Disease rights policy

In fact, the true location of the Snow Hot Spring is in the northwest direction. There is a snow wall several tens of feet high in the north, and the hot spring is located at the foot of the wall.

The group walked and stopped along the way, and as noon approached, Xueyi, who had fallen behind halfway, finally stopped and said, panting, "It's just ahead."

Qiao Ran looked in the direction he pointed. She still needed to climb over a small hill. She straightened her hat, bent over and climbed up. She was the first to stand at the top of the hill. Looking down, she saw a small pond about fifty meters below.

She stood at the top of the slope, the cold wind howling and lashing against her body, causing some pain. The subtle pain, however, made her mind clearer. She saw that the edge of the snow bath had frozen over, but the bath itself was still faintly steaming, rising with the cold wind.

“This is it,” Wu Yang said, leading everyone up the hill. After surveying the surrounding area, he said, “The area below is a depression, which is difficult to defend.”

If the pack of snow wolves were to come down the slope, they could be trapped below.

Wu Yang squatted down and quickly assigned tasks. Time was precious and they couldn't afford to waste it.

“Kaiji, you take Qingqing, Laopi and Dayue and guard this place. Whether it’s the snow wolf pack or someone else, they could launch a sneak attack on us down the slope.”

Wu Yang continued with a grave expression, "Old Pei and I will take Shanzi and Fugui down to guard the hot spring. We'll make our move as soon as Yuehu gives birth and then quickly evacuate."

Cheng Kaiji nodded first, then glanced at Qiao Ran and asked, "What about Qiao Qiao?"

Before Wu Yang could answer, Qiao Ran said firmly, "I'll go down with the regimental commander and the others."

Cheng Kaiji frowned, thinking that it was too dangerous down there, but seeing Qiao Ran's determined gaze, he knew that it might not be safe up there either. If the snow wolf pack came, they would be the first to encounter them.

This was the only option for now. Cheng Kaiji immediately led Ge Qingqing and the others to set up defenses. There were many blind spots in the surrounding area, and for some reason, a snowstorm had started, making visibility even lower.

As they were talking, the snow intensified. Xueyi couldn't get a word in edgewise for a while. Only after Qiao Ran and the others had finished making arrangements did she kindly remind them, "A snowstorm is coming."

"A snowstorm?" Qiao Ran looked up at the sky and could barely see Cheng Kaiji and the others anymore. She hadn't expected the weather to change so quickly, and she felt a little uneasy. She said, "How much longer until the snowstorm comes?"

Xueyi's expression was serious, not like he was faking it. "At most half an hour."

Qiao Ran and Wu Yang exchanged a glance, while Pei Chenghu shielded his eyes with his hand and peered into the distance, asking, "Where is Yuehu?"

“The Moon Fox may have already arrived,” Xueyi had lived in Snow City since childhood and was well aware of the unpredictable nature of wind and snow. He calculated with his fingers, “According to the Moon Fox’s due date, it will definitely arrive at Snow Hot Spring Pool ahead of time. It is at the bottom of the pool.”

Without delay, Wu Yang and Pei Chenghu were about to go down to investigate the situation when Qiao Ran took two steps and then looked back at Xue Yi, saying, "Young Master Xue, come down with me."

Xueyi's surprise flashed across her face, but she didn't say a word of objection and let the servants help her follow behind Qiao Ran.

They dared not disturb the moon fox giving birth, fearing that if they frightened it, it would crawl out and run away, or that the fetus would die in the womb, resulting in the loss of both mother and child, which would be a great loss.

Therefore, Qiao Ran and the others moved very quietly, crouching down in the snow ten meters away from the snow bath.

"How do we determine if the Moon Fox has given birth?" Qiao Ran turned her head and asked Xue Yi in a low voice.

Xueyi stared longingly at the Snow Bath, "When the Moon Fox gives birth, the Snow Bath will turn red."

That was the blood of the Moon Fox, Qiao Ran understood.

Humans, like animals, are mortal beings. Pregnancy and childbirth are like stepping into the gates of hell; how can one expect to experience no pain at all?

Although they were squatting by the snow bath, it was much warmer there. Qiao Ran reached out and touched the ice under her feet; it really did feel warm.

After squatting for about half an incense stick's time, the distant snow wall was howling in the storm, and the wind and snow suddenly rose up, making it almost impossible to open one's eyes. The whole sky was gradually shrouded in cold air.

