The majestic Kunlun Mountains stretched endlessly before them. Despite being only late September, while most of China was still emerging from summer's heat, these sacred peaks were already blanketed in heavy snow. The eight-member investigation team pressed forward through the white wilderness, their boots crunching with each step.
Each team member carried over fifty kilograms of equipment. Ordinary humans would have collapsed long ago from the combination of high altitude, oxygen deprivation, physical exhaustion, and brutal cold. But all eight were mixed-bloods who had undergone specialized training—these conditions, while challenging, remained manageable.
The deep snow was their primary obstacle, forcing them to maintain a frustratingly slow pace.
"At our current speed, we should reach Location One before sunset," Ye Sheng announced, consulting the GPS coordinates Norma had transmitted to his ruggedized phone.
"Everyone, pick up the pace! We're almost there!" Wang Jianjun called over his shoulder, his breath forming white clouds in the frigid air.
The team continued their trudge through the snow, leaving a trail of footprints that varied in depth depending on the terrain beneath. But as mountain winds swept across their path and fresh snow began to fall, those marks gradually disappeared, erasing all evidence of their passage.
For most people, the accumulated snow represented Kunlun's greatest challenge. They had no idea that the real danger lay hidden beneath that deceptively innocent white surface.
Ye Sheng maintained point position as the group advanced in single file. When Qian Feng, positioned in the middle of their formation, deviated slightly from the established route, disaster struck instantly. His foot found empty air instead of solid ground, and half his body plunged through what had appeared to be stable snow.
Fortunately, Chen Moqing was following close behind. His reflexes kicked in immediately, and he lunged forward to grab Qian Feng's backpack. But the falling man's momentum, combined with his heavy equipment load, created more force than Chen Moqing could counter alone—both men began tumbling toward the hidden void.
The brief delay was enough for the other team members to react. As Chen Moqing seized Qian Feng, the rest of the team grabbed Chen Moqing in a human chain, their combined strength halting the fall.
CRUMBLE!
The snow around them collapsed instantly, revealing a gaping pit three to four meters across. Qian Feng now dangled over what appeared to be a bottomless chasm, supported only by his teammates' grip.
Every member of the expedition felt their heart skip a beat. Without Chen Moqing's lightning-fast response, Qian Feng would have vanished into that dark abyss forever.
"Everyone pull! Get him up now!" Wang Jianjun shouted.
The team coordinated their efforts, hauling both men inch by inch away from the precipice. After several tense moments, they dragged Qian Feng to safety on solid ground.
The rescued man lay gasping in the snow, his face pale with shock. For a terrifying instant, he'd been certain death had claimed him. Only Chen Moqing's quick thinking had saved his life.
"How are you feeling, Qian Feng?" Wang Jianjun knelt beside his subordinate, checking for injuries.
"I'm fine, Commander!" Qian Feng struggled to his feet and snapped a crisp salute.
"Good to hear." Wang Jianjun clapped him on the shoulder, then addressed the entire team. "Everyone needs to watch their footing carefully. We have no idea how many more sections like this lie ahead—snow supported by nothing but thin ice layers. With the weight we're carrying, breaking through could be fatal."
"Stay alert and watch where you step. If a teammate's in danger, react immediately like Chen Moqing did. Understood?"
"Understood!" came the unified response.
As they prepared to resume their march, Qian Feng approached Chen Moqing privately. "Thank you for what you did back there. Without your quick thinking, I don't know if I'd be alive right now."
"Don't mention it," Chen Moqing replied with a warm smile. "Commander Wang told us before we left that once we entered Kunlun, we'd become one unit. Saving you is the same as saving myself. Who knows? I might need you to return the favor later."
"Brothers," Qian Feng said simply, tapping Chen Moqing's chest twice with his fist.
After the near-catastrophe, the entire team moved more cautiously, reducing their pace to ensure safety. Despite the slowdown, they still reached Norma's designated Location One before sunset.
According to their intelligence briefing, three potential dragon sites existed throughout the Kunlun range. Locations One and Two were relatively close—approximately two days' travel at their current pace. Location Three lay much farther away; if they found nothing at the first two sites, they'd need to descend the mountain and use helicopter transport to reach it.
"The cave ahead is Location One," Ye Sheng explained, pointing toward a dark opening in the mountainside. "A mountaineering expedition reported seeing a massive red-eyed serpent hibernating inside. According to their description, it was covered in hardened scales with spike-like protrusions along its spine."
"Norma's analysis suggests this is a giant snake carrying dragon blood—the only kind of creature that could survive in this environment. Based on past experience, dragonborn creatures like giant snakes typically nest near actual dragons. If we can confirm this serpent's existence and determine its bloodline, we can identify what type of dragon might be present in Kunlun."
Wang Jianjun nodded thoughtfully. "Rest here for fifteen minutes. Eat something and restore your energy."
"After we've refueled, Ma Yue, Chen Moqing, and I will enter the cave to investigate whether this giant snake actually exists. If it's real, the others will provide external support while we three take point and eliminate the dragonborn to determine its bloodline. We'll also clear the threat for future climbers."
"Understood!"
No one argued about the assault team assignments or tried to avoid the dangerous cave reconnaissance. Everyone understood that at this critical juncture, disputes were forbidden—only by following orders completely could they accomplish their mission.
The team found shelter on the downwind side of the cave entrance. Dragonborn creatures possessed extremely sensitive senses of smell; if the giant snake awakened and detected human scent in the air, it would certainly emerge to investigate, forcing them to abandon their planned approach.
A massive boulder provided windbreak for the group. They leaned against its shelter, opened their packs, and began consuming rations as quickly as possible.
To rapidly restore strength and replenish calories, everyone ate specialized compressed biscuits, chocolate bars, and dried meat. The food was difficult to swallow, but they forced it down in large chunks without thorough chewing, prioritizing speed over comfort.
Despite the subfreezing temperatures, they'd come prepared with specially designed canteens that could withstand minus-twenty-degree conditions, ensuring their water supply remained liquid.
After finishing their meal, everyone took several swallows of water, completing their brief refueling stop.
"Everyone ready? Grab your weapons and move out!" Wang Jianjun commanded, seeing the team prepared for action.
"Yes sir!"
The three-person assault team removed their heavy backpacks, each carrying primary and secondary weapons as they advanced toward the cave entrance.