Summoning the Holy Sword

Chapter 1294: Ice Throne

Symbol of the wind elemental lord…

Looking at the symbol on Anne's back, Rhode couldn't help but twitch the corner of his eye. In fact, he had already suspected that Anne was the child of a wind elemental lord. After all, her wind elemental power was clearly of the dominant class. In the past, when she consumed the awakening potion, Gillian mentioned to him that the blood flowing in Anne's body should be that of the wind elemental lord. Besides, when Rhode communicated with the Sky Whale earlier, the latter also mentioned that the wind elemental lord did have a child on the main plane. At that time, Rhode had pretty much confirmed it, except there was one most important condition that Anne didn't have, unfortunately. According to the Sky Whale, the child had a symbol of the wind elemental lord on its back. But it was a pity that after heading back, Rhode stripped Anne naked and searched over and over, but just couldn't find the said symbol. Rhode couldn't help but feel puzzled. After all, in every other way, Anne actually fit the bill, didn't she?

But it was a pity that despite her fitting the bill, she was like a Cinderella who couldn't fit into the glass slippers. Without the symbol on her back, it was all meaningless.

Rhode had already given up, but never expected to find the hidden symbol of the wind elemental lord in this situation.

Yes, the symbol is indeed on her back, but it only manifested after Anne entered the elemental plane… Would it kill you to be more explicit?! Would it?!

Seems like it would…

"Hmm? What's wrong, Leader? Is there something on Anne's back?"

Upon seeing Rhode's expression, Anne skipped to his side and asked curiously. After hearing her doubt, Rhode turned around, shrugged, and caressed her head.

"It's nothing much. Well, let's get ready to move out."

"Okay, Leader!"

Facing Rhode's response, the simple Anne accepted all of it without the slightest hesitation. And seeing that this topic was left out, Rhode heaved a sigh of relief. Although it was good news that he coincidentally discovered the symbol of the wind elemental lord on her back, their priority now wasn't to search for her parents since that could wait. After transmigrating the Dragon Soul Continent to the solar system, Rhode had all the time to bring Anne around to search for her parents. But now… It was better to get down to business soon.

The chilly winds howled.

The elemental plane had no concept of time, but fortunately there was still the concept of space. And now, Rhode and the others could only choose to brave the cold wind blowing in their faces. However, they were lucky enough to be transported to the Ice Throne, where it was located at the heart of the water elemental plane and was also the elemental lord's dwelling. The next step was to find the water elemental plane, unseal the Book of Elements, and bring it back to the main plane. Then, everything would be solved. As for its direction, as an inhabitant of the water elemental plane, the little mermaid naturally became the guide for everyone.

However…

"Leader, it's like we're thieves right now. Are we here at the water elemental plane to steal back that Book of Elements?"

Stooping over and following carefully by Rhode's side, Anne asked softly. Upon hearing her question, Rhode shrugged and remained silent. He also looked at the little mermaid in front of him with some confusion. After returning to the water elemental plane, the little mermaid no longer needed to stay and hide in the water ball. At that moment, she was just like a released bird, flying freely in the sky of the water elemental plane. Her petite body swam in the air as if it were water. But… Instead of looking like a soaring bird, she was more like… a startled bird.

The little mermaid was obviously a water elemental creature, but she acted so strangely in the water elemental plane. She moved forward slowly only after carefully looking at her surroundings and would immediately hide behind Rhode's back in fear as soon as there were any strange occurrences. Even though she was leading the way, she led Rhode to more hidden and safer places most of the time, so it wasn't surprising that Anne asked this question. And now, being led around by the little mermaid also felt as though they weren't here to retrieve something, but rather to steal something instead…

As a matter of fact, Rhode could be less careful with his identity. Because even if he encountered any water elemental creatures, as soon as he revealed his identity as the Void Dragon, the water elemental creatures would respectfully lead him to the water elemental lord. Then, he could negotiate with the water elemental lord and if everything turned out well, he could get his hands on the Book of Elements.

Why are we even sneaking in like thieves right now?