Xueyi's lips turned purple, and she began to gasp for breath. "Oh no, the snowstorm is coming even faster."

Just then, Gou Fugui shouted, "Look, the hot spring is starting to turn red!"

Wu Yang immediately stood up. "Let's go!"

Qiao Ran leaped up and took two steps toward the hot spring. Just as they were about to reach the hot spring, a huge object suddenly pressed down on them from above. Qiao Ran could only see its bluish-black fangs.

"It's a snow wolf!" Qiao Ran exclaimed. "Scatter!"

It turned out that the snow wolves had been lurking in the shadows all along. Their fur was the same color as the snowfield, and they were buried in the snow without being noticed. It wasn't until everyone dispersed that they realized the snow pool had been surrounded by snow wolves.

Meanwhile, the sound of swords clashing echoed from the top of the slope; it was Cheng Kaiji, and they had already started fighting.

Attacked from both sides, Qiao Ran had dodged the snow wolf in her haste, but was struck on the arm by a claw. The pain was burning, but she dared not relax for a moment.

In the snow and mist, the alpha wolf slowly revealed its face, its fur standing on end and its eyes gleaming with ferocity. It stared at Qiao Ran and the others, letting out a low growl. Amplified by the blizzard, the growl sounded like a distant, ancient call, sending chills down one's spine.

"Qiao Qiao, go to the Snow Hot Spring!" Wu Yang shouted in the direction of Qiao Ran in shock, and then took the lead in attacking the alpha wolf. Only by killing the alpha wolf would the snow wolf pack retreat.

Qiao Ran grabbed Xue Yi and dragged him towards the Snow Bath. She saw the Moon Fox. She had thought the rumors about the fox were supernatural, but when she saw the adult Moon Fox for the first time, she was shocked by its blood-red eyes. Because it had just given birth and came out of the Snow Bath, its fur was still damp with water droplets. Its white ears stood up, its four snow paws were on the ground, and its lively eyes stared at the invading humans, gradually turning scarlet.

Even the most timid creature can become angry, knowing that these people are after her life.

Qiao Ran tried to grab it, but the moon fox paused warily and immediately pulled a small fox cub from its bosom. It was only the size of a palm and its appearance was not clear, but Qiao Ran saw the relic in the moon fox's mouth when it opened its mouth.

Moon Fox Relic!

Qiao Ran tossed Xue Yi a water jug ​​and said quickly, "Fill me with snow soup. I'm going to catch a moon fox. I'll bring you the little fox when I get back."

Before Xueyi could react, she was stuffed into his arms. In the blink of an eye, Qiao Ran had already chased after her. The moon fox went straight into the crevice of the snow wall. Qiao Ran gave chase, while the snow wolves around her kept an eye on the moon fox's movements and followed Qiao Ran.

Qiao Ran cried out inwardly, "Not good!" She slashed a snow wolf in front of her, and her sword flew out, striking the Moon Fox in front of her as she fled. The Moon Fox was weak after giving birth and was frightened by this, so she immediately let out a shriek and turned her head away.

Both she and Qiao Ran were surrounded by snow wolves. Qiao Ran drew her sword and looked at the moon fox, who was protecting its cubs with its tail between its legs. They both seemed to think that their chances of survival were slim.

As the snow wolves' encirclement tightened, Qiao Ran's palms, gripping her sword, were covered in a layer of cold sweat. She turned to look at the moon fox, who was also looking at her. Wasn't it said that this fox understood human nature?

Qiao Ran said, "If you stay with me, I won't hurt you."

After saying that, the snow wolf attacked, and the moon fox followed closely behind Qiao Ran. Although Qiao Ran's swordsmanship had not yet reached the level of grand and sweeping movements, she had the advantage of the powerful Azure Entanglement technique she had cultivated. When she used her full strength, she could compete with the strong snow wolf.

The blizzard grew stronger, sweeping through the area and making it difficult for people to stand. Qiao Ran's sleeves, which were rolled up inside the snow, were blown out, and her clothes fluttered in the snow. She struggled to keep her eyes open, dodging the bites of the snow wolves, but she still suffered many injuries. She tried to retreat towards the edge of the snow bath, hoping to reunite with Yuehu and Wuyang.