Success.
Lynn looked at Ygritte's docile and obedient appearance, and for the first time, a flicker of interest beyond mere utility arose in his heart regarding the ability of 'Warging'.
The Three-Eyed Raven had not lied to him.
Perhaps this was the correct way to unlock it.
"Alright, you can get up now."
Lynn withdrew his mental power.
Ygritte's body trembled, as if she had just woken from a beautiful dream.
She looked at the bow and arrow on the ground, then at Lynn, a blush uncontrollably rising on her cheeks, but her eyes were even more complex.
That feeling just now... was even gentler, even more lingering than last time.
His will was like the warmest spring water, enveloping her heart, which had long been frozen stiff in the icy wilderness.
It made her sink, made her willingly let go of all her defenses.
"Is... is this magic?"
Ygritte's voice was trembling.
She picked up her bow, but dared not look into Lynn's eyes again.
"Snap out of it."
Lynn playfully tapped her head.
Lynn looked at the Three-Eyed Raven and Leaf, and said calmly.
"I will fulfill my promise, but not now."
"I need to see Mance Rayder first."
"He has what I want."
The Three-Eyed Raven's single eye gazed deeply at Lynn, offering no objection.
"Go, you will need his help."
"Good luck."
...Leaving the cave protected by the Old Gods and returning to the endless white wilderness, everyone felt as if an eternity had passed.
The three Rangers following the group now looked at Lynn with completely changed eyes.
Their gaze was filled with awe and fear.
Jon Snow was preoccupied, looking at Lynn several times, wanting to speak but holding back.
He desperately wanted to ask if the so-called "vessel" was his brother Bran.
But he didn't dare to ask.
He feared receiving an answer he couldn't accept.
However, Lynn had promised that he would not seek someone with a Warg for a sacrifice.
The atmosphere of the group was even more bizarre than when they arrived.
The only one who seemed somewhat excited was Ygritte.
"Hey, Southerner."
While traveling, she would always unconsciously sidle up to Lynn and nudge him with her elbow.
"What is it?"
Lynn looked straight ahead.
"That amazing ability you had just now... do it again."
Ygritte lowered her voice.
Her gray eyes, usually filled with wildness, now sparkled with a strange light.
Lynn paused, turned, and looked at her as if she were an idiot.
"Are you sick?"
"You're the one who's sick!"
Ygritte glared at him, her cheeks feeling a little hot.
"I just want to... want to help you practice."
"Yes, help you practice!"
"Don't you need a sparring partner?"
She found an excellent reason and immediately became self-righteous.
Lynn ignored her, quickening his pace.
This woman, she's probably developed some strange fetish.
Could mental touch be addictive?
But all the way, Ygritte clung to him like a piece of sticky candy, impossible to shake off.
"Just once, I promise not to resist."
"I feel like you haven't fully mastered it yet."
"See, I can still talk to you, which means your control isn't deep enough."
"Are you perhaps incapable?"
"Are all Southerners so wishy-washy?"
Jon, listening from behind, was utterly confused and couldn't help but ask.
"What are you two talking about? What control? What deep or not deep?"
"You don't understand anything, Jon Snow!"
Ygritte yelled back without turning her head.
Jon was rebuffed and had no choice but to shut his mouth.
He always felt there was an atmosphere between the two of them that he couldn't comprehend.
Finally, under Ygritte's incessant harassment, Lynn stopped.
He turned around and stared intently at her.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course!"
Ygritte lifted her chin, like a rooster that had won a fight.
Lynn, having been constantly harassed, finally lost his patience.
He closed his eyes.
This time, his mental power was no longer gentle sunlight.
Instead, it transformed into an invisible large hand, gripping her soul directly while she was conscious, with an undeniable dominance.
"Ah..."
Ygritte let out a muffled groan, her legs went weak, and her whole body uncontrollably swayed backward.
Lynn reached out and pulled her into his arms.
"Now, how does it feel?"
Lynn's deep voice echoed in her ear.
Ygritte was trembling all over.
She could feel that every inch of her thought, every single idea, seemed to be laid bare under his will.
With just a thought, he could make her cry, make her laugh, make her do anything.
This feeling of being completely controlled, far from terrifying her, instead ignited a trembling excitement deep within her soul.
"Kneel."
Lynn commanded.
Ygritte's body disobeyed her, her knees weakened, and she was about to kneel into the snow.
But just as her knees were about to touch the ground, Lynn's will rapidly retreated.
A test was enough; there was no need to make her actually kneel. Ygritte had no ill intent; Lynn just wanted to stop her from pestering him.
Lynn held Ygritte in his arms.
Ygritte was gasping for breath.
Her forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, which then froze in the cold wind, her cheeks so red they looked as if they could bleed.