However, Rhode didn't grumble much. Although none of the paths the little mermaids took were just and honorable, they didn't waste much time as they headed straight to the core area of the Ice Throne. Despite that, Rhode also realized the reason why the little mermaid seemed to be taking the safer routes was out of fear of meeting other water elemental creatures…

That was indeed odd. As Rhode's card spirit, the little mermaid was definitely a creature of this plane, just like how it wasn't strange for a water elemental creature like Agatha to be an inhabitant of this plane. However, the little mermaid's 'guilty conscience' made him curious. As far as he could remember, the inhabitants of the water elemental plane were usually either meek or indifferent. Either way, they weren't the type that would start an argument with anyone. On the other hand, Rhode watched the little mermaid's growth. She was usually a timid but obedient and sensible child. He refused to believe that she had caused a lot of trouble in the water elemental plane. In that case, what exactly was she so afraid of?

Squeak, squeak, squeak…

The thick layer of frost and snow beneath everyone's feet made a slight sound, before being completely muted by the whirling blizzard. Rhode was also fortunate that his group possessed strong elemental manifestations; otherwise, they would have been completely frozen to death by now. The temperature outside of the Ice Throne was comparable to that of Neptune's, where ordinary creatures would have been turned into ice sculptures in an instant. Only people like Rhode, Gillian, and Anne, who had pure and mighty elemental powers could walk here unharmed.

The entire Ice Throne was, as its name suggested, an island formed by a huge piece of iceberg floating on the surface of the water. As far as the eye could see, the whole Ice Throne seemed to have nothing but white snowfields and crystals that reflected chilly lights. But Rhode knew that it was just an illusion. The water elemental plane was just as the name implied. All creatures here could move about as freely as the little mermaid, which meant that if one were lucky enough, one could see a whale flying in the sky… Which wasn't entirely impossible.

"…!"

Suddenly, the little mermaid in front of the crowd was startled. She turned around and shuttled across the air like a fish. Rhode's vision dazzled and before he knew it, the little mermaid had hidden behind him. She reached out, held his shoulder, and peeked out with a pair of bright, aqua eyes that were filled with bewilderment and unease.

"What's wrong, Snow?"

Rhode knitted his brows at the sight of the terrified little mermaid and shifted his gaze to where she was staring at. Shortly after, he narrowed his eyes immediately.

Boom———!

A deep sonic boom erupted and all of a sudden, an enormous, pitch-black shadow appeared out of thin air. It was a giant octopus that was over ten meters long, suspended in the air, while its huge body descended slowly as though it were being lowered into the deep sea. At the same time, the giant octopus waved its tentacles, lashing out at a group of beings near it. The group of beings weren't just ordinary creatures. And although they were standing quite a distance away from Rhode, it only took an instant before Rhode saw who they were. A group of mermaid warriors had surrounded the giant octopus, wielding tridents, and were wrestling with the giant octopus bravely.

Looks like it's another ambush from a stray monster…

Looking at this scene, Rhode twitched his brows. He wasn't unfamiliar with the four main elemental planes, so he naturally knew some of their rules. The elemental plane itself wasn't a peaceful place. It was a place where all elemental creatures lived, and naturally, there were some violent ones among them. The water elemental plane had fewer such creatures, but it wasn't completely devoid of them. The giant octopus before them was a good example. It was obvious that this giant octopus had drifted to the Ice Throne from somewhere, and the mermaid warriors who were guarding the place tried to expel it. But unfortunately…

"Oh-no-no, it doesn't look like it's going to work."

Narrowing her eyes at the battlefield in front of her, Gillian wagged her tail and said with a smile. And it was just as Gillian mentioned. There were only a dozen mermaid warriors encircling the giant octopus, and they didn't stand a chance against it. In the blink of an eye, two more mermaid warriors were struck away by the giant octopus. Although the remaining mermaid warriors were grasping at straws, raising their tridents to attack the giant octopus, it was a pity that their attacks inflicted little to no damage.

This can't go on.

Gazing at the mermaid warriors who fought bitterly, Rhode took in a breath and gestured to his group.

"Gillian, come with me. Anne, stay here with Snow and Bell and protect them; understood?"

While it would be a good idea to get into battle together, Bell's combat experience was still lacking, while the little mermaid's abilities weren't effective against the giant octopus, who held the same water attribute as her. Moreover, Anne's abilities were also useless in this situation, which was why Rhode left her behind as well. When Anne heard his order, she nodded and took out her shield in one hand.

"Don't worry, Leader. Anne promises to protect them!"

"I'll leave it to you then."

After nodding to Anne, Rhode turned around and flew toward the battlefield with Gillian.

By the time Rhode and Gillian arrived on the battlefield, the mermaid warriors seemed to have completely run out of gas. Facing the tentacles that whipped at them, they could only summon an ice barrier to resist it. Just as Rhode and Gillian arrived, they heard a loud whoosh and the giant octopus's tentacle crushed the ice barrier effortlessly in a loud bang! Not only that, but the tentacle also grabbed for one of the mermaid warriors, bound her tightly, and dragged her toward it. At the same time, the giant octopus opened its mouth that was full of trembling razor-sharp teeth, which were as though they were telling their owner that they were famished!

"———! ———!"

The mermaid warrior caught in the tentacle struggled hard and let out a clear, miserable scream like a lark captured by an eagle. At that moment, the other mermaid warriors below charged ahead to rescue their companion. But unfortunately, none of them were able to save their companion as they were forced to retreat by the giant octopus' attack. The mermaid warriors at the bottom watched grudgingly as their companion was about to turn into food for the giant octopus, disappearing entirely into its huge mouth.

Swish!

But at the moment, a burst of flames lit up the menacing tentacles. In the face of this sudden agony, the giant octopus screeched. It instinctively loosened its grip around the mermaid warrior and waved its tentacles around unceasingly in an attempt to extinguish the flames. But unfortunately, its movements weren't able to eliminate the flames that were entwined and blazing on the tentacles. On the contrary, sparks and flares scattered from the burning flames due to its flustered movements, as though a heavenly maiden were sprinkling sparks at it. Flames were the natural enemy of water elemental creatures, and this giant octopus was naturally no exception. Although ordinary flames were unable to burn in the water elemental plane, it depended on who was releasing the flames.

"Oh-no-no, I wonder if this huge octopus tastes good roasted."

Gillian chuckled and floated in midair. She stared at the giant octopus in pain before her, but didn't have the slightest intention of stopping. Instead, she stretched out her arm and pointed forward. And with this action, hundreds of fireballs erupted from behind her all at once, enfolding and overwhelming the giant octopus.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Along with a series of explosions, the giant octopus shuddered in the sizzling flames that it was so terrified of. The kind of pain was literally like acid dripping onto its skin and eating away at its flesh without any mercy. Under Gillian's attack, the giant octopus retreated. But even so, it didn't seem willing to give up the delicious meal it almost devoured earlier. After letting out another bellow, the giant octopus shot out its tentacles at the mermaid warrior who was thrown out by it earlier.

"…!"

Staring at the deadly tentacle headed straight for her again, the frightened mermaid warrior turned ashen. Just when she clearly saw the rows of suction cups on the inside of the tentacle and thought she could no longer escape, all of a sudden, she felt an arm pulling her by the waist and dragging her out of the tentacle's attacking range. Immediately after, from the corner of her eyes, the mermaid warrior witnessed a bright, dazzling blade ray that sliced the tentacle into two like tofu.

"———!"

The traumatized octopus finally gave up its intention to attack, forced itself to give up the delicious treat, and shrank its entire body instantly. Shortly after, it spewed out a dense cloud of black ink from its mouth that enveloped its enormous body. There was an instant where even the sky and surroundings dimmed at this move. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the giant octopus turned around in a hurry, flew backward, and fled. It was very simple-minded. As long as it could leave this place alive, it would be a victory!

But… Would Rhode let it leave so easily?

Since it has already shown up, it could forget about leaving.

Gazing at the barrier of pitch-black ink, a glint flashed in Rhode's eyes. At the next moment, in the blink of an eye, the sword in his hand metamorphosed into a lightning bolt that penetrated the middle of the dark cloud of pitch-black ink. The mighty impact along with whirling gales erupted, wiping out the black ink instantly. And now, along with another miserable shriek, the giant octopus's body was punctured thoroughly, leaving a huge round hole in the middle. Blood sprayed everywhere from the wound, spreading, mixed with black ink. The giant octopus shuddered uncontrollably, but that was just its deathbed struggle.

"Goodbye, little octo~ Remember to turn into an octopus ball in your afterlife!"

Along with Gillian's hearty laughter, a sudden burst of flames instantly engulfed the octopus's body.

The mermaid warriors on the side were dumbfounded, completely unresponsive to the scene before them. After all, just a moment ago, they were trying to stop and defeat that terrifying monster with the belief that they would die. But they didn't expect the situation to turn around in just a split second. As these two strange beings showed up, the battle situation turned around drastically. The deep sea octopus was a creature that even a powerful group of mermaid elites had a hard time eliminating. Despite that, those two actually killed it so effortlessly?

But then again, who are they?