The Ice Tribe leader appearing before Leilin was, surprisingly, a two-headed freak. Not only that, but its body possessed the combined traits of both Ice Giants and Snow Elves.
A flash of blue light appeared in Leilin's eyes for an instant before quickly fading away, undetected by the leader across from him.
A three-dimensional projection formed within Leilin's memory area, projecting all of the alien's physical characteristics.
It stood nearly three meters tall, its body sturdy and well-proportioned, with a pair of beautiful translucent wings growing from its back. Most notably, atop its shoulders, the head of an Ice Giant and the head of a Snow Elf sat side by side, both showing signs of age.
The Chip swiftly displayed the remaining data.
"Ice Tribe (Adult, Unnamed) Strength: 55.7 Agility: 41.9 Constitution: 40.1 Spirit: 261.2 Mana: 261
Talents: 1. Twin — An adult Ice Tribe member that combines all traits of Ice Giants and Snow Elves. It possesses two sets of hearts and bodily organs, and therefore has two lives. As long as the body does not suffer a devastating attack, it can recover and replenish the vitality of the other half.
2. Frost Skin — The Ice Tribe's skin possesses extremely high resistance to cold radiation and can even generate natural magical runes, making it an important material for crafting certain frost magical items!
3. Frost Affinity — The Ice Tribe possesses frost affinity exceeding that of Snow Elves, and can even develop innate frost spells as their rank advances.
4. Ice Vortex — Dense frost elemental energy particles provide the Snow Elf with extremely high defense, automatically generating an ice vortex shield with an effect similar to a Wizard's Ring of Fire Repulsion."
"Judging from the Chip's data, this Ice Tribe was clearly a fusion of Snow Elves and Ice Giants, having completely inherited the advantages of both. Their strength was quite impressive even among Tier Three beings!"
A glint flickered in Leilin's eyes.
"Heh heh... Is the guest surprised by our race's appearance?"
Yamosi Andelie noticed Leilin's surprise and began to explain: "Members of our race have two forms in childhood, and only after reaching adulthood, finding the other half, and undergoing the Blessing of Ice and Snow ceremony can they merge into one and truly become members of the Ice Tribe!"
This time it was the other head — the Snow Elf head — that spoke, its voice sounding more feminine.
"Oh! My apologies!"
Leilin quickly waved his hand. Such a rash intrusion into someone's private matters was considered disrespectful in any world.
"I was merely curious for a moment!"
"Haha... We Ice Tribe do appear somewhat strange here. Even creatures from other frost worlds are surprised the first time they see us, so it's understandable that a guest would react this way..."
At this point, the Ice Giant head also spoke, its voice sounding very hearty and bold.
"Since you are a guest from afar, please come rest in our stronghold..." the two-headed chief Yamosi Andelie invited warmly.
Woo woo...
At that moment, the deep blast of a horn suddenly sounded from the watchtower above the stronghold, accompanied by the trembling voice of an Ice Giant: "C-Chief! The Frost Legion has been sighted! They're heading straight for us!"
"What?!" Both of Yamosi Andelie's heads cried out in alarm, while the surrounding Frost Knights recoiled, their faces revealing expressions of utter terror.
"Why would they come here? Was it you?"
Suspicious gazes instantly converged on Leilin.
"Oh? I didn't expect the Morning Star here to command quite so much power!" Leilin stroked his chin.
But this posture was an unmistakable admission of guilt.
"You are not welcome here! Leave immediately! Do not bring calamity upon our tribe!" Yamosi Andelie's attitude immediately changed, and the Frost Knights raised their long spears, aiming the tips at Leilin, as though they would attack the moment their leader gave the order.
"Might I ask who exactly is coming?"
Leilin seemed completely unconcerned by the Ice Tribe's aggressive stance, asking with genuine curiosity instead.
"You've already provoked the Frost Empress and yet you pretend not to know?!" The female head of Yamosi Andelie was already on the verge of breaking down into hysteria.
"The Frost Empress is the sovereign of this place. She is the source of all terror, the root of all disaster and suffering. Everyone who has any connection to her will suffer a curse..."
The female head muttered what sounded like either a proverb or an ancient saying, but the fear of the Frost Empress was clearly genuine.
"The Frost Empress, is it?"
Leilin stroked his chin. "I'm actually quite interested in meeting her..."
"Outsider, leave quickly! Do not bring calamity upon our stronghold!" The female head of Yamosi Andelie shrieked, an elemental ice storm already forming in her hands.
Bang! Bang! Bang!