She looked up at Lynn with hazy eyes.
"You..."
"Now, can you quietly lead the way?"
Lynn looked down at her from above.
"...Mm."
Ygritte lowered her head, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
For the next few days, she was indeed much more well-behaved.
Only occasionally, the look in her eyes towards Lynn would become increasingly fervent and resentful... North of the Frostfang Mountains.
When this continuous mountain range, resembling the fangs of a giant beast, finally appeared on the horizon, everyone in the group breathed a sigh of relief.
But the closer they got, the heavier the atmosphere became.
The air began to carry the scent of countless burning bonfires.
Mixed with the smell of roasted meat, strong liquor, sweat, and animal dung.
Occasionally, they could hear the dull, thunderous sound of horns echoing from deep within the valley, and the roars of giants like collapsing mountains.
Here, almost all the Free Folk north of the Wall had gathered.
They were fleeing the awakening Others, converging under their common King-Beyond-the-Wall, Mance Rayder.
They seemed to be preparing to assault the Wall to the south.
When Lynn and his group crested the last ridge, everyone was stunned by the sight before them.
Below the ridge was a vast valley stretching as far as the eye could see.
The valley was densely packed with tents made of animal hides and dried bones.
They formed a massive, chaotic, yet vibrant "city" full of primal life.
Countless bonfires, like stars in the night, burned in every corner of the valley.
Tens of thousands of wildlings, dressed in various furs and wielding crude weapons, moved among them, shouting, trading, and fighting.
Lynn even saw mammoth elephants, as large as small mountains, used as beasts of burden, slowly walking between the camps.
There were also giants, over four meters tall, covered in long hair, wielding massive stone clubs, sitting around a huge bonfire, tearing and devouring entire roasted sheep.
There were at least a hundred thousand people here!
"The Seven Above..."
A Ranger's weapon slipped from his hand and fell into the snow, letting out a desperate groan.
Just then, a sharp whistle came from below the valley.
A dozen wildling scouts, riding sturdy ponies, burst out from behind a pile of rocks and quickly surrounded the five of them.
Their spears and bone bows were unceremoniously aimed at these uninvited guests.
"Crows!"
"Kill them!"
Hateful shouts rose and fell.
"Stop!"
Ygritte stepped forward and shouted loudly.
"They are my guests! I'm taking them to Mance!"
A burly wildling, with a scarred face, who looked like the scout leader, rode forward and scrutinized Ygritte with a judging gaze.
Then he looked at Lynn and Jon and the others behind her.
"Fire-kissed girl? I know you."
The scout leader sneered.
"You bring Crows to our territory, are you trying to be a traitor?"
"I'm not!"
Ygritte became anxious.
"Then kill them to prove your loyalty!"
The scout leader threw a short axe at her feet.
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Jon and the three Rangers already had their hands on their sword hilts, preparing for a final desperate fight.
"Enough."
A voice broke the standoff.
Lynn stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Ygritte.
He ignored the spears and arrows aimed at him, looking only at the scout leader.
"Do you want me to kill you to prove my intentions?"
The scout leader was stunned, then erupted in fury.
"You little Crow from the South, you've got quite the nerve!"
He raised the spear in his hand, about to thrust it forward.
But the next second, his movement froze.
An indescribable chill instantly shot through his entire body from the soles of his feet!
He watched with wide eyes as a thin layer of frost spread from Lynn's feet at a visible speed.
The frost instantly covered all four hooves of his warhorse, freezing it firmly in place!
The warhorse let out a terrified whinny, but couldn't move!
The entire scene fell into instant silence!
All the wildlings were terrified by this eerie sight!
This was... witchcraft?!
"Now, can you take us to Mance?"
Lynn's voice remained calm.
"Or do you want me to walk there myself?"
Under the influence of Ice Magic, a giant sword of frost slowly materialized in Lynn's hand.
Seeing this, the scout leader's face was filled with terror.
He nodded frantically, unable to utter a single word.
Lynn snapped his fingers, and the frost on the horse's hooves instantly melted, as if it had never appeared.
Escorted by the fearful and awestruck gazes of a dozen wildlings, Lynn and his group were led into the massive wildling camp.
They passed through countless hostile and curious stares, through the chaotic yet vibrant "streets."
Finally, they stopped in front of the largest tent, stitched together from various giant beast furs.
At the entrance of the tent stood two burly Thenns, wielding massive battle axes.
From within the tent, the faint sound of a lute and a low singing voice could be heard.
The scout leader went in to announce them for a moment, then quickly came back out.
He bowed deeply to Lynn, his posture utterly humble.
"The King-Beyond-the-Wall... is willing to see you."
The singing stopped.
A voice emerged from inside the tent.
"Let them in."
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