boat was sailing.

There were five people on the boat, one steering, and the other four paddling upstream.

The boat wasn't large, about 10 meters long.

Among the men, two wore armor, with swords, shields, and large axes on the boat.

Another wore leather armor, with a hood on his head and a bow and arrow by his side.

The two women wore robes, one white and one black.

Beside them were staffs inlaid with blue crystals.

"It's too hot, Odyssey, this is the route you chose!"

The scorching sun hung high in the sky, making the girls on the boat sweat profusely.

The sticky feeling made the girl in the white robe glare angrily.

Odyssey, steering at the stern, gave a sheepish smile.

"Martha, Aileen, you can't blame me for this. Taking the water route is the safest and most time-efficient. If we went by land, you'd be even more exhausted, and it would take nearly twice as long. Could you endure that?"

Martha and Aileen, with bitter expressions, had no choice but to continue paddling.

Beside them, Patience and Rachel were silently panting as they rowed.

"If I'd known, I would have rented an airship from the Crystal Temple!"

Ailee sighed in frustration.

"Come on, we don't have that kind of money!"

Odyssey's words drew angry glares from the four.

The culprit for their lack of money was right in front of them.

Facing his teammates' gazes, Odyssey gave an awkward smile.

"Um... sorry!"

The four remained silent, each rowing their oars.

"Captain, no matter how much money you donate, it won't reach those children!"

After a long while, Rachel was the first to break the silence on the boat.

Rachel's words made Odyssey frown slightly.

"Rachel, what do you mean by that?"

Odyssey looked at Rachel, who was expressionless, with confusion.

A hint of hesitation flashed in Rachel's eyes as he rowed.

He wasn't sure if he should tell the captain the truth.

The captain, as a Crystal Paladin, was inexperienced and unaware of the world's harsh realities.

The other three also looked at Rachel with curiosity.

They supported the captain's sponsorship of the orphanage.

After all, those children were descendants of adventurers.

As adventurers themselves, how could they remain indifferent?

Ultimately, Rachel decided to reveal the truth.

"Captain, you should know I come from a mercenary background. During those years as a mercenary, I experienced many things, some of which you might find unimaginable. But what I'm about to say is the truth, something I witnessed with my own eyes."

Rachel's words sparked curiosity in the four.

They were eager to hear what Rachel would say next.

"Do you know why the orphanage in Locke Town only takes in girls?"

Martha raised her hand.

"I know, I know, because the boys are taken in by the militia!"

The militia is a civilian military organization in human towns.

It's an armed group funded by local merchants and nobles.

Although it's an auxiliary unit of the regular army, it's not under the jurisdiction of the local lord.

It's mainly responsible for safeguarding the safety of local towns.

Rachel's face darkened, and he rowed the oar forcefully.

"That's the official story, but secretly it's a different matter. During my years as a mercenary, I saw girls from the Locke Town orphanage in a slave trader's convoy. Some were adults, while others were just children!"

"This... this can't be!"

Rachel's words left the four with looks of astonishment.

Martha immediately retorted, glaring angrily.

"The orphanage's head is Sister Tataru, who comes from the Crystal Temple. How could she do such a thing?"

As a Crystal Priestess, Martha couldn't tolerate anyone sullying the Crystal Temple.

"Rachel, could you have been mistaken?"

Odyssey also couldn't believe that Sister Tataru would do such a thing.

In Odyssey's heart, Sister Tataru had always been a kind lady.

"Perhaps!"

Rachel didn't argue with his companions